Non-frangible object detection method and apparatus for use with harvester

An apparatus for use with an agricultural harvester that includes a transport surface along which harvested materials are transported, the apparatus for detecting non-frangible objects in the harvested material, the apparatus comprising:

• a sensing surface proximate the transport surface;
• a sensor linked to the sensing surface for sensing force applied to the sensing surface that is associated with a foreign object adjacent the sensing surface;
• at least first and second ramp members positioned between the transport surface and the sensing surface, the ramp members separated by a gap, each ramp member including a front ramp surface that extends between a front ramp end adjacent the transport surface and a ramp member apex, the ramp member apexes positioned at a location higher than the sensing surface and proximate the sensing surface such that, as harvested material and non-frangible objects are conveyed along the transport surface and toward the sensing surface, at least a portion of the harvested material passes between the ramp members to the sensing surface and at least a portion of the non-frangible objects move along the ramp surfaces and are forced over the ramp apexes to descend toward the sensing surface.

An apparatus for use with a foreign object detection mechanism on an agricultural harvester, the detection mechanism including a sensing surface and a sensor for sensing force applied to the sensing surface that is associated with a foreign object adjacent the sensing surface, the harvester including a transport surface along which harvested materials are transported toward the sensing surface, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of ramp members positioned between the transport surface and the sensing surface, adjacent ramp members separated by a gap where the gaps are substantially similarly dimensioned, each ramp member including a front ramp surface that extends between a front ramp end adjacent the transport surface and a ramp member apex, the ramp member apexes positioned at a location higher than the sensing surface and proximate the sensing surface, the front ramp surfaces inclined from the front ramp ends to the apexes such that, as harvested material and non-frangible objects are conveyed along the transport surface and toward the sensing surface, at least a portion of the harvested material passes between the ramp members to the sensing surface and at least a portion of the non-frangible objects move along the ramp surfaces and are forced over the ramp apexes to descend toward the sensing surface.