Cotton Harvester MOC Detection and Auto-Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cotton harvesters require significant manual operation and expertise, making them cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A system for automatically controlling cotton harvesters, which includes sensors to detect materials other than cotton (MOC) and computing systems to adjust operational settings based on real-time data, improving harvesting efficiency and quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation is used to control harvesting parameters, then the operator can make real-time decisions based on experience, but the operation becomes cumbersome and requires significant skill and expertise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The harvester system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment through automated sensors and control systems that monitor harvesting conditions and modify operational parameters without operator intervention, making the system serve itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical control by the operator is replaced with automated electronic control systems, sensors, and computing devices that electronically manage harvesting operations, substituting human mechanical manipulation with automated systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual control is used for harvesting operations, then the system is simpler to implement, but it requires an operator with significant skill and expertise to operate efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidoperational skill requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Sensors continuously monitor harvesting conditions and provide feedback to the control system, which automatically adjusts operational parameters to optimize productivity, creating a closed-loop control system that self-optimizes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically monitors and adjusts its own operational parameters based on sensor data and processing results, eliminating the need for skilled manual operation while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If sensors and computing systems are added to automate harvesting control, then manual intervention is reduced and efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs multiple functions including monitoring, data processing, decision-making, and actuation through a single integrated automated system, reducing the need for separate manual control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical control operations are replaced with automated electronic systems that use sensors, processors, and electronic actuators, substituting complex human-operated mechanical systems with integrated electronic control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If automated control systems are implemented, then operational skill requirements are reduced, but the initial system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational skill requirementVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors and adjusts its own operational parameters based on sensor data and processing results, eliminating the need for skilled manual operation while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical control operations are replaced with automated electronic systems that use sensors, processors, and electronic actuators, substituting complex human-operated mechanical systems with integrated electronic control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250133990A1Systems and methods for automatically controlling the operation of a cotton harvester and related harvesters
Publication Date: 2025.05.01 CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
  • US20250133990A1 patent drawing
  • US20250133990A1 patent drawing
  • US20250133990A1 patent drawing

AI summary

In one aspect, a cotton harvester includes a harvesting implement configured to harvest materials from a field. The harvested materials include both cotton and material other than cotton (MOC). The harvester also includes a material processing system configured to receive the harvested materials from the harvesting implement, with the harvested materials being directed through the material processing system along a material transfer path. Additionally, the harvester includes a sensor configured to generate data indicative of an amount of MOC contained within the harvested materials at a location along the material transfer path, and a computing system communicatively coupled to the sensor. The computing system is configured to adjust an operational setting of the cotton harvester based at least in part on the amount of MOC contained within the harvested materials.