Movable Radar Sensor Mount for Silage Density Compaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radar-based systems for ascertaining silage density are limited in their adaptability and protection during transportation and compaction, leading to potential damage and reduced accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A utility vehicle equipped with a radar sensor mounted on a movably mounted support device that can transition between a transporting position and a working position, allowing for adaptive positioning and protection during transportation and compaction, utilizing an actuator-controlled lever arm for precise distance adjustment and environmental data-driven positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the radar sensor is fixed on the utility vehicle, then the structure is simple, but the radar sensor is exposed to dirt and damage during transportation and compaction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from dirt and damageVSAvoidsupport device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support device enables the radar sensor to dynamically change its position between a transporting position (elevated and protected) and a working position (lowered for accurate measurement). This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt to different operational modes, protecting the sensor during transportation while maintaining measurement accuracy during compaction operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the radar sensor is lowered close to the harvested material, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the sensor is more vulnerable to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedensity measurement accuracyVSAvoidexposure to damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support device enables the radar sensor to dynamically adjust its height. During measurement operations, the sensor is lowered to a working position close to the harvested material surface to achieve accurate density measurements. During transportation, the sensor is elevated to a transporting position that protects it from damage. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between measurement accuracy and protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the radar sensor remains in the same position, then the device is simple, but adaptability to different operations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to transportation and compactionVSAvoidmovable support device

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support device enables the radar sensor to serve multiple functions by positioning it differently for different operations. The same radar sensor can be used for both transportation (elevated position) and compaction measurement (lowered position), making the system multi-functional and adaptable to different operational modes without requiring separate systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the radar sensor is elevated during transportation, then protection is improved, but measurement accuracy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from damageVSAvoiddensity measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support device enables the radar sensor to dynamically adjust its height based on the operational mode. During transportation, the sensor is elevated to a protected position. During compaction operations, the sensor is lowered to a working position close to the material surface to achieve accurate measurements. This dynamic positioning allows the system to optimize both protection and measurement accuracy at different times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enhances the protection and accuracy of radar-based density ascertainment by minimizing exposure to dirt and damage, enabling precise compaction control and real-time density measurement.

Implementation Method 1

a radar sensor configured for ascertaining a density of the stored harvested material by sending radar signals in a direction of the harvested material and receiving radar signals reflected on the harvested material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Data Source

PatentUS20250377277A1Utility vehicle for compacting harvested material

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 DEERE & CO

AI summary

A utility vehicle for compacting a stored harvested material by driving over a surface of the harvested material includes a radar sensor configured for ascertaining a density of the stored harvested material by sending radar signals in a direction of the harvested material and receiving radar signals reflected on the harvested material. The radar sensor is arranged on a support device which is movably mounted on the utility vehicle and can be set between a transporting position for the radar sensor and a working position for the radar sensor which is lowered relative to the transporting position.