Harvester Sensor Arrangement for Crop Property Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current harvesting machines face measurement uncertainty in crop properties due to fluctuations in straw toughness and friction coefficients, leading to inefficiencies and potential crop losses, as they primarily rely on throughput measurements without accounting for varying crop conditions.
Innovation Solution
A harvesting machine equipped with a sensor arrangement including cutting force, friction force, and moisture sensors, along with an evaluation device to determine straw toughness and friction coefficients, allowing for precise adjustments in operating conditions and optimizing crop processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If throughput measurement is used to determine crop properties, then the harvesting machine can operate with simpler sensor arrangements, but measurement precision deteriorates due to fluctuations in straw toughness and friction coefficients
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor arrangement is segmented into functionally independent sensors: a cutting force sensor for detecting cutting resistance, a friction force sensor for detecting friction coefficients, and a moisture sensor for detecting moisture content. Each sensor measures a specific parameter, allowing independent optimization and reducing overall system complexity while improving measurement precision through multi-parameter monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation device serves multiple functions: it processes signals from different sensor types (cutting force, friction force, moisture), determines multiple crop properties (straw toughness, friction coefficients, moisture content), and provides comprehensive crop condition assessment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated measurement systems for each parameter.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are added to improve measurement precision, then crop property determination accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into distinct functional modules: cutting force sensor, friction force sensor, and moisture sensor. Each module independently measures a specific physical quantity related to crop properties. This segmentation allows for modular design, easier maintenance, and reduced interference between sensors, thereby managing complexity while improving precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation device acts as an intermediary that processes and integrates signals from multiple sensors. It combines cutting force signals, friction force signals, and moisture signals to comprehensively determine crop properties such as straw toughness and friction coefficients. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the processing function.
3Device complexity
If crop processing parameters are adjusted based on inaccurate throughput measurements, then the harvesting machine can maintain simple control systems, but reliability deteriorates due to measurement uncertainty from varying crop conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors crop properties through multiple sensors (cutting force, friction force, moisture) and provides real-time feedback to the control system. The evaluation device processes these signals to determine current crop conditions, enabling dynamic adjustment of harvesting parameters. This feedback mechanism improves reliability by ensuring control decisions are based on accurate, real-time crop condition data rather than uncertain throughput measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor arrangement continuously measures crop properties (straw toughness, friction coefficients, moisture content) before and during the harvesting process. This preliminary detection allows the control system to anticipate and adjust to changing crop conditions proactively, preventing processing issues before they occur and improving overall reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Harvesting machine for cutting and processing crops, comprising a sensor arrangement, a method for determining the properties of crops when processing the crops with a harvesting machine, and a method for determining the properties of crops in a field.