Harvester Grain Mass Determination via Optical Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural harvesting machines lack an efficient method to determine the thousand grain mass directly on the machine, requiring separate calculations and not allowing for continuous and quick mass determination.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural harvesting machine equipped with a counting sensor and a mass sensor, preferably an optical sensor operating in the near-infrared range, measures grain mass and number to calculate the thousand grain mass directly, using a calibration model to account for unmeasured constituents and employing a glass tube or load cell for precise measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional laboratory systems are used to determine thousand grain mass, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but time consumption increases and continuous monitoring is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical laboratory weighing systems with optical sensors that measure grain mass through light transmission. This substitution enables rapid, continuous measurement directly on the harvester without requiring time-consuming manual sampling and laboratory analysis, thus improving productivity while reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical sensors as an intermediary between the grains and the measurement system. These sensors transmit light through the grains and detect transmission properties to determine mass, enabling continuous monitoring without direct physical contact or manual handling, thereby speeding up the determination process.
2Productivity
If optical sensors are used to measure grain mass through transmission, then measurement speed increases, but measurement precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent measures multiple optical parameters (transmission intensity, absorption coefficients, reflectivity) across different wavelengths and combines them through calibration models. By changing from a single measurement parameter to multiple parameters, the system maintains measurement precision while enabling continuous high-speed determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite measurement approaches combining data from multiple optical sensors measuring different wavelengths and properties. This composite measurement strategy, combined with calibration models, maintains accuracy by compensating for individual sensor limitations while enabling continuous monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are added to the harvesting machine, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs optical sensors that serve multiple functions: they measure grain mass, determine grain moisture content, and analyze grain composition simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate measurement systems, thereby improving measurement capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines counting sensor functionality with mass measurement capabilities in an integrated system. By merging these functions into a single measurement station with coordinated sensors and processing, the system achieves improved measurement precision while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
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
Enables rapid, continuous, and accurate determination of the thousand grain mass, allowing for real-time monitoring and control of harvesting processes, improving operational efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the mass sensor is designed as an optical component sensor and is configured to measure the optical transmission of the grains
Implementation Method 2
the mass sensor is designed and configured to measure in the near-infrared range, preferably in the wavelength range between 750 nm and 2700 nm
Implementation Method 3
A load cell measures the weight force acting on the grains inside the load cell
Implementation Method 4
Each grain generates vibrations upon impact. These vibrations can be measured, for example, with a percussion sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
Agricultural harvesting machine, preferably a combine harvester, wherein the harvesting machine comprises a counting sensor, wherein the counting sensor is provided and configured to determine a number of grains, wherein the harvesting machine comprises a mass sensor, wherein the mass sensor is provided and configured to determine a mass of the grains, wherein the harvesting machine is provided and configured to determine the thousand-grain mass of the grains from the number of grains and the mass of the grains.