Ultrasonic Sensor Array for Crop Canopy Distance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic monitoring systems for adjusting the height and position of a field sprayer's distributor linkage suffer from incorrect distance measurements due to gaps in the canopy area, leading to improper linkage settings.
Innovation Solution
Arranging at least two sensors on each side of the distributor linkage to share a signal input, with an evaluation computer using filter means to only consider signal data with the shortest propagation time to determine accurate distances, ensuring the linkage maintains the intended position relative to the area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single sensor is used to measure distance to the canopy area, then the device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to gaps in the canopy causing incorrect distance readings
Solution Approach 1:
Two sensors are connected to the same signal input of the evaluation computer, merging their measurements into a single evaluation channel. This combination allows the system to use multiple measurement points while maintaining a relatively simple device structure, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation computer uses filter means to selectively process sensor signals based on transit time feedback. By comparing transit times from multiple sensors and selecting the appropriate signal, the system automatically compensates for canopy gaps without requiring complex manual adjustment or additional hardware.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are arranged on each side of the distributor linkage, then measurement precision is improved by compensating for canopy gaps, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensors are merged into a single signal input channel, allowing the system to benefit from multiple measurement points while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate signal processing paths. The evaluation computer handles the complexity internally through filter means.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal input and evaluation computer are designed to handle multiple sensor inputs universally, processing signals from different sensors through the same evaluation pathway. This multi-functionality allows the system to accommodate multiple sensors without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Loss of information
If all sensor signals are transmitted to the evaluation computer without filtering, then loss of information is minimized, but reliability deteriorates due to inclusion of incorrect distance data from canopy gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The filter means uses transit time feedback to automatically distinguish between valid and invalid sensor signals. By comparing the transit times of signals from multiple sensors, the system identifies and selects the correct distance measurement, ensuring reliable data without losing useful information.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter means acts as an intermediary between the sensors and the evaluation computer, selectively processing sensor signals based on transit time criteria. This intermediary function filters out incorrect distance data from canopy gaps while preserving valid measurements, improving reliability without complete information loss.
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
This configuration prevents incorrect distance signal data from being transmitted, ensuring the distributor linkage is accurately positioned and maintaining consistent coverage over the entire working width.
Implementation Method 1
The sensors are embodied, for example, as ultrasonic sensors
Implementation Method 2
only the signal data with the shortest runtime of the sensors connected to a signal input for the Evaluation to determine the distance to the existing area are taken into account
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The system has sensors (S1-S4) i.e. ultrasonic sensors, arranged on a side of a distributor rod and spaced apart from each other for measurement of a distance of the distributor rod to a crop surface (5). The sensors transmit signal data to signal inputs (8, 9). Each signal input transmits the signal data to an electronic evaluation processor (7), so that the signal data with a shortest running time is obtained, where the sensors connected to the signal inputs are used for the determination of a distance (A) to the crop surface.