Fruit Harvest Bin Logistics With Data-Driven Tractor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fruit and vegetable harvesting methods lack efficiency and require manual or inefficient automated processes, particularly in adapting to varying harvesting environments and conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a tractor, storage bins, and an operation control and management system to efficiently deploy and relocate storage bins, adapt harvesting operations based on real-time data, and automate grading and sorting, enhancing efficiency through intelligent control of tractors and harvesters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual or basic automated harvesting methods are used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but harvesting efficiency and adaptability to varying environments are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The harvesting system is segmented into distinct functional modules: storage bins for fruit collection, tractor for transport, and operation control and management system for coordination. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system efficiency and reducing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation control and management system serves multiple functions simultaneously: receiving storage bin location data, receiving harvesting data, providing tractor control data, and coordinating the entire harvesting operation. This multi-functionality improves productivity by centralizing control without proportionally increasing system complexity.
2Loss of time
If storage bins are manually deployed and relocated, then equipment requirements are minimized, but time consumption and operational efficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
Storage bins are pre-positioned in the harvesting area before harvesting begins. The operation control and management system receives storage bin location data in advance and prepares tractor control data for subsequent deployment and relocation operations, reducing time loss during the actual harvesting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously receives storage bin location data and harvesting data from sensors and monitors the state of storage bins and harvesting progress. This feedback enables the operation control and management system to dynamically adjust tractor control data for optimal deployment and relocation timing, minimizing time loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If harvesting operations are conducted without real-time data processing, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptability to harvesting environment and conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The operation control and management system dynamically adjusts tractor control data based on real-time harvesting data and storage bin location data. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond to changing harvesting environmental conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through automated decision-making algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system processes harvesting data that includes parameters indicative of harvesting environment and conditions. By analyzing these parameters and adjusting control data accordingly, the system achieves adaptability to varying conditions without requiring complex manual intervention for each parameter change.
4Productivity
If storage bins are not optimally deployed in the harvesting area, then deployment complexity is reduced, but harvesting productivity and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The operation control and management system continuously receives storage bin location data and uses this feedback to optimize the deployment strategy. By monitoring the positions of storage bins and coordinating with the tractor's relocation operations, the system maximizes harvesting productivity through efficient spatial utilization without excessive coordination complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation control and management system acts as an intermediary between the storage bin deployment, harvesting operations, and tractor relocation. This intermediary coordinates the activities of multiple components, achieving optimal productivity through centralized management while keeping individual component complexity manageable.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for harvesting fruit or vegetable is disclosed, the method comprising providing a tractor (1); providing a plurality of storage bins (2) in a supply location, the storage bins configured to store fruit or vegetable; deploying the plurality of storage bins (2) in a harvesting area (3) by means of the tractor (1); providing a harvester (5); harvesting fruit or vegetable by the harvester (5) and storing the fruit or vegetable in the plurality of storage bins (2) deployed in the harvesting area (3); relocating filled storage bins filled with fruit or vegetable from the harvesting area (3) to a storage location by the tractor; providing an operation control and management system (6) comprising one or more data processors and a data storage device and configured to receive and process data; receiving storage bin location data indicative of a location of the storage bins from the plurality of storage bins (2); receiving harvesting data indicative of at least one harvesting process parameter in the operation control and management system (6); and providing tractor control data in the operation control and management system (6) in response to the at least one harvesting process parameter. An operation mode of the tractor (1) for at least one of deploying the plurality of storage bins (2) and relocating the filled storage bins is controlled according to the tractor control data. Furthermore, a system for harvesting fruit or vegetable is provided. (Fig. 1)