GarlicNet: A pressure signal-based CNN-Transformer hybrid network for detecting the breakage and separation degree of garlic cloves

Authors

  • Xingyu Xia 1. College of Mechanical Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China;
  • Jie Tian 2. Qinghai Key Laboratory of Vegetable Genetics and Physiology, Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences of Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China;
  • Mingxi Shao 1. College of Mechanical Engineering, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China;
  • Yanan Zhang 3. School of Vehicle and Mobility, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Abstract

Current research on garlic clove breaking primarily focuses on equipment development and optimization, with limited attention to elucidating the relationship between the breaking process and resultant damage or clove separation. To address this gap, this paper presents GarlicNet, a deep learning model that utilizes pressure signals generated during clove breaking to accurately detect breakage severity and separation extent. The model employs an enhanced adaptive channel attention mechanism to capture critical multi-channel information and a dual-branch attention structure to amplify salient features within pressure signals. Experimental results demonstrate high performance: GarlicNet achieved 95.6% accuracy, 95.9% recall, 95.9% precision, and 95.8% F1-score for breakage detection; corresponding values for separation detection were 96.5%, 96.5%, 96.5%, and 96.4%. Ablation studies confirm the efficacy of the Dynamic Multi-Channel Convolution Fusion (DMCF) module and Dual-Branch Attention Fusion (DAF) structure. Compared to benchmark models, GarlicNet exhibits superior detection performance and robustness. These findings validate the feasibility of predicting breakage and separation via pressure signal during clove breaking and underscore the model’s practical utility. This approach shows significant potential for mechanized garlic processing by reducing losses, improving efficiency, and advancing industrial automation.      

Keywords: garlic clove breaking, GarlicNet, pressure signal, damage detection, clove separation, deep learning

DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20261903.10121

Citation: Xia X Y, Tian J, Shao M X, Zhang Y N. GarlicNet: A pressure signal-based CNN-Transformer hybrid network for detecting the breakage and separation degree of garlic cloves. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2026; 19(3): 212–224.

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Published

2026-07-14

How to Cite

(1)
Xia, X.; Tian, J.; Shao, M.; Zhang, Y. GarlicNet: A Pressure Signal-Based CNN-Transformer Hybrid Network for Detecting the Breakage and Separation Degree of Garlic Cloves. Int J Agric & Biol Eng 2026, 19, 212–224.

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Section

Information Technology, Sensors and Control Systems