Dynamic Mowing Height Control for Crop Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mower systems set a single, fixed mowing height for entire fields, failing to control regrowth properties and resulting in undesirable crop composition, particularly in grass-legume mixtures, which affects both animal feed quality and subsequent crop yields.
Innovation Solution
A mower system with an adjustable mowing height controlled by a sensor device that senses species composition parameters, generating data to dynamically adjust the mowing height based on real-time measurements, allowing for position-dependent control of regrowth and crop ratio optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single fixed mowing height is set for the entire field, then the mowing operation is simple and efficient, but the regrowth properties and crop composition cannot be controlled, leading to undesirable outcomes
Solution Approach 1:
The mowing height is made dynamically adjustable during the mowing operation. The control device receives data from sensor devices about crop species composition and automatically adjusts the mowing height of the mowing device in real-time, transforming a static system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying field conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different mowing heights are applied to different locations within the field based on local crop composition. The system divides the field into zones with different species ratios and applies locally optimized mowing heights to each zone, ensuring that each area receives the appropriate treatment for its specific vegetation characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mowing height is adjusted dynamically based on sensor data, then precise control over regrowth and crop composition is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs multiple functions: it receives and processes data from various sensor devices, determines optimal mowing heights based on crop composition, and controls the mowing device. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single control unit rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary between the sensor devices and the mowing device. It receives raw data from sensors, processes this information to determine appropriate mowing heights, and translates this into control signals for the mowing device, simplifying the overall system architecture through a central coordinating component.
3Ease of operation
If the mowing height is set once for all of the field, then the operation is straightforward, but it may lead to too much or too little regrowth of the desired crop
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensor devices mounted on the mower itself to automatically detect crop composition and adjust mowing height without requiring external intervention. The mower performs its own measurement and control functions, eliminating the need for separate surveying operations or manual adjustments while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where sensor devices continuously monitor crop species composition and provide data to the control device, which then adjusts the mowing height accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures precise composition management while the automation maintains ease of operation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A mower system (1) for mowing a field with a grass containing crop comprises a frame (5), a mowing device (6, 7, 8) that is connected to the frame (5) and has an adjustable mowing height, a sensor device (9, 10) arranged to sense a species composition related parameter, such as a ration grass-to-clover, of a part of the field, and to generate data based on the sensed parameter, and a control device (13) that is operatively connected to the sensor device (9, 10) to receive the generated data, and is operatively connected to the mowing device (6, 7, 8) and arranged to adjust the mowing height on the basis of the received data. This enables to adjust the mowing height dynamically, i.e. position dependently, based on the detected parameter. The mowing height influences the regrowth of e.g. grass and clover differently, so that the ratio can be influenced locally.