Yield Sensor Signal Filtering via Brush Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing yield monitoring systems in combine harvesters are inaccurate for measuring mass flow rates, which is critical for site-specific farming practices requiring precise spatial yield mapping.
Innovation Solution
A yield sensor system integrated with paddle and brush assemblies on the clean grain elevator of a combine harvester, which includes a yield sensor assembly that generates signals based on grain contact, and a processing system to filter out foreign material-induced pulses and correct yield measurements using property pulses related to grain viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an impact-type mass flow sensor is used to monitor yield during crop harvesting, then real-time yield monitoring capability is provided, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to foreign material interference and inability to distinguish grain from debris
Solution Approach 1:
A brush assembly is introduced as an intermediary component that contacts the sensor surface to remove foreign material (debris, dust, chaff) between grain pulses. The brush acts as a mediator that cleans the sensor without interfering with grain measurement, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while allowing continuous operation in dirty harvesting environments
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback signals generated by the brush contacting the sensor surface to identify and exclude non-grain events from yield calculations. When the brush contacts the sensor, it generates characteristic pulses that are detected and used to flag periods when foreign material removal is occurring, allowing the system to compensate for or exclude these events from the final yield measurement
2Reliability
If a yield sensor assembly is placed in the clean grain elevator to measure mass flow rate, then yield data can be collected, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to signal noise from foreign material contact
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and separates the foreign material removal function from the grain measurement function. By using a dedicated brush assembly specifically for cleaning the sensor surface, the system isolates the foreign material interference into distinct, identifiable events that can be excluded from yield calculations, thereby preserving the integrity of the grain measurement data
Solution Approach 2:
The brush assembly performs preliminary cleaning of the sensor surface between grain pulses by continuously or periodically removing accumulated foreign material. This preliminary action prevents foreign material from interfering with subsequent grain measurements, ensuring that each grain pulse is measured against a clean sensor baseline
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 system provides accurate mass flow rate measurements by filtering out noise and correcting for foreign material interference, enabling precise spatial yield mapping and improved site-specific farming practices.
Implementation Method 1
A yield sensor system integrated with paddle and brush assemblies on the clean grain elevator of a combine harvester, which includes a yield sensor assembly that generates signals based on grain contact
Data Source
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AI summary
Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for monitoring yield while harvesting grain. Grain released from paddles on the clean grain elevator chain of a harvester contacts a flow sensor (500) which reports the rate of grain flow through the clean grain elevator (40). A cleaning apparatus (200) driven by the clean grain elevator chain (42) is disposed to contact and remove material from the sensor surface (522). Processing circuitry in data communication with the sensor (500) is configured to estimate a flow rate of grain based on a signal generated by the sensor (500) and to distinguish a cleaning apparatus pulse (720) from a plurality of paddle pulses (710), said cleaning apparatus pulse (720) being generated when said cleaning apparatus (200) contacts said sensor surface (522), said paddle pulses (710) being generated when grain released by said plurality of paddles (150) contacts said sensor surface (522).