Soil Roughness Monitoring With Non-Contact Sensing Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for monitoring soil surface roughness during ground-engaging operations are either time-consuming and labor-intensive or fail to reliably track changes in soil surface roughness as a result of the operation, limiting their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing non-contact soil roughness sensors, such as LIDAR scanners, stereo cameras, or ultrasound devices, integrated with work vehicles and implements to capture and analyze soil surface roughness data before and after the operation, allowing for real-time monitoring and adjustment of the operation to maintain target surface roughness levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual measurement techniques are used to estimate soil surface roughness, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but the process becomes very time consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement systems with automated optical sensing systems (cameras, LIDAR, or ultrasound devices) that can capture soil surface roughness data without physical contact. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming manual measurement process while maintaining measurement capability through electronic sensors that rapidly capture and transmit surface topology data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy or representation of the soil surface through imaging technology. Instead of physically measuring the surface, the system captures visual or acoustic images that replicate surface characteristics, allowing for rapid analysis and roughness estimation without direct physical intervention, thus reducing time loss while preserving measurement accuracy.
2Productivity
If automated measurement systems are implemented to reduce labor, then time efficiency improves, but the systems fail to reliably track changes in soil surface roughness during operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the automated sensing system continuously monitors soil surface roughness before, during, and after ground-engaging operations. The system compares pre-operation and post-operation measurements to detect changes, providing reliable feedback on whether the operation achieved the desired surface modification. This continuous monitoring loop ensures both time efficiency and reliability in tracking roughness changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of soil surface roughness before the ground-engaging operation begins. This baseline measurement allows the system to subsequently compare against post-operation measurements, enabling reliable detection of changes. By establishing the initial state beforehand, the system ensures accurate and reliable tracking of roughness modifications while maintaining high productivity through automated comparison processes.
3Ease of operation
If conventional surface roughness estimation techniques are used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but the ability to monitor and adjust roughness during operations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional system that not only measures soil surface roughness but also provides real-time monitoring, comparison with target roughness values, and guidance for adjustment. The same sensing platform performs multiple functions: initial measurement, continuous monitoring during operation, post-operation assessment, and adaptive control guidance. This universality enhances adaptability while maintaining ease of operation through integrated functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static roughness measurement process into a dynamic, adaptive system. The system continuously adjusts its monitoring and assessment based on real-time conditions, comparing actual roughness measurements against target values and providing dynamic guidance for operation adjustment. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to varying field conditions while maintaining simple operation through automated decision-support algorithms.
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 accurate monitoring of soil surface roughness changes during operations, providing insights into soil texture and foreign object presence, and allowing for automatic adjustments to optimize the effectiveness of ground-engaging tools.
Implementation Method 1
non-contact soil roughness sensors (e.g., a LIDAR scanner)
Implementation Method 2
ultrasound devices
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (400) for automatically monitoring soil surface roughness as a ground-engaging operation is being performed within a field may include receiving pre-operation surface roughness data associated with a given portion of the field and receiving post-operation surface roughness data associated with the given portion of the field. In addition, the method may include analyzing the pre-operation and post-operation surface roughness data to determine a surface roughness differential associated with the performance of the ground-engaging operation and actively adjusting the operation of at least one of an associated work vehicle (10) and/or implement (12) when the surface roughness differential differs from a target set for the surface roughness differential.