巴西专利BR102015010270B1 system and method to detect the diameters of plant stalk, and, harvester machine

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专利摘要:
SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS TO DETECT PLANT TALO DIAMETERS, AND, HARVESTING MACHINE A system to detect the diameter of plant stems detects the position of a laterally movable member willing to contact a plant stem located within an elongated interval in a row harvesting unit to determine and map the stem diameters.
公开号:BR102015010270B1
申请号:R102015010270-4
申请日:2015-05-06
公开日:2021-04-06
发明作者:Larry L. Hendrickson；Niels Dybro；Noel W. Anderson
申请人:Deere & Company；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

[0001] [001] The present application generally refers to row harvesting units. More particularly, it refers to the system and method for detecting the stem diameters of plants being processed in a row unit. Background
[0002] [002] A number of different provisions to determine the productivity of agricultural harvesting machines have been proposed in the past, such as detecting the torque to drive the feed chamber or transverse auger of a corn harvesting platform or head. The detected value can be used to control the propulsion speed of the harvester or recorded and geo-referenced on a map for agronomic purposes, such as determining fertilizer quantities. These provisions provide information regarding the mass or volume of plants per unit area of land.
[0003] [003] Corn plants are harvested with corn heads mounted in front of agricultural harvesting machines, as combined forage harvesters. During the operation, stalk rolls pull down adjacent rows of corn plants and the corn cobs of the plants are fitted together by extractor plates. The corn heads comprise a series of row harvesting units arranged side by side, each row harvesting unit has a pair of stalk rolls or a stalk roll interacting with a rigid wall to pull the planes down . The extractor plates are mounted above the stem rolls, forming an elongated gap extending forward through which the plant is pulled down by the stem rolls. The distance between the extractor plates is generally manually adjustable and selected in such a way that the stalk can pass, while the ears are removed from the stems by the extractor plates and fed by a conveyor, usually a conveyor chain, to a transverse auger that feeds the ears into the harvester. summary
[0004] [004] Various aspects of examples of the invention are given in the claims.
[0005] [005] According to a first aspect, a system for detecting plant stem diameters is described. The system comprises a row harvesting unit with a frame defining an elongated interval along which plant stalks move during a harvesting operation; a first sensor coupled to a laterally movable member arranged to contact a plant stem located within the elongated range and adapted to generate a signal representative of the position of the laterally movable member; and a processing unit adapted to derive a stem diameter value representative of a stem diameter from the signal from the first sensor and to store the stem diameter value in a memory.
[0006] [006] The row harvesting unit may comprise at least one stem roll supported on the frame to be rotatable about its axis and arranged to pull down a plant stem, a first extractor plate and a second extractor plate, the extractor plates supported on the frame and forming an elongated gap between the extractor plates above the stem roll, the elongated gap having a longitudinal extension essentially parallel to the axis of the stem roll. In this embodiment, the elongated interval is thus an extractor interval and the spike is a corn harvest head. However, in another embodiment, the elongated interval can define a channel along which plant stems are soon transported, but not processed in any way.
[0007] [007] The first extractor plate can be supported to be movable in one direction extending transversely to the longitudinal extension of the elongated interval against a stressing force by requesting the first extractor plate for the second extractor plate and the first sensor is coupled to the first plate extractor and adapted to generate a signal representative of the position of the first extractor plate. In another embodiment, the first sensor can be coupled to the second extractor plate and adapted to generate a signal representative of the position of the second extractor plate.
[0008] [008] The second extractor plate can be supported to be movable in one direction extending transversely to the longitudinal extension of the elongated interval against a request force that requests the second extractor plate for the first extractor plate, a second sensor is coupled to the second extractor plate and adapted to generate a signal representative of the position of the second extractor plate and the processing unit is adapted to derive the stem diameter values representative of the plant stem diameter located within the elongated range from signals from the first sensor and of the second sensor.
[0009] [009] The processing unit can be adapted to assign a maximum location of signals added from the first sensor and the second sensor to a stem.
[0010] [0010] In another embodiment, a probe element is mounted sideways in a movable way at the entrance end of the elongated gap and the first sensor detects the position of the probe element.
[0011] [0011] The processing unit can be connected to a position determination system and be adapted to store the respective position of the system together with the stem diameter value. Brief Description of Drawings
[0012] [0012] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an exemplary agricultural machine with an earring comprising row units.
[0013] [0013] Figure 2 shows a side perspective view from the top of an exemplary row unit of the figure 1 spigot with a laterally movable extraction plate, requested by spring and a sensor to detect stem diameters.
[0014] [0014] Figure 3 shows a perspective view from below of the spring mechanism to request the extractor plate.
[0015] [0015] Figure 4 shows an exemplary flow chart according to which a processing unit for detecting stem diameters operates.
[0016] [0016] Figure 5 is a schematic representation of stems in a row unit.
[0017] [0017] Figure 6 is a schematic representation of signals coming from the sensors with the time due to the stems that enter the row unit.
[0018] [0018] Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a row unit.
[0019] [0019] Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a row unit.
[0020] [0020] Figure 9 is a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of a row unit.
[0021] [0021] Figure 10 is a schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of a row unit.
[0022] [0022] Figure 11 shows the row unit of figure 10 with a stem coming in. Detailed Description of Drawings
[0023] [0023] In an embodiment of the invention, the position of a laterally movable member interacting with plant stems in an elongated range of a row harvesting unit is detected and can be mapped to provide a stem diameter map of one field that can be used for agronomic purposes, such as determining a specific amount of fertilizer for the location. Plant-derived diameters provide valuable data for agronomic purposes or analytical performance data for problem solving and design and value of new products for seed or chemical companies for problem solving and future product development.
[0024] [0024] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of an exemplary agricultural machine, for example a combination 100, with a spike 106 comprising one or more row units, for example row crop unit 10. Although aspects of the invention have been described here with reference to a combination, the teachings of the invention are also relevant to other agricultural machines, for example harvesters, such as sugar cane harvesters, forage harvesters, etc.
[0025] [0025] Reference is made to figure 1, showing a combination 100 with a spigot 106. The spigot 106 is shown mounted on a feeder chamber 112 at the front end of a chassis 102 of the combined 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the spigot 106 is used to pick stalk plants 108 such as corn or sunflower growing in a field and remove the fruit, such as ears, from plant stalks. Plant stalks 109, now stripped of their fruits, are left on the ground. The fruits are loaded through the spigot 106 and back through the feed chamber 112 that supports the spigot 106 on the combined 100. Once the fruits pass through the feed chamber 112 they go to a thresher system 114 that includes a rotor 116 disposed within a concave 118. Rotor 116 rotates within concave 118 thereby threshing and separating maize kernels from corn cobs and corn husks. The corn kernels fall down onto an oscillating cleaning shoe 119 that passes them through a sieve 120 and a grid 122, after which they are collected and conveyor up to a grain tank 121. Corn residues including cobs corn and corn husks pass back through the rotor and concave arrangement and are cut in a cutter 124. Chassis 102 is supported on driven front wheels 104 and sterile rear wheels 105.
[0026] [0026] The spigot 106 comprises a series of harvesting units in a row 10, arranged side by side. The fruits harvested by the harvest units in rows 10 are fed into the feed chamber 112 by a transverse auger 126.
[0027] [0027] In figure 2, an exemplary row unit, for example the row crop unit 10 of spike 106 is shown. The row harvesting unit 10 comprises a frame 12 supporting two parallel stem rolls 14 and extraction plates 16 above the stem rolls 14. The stem rolls 14 are supported at their rear end and driven in a rotating motion by a transmission 18 located at the rear end of the row harvesting unit 10. The axes of rotation of the stem rollers 14 are generally at a shallow angle to the horizontal and extend in the forward and backward direction when the combined 100 is driving the harvesting head of corn with row unit 10 across a field. However, other embodiments are possible in which the stem rollers 14 are oriented transversely in the forward direction.
[0028] [0028] The extractor plates 16 are located above the stem rollers 14 and form an extractor gap 20 between them. The longitudinal extension of the extractor gap 20 is parallel to the axes of the stalk rolls 14. During operation, corn plants or other stem plants with fruit, such as sunflowers, are introduced into the extractor gap 20 and their stems are pulled down between the two stalk rolls 14. The ears or fruits are thicker than the stems and are removed by the extractor plates 16. A respective chain conveyor 22, also driven by the transmission 18, is located above each extractor plate 16 and feeds the ears or fruits separated backwards, from where they are fed by the transverse auger 126 of the corn harvest head 106 into the feeder chamber 112 of the combined 100. A second chain conveyor is located above the extractor plate 16 shown on the left side in figure 1; the sprockets 26 of this second chain conveyor are shown. In the foregoing and in the following, all direction references, such as forward and side, are given with respect to the forward direction of row unit 10 which extends along the arrow marked “V”.
[0029] [0029] The row crop unit 10 additionally comprises divider tips 128 mounted on clamps 24 at the front end of the row crop unit 10.
[0030] [0030] Both extractor plates 16 are not attached to the frame 12, but are allowed to move in the lateral direction, for example, transversely to the longitudinal extension of the extractor gap 20 and at a shallow angle in relation to the horizontal. In an exemplary embodiment, this is achieved by rectangular slits 28 at the front and rear end of the extractor plates 16 extending transversely to the longitudinal extension of the extractor gap. One or two support rollers 30 supported on the frame 12 extend into the rectangular slots 28 in order to support the extractor plate 16 and restrict the travel range. Additional claws can enclose the extraction plate 16 between them and the frame 12 for greater stability.
[0031] [0031] In the illustrated embodiment, respective springs 32 serve to order the respective extractor plates 16 laterally towards the center of the elongated gap 20. As shown in more detail in figure 3, the springs 32 have a central helical part 34 and two parts external extremities 36, which are shown to be straight, but could also be slightly curved. The first spring 32 is provided at a first (front) end of the extractor plate 16 and a second spring 32 'at a second (rear) end of the extractor plate 16. A mounting link 38 formed integrally with the extractor plate 16 extends , in the plane of the extractor plate 16, laterally from the extractor plate 16 in addition to the lateral end of the frame 12. The mounting link supports a pin 40 which is shown as a pin extending through a corresponding hole or hole in the connecting link. assembly 38 and is fixed by a nut 42. In figure 3, the central helical part 34 of the spring 32 is shown wound around the pin 40.
[0032] [0032] Both outer ends 36 of the spring 32 touch a respective pin 44 that extends through a slot that extends laterally 46 in a plate 48 that is fixed, eg welded or screwed, in the frame 12. The pins 44 are fixed in slot 46 in a position selectable by means of nuts 50 or other fixation mechanism. Cylindrical housings 52 on pins 44 and pin 40 protect the spring 32 against wear.
[0033] [0033] As shown, pin 40 is located, seen in the longitudinal direction of the elongated gap 20, between pins 44. Loosening nuts 50 from pins 44, the latter can be moved to any position along the slot 46 and fixed motion. In an exemplary implementation, both pins 44 on both sides of the pin 40 are moved in the same or similar lateral positions in order to obtain a symmetrical request from the pin 40 and thus from the mounting link 38 and the extraction plate 16 and avoid connection, in particular from the slots 28 with the support rollers 30. The spring 32 thus adjusts the extractor plate 16 in an adjustable manner without a significant risk of connection.
[0034] [0034] In another possible embodiment, the pins 44 are replaced by fingers extending vertically from the plate 48. Vertical slits remain between the fingers, allowing the end parts 36 of the spring 32 to be inserted in one of one series of selectable positions in which they touch a respective finger in order to adjust the pull force.
[0035] [0035] According to an exemplary embodiment, the row harvesting unit 10 comprises a sensor 54 adapted to generate a signal representative of the position of the extractor plate 16 in its lateral displacement direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor 54 comprises a housing from which a rotating shaft 56 extends vertically. The shaft 56 is coupled with an arm 60 having an elongated orifice 62 at its second spaced end of the shaft 56. A pin 58 is connected to the extraction plate 16 and extends vertically from it, extends through the elongated orifice 62. The sensor housing 54 is on its end, mounted on the rear edge of the plate 48. When the first extractor plate 16 (shown on the left side in figure 2) moves laterally, due to a plant stem entering the elongated range 20 , the pin 58 will also move and thus the arm 60 will rotate together with the tree 54 around the axis of the latter.
[0036] [0036] The sensor 54 contains a member for detecting the rotation angle of the tree 54, for example a rotary potentiometer or a light barrier encoder and thus provides at its output 64 a signal that is representative of the position of the extractor plate 16. A second sensor 54 (not visible in figure 2) is connected to the second extractor plate 16, shown on the right side in figure 2. Both sensors 54 are connected by a line 134 to a processing unit 130, which is also connected to a location or geo-position system 132. The system can receive signals from a terrestrial beacon and / or satellite-based geo-position system, such as GPS or Glonass, over a line 136, or from local optical sensors for determining the respective position of the combined 100. Location and geo-position systems are well known in the art.
[0037] [0037] The processing unit 130 comprises one or more processing units configured to follow instructions provided in a non-transient computer-readable medium to receive signals from sensors 54 and to derive, determine or estimate a stem diameter value with based on these signals. In an implementation, the stem diameter value is an estimated or determined diameter of an individual stem based on signals received corresponding to contact with the individual stem. In such an implementation, processing unit 130 distinguishes between individual stems by determining when contact with an individual stem begins and when contact with an individual stem ends. The processing unit 130 determines or estimates the stem diameter for each stem using only those signals resulting from contact with the individual stem.
[0038] [0038] In another implementation, the determined stem diameter value is a statistical value for the stem diameter of an individual stem based on received signals corresponding to contact with multiple stems. In such an implementation, processing unit 130 distinguishes between individual stems. Processing unit 130 counts a number of stems being detected or that have been detected. The processing unit 130 uses the determined number of stems that have been detected to generate, emit in storage data identification statistics with respect to the population or percentage of the plant population having different ranges of stem diameters.
[0039] [0039] In an implementation, the processing unit 130 additionally or alternatively determines a stem diameter value which is a statistical value based on signals received during the detection of a group of multiple stems. In such an implementation, processing unit 130 receives signals over time as multiple stems are being contacted. In one implementation, the processing unit 130 uses signals produced by detecting the multiple stems to determine a stalk diameter value or average or median for a stalk group based on signals received during contact with the stalk group over time. In one implementation, these statistical determinations for groups of stems are based on a row by row basis, where the statistical determination is made at periodic intervals such as after machine 100 has traveled a predetermined distance, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and / or after a pre-defined number of plants has been detected. For example, in an implementation, processing unit 130 automatically determines a statistical value for stem diameter for every 4.57 meters traveled by machine 100, after every 30 seconds of time during the harvest or after each completion of the harvest. detection of a series of 10 plants in a row. By determining a statistical value for an individual stem diameter using signals resulting from contact with multiple stems, the computational load is reduced.
[0040] [0040] In another implementation, these statistical determinations for groups of stalks are based on signals received as stalks through a spike harvesting thread are being detected. For example, processing unit 130 can determine an average or median value of stem diameter based on signals received as the plant stalks across each of the row units or a selected set of row units are being detected. In particular, in one implementation, processing unit 130 determines an average or median value of stem diameter using signals received from each of eight row units through the earring thread during a particular periodic interval if the interval periodic is the detection of an individual plant in each of the row units, the detection of a predetermined group of plants in each row unit, the traversing of a predetermined distance by the machine 100 or the lapse of a predetermined period of time.
[0041] [0041] For the purposes of this application, in an exemplary embodiment, the term "processing unit" means a processing unit presently developed or developed in the future that executes sequences of instructions contained in a memory. The execution of the instruction sequences causes the processing unit to carry out steps such as generating control signals. Instructions can be loaded into random access memory (RAM) for execution by the processing unit from a read-only memory (ROM), a mass storage device or some other persistent storage. In other embodiments, a physical wire circuitry can be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the described functions. For example, processing unit 130 can be embodied as part of one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Unless specifically noted to the contrary, the controller is not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software circuitry, nor to any particular source for the instructions executed by the processing unit.
[0042] [0042] During the harvesting operation, the processing unit 130 receives signals from at least one of the two sensors 54 of a row harvesting unit 10 and derives from them the diameters of stems harvested in the row harvesting unit 10. These diameters are stored with the respective position of the plant, the position derived from the signals coming from the antenna 132, in a memory 138 connected to the processing unit 130, in order to generate a map of the stem diameters. In an exemplary embodiment, all row harvesting units 10 of the earwig 106 are provided with sensors 54, so that the stem diameters of all rows harvested by the earwig 106 are evaluated by the processing unit 130 and stored in the memory of a geo-referenced way. Also the number of plants harvested is evaluated from the signals from sensors 54 and stored in memory. Memory 138 can be a removable memory card and thus be removed from the combined 100 after harvest to evaluate the data. In another embodiment, the contents of memory 138 can be submitted wirelessly, for example via a GSM, Bluetooth or WIFI connection, to another computer for further evaluation.
[0043] [0043] Figure 4 schematically represents an exemplary operation of the processing unit 130 during the harvesting operation. After starting at S400, including initialization, step S410 is performed in which a record to count the number of plants is set to zero, and a flag called Leading_Edge indicating that the guide part of a stem 108a, 108b, 108c is processed is set to false. Then, in step 420, a record for the last stem diameter is also set to zero.
[0044] [0044] In the next step S430, an effective pair of displacement values for the two extractor plates 18 assigned to an elongated interval 20 is received from the sensors 54. In another embodiment, only a single of the extractor plates can be mobile and in step S430, instead of a pair of effective displacement values for the two extractor plates 18, the effective displacement value for that extractor plate is received from the associated sensor 54.
[0045] [0045] These values represent the deviation of the respective extracting plate 54 from its resting position in which they are mutually. The values are added in order to derive the effective stem diameter of a stem that enters the elongated range 20. Thus, when a stem 108a enters the front tapered part of the elongated range 20, as shown in figure 5, the extraction plates 18 will begin to separate and so the signals from sensors 54 will increase, as shown in figure 6. The signals from sensors 54 can be filtered on sensor 54 and / or on processing unit 130 for noise reduction. Typically an analog sensor signal is sampled and converted to a digital value at periodic intervals. In other exemplary implementations, the analog signal can be filtered with analog circuits before being sampled and converted to a digital value. Common filtration methods include, without limitation, apportionment, median, low pass and notch.
[0046] [0046] In the next step S440, a register representing the new diameter is defined as the effective stem diameter that was determined in step 430. In the next step S450, it is checked if the new diameter is smaller than the last diameter and at the same time if the Leading_Edge flag is true. If the result is no, step S490 is performed in which the Leading_Edge flag is set to true if the new diameter is greater than the last diameter and otherwise false. S490 is followed by S500 where the last diameter is defined as the new diameter, followed again by step S430.
[0047] [0047] However, if the result in step S450 is yes, then step S470 follows. In step S470 a record representing the determined diameter of a stalk plant is defined as the respective last diameter. This determined diameter is stored in memory 138, preferably along with the respective position, derived from the signals coming from the antenna 132. In the next step S480, a plant counter can be increased by 1, following step S490.
[0048] [0048] The processing unit 130 thus stores the respective signal peaks for the stem diameters. The signals for the stem diameters follow the curve of figure 6, since a stem 108a (cf. figure 5) that enters the elongated interval 20 pushes the extraction plates 18 separating them. When the stem 108a is pulled down by the stem rolls 14, the stem parts 108 interacting with the extractor plates 18 become thinner, as shown in figure 5 by the stem 108b and 108c, so also the signal from the sensors 54 decreases as the time. The next stalk that enters then increases the signal again. The algorithm of figure 4 finds the maximum local displacement of the extractor plates 18, assigns a stem to it and stores the respective diameter in memory 138.
[0049] [0049] In an exemplary embodiment, if a series of stems is within the elongated range 20 at the same time, the signal from sensors 54 depends only on the thickest stem, which is according to figure 5 normally the one further ahead (108a in figure 5). Thus, the rear stems 108b and 108c still present in the elongated range 20 only occasionally influence negatively the result of detection.
[0050] [0050] Having described at least one or more embodiments, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
[0051] [0051] For example, sensors 54 can interact with the rear mounting links 38 of figure 2. Signals from sensors 54 can be communicated via a wired (as shown), wireless, optical, or other transmission medium appropriate. Power can be fed to sensors 54 using wires, but it can also be harvested and converted to electricity locally, such as piezoelectricity and induction, thus taking advantage of the mechanical movement on the spike 106. Sensor 54 can thus be energized by an energy harvesting system comprising magnets mounted on rotating stalk rollers 14, a stationary coil in which a current is induced by the fields of rotating magnets and a power conditioning circuit. Such an energy harvesting system can also be energized by the mounting links 38. One of the described energy harvesting systems can also energize the processing unit 130, in particular if it is provided on the spike 106.
[0052] [0052] In another embodiment, in which the extractor plates are actively adjusted by an actuator, the sensor 54 can detect the displacement of the actuator piston to calculate the separation value together with a known transmission ratio between the actuator and the extractor plates. Because of the movement of the piston, the piston itself can be an energy harvesting device. For example, the piston may be a magnet that induces a current in the coil spring. Eliminating power and communication wires can reduce cost and improve reliability.
[0053] [0053] The sensor 54 can incorporate a linear potentiometer, for example coupled to one of the mounting links 38, or a rack and pinion drive coupling the linear movement of the extractor plate with a rotary potentiometer or a differential transformer or an effect sensor Hall.
[0054] [0054] The elongated interval 20 may not be of substantially uniform width due to its active length, different from the embodiment of figure 5. In order to avoid errors caused by relatively thick plants between thinner plants, the elongated interval 20 may have a taper by its length to enable the extraction plates 16 to better follow the taper of the stems 108a, 108b, 108c as their diameter is reduced during the path of the stalk along the elongated interval 20, as shown in a second illustrated embodiment in figure 7. The taper (for example, inclination of the edges of the extractor plate with respect to the forward direction V) and / or the speed of the stem rollers 14 can be adjustable in order to adjust them to the taper of the stems. The embodiment according to figure 7 thus detects an average of the diameters of a plurality of stems, for example stems 108a, 108b, 108c, in the elongated range 20. This average value may also be interesting for agronomic purposes. In this embodiment, it is difficult to identify singular stems of the signals from the sensors 54, so that the values of the sensor can be mapped continuously during the harvesting operation.
[0055] [0055] In another embodiment illustrated in figure 8, the extraction plates 16 can be shaped with noses 66 at the inlet end forming a narrower channel in the front to give measurement priority to the inlet end of the elongated interval 20.
[0056] [0056] In another embodiment, as indicated in figure 9, the rear ends of the extractor plates 16 are rotatably mounted on the frame 18 around vertical axes 72. The front ends of the extractor plates 16 are ordered for each other by the springs 34. This also gives measurement priority to the inlet end of the elongated gap 20.
[0057] [0057] Another embodiment of a row unit, for example, row harvesting unit 10 is shown in figures 10 and 11. Mechanical probe elements 68 are mounted on the inlet end of the extractor plates 16, which are mobile ( for example, displaceable or rotating around a vertical axis) against the force of a spring (not shown) to move in the lateral direction, transversely to the longitudinal length of the elongated range 20. A probe element 70 is assigned to each element probe 68 and detects the lateral position of the respective probe element 68. A stem entering the elongated interval 20 thus moves or rotates the probe elements 68 in the lateral direction, as shown in figure 11. The intensity of this movement is detected by the sensor 70 of the probe element and transmitted to the processing unit 130, which processes the signals from the probe elements 70 as indicated in 4 and described above. In this embodiment, the springs 34 and the sensors 54 can be omitted, for example, the extractor plates 16 can be attached to the frame 18, usually in an adjustable manner. However, if the springs 34 and the sensors 54 are provided, the processing unit also processes the signals coming from the sensors 54 to calculate the actual space between the probe elements 68.
[0058] [0058] Finally, the elongated gap 20 can also be curved in at least one of its transverse and longitudinal direction and the extractor plates 16 can be resiliently mounted to move in a vertical direction, while sensors 54 detect the displacement of the plates extractors.
[0059] [0059] Although the above describes exemplary embodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. On the contrary, there are several variations and modifications that can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

权利要求:
Claims (23)
[0001]
System to detect plant stem diameters, characterized by comprising: a row harvesting unit (10) with a frame (12) defining an elongated interval (20) along which the plant stalks (108A, 108B, 108C) move during a harvesting operation; at least one stem roll (14) supported on the frame (12) to be rotatable about its axis and arranged to pull down a plant stem; a first extractor plate (16) and a second extractor plate (16), the extractor plates supported on the frame (12) and forming the elongated gap (20) between the extractor plates above the stem roll (14), the elongated interval having a longitudinal extension essentially parallel to the axis of the stalk roll; the first extractor plate (16) is supported to be movable in one direction extending transversely to the longitudinal extension of the elongated interval (20) against a request force requesting the first extractor plate for the second extractor plate a first sensor (54) coupled to the first extractor plate (16) arranged to contact a plant stem (108) located in the elongated interval and adapted to generate a signal (64) representative of the position of the laterally movable member (16); and a processing unit (130) adapted to derive a stem diameter value representative of a stem diameter (108) from the signal (64) of the first sensor (54) and to store the stem diameter value in a memory (138).
[0002]
System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the second extractor plate (16) is supported to be movable in one direction extending transversely to the longitudinal extension of the elongated interval against a request force requesting the second extractor plate for the first extractor plate (16), a second sensor (54) coupled to the second extractor plate and adapted to generate a signal (64) representative of the position of the second extractor plate and the processing unit (130) is adapted to derive the diameter values of stem representative of the plant stem diameter located within the elongated range from signals from the first sensor (54) and the second sensor (54).
[0003]
System according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the processing unit (130) is adapted to assign a maximum local of added signals from the first sensor (54) and the second sensor (54) to a stem.
[0004]
System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that a probe element (68) is movably laterally mounted on an inlet end of the elongated gap (20) and the first sensor (70) detects the position of the probe element.
[0005]
System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the processing unit (130) is connected to a position determination system and adapted to store the respective position of the system together with the stem diameter value.
[0006]
System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the elongated gap (20) has a width generally uniform by its length.
[0007]
System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the elongated interval (20) has a decreasing width by its length.
[0008]
System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the elongated gap (20) is provided with noses (66) at one inlet end forming a narrower channel in the front.
[0009]
System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the extractor plates (16) are supported around vertical axes (72) at their rear ends and requested by springs (32) at their front ends.
[0010]
Harvester machine comprising a system as defined in claim 1.
[0011]
Method for detecting the stem diameters of plants, characterized by comprising: receiving an electronic signal (64) from a sensor (54) associated with a laterally movable stem contact member (16), the electronic signal (64) indicating a position of the laterally movable contact member; the contact member with a laterally movable stem (16) comprising an extraction plate (16), the electronic signal (64) indicating a position of the extraction plate; and determine a stem diameter value based on the electronic signal (64).
[0012]
Method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises identifying the beginning of contact with an individual stem (108) by the contact member with a laterally movable stem (16) and termination of contact with the individual stem by the contact member with a laterally stem based on the electronic signal (64).
[0013]
Method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises determining a number of stalks contacted over time by the laterally movable contact member (16).
[0014]
Method according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that the determined stem diameter value is a statistical value based on the electronic signal (64) received as a result of the contact member with laterally movable stem (16) that contacts multiple stems .
[0015]
Method according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that the contact member with laterally movable stem comprises an extracting plate (16) pivotally supported, the electronic signal (64) indicating an extension of pivoting by the extracting plate.
[0016]
Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the contact member with the laterally movable stem comprises a first extraction plate (16) and in which the method additionally comprises receiving a second electronic signal (64) from a second sensor (54) associated with a second extractor plate (16) opposite the first extractor plate (16), the second electronic signal (64) indicating a position of the second extractor plate, in which the stem diameter value is determined based on the electronic signal (64) and the second electronic signal (64).
[0017]
Method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises resiliently requesting the contact member with the laterally movable stem (16) for an elongated gap (20) that must receive a stem (108) for the stem diameter to be determined.
[0018]
Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the laterally movable stem member comprises a feeler element (68) at an inlet end of an elongated gap (20) that must receive the stem.
[0019]
Method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises storing the determined stem diameter value.
[0020]
Method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises: receiving geo-position signals; generate a map of stem diameter values comprising the stem diameter value determined based on the geo-position signals.
[0021]
Method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises generating the electronic signal (64) by detecting the position of the laterally movable member (16).
[0022]
Method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises receiving a second electronic signal (64) from a second sensor (54) associated with a second contact member with the laterally movable stem (16) opposite the contact member with the laterally movable stem (16), the second electronic signal indicating a position of the second contact member with the laterally movable stem, in which the stem diameter value is determined based on the electronic signal (64) and the second electronic signal ( 64).
[0023]
Method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises: generate electrical power from mechanical movement in a spigot (106) supporting the contact member with a laterally movable stem (16); and energize the sensor (54) with the generated electrical power.

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法律状态:
2015-12-08| B03A| Publication of a patent application or of a certificate of addition of invention [chapter 3.1 patent gazette]|

2018-10-30| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|

2020-07-14| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

2021-03-16| B09A| Decision: intention to grant|

2021-04-06| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 06/05/2015, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

优先权:

申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

US14/272,910|US9232693B2|2014-05-08|2014-05-08|System and method for sensing and mapping stalk diameter|

US14/272910|2014-05-08|

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