Sensor Surface Cleaning Control for Residue-Blocked Harvesting Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The accumulation of residue, including crop residue and debris, on sensor surfaces interferes with signal reception and affects the accuracy and reliability of agricultural sensors, particularly in harvesting operations.
Innovation Solution
A residue sensing and cleaning system that monitors residue accumulation on sensor transmission surfaces using cleanliness values and thresholds, activating a cleaning system when necessary, and adjusting cleaning aggressiveness based on cleanliness and confidence values to maintain sensor reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sensor operates continuously in agricultural environments, then productivity is improved, but residue accumulates on the sensor surface degrading measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cleaning actions by detecting residue accumulation through cleanliness value monitoring and triggering cleaning operations before the residue severely degrades sensor performance. This preventive approach maintains measurement precision while allowing continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors cleanliness values and uses this feedback to determine when cleaning is needed. The controller compares cleanliness values against thresholds and automatically initiates cleaning operations, creating a closed-loop system that maintains sensor accuracy during continuous operation.
2Measurement precision
If cleaning operations are performed frequently to maintain sensor accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial cleaning actions based on the actual level of contamination. By monitoring cleanliness values and comparing them to thresholds, the system performs cleaning only when necessary and only to the extent needed to restore accuracy, avoiding unnecessary cleaning operations that would waste time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects residue accumulation early through cleanliness value monitoring and triggers cleaning operations before severe degradation occurs. This allows for shorter, more efficient cleaning cycles rather than requiring extensive cleaning after heavy contamination builds up.
3Measurement precision
If aggressive cleaning methods are used to remove accumulated residue, then cleanliness is improved, but the sensor and surrounding components may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system adjusts cleaning aggressiveness based on the actual level of contamination detected. By monitoring cleanliness values and comparing them to thresholds, the system applies the minimum necessary cleaning force to restore accuracy, avoiding excessive cleaning that could damage the sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses cleanliness value feedback to modulate cleaning intensity. As the sensor becomes cleaner and cleanliness values improve, the system automatically reduces cleaning aggressiveness, preventing damage from over-cleaning while ensuring thorough removal of residue when accumulation is severe.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for sensing accumulated residue on a transmission surface of a sensor of an agricultural machine and controlling a cleaning of the transmission surface. Using captured information obtained by the sensor through the transmission surface, a first cleanliness value can be derived and compared with a first threshold. If the first threshold is not satisfied, a cleaning system can be activated. Communication of signals generated using the captured information can also then be suspended or assigned a confidence value. Information subsequently captured by the sensor can be used to derive another cleanliness value for comparison to a second threshold. The subsequently derived cleanliness value can result in at least one of a change in the confidence value, resumption of communication of signals generated using captured information obtained by the sensor, deactivation of the cleaning system, and a change in the aggressiveness of the cleaning system.