Portable NIR Grain Analyzer with Stationary Grating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems for determining moisture and protein content in grain are primarily laboratory-based, making them unsuitable for field use and excessively expensive due to the need for precise calibration and alignment, which hinders their adoption by farmers for quick and accurate on-site analysis.
Innovation Solution
A portable optical grain characterizing system featuring a detection zone, radiation source, detectors, a controller, and a processor that adjusts sensor signals to provide data on predetermined characteristics, utilizing a rigid base plate with optical components and a user-friendly interface for field use, including a touch-screen display and rechargeable battery, allowing for accurate and cost-effective analysis of grain moisture and protein content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laboratory-based optical systems with sophisticated near infrared technology are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase, making them unsuitable for field use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the oscillating grating mechanism from the optical system, using a stationary grating instead. This removes the complex moving parts while maintaining the ability to scan through the frequency spectrum, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving measurement precision for moisture content determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a microprocessor-controlled system that dynamically adjusts the detection process. The microprocessor can selectively activate different detector elements and control the timing of measurements, enabling the system to adapt to different measurement requirements without physical moving parts, thus reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining precision.
2Measurement precision
If laboratory-based optical systems with meticulous calibration are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring meticulous calibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pre-stored calibration data in the microprocessor for multiple grain types. This preliminary preparation of calibration information eliminates the need for users to perform meticulous calibration procedures in the field, making the system easy to operate while maintaining measurement precision through the use of pre-validated calibration curves.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically selects appropriate calibration data based on the grain type and performs measurements without requiring user intervention for calibration adjustments. The microprocessor handles all calibration-related operations internally, making the system self-sufficient and easy to operate while maintaining high measurement precision.
3Ease of operation
If portable moisture meters are used, then ease of operation is improved for field use, but measurement precision deteriorates with difficulty in aligning output with laboratory equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the portable system to measure multiple parameters including moisture content, protein content, and other grain characteristics using the same optical platform. This multi-functionality allows the device to provide comprehensive grain quality assessment in the field, eliminating the need for separate portable devices and improving both portability and measurement reliability across multiple parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the microprocessor continuously monitors detector signals and adjusts measurements based on real-time data quality assessment. This feedback control ensures that measurements taken in varying field conditions are accurately processed and aligned with laboratory reference methods, maintaining precision while preserving portability and ease of operation.
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 system enables robust, inexpensive, and accurate field-based analysis of grain characteristics, reducing economic losses by providing quick and reliable data on moisture and protein content, suitable for farmers to determine grain quality before harvesting and shipment.
Implementation Method 1
the amount of electromagnetic radiation, and more usually visible light or near IR radiation, absorbed at a particular typically narrow range of wavelengths is proportional to the concentration of a light absorbing component or species and the path length of the light through the sample
Implementation Method 2
The instrument uses a spherical diffraction grating from which light is reflected over a spread of frequencies. The diffraction grating causes the incident light to be reflected at different angles depending on the wavelength of the incident light
Implementation Method 3
The diffraction grating causes the incident light to be reflected at different angles depending on the wavelength of the incident light
Implementation Method 4
The diffraction grating causes the incident light to be reflected over a spread of frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
A field use optical grain characterizing system (101) includes a generally rectangular prismatic composite body (102) that defines a component cavity (103). A substantially vertical elongate channel (104) extends within cavity (103) for housing a grain sample (not shown). An electromagnetic radiation source, in the form of a 12 Volt halogen lamp (105), is disposed within cavity (103.) for directing NIR light into channel (104). An optical detection system (107) is disposed within cavity (103) for sensing selected light emerging from channel (104) and for providing a sensor signal. A processor, which is included within detection system (107), is also disposed within cavity (103) and is responsive to the sensor signal for providing data indicative of a characteristic parameter of the grain sample. A display device, in the form of a 5.7-inch touch screen LCD display (108), is connected with body (102) for selectively presenting the data.