Harvested Material Fill Profile Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for optimization of the fill profile for receiving containers during agricultural harvesting, which accounts for changes in the harvested material and weight restrictions, to prevent wastage and ensure efficient loading and unloading processes.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing one or more computers configured with software to determine desired and actual fill profile parameters for the receiving container, calculate an adjustment factor based on the comparison, and generate an optimized fill profile that accounts for changes in the harvested material and weight restrictions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the tractor operator fills the receiving container to the maximum capacity, then the productivity is improved by reducing the number of loading/unloading cycles, but the weight restrictions may be exceeded causing harmful effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading efficiencyVSAvoidweight restriction violation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations before the loading operation to determine the optimal fill profile. It anticipates the weight restrictions and material characteristics, pre-calculating the maximum safe fill amount and distribution pattern to avoid exceeding weight limits while maximizing productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the actual fill profile during loading and compares it against the desired profile and weight restrictions. It provides real-time feedback to adjust the loading process, ensuring the receiving container is filled to the optimal level without exceeding weight constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the tractor operator uses a fixed fill profile, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision of the fill profile deteriorates due to changes in harvested material characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidfill profile accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a fixed fill profile to a dynamic, adaptive fill profile that automatically adjusts based on real-time changes in harvested material characteristics such as moisture content and density. The fill profile is continuously updated to maintain optimal accuracy despite varying material properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors and responds to changes in material parameters including moisture content, density, and flow characteristics. It automatically adjusts the fill profile parameters to accommodate these changes, maintaining precise fill accuracy while keeping the operation simple through automated adaptation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the tractor operator manually determines the fill amount, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of the fill profile deteriorates leading to overfilling or underfilling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidfill amount accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-measurement and self-adjustment of the fill profile using integrated sensors and vision systems. It automatically determines the actual fill profile and compares it with the desired profile, adjusting the loading process without requiring complex external measurement devices or manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with automated optical and sensor-based measurement systems. Vision cameras and sensors capture the actual fill profile, which is then processed by a computer to determine the optimal fill amount, eliminating the need for manual estimation while maintaining simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250189357A1Fill profile calculation and optimization

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A system and method for optimizing a fill profile of a harvested material in a receiving container. A visual processing unit can use information regarding at least one of a supply container, the receiving container, and the harvested material to determine desired fill profile parameters for harvested material in the receiving container. One or more actual fill profile parameters of the harvested material in the receiving container can be determined by the visual processing unit via use of at least vision data. A comparison by the visual processing unit of the one or more actual fill profile parameters and the desired fill profile parameters can be used in determining an adjustment factor for the fill profile of the harvested material in the receiving container. A signal can also be generated for displaying on a display unit a second fill profile of the harvested material that accounts for the adjustment factor.