Cutting Head Harvesting Loss Detection with Reflectance Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural machines face challenges in accurately detecting and reducing harvesting losses, particularly at the cutting head, which are not effectively addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
The system employs image sensors and light emitting devices to capture and analyze field of view images, determining grain presence and loss by reflectance values, and adjusts operational characteristics to minimize harvesting losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image sensors and light emitting devices are used to detect grain loss, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the detection task into multiple components: light emitting devices illuminate specific areas, image sensors capture reflectance data, and the controller processes information to determine grain loss. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while achieving high overall measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light emitting devices as intermediaries to illuminate the field of view and enhance the reflectance signal from grain. This intermediary element enables the image sensor to detect grain loss more accurately by providing controlled illumination that highlights grain presence and absence in the harvested material.
2Productivity
If real-time image analysis is performed to detect grain loss, then productivity is improved through immediate feedback, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs image capture and analysis at periodic intervals during harvesting operations rather than continuously. The controller determines grain loss based on images captured at specific moments, providing timely feedback to operators while allowing energy conservation during periods between captures. This periodic operation maintains productivity benefits while reducing overall energy consumption.
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
Enhances the detection and reduction of harvesting losses by providing precise grain loss mapping and enabling real-time adjustments to operational parameters, thereby improving harvesting efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light emitting device configured to emit light in the field of view
Implementation Method 2
determine one or more reflectance values based on the received data corresponding to the one or more images, each reflectance value being associated with a portion of an image
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural machine for reducing cutting head harvesting loss includes: ground engaging mechanisms such as wheels or tracks, a cutting head for harvesting crop, an image sensor configured to capture one or more images of a field of view, a light emitting device configured to emit light into the field of view, and a controller operatively coupled to at least the image sensor. The controller is configured to: receive data corresponding to one or more images of the field of view from the at least one image sensor, determine one or more reflectance values based on the received data corresponding to the one or more images, and determine an amount of grain shown in the one or more images of the field of view based on the one or more determined reflectance values.