IP Library Granted Patent US 11,624,650
Granted Patent B2
US 11,624,650 · App. 17/569,257 · Granted Apr 11, 2023

Systems and methods for filtering sensor signal interference deriving from powered components of a header

Inventors: Cory Douglas Hunt (Millersville, PA); Bart M. A. Missotten (Herent, BE); Jethro Martin (Ephrata, PA)
Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
G01J1/44A01D41/127A01D57/12G01J1/4204G01P3/00G08C17/00H04B15/00F21V23/0464
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,624,650
App. No.
17/569,257
Granted
Apr 11, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one aspect, a system for filtering signal interference from sensors signals includes a header comprising a frame and a powered component supported relative to the frame, and a sensor configured to detect electromagnetic waves indicative of a parameter associated with the header. In addition, the system includes an electronic control unit operably connected to the sensor such that the electronic control unit is configured to receive signals from the sensor associated with the detection of the electromagnetic waves. The electronic control unit is further configured to filter interference from the signals deriving from motion of the powered component relative to the sensor.

Claims (31)

1. A system for filtering signal interference from sensor signals associated with headers configured for use with agricultural vehicles, the system comprising:

a header comprising a frame and a powered component supported relative to the frame;

a sensor configured to detect electromagnetic waves indicative of a parameter associated with the header; and

an electronic control unit operably connected to the sensor such that the electronic control unit is configured to receive signals from the sensor associated with the detection of the electromagnetic waves, the electronic control unit being further configured to filter interference from the signals deriving from motion of the powered component relative to the sensor,

wherein the powered component moves in and out of a field of view of the sensor as the powered component moves relative to the sensor.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the powered component is configured to rotate relative to the sensor.

3. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a speed sensor configured to detect a rotational speed of the powered component, the electronic control unit being operably connected to the speed sensor such that the electronic control unit is configured to receive data from the speed sensor associated with the rotational speed of the powered component, the electronic control unit being configured to filter the interference from the signals based at least in part on the rotational speed of the powered component.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the rotational speed is proportional to one or more frequencies associated with the interference deriving from the rotation of the powered component relative to the sensor, the electronic control unit being configured to filter out the one or more frequencies from the signals.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein portions of the powered component pass through the field of view of the sensor at a pass frequency as the powered component moves relative to the sensor, the electronic control unit being configured to apply a filter that filters out the pass frequency from the signals.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein portions of the powered component pass through the field of view of the sensor as the powered component rotates relative to the sensor, the system further comprising a speed sensor operably connected to the electronic control unit that is configured to generate detection signals indicative of a rotational speed of the powered component, with the detection signals being generated in sync with the portions of the powered component passing through the field of view of the sensor, the electronic control unit being configured to filter the interference from the signals based on the detection signals received from the speed sensor.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic control unit is configured to apply a filter that filters out a predetermined frequency range determined as a function of a speed range of the powered component.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a light sensor configured to detect ambient light.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises an active sensor configured to transmit the electromagnetic waves outwardly therefrom and subsequently detect the electromagnetic waves as reflected off a surface.

10. A system for filtering signal interference from sensor signals associated with headers configured for use with agricultural vehicles, the system comprising:

a header comprising a frame and a powered component supported relative to the frame;

a sensor configured to detect electromagnetic waves indicative of a parameter associated with the header;

one or more reflectors provided in association with the powered component, the one or more reflectors being configured to reflect the electromagnetic waves towards the sensor at amplitudes that exceed an amplitude threshold; and

an electronic control unit operably connected to the sensor such that the electronic control unit is configured to receive signals from the sensor associated with the detection of the electromagnetic waves, the electronic control unit being further configured to filter interference from the signals deriving from motion of the powered component relative to the sensor by filtering out signals having an amplitude that exceeds the amplitude threshold.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the sensor comprises an active sensor configured to transmit the electromagnetic waves outwardly therefrom and subsequently detect the electromagnetic waves as reflected off a surface.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the powered component moves in and out of a field of view of the sensor as the powered component moves relative to the sensor.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein a plurality of portions of the powered component pass in and out of the field of view of the sensor as the powered component moves relative to the sensor, wherein a reflector of the one or more reflectors is installed on each portion of the plurality of portions of the powered component.

14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the amplitude threshold is selected based on an anticipated range of the signals from the sensor.

15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the sensor comprises a light sensor configured to detect ambient light.

16. A system for filtering signal interference from sensor signals associated with headers configured for use with agricultural vehicles, the system comprising:

a header comprising a frame and a powered component supported relative to the frame;

a sensor configured to detect electromagnetic waves indicative of a distance from the sensor to a given surface; and

an electronic control unit operably connected to the sensor such that the electronic control unit is configured to receive signals from the sensor associated with the detection of the electromagnetic waves, the electronic control unit being further configured to filter interference from the signals deriving from motion of the powered component relative to the sensor by filtering out signals associated with distances from the sensor that fall within a predetermined range of distances within which the powered component is potentially located.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the electronic control unit is configured to filter out signals associated with distances that do not exceed a minimum distance threshold, the minimum distance threshold being equal to or greater than a maximum distance of the predetermined range of distances.

18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the sensor comprises an active sensor configured to transmit the electromagnetic waves outwardly therefrom and subsequently detect the electromagnetic waves as reflected off a surface.

19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the powered component moves in and out of a field of view of the sensor as the powered component moves relative to the sensor.

20. The system of claim 16 , wherein the given surface comprises a surface of the ground located below the header.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 28, 2024
From: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
To: BLUE LEAF I.P., INC.
Reel/Frame 066932/0175 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2022
From: HUNT, CORY DOUGLAS; MISSOTTEN, BART M.A.; MARTIN, JETHRO
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
Reel/Frame 058564/0598 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2022
From: MISSOTTEN, BART M.A.
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL BELGIUM NV
Reel/Frame 058564/0762 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2022
From: CNH INDUSTRIAL BELGIUM NV
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
Reel/Frame 058564/0952 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17083734 · Oct 29, 2020
Continuation In Part 16545621 · Aug 20, 2019
Related Publication 20220128404A1 · Apr 28, 2022