Movable Holder Transmission Spectrometer Grain Bridge Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Granular crops can form bridges or clog within measuring chambers during examination, leading to measurement interference and the need for complex cleaning mechanisms, especially when using transmission spectroscopy for moisture and protein content analysis in combine harvesters.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device with a transmission spectrometer and a movable holder that can be driven along the flow direction or transversely to break up bridges and blockages, allowing for adjustable distance between light source and detector to match the mean free path length of the sample, and incorporating a flexible wall for peristaltic movement to prevent clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transmission spectroscopy is used to examine harvested grain in a measuring chamber, then measurement accuracy for moisture and protein content is improved, but bridges and blockages form in the granular crop within the measuring chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The holder for the light source or detector is made movable along the flow direction of the grain sample through a drive mechanism. This dynamic positioning allows the holder to move forward to break up existing bridges and blockages, and to adjust the measurement position continuously, preventing static accumulation that causes clogging while maintaining accurate transmission measurements.
2Ease of operation
If the passage width of the measuring chamber is increased to prevent blockages, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to increased distance between light source and detector
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is movable along the flow direction, allowing the distance between the light source and detector to be dynamically adjusted. This enables the system to maintain an optimal measurement distance regardless of variations in grain flow characteristics or chamber dimensions, preserving measurement precision while allowing flexible chamber design.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance between the light source and detector can be varied by moving the holder, allowing adaptation to different crop types and flow conditions. This parameter change enables the system to optimize the mean free path length of light through the sample for accurate transmission spectroscopy while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If separate cleaning mechanisms are added to the measuring chamber to remove blockages, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism that moves the holder serves multiple functions: it positions the light source or detector for optimal measurement and simultaneously breaks up bridges and blockages by moving the holder forward. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cleaning mechanisms, maintaining reliability while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement function and cleaning function are merged into a single mechanism. The movable holder, when actuated by the drive, performs both the measurement positioning task and the mechanical disruption of blockages, combining two previously separate functions into one integrated system.
4Device complexity
If the distance between light source and detector is fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates for different crop types with different mean free path lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The holder's movable design allows the distance between the light source and detector to be dynamically adjusted for different crop types. The drive mechanism enables positioning the holder at appropriate distances to match the mean free path length requirements of various crops, providing adaptability without requiring multiple fixed-distance measurement chambers.
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
Improves measurement accuracy by preventing blockages and eliminating the need for frequent cleaning, ensuring reliable analysis of grain properties like moisture and protein content without operator intervention.
Implementation Method 1
near-infrared spectroscopy is available as a measuring method, in which a sample of the harvested grain is brought into a measuring chamber by gravity or an associated conveyor and irradiated there with broadband light whose spectrum (also) extends into the near-infrared range. The light reflected by the sample or transmitted through the sample is recorded by a detector and examined by it depending on the wavelength.
Implementation Method 2
a transmission spectrometer with a first element in the form of a light source and a second element with a sensor for light that was generated by the light source and transmitted through the sample
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A measuring device (80) for examining harvested grain for a combine harvester (10) comprises a measuring chamber (80) with an inlet (82) and an outlet (84) for a sample of harvested grain to be examined. A transmission spectrometer is equipped with a first element (88) in the form of a light source (89) and a second element (90) with a sensor (91) for light generated by the light source (89) and transmitted through the sample. The sensor (91) is connected to an analyzer (134) for wavelength-resolved analysis of the received light. A holder (93) of one of the elements (88, 90) of the transmission spectrometer is movable relative to the other element (90, 88) by a drive (106) which moves the holder (93) in the sense of conveying the sample in a flow direction (130) or in the opposite direction to it in order to resolve or avoid bridging and/or blockage of the sample within the measuring chamber (80).