Transverse Sensing Element for Foreign Body Detection in Harvesters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foreign body detection devices in agricultural harvesting machines are inadequate in detecting non-ferromagnetic objects and suffer from technical complexity, reliability issues, and contamination problems, particularly with vibration sensors and accelerometers.
Innovation Solution
A foreign body detection device that uses a position sensor to calculate the speed and/or acceleration of a sensing element moving transversely to the crop conveying direction, comparing these values with threshold values to determine the presence of foreign bodies, and automatically stopping the intake conveyor if necessary, while also considering fluctuations in crop density to avoid false triggers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vibration sensors or accelerometers are used to detect foreign bodies, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and reliability deteriorate due to multiple separate components and contamination issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensing element and position sensor into an integrated unit mounted on the feed roller. The position sensor directly detects the position of the sensing element, eliminating the need for separate accelerometer components and reducing device complexity while maintaining foreign body detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing element acts as an intermediary between the foreign body and the position sensor. When a foreign body impacts the sensing element, this impact is transmitted as positional movement that the position sensor can detect, converting complex vibration detection into simpler position measurement.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical detection solutions with variable collection elements are used, then foreign body detection is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to technical complexity and mechanical component failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical detection systems with a sensor-based system. The position sensor uses electrical or optical fields to detect sensing element position, eliminating mechanical linkages and moving parts that are prone to failure, thereby improving reliability while maintaining detection capability.
3Measurement precision
If metal detectors with magnetic fields are used, then ferromagnetic foreign body detection is improved, but detection capability deteriorates for non-ferromagnetic materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal detection system that can detect all types of foreign bodies (ferromagnetic, non-ferromagnetic, organic, inorganic) through a single mechanism. The position sensor detects any impact or abnormal movement of the sensing element regardless of the foreign body material composition, providing multi-material detection capability.
4Measurement precision
If accelerometers with movable masses and switches are used, then foreign body detection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to contamination after long periods of use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical switches and movable masses with a position sensor that likely uses optical or electrical fields. This eliminates components that accumulate contamination, reducing maintenance requirements and improving ease of operation over long periods of use while maintaining detection precision.
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 detection of foreign bodies with reduced complexity and reliability issues, effectively stopping the harvesting machine when foreign objects are encountered, and can be used for yield mapping and automatic dosing of silage additives.
Implementation Method 1
A foreign body detection device for an agricultural harvesting machine with a sensing element that is movably mounted transversely to a crop conveying direction and rests against the picked crop during harvesting operation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a foreign object detection device for an agricultural harvesting machine (10), comprising a sensing element (82) movably mounted transversely to a crop conveyance direction and in contact with the crop being picked up during harvesting. It is proposed that the foreign object detection device include a position sensor (88) configured to detect the position of the sensing element (82) and an evaluation circuit (78) which is operable to calculate information regarding the speed and/or acceleration of the sensing element (82) based on the signals from the position sensor (88) and to compare this information with a threshold value in order to generate a signal value indicating the pickup of a foreign object.