Parallelogram Guide Sensor Holder for Harvester Crop Edge Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for holding non-contact sensors on harvesting machines, such as cameras, face limitations in different working situations, particularly when 'penetrating' through fields, where lateral positioning is not possible, leading to reduced sensor effectiveness and qualitative difficulties in crop stand detection.
Innovation Solution
A device with a parallelogram guide and hydraulic drive allows the sensor to move into variously spaced positions relative to the harvesting machine's longitudinal center plane, enabling alignment adjustments through mechanical coupling, ensuring reliable position detection even in constrained situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned laterally beyond the outer edge of the harvesting machine for optimal crop edge detection, then measurement precision is improved, but the device becomes vulnerable to lateral obstacles and cannot operate in certain working situations
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor position is made dynamically adjustable through a drive mechanism that allows the sensor to move between a first position (projecting laterally beyond the machine edge for optimal crop edge detection) and a second position (retracted to avoid lateral obstacles). This dynamic positioning enables the system to adapt to different working situations while maintaining measurement precision when conditions permit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor is retracted to avoid lateral obstacles and protrusion, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to suboptimal positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts sensor position based on operational requirements. When lateral obstacles are present or during specific working situations, the sensor is retracted to the second position to avoid obstacles. When conditions permit, the sensor moves to the first position to optimize crop edge detection precision, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and measurement precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor is moved to different spaced positions along the holding arm, then adaptability is improved, but alignment quality deteriorates making recording difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The holding arm enables dynamic positioning of the sensor at different spaced positions along its length. The alignment means, including the parallelogram guide mechanism, dynamically adjusts the sensor's angular orientation to maintain proper alignment quality regardless of the sensor's position along the holding arm. This ensures that whether the sensor is in the first or second position, or anywhere in between, the alignment quality remains sufficient for reliable crop stand recording.
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 device enhances sensor usability across different harvesting scenarios by maintaining effective position detection and alignment, allowing for precise crop edge recognition without protruding laterally, thus improving operational efficiency and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
alignment means which align the sensor as a function of its position
Implementation Method 2
A device with a parallelogram guide and hydraulic drive allows the sensor to move into variously spaced positions
Data Source
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AI summary
The device (1) has a sensor (3) brought into a position (p1) relative to a longitudinal middle plane (5) of a harvesting machine (4) for different working situations of the machine. The sensor is mounted relative to the machine by a parallelogram guide. The guide has a support element, which is guided parallel to a console for receiving the sensor. A hydraulic drive controls the positions of the sensor. The sensor is aligned by pivoting around a vertical pivot axle (6), which is pivotably mounted at the support element.