Crop Transport Receptacle Fill-Level Monitoring with Regional Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vision-based systems for monitoring crop fill-levels in transport receptacles are complex and resource-intensive, requiring significant computing power, which is not suitable for efficient 'on-the-go' unloading operations.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing reflection-based fill-level sensors with distinct fields of view in different sub-regions of the receptacle, coupled with a computing system to estimate the overall fill-level, and secondary sensors to activate primary sensors when an initial fill-level is reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vision-based systems with cameras and computer-vision techniques are used to monitor fill-level, then fill-level monitoring capability is achieved, but system complexity and computing resource requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex vision-based systems (cameras, computer vision processing) with simple reflection-based sensors that use optical reflection principles. Instead of capturing and analyzing images, the system uses sensors to detect fill-level by measuring light reflection from the crop surface, dramatically reducing system complexity and computing requirements while maintaining monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential function needed for fill-level monitoring from the complex vision-based system. By using dedicated reflection sensors positioned to detect crop surface level, the system isolates the critical measurement function from the unnecessary complexity of full image capture and processing, achieving monitoring with minimal resources
2Measurement precision
If vision-based systems with significant computing resources are deployed, then accurate fill-level estimation is achieved, but energy consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes energy-intensive computer vision processing with simple optical reflection sensing. The reflection-based sensors require minimal computing resources to process signals, dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining the ability to accurately estimate fill-level throughout the unloading operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, low-cost reflection-based sensors instead of expensive camera systems and computing infrastructure. These sensors provide sufficient measurement capability for fill-level monitoring at a fraction of the cost and energy consumption of vision-based alternatives
3Area of stationary object
If multiple reflection-based sensors cover different sub-regions, then comprehensive fill-level coverage is achieved, but sensor quantity and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage volume into multiple sub-regions, each monitored by a dedicated reflection-based sensor. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of the entire storage volume while keeping each sensor simple and the overall system manageable through modular regional monitoring
4Productivity
If secondary sensors are added to activate primary sensors at initial fill-level, then sensor activation timing is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses secondary sensors positioned to detect when crops reach an initial fill-level, triggering the activation of primary reflection-based sensors before the unloading operation begins. This preliminary detection ensures sensors are active at the optimal moment, improving measurement accuracy without requiring continuous operation of all sensors
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
Provides a simpler and cost-effective means to monitor crop fill-levels, enabling efficient 'on-the-go' unloading operations with accurate fill-level estimation and control adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a first reflection-based fill-level sensor supported relative to the storage volume such that the first fill-level sensor has a field of view directed towards harvested crops contained within the first sub-region of the storage volume
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a system for monitoring crop fill-levels of transport receptacles, includes a crop transport receptacle defining a storage volume including at least a first sub-region and a second sub-region. The system also includes first and second fill-level sensors having fields of view directed towards harvested crops contained within the first and second sub-regions of the storage volume, respectively. In addition, the system includes a computing system configured to determine a first fill-level value associated with a fill-level of the first sub-region based on data received from the first fill-level sensor and a second fill-level value associated with a fill-level of the second sub-region based on data received from the second fill-level sensor. The computing system is further configured to determine an estimated fill-level value associated with at least a portion of the storage volume including the sub-regions based on the first and second fill-level values.