Master-Slave Radar Fill Level Detection System Architecture

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fill level measurement systems for determining the topology of a filling material surface or volume in a container are often complex and expensive, lacking an efficient, flexible, and cost-effective solution.

Innovation Solution

A fill level measurement system comprising a master device and multiple slave devices, where the master device controls and evaluates the measurement data from the slave devices, allowing for cost-effective production of the slave devices by reducing their independent capabilities and energy supply, with energy and control signals transmitted from the master to the slave devices to perform measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple independent fill level measurement devices are used to scan the surface of filling material, then measurement coverage and topology detection capability are improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetopology detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the measurement function into multiple slave devices that can be physically distributed across the container, each performing local measurements. These segmented slave devices are then coordinated by a master device, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive coverage without each device being fully independent and expensive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple slave devices are merged into a single coordinated system under master device control. The master device aggregates data from all slave devices and performs the overall topology evaluation, combining the capabilities of individual devices into a unified system that reduces overall complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If multiple independent fill level measurement devices are used to scan the surface of filling material, then measurement coverage and topology detection capability are improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetopology detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the measurement function into multiple slave devices that can be physically distributed across the container, each performing local measurements. These segmented slave devices are then coordinated by a master device, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive coverage without each device being fully independent and expensive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple slave devices are merged into a single coordinated system under master device control. The master device aggregates data from all slave devices and performs the overall topology evaluation, combining the capabilities of individual devices into a unified system that reduces overall complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If slave devices are designed as stand-alone units with full control and evaluation capabilities, then device independence and flexibility are improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity of each device increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice independenceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of creating multiple expensive stand-alone master devices, the system uses a template approach where slave devices are simplified copies that lack full independence. The master device serves as the reference for control and evaluation, allowing slave devices to be manufactured at lower cost while still contributing to the overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The master device performs multiple functions including control signal generation, data aggregation, topology evaluation, and system coordination. This universal functionality is distributed across the system architecture, allowing slave devices to be simplified while the master device handles the complex tasks that would otherwise require each slave to be fully independent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system provides an efficient, flexible, and cost-effective means to determine the topology and volume of a filling material surface or volume by coordinating the measurement and evaluation tasks, reducing data transfer and energy consumption, and enabling scalable and modular expansion.

Implementation Method 1

The first and at least the second fill level measurement device are radar sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

radar sensors that radiate into free space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10876880B2Filling material volume detection system comprising multiple radar sensors

Publication Date: 2020.12.29 VEGA GRIESHABER GMBH & CO

AI summary

A fill level measurement system for detecting a topology of a filling material surface or a volume of a filling material in a container including a master device and one or more slave devices, the master device being designed to transmit control signals to the slave device. As the slave devices do not include all the functionalities of an independent fill level measurement device, the slave devices can be produced in a cost-effective manner.