Optoelectronic Sensor for Automatic Chop Length Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural harvesting machines, particularly forage harvesters, lack a practical solution for online measurement of maize plant maturity for fully automatic adjustment of chop length, leading to suboptimal silage quality and increased driver workload.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an optoelectronic sensor system with narrow-band LEDs and a photodiode into the crop flow of the forage harvester, utilizing selective wavelengths to measure plant ripeness and automatically adjust the chop length based on spectral reflection behavior, allowing for real-time and accurate determination of plant maturity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of chop length is used, then driver control flexibility is maintained, but driver workload increases and silage quality may be suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of chop length with an automated optoelectronic measurement and control system. The sensor system measures plant maturity parameters and automatically adjusts the chop length setting, substituting the driver's manual control with an automated feedback-controlled mechanical adjustment system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the optoelectronic sensor continuously measures plant maturity parameters, the control unit processes this information, and the system automatically adjusts the chop length accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures optimal silage quality while reducing driver workload.
2Manufacturing precision
If chop length is adjusted manually during harvesting, then some quality improvement is achieved, but continuous online measurement of plant maturity is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual adjustment mechanisms with an automated optoelectronic sensor system that continuously measures plant maturity and automatically controls the chop length setting, achieving both high precision and full automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of chop length based on its own measurements of plant maturity. The sensor system, control unit, and adjustment mechanism work together as a self-regulating system that automatically optimizes chop length without requiring driver intervention.
3Ease of operation
If interrupting harvesting process for mechanical adjustment, then chop length can be changed, but productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous adjustment of chop length during the harvesting process without interruption. The automated sensor and control system allows the chop length to be modified in real-time while the harvester continues operating, maintaining continuous harvesting throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts chop length during operation based on real-time plant maturity measurements. The adjustment mechanism is designed to modify chop length on-the-fly without requiring the harvester to stop or slow down, maintaining dynamic operation throughout the harvesting process.
4Extent of automation
If optoelectronic sensor is integrated into crop flow, then online measurement of plant maturity is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optoelectronic sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions: measuring plant maturity, determining chop length optimization, and providing feedback for automatic adjustment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and minimizes overall device complexity despite the advanced measurement capabilities.
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 precise and automatic adjustment of chop length, improving silage quality and reducing driver workload by providing real-time optimal cutting settings, while also allowing for offline analysis and potential measurement of additional plant parameters.
Implementation Method 1
The measuring principle of such a sensor is based on the known spectral reflection behavior of plants
Implementation Method 2
Only a single photodiode is used as a photo receiver within the sensor system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Agricultural harvesting machine (1) comprises an opto-electronic measuring device (19) arranged in front of a further processing device (12) for online measurement in the flow of harvested material. Preferred Features: The measuring device is arranged in a central region of a receiving and conveying device (3). A sensor for the measuring device is arranged under an optically transparent plate (20) below the flow of harvested material, in which the plate is in contact with the flow of harvested material.