Sensor-based material load detection

Abstract

A control unit (114) can monitor measurements acquired by a sensor (124) relating to a property of a material in a material receiving component (116) of a machine (100). The control unit (114) can detect that the measurements show a change indicating that the material receiving component (116) has been loaded with additional material. In response to the change indicating the addition of additional material, the control unit (114) can output loading information specifying at least one time or location on the machine (100) associated with the addition of the material.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to working machines and, for example, to sensor-based detection of material loading. State of the art

[0002] Paved roads built for vehicular traffic are typically renewed periodically because wear and tear, caused by various factors such as fatigue and freeze-thaw cycles, damages the road surface. Many paved roads consist of an asphalt surface course supported by a base course, which comprises one or more layers of aggregate applied to a subgrade of natural earth. After the base course is prepared during road construction, or the old surface course is removed during renewal, fresh asphalt is laid and compacted using a paver to create a firm, smooth road surface.In many cases, fresh asphalt is produced at a plant and transported to the construction site by dump trucks while it is still at a sufficiently high temperature to be effectively applied and compacted. To ensure a continuous and efficient paving process, a constant and consistent flow of fresh asphalt must be delivered to the paver. Therefore, several dump trucks are often involved in the asphalt transport process. For example, while some trucks are picking up fresh material, others are already en route to the paver with fresh material, while still others are unloading or have already unloaded and are returning to the plant.

[0003] When the asphalt paver runs out of fresh asphalt, the paving process must be interrupted, which can trigger a chain of events that negatively impact operational efficiency. For example, when the paver stops, compaction work behind it must be halted, and milling work in front of it may also have to be stopped (e.g., to avoid milling more road surface than can be repaved in the remaining working time). Idle time reduces efficiency and is therefore avoided whenever possible. On the other hand, if too much fresh asphalt accumulates on the construction site, a queue of dump trucks can form, causing disruption and reducing overall operational efficiency (i.e., idle time for dump trucks waiting to unload their cargo).Furthermore, the hot asphalt cools down continuously in each truck over time. If the dump trucks have to wait too long in line before they can unload their cargo (i.e., before the asphalt is used in the paving process), the asphalt can cool below an acceptable operating temperature and may have to be disposed of, which is wasteful and costly.

[0004] Accordingly, data indicating when and where a paver is loaded with fresh asphalt is useful for the efficient management of logistics for the dump trucks and other machinery involved in paving. Generally, this data is obtained through the use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) on the pavers and dump trucks, perception systems (e.g., cameras), and / or wireless communication between the pavers and dump trucks. Such systems are complex, expensive, prone to inaccuracies, and consume significant computing resources during operation.

[0005] International patent application WO2016042927 (“application '927”) relates to the uniform heating of a loading component for asphalt mixtures to a high temperature in a short time. Patent 927 describes a heating device that heats an asphalt mixture. Application '927 does not disclose any techniques for monitoring when and where a road paver is loaded with fresh asphalt.

[0006] The monitoring system described in this disclosure solves one or more of the problems mentioned above and / or other problems in this area. Summary

[0007] A monitoring system can include a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of a material in a material receiving component of a machine, a global navigation satellite system configured to determine the machine's location, and a control unit. The control unit can be configured to use the temperature sensor to detect when the temperature readings show a change indicating an increase in material being fed into the receiving component. The control unit can also be configured to detect whether the change in readings coincides with a physical adjustment of the receiving component.The control unit can be configured to transmit loading information to a remote system if the material receiving component does not have a physical adjustment that coincides in time with the change in the measured values, with the loading information specifying a time and the location of the machine associated with the loading with additional material.

[0008] A method for detecting material loading can include monitoring measurements by a control unit, acquired by a sensor and relating to a property of a material in a material receiving component of a machine. The method can include the control unit detecting that the measurements have changed indicative of the material receiving component being loaded with additional material. The method can also include the control unit, in response to the change indicating the loading with the additional material, outputting loading information that specifies at least a time or location of the machine associated with the loading of the additional material.

[0009] An asphalt paver may include a hopper for receiving material used in an asphalt paving operation, the hopper having hinged flaps configured to fold to allow material flow during the paving operation. The asphalt paver may include a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the material. The asphalt paver may include a control unit configured to use the temperature sensor to detect when temperature measurements show a change indicating the loading of additional material into the hopper. The control unit may be configured to detect whether the change in measurements coincides with the folding action of one or more of the hinged flaps.The control unit can be configured to output loading information that responds to the fact that the hopper is not undergoing a folding process that coincides in time with the change in measurements, the loading information specifying at least a time or location of the paver associated with the loading of the additional material. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a side view of an example machine. Fig. Figure 2 shows an example of a monitoring system. Fig. Figure 3 is a flowchart of an example process related to sensor-based material loading detection. Detailed description

[0010] This disclosure relates to a monitoring system applicable to any machine that includes a material receiving component capable of being loaded with material. The machine could be, for example, a paver, a cold milling machine, a tipper truck, a dump truck, a material handling vehicle, or a windrow conveyor, to name just a few examples.

[0011] Fig. Figure 1 is a side view of an example machine 100. Fig. Figure 1 shows an example where machine 100 is a road paver. However, as described above, machine 100 could also be a different type of machine.

[0012] The machine 100 comprises a frame 102 with a series of ground engagement elements 104, such as tracks or wheels, connected to the frame 102. The ground engagement elements 104 can be driven by a power source 150. The power source 150 can be, among other things, an engine, for example, a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, or a gas engine (e.g., a natural gas engine). Additionally or alternatively, the power source 150 can be, among other things, a fuel cell or an energy storage device (e.g., a battery). Additionally or alternatively, the power source 150 can drive or supply energy to another component or system of the machine 100, for example, one or more pumps (e.g., of a hydraulic drive system of the machine 100) and / or other components described herein.

[0013] A screed 106 can be positioned at the rear of the machine 100 to distribute and compact the paving material into an asphalt layer 108 with the desired thickness, size, uniformity, camber, and cross slope. The machine 100 also includes an operator station 110 with a seat and console, which incorporates various controls for managing the operation of the machine 100 by entering commands via an input panel 112. A control unit 114 is used for the electrical control of various aspects of the machine 100. For example, the control unit 114 can send and receive signals from various components of the machine 100 during its operation. In some examples, the machine 100 may include a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) 115 (e.g., a GPS) configured to determine the geographic location of the machine 100.For example, the control unit 114 can monitor the location of machine 100 using the GNSS 115.

[0014] The machine 100 further comprises a material receiving component 116, which is depicted as a hopper 118 for storing paving material (e.g., asphalt) used in a paving operation. The hopper 118 can include one or more hinged flaps 120, which form the side walls of the hopper and are configured to fold (e.g., rotate inwards or outwards) to improve the flow of the paving material during the paving operation. By folding the hinged flaps 120, paving material can, for example, be directed onto a conveying system of the machine 100. The conveying system can include one or more conveyors 122, which are configured to transport the paving material from the hopper 118 to the screed 106 at the rear of the machine 100.

[0015] One or more sensors 124 can be attached to the machine 100 (e.g., on the frame 102 or at another location on the machine 100). The sensors 124 can be configured to measure properties of the machine 100. For example, the one or more sensors 124 can be attached to the hopper 118 and configured to measure properties of the paving material in the hopper 118. In an example of a cold milling machine, the one or more sensors 124 can be attached to a conveyor belt of the cold milling machine (e.g., the conveyor belt is a material receiving component of the cold milling machine) to monitor the temperature of the recently milled material being transported on the conveyor belt. In an example of a dump truck or tipper truck, the one or more sensors 124 can be attached to a loading platform of the dump truck or tipper truck (e.g.,The loading platform is a material receiving component of the dump truck or tipper truck). In an example of a material handling vehicle, one or more sensors 124 can be attached to a conveyor belt and / or a hopper of the material handling vehicle (e.g., the conveyor belt and the hopper are material receiving components of the material handling vehicle). In an example of a windrow conveyor, one or more sensors 124 can be attached to a conveyor belt of the windrow conveyor (e.g., the conveyor belt is a material receiving component of the windrow conveyor).

[0016] As stated above, it serves Fig. 1 as an example. Other examples can be found in the Fig. The example described in point 1 differs.

[0017] Fig. Figure 2 shows an example of a monitoring system 200 that monitors the material receiving component 116 of the machine 100. The material receiving component 116 can, for example, be the hopper 118 of the machine 100. In other examples, the material receiving component 116 can be located on a cold milling machine, a dump truck, a tipper truck, a material handling vehicle, or a windrow conveyor, as in connection with Fig. 1 described. The material receiving component 116 can receive (e.g. contain, carry or similar) a material such as asphalt, soil, milled road material or the like.

[0018] The monitoring system 200 can comprise the control unit 114, the GNSS 115, and one or more sensors 124. The control unit 114 can be communicatively coupled with the GNSS 115 and the sensors 124 to facilitate information exchange between the control unit 114 and the GNSS 115 and the sensors 124. The control unit 114 can be configured to perform operations related to material load detection, as described herein.

[0019] The control unit 114 can include one or more memories and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the one or more memories. A processor can be a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a field-programmable gate array, an application-specific integrated circuit, and / or another type of processing component. The processor can be implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. The processor can be programmed to perform one or more operations or processes described elsewhere herein. A memory can include volatile and / or non-volatile memory.For example, the memory can include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive, and / or another type of storage (e.g., flash memory, magnetic storage, and / or optical storage). The memory can be a non-transient, computer-readable medium. The memory can store information, one or more instructions, and / or software (e.g., one or more software applications) related to the operation of the control unit 114.

[0020] The sensors 124 can be configured to acquire measurements relating to a property of a material in the material receiving component 116. For example, the sensors 124 can include a temperature sensor, such as an infrared temperature sensor, a thermocouple, or a thermistor, among others. Here, the temperature sensor can be configured to measure the temperature of a material in the material receiving component 116. Additionally or alternatively, the sensors 124 can include a depth sensor, such as an ultrasonic sensor, a lidar system, or a time-of-flight sensor, among others. Here, the depth sensor can be configured to measure the distance from the depth sensor to a material in the material receiving component 116.In some examples, the sensors 124 may include a camera which may be configured to capture images of a material in the material capture component 116.

[0021] The control unit 114 can monitor the measured values ​​acquired by the sensors 124. The measurements can relate to a property of a material in the material receiving component 116 (e.g., a temperature of the material and / or a height of the material). For example, the measurements can relate to a temperature of the material and / or the measurements can relate to a distance from a sensor 124 to the material in the material receiving component 116.

[0022] Based on monitoring the measurements, the control unit 114 can detect a change in the measurements indicating the addition of material to the material receiving component 116. "Additional material" can refer to material added to the material receiving component 116, either to existing material already present in the material receiving component 116 or to an empty material receiving component 116.

[0023] To detect that the measurements are showing a change indicative of the addition of extra material, the control unit 114 can monitor the measurements at multiple time points or continuously, comparing each current measurement to one or more previous measurements (e.g., a single previous measurement, several previous measurements, or an average of several previous measurements). Continuing with the example, the control unit 114 can detect that the measurements are showing a change indicative of the addition of extra material based on the current measurement deviating from the previous measurement(s) by a threshold value. The threshold value can be adjusted to reduce false alarms associated with temporary changes in measured values ​​that are unrelated to the addition of extra material.In some examples, the control unit 114 can detect that the measurements have changed indicative of the loading of additional material by using a machine learning model trained to identify changes in measurements that suggest the loading of additional material. In response to the detection of the change in the measurements, the control unit 114 can record or store a time of loading of additional material (e.g., the time at which the change in the measurements is detected or the current time) and the location of machine 100 at the time of loading of additional material (e.g., in a memory of the control unit 114).

[0024] In one example, the control unit 114 can detect that measurements relating to the temperature of a material in the material receiving component 116 show a change indicating the loading of additional material into the material receiving component 116. A change indicating the loading of additional material could be, for example, a temperature increase, which might occur when new hot patching material is added to the hopper 118 on top of older patching material that has already been in the hopper 118 long enough to have cooled down. In an example involving milling, a temperature increase might occur when freshly milled material, heated due to the friction associated with milling, is present on a conveyor belt of a cold milling machine (e.g., a lower temperature would be measured if there were no freshly milled material on the conveyor belt).In this way, temperature changes can provide a simple indication of when additional material is loaded into the material receiving component 116.

[0025] Additionally or alternatively, the control unit 114 can detect that measurements relating to a distance (e.g., an average distance, a distance at a single point, or distances at multiple points) between a sensor 124 and the material in the material receiving component 116 show a change indicating that additional material is being loaded into the material receiving component 116. A change indicating the loading of additional material could, for example, be a sudden large change in distance, which can occur when new material is added to older material in the material receiving component 116, thereby changing the overall height of the material in the material receiving component 116. In this way, changes in distance can provide a simple indication of when additional material is being loaded into the material receiving component 116.

[0026] In some cases, the change in the measured values ​​may be due to an event unrelated to the loading of additional material, such as a physical adjustment of the material receiving component 116. A "physical adjustment" may refer to a change in the shape, size, physical configuration, movement, and / or orientation of the material receiving component 116. For example, the physical adjustment may include tilting, vibrating, mixing, or moving the material receiving component 116. An example of a physical adjustment could be the folding of the folding wings 120 of the hopper 118. The physical adjustment may cause the sensors 124 to detect a change in the measured values ​​even though no additional material has been loaded into the material receiving component 116.

[0027] Accordingly, the control unit 114 can determine whether the detected change in the measured values ​​corresponds in time to a physical adjustment of the material receiving component 116. For example, the control unit 114 can determine whether the detected change in the measured values ​​corresponds in time to a folding operation for the folding wing(s) 120. The change in the measurements corresponding in time to the physical adjustment can refer to the temporal overlap (e.g., complete or partial) of the change in the measurements with the duration of a physical adjustment operation, or to the change in the measurements that occurs immediately after (e.g., within a threshold time, such as 2 seconds or 1 second) completion of the operation.

[0028] In some examples, the control unit 114 can receive a command to execute the physical adjustment process (e.g., the folding process) via an operator interface (e.g., the input field 112). The control unit 114 can receive the command at a specific time point (e.g., the time at which the control unit 114 receives the command). The control unit 114 can then determine whether a relationship between the command time and the time of the detected loading with additional material indicates that the physical adjustment (e.g., the folding process) coincides with the change in the measured values. Thus, the control unit 114 can use the relationship between the command time and the time point to determine whether the change in the measured values ​​corresponds to the process (e.g., the folding process).For example, the control unit 114 can determine that a temporal match has occurred if the time falls within a threshold time of the command time. The threshold time can be based on the duration of the operation (e.g., a folding operation might take 10 seconds, and therefore, if the time falls within 10 seconds of the command time, the control unit 114 can determine that the physical adjustment coincides temporally with the change in the measured values).

[0029] In some examples, the control unit 114 can initiate the physical adjustment of the material handling component 116 (e.g., by outputting a signal that causes the actuation of a hydraulic cylinder or another type of actuator). Based on the initiation of the physical adjustment, the control unit 114 can determine that the change in the measured values ​​coincides with the physical adjustment in time. For example, the control unit 114 can detect that it outputs the signal while the change in the measured values ​​is occurring, or that the change in the measured values ​​occurs immediately after (e.g., within a threshold time, such as 2 seconds or 1 second) the control unit 114 ceases outputting the signal.

[0030] The control unit 114 can output loading information that reacts to the detection of additional material being loaded (e.g., a change in the measured values ​​indicates the load). The control unit can output the loading information to an operator interface (e.g., the input field 112) or to another device inside or outside the machine 100. For example, the control unit 114 can transmit the loading information to a remote system (e.g., a user device, a remote control device, a back-office system, a cloud computing system, or the like). Furthermore, the control unit 114 can output (e.g., transmit) the loading information even if the material receiving component 116 does not have a physical setting that corresponds in time to the change in the measurements. For example, the control unit 114 can output the loading information (e.g.,(transmitted) if the hopper 118 does not perform a folding operation that coincides in time with the change in the measured values. In some examples, the control unit 114 may refrain from outputting (e.g., transmitting) the loading information based on the physical adjustment that coincides in time with the change in the measurements, indicating that the physical adjustment, and not the loading of additional material, was the cause of the change in the measurements.

[0031] The loading information can specify the time when additional material was loaded and / or the location of machine 100 where the additional material was loaded. This loading information (e.g., from machine 100 and / or the remote system) can be used to track, among other things, how often additional material is loaded into the material receiving component 116, how far dump trucks travel to load additional material, the length of any delays in loading additional material, and / or the amount of machine downtime attributable to delays. Accordingly, the loading information (e.g., from machine 100 and / or the remote system) can be used to create a schedule for loading additional material in order to reduce machine idle time and / or the distance traveled by dump trucks to load additional material.In this way, the loading information enables improved utilization of the machine 100 and efficient use of the dump trucks.

[0032] In some examples, the loading information may also specify one or more of the measurements (e.g., measurements taken before the change in measurements and / or measurements taken during or after the change in measurements). For example, these measurements may indicate material temperature correlations with loading time and loading location (e.g., the time between loading a dump truck and the dump truck loading machine 100, and / or the dump truck's waiting time until machine 100 is loaded). In some examples, the measurements may be used to train or retrain the machine learning model.

[0033] In some examples, the control unit 114 can identify an idle time of machine 100 (e.g., one or more periods during which machine 100 is idling). For example, the control unit 114 can identify the idle time as times when machine 100 is stationary (e.g., which can be identified using GNSS) and / or when machine 100 is in park (e.g., which can be identified through communication with a transmission control unit). The control unit 114 can then determine whether the detected loading of additional material coincides with the idle time of machine 100 (e.g., based on whether the detected loading of additional material falls within a period of idle time). During the loading of additional material, machine 100 is expected to be idling to allow the loading to occur.However, if machine 100 is idle at other times, this may indicate that machine 100 is not being used efficiently (e.g., the operator is not using the machine efficiently or there are delays in loading additional material). Accordingly, in response to the loading of additional material that does not coincide with the idle time, the control unit 114 can issue a notification indicating excessive machine idle time. This notification can be displayed on an operator interface (e.g., input field 112) or transmitted to the remote device.

[0034] Fig. Figure 3 is a flowchart of an example process 300 in connection with sensor-based material load detection. One or more steps of process 300 can be executed by one or more control units (e.g., control unit 114). Additionally or alternatively, one or more steps of process 300 can be executed by another device or group of devices that are separate from or include the control unit(s), for example, another device or component located inside or outside of machine 100.

[0035] In step 310, the process 300 can include monitoring (e.g. using the control unit 114 and / or one or more sensors 124) of measurements detected by a sensor 124 that relate to a property of a material in a material receiving component 116 of a machine 100.

[0036] In step 320, process 300 can include detecting (e.g., using the control unit 114 and / or one or more sensors 124) that the measurements show a change indicating the addition of material to the material receiving component 116. For example, process 300 can include monitoring (e.g., using the control unit 114 and / or one or more sensors 124) the measurements, comparing (e.g., using the control unit 114) a measurement with one or more previous measurements, and detecting (e.g., using the control unit 114) that the measurements show the change indicating the addition of material, based on the measurement deviating from the one or more previous measurements by a threshold value. In some examples, process 300 can include detecting (e.g.,using the control unit 114 and / or one or more sensors 124) include measurements relating to temperature and additional measurements relating to distance (e.g. detected by a depth sensor) both showing changes that indicate the loading with the additional material.

[0037] In step 330, process 300 can include outputting (e.g., using control unit 114 and / or GNSS 115) loading information that specifies at least one time or location of machine 100 related to the loading of the additional material, in response to the change indicating the loading of the additional material. In some examples, process 300 can include identifying (e.g., using control unit 114) whether the change in measurements coincides temporally with a physical adjustment of the material receiving component 116. Here, process 300 can include outputting (e.g., using control unit 114 and / or GNSS 115) the loading information that responds to the change indicating the loading with the additional material and responds to the material receiving component 116 that does not exhibit an adjustment temporally coincident with the change.To determine whether the change in measurements coincides temporally with the physical setting of the material receiving component 116, the process 300 can receive (e.g., using the control unit 114) via an operator interface at a command time of a command to perform a setting operation and determine (e.g., including using the control unit 114) whether a relationship between the command time and the time indicates that the adjustment operation coincides temporally with the change in measurements, and identify (e.g., using the control unit 114) whether the change in measurements coincides temporally with the adjustment operation, based on the relationship between the command time and the time.

[0038] In some examples, process 300 can initiate (e.g., using control unit 114 and / or an actuator of machine 100) the physical adjustment of the material receiving component 116, determine (e.g., using control unit 114) that the change in the measured values ​​corresponds to the physical adjustment, and refrain (e.g., using control unit 114) from transmitting the loading information based on the physical adjustment that corresponds to the change in the measured values.

[0039] Process 300 can identify (e.g., using control unit 114) an idle time of machine 100, determine (e.g., using control unit 114) whether the loading of the additional material coincides with the idle time of machine 100, and output (e.g., using control unit 114) a notification (e.g., to indicate excessive machine idle time) in response to the fact that the loading of the additional material does not coincide with the idle time.

[0040] Although Fig. Figure 3 shows three exemplary steps of process 300. In some embodiments, process 300 may include additional steps, fewer steps, different steps, or steps arranged differently than those shown. Fig. The 3 steps shown are included. Additionally or alternatively, two or more of the steps of process 300 can be carried out in parallel. Industrial applicability

[0041] The Monitoring System 200 described here can be used with any machine that includes a material intake component (e.g., a hopper, bed, conveyor, or similar). For example, the Monitoring System 200 can be used with a paver involved in paving a road, parking lot, or similar surface. Data indicating when and where the paver is loaded with fresh asphalt is useful for efficiently managing logistics for dump trucks and other machinery involved in the paving. Generally, this data is obtained through the use of GPS devices on the pavers and dump trucks, perception systems (e.g., cameras), and / or wireless communication between the pavers and dump trucks. Such systems are complex, expensive, prone to inaccuracies, and consume significant computing resources during operation.

[0042] The Monitoring System 200 is useful for monitoring and detecting the loading of a material receiving component (e.g., the hopper of a paver). The Monitoring System 200 can utilize a simple temperature sensor (e.g., an infrared sensor) and / or a depth sensor (e.g., an ultrasonic sensor) attached to the material receiving component to detect material loading based on spikes in the sensor readings. Specifically, the Monitoring System 200 can use changes in temperature and / or material height as indicators to detect when material is being loaded into the material receiving component. In this way, the Monitoring System 200 provides a simple, cost-effective material loading detection technique that requires minimal computing power and is not prone to failures or malfunctions like those that can occur in other, more complex systems.

[0043] Furthermore, the Monitoring System 200 is capable of accurate detection, particularly through the identification of false alarms. For example, the Monitoring System 200 can detect when measurement spikes are due to an event unrelated to material loading, such as a physical adjustment of the material receiving component. The Monitoring System 200 can refrain from collecting, storing, and / or transmitting material loading information when the measurement spikes are attributable to an unrelated event, thereby improving the accuracy of material loading detection and saving computing and network resources that would otherwise be required to respond to a false alarm.

[0044] The foregoing describes only some embodiments, and changes, modifications, additions, and / or modifications may be made to them without deviating from the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments, which are illustrative and not limiting. Furthermore, the implementations are not limited to the disclosed embodiments and may include various modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the meaning and scope of the disclosed embodiments. In addition, the various embodiments described above may be implemented in conjunction with other embodiments; for example, aspects of one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment to realize yet other embodiments.Furthermore, any independent feature or component of a particular assembly or process can constitute an additional embodiment. As used herein, the singular forms of "a," "an," and "the" also include plural forms unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Additionally, the term "or" in this document means "and / or" unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

[0045] If “a control unit” or “one or more control units” (within a single claim or across multiple claims) is described or claimed to perform multiple operations or is configured to perform multiple operations, this wording shall be understood to mean, unless otherwise described or claimed (e.g.,(By using “first control unit” and “second control unit” or other terms that differentiate control units), this wording is intended to cover a single control unit that performs or is configured to perform all operations, a group of control units that together perform or are configured to perform all operations, a first control unit that performs or is configured to perform a first operation and a second control unit that performs or is configured to perform a second operation, or any combination of control units that perform or are configured to perform the operations. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2016042927

[0005]

Claims

[1] Monitoring system (200), comprising: a temperature sensor (124) configured to measure the temperature of a material in a material receiving component (116) of a machine (100); a global navigation satellite system (115) configured to detect the location of the machine (100); and a control unit (114) that is configured to: using the temperature sensor (124) to detect that measurements relating to temperature show a change indicating that the material receiving component (116) is loaded with additional material; to determine whether the change in the measurements corresponds temporally to a physical adjustment of the material receiving component (116); and to transmit loading information to a remote system when the material receiving component (116) does not have a physical adjustment that corresponds in time to the change in measurements, where the loading information specifies a time and the location of the machine (100) associated with the loading with the additional material. [2] Monitoring system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the machine (100) is a road paver and the material receiving component (116) is a hopper (118) of the road paver, and wherein the physical adjustment is a folding operation for one or more folding wings (120) of the hopper (118). [3] Monitoring system (200) according to claim 1, wherein the machine (100) is a cold milling machine, and wherein the temperature sensor (124) is positioned on a conveyor belt of the cold milling machine. [4] Monitoring system (200) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit (114) is further configured such that it: The idle time of the machine (100) was determined; determines whether the loading of the additional material coincides with the idle time of the machine (100); and Issues a notification if the loading of the additional material does not coincide with the idle time, with the notification indicating excessive machine idle time. [5] Monitoring system (200) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit (114) for detecting whether the change in measurements corresponds temporally with the physical setting of the material receiving component (116) is further configured such that it: the physical adjustment of the material receiving component (116) causes; based on the physical adjustment, it is determined that the change in measurements corresponds temporally with the physical adjustment; and The transmission of loading information based on physical adjustment, which coincides with the change in measurements, is omitted. [6] Monitoring system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a depth sensor (124) configured to measure a distance to the material in the material receiving component (116), wherein the control unit (114) is configured to detect that the temperature measurements show the change indicative of the loading with the additional material: recognizes that both the temperature measurements and additional distance measurements show changes that indicate the loading of the material receiving component (116) with the additional material. [7] Methods for detecting material loading, comprising: Monitoring of measurements by a control unit (114) which are detected by a sensor (124) and relate to a property of a material in a material receiving component (116) of a machine (100); The control unit (114) recognizes that the measurements show a change indicating that the material receiving component (116) has been loaded with additional material; and Output of loading information by the control unit (114) in response to the change indicating the loading of the additional material, wherein the loading information specifies at least a time or location of the machine (100) associated with the loading of the additional material. [8] The method of claim 7, further comprising: Identify whether the change in measurements coincides temporally with a physical adjustment of the material receiving component (116), which includes the output of the loading information: Outputting the loading information in response to the change indicating the loading of the additional material, and in response to the fact that the material receiving component (116) does not have a setting that coincides in time with the change. [9] Method according to claim 8, wherein identifying whether the change in measurements corresponds in time with the physical adjustment comprises: Receiving a command to perform the physical adjustment via an operator interface and at a specific command time; Determine whether a relationship between the command time and the time indicates that the physical setting corresponds temporally with the change in measurements; and Identify whether the change in measurements corresponds temporally with the physical setting, based on the relationship between the command time and the time. [10] Method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the detection that the measurements show the change indicating the application of the additional material comprises: Monitoring the measurements; Comparing a measurement of the measurements with one or more previous measurements of the measurements; and Recognizing that the measurements exhibit the change indicative of the application of the additional material, based on the measurement deviating by a threshold value from one or more previous measurements.

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