External Radar Fill Sensor Sealing Against Moisture Disturbance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radar-based fill level and point level gauges face measurement disturbances due to environmental conditions such as moisture on the container, requiring complex fixation and sealing that can be unreliable and prone to perturbations.
Innovation Solution
A compact radar sensor design with an adhesive and sealing surface on a plastic container, allowing attachment without additional fixation, and sealing the housing region to protect against environmental conditions, ensuring reliable and robust measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the radar sensor is installed with the antenna protruding into the container interior, then the measurement can be performed, but complex fixation and sealing are required which are unreliable and prone to perturbations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional installation approach by mounting the radar sensor on the exterior of the container rather than inserting it into the interior. The sensor measures fill level through the container wall, eliminating the need for complex internal fixation and sealing structures while improving reliability by avoiding exposure to harsh internal environmental conditions.
2Device complexity
If the radar sensor is installed at a distance from the container, then the fixation is simpler, but the measurement is subject to perturbations from environmental conditions such as moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the container wall itself as a thin film barrier that allows radar signals to pass through while providing protection from environmental conditions. The sensor is mounted on the exterior surface, and the container wall acts as a protective barrier that blocks moisture and other harmful environmental factors from reaching the sensor electronics.
3Reliability
If the antenna protrudes into the container interior, then the radar signal can be emitted and received, but the sealing of the fixation point becomes complex and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the antenna and sensing elements from the container interior environment and places them on the exterior surface. This eliminates the need for sealing structures at the fixation point, as the sensor is mounted externally and measures through the non-porous container wall, thereby improving sealing reliability by removing the sealing requirement entirely.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides reliable, accurate, and durable fill level and point level measurements by preventing disturbances from environmental conditions, such as moisture, and allowing cost-effective retrofitting of existing containers.
Implementation Method 1
Radar-based fill level gauges emit radar signals in the direction of the surface of the product or of the bulk material, wherein a portion of the radar signal is reflected off the surface and can be received by the fill level gauge
Implementation Method 2
The time of flight of the radar signal from the radar sensor to the surface and back is proportional to the length of the distance traveled, so that the fill level can be determined based on the time of flight
Implementation Method 3
an adhesive surface including an adhesive material, which is configured for attaching the radar sensor to the container wall of the container
Implementation Method 4
a sealing surface including a sealing material which is configured to at least partially seal the housing region when the radar sensor is attached to the container wall
Data Source
AI summary
A radar sensor for measuring a fill level and/or a point level of a product in a container is described, including a sensor configured to emit and/or to receive a radar signal; evaluation circuitry configured to determine a measurement signal; a housing having at least one housing region configured such that the radar signal can be transmitted through the housing region; an adhesive surface including an adhesive material, configured to attach the radar sensor to the container wall, is disposed on the outside of the housing at least along a portion of an outer circumference of the housing region, and a sealing surface including a sealing material configured to at least partially seal the housing region when the radar sensor is attached to the container wall, the sealing surface being disposed on the outside of the housing at least along a portion of the outer circumference of the housing region.