Extendable Capacitive Sensor for Grain Moisture Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current yield monitoring systems in agriculture lack precise measurement of grain moisture content, which affects harvesting, drying, storage, and selling decisions, as existing sensors are prone to inaccuracies due to positioning variations and accumulation of debris, leading to potential degradations in measurement quality.
Innovation Solution
An extendable capacitive moisture content sensor system is integrated into combine harvesters, where a capacitive sensor element can be raised above the grain flow to avoid debris accumulation and adjusted to maintain accurate moisture readings, using a data table to apply correction values based on sensor position, ensuring precise moisture content determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned within the grain flow to ensure continuous measurement, then measurement continuity is improved, but sensor contamination by debris increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor position is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The sensor can be raised above the grain flow to avoid contamination or lowered into the grain flow for accurate measurement, allowing the system to adapt its position based on operational needs and contamination levels.
Solution Approach 2:
An extendable support structure acts as an intermediary mechanism between the sensor and the grain flow. This mediator allows the sensor to be positioned at optimal heights without direct contact with contaminated grain, enabling both protection from debris and maintenance of measurement accuracy.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the sensor is raised above the grain flow to avoid debris accumulation, then sensor contamination is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor height is dynamically adjustable, allowing operators to optimize the balance between contamination avoidance and measurement accuracy. When contamination is low, the sensor can be positioned higher for protection; when accurate measurement is critical, it can be lowered into the grain flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the sensor to optimize performance. By adjusting the sensor's vertical position within the grain flow, the system can modify measurement conditions to achieve accurate readings while managing contamination exposure.
3Device complexity
If the sensor position is fixed to simplify system structure, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different operating conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor positioning system incorporates dynamic adjustability through an extendable support structure, enabling the sensor to adapt to different grain flow conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall system design.
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
This solution provides continuous, accurate moisture content measurements by minimizing sensor contamination and accounting for positional variations, enhancing decision-making in agriculture related to grain handling and pricing.
Implementation Method 1
As clean grain 107 passes over capacitive sensor element 203, capacitance of capacitive sensor element 203 varies based upon moisture content of clean grain 107
Implementation Method 2
capacitance controlled oscillator 501 varies output frequency 520 based upon capacitance signal from extendable capacitive sensor element 203
Data Source
AI summary
A moisture content sensing system is described comprising a collar mechanically coupled with a clean grain transport system. An extendable support extends through the collar and has an extendable capacitive sensor element disposed at one end. The extendable support is configured to be located at a first position in which the extendable capacitive sensor element is disposed adjacent to clean grain conveyed by the clean grain transport system and moved to a second position wherein the extendable capacitive sensor element is disposed at least partially within the clean grain of the clean grain transport system.