Optical Sensor Steering for Sod Harvester Boundary Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sod harvesting methods, including manual steering, GPS, and guide sticks, fail to provide precise control over the sod harvester, leading to inefficiencies such as wasted sod due to inaccurate cutting widths and ribbons, which result in higher costs and waste for both producers and customers.
Innovation Solution
An optical sensor system mounted on the sod harvester detects boundaries between different heights or colors, processing this information in real-time to steer the harvester along the harvesting line, ensuring precise cutting without physical contact or reliance on external navigation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual steering or GPS is used to control the sod harvester, then the harvester can operate without physical contact with the sod boundary, but the cutting precision and control accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical steering systems (guide sticks, shoes) with an optical sensing system. The optical sensor detects the boundary between harvested and unharvested sod through non-contact measurement, and the control system processes this information to automatically adjust the harvester's steering, eliminating the need for physical mechanical contact while achieving precise boundary following.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor acts as an intermediary between the harvester and the sod boundary. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the sensor detects boundary information (height differences, color changes) and transmits this information to the control system, which then adjusts steering accordingly. This intermediary approach enables precise non-contact boundary detection.
2Productivity
If the sod blade width is fixed, then the harvesting operation is simple, but the sod slab width varies due to steering inaccuracies causing waste
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor continuously monitors the boundary position and provides real-time feedback to the control system. The control system adjusts the sod blade width dynamically based on the detected boundary location, ensuring the blade maintains optimal contact with the boundary throughout the harvesting process. This closed-loop feedback system prevents both over-cutting and under-cutting, eliminating sod waste while maintaining high harvesting efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a fixed sod blade width to a dynamically adjustable width. The control system continuously modifies the blade width based on real-time boundary detection, allowing the system to adapt to varying field conditions, soil types, and boundary characteristics. This dynamic adjustment ensures optimal harvesting performance and minimizes waste across different operating conditions.
3Measurement precision
If a guide stick or shoe is used for steering, then physical contact with the boundary provides steering information, but the system requires complex mechanical components and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical guide sticks and shoes by substituting them with an optical sensing system. The optical sensor detects boundary information through non-contact measurement of height differences or color changes, removing the need for complex mechanical contact-based steering components. This substitution simplifies the overall system while maintaining or improving boundary following accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using physical mechanical contact to sense the boundary, the optical sensor creates an optical copy or representation of the boundary through light reflection or absorption characteristics. This optical copying approach allows the system to sense boundary information without physical contact, eliminating wear and mechanical complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
4Extent of automation
If GPS is used for navigation, then the harvester can operate autonomously, but the cutting width precision is insufficient for accurate sod harvesting
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor serves as an intermediary between the autonomous navigation system and the sod boundary. While GPS provides overall navigation and positioning, the optical sensor detects the precise boundary location and provides localized feedback for cutting width control. This intermediary approach enables the system to maintain autonomous operation while achieving precise cutting width control through non-contact boundary detection.
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
The optical sensor system significantly reduces waste by maintaining precise control over the cutting width and path, enhancing efficiency and consistency in sod harvesting, thereby minimizing the need for additional sod and reducing operational challenges.
Implementation Method 1
An optical sensor system mounted on the sod harvester detects boundaries between different heights or colors
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for steering or guiding an agriculture harvesting machine (agriculture harvester) with a high degree of precision, without the need for the agriculture harvesting machine to have a guide stick or shoe in physical or mechanical contact with the agriculture to be harvested or to be in connection with remote navigation systems, such as GPS. The system includes a sensor mounted at the front of the harvester and a processor for processing information from the sensor to determine a boundary line and for steering the sod harvester along the boundary line.