Harvester Residue Coverage Monitoring With Feedback Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing harvester systems lack effective monitoring and control mechanisms to ensure optimal residue coverage properties, such as size, evenness, and distribution, which can affect nutrient return and subsequent crop yield.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for monitoring residue coverage using sensors and a control system to adjust chopper and spreader operations based on real-time data, creating a residue coverage map for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If real-time sensor monitoring and control systems are implemented, then residue coverage uniformity and distribution quality are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidue coverage uniformityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs sensors positioned behind the harvester to detect residue coverage in real-time, feeds this information back to a control system, and automatically adjusts chopper and spreader operations to maintain optimal residue distribution uniformity across the field

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual monitoring and adjustment of residue distribution with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors, processors, and actuators to precisely control chopper speed and spreader positioning based on real-time field conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If manual monitoring of residue properties is performed, then system complexity is kept low, but measurement precision and control accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidue coverage detection accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Manual visual inspection and estimation of residue coverage is replaced with electronic sensors that optically detect and quantify residue properties, providing precise numerical data on coverage percentage, uniformity, and distribution patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors serve as intermediaries between the residue on the field and the control system, converting physical residue properties into electrical signals that can be processed, analyzed, and used for automated control decisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3618604B1System for monitoring residue output from a harvester

Publication Date: 2025.09.17 AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS INC

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AI summary

A system (26) for monitoring a residue coverage (82) on a surface (14) of an agricultural field (12) includes a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of the residue coverage on the surface (14) of the agricultural field (12) from a sensor. The controller is also configured to determine the residue coverage (82) on the surface (14) of the agricultural field (12) based on the signal, in which the residue coverage (82) includes a percentage of the agricultural field (12) that is covered by residue. In addition, the controller is configured to output a control signal (92) indicative of a set of settings to a residue control system (44) based on the residue coverage (82).