Slip and wrap detection systems for a conveyor belt of an agricultural header

A method for operating a detection system for an agricultural header, the method comprising:

• receiving, at a processor, a first pulse indicative of a first physical feature passing a sensor as the first physical features travels along an outer surface of a roller;
• receiving, at the processor, a second pulse indicative of a second physical feature passing the sensor as the second physical features travels along the outer surface of a roller;
• determining, using the processor, a pulse frequency based on a time between the first pulse and the second pulse;
• calculating, using the processor, a belt rotational speed based on the pulse frequency;
• comparing, using the processor, the belt rotational speed to a roller rotational speed of the roller that drives rotation of the belt;
• and
• providing, using the processor, an output in response to determining that a variation between the belt rotational speed and the roller rotational speed exceeds a threshold.

An agricultural header, comprising:

• a belt configured to rotate to enable the belt to convey crops, wherein the belt comprises at least one physical feature;
• a roller configured to drive rotation of the belt, wherein the roller is configured to rotate at a roller rotational speed;
• a sensor configured to:
• detect a change in an offset position of the belt, wherein the offset position comprises a radial distance between an inner surface of the belt and an outer surface of the roller;
• and
• detect the at least one physical feature as the at least one physical feature passes the sensor during the rotation of the belt, wherein the sensor is positioned relative to the belt and the roller such that the at least one physical feature passes the sensor while the at least one physical feature travels along the outer surface of the roller;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• receive a signal from the sensor, wherein the signal comprises an offset radial distance indicative of the change in the offset position of the belt, and the signal comprises a first pulse indicative of a first time at which the at least one physical feature passes the sensor during the rotation of the belt and a second pulse indicative of a second time at which the at least one physical feature passes the sensor during the rotation of the belt;
• compare the offset radial distance to an offset threshold;
• provide an output in response to determining that the offset distance exceeds the offset threshold;
• determine a pulse frequency based on the first time and the second time;
• calculate a belt rotational speed based on the pulse frequency;
• compare the belt rotational speed to the roller rotational speed;
• and
• provide another output in response to determining that a variation between the belt rotational speed and the roller rotational speed exceeds a threshold.