Harvester Ground Loss Detection via Sensor Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural harvesting operations face challenges in efficiently and automatically determining ground losses, such as exposed roots, shattered ratoons, and fallen stalks, which are not height-related and typically require manual evaluation post-harvest, leading to time-consuming and inaccurate assessments.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural system equipped with a loss sensor mounted on the harvester, which generates data on ground losses, and a computing system that identifies non-height related ground losses and initiates control actions to mitigate these losses during the harvesting operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual evaluation of ground losses is performed after harvesting, then assessment accuracy can be maintained, but time consumption increases significantly and large areas cannot be evaluated efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical evaluation with an automated optical detection system. A sensor (camera) mounted on the harvester captures images of ground losses during harvesting operations. The computing system processes these images to automatically identify and quantify losses, substituting human visual inspection with machine vision technology. This enables real-time monitoring without sacrificing assessment accuracy while dramatically reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the harvester to self-monitor and self-evaluate its own performance regarding ground losses. The sensor mounted on the harvester captures data about losses caused by the harvester's operation, and the computing system automatically processes this data to provide immediate feedback. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate manual evaluation steps.
2Quantity of substance
If manual evaluation is used for ground losses, then detailed assessment can be performed, but it can only be done for relatively small areas and not during harvesting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor continuously captures images of ground losses throughout the entire harvesting operation, enabling evaluation of large areas without interruption. The system operates continuously as the harvester moves through the field, capturing data at all times rather than requiring separate post-harvest evaluation trips. This continuous monitoring enables assessment of the complete harvested area in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated image capture and processing system replaces manual evaluation, enabling assessment of large areas that would be impractical to evaluate manually. The sensor mounted on the moving harvester captures images across the entire field area, and the computing system processes these images automatically to quantify losses over large spatial extents.
3Loss of time
If real-time identification of ground losses is implemented, then time for loss assessment is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computing system performs multiple functions: it processes images from the sensor, identifies various types of ground losses (exposed roots, shattered ratoons, fallen stalks), quantifies loss amounts, and can trigger control actions. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single computing system, the patent manages complexity while achieving real-time loss identification and mitigation.
4Productivity
If automated loss detection system is implemented, then productivity is improved through real-time monitoring, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computing system receives data from the sensor about ground losses and generates control actions based on this feedback. The system can automatically adjust harvester operations (such as cutting height or speed) in response to detected losses, creating a closed-loop control system. This feedback mechanism enables real-time optimization of harvesting operations to minimize losses while maintaining productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural system for automatically determining losses for harvesting operations includes a loss sensor supported on an agricultural harvester and having a field of view directed toward a portion of a field aft of a base cutter of the agricultural harvester, where the loss sensor is configured to generate data indicative of ground losses. Additionally, the agricultural system includes a computing system communicatively coupled to the loss sensor. The computing system is configured to identify non-height related ground losses during a harvesting operation of the agricultural harvester based at least in part on the data generated by the loss sensor. Additionally, computing system is configured to initiate a control action in response to the non-height related ground losses.