Resilient Stalk Sensing Member for Wear-Resistant Diameter Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural implements for stalk sensing face challenges such as measurement errors due to physical wear of sensing members, difficulty in detecting smaller stalks, and issues with dynamic seals and debris during harvest operations, leading to inaccurate diameter measurements and potential jamming.

Innovation Solution

The use of flexible, resilient sensing members that eliminate the need for dynamic seals and maintain contact through their own force, allowing for accurate measurement of stalk diameter and count, and incorporating magnetic field sensors to measure deflection, which corresponds to stalk perimeter and count, while resisting wear and debris.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If rigid sensing members are used to maintain contact force, then adequate force for quick return is achieved, but measurement oscillations occur causing difficulty in distinguishing individual stalks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereturn speedVSAvoidmeasurement stability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing member material is changed from rigid to resilient, fundamentally altering the mechanical properties. This allows the sensing member to maintain contact force while absorbing impact energy, preventing rebound oscillations and enabling both quick return and stable measurements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If resilient sensing members are used to eliminate rebound, then measurement oscillations are reduced, but contact force may be insufficient for quick return

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement stabilityVSAvoidreturn speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient sensing member is designed with specific elastic properties that provide both cushioning and rapid recovery. The material selection and geometric design ensure sufficient contact force for quick return while maintaining measurement stability through energy absorption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If dynamic seals are used in sensing mechanisms, then movement is enabled, but wear and debris accumulation occur during harvest operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement capabilityVSAvoidwear resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The design eliminates dynamic seals entirely by using a resilient sensing member that requires no sealing components. The sensing member's elastic nature allows movement without contact with fixed surfaces, removing the source of wear and debris accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Measurement precision

If sensing members are positioned to measure single stalks, then measurement accuracy is improved, but smaller stalks cannot be detected when larger stalks are present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediameter measurement accuracyVSAvoidstalk detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing member is designed with a specific contact geometry that distributes force locally. This allows the sensing member to adapt to different stalk diameters, maintaining measurement capability for both small and large stalks by concentrating measurement force at the point of contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

5Productivity

If corn head operates in reverse to expel debris, then plugging is prevented, but sensing members may be damaged by debris passing in opposite direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris clearanceVSAvoidsensing member durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient sensing member is designed to absorb impact from debris during reverse operation. The elastic properties provide inherent protection against damage from stalks and debris passing in the opposite direction, eliminating the need for additional protective mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 improves wear resistance, reduces measurement oscillations, and prevents damage from debris, enabling precise stalk measurement and count, even when stalks pass in the opposite direction, and maintains accurate data collection during harsh harvest conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient sensing member engaged with the row unit... measure the deflection of the sensor target as the resilient sensing member flexes in response to stalk passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a distance sensor within a housing on the row unit... measure the deflection of the sensor target as the resilient sensing member flexes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS20210059114A1Apparatus, Systems And Methods For Stalk Sensing

Publication Date: 2021.03.04 AG LEADER TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to a physical stalk sensing system comprising at least one resilient member. Sensors having the resilient member or members are able to estimate the size of the stalks of row crops as they pass through a field, such as a corn field. The sensors can be mounted on a corn head and the results can be analyzed and visualized.