On-the-go Nitrate Sensor for Corn Stalk Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing nitrogen management in corn fields are labor-intensive, limited in spatial coverage, and often coincide with busy harvest periods, making it difficult for corn growers to effectively monitor and manage nitrogen levels.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural machine equipped with a crop header and on-the-go nitrate sensors that collect electromagnetic energy reflected from corn stalks to generate real-time nitrate level signals, allowing for continuous monitoring during harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual sample collection is used for end-of-season stalk nitrate testing, then nitrogen management assessment can be performed, but labor intensity increases and spatial coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sampling with an optical sensing system that uses electromagnetic radiation to detect nitrate levels in corn stalks. The sensor system eliminates the need for physical sample collection, cutting, and laboratory analysis, thereby reducing labor intensity while enabling continuous monitoring across the entire field width during harvest operations.
2Measurement precision
If end-of-season stalk nitrate testing is performed at R6 stage before harvest, then nitrogen management can be assessed, but timing conflicts with harvest operations and other crop preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the nitrogen assessment function with the harvest operation by mounting sensors on the combine harvester. This integration allows nitrate level detection to occur simultaneously with grain harvesting, eliminating the need for separate testing operations and resolving the timing conflict between nitrogen assessment and harvest scheduling.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system enables continuous nitrogen level monitoring throughout the entire harvest process, rather than requiring discrete sampling events. This continuous measurement approach ensures that nitrogen assessment is completed without interrupting or delaying harvest operations, maintaining full operational continuity.
3Ease of operation
If limited sampling points are used due to labor constraints, then testing feasibility is maintained, but spatial variability of nitrogen in the field is not captured
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system mounted on the combine harvester provides universal coverage across the entire field width during a single pass. The multi-functional device simultaneously performs grain harvesting and comprehensive nitrogen assessment across all stalks in the harvested area, capturing complete spatial distribution data without additional operational complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, real-time monitoring of nitrate levels across the field, reducing labor and timing constraints, and providing more accurate and comprehensive nitrogen management data.
Implementation Method 1
collect electromagnetic energy reflected from or emitted by the stalks
Implementation Method 2
collect electromagnetic energy reflected from or emitted by the stalks
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural machine configured to harvest a crop having stalks includes a main frame and a plurality of wheels supporting the main frame from the ground. A crop header is mounted on the main frame and includes a header frame extending transversely to a forward direction and having a transverse width. The crop header is configured to cut stalks of the crop as the agricultural machine moves in the forward direction. At least one on-the-go nitrate sensor is mounted on the agricultural machine and oriented to collect electromagnetic energy reflected from or emitted by the stalks, the sensor being configured to generate a nitrate level signal representative of a nitrate level in the stalks.