Harvester Belt Force Sensor for Crop Intake Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural harvesters face inefficiencies in processing operations due to constant operating parameters despite varying amounts of plant materials ingested, leading to issues like inefficient threshing and crop losses, as measurements of crop materials entering the crop tank do not accurately represent the actual amount of plant materials being processed.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for monitoring plant materials entering an agricultural harvester using sensors integrated with the belt support assembly of the harvesting implement, which detect the force exerted on the conveyor belts to estimate the amount of plant materials and adjust operating parameters such as speed and header height accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If operating parameters of the harvester remain constant, then the machine structure is simple and easy to operate, but processing efficiency decreases and crop losses occur when plant material volume varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making operating parameters variable rather than fixed. The harvester automatically adjusts operating parameters (such as rotor speed, conveyor belt speed, header height) in real-time based on the detected volume of plant materials being processed. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing high productivity when material volume is high while maintaining system simplicity through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through sensors that continuously monitor the volume of plant materials entering the processing system. This feedback information is used by the control system to automatically adjust operating parameters, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal processing efficiency without requiring complex manual intervention.
2Measurement precision
If measurements are taken at the crop tank, then the measurement system is simple, but the data does not accurately represent the actual amount of plant materials being processed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the volume of plant materials at the point of entry into the processing system, before actual processing occurs. This early measurement allows the system to adjust operating parameters proactively based on the actual material volume that will be processed, rather than reacting to delayed or inaccurate data from the crop tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses sensors as intermediary devices placed at strategic locations (such as at the header or feeder house) to indirectly measure the volume of plant materials. These sensors act as mediators between the physical material flow and the control system, providing accurate real-time data without requiring direct intervention in the material flow path.
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 allows for real-time adjustment of harvester operations to match the varying volume of plant materials, enhancing processing efficiency and reducing losses by accurately monitoring and responding to changes in crop intake.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor is configured to detect the force exerted on the conveyor belt as the conveyor belt moves relative to the belt support assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
In one aspect, an agricultural harvester may include a harvesting implement having a belt support assembly configured to support a conveyor belt of the harvesting implement as the conveyor belt moves relative to the belt support assembly. The system may also include a sensor provided in operative association the belt support assembly, with the sensor being configured to detect a parameter indicative of a force exerted on the belt support assembly as the conveyor belt moves relative to the belt support assembly. Furthermore, the system may include a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, with the controller being configured to monitor the amount of the plant materials entering the harvester based on measurement signals received from the sensor.