Wireless Wagon Detection for Real-Time Yield Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current crop yield calibration in harvesting systems is manual, slow, and often inaccurate due to the need for manual weighing of wagons after they are full, leading to outdated data that does not reflect changing crop conditions, such as moisture loss and varying yields across different field portions.
Innovation Solution
An automatic wireless wagon detection apparatus and method using pattern recognition and wireless communication between crop unloading machines and scale-equipped crop transport vehicles, allowing for real-time detection of wagon filling and automated yield calibration, enabling accurate and periodic calibration without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual weighing and calibration of crop transport vehicles is used, then equipment complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and calibration accuracy deteriorate due to outdated data not reflecting changing crop conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication system enables the scale-equipped CTV to serve multiple functions: it acts as a mobile calibration standard, a data transmission node, and a reference for multiple CUMs simultaneously. This universal approach allows accurate yield calibration across the harvesting fleet without requiring individual scales on each vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system acts as an intermediary that transfers weight data from the scale-equipped CTV to the CUMs. This mediator enables real-time data exchange without physical connection, allowing the CUM to receive calibration data and perform automated calibration while the CTV simply provides the reference weight information.
2Productivity
If manual calibration processes are used, then device complexity is minimized, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming calibration procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The CUM performs self-calibration by automatically receiving weight data from the scale-equipped CTV via wireless communication and adjusting its own mass flow sensor calibration. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual calibration operations, significantly improving productivity while the automation handles the complex calibration process without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical calibration procedures with an automated electronic system. The wireless transmission of weight data and automated calculation of calibration factors substitutes the manual weighing, recording, and calculation process, dramatically increasing calibration speed and efficiency.
3Reliability
If real-time wireless detection and automated calibration are implemented, then measurement precision and productivity improve, but device complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the scale-equipped CTV that provides reference weight data, the wireless communication system that transmits data, and the CUM that performs calibration. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture by distributing functions across multiple elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the CUM by dynamically adjusting its mass flow sensor calibration based on real-time weight data from the CTV. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to varying crop conditions, moisture content, and yield rates, significantly improving measurement reliability and accuracy.
4Loss of time
If manual calibration is performed after wagons are full, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time occurs due to time lag in calibration data
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs calibration continuously during the unloading process rather than waiting until the wagon is full. The CUM receives weight data from the CTV in real-time and performs preliminary calibration adjustments throughout the operation, eliminating the time lag associated with post-unloading calibration and ensuring accurate yield data from the start.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration process becomes continuous rather than periodic. The wireless transmission of weight data and automated calibration adjustments occur continuously during harvesting operations, ensuring that the CUM maintains accurate calibration throughout varying crop conditions rather than relying on intermittent manual calibration cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
A harvesting system includes a crop unloading machine having a volume measurement device configured to measure a volume of harvested crops, and a crop transport vehicle including a weight sensor configured to sense a weight of the harvested crops. The crop transport vehicle can receive crops from the crop unloading machine. The crop transport vehicle communicates the sensed weight to the crop unloading machine and the crop unloading machine calculates a crop yield based upon the sensed weight, the volume and a state of the crop unloading machine.