Crop-Constituent Sensing for Harvester Header Cutting-Height Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current forage harvesters lack the ability to adjust cutting height based on crop constituent values and tonnage, leading to inadequate silage quality and yield, which can increase operational costs due to the need for supplemental nutrition.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a crop constituent sensor to detect values such as starch and fiber concentrations, generating control signals to adjust the header's position based on these values, along with predictive maps for optimal cutting heights and tonnage, ensuring the desired constituent concentrations and yield are achieved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the header cutting height is fixed, then the operation is simple, but the silage quality and yield are inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The header cutting height is transformed from a fixed parameter to a dynamically adjustable parameter based on real-time crop constituent measurements. The system continuously monitors crop constituents (starch, fiber, protein) and automatically adjusts header height to optimize silage quality, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback control system is implemented where crop constituent sensors provide real-time data about the harvested material, and the control system adjusts header height accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically optimize silage quality while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
2Device complexity
If the header position is manually adjusted, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity is reduced due to inadequate optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically adjusting header position based on real-time crop constituent analysis. The control system processes sensor data and autonomously determines optimal cutting heights, eliminating the need for manual intervention and maximizing silage yield without increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical adjustment of the header is replaced with an automated control system that uses sensors and electronic control signals. This substitution increases productivity through precise, real-time optimization while keeping device complexity manageable through integrated electronic control rather than complex mechanical mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If crop constituents are not monitored, then the device complexity is low, but the loss of substance increases due to inadequate nutrition
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring crop constituents during harvesting to predict nutritional deficiencies before they occur. By analyzing starch, fiber, and protein content in real-time, the system identifies when supplemental nutrition is needed and adjusts harvesting parameters accordingly, preventing substance loss rather than addressing it after it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time feedback from crop constituent sensors enables the system to monitor nutritional quality continuously and adjust harvesting operations to minimize the need for supplemental nutrition. This feedback mechanism reduces substance loss by ensuring optimal crop utilization throughout the harvesting process.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile agricultural machine includes a header configured to engage crop at a worksite and a controllable header actuator configured to drive movement of the header relative to a surface of the worksite. The mobile agricultural machine further includes a crop constituent sensor system configured to sense the crop and generate a crop constituent sensor signal indicative of a value of a constituent of the crop. The mobile agricultural machine further includes a control system configured to generate a control signal to control the mobile agricultural machine based on the detected value of the constituent of the crop.