On-board device and method for continuous weighing of harvest and harvesting machines using same

A method of on-board weighing of harvested materials on a harvesting machine having a path for the harvested material wherein the harvesting machine includes first and second weighing devices disposed near each other on a common support and being connected to an electronic computer, the first and second weighing devices being one of electronic balance or scale, the second weighing device being equipped with a weighing platform which is installed in the path of the harvested material, the harvesting machine further including a feed system which is independent of the weighing platform, the method comprising:

• supporting a known fixed mass on the first weighing device;
• successively weighing the known fixed mass on the first weighing device;
• feeding, with the feed system, the harvested material continuously and in successive lots onto the weighing platform of the second weighing device;
• weighing the harvested material on the second weighing device;
• processing signals from the first and second weighing devices using the computer,
• wherein the computer performs algorithmic processing of the signals to eliminate a dynamic interference effect which results from one of slopes, tilts and vibrations of the harvesting machine;
• and
• measuring a forward speed of the harvesting machine using a measuring device installed on the harvesting machine, wherein the computer takes into account the speed in the algorithmic processing to calculate a per-hectare yield.

An on-board weighing device for a harvesting machine having a path for the harvested material comprising:

• first and second weighing devices disposed near each other on a common support and being connected to an electronic computer, the first and second weighing devices being one of electronic balance or scale;
• the first weighing device being a control weighing device which supports a known fixed reference mass, for successively weighing the known fixed reference mass;
• the second weighing device being equipped with a weighing platform which is installed in the path of the harvested material for weighing only the harvested material;
• a feed system which is independent of the weighing platform, the feed system feeding the harvested material continuously and in successive lots onto the weighing platform of the second weighing device;
• and
• a computer for processing signals from the first and second weighing devices,
• wherein the computer performs algorithmic processing of the signals to eliminate a dynamic interference effect which results from one of slopes, tilts, or vibrations of the harvesting machine.

An on-board weighing device for a harvesting machine having a path for the harvested material comprising:

• first and second weighing devices disposed near each other on a common support and being connected to an electronic computer, the first and second weighing devices being one of electronic balance or scale;
• the first weighing device being a control weighing device which supports a known fixed reference mass, the control weighing device being adapted to successively weigh the known fixed reference mass;
• the second weighing device being equipped with a weighing platform which is installed in the path of the harvested material, the second weighing device being adapted to weigh the harvested material;
• a feed system which is independent of the weighing platform, the feed system being adapted to feed the harvested material continuously and in successive lots onto the weighing platform of the second weighing device;
• a computer for processing signals from the first and second weighing devices,
• wherein the computer performs algorithmic processing of the signals to eliminate a dynamic interference effect which results from one of slopes, tilts, or vibrations of the harvesting machine;
• and
• a measuring device installed on the harvesting machine for measuring a forward speed, wherein the computer takes into account the speed in the algorithmic processing to calculate a per-hectare yield.

An on-board weighing device for a harvesting machine having a path for the harvested material comprising:

• first and second weighing devices disposed near each other on a common support and being connected to an electronic computer, the first and second weighing devices being one of electronic balance or scale;
• the first weighing device being a control weighing device which supports a known fixed reference mass, the control weighing device being adapted to successively weigh the known fixed reference mass;
• the second weighing device being equipped with a weighing platform which is installed in the path of the harvested material, the second weighing device being adapted to weigh the harvested material;
• a feed system which is independent of the weighing platform, the feed system being adapted to feed the harvested material continuously and in successive lots onto the weighing platform of the second weighing device;
• a computer for processing signals from the first and second weighing devices,
• wherein the computer performs algorithmic processing of the signals to eliminate a dynamic interference effect which results from one of slopes, tilts and vibrations of the harvesting machine;
• the feed system including a continuous conveyor which winds around two drums, the continuous conveyor having transverse strips on an external surface and being installed in a housing;
• and
• a plurality of regularly spaced permanent magnets disposed on one of the two drums, and a sensor positioned adjacent the permanent magnets linked to the computer,
• wherein the regularly spaced permanent magnets are spaced apart by a distance which corresponds to a function of a distance between the transverse strips.