Optical Furrow Sensing for Agricultural Machine Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural machines rely on single or multiple singular factors, such as residue level, to determine furrow quality, leading to errors and inefficiencies in controlling the machine, as residue level is not always indicative of furrow quality, and manual interpretation by operators can cause delays and inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
Implement a furrow sensing system with multiple sensors, including an optical sensor and illumination, to capture detailed characteristics of the furrow and surrounding environment, processing these to generate a comprehensive metric for furrow quality, which is then used to control the agricultural machine's operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and comprehensive processing are implemented to accurately determine furrow quality, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is divided into multiple independent sensor units (optical sensors, illumination sources, depth sensors) that each measure specific furrow characteristics separately. This segmentation allows comprehensive data collection while maintaining modular architecture that manages complexity through functional decomposition of the measurement system into discrete sensor components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed to perform multiple measurement functions simultaneously - optical sensors detect furrow depth, width, and shape characteristics while illumination sources provide lighting for accurate imaging. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate measurement systems into a single integrated sensing platform, improving precision without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Productivity
If real-time sensor processing and control is implemented, then productivity improves, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system and processing operations are activated periodically at intervals during the planting process rather than continuously. The optical sensors capture furrow images at regular spacing intervals, and processing occurs in periodic batches, which maintains real-time monitoring capability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses passive optical detection methods where available ambient light is utilized when possible, and the processing system prioritizes critical measurements automatically. The illumination sources are activated only when ambient light is insufficient, allowing the system to serve itself by adapting power consumption to actual measurement needs rather than operating at full power continuously.
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
Provides accurate and efficient control of agricultural machines by determining furrow quality through a comprehensive metric, reducing delays and errors, and optimizing the planting process.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor and illumination to capture detailed characteristics of the furrow and surrounding environment
Implementation Method 2
an optical sensor and illumination to capture detailed characteristics of the furrow and surrounding environment
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A mobile agricultural machine (100) includes a row unit (106) having a furrow opener (120) mounted to the row unit and configured to engage a surface of ground over which the mobile agricultural machine travels to open a furrow (140) in the ground. A furrow closer (124) is mounted to the row unit behind the furrow opener relative to a direction of travel and configured to engage the surface of the ground to close the furrow. A furrow sensor system (130) is mounted to the row unit and configured to sense characteristics relative to the furrow and generate a sensor signal indicative of the characteristics. The mobile agricultural machine further includes a control system (208) configured to determine a furrow quality metric based on the sensor signal and generate an action signal to control an action of the mobile agricultural machine based on the furrow quality metric.