Crop Transfer Control Using Trailer Motion Prediction

Solution Overview

Problem

Simultaneously controlling the harvesting and crop transfer process in agricultural harvesters is difficult, leading to potential crop spillage, especially in conditions that cause temporary signal drop-outs in camera-based systems.

Innovation Solution

A method using an optical sensor to obtain and process image data for determining and estimating status parameters of a nearby trailer, allowing proactive adjustments to the crop transfer process, including predicting the position and orientation of the trailer and adjusting the harvester's operation to minimize spillage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If camera-based automatic crop transfer control systems are used, then the operator's task is alleviated, but the system is vulnerable to temporary signal drop-outs causing crop spillage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator's taskVSAvoidsignal continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously estimating trailer status parameters (position, orientation, filling level) based on historical image data and motion models before actual crop transfer occurs. This allows the system to proactively adjust crop delivery parameters and prepare for anticipated trailer movements, ensuring continuous reliable control even when optical signals are temporarily lost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously comparing estimated trailer status parameters with actual observed parameters when available, and using this feedback to refine motion models and predictions. This closed-loop feedback ensures the system maintains accurate predictions of trailer position and orientation, preventing crop spillage during signal drop-outs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If reactive camera-based control systems are used, then crop transfer is monitored, but the system responds too slowly to prevent misalignment and spillage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop transfer controlVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously estimating trailer status parameters (position, orientation, filling level) based on historical image data and motion models before actual crop transfer occurs. This allows the system to proactively adjust crop delivery parameters and prepare for anticipated trailer movements, ensuring continuous reliable control even when optical signals are temporarily lost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies dynamics by using motion models to predict future trailer status parameters based on current and historical data. This dynamic prediction approach allows the control system to anticipate trailer movements and adjust crop delivery parameters proactively, rather than reactively responding to observed misalignment after it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the crop transfer process is adjusted in real-time based on observed trailer position, then alignment is improved, but the system cannot prevent misalignment that has already occurred

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrailer position detectionVSAvoidcrop transfer alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously estimating trailer status parameters (position, orientation, filling level) based on historical image data and motion models before actual crop transfer occurs. This allows the system to proactively adjust crop delivery parameters and prepare for anticipated trailer movements, ensuring continuous reliable control even when optical signals are temporarily lost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies dynamics by using motion models to predict future trailer status parameters based on current and historical data. This dynamic prediction approach allows the control system to anticipate trailer movements and adjust crop delivery parameters proactively, rather than reactively responding to observed misalignment after it occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 provides robust crop transfer control, minimizing spillage even in conditions that cause signal drop-outs by enabling proactive adjustments and accurate predictions of trailer positions and crop dynamics, ensuring efficient and reliable transfer.

Implementation Method 1

using an optical sensor of the agricultural harvester to obtain image data relating to the nearby trailer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Light

Data Source

PatentUS20250338795A1Method and system for controlling a crop transfer process

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 CNH IND BELGIUM NV

AI summary

A method of controlling a crop transfer process for transferring crop between an agricultural harvester and a nearby trailer. The method includes, at different points in time, using an optical sensor of the agricultural harvester to obtain image data relating to the nearby trailer. The obtained image data is processed to determine a status parameter of the nearby trailer at those different points in time. Based on the determined status parameter at the different points in time, the status parameter of the nearby trailer at a further and later point in time is estimated. The crop transfer process is then adjusted in dependence of the estimated status parameter.