Autonomous Harvester Speed Control for Crop Edge Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-propelled harvesting machines face challenges in achieving an even distribution of crop material after re-ejection, leading to yield losses and inefficiencies due to variations in driving speed and crop processing parameters.
Innovation Solution
A control unit that adjusts the driving speed of the harvesting machine based on sensor data, including crop edge detection and characteristics, to match the throughput speed, ensuring efficient re-ejection of crop material back onto the field, thereby maintaining optimal processing conditions and preventing straw accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the harvesting machine drives at high speed, then labor and machine costs are reduced, but grain losses increase and selectivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The harvesting machine dynamically adjusts its driving speed based on real-time detection of crop edges and processing throughput. The control unit continuously modifies the driving speed to match the throughput speed of crops through the harvesting machine, enabling the system to operate at high speeds during normal conditions while automatically slowing down when approaching crop edges to prevent grain loss and maintain selectivity.
2Productivity
If the harvesting machine drives fast when leaving the crop, then efficiency is improved, but straw distribution becomes uneven with accumulation on front layup
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of crop edges using sensors before the harvesting machine reaches them. When a crop edge is detected, the control unit proactively adjusts the driving speed to match the throughput speed of straw through the machine. This preliminary action ensures that straw is ejected at the correct location, preventing accumulation on front layup and maintaining uniform distribution, while still allowing high-speed operation during efficient harvesting phases.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the harvesting machine drives slow when leaving the crop, then straw distribution improves, but harvesting efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The harvesting machine employs dynamic speed adjustment rather than maintaining a constantly slow speed. The control unit continuously monitors crop edge proximity and throughput speed, adjusting the driving speed in real-time. This allows the machine to operate at high speeds during efficient harvesting while automatically reducing speed only when necessary to maintain proper straw distribution, thereby avoiding the productivity loss associated with consistently slow operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A self-propelled harvesting machine, which discharges at least a portion of the harvested crop after processing, and in particular a harvesting machine that navigates at least partially autonomously, has a control unit (28) that controls at least the travel speed (vF) of the harvesting machine based on sensor data. The control unit (28) is coupled to an instrument (29, 30) for detecting a crop edge (31, 32) and is configured to adjust the travel speed (vF) of the harvesting machine to a throughput speed (vD) of the harvesting crop when passing a crop edge (32) in at least one direction.