Harvesting Shears Stroke Detection for Precision Harvest Data Logging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current produce harvesting systems lack efficient data logging and monitoring capabilities for manual harvesting processes, leading to inefficiencies in tracking and optimizing produce separation strokes and geospatial data collection.
Innovation Solution
A produce harvesting device subsystem equipped with a programmable logic means and a separation stroke detector, such as a magnetic reed switch or accelerometer, that records and stores data on each separation stroke, including time and location, allowing for accurate data logging and communication with a management system for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If manual harvesting processes are used without data logging capabilities, then the harvesting operation can proceed simply and quickly, but there is no efficient tracking or monitoring of produce separation strokes and geospatial data
Solution Approach 1:
The harvesting device integrates multiple functions into a single system: the detector monitors separation strokes, the programmable logic means processes signals and generates control outputs, and the data store records harvesting information. This multi-functional integration enables comprehensive data logging while maintaining a compact device structure that can be attached to manual harvesting tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The programmable logic means acts as an intermediary between the detector and the data store, processing detector signals to generate control outputs and filtering data before storage. This intermediary component enables efficient data processing and reduces false positives in stroke detection without requiring direct complex connections between all system components.
2Measurement precision
If a detector and programmable logic means are added to the harvesting device, then data logging and monitoring capabilities are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual monitoring and recording processes with automated electronic detection and data logging. The detector electronically monitors separation strokes, and the programmable logic means automatically processes and stores data, eliminating the need for manual tracking and reducing human error in data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The programmable logic means can be programmed with different detection parameters and thresholds to optimize separation stroke detection for different harvesting conditions. This programmability allows the system to adapt to varying measurement requirements without requiring hardware modifications, maintaining device simplicity while achieving high measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If the programmable logic means is programmed to detect a large number of typical produce separation strokes, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the risk of false positives increases
Solution Approach 1:
The programmable logic means processes detector signals through programmed logic that can filter and validate detected strokes before generating control outputs. This feedback mechanism allows the system to distinguish between actual separation strokes and false signals by analyzing signal patterns, timing, and contextual information, thereby reducing false positives while maintaining high detection accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If geospatial location means and time of day recording are added to the harvesting device, then the precision of produce harvesting and resource management is improved, but the device complexity and data storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system collects and stores geospatial location and time data continuously or at predetermined intervals during harvesting operations, preparing the data for later analysis. This preliminary data collection enables precise tracking of harvesting activities and resource application without requiring complex real-time processing, as the data is systematically recorded for subsequent precision farming applications.
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
Enhances data collection and analysis of manual harvesting processes, reducing false positives and improving the precision of produce harvesting by digitizing the harvesting process and enabling geospatial mapping for optimized resource management.
Implementation Method 1
A produce harvesting device subsystem equipped with a programmable logic means and a separation stroke detector, such as a magnetic reed switch or accelerometer
Implementation Method 2
A produce harvesting device subsystem equipped with a programmable logic means and a separation stroke detector, such as a magnetic reed switch or accelerometer
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to a precision agriculture produce harvesting system and produce harvesting apparatus configured for integration with the system, an essential feature of which is a harvesting device subsystem (100) that includes a harvesting device, for instance pruning shears (102) and a harvesting separation stroke detector (108) housed within a control module housing (110) mounted to the shears (102). A person operating the pruning shears (102) produces discernible separation strokes when the handles (104) of the shears (102) are squeezed together to produce a shearing action. The stroke detector (108) detects the separation strokes of the shears (102). By the addition of the control module (108) to the pruning shears (102), the shears are essentially converted into a data logging device by means of which important aspects of a produce harvesting process can be digitised and supplied to a harvest data digital data processing system.