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Selecting the proper material for a grain loss sensor based on DEM simulation and structure optimization to improve monitoring ability

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Abstract

To improve the monitoring accuracy of grain loss sensors, an optimised structure for grain loss sensors was designed. First, stainless steel 304, copper plate and aluminum T6 were selected as potential materials for sensitive plates, and the collision signal characteristics with these different materials were studied in detail. Then, the relationship between the damping ratio and collision response was studied. The detection revolution was improved significantly by integrating viscoelastic damping layers into the sensitive plate. An optimal passive vibration isolation structure was designed to reduce the effect of vibrations on collision signals. Finally, field tests were performed, and the results revealed that the relative error was ≤ 3.46%.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51905221); the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20190859), China; Project funded by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2019M651746 & 2020T130260), China; The Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China (19KJB210009), China; a Project Funded by Synergistic Innovation Center of Jiangsu Modern Agricultural Equipment and Technology (4091600027), China; a project for postdoctoral researchers in Jiangsu Province, China (2019Z106), Jiangsu Association of Science and Technology Young Talent Support Project (2020-21), and a Project Funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (No. PAPD-2018-87), China. Thanks for all your support.

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Correspondence to Zhenwei Liang.

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Liang, Z. Selecting the proper material for a grain loss sensor based on DEM simulation and structure optimization to improve monitoring ability. Precision Agric 22, 1120–1133 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11119-020-09772-w

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