Seed Tender Weight Compensation for Wind-Affected Weighing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wind effects cause inaccurate weight readings in agricultural machines, leading to misallocation of materials and increased costs during loading and unloading processes.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves receiving initialization sensor values from an agricultural machine, generating an estimated discharge based on these values, and comparing subsequent weight sensor values to a threshold value to compensate for wind effects, ensuring accurate weight measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If wind effects are present during weighing, then weight measurements are affected by external forces, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccurate readings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight measurement accuracyVSAvoidwind effects on container
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting wind effects through initialization sensor values and generating compensation values before they significantly affect the weight measurement. The controller calculates a compensation value based on initialization readings taken when the container is stationary, then applies this compensation to subsequent weight measurements to counteract wind-induced errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring weight sensor values, comparing them against threshold values derived from initialization data, and automatically adjusting the weight measurement through compensation values. The controller uses the difference between actual and expected weight changes (discharge rates) to generate real-time compensation that feeds back into the measurement system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If initialization sensor values are collected over time, then wind effect compensation is improved, but time consumption increases during the measurement process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind compensation accuracyVSAvoidinitialization time for sensor values
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by collecting only a sufficient number of initialization sensor values (at least ten) needed to establish a reliable baseline for wind compensation, rather than continuously collecting data indefinitely. This provides enough data to calculate accurate threshold values and compensation factors without excessive time investment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by collecting initialization sensor values and calculating compensation parameters before actual weight measurements begin. This preliminary setup phase establishes the baseline needed for accurate wind effect compensation during the weighing process, separating the preparation time from the measurement time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If weight sensor values are continuously monitored and compared to threshold values, then material misallocation is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial allocation accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service by automatically generating threshold values from initialization sensor data and autonomously comparing subsequent weight measurements against these thresholds. The controller independently determines when wind effects are present and applies appropriate compensation without requiring external intervention or complex external systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical wind shielding or physical stabilization mechanisms with an electronic/software-based compensation approach. Instead of using physical barriers to block wind or mechanical dampers to reduce container movement, the invention uses sensor data analysis and computational compensation algorithms to achieve the same reliability goal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3542135B1Method and apparatus for compensation of wind effects on measured weights
Publication Date: 2022.02.02 DIGI STAR LLC
  • EP3542135B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3542135B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3542135B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for compensating for wind effects on measured weights includes receiving initialization sensor values from a seed tender. An estimated discharge is generated based on the initialization sensor values, A weight sensor value from the seed tender is received after the initialization sensor values. The weight sensor value is compared to a threshold value corresponding to a value of the estimated discharge at a corresponding time. Based on the comparison, it is determined whether to transmit the weight sensor value or the threshold value to the seed tender controller.