Agricultural Harvester Vision Sensor Debris Cleaning System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Monitoring the amount of processed harvested material during agricultural harvester operations is challenging due to the difficulty in tracking the material effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system for an agricultural harvester that includes a vision-based sensor and light sources coupled with a support structure, a carrier, and a cleaning system, which determines the percentage of debris on a panel using image processing algorithms and initiates a cleaning routine when the debris exceeds a threshold, ensuring the sensors and light sources remain clear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a vision-based sensor and light sources are used to monitor processed harvested material, then measurement precision is improved, but debris accumulation on the panel degrades sensor performance over time
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system performs preliminary cleaning action by removing debris from the panel before it accumulates to problematic levels. The system continuously monitors debris accumulation and initiates cleaning routines proactively to maintain sensor performance, preventing degradation rather than reacting to failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by monitoring the panel condition through the vision-based sensor and automatically triggering the cleaning system when debris exceeds a threshold. This closed-loop feedback ensures the sensor remains clean and functional without manual intervention.
2Measurement precision
If the vision-based sensor monitors debris on the panel, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the cleaning system requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by using its own vision-based sensor to monitor its own panel condition and automatically initiating cleaning routines without external intervention. The sensor system monitors itself and maintains itself, reducing the need for separate monitoring and maintenance systems.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring is performed to maintain sensor cleanliness, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to frequent cleaning interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs periodic cleaning actions rather than continuous cleaning. The cleaning system is triggered periodically based on debris accumulation thresholds, allowing the sensor to operate continuously between cleaning cycles. This balances reliability maintenance with time efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively monitors and maintains the cleanliness of the vision-based sensor and light sources, enhancing the accuracy of material processing and delivery operations by preventing debris accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
A vision-based sensor is operably coupled with the carrier. One or more light sources is operably coupled with the carrier. A panel is positioned along a portion of the carrier.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for an agricultural harvester can include a support structure configured to be operably coupled with an elevator housing. A carrier can be operably coupled with the support structure. A vision-based sensor can be operably coupled with the carrier. One or more light sources can be operably coupled with the carrier. A panel can be positioned along a portion of the carrier. A cleaning system can be configured to remove debris from the panel positioned between at least one of the vision-based sensor and the one or more light sources. A computing system performs various operations. The operations can include determining a detected percentage of pixels within the data indicating debris on the panel on the panel and initiating a cleaning routine to remove at least a portion of the debris from the panel.