Harvested Plant Material Traceability Across Field Transfer Steps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for harvesting plant material for animal feed are inefficient in identifying and correcting defects, as the collected material can be far from its original location, making it difficult to pinpoint the source of deficiencies and prevent their recurrence.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves creating a data record linking the collection and deposition locations of plant material, using sensors to track material movement, and measuring parameters like moisture and nutrient content to trace defects back to their origin, enabling targeted corrective measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If plant material is collected and deposited at a different location from where it grew, then the harvesting process can be completed, but it becomes difficult to identify the original location of defects in the material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the field map with recorded position information that tracks plant material through all harvesting steps. This virtual map serves as an information copy that maintains the relationship between original growth locations and final deposition locations, allowing defect tracing without physically tracking the material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a data processing system that acts as an intermediary between the physical harvesting process and the information needed for quality control. This system records, stores, and processes location data, serving as a mediator that connects the physical movement of material with the informational need to trace defects back to their origin.
2Reliability
If multiple processing steps are used to harvest plant material, then the harvesting can be completed thoroughly, but tracking the origin of material becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the harvesting process into distinct steps (mowing, turning, windrowing) and records position information at each stage separately. This segmentation allows the tracking system to handle complex multi-step processes by breaking them down into manageable segments, where each segment's position data is recorded and stored independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary recording of position information at each harvesting step before the material moves to the next stage. By capturing location data in advance at each segment, the system prepares the information needed for later defect tracing, reducing the complexity of tracking through multiple processing steps.
3Measurement precision
If high resolution tracking is implemented to record material origins, then defect identification accuracy improves, but the data recording requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by recording detailed position information only where necessary - specifically at the initial mowing stage and at each subsequent processing step. Rather than continuously tracking every particle, the system records position data at key locations and stages, providing sufficient precision for defect identification without excessive data accumulation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for harvesting plant material, in particular animal feed, from an agricultural area comprises at least one processing step (II, VI, X) which includes picking up plant material at a first location of the agricultural area and depositing the plant material at a second, different location of the agricultural area, wherein in the step a data record of the agricultural area is created which links a second location of the agricultural area with at least a first location (5) where plant material deposited at the second location was picked up.