Harvester Residue Vision Control for Even Field Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current agricultural residue distribution systems during harvesting lack the ability to dynamically adjust residue distribution based on real-time field conditions, leading to uneven residue coverage and potential impacts on crop yield and harvesting efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A residue vision system integrated with a harvesting machine, featuring cameras and an electronic control unit that analyzes images of harvested areas to adjust the chopping and spreading mechanisms, ensuring optimal residue distribution by modifying chop quality, spread distance, and direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If residue distribution is increased to improve nutrient content and crop yield, then agricultural productivity is enhanced, but over-spreading occurs that can hinder the harvesting process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveagricultural productivityVSAvoidover-spreading hindrance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses cameras to capture images of residue distribution in real-time, the electronic control unit analyzes these images to assess distribution quality, and based on this feedback automatically adjusts the residue distribution system parameters to maintain optimal distribution without over-spreading

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts residue distribution parameters (chop quality, spread distance, direction) based on real-time field conditions detected by cameras and analyzed by the electronic control unit, allowing adaptation to varying conditions throughout the harvesting process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If residue distribution is adjusted dynamically based on real-time conditions, then even residue coverage is achieved, but system complexity increases due to integration of cameras and control systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidue distribution uniformityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic control unit serves multiple functions: it receives data from multiple cameras, processes images to assess residue distribution, determines optimal distribution parameters, and controls the residue distribution system, consolidating multiple functions into a single integrated controller

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual visual inspection and mechanical adjustment with automated optical detection (cameras) and electronic control, using image processing algorithms to assess residue distribution and automatically control distribution parameters without human intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11758847B2Residue quality assessment and performance system for a harvester

Publication Date: 2023.09.19 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A residue vision system includes a harvesting machine configured to traverse a field and harvest an agricultural material, a residue distribution system carried by the harvesting machine and configured to distribute a residue of the agricultural material onto a first harvested area of the field, at least one camera coupled to the harvesting machine and configured to acquire an image of a second harvested area of the field, and an electronic control unit in communication with the at least one camera and the residue distribution system. The electronic control unit is configured to analyze the image acquired by the at least one camera, and in response to the analysis adjust the residue distribution system to adjust distribution of the residue onto the first harvested area of the field.