Ramp-Based Foreign Object Detection for Agricultural Harvesters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting non-frangible objects like stones and metal pieces in agricultural harvesters face challenges in accurately distinguishing them from crop materials due to mixed contact and interference from harvester noise, leading to incorrect object identifications and equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a non-frangible object detection device with a sensing surface and sensor, and a conveyor mechanism featuring multiple ramp members that separate and raise objects above the sensing surface, ensuring they drop and impact with increased force, generating distinctive signals for accurate detection and ejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensing plate with sensor is used to detect non-frangible objects, then object detection capability is provided, but accuracy is reduced due to mixed contact with crop materials and harvester noise interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection process by separating object contact from crop material contact through the inclined surface geometry. Objects are directed to contact the sensing plate at specific locations while crop materials follow different paths, reducing mixed contact interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined surface acts as an intermediary mechanism that modifies the contact dynamics between objects, crop materials, and the sensing plate. It creates distinct contact scenarios that enhance signal differentiation.
2Device complexity
If objects are detected on a flat sensing surface, then detection is simple, but signal differentiation between objects and crop materials becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a two-dimensional flat sensing surface to a three-dimensional inclined surface configuration. This adds the dimension of contact location and angle, enabling better signal differentiation while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
3Reliability
If the sensing plate is positioned directly in the material path, then all objects contact the sensing surface, but crop material interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface creates different local contact zones: one where objects contact the sensing plate with distinctive characteristics, and another where crop materials contact with different characteristics. This local differentiation enhances detection reliability.
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
This solution enhances the accuracy of non-frangible object detection, reducing equipment damage by ensuring clear signal differentiation and effective ejection of foreign objects from the harvesting process.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor responds to the characteristics of the sound, such as the amplitude and frequency, that an impacting stone generated in the sensing plate
Implementation Method 2
separate and raise objects above the sensing surface, ensuring they drop and impact with increased force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~7
Figure 3~10
AI summary
A method and apparatus for use with a non-frangible object detection mechanism on an agricultural harvester (1), the detection mechanism including a sensing surface (75) and a sensor (58) for sensing force applied to the sensing surface (75) that is associated with a foreign object (80) adjacent the sensing surface (75), the harvester including a transport surface (90) along which harvested materials are transported toward the sensing surface (75), the apparatus including at least first and second ramp members (54) positioned between the transport surface (90) and the sensing surface (75), the ramp members (54) separated by a gap, each ramp member (54) including a front ramp surface (76) that extends between a front ramp end (77) adjacent the transport surface (90) and a ramp member apex (78), the ramp member apexes positioned at a location higher than the sensing surface (75) and proximate the sensing surface (75), wherein, as harvested material and non-frangible objects are conveyed along the transport surface (90) and toward the sensing surface (75), at least a portion of the harvested material passes between the ramp members (54) to the sensing surface (75) and at least a portion of the non-frangible objects move along the ramp surfaces and are forced over the ramp apexes (78) to descend toward the sensing surface (75).