Agricultural Harvester Topper Assembly with Sensor-Based Height Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural harvesters lack effective systems for monitoring and optimizing the topper assembly, which affects the efficiency of sugarcane harvesting, particularly in uniformly removing the upper portions of the crop without requiring visibility of the transition region between the upper portion and the stalk.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a cutting disk and a sensor system that captures crop data, with a computing system to determine a target height and position the cutting disk at a defined offset below the target, ensuring uniform removal of the upper crop portions based on the maximum height of the sugarcane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a topper assembly is used to remove the upper portion of the crop, then the harvesting efficiency is improved, but the system lacks effective monitoring and optimization capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by using sensors to detect crop characteristics and transmitting this information to a controller that adjusts the topper assembly operation accordingly. The sensor system provides real-time data about crop height and density, enabling the controller to optimize cutting parameters dynamically, thus resolving the lack of monitoring and optimization capabilities while maintaining high harvesting efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual monitoring and adjustment mechanisms with an automated sensor-based detection system and electronic control system. The sensor system optically detects crop parameters, and the controller electronically adjusts the topper assembly, substituting mechanical observation and manual adjustment with automated sensing and control, thereby adding monitoring capability without compromising harvesting efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If the cutting disk is positioned to remove the upper portion of the crop, then uniform removal is achieved, but the transition region between the upper portion and the stalk becomes difficult to detect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using the sensor system to detect and map the crop transition region before the cutting disk reaches it. The sensors advance ahead of the topper assembly, identifying the optimal cutting position in advance, allowing the controller to pre-position the cutting disk for uniform removal while avoiding the difficulty of real-time detection of the transition region during cutting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from visual detection in the line-of-sight dimension to sensing in the temporal dimension by using sensors that detect crop characteristics ahead of time. The sensor system measures crop parameters in advance and transmits this information to the controller, which then adjusts the cutting position, effectively moving the detection function to a different temporal dimension where the transition region is still visible and measurable.
3Device complexity
If the topper assembly operates without monitoring systems, then the device complexity is reduced, but the optimization of cutting parameters is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the topper assembly to automatically monitor and adjust its own operation. The sensor system continuously detects crop parameters, and the controller automatically modifies cutting parameters based on this feedback, allowing the system to optimize its performance without external intervention. This maintains relative simplicity while adding optimization capability through autonomous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a modular sensor system and controller that can be integrated with various topper assembly configurations. The sensor system serves multiple functions including crop height detection, density measurement, and cutting position verification, while the controller handles both monitoring and optimization tasks, creating a versatile system that can adapt to different operating conditions without significantly increasing overall complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for an agricultural harvester can include a topper assembly including a cutting disk configured to severe an upper portion of a crop. A sensor system including a first sensor may be configured to capture crop data associated with the crop. A computing system is operably coupled with the topper assembly and the sensor system. The computing system includes one or more processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media that collectively store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure the computing system to receive an input related to a defined offset, obtain the crop data from the sensor system, determine a target of the crop based at least partially on the crop data, and position the cutting disk at a cutting position along the crop.