Design and Experimentation of Piezoelectric Crystal Sensor Array for Grain Cleaning Loss

Abstract

In order to improve the accuracy and reliability for detection of grains cleaning loss, a piezoelectric crystal sensor array was proposed in full width of distribution to realize the online multipoints detection. The dynamic model for grain collision sensor array was evaluated by the method of experimental model analysis. The distribution of low-level vibration and deformation was tested for the sensitive elements of detection array using dynamic signal tester. The location and quantity of the piezoelectric crystal units were determined. The simulation was done based on the software ANSYS for the impacts of grains on the sensitive elements. A quantitative analysis was developed to correct the positions of the piezoelectric crystal units and the construction was adjusted according to the deformation contours. The exact positions were quantitatively analyzed and corrected based on the numerical results for the deformation placement, which was used for optimizing the array construction. Then, the grain impact experiment was established on the test bench. The results showed that the performance was stable for the piezoelectric sensor array, and output signal amplitude was about 2.5 V, with uniform sensitivity in the whole range. The present array sensor helps to provide a technical foundation for detection of grain cleaning loss.

Does Moisture in Pods Interfere With Mechanized Harvesting of Peanuts?

“…However, this behavior indicates that the management of harvester adjustments must be constantly monitored and that they must be changed according to crop conditions to maximize the efficiency of the harvester (Purfürst & Erler, 2011). However, the lack of embedded technology in peanut harvesters makes it challenging to adjust and manage the settings in real time, unlike harvesters for other crops that already have embedded loss sensors (Ni et al, 2011).…”

Structure Optimization of a Grain Impact Piezoelectric Sensor and Its Application for Monitoring Separation Losses on Tangential-Axial Combine Harvesters

“…It was found that the attenuation time of the grain collision signals was shortened to about 3 ms and the maximum signal amplitude was nearly about 4 V when the sensitive plate treated with a partially constrained damping layer in places undergoing larger deformations under the condition of length a = 120 mm, width b = 180 mm, thickness h = 1.0 mm. Compared with other sensors equipped on most commercial harvesters and sensors developed by Ni et al [ 21 ]. which attenuation time was about 1 s, and the maximum signal amplitude was less than 1.2 V, the sensor detection speed was greatly improved.…”

“…On the basis of grain collision experiments, we determined an optimal position to lay the damping layer, as shown in Figure 12a . The grain collision signal, shown in Figure 12b , indicated that the attenuation time of the grain collision signal was shortened to about 3 ms, which showed that the sensor could identify more than 300 grains within 1 s in theory; and the sensor has a relative higher sensitivity with a maximum signal amplitude of about 4 V. Compared with the sensors mentioned above installed on most commercial harvesters and sensors developed by Ni et al [ 21 ]. which attenuation time was about 1 s, and the maximum signal amplitude was less than 1.2 V, the sensitivity and detection speed of the sensor were both greatly improved.…”

“…Li and Jie proposed a grain loss detection method based on a virtual test system, but the method is still under research [ 20 ]. Ni et al designed a piezoelectric crystal sensor for monitoring grain cleaning losses, however, the signal attenuation time was about 1 s when grains impact the plate, which means that the sensor only can detect 1 grain in 1 s. Its detection frequency was so low that it cannot catch up with the required demand which can cause relative high errors [ 21 ]. Gao et al established a FEM model with the LSDYNA software to simulate the grain impact process, and discussed the influences of sensitive plate material on grain impacting process, but no resulting physical sensor designs were applied in the field [ 22 ].…”

Sensing Technologies for Measuring Grain Loss during Harvest in Paddy Field: A Review

“…This type of sensor increase not only the signals of the grain cleaning loss but also provide consistent sensitivity for the sensitive element stable performance, and high signal to noise ratio were the key characteristics of the sensor [61] 5 Pressure sensor…”