Mower Vibration Sensing for Foreign Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mowers fail to detect harmful foreign objects like stones or pieces of wood during the harvesting process, leading to potential damage to machinery and inefficiencies in crop processing.
Innovation Solution
A mower equipped with vibration sensors that record and analyze vibrations to identify foreign bodies by detecting deviations in frequency and amplitude, generating alerts and providing positional data for early detection and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mowing equipment is used without detection systems, then the device complexity is low, but harmful foreign objects cannot be detected early leading to machinery damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical detection systems with a vibration-based detection method. Vibration sensors (accelerometers) mounted on the mower deck detect vibrations caused by foreign objects, and a processing unit analyzes these vibration patterns to identify foreign object presence. This substitution of mechanical detection with vibration analysis simplifies the overall system while improving detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mower system performs self-diagnosis by using its own operational vibrations as the detection signal. The vibration sensors monitor the mower's natural vibrations during operation, and the processing unit compares these vibrations against baseline patterns to detect foreign objects. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate active detection systems, reducing complexity while maintaining high reliability.
2Measurement precision
If vibration sensors and analysis units are added to detect foreign bodies, then foreign object detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vibration sensors (accelerometers) that leverage the mower's existing mechanical vibrations during operation. Instead of adding complex active scanning systems, the invention passively monitors vibrations generated during normal mowing. The processing unit analyzes vibration frequency and amplitude patterns to detect foreign objects, providing precise detection without requiring complex additional hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration sensors and processing unit serve multiple functions: they monitor mower operation conditions, detect foreign objects, and can potentially identify blade wear or other mechanical issues. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive monitoring capabilities beyond just foreign object detection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If foreign objects are detected early using vibration analysis, then machinery damage is prevented, but the system requires complex vibration monitoring and analysis capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the mower's own operational vibrations as the detection medium. During normal operation, the mower generates characteristic vibration patterns that serve as a baseline. When a foreign object is encountered, it alters these vibration patterns. The processing unit compares real-time vibrations against the baseline to detect anomalies, enabling the system to protect itself without requiring external monitoring equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration analysis system provides continuous feedback about mower operation conditions. The processing unit analyzes vibration signals in real-time and can alert the operator to foreign object detection. This feedback mechanism enables early warning and prevention of machinery damage while maintaining relatively simple system architecture by using straightforward vibration threshold comparison.
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
Enables early identification and removal of foreign objects, preventing machinery damage and reducing downtime, while maintaining efficient crop harvesting operations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one vibration sensor (4) is provided which records vibrations during operation of the mower
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a mower (1) with several mowing elements (3) positioned next to each other to form a cutter bar (2), wherein at least one vibration sensor (4) is provided which records vibrations during operation of the mower (1) and an analysis unit (8) is provided which evaluates the vibration signals recorded by the vibration sensor (4) with regard to their frequency and/or amplitude and, if a predetermined limit value of the frequency and/or amplitude is exceeded, concludes that the mower (1) is interacting with a foreign body (5).