Root Crop Harvester NIR Sensing for Real-Time Sugar Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing harvesting technologies for root crops, such as sugar beets, are expensive and limited to breeding purposes, lacking cost-effective means for timely quality assessment during the harvesting process.
Innovation Solution
A harvesting vehicle equipped with a fruit flow device, including a lifting and lowering unit, transport units, a cleaning unit, an upward conveyor, and an on-board computer with near-infrared spectroscopy sensors, allows for real-time quality assessment of harvested root crops by determining the sugar content during the harvesting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If near-infrared spectroscopy sensors and processing units are integrated into the harvesting vehicle for real-time quality assessment, then measurement precision and timeliness of quality information are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The processing unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes spectral signals from the near-infrared sensors, determines quality parameters of root crops, and can potentially analyze different types of crops. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each measurement task, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a processing unit as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between the simple sensor detection and complex quality assessment. This intermediary processes the raw spectral data and converts it into meaningful quality information, reducing the complexity burden on both the sensing and control systems while maintaining high measurement accuracy
2Measurement precision
If sophisticated quality assessment systems are used for harvesting, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The processing unit automatically processes spectral signals and determines quality parameters without requiring manual intervention or complex operator input. The system performs self-service by autonomously converting raw sensor data into actionable quality information, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while simplifying operation for the user
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback by continuously analyzing spectral data and delivering real-time quality assessment results. This automatic feedback loop eliminates the need for complex manual operations and interpretation, making the system easy to operate while maintaining high measurement accuracy through continuous automated monitoring
3Measurement precision
If existing quality assessment methods are applied to high-throughput harvesting, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity decreases due to limited throughput capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The near-infrared spectroscopy system operates continuously during the harvesting process, analyzing root crops in real-time as they move through the harvester. This continuous measurement capability maintains high measurement precision while matching the high throughput of modern harvesting equipment, unlike batch-processing methods that would reduce productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or manual quality assessment methods with optical near-infrared spectroscopy. This substitution enables non-contact, rapid measurement that can keep pace with high-speed harvesting operations, thereby maintaining measurement precision while significantly improving productivity and throughput capacity
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 timely and cost-effective quality assessment of harvested root crops, particularly sugar beets, by providing precise and non-destructive detection of sugar content using near-infrared spectroscopy, enhancing the harvesting process efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor device (64) for recording a raw data of the stream (52) of the harvested root vegetables, in particular by means of near-infrared spectroscopy
Data Source
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AI summary
This harvesting vehicle (2) for harvesting root crops, for example sugar beets, comprises a fruit flow device (50) for processing a stream (52) of harvested root crops. The harvesting vehicle includes a sensor device (64) for detecting a raw date of the stream, and a determination device (66) connected to the sensor device for determining a content, preferably the sugar content, of the root crops in the stream based on the raw date.