Foldable Antenna Assembly for Bulk Material Level Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fill level and bulk material measurement devices are complex to produce, fit, and operate, often requiring large container openings for mounting and unfolding mechanisms, which complicates their installation and operation.
Innovation Solution
A measurement device with a rotatable antenna assembly and drive shaft that can fold and unfold using centrifugal or gravitational forces, allowing it to be mounted through small openings and expand for operation, featuring a flexible cover and various fastening mechanisms for easy installation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the antenna assembly is made large for operational effectiveness, then measurement capability is improved, but the device cannot be mounted through small container openings
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna assembly is designed to be dynamically changeable in size through a folding mechanism. During mounting, the antenna is folded to a compact configuration that fits through small container openings. During operation, the antenna is unfolded to its full operational size for effective topology determination, thus resolving the contradiction between size for measurement capability and size for mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna assembly can be folded into a compact nested configuration that fits within the constraints of small mounting openings. The folding mechanism allows the antenna elements to be nested together during installation, and then deployed to their full operational configuration once mounted, enabling both small mounting footprint and large operational size.
2Ease of operation
If a folding mechanism is added to reduce mounting size, then ease of mounting is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The folding mechanism utilizes a spherical hinge joint that provides smooth rotational movement between the antenna assembly and drive shaft. This spherical hinge design simplifies the mechanical complexity by providing a single-degree-of-freedom rotation point, allowing the antenna to fold and unfold reliably without complex multi-axis mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through centrifugal force. When the drive shaft rotates during operation, the centrifugal force automatically unfolds the antenna assembly from its compact mounting position to its operational position, eliminating the need for additional motors, actuators, or control systems to drive the folding mechanism.
3Area of stationary object
If the antenna is folded during mounting, then mounting through small openings is enabled, but the antenna must be unfolded for operation
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism for unfolding the antenna replaces traditional mechanical actuators (motors, springs, or cables) with a centrifugal force-based system. The rotation of the drive shaft generates centrifugal force that automatically unfolds the antenna, substituting complex mechanical deployment systems with a simpler inertial force mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes changes in operational parameters (rotation speed of the drive shaft) to trigger the unfolding action. When the drive shaft rotates at operational speeds, the centrifugal force parameter increases sufficiently to overcome the folding mechanism's retention force, automatically deploying the antenna. This parameter-based control simplifies the deployment process compared to manual or actuated systems.
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
Simplifies the mounting process by enabling the device to fit through smaller container openings and efficiently determine the topology of bulk material surfaces, allowing for rapid measurement and reduced complexity in design and electronics.
Implementation Method 1
the antenna assembly can be transferred from the folded state into the unfolded state merely by means of the centrifugal force that occurs when the antenna assembly is rotated by the drive shaft
Implementation Method 2
measurement devices used in the field of monitoring objects or monitoring bulk material emit electromagnetic waves or ultrasound waves which are reflected at least in part on the surface of the filling material, bulk material or the corresponding object
Implementation Method 3
The flexible cover has sufficient transmissivity to measuring signals emitted by the antenna
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a fill level measurement device for determining a topology of a bulk material surface, comprising a foldable antenna assembly. The antenna assembly has a folded and an unfolded state. In the folded state, the antenna assembly can be pushed through a relatively small container opening when the measurement device is being fitted to a container. The antenna assembly is unfolded after the measurement device has been attached. This can make fitting less complex.