Crop Loss Inhibitor Sensor Integration for Grain Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combine harvesters experience grain loss due to ears of corn bouncing forward and falling before being processed, leading to inefficiencies in crop harvesting.
Innovation Solution
The integration of ear loss inhibitors with embedded sensors on combine harvesters, which not only prevent ears of corn from falling by acting as flaps but also sense crop attributes like stalk diameter as they pass through, allowing for improved harvesting efficiency and yield monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If ear loss inhibitors are added to prevent grain loss, then grain loss is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ear loss inhibitor structure with the row divider structure into a single integrated component. The ear loss inhibitor is mounted on the row divider, allowing both structures to work together without requiring separate mounting systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining grain loss prevention functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The row divider is designed to serve multiple functions: it guides cornstalks back to the gathering chain and simultaneously supports the ear loss inhibitor function. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while preventing grain loss
2Measurement precision
If sensors are integrated into ear loss inhibitors to sense crop attributes, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is integrated directly into the ear loss inhibitor structure, combining the sensing function with the mechanical ear protection function. This integration eliminates the need for separate sensor mounting systems and reduces the overall number of components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The ear loss inhibitor structure serves dual purposes: mechanically preventing ear loss and providing a platform for crop attribute sensing. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to perform both protective and measurement roles, reducing device complexity while improving measurement precision
Data Source
AI summary
A harvesting machine has a controlled subsystem that performs harvesting machine functionality, and a control system that controls the controlled subsystem. A header is mounted to the harvesting machine and has row dividers (that divide rows of crop stalks) and gathering chains. A set of crop loss inhibitors is mounted proximate a forward portion of each of the gathering chains, in a direction of travel of the harvesting machine. The crop loss inhibitors also include a sensor that senses a variable, indicative of a crop attribute, as each crop stalk passes through the set of crop loss inhibitors.