Automated Camera Magnification for Harvester Unloading Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators of harvesting machines face challenges in maintaining efficiency while controlling the unloading process to fill receiving vehicles evenly, as current systems require significant attention to align the unloading spout and flap, leading to potential spillage due to misalignment.
Innovation Solution
An automated control system using a stereo camera and image processing to determine the receiving vehicle's position and adjust the camera view magnification, ensuring optimal filling by controlling the spout and flap positions, even when the vehicle is behind the harvester.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operator manually controls the unloading spout and flap to fill the receiving vehicle, then the filling process can be adjusted in real-time, but the operator's attention is diverted from harvesting, reducing overall productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the unloading spout and flap are automatically controlled based on GPS positioning and image processing, allowing the receiving vehicle to be filled evenly without continuous operator intervention. The control system processes spatial information and autonomously adjusts unloading parameters, freeing the operator to focus on harvesting operations.
2Productivity
If the operator focuses on harvesting operations, then productivity increases, but the receiving vehicle may be overfilled or spilled due to lack of attention to unloading alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback through GPS positioning of both the harvesting machine and receiving vehicle, combined with real-time image processing of the unloading area. This feedback loop provides spatial information about the relative positions and orientations, enabling the control system to automatically adjust the spout and flap to maintain proper alignment and prevent overfilling or spillage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical control of the unloading system with an automated control system that uses GPS data and image processing algorithms. The mechanical adjustment of spout position and flap angle is substituted by electronic control based on processed spatial information, ensuring consistent precision without operator attention.
3Device complexity
If a fixed camera view is used during unloading, then the system is simple to implement, but the operator cannot adequately monitor the filling process when the vehicle position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is made dynamic by automatically adjusting its field of view based on the real-time spatial relationship between the harvesting machine and receiving vehicle. The control system processes GPS position data and image information to dynamically reposition or reframe the camera view, ensuring the operator always has an optimal view of the unloading area regardless of vehicle movement or orientation changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A harvesting machine includes a header configured to gather harvested material into the harvesting machine during a harvesting operation, a conveyance subsystem configured to convey the harvested material from the harvesting machine to a receiving vehicle during the harvesting operation, an image capture system comprising at least one optical sensor, and a control system configured to determine a position of the receiving vehicle relative to the harvesting machine, determine an image magnification factor based on the determined position, and display, on a display device, an image of a portion of the receiving vehicle based on the image magnification factor.