Receiving Vehicle Fill Rendering Beyond Camera View Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for detecting fill level and distribution of material in receiving vehicles face challenges due to limited camera field of view and environmental obscurants, making it difficult for operators to accurately assess the fill level and distribution, especially when vehicles traverse irregular terrain.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses an automatic fill control system to detect fill level and distribution using sensors like stereo cameras or LIDAR, generating a computer-generated rendering of the receiving vehicle's fill level and material distribution, which is independent of camera view limitations and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If camera-based detection systems are used to detect fill level and material distribution, then the system can provide visual feedback for monitoring, but the detection accuracy deteriorates due to limited field of view and environmental obscurants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces camera-based optical detection with radar-based electromagnetic wave detection. The radar system transmits electromagnetic waves that penetrate environmental obscurants (dust, smoke, fog) and terrain irregularities, receiving reflected signals to accurately measure fill level and material distribution without being affected by visual limitations that plague camera systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from optical (camera) to electromagnetic (radar). By operating in the radio frequency spectrum rather than the visible light spectrum, the system transforms the detection mechanism to one that is insensitive to environmental obscurants, maintaining measurement precision under varying environmental conditions.
2Productivity
If multiple receiving vehicles are used to increase productivity, then the harvesting operation efficiency improves, but the complexity of monitoring and managing multiple vehicles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radar-based detection system provides a universal monitoring solution that can track multiple receiving vehicles simultaneously using the same hardware and processing architecture. The system generates standardized radar images and fill level data for each vehicle, enabling centralized monitoring without requiring separate specialized systems for each vehicle, thus managing complexity while supporting high productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If real-time detection of material distribution is implemented, then the filling operation precision improves, but the data processing requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex computer vision algorithms with simpler radar signal processing. The radar system directly measures distance and material presence through time-of-flight calculations and signal reflection analysis, providing real-time distribution data without requiring the complex image processing, feature extraction, and environmental compensation algorithms needed by camera-based systems.
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 provides accurate and clear visualization of the fill level and material distribution in receiving vehicles, enhancing operational efficiency by ensuring even filling and reducing spillage, regardless of environmental factors or terrain irregularities.
Implementation Method 1
A system that uses an automatic fill control system to detect fill level and distribution using sensors like stereo cameras or LIDAR
Data Source
AI summary
A detector detects a fill level of a receiving vehicle. A rendering is generated that shows a representation of the receiving vehicle and a distribution of the material in the receiving vehicle based on the detected fill level.