Reversing Camera Monitoring for Header Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural machines lack efficient and cost-effective methods to verify the proper functioning of attachment devices during normal operation, particularly in monitoring the cultivated area for errors such as stubble length, flattened crop, and drag marks, which are difficult to detect and require operator attention.
Innovation Solution
Agricultural machines are equipped with a reversing camera connected to an image processing unit that evaluates images from the camera to detect errors during forward movement, providing real-time feedback on a screen and enabling automatic or operator-confirmed corrective actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate monitoring system is added to detect cultivation errors, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reversing camera is made multi-functional by enabling it to serve both its original purpose (monitoring the area behind the machine during reversing) and a new function (detecting cultivation errors during forward movement). The image processing unit processes images for both reverse safety and forward cultivation monitoring, eliminating the need for separate monitoring systems and reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If dedicated error detection equipment is installed, then detection reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reversing camera system serves itself by utilizing its existing imaging capability and processing power for dual purposes. During forward movement, the same camera and image processing unit that monitor the rear area during reversing are repurposed to detect cultivation errors, eliminating the need for additional dedicated detection equipment and reducing implementation costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves cost-effectiveness by making the reversing camera multi-functional. The camera and its processing unit handle both reverse safety monitoring and forward cultivation error detection, eliminating the need for separate dedicated error detection equipment and reducing overall system cost.
3Measurement precision
If the operator continuously monitors the cultivated area, then error detection is improved, but operator attention and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback by using the image processing unit to continuously analyze images from the reversing camera for cultivation errors. When errors are detected, the system can automatically alert the operator or trigger corrective actions, eliminating the need for continuous manual monitoring and allowing the operator to maintain productivity while ensuring accurate error detection through automated analysis.
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
Enables efficient detection and correction of cultivation errors with minimal operator effort, reducing costs by utilizing existing processing power and ensuring high-quality crop harvesting.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor in the form of a reversing camera (10) mounted on the discharge spout (4)
Implementation Method 2
an image processing unit (14) connected to the reversing camera (10) and configured to detect the presence of an error in the processing of the surface using images from the reversing camera (10)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to an agricultural machine (1) with a front attachment (3) for cultivating an agricultural area and an optical sensor for detecting the cultivated area (13), wherein the optical sensor is designed and configured as a reversing camera (10, 10') to detect the cultivated area (13) behind the machine (1) in relation to its direction of travel. The basic idea of the invention is to use the existing reversing camera even during the agricultural operation of the machine and to evaluate the images of the cultivated area behind the machine and, if necessary, to identify a malfunction or incorrect setting. Based on this information, height control of the front attachment is also conceivable.