US 12,284,942 B2
Sensor fusion system for improved accumulator fill level in a harvester vehicle
Jeffrey S. Wigdahl, Ames, IA (US); Jeffrey C. Askey, Boone, IA (US); Mark A. Cracraft, Johnston, IA (US); Robert R. Carlson, Slater, IA (US); and Grant W. Mandernach, Polk City, IA (US)
Assigned to Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US); and Iowa State University Research Foundation, Ames, IA (US)
Filed by Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US); and Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc., Ames, IA (US)
Filed on Apr. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/711,575.
Prior Publication US 2023/0309447 A1, Oct. 5, 2023
Int. Cl. A01D 41/127 (2006.01); A01D 41/12 (2006.01); A01D 46/08 (2006.01)
CPC A01D 41/1275 (2013.01) [A01D 41/1208 (2013.01); A01D 41/1271 (2013.01); A01D 46/085 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A harvester vehicle comprising:
a crop processing system comprising at least an accumulator and a module builder operable to form a crop module from crop fed to the module builder from the accumulator; and
a feedback fusion system that operably provides crop processing data indicative of an accumulator fill level to a crop feed rate control system of the harvester vehicle, the feedback fusion system comprising:
a plurality of sensors that operably provide feedback signals comprising data indicative of:
a crop mass flow into the accumulator;
a module builder status; and
a crop module size comprising a diameter and associated growth rate of the crop module formed by the module builder; and
a control module operable to generate an accumulator fill level signal indicative of an estimated fill level in the accumulator based on:
the crop mass flow into the accumulator;
the module builder status; and
the crop module size comprising the diameter and associated growth rate of the crop module formed by the module builder.