Agricultural Sensor Assembly with Universal Inlet Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural sensors, particularly near-infrared spectrometers, are often removed from machines for use on different materials, requiring a separate, costly sample presentation device and limiting the ability to examine different samples.
Innovation Solution
A sensor composition that includes a measuring chamber with an inlet for introducing samples, allowing the sensor to be used both on agricultural machines to analyze material in real-time and with a filling device to analyze different samples, reducing the need for separate presentation devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor is removed from the agricultural machine and relocated for use on different materials, then the sensor can be used as a stationary sensor or manually immersed into tanks to examine other materials, but a separate, costly sample presentation device is required and the sensor cannot analyze material being fed to the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is designed with a universal interface that accepts both the line connection for machine material and the filling device for external samples. The measuring chamber serves multiple functions by receiving samples from different sources, allowing the sensor to analyze both material from the agricultural machine and externally provided samples without requiring separate presentation devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the line connection and filling device capabilities into a single sensor assembly. The inlet is designed to accept either the line or the filling device, merging two previously separate sample introduction methods into one integrated system that eliminates the need for separate presentation devices
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor is detachably mounted on the agricultural machine, then the sensor can be used to examine other materials, but the sensor cannot analyze material being fed to the machine and requires a separate sample presentation device
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is designed with dynamic reconfigurability, allowing the inlet to be connected to either the line for machine material or the filling device for external samples. This dynamic switching capability enables the system to adapt to different measurement needs without requiring multiple separate devices, reducing overall cost
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate sample presentation device is used for relocated sensors, then the sensor can analyze different materials, but the system becomes more costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is designed with a universal interface that accepts both the line connection for machine material and the filling device for external samples. The measuring chamber serves multiple functions by receiving samples from different sources, allowing the sensor to analyze both material from the agricultural machine and externally provided samples without requiring separate presentation devices
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 and cost-effective analysis of both machine-supplied and externally provided samples using the same sensor setup, improving measurement accuracy and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
Since near-infrared spectrometers in particular are quite expensive, the sensors are often detachably mounted on the agricultural machine
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor assembly (64) comprises a sensor (66) configured to detect at least one property of a sample and a measuring chamber (72) with an inlet (114) through which the sample can be introduced into the measuring chamber (72). The sensor (66) is configured to interact with the sample contained in the measuring chamber (72) and to determine its property. The inlet (114) is connectable to a line (60) through which material conveyed in an agricultural machine (10) can be fed as a sample through the inlet (114) into the measuring chamber (72). The line (60) is detachable from the inlet (114) of the measuring chamber (72), and a filling device (110) for filling a sample with the inlet (114) can be coupled to the inlet (114) in place of the line (60).