Abstract: Agricultural detection device, having a sensor unit, an evaluation unit and a control unit. The sensor unit includes a first sensor with a first directivity and is configured to emit a first transmission signal and to receive a first reflection signal. The first sensor has a second directivity and emits a second sensor signal with the second directivity and receives a second reflection signal, or the sensor unit has a second sensor with a second directivity arranged adjacent to the first sensor for emitting the second transmission signal and for receiving the second reflection signal. The evaluation unit is configured to ascertain at least the structure of plants and a height value from the first reflection signal and the second reflection signal.

Abstract: Agricultural detection device, having a sensor unit, an evaluation unit and a control unit. The sensor unit includes a first sensor with a first directivity and is configured to emit a first transmission signal and to receive a first reflection signal. The first sensor has a second directivity and emits a second sensor signal with the second directivity and receives a second reflection signal, or the sensor unit has a second sensor with a second directivity arranged adjacent to the first sensor for emitting the second transmission signal and for receiving the second reflection signal. The evaluation unit is configured to ascertain at least the structure of plants and a height value from the first reflection signal and the second reflection signal.

Abstract: A method for detecting a fill level in a collecting vessel using a sensor device, wherein the collecting vessel has m detection regions which are measured using ultrasound, includes the following steps: 1. a measurement cycle is performed for each of the m detection regions, where m= 1, 2, 3, . . . ; 2. n individual measurements are performed in each measurement cycle, where n= 1, 2, 3, . . . , wherein a transmission power and/or a reception gain and/or a transmission burst is varied in each of the n individual measurements, as a result of which the individual measurements are distinguished from one another in terms of the transmission power and/or in terms of the reception gain and/or in terms of the transmission burst.

Abstract: A method for detecting a fill level in a collecting vessel using a sensor device, wherein the collecting vessel has m detection regions which are measured using ultrasound, includes the following steps: 1. a measurement cycle is performed for each of the m detection regions, where m= 1, 2, 3, . . . ; 2. n individual measurements are performed in each measurement cycle, where n= 1, 2, 3, . . . , wherein a transmission power and/or a reception gain and/or a transmission burst is varied in each of the n individual measurements, as a result of which the individual measurements are distinguished from one another in terms of the transmission power and/or in terms of the reception gain and/or in terms of the transmission burst.

Abstract: A sensor device for detecting the fill level in a collection container includes an ultrasound transducer and is designed such that the sensor device, and thus the ultrasound transducer, can switch between an active operating mode and a power-saving mode. The sensor device and the ultrasound transducer arranged therein require less energy in the power-saving mode than in the operating mode. In the power-saving mode, the sensor device can be brought into the active operating mode using environmental signals and external trigger conditions, which can be configured specifically for a given collection container type. An activation device is provided, which is designed such that, based on an external signal, the activation device causes the sensor device to switch into the active operating mode, wherein the ultrasound transducer performs at least one measurement in the active operating mode. The sensor device has a low-power interface for wireless transfer of data.

Abstract: In the method according to the invention, several adjacent synchronized ultrasonic sensors automatically generate a clock signal with measurement clocks (M1, M2, M3). The transmission pulses (S1, S2, S3) of three ultrasonic sensors are generated with changing transmission pulse offset (d1, d2, d3) with respect to the respective measurement clocks (M1, M2, M3). Thereby, extrinsic echo signals of adjacent ultrasonic sensors can be masked out since only these echo signals change their position relative to the transmission pulses (S1, S2, S3). In contrast, the actual sought echo signal does not change its respective position relative to the transmission pulse (S1, S2, S3).

Abstract: The operating parameters of a proximity switch can differ depending on the type of switch and also because of manufacturing tolerances. To make it possible for one to react to new developments in ultrasonic transducers and to customer-specific solutions without requiring additional space, data such as operating parameters are able to be input into a microprocessor of a prefabricated proximity switch with little expenditure of time and energy. A proximity switch may contain an enabling input and an overcurrent-detection device including a microprocessor. An overcurrent across the switching output can be identified by a pulse provided to a first input of the microprocessor. A programming device is provided through which such an overcurrent condition is simulated and the corresponding pulse is generated which represents information about an operating parameter in the form of a bit pattern. The microprocessor is loaded with this bit pattern.

Abstract: When operating adjacent ultrasonic proximity switches, faulty output states can occur due to mutual interference (e.g., the incorrect allocation of echo signals). To solve this problem, it is known to adhere to standard mounting specifications as well as to apply parallel or serial synchronization. Ultrasonic proximity switches with an enabling output and a microprocessor are improved by inserting a circuit arrangement between these two elements, which, based on synchronizing pulses, produces a change in potential from high to low at the enabling output. By connecting the enabling outputs of several proximity switches constructed in this manner and operated adjacent to one another through a shared line, an improved operation with parallel and serial synchronization is possible without external control (i.e., automatically). The low potential state produced by an ultrasonic proximity switch at its enabling output is supplied via the line to the remaining connected ultrasonic proximity switches.