Autonomous Raking System with Windrow Quality Sensor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural raking systems are limited by the need for manual operation, which restricts raking activities to daylight hours and reduces efficiency and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous or semi-autonomous agricultural raking system that includes a motor-driven raking vehicle with tines, a sensor assembly for determining windrow quality, and a controller that adjusts operational parameters such as speed and tine height to achieve target windrow quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If manual operation is used for agricultural raking, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the operating hours are limited to daylight and efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The raking system incorporates sensors to automatically detect windrow quality and a controller that autonomously adjusts operational parameters without human intervention, enabling the system to self-optimize during extended operating hours
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated system using sensors, controllers, and motor-driven raking members, allowing operation beyond daylight hours when human visibility is limited
2Productivity
If manual operation is used for agricultural raking, then the system complexity is low, but productivity is reduced due to limited operating hours
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to continuously monitor windrow quality and feeds this information back to the controller, which automatically adjusts raking member rotation speed and position to optimize productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The automated control system integrates multiple functions including sensor data processing, real-time parameter adjustment, and motor control into a single multi-functional controller, improving productivity while managing complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If automated control is implemented to improve windrow quality, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors measure actual windrow quality and provide real-time feedback to the controller, which automatically adjusts raking member parameters to achieve target quality levels
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically changes operational parameters such as rotation speed and tine angle based on sensor input, enabling precise control of windrow quality through parameter optimization
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes an agricultural raking vehicle, including a motor drive and raking members mechanically coupled to the motor drive. The raking members rake agricultural product via rotation about an axis substantially orthogonal to a field on which the agricultural vehicle travels. The system also includes a sensor assembly that outputs a signal indicative of a determined windrow quality of the agricultural product raked by the raking members. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the motor drive and to the sensor assembly. The controller receives the signal and controls an angular speed of the motor drive, a ground speed of the agricultural vehicle, and/or a height of the raking members or tines above the field, based on a comparison of the determined windrow quality to a target windrow quality.