Radar Tree Trunk Length Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tree trunk length measurement devices in tree harvesting machines are not accurate due to variations in force exertion, tree species, wheel wear, and environmental factors, leading to significant wood loss from added length margins.

Innovation Solution

A tree harvesting head equipped with a radar device that transmits signals to the tree trunk and receives reflections from different locations, allowing for contactless measurement and determination of tree trunk length without the need for calibration or physical contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a mechanical wheel is used to roll onto the tree trunk for length measurement, then the measurement device can physically contact and measure the tree trunk, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to variations in penetration force, tree species, wheel wear, and temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetree trunk length measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wheel-based measurement system with an optical measurement system using a camera and image processing. This substitution eliminates the problems of mechanical penetration force variations, wheel wear, and temperature effects on measurement accuracy. The optical system captures images of the tree trunk and uses computational methods to determine length, providing consistent and reliable measurements independent of mechanical contact variables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of substance

If a mechanical wheel is used for length measurement, then the device structure is simple, but wood loss increases due to inaccurate measurements requiring length margin additions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewood lossVSAvoidtree trunk length measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wheel system with an optical measurement system that provides higher measurement precision. This improved accuracy eliminates the need to add excessive length margins to compensate for measurement errors, thereby reducing wood loss. The optical system's ability to provide precise measurements directly addresses the trade-off between measurement accuracy and material loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanical wheel is used for measurement, then the device is easy to manufacture, but the measurement results are affected by multiple environmental and operational factors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement robustness to environmental factorsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wheel with an optical system consisting of a camera, lighting, and image processing components. While this increases device complexity compared to a simple mechanical wheel, it dramatically improves adaptability to environmental factors. The optical system is not affected by tree species, temperature, or wear, providing robust measurements across diverse operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an optical copy (image) of the tree trunk instead of using direct mechanical contact. This copying approach allows the measurement system to capture the tree trunk's dimensions without physical interaction, eliminating the effects of mechanical penetration variations, wheel wear, and temperature-dependent material properties. The image serves as a faithful representation that can be analyzed computationally for accurate length determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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 radar-based length measurement method provides more accurate and reliable tree trunk length determination, reducing wood loss and minimizing the impact of environmental and operational factors.

Implementation Method 1

The radar device comprises at least one radar transmitter antenna arranged to transmit a signal to a tree trunk to be measured, at least one radar receiver antenna arranged to receive a radar signal reflected in at least a first and a second location in response to the transmitted radar signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Data Source

PatentUS12310297B2Harvesting head for length determination of a tree trunk and an associated method

Publication Date: 2025.05.27 LOG MAX

AI summary

A tree harvesting head for a tree harvesting machine, wherein the tree harvesting head comprises at least one cutting device, at least two feed wheels and a radar device. The radar device comprises at least one radar transmitter antenna arranged to transmit a signal to a tree trunk to be measured, at least two radar receiver antennas arranged to receive a radar signal reflected in at least a first and a second location in response to the transmitted radar signal, wherein the first and second locations are different locations. The radar device further comprises a device for obtaining characteristics related to the tree trunk based on the signal(s) reflected at the first and second locations. The device for obtaining characteristics related to the tree trunk is arranged to determine a tree trunk signature of a tree trunk segment located at the first location, to identify the determined tree trunk signature when the tree trunk segment has travelled to the second location and to determine a length of the tree trunk based thereon.