Elastic Crop-Contact Sensing for High Stem Harvester Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual operation of high stem crop harvesters, such as corn harvesters, leads to increased operational costs, extended operation times, and decreased efficiency and precision due to the need for constant driver adjustments to maintain alignment during harvesting.
Innovation Solution
An automatic row alignment driving system that includes an elastic row sensing module with elastomers and sensors to detect alignment deviations, a processing module to determine the current alignment state, a controlling module to generate steering signals, and a steering module to adjust the harvester's direction, allowing for autonomous alignment and reducing driver workload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual operation is used to constantly adjust forward direction for precise harvesting, then alignment precision is improved, but operation efficiency deteriorates and driver fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the harvester to automatically adjust its own alignment through the sensing module that detects row position and the control module that autonomously steers the vehicle, eliminating the need for continuous manual adjustment and thereby improving both precision and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing module continuously detects the actual alignment status with crop rows and feeds this information back to the control module, which then makes real-time steering adjustments to maintain precise alignment, creating a closed-loop control system that improves both precision and operational efficiency
2Manufacturing precision
If manual operation is used to constantly monitor harvesting conditions and progress, then operation precision is improved, but operation cost increases and operation time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic row alignment system performs continuous monitoring of alignment status and harvesting progress through integrated sensors and processing modules, eliminating the need for the driver to manually monitor conditions and thereby reducing operation time while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the driver's manual monitoring and adjustment actions with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors to detect alignment and processing modules to calculate and execute steering corrections, reducing both time and labor costs while maintaining harvesting precision
3Productivity
If automatic row alignment system is implemented, then driver workload is reduced and harvesting efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing module serves multiple functions by detecting both the position of crop rows and the alignment status of the harvester, while the control module integrates steering control and alignment maintenance, reducing the need for separate dedicated components and thereby managing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The processing module acts as an intermediary that receives raw sensor data, processes it to determine alignment status, and generates appropriate steering commands, simplifying the overall system architecture by creating a clear separation between sensing, processing, and actuation functions
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
The system enhances harvesting efficiency and accuracy by automatically maintaining alignment, reducing driver fatigue, and improving crop quality without requiring modifications to the harvester or affecting its operation.
Implementation Method 1
the elastomers are deformed by physical contact with the high stem crop, and the sensors are configured to detect deformation of the elastomers
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for automatic row alignment driving by a harvester when harvesting above-ground crops includes an elastic row sensing module, a processing module, a controlling module, and a steering module. The elastic row sensing module is disposed on a front grain thresher/grain isolator of the harvester, collecting data as to physical contact with the crop. The elastic row sensing module includes a deformable elastomer in contact with the high stem crop, the sensor detects and reports deformation of the elastomer. The processing module determines current alignment state of the harvester and the controlling module determines any corrective steering signal for the harvester. The steering module controls steering direction.