Agricultural Wagon Loading Control via Mass Distribution Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for operating agricultural loading wagons are limited in achieving optimal loading efficiency, as they lack effective means to determine and adjust the mass and distribution of crops during the loading process, leading to suboptimal filling and potential overload or uneven distribution.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses distributed sensors to continuously determine the mass and center of gravity of the crops in the loading space, allowing for automated adjustments in the loading process to achieve a target distribution, including adjustments to the driving speed and transport device operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional loading methods are used without mass and distribution monitoring, then the loading process is simpler and requires fewer sensors, but the loading efficiency is suboptimal and uneven distribution occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading efficiencyVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading space is divided into multiple measurement zones with distributed sensors along the longitudinal direction. Each sensor monitors a specific segment, allowing localized mass and distribution assessment. This segmentation enables precise control of crop distribution while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular sensor placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors mass and center of gravity position using distributed sensors, then feeds this information back to the control device. The control device adjusts loading parameters in real-time based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes loading efficiency while preventing overload and ensuring uniform distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If manual monitoring and adjustment of loading parameters is performed, then the system is simpler to implement, but the precision of mass and distribution control is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemass and distribution measurement precisionVSAvoidloading process automation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

Manual monitoring and adjustment mechanisms are replaced with an automated sensor-based measurement system and electronic control device. The sensors continuously measure mass and center of gravity position with high precision, and the control device automatically adjusts loading parameters without human intervention, achieving both high measurement precision and automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The loading system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment through the integrated sensor network and control device. The system automatically detects mass distribution, calculates center of gravity position, and adjusts loading parameters without requiring external manual intervention, enabling the system to serve itself in optimizing the loading process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the wagon is loaded without real-time mass monitoring, then the loading process is faster and requires less data processing, but overload conditions cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverload prevention reliabilityVSAvoiddata processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary mass monitoring during the loading process using distributed sensors that continuously measure mass accumulation. By detecting mass and center of gravity position in real-time before overload occurs, the system can prevent overload conditions proactively, ensuring reliability without requiring extensive post-loading data processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach enables precise and efficient loading of agricultural wagons, ensuring optimal filling, preventing overload, and improving the overall loading process by automating adjustments based on real-time data from sensors.

Implementation Method 1

a mass of the harvested crop taken into the loading space (5) of the wagon (1) and a distribution of the harvested crop in the loading space (5) of the wagon (1) are determined during a loading process of the wagon (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWeight measurement:

Implementation Method 2

an actual loading distribution of the wagon (1) is determined from the mass of the harvested crop in the loading space (5) of the wagon (1) and a position of a center of gravity of the same

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCenter of gravity calculation:

Data Source

PatentEP3095315B1Method and control device for operating an agricultural loader wagon
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 CLAAS SAULGAU GMBH
  • EP3095315B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3095315B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3095315B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Method for operating an agricultural wagon (1), wherein during a loading process of the wagon (1) a loading space (5) of the wagon (1) is loaded with crop material, and during the loading process a mass of the crop material taken up in the loading space (5) of the wagon (1) and a distribution of the crop material in the loading space (5) are determined, and depending on this the further loading of the loading wagon (1) is carried out.