Patent Description:
A harvester is an agricultural machine that is used to harvest and process crops. For instance, a forage harvester may be used to cut and comminute silage crops, such as grass and corn. Similarly, a combine harvester may be used to harvest grain crops, such as wheat, oats, rye, barely, corn, soybeans, and flax or linseed. In general, the objective is to complete several processes, which traditionally were distinct, in one pass of the machine over a particular part of the field. In this regard, most harvesters are equipped with a detachable harvesting implement, such as a header, which cuts and collects the crop from the field and feeds it to the base harvester for further processing. The harvester also includes a crop processing system, which performs various processing operations (e.g., threshing, separating, cleaning, etc.) of the harvested crop received from the harvesting implement.

In certain instances, the crop processing system settings may cause "crop loss," where crop is exhausted with material other than grain (MOG) from the harvester. Existing systems for monitoring crop loss only determine an estimated volume of crop loss. However, without knowing the location of the crop loss, it is unclear which settings of the crop processing system need adjustment.

Accordingly, an improved agricultural system and method for determining crop loss of an agricultural harvester would be welcomed in the technology.

<CIT> describes a method to use the run time difference of an impact sound oscillation based on the outputs of two impact sound sensors for determination of the origin of the impact sound.

<CIT> describes a combine harvester with a loss-measuring device at a back end of the cleaning device.

<CIT> describes a particulate matter impact sensor.

In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to an agricultural system for determining crop loss of an agricultural harvester. The agricultural system includes a support beam extending along a lateral direction between a first lateral end and a second lateral end of the support beam, and one or more impact sensors supported on the support beam. Each of the one or more impact sensors is configured to generate data indicative of a crop impact location of each crop impact of a plurality of crop impacts on the support beam between the first and second lateral ends. Additionally, the agricultural system includes a computing system communicatively coupled to the one or more impact sensors, where the computing system is configured to determine the crop impact location of each crop impact of the plurality of crop impacts on the support beam between the first and second lateral ends based at least in part on the data from the one or more impact sensors.

In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to an agricultural method for determining crop loss of an agricultural harvester. The agricultural method includes receiving, with a computing system, data from one or more impact sensors supported on a support beam, where the support beam extends along a lateral direction between a first lateral end and a second lateral end of the support beam. The data is indicative of a crop impact location of each crop impact of a plurality of crop impacts on the support beam between the first and second lateral ends. The agricultural method further includes determining, with the computing system, the crop impact location of each crop impact of the plurality of crop impacts on the support beam between the first and second lateral ends based at least in part on the data from the one or more impact sensors. Additionally, the agricultural method includes controlling, with the computing system, an operation of the agricultural harvester based at least in part on the crop impact locations.

In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims.

In general, the present subject matter is directed to agricultural systems and methods for determining crop loss of an agricultural harvester. Specifically, in several embodiments, the disclosed system includes one or more impact sensors supported on a support beam positioned proximate a MOG outlet of the agricultural harvester, with the impact sensor(s) being configured to generate data indicative of crop impacts (i.e., crop losses) along a lateral width of the support beam between first and second lateral ends of the support beam. For instance, in one embodiment, a first impact sensor is positioned proximate the first lateral end of the support beam and a second impact sensor is positioned proximate the second lateral end of the support beam. The data from the first and second impact sensors is indicative of a time of detection for each of the crop impacts on the support beam. As such, the time of detection associated with each, respective crop impact relative to the first impact sensor and relative to the second impact sensor may be compared to determine if the respective crop impact is closer to the first impact sensor (and the first lateral end of the support beam), closer to the second impact sensor (and the second end of the support beam), or essentially equidistant to both impact sensors (close to a center of the support beam). In another embodiment, the support beam may have a tapering profile such that each location along the support beam is associated with a different frequency. Thus, a single sensor may be used to determine the frequency of each crop impact, which may then be correlated to a corresponding frequency associated with a particular location along the support beam.

Once the locations of the crop impacts are determined, an operation of the agricultural harvester may be actively adjusted to reduce crop loss. For instance, a distribution of the locations of the crop impacts along the support beam may indicate whether the crop losses occur more frequently toward one lateral end of the support beam or toward the center of the support beam. If the crop losses occur more frequently toward one lateral end of the support beam, the leveling of the cleaning assembly may be adjusted. Similarly, if the crop losses occur more frequently toward the center of the support beam, an operation of the rotor and/or concaves may be adjusted.

Referring now to the drawings, <FIG> illustrates a simplified, partial sectional side view of one embodiment of a work vehicle, such as an agricultural harvester <NUM>. The harvester <NUM> may be configured as an axial-flow type combine, wherein crop material is threshed and separated while it is advanced by and along a longitudinally arranged rotor <NUM>. The harvester <NUM> may include a chassis or main frame <NUM> having a pair of driven, ground-engaging front wheels <NUM> and a pair of steerable rear wheels <NUM>. The wheels <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to support the harvester <NUM> relative to a ground surface <NUM> and move the harvester <NUM> in a forward direction of movement (indicated by arrow <NUM> in <FIG>) relative to the ground surface <NUM>. Additionally, an operator's platform <NUM> with an operator's cab <NUM>, a threshing and separating assembly <NUM>, a grain cleaning assembly <NUM> and a holding tank <NUM> may be supported by the frame <NUM>. As is generally understood, the harvester <NUM> may include an engine and a transmission mounted on the frame <NUM>. The transmission may be operably coupled to the engine and may provide variably adjusted gear ratios for transferring engine power to the wheels <NUM>, <NUM> via a drive axle assembly (or via axles if multiple drive axles are employed).

Moreover, as shown in <FIG>, a harvesting implement (e.g., a header <NUM>) and an associated feeder <NUM> may extend forward of the main frame <NUM> and may be pivotally secured thereto for generally vertical movement. In general, the feeder <NUM> may be configured to serve as support structure for the header <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the feeder <NUM> may extend between a front end <NUM> coupled to the header <NUM> and a rear end <NUM> positioned adjacent to the threshing and separating assembly <NUM>. As is generally understood, the rear end <NUM> of the feeder <NUM> may be pivotally coupled to a portion of the harvester <NUM> to allow the front end <NUM> of the feeder <NUM> and, thus, the header <NUM> to be moved upwardly and downwardly relative to the ground <NUM> to set the desired harvesting or cutting height for the header <NUM>.

As the harvester <NUM> is propelled forwardly over a field with standing crop, the crop material is severed from the stubble by a sickle bar <NUM> at the front of the header <NUM> and delivered by a header auger <NUM> to the front end <NUM> of the feeder <NUM>, which supplies the cut crop to the threshing and separating assembly <NUM>. As is generally understood, the threshing and separating assembly <NUM> may include a cylindrical chamber or concave rotor cage <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as "concave <NUM>") in which the rotor <NUM> is rotated by a rotor drive <NUM> (<FIG>) to thresh and separate the crop received therein. That is, the crop is rubbed and beaten between the rotor <NUM> and the inner surfaces of the concave <NUM>, whereby the grain, seed, or the like, is loosened and separated from the straw or MOG. In some embodiments, a position of the concave <NUM> about the rotor axis (e.g., a distance from the rotor axis) may be adjustable by one or more first concave actuators 78A (<FIG>) and/or an angle of vanes (not shown) within the concave <NUM> may be adjustable by one or more second concave actuators 78B (<FIG>).

Crop material which has been separated by the threshing and separating assembly <NUM> falls onto a series of pans <NUM> and associated sieves <NUM>, with the separated crop material being spread out via oscillation of the pans <NUM> and/or sieves <NUM> and eventually falling through apertures defined in the sieves <NUM>. Additionally, a cleaning fan <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to one or more of the sieves <NUM> to provide an air flow through the sieves <NUM> that removes chaff and other impurities from the crop material. For instance, the fan <NUM> may blow the impurities off of the crop material for discharge from the harvester <NUM> through the outlet of a straw hood <NUM> positioned at the back end of the harvester <NUM>. In some embodiments, a leveling system <NUM> (<FIG>) may be provided for adjusting the lateral positioning of the cleaning assembly <NUM>, <NUM>. For instance, when the agricultural harvester <NUM> is a on a hill such that a one lateral side of the agricultural harvester <NUM> is positioned higher than its other lateral side, one or more actuators of the leveling system <NUM> may adjust the lateral positioning or angle of the pans <NUM> and/or the sieves <NUM> to counteract such sloping and keep the pans <NUM> and sieves <NUM> level.

The cleaned crop material passing through the sieves <NUM> may then fall into a trough of an auger <NUM>, which may be configured to transfer the crop material to an elevator <NUM> for delivery to the associated holding tank <NUM>. Additionally, a pair of tank augers <NUM> at the bottom of the holding tank <NUM> may be used to urge the cleaned crop material sideways to an unloading tube <NUM> for discharge from the harvester <NUM>.

Moreover, in several embodiments, the harvester <NUM> may also include a hydraulic system <NUM> which is configured to adjust a height of the header <NUM> relative to the ground surface <NUM> so as to maintain the desired cutting height between the header <NUM> and the ground surface <NUM>. The hydraulic system <NUM> may include a height actuator <NUM> (e.g., a fluid-actuated cylinder) configured to adjust the height or vertical positioning of the header <NUM> relative to the ground. For example, in some embodiments, the height actuator <NUM> may be coupled between the feeder <NUM> and the frame <NUM> such that the height actuator <NUM> may pivot the feeder <NUM> to raise and lower the header <NUM> relative to the ground <NUM>. In addition, the hydraulic system <NUM> may include a tilt actuator(s) <NUM> (e.g., a fluid-actuated cylinder) coupled between the header <NUM> and the feeder <NUM> to allow the header <NUM> to be tilted relative to the ground surface <NUM> or pivoted laterally or side-to-side relative to the feeder <NUM>.

Additionally, in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter, the harvester <NUM> may include a crop loss sensing assembly <NUM> supported relative to a MOG outlet region of the harvester <NUM>. For instance, as will be described in greater detail below, the crop loss sensing assembly <NUM>, <NUM>' may include a support beam extending laterally adjacent to a MOG outlet at a rear end of the harvester <NUM>, and one or more impact sensor(s) positioned on the support beam. In general, crop inadvertently exhausted from the harvester <NUM> with MOG separated by the threshing and separating assembly <NUM> and the sieves <NUM> may impact the support beam before dropping down to the field. The impact sensor(s) may be configured to generate data indicative of each of the crop impacts, particularly indicative of a location of each of the crop impacts along a lateral width of the support beam. Using the locations of the crop impacts determined from the data generated by the impact sensor(s), adjustment(s) may be made to the operation of the harvester <NUM> to reduce crop losses.

Referring now to <FIG>, various views of one embodiment of a sensing assembly <NUM> for determining crop loss of an agricultural harvester (e.g., harvester <NUM>) are illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. Particularly, <FIG> illustrates a rear view of one embodiment of the sensing assembly <NUM> and <FIG> illustrates a section view of the sensing assembly shown in <FIG> taken with respect to section line <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>.

As indicated above, the sensing assembly <NUM> is supported relative to a MOG outlet region of the harvester <NUM>, such as an outlet downstream of the sieves <NUM> of the harvester <NUM>, at a rear end of the harvester <NUM>. The sensing assembly <NUM> includes a support beam <NUM> and two impact sensors, including a first impact sensor 104A and a second impact sensor 104B. The support beam <NUM> extends in the lateral direction L1 between a first lateral end 102A and a second lateral end 102B. The first impact sensor 104A is supported on the support beam <NUM> proximate the first lateral end 102A and the second impact sensor 104B is supported on the support beam <NUM> proximate the second lateral end 102B such that the second impact sensor 104B is spaced apart from the first impact sensor 104A. In one embodiment, the impact sensors 104A, 104B are equidistant from a center 102C of the support beam <NUM>. Further, as particularly shown in <FIG>, in one embodiment, the support beam <NUM> has a constant, "c-shaped" cross-sectional profile across the lateral width of the support beam <NUM> which forms an internal recess 102INT. The impact sensors 104A, 104B are supported on the support beam <NUM> within the recess 102INT. For instance, the impact sensors <NUM> may be mounted within the recess 102INT to an upper wall of the recess 102INT along a vertical direction V1. However, the impact sensors 104A, 104B may be positioned at any other suitable location along and/or on the support beam <NUM>.

The impact sensors 104A, 104B are configured to generate data indicative of the crop impact location of crop impacts of crop (e.g., crop <NUM>) on the support beam <NUM>. For instance, each crop impact sensor <NUM> may include an acoustic sensor, a vibration sensor, and/or any other suitable sensor. The data generated by the impact sensors 104A, 104B is indicative of a magnitude of each impact on the support beam <NUM> (of crop and/or MOG) and a time instance at which the impact occurs. For instance, the data generated by the first impact sensor 104A includes a first time instance for each crop impact, indicating the detection time at which the crop impact was detected by the first impact sensor 104A. Similarly, the data generated by the second crop impact sensor 104B comprises a second time instance for each crop impact on the support beam <NUM>, indicating the detection time at which the crop impact was detected by the second impact sensor 104B.

As will be described in further detail below, the crop impact location of a crop impact may be determined by comparing the first and second time instances for the respective crop impact. For instance, a crop impact, such as a crop impact of a first crop 110A in <FIG>, is determined to be closer to the first lateral end 102A of the support beam <NUM> than the second lateral end 102B of the support beam <NUM> when the first time instance associated with the respective crop impact is earlier than the second time instance associated with the respective crop impact. Conversely, a crop impact, such as a crop impact of a second crop 110B in <FIG>, is determined to be closer to the second lateral end 102B of the support beam <NUM> than the first lateral end 102A of the support beam <NUM> when the second time instance associated with the respective crop impact is earlier than the first time instance associated with the respective crop impact. A crop impact, such as a crop impact of a third crop 110C in <FIG>, is determined to be centered between the first and second lateral ends 102A, 102B, at the center 102C of the support beam <NUM>, when the first and second time instances associated with the respective crop impact are substantially the same.

The above described sensing assembly <NUM> advantageously only requires two sensors <NUM> supported on the single support beam <NUM> for determining the locations of crop loss along the lateral width of the support beam <NUM>, which reduces costs for such system. However, it should be appreciated that any other suitable number of impact sensors <NUM> may be used with the sensing assembly <NUM>, such as three or more impact sensors <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, various views of another embodiment of a sensing assembly <NUM>' for determining crop loss of an agricultural harvester (e.g., harvester <NUM>) are illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. Particularly, <FIG> illustrates a rear view of the sensing assembly <NUM>', <FIG> illustrates a section view of the sensing assembly shown in <FIG> taken with respect to section line <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG> illustrates another section view of the sensing assembly shown in <FIG> taken with respect to section line <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>.

Similar to the sensing assembly <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>, the sensing assembly <NUM>' of <FIG> is also supported relative to a MOG outlet region of the harvester <NUM>, such as an outlet downstream of the sieves <NUM> of the harvester <NUM>, at a rear end of the harvester <NUM>. The sensing assembly <NUM>' includes a support beam <NUM>' extending in the lateral direction L1 between a first lateral end 102A' and a second lateral end 102B', but includes only a single impact sensor <NUM>'. The impact sensor <NUM>' is supported on the support beam <NUM>' at any suitable location along the support beam <NUM>' (e.g., proximate the first end 102A', proximate the second end 102B', or at a center 102C' of the support beam <NUM>'). Further, as particularly shown in <FIG>, in one embodiment, the support beam <NUM>' has a "c-shaped" cross-sectional profile forming an internal recess 102INT'. The impact sensor <NUM>' is supported on the support beam <NUM>' within the recess 102INT', such as on an upper surface of the internal recess 102INT' along the vertical direction V1. The impact sensor <NUM>' is configured to generate data indicative of the crop impact location of crop impacts of crop (e.g., crop <NUM>) on the support beam <NUM>'. For instance, the impact sensor <NUM> may include an acoustic sensor, a vibration sensor, and/or any other suitable sensor. The data generated by the impact sensor <NUM>' is indicative of a frequency associated with each impact on the support beam <NUM> (of crop and/or MOG).

The support beam <NUM>' has a tapering profile along the lateral direction between the first and second lateral ends 102A', 102B' of the support beam <NUM>'. For instance, as shown between <FIG>, the c-shaped cross-sectional profile of the support beam <NUM>' tapers along the lateral direction. For example, in one embodiment, a thickness of a material of the support beam <NUM>' tapers along the lateral direction from a first thickness T1 (<FIG>) proximate the first lateral end 102A' of the support beam <NUM> to a second thickness T2 (<FIG>) proximate the second lateral end 102B' of the support beam <NUM>'. However, it should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the profile of the support beam <NUM>' may be varied in any other suitable manner. By tapering the support beam <NUM>', different locations on the support beam <NUM>' along the lateral direction L1 are associated with different frequencies. For instance, a crop impact at a first location along the support beam <NUM>', such as a crop impact of the first crop 110A in <FIG>, is associated with a first frequency response, a crop impact at a second location along the support beam <NUM>', such as a crop impact of the second crop 110B in <FIG>, is associated with a second frequency response, and a crop impact at a third location along the support beam <NUM>', such as a crop impact of the third crop 110C in <FIG>, is associated with a third frequency response, even when the different impacts have the same magnitude of impact.

Thus, as will be described below in greater detail, the crop impact locations on the support beam may be determined by correlating the crop impact frequency for each crop impact to the different frequencies of the different locations on the support beam. For instance, in some embodiments, an expected frequency response is known for each location along the lateral width of the support beam <NUM>' (e.g., at every <NUM> centimeter, <NUM> centimeter, <NUM> centimeters, <NUM> centimeters, and/or the like), such that when a crop impact is detected, the frequency associated with the crop impact may be compared to the known frequency responses along the support beam <NUM>' to determine the location of the crop impact along the support beam <NUM>'. In some embodiments, an expected frequency response is only known for a few locations along the lateral width of the support beam <NUM>', such as proximate the first lateral end 102A' and proximate the second lateral end 102B', so a linear or logarithmic equation may be used to determine the location of the crop impact along the support beam <NUM>' for any location between the first and second lateral ends 102A', 102B'.

The above described sensing assembly <NUM>' advantageously only requires one impact sensor <NUM>' supported on the single support beam <NUM>' for determining the locations of crop loss along the lateral width of the support beam <NUM>', which further reduces costs for such system. However, it should be appreciated that any other suitable number of impact sensors <NUM>' may be used with the sensing assembly <NUM>', such as two or more impact sensors <NUM>'.

Referring now to <FIG>, a schematic view of one embodiment of a control system <NUM> for determining crop loss of an agricultural harvester is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. In general, the control system <NUM> will be described herein with reference to the harvester <NUM> described with reference to <FIG> and the crop loss sensing assembly(ies) <NUM>, <NUM>' described with reference to <FIG>. However, it should be appreciated that the disclosed control system <NUM> may be used with any suitable agricultural work vehicle having any other suitable vehicle configuration and/or with a sensing assembly having any other suitable configuration.

As shown, the control system <NUM> may include any combination of components of the harvester <NUM> and sensing assembly(ies) <NUM>, <NUM>' described above with reference to <FIG>. For instance, the system <NUM> may include: the rotor drive <NUM> for controlling a rotational speed of rotor <NUM>; the concave actuator(s) 78A, 78B for controlling the position of the concave <NUM> and/or angle of vanes of the concave <NUM>; the leveling system <NUM> for adjusting a position of the pans <NUM> and the sieves <NUM>; and the impact sensor(s) 104A, 104B, <NUM>' configured to generate data indicative of locations of crop impacts along the support beam <NUM>, <NUM>'.

Additionally, as shown in <FIG>, the control system <NUM> may include a computing system <NUM> installed on and/or otherwise provided in operative association with the harvester <NUM>. In general, the computing system <NUM> may correspond to any suitable processor-based device(s), such as a computing device or any combination of computing devices. Thus, in several embodiments, the computing system <NUM> may include one or more processor(s) <NUM> and associated memory device(s) <NUM> configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions. As used herein, the term "processor" refers not only to integrated circuits referred to in the art as being included in a computer, but also refers to a controller, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits. Additionally, the memory device(s) <NUM> of the computing system <NUM> may generally comprise memory element(s) including, but not limited to, computer readable medium (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), computer readable non-volatile medium (e.g., a flash memory), a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), a digital versatile disc (DVD) and/or other suitable memory elements. Such memory device(s) <NUM> may generally be configured to store suitable computer-readable instructions that, when implemented by the processor(s) <NUM>, configure the computing system <NUM> to perform various computer-implemented functions, such as one or more aspects of the control algorithms and/or methods described herein.

In one embodiment, the memory <NUM> of the computing system <NUM> may include one or more databases for storing information associated with the operation of the harvester <NUM>, including data <NUM> associated with determining the crop-loss locations of the harvester <NUM>. For instance, as shown in <FIG>, the memory <NUM> may include an impact location database <NUM> for storing data associated with the location of crop impacts on the support beam <NUM>, <NUM>' provided by the impact sensor(s) 104A, 104B, <NUM>'. Specifically, the computing system <NUM> may be communicatively coupled to each impact sensor 104A, 104B, <NUM>' to allow the data indicative of the crop impact locations generated by the sensor(s) 104A, 104B, <NUM>' to be transmitted to the computing system <NUM>. As such the computing system <NUM> may be configured to continuously monitor and store the data indicative of the crop impact locations.

Additionally, the memory <NUM> of the computing system <NUM> may include a frequency-location database <NUM> for storing data indicative of and/or relationships for calculating the frequencies associated with different lateral locations along the support beam <NUM>' having the varying cross-sectional profile. Such correlation(s) between lateral position of the support beam <NUM>' and frequency response may be predetermined and supplied to the memory <NUM> of the computing system <NUM> in any suitable manner.

Referring still to <FIG>, in several embodiments, the memory <NUM> of the computing system <NUM> may store instructions <NUM> that, when executed by the processor(s) <NUM>, configure the computing system <NUM> to execute a location module <NUM> to determine the locations of crop impacts across the support beam <NUM>, <NUM>' based on the impact location data <NUM> from the impact sensor(s) 104A, 104B, <NUM>'. Specifically, in embodiments where the data <NUM> is received from the first and second impact sensors 104A, 104B associated with the support beam <NUM>, the location module <NUM> may be configured to determine the location of each crop impact based at least in part on a comparison of (e.g., a differential between) a first time instance for each, respective crop impact relative to the first impact sensor 104A and a second time instance for each, respective crop impact on the support beam relative to the second impact sensor 104B. The comparison between the first and second instances may generally indicate the location of a crop impact. For instance, if the comparison between the first and second time instances indicates that the first sensor 104A detected a respective crop impact first, the crop impact location is closer to the first sensor 104A than the second sensor 104B, and closer to the first lateral end 102A of the support beam <NUM>. Conversely, if the comparison between the first and second time instances indicates that the second sensor 104B detected a respective crop impact first, the crop impact location is closer to the second sensor 104B than the first sensor 104A, and closer to the second lateral end 102B of the support beam <NUM>. Alternatively, if the comparison between the first and second time instances indicates that the first and second sensors 104A, 104B detected a respective crop impact at the same time, the crop impact location is determined to be equidistant or centered between the first and second sensors 104A, 104B, at a center 102C of the support beam <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, the first and second time instances may instead be used to determine the exact location of a respective crop impact, for instance using a linear equation, and/or the like, when the positions of the sensor(s) 104A, 104B relative to the lateral ends 102A, 102B of the support beam <NUM> are known.

In other embodiments, where the data <NUM> is received from the impact sensor <NUM>' associated with the support beam <NUM>' having the tapering profile, the location module <NUM> may be configured to determine the location of each crop impact by correlating the crop impact frequency for each crop impact determined from the data <NUM> received from the impact sensor <NUM>' to the different frequencies of the different locations on the support beam <NUM>' mapped or mappable using the frequency-location data <NUM>. For instance, the location module <NUM> may compare the frequency of each crop impact to frequencies of a table stored in the frequency-location database <NUM> correlating each location along the support beam <NUM>' to a respective frequency, to determine the lateral location of each crop impact on the support beam <NUM>'. Alternatively, or additionally, the location module <NUM> may input the frequency of each crop impact into a mathematical equation stored in the frequency-location database <NUM> for determining the lateral location along the support beam <NUM>' of the respective crop impact.

In some instances, the location module <NUM> may further be configured to determine a distribution of the location of the crop impacts on the support beam <NUM>, <NUM>'. For example, referring now to <FIG>, various exemplary distribution graphs of crop loss of an agricultural harvester (e.g., harvester <NUM>) are illustrated, particularly illustrating locations of crop impacts across the lateral width of the support beam <NUM> of the sensing assembly <NUM>. It should be appreciated that while the crop distribution graphs of <FIG> are illustrated with respect to the sensing assembly <NUM>, similar crop distribution graphs may be generated with respect to the sensing assembly <NUM>'.

As shown in <FIG>, various operating settings or conditions of the agricultural harvester <NUM> may cause imbalanced crop loss distribution. For example, as shown in <FIG>, a majority of the crop loss may occur at or impact the center 102C of the support beam <NUM>. Alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, the crop loss may be focused towards one of the lateral ends of the support beam <NUM>. For instance, as shown in <FIG>, a majority of the crop loss occurs closer to the first lateral end 102A of the support beam <NUM>. Conversely, as shown in <FIG>, a majority of the crop loss occurs closer to the second lateral end 102B of the support beam <NUM>. The imbalanced distribution of crop losses provide an indication of where the crop losses originate in the harvester <NUM>.

As such, referring back to <FIG>, the memory <NUM> of the computing system <NUM> may store instructions <NUM> that, when executed by the processor(s) <NUM>, configure the computing system <NUM> to execute a control module <NUM> to reduce crop losses based at least in part on the locations of crop impacts across the support beam <NUM>, <NUM>'. For instance, the control module <NUM> may be configured to control an operation of the rotor drive <NUM> to adjust a rotational speed of the rotor <NUM>, and/or the concave actuator(s) 78A, 78B to adjust the concave <NUM> (e.g., a position of the concave <NUM> about the rotational axis of the rotor <NUM> and/or an angle of vanes of the concave <NUM>) in response to the crop losses being focused towards the center of the support beam <NUM>, <NUM>' as shown in <FIG>. For instance, the rotor drive <NUM> may be controlled to increase or decrease the rotational speed of the rotor <NUM>; the first concave actuator(s) 78A may be controlled to move the concave <NUM> closer to the rotor to increase an aggressiveness of the threshing and separating assembly; and/or the second concave actuator(s) 78B may be controlled to change the degree of opening of the vanes of the concave <NUM> to create additional passes within the threshing and separating assembly.

Similarly, the control module <NUM> may be configured to control an operation of the leveling system <NUM> to adjust a positioning of the pans <NUM> and/or sieves <NUM> of the cleaning assembly in response to the crop losses being focused towards one of the lateral sides of the support beam <NUM>, <NUM>' as shown in <FIG>. For instance, if the crop losses are higher towards the first lateral end 102A, 102A' of the support beam <NUM>, <NUM>' (similar to as shown in <FIG>), the leveling system <NUM> may be controlled to tilt the pans <NUM> and/or sieves <NUM> of the cleaning assembly such that the lateral side of the cleaning assembly proximate the first lateral side 102A, 102A' of the support beam <NUM>, <NUM>' is raised and/or the lateral side of the cleaning assembly proximate the second lateral side 102B, 102B' of the support beam <NUM>, <NUM>' is lowered. Conversely, if the crop losses are higher towards the second lateral end 102B, 102B' of the support beam <NUM>, <NUM>' (similar to as shown in <FIG>), the leveling system <NUM> may be controlled to tilt the pans <NUM> and/or sieves <NUM> of the cleaning assembly such that the lateral side of the cleaning assembly proximate the second lateral side 102B, 102B' of the support beam <NUM>, <NUM>' is raised and/or the lateral side of the cleaning assembly proximate the first lateral side 102A, 102A' of the support beam <NUM>, <NUM>' is lowered.

It should be appreciated that the automated control of the different parts of the harvester <NUM> in response to the distribution of the crop loss may additionally take into account further operating factors of the harvester <NUM> such as crop type, moisture content, and/or the like.

Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, the control module <NUM> may be configured to control an operation of a user interface <NUM> associated with the agricultural harvester <NUM>. In general, the user interface <NUM> may correspond to any suitable input device(s) configured to allow the operator to provide operator inputs to the computing system <NUM>, such as a touch screen display, a keyboard, joystick, buttons, knobs, switches, and/or combinations thereof located within the cab <NUM> of the harvester <NUM>. The operator may provide various inputs into the system <NUM> via the user interface <NUM>. In one embodiment, suitable operator inputs may include, but are not limited to, a target rotor speed, a target concave position and/or vane angle, a lateral leveling of the cleaning assembly, and/or any other parameter associated with reducing crop loss of the harvester <NUM>. In addition, the user interface <NUM> may also be configured to provide feedback (e.g., feedback associated with the location and/or distribution crop losses) to the operator. As such, the user interface <NUM> may include one or more output devices (not shown), such as display screens, speakers, warning lights, and/or the like, which are configured to provide feedback from the computing system <NUM> to the operator. For example, the computing system <NUM> may control an operation of the user interface <NUM> to indicate to the operator of the harvester <NUM> the locations and/or distribution of the crop loss and/or suggested actions to reduce crop loss.

It should be appreciated that the computing system <NUM> may also include various other suitable components, such as a communications circuit or module <NUM>, a network interface, one or more input/output channels, a data/control bus and/or the like, to allow the computing system <NUM> to be communicatively coupled with any of the various other system components described herein.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method <NUM> for determining crop loss of an agricultural harvester (e.g., harvester <NUM>) is illustrated in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter. For purposes of discussion, the method <NUM> will generally be described herein with reference to the harvester <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, the crop loss sensing assembly(ies) <NUM>, <NUM>' described with reference to <FIG>, and the computing system <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. However, it should be appreciated that the disclosed method <NUM> may be used with any suitable agricultural work vehicle having any other suitable vehicle configuration, with a sensing assembly having any other suitable configuration, and/or with a computing system <NUM> having any other suitable system configuration. Additionally, although <FIG> depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, the methods discussed herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will appreciate that various steps of the methods disclosed herein can be omitted, rearranged, combined, and/or adapted in various ways without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, at (<NUM>) the method <NUM> includes receiving data indicative of a crop impact location of each crop impact of a plurality of crop impacts on a support beam between first and second lateral ends of the support beam from one or more impact sensors supported on the support beam. For instance, as discussed above, the computing system <NUM> may receive data indicative of the crop impact location of each crop impact of a plurality of crop impacts on the support beam <NUM>, <NUM>' from the impact sensor(s) 104A, 104B, <NUM>' supported on the support beam <NUM>.

Further, at (<NUM>), the method <NUM> includes determining the crop impact location of each crop impact of the plurality of crop impacts on the support beam between the first and second lateral ends based at least in part on the data from the one or more impact sensors. For example, as indicated above, the computing system <NUM> may be configured to determine the crop impact location of each crop impact of the plurality of crop impacts on the support beam <NUM>, <NUM>' between the first and second lateral ends 102A, 102B; 102A', 102B' based at least in part on the data from the impact sensor(s) 104A, 104B, <NUM>'.

Additionally, at (<NUM>), the method <NUM> includes controlling an operation of an agricultural harvester based at least in part on the crop impact location. For instance, as discussed above, if the crop impact locations are skewed toward the center 102C, 102C' of the support beam <NUM>, <NUM>', the computing system <NUM> may control an operation of the rotor drive <NUM> and/or the concave actuator(s) 78A, 78B. Conversely, if the crop impact locations are skewed toward one of the lateral ends 102A, 102B; 102A', 102B'of the support beam <NUM>, <NUM>', the computing system <NUM> may control an operation of the leveling system <NUM>. Additionally, or alternatively, the computing system <NUM> may control an operation of the user interface <NUM> based at least in part on the crop impact locations.

It is to be understood that the steps of the method <NUM> are performed by the computing system <NUM> upon loading and executing software code or instructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer readable medium, such as on a magnetic medium, e.g., a computer hard drive, an optical medium, e.g., an optical disk, solid-state memory, e.g., flash memory, or other storage media known in the art. Thus, any of the functionality performed by the computing system <NUM> described herein, such as the method <NUM>, is implemented in software code or instructions which are tangibly stored on a tangible computer readable medium. The computing system <NUM> loads the software code or instructions via a direct interface with the computer readable medium or via a wired and/or wireless network. Upon loading and executing such software code or instructions by the computing system <NUM>, the computing system <NUM> may perform any of the functionality of the computing system <NUM> described herein, including any steps of the method <NUM> described herein.

Claim 1:
An agricultural system (<NUM>) for determining crop loss of an agricultural harvester (<NUM>), the agricultural system (<NUM>) being characterized by:
a support beam (<NUM>') extending along a lateral direction (L1) between a first lateral end (102A') and a second lateral end (102B') of the support beam (<NUM>');
one or more impact sensors (<NUM>) supported on the support beam (<NUM>'), each of the one or more impact sensors (<NUM>) being configured to generate data indicative of a crop impact location of each crop impact of a plurality of crop impacts (<NUM>) on the support beam (<NUM>') between the first and second lateral ends (102A, 102B); and
a computing system (<NUM>) communicatively coupled to the one or more impact sensors (<NUM>), the computing system (<NUM>) being configured to determine the crop impact location of each crop impact of the plurality of crop impacts (<NUM>) on the support beam (<NUM>') between the first and second lateral ends (102A', 102B') based at least in part on the data from the one or more impact sensors (<NUM>),
characterized in that the support beam (<NUM>') has a tapering profile along the lateral direction (L1) between the first and second lateral ends (102A', 102B') of the support beam (<NUM>').