Radar-Based Silage Density Estimation for Real-Time Compaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radar-based methods for determining silage density during compaction require extensive technical equipment and data acquisition, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A method using a radar sensor to transmit and receive signals, coupled with a density model generated from reference data, allows for real-time determination of silage density without the need for extensive current data acquisition, minimizing technical effort and enabling efficient compaction processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If radar-based sensors and extensive data acquisition equipment are used to determine silage density, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesilage density measurement precisionVSAvoidtechnical equipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating a density model using reference data before the actual measurement process. This model contains pre-calculated relationships between radar signal characteristics and density values, eliminating the need for complex real-time data acquisition and processing equipment during actual silage density measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating a density model that replicates the relationship between radar signals and density based on reference measurements. This model serves as a simplified copy of the complex physical relationship, allowing density determination without requiring the full complexity of the original measurement and calculation system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If extensive data acquisition and processing is performed during compaction, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesilage density measurement precisionVSAvoidcompaction process efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By pre-generating the density model with all necessary calculation relationships before the compaction process, the system eliminates time-consuming real-time data processing during actual measurement, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while improving compaction productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of extensive real-time data acquisition and processing with an information-based approach using the pre-generated density model. This substitution allows rapid density determination during compaction without the productivity loss associated with complex real-time calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If real-time density determination is implemented during compaction, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompaction process efficiencyVSAvoidtechnical equipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The density model is generated in advance using reference data, storing all necessary calculation relationships. During actual compaction, only simple radar signal measurements and model-based calculations are required, achieving real-time density determination without requiring complex real-time processing equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables precise, real-time determination of silage density, improving feed quality and compaction efficiency while reducing operational costs and workload, supporting partial automation of the compaction process.

Implementation Method 1

Radar signals are transmitted towards the crop material by a radar sensor (e.g., via a transmitting antenna). The radar sensor (e.g., via a receiving antenna) also receives the radar signals reflected by the crop material.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Implementation Method 2

The radar sensor (e.g., via a receiving antenna) also receives the radar signals reflected by the crop material.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4663004A1Method and system for determining a density of a harvested crop
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 DEERE & CO
  • EP4663004A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4663004A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B
  • EP4663004A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7B

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining the density (Di_e) of stored crop material (12), the surface (14) of which is driven over by a commercial vehicle (16) for compaction. The density (Di_e) is determined by means of a radar sensor (34), which sends radar signals (36) towards the crop material (12) and receives radar signals (38) reflected from the crop material (12). A density model (Di_mod) is provided based on reference data (d_ref). The density (Di_e) is determined based on the provided density model (Di_mod) and the received reflected radar signals (38). The invention further relates to a system (10) with a control unit (18) for carrying out such a method.