UWB-Based Crop Unloading Automation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing unloading systems for agricultural vehicles, such as combine harvesters, are unreliable in dusty environments due to distortion of 3D camera readings, leading to inaccuracies in determining the filling level and position of crops in containers, which can result in crop loss and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An unloading automation system utilizing Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology for both position measurement and filling degree determination, which is non-optical and less affected by dust, allowing for precise positioning and level monitoring without the need for continuous operator intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a 3D camera is used to monitor the filling degree and position, then the operator can visually track the unloading process, but the measurements become unreliable in dusty environments due to pixel distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical 3D camera system with a UWB (Ultra-Wideband) radio frequency measurement system. The UWB technology uses electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency range instead of visible light, making it immune to dust interference. The system comprises UWB tags attached to the container and agricultural vehicle, with UWB base stations receiving signals to calculate positions and filling levels through time-of-flight measurements, completely avoiding the pixel distortion problem caused by dust particles.
2Productivity
If the operator continuously monitors and controls multiple functionalities during harvesting, then the unloading process can be managed, but the operator workload increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated monitoring and control system where the UWB measurement system continuously tracks the container position, agricultural vehicle position, and filling degree without operator intervention. The system automatically calculates these parameters from UWB signal measurements and provides real-time feedback to the operator through a display unit, enabling the system to monitor and manage the unloading process autonomously while the operator only needs to oversee the automated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism where the UWB base stations continuously receive signals from UWB tags, calculate positions and filling levels, and provide real-time feedback information to the operator through a display unit. This continuous feedback loop allows the operator to monitor the unloading process status without manually checking, enabling timely decisions while reducing constant manual intervention.
3Measurement precision
If UWB technology is used for position and filling degree measurement, then accuracy is maintained in dusty environments, but the system complexity increases due to multiple UWB tags and base stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the UWB measurement system to serve multiple functions simultaneously: the same UWB tags and base stations used for position measurement also enable filling degree determination. The system measures the position of the agricultural vehicle relative to the container and simultaneously determines the filling level by measuring the position of the crop surface, eliminating the need for separate measurement systems and reducing overall system complexity despite the multi-functional requirements.
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
The UWB-based system enhances accuracy and reliability in dusty conditions, minimizing crop loss and operator workload by providing precise positioning and level monitoring, thereby improving the efficiency and safety of the unloading process.
Implementation Method 1
the UWB tag is adapted to generate an UWB pulse and arranged to communicate with at least one UWB base station, wherein the distance of the UWB tag to the UWB base station is determined from the communication between the UWB tag and the UWB base station
Implementation Method 2
The at least one UWB tag and the at least one UWB base station are positioned such that their wireless communication path gets distorted as the container is filled, resulting in a weakened UWB pulse received by the UWB base station
Data Source
AI summary
An unloading automation system for unloading of harvested crop from an agricultural vehicle, such as a combine harvester, into a container. The container may be part of a vehicle container combination that is arranged to maneuver next to the agricultural vehicle in the field. The unloading automation system includes a filling degree measurement system and position measurement system, wherein the position measurement is based on UWB technology. This non-optical technology improves measurement results in dusty environments. The filing degree measurement system and the position measurement system have at least one UWB tag or base station in common.