ML-Based Bale Property Prediction Using Chamber Sensor Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is an ongoing demand to improve the quality and quantity of harvested crop or plant material, particularly in baled form, where existing technologies lack the ability to accurately predict properties of baled plant material.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using a machine-learning algorithm to process sensor data from a baling chamber, enabling the prediction of properties such as the ratio of stem to leaves in baled plant material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional baling machinery is used without advanced sensing and prediction systems, then the system remains simple and cost-effective, but the ability to accurately predict properties of baled plant material is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprediction accuracy of baled plant material propertiesVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary sensing and prediction during the baling process itself, capturing sensor data from plant material before it is fully baled and predicting properties in advance. This allows for real-time monitoring and potential adjustments without requiring complex post-baling analysis systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A machine learning model serves as an intermediary between raw sensor data and property prediction outcomes. The model processes sensor readings from the baling chamber and translates them into meaningful predictions about baled plant material properties, bridging the gap between simple sensing and accurate prediction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If sensor data is collected and processed in real-time during baling, then granular information about plant material content is obtained, but the processing time and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation granularity about baled plant materialVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Sensor data is collected and preliminary processing is performed during the baling operation itself, rather than after completion. This real-time approach captures granular information about different portions of plant material as they are baled, enabling detailed analysis without requiring separate post-processing sessions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The baled plant material is analyzed in segmented portions, with sensor data collected for each portion as it enters the baling chamber. This segmentation allows for granular information about specific sections of the bale while enabling parallel or sequential processing that manages computational load effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4544902A1Generating information about baled plant material
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 AGCO CORP
  • EP4544902A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4544902A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4544902A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A mechanism for predicting one or more values for a property of a bale. A camera, positioned in a baling chamber of baling machinery, generates sensor data. The sensor data is processed using a machine-learning method to predict the one or more values.