Sensor-based material loading detection

Abstract

This application relates to sensor-based material loading detection. A controller can monitor measurements collected by sensors that relate to the properties of a material in a material-bearing component of a machine. The controller can detect changes in these measurements that indicate a change in the loading of additional material onto the material-bearing component. In response to this change indicating the loading of the additional material, the controller can output loading information indicating at least one of the time associated with the loading of the additional material or the location of the machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates in general to operating machinery, and, for example, to sensor-based material loading detection. Background Technology

[0002] Paved roads built to facilitate traffic are often repaved periodically because wear caused by factors such as fatigue and freeze-thaw cycles degrades the road surface. Many paved roads consist of an asphalt surface layer supported by a base course, which comprises one or more layers of aggregate deposited on a subgrade of natural soil material. After the base course is prepared during road construction or after the old surface layer is removed during repaving, fresh asphalt for the new surface layer is laid and compacted using a paving machine to create a firm, level surface. In many cases, fresh asphalt is produced in a factory and transported to the site by trailer trucks while still at a sufficiently high temperature for effective laying and compaction. To ensure a continuous and efficient paving process, a continuous and steady flow of fresh asphalt must be supplied to the paver. Therefore, several trailer trucks are typically involved in the asphalt transport process. For example, while some trucks are loading new material, others are already en route to the paver, and still others are unloading their loads or have already unloaded and returned to the factory.

[0003] When a paver runs out of fresh asphalt, the paving process must be paused, which can lead to a series of events that reduce operational efficiency. For example, when the paver stops, compaction work behind it must stop, and road milling work in front of it may need to stop (e.g., to avoid milling more pavement than can be repaved in the remaining work time). Idle time reduces efficiency and should generally be avoided where possible. On the other hand, when too much fresh asphalt accumulates on the site, long lines of trucks can form, causing inconvenience at the construction site and reducing overall operational efficiency (i.e., resulting in idle trucks waiting to unload their loads). Additionally, the hot asphalt on each truck cools over time, and if trucks have to wait in line for too long before unloading their loads (i.e., before the asphalt is used in the paving process), the asphalt may cool below an acceptable usable temperature and may have to be discarded, resulting in waste and increased costs.

[0004] Therefore, data indicating the time and location at which pavers load fresh asphalt is crucial for efficiently managing the logistics of haul trucks and other machinery involved in paving. Typically, this data is obtained through the use of Global Positioning System (GPS), sensing systems (e.g., cameras), and / or wireless communication between the paver and haul truck. Such systems are complex, expensive, prone to inaccuracies, and consume significant computing resources during operation.

[0005] International Patent Application Publication No. WO2016042927 (“'927 Application”) relates to uniformly heating a portion of asphalt mixture loading to a high temperature over a short period of time. The '927 Patent describes a heating device for heating asphalt mixtures. The '927 Application does not disclose technology for monitoring the time and location of fresh asphalt loading onto a paver.

[0006] The monitoring system disclosed herein solves one or more of the problems set forth above and / or other problems in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The monitoring system may include: a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of material in a material-bearing component of the machine; a global navigation satellite system configured to detect the machine's position; and a controller. The controller may be configured to use the temperature sensor to detect measurements related to the temperature that indicate a change in the loading of additional material onto the material-bearing component. The controller may be configured to identify whether the change in the measurement coincides in time with a physical adjustment of the material-bearing component. The controller may be configured to send loading information to a remote system in response to a physical adjustment of the material-bearing component that does not coincide in time with the change in the measurement, wherein the loading information indicates the time associated with the loading of the additional material and the machine's position.

[0008] A method for detecting material loading may include: a controller monitoring measurements collected by sensors relating to the characteristics of a material in a material-bearing component of a machine. The method may include: the controller detecting that the measurements indicate a change in the loading of the additional material onto the material-bearing component. The method may include: in response to the change indicating the loading of the additional material, the controller outputting loading information indicating at least one of the time associated with the loading of the additional material or the location of the machine.

[0009] The paver may include a hopper for carrying material used in paving operations, the hopper having folding wings configured to fold during paving operations to provide flow of the material. The paver may include a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of the material. The paver may include a controller configured to use the temperature sensor to detect measurements related to the temperature that indicate a change in the loading of additional material into the hopper. The controller may be configured to identify whether the change in the measurement coincides in time with a folding operation of one or more of the folding wings. The controller may be configured to output loading information in response to a folding operation of the hopper that does not coincide in time with the change in the measurement, wherein the loading information indicates at least one of the time associated with the loading of the additional material or the location of the paver. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a side view of the example machine.

[0011] Figure 2 This is an example of a monitoring system.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of an example process associated with sensor-based material loading detection. Detailed Implementation

[0013] This invention relates to a monitoring system applicable to any machine including a material-bearing component capable of loading material. For example, the machine could be a paver, cold milling machine, dump truck, trailer truck, material transfer vehicle, or stockpile elevator, etc.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a side view of the example machine 100. Figure 1 The example shown is a paver. However, as described above, machine 100 can be another type of machine.

[0015] Machine 100 includes a frame 102 having a set of ground engagement elements 104 (such as tracks or wheels coupled to the frame 102). The ground engagement elements 104 may be driven by a power source 150. The power source 150 may be an engine, such as a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, or a gas-fueled engine (e.g., a natural gas engine), etc. Additionally or alternatively, the power source 150 may be a fuel cell or an energy storage device (e.g., a battery), etc. Additionally or alternatively, the power source 150 may drive or power another component or system of machine 100 (such as one or more pumps and / or other components described herein, for example, a hydraulic power system of machine 100).

[0016] A leveling device 106 may be positioned at the rear end of machine 100 to spread and compact paving material into an asphalt mat 108 having desired thickness, size, uniformity, crown profile, and lateral slope. Machine 100 also includes an operator station 110 with a seat and control console, comprising various controllers for guiding the operation of machine 100 by inputting commands at an input panel 112. A controller 114 is provided for electrical control of various aspects of machine 100. For example, during operation of machine 100, controller 114 may send and receive signals from various components of machine 100. In some examples, machine 100 may include a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) 115 (e.g., GPS) configured to detect the geographic location of machine 100. For example, controller 114 may use GNSS 115 to monitor the location of machine 100.

[0017] Machine 100 further includes a material-carrying component 116, shown as a hopper 118 for storing paving material (e.g., asphalt) used in paving operations. Hopper 118 may include one or more folding wings 120 forming sidewalls of the hopper and configured to fold (e.g., rotate inwards or outwards) to improve the flow of paving material during paving operations. For example, folding the folding wings 120 may guide the paving material onto a conveyor system of machine 100. The conveyor system may include one or more conveyors 122 configured to move paving material from hopper 118 to a leveling device 106 at the rear of machine 100.

[0018] One or more sensors 124 may be mounted on machine 100 (e.g., on frame 102 or elsewhere on machine 100). Sensors 124 may be configured to measure characteristics associated with machine 100. For example, one or more sensors 124 may be mounted on hopper 118 and configured to measure characteristics associated with the paved material in hopper 118. In the example of a cold milling machine, one or more sensors 124 may be mounted on the conveyor of the cold milling machine (e.g., the conveyor is a material-carrying component of the cold milling machine) to monitor the temperature of the most recently milled material being transferred on the cold milling machine. In the example of a trailer truck or dump truck, one or more sensors 124 may be mounted on the cargo compartment of the trailer truck or dump truck (e.g., the cargo compartment is a material-carrying component of the trailer truck or dump truck). In the example of a material transfer vehicle, one or more sensors 124 may be mounted on the conveyor and / or hopper of the material transfer vehicle (e.g., the conveyor and the hopper are material-carrying components on the material transfer vehicle). In the example of a stacker elevator, one or more sensors 124 may be mounted on the conveyor of the stacker elevator (e.g., the conveyor is the material-carrying component of the stacker elevator).

[0019] As indicated above, Figure 1 Provided as an example. Other examples may be found with reference to [the relevant source]. Figure 1 The examples described are different.

[0020] Figure 2 An example of a monitoring system 200 providing monitoring of the material-carrying component 116 of machine 100 is shown. For example, the material-carrying component 116 may be the hopper 118 of machine 100. In other examples, the material-carrying component 116 may be on a cold milling machine, a tractor truck, a dump truck, a material transfer vehicle, or a stacker elevator, etc., as in combination with... Figure 1 As described. The material-bearing component 116 can bear (e.g., contain or support) materials (such as asphalt, soil, milled roads, etc.).

[0021] The monitoring system 200 may include a controller 114, a GNSS 115, and one or more sensors 124. The controller 114 may be communicatively coupled to the GNSS 115 and the sensors 124 to facilitate information exchange between the controller 114 and the GNSS 115 and the sensors 124. The controller 114 may be configured to perform operations associated with material loading detection, as described herein.

[0022] Controller 114 may include one or more memories and / or one or more processors communicatively coupled to one or more memories. Processors may include a central processing unit, graphics processing unit, microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, digital signal processor, field-programmable gate array, application-specific integrated circuit, and / or another type of processing unit. Processors may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. Processors can be programmed to perform one or more operations or processes described elsewhere herein. Memory may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory. For example, memory may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disk drive, and / or other types of memory (e.g., flash memory, magnetic storage, and / or optical storage). Memory may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Memory may store information related to the operation of controller 114, one or more instructions, and / or software (e.g., one or more software applications).

[0023] Sensor 124 may be configured to collect measurements relating to the properties of the material in the material carrier 116. For example, sensor 124 may include a temperature sensor, such as an infrared temperature sensor, a thermocouple, or a thermistor, etc. Here, the temperature sensor may be configured to measure the temperature of the material in the material carrier 116. Additionally or alternatively, sensor 124 may include a depth sensor, such as an ultrasonic sensor, a lidar system, or a time-of-flight sensor, etc. Here, the depth sensor may be configured to measure the distance from the depth sensor to the material in the material carrier 116. In some examples, sensor 124 may include a camera configured to capture images of the material in the material carrier 116.

[0024] The controller 114 can monitor measurements collected by the sensor 124. The measurements may relate to the properties of the material in the material support component 116 (e.g., the temperature of the material and / or the height of the material). For example, the measurements may be related to the temperature of the material, and / or the measurements may be related to the distance from the sensor 124 to the material in the material support component 116.

[0025] Based on the monitored measurements, the controller 114 can detect changes in the measurements that indicate an addition of material to the material support component 116. "Additional material" can refer to material added to the material support component 116, either to existing material already in the material support component 116 or to an empty material support component 116.

[0026] To detect changes in measurements indicating the loading of additional material, controller 114 can monitor the measurements at multiple time points or continuously, and can compare each current measurement with one or more previous measurements (e.g., a single previous measurement, multiple previous measurements, or the average of multiple previous measurements). Continuing this example, controller 114 can detect changes in measurements indicating the loading of additional material based on a threshold amount between the current measurement and a previous measurement. Thresholds can be set to reduce false alarms associated with transient measurement changes that are not related to the loading of additional material. In some examples, controller 114 can use a machine learning model trained to identify changes in measurements indicating the loading of additional material to detect changes in measurements. In response to detecting a change in measurements, controller 114 can record or store (e.g., in controller 114's memory) the time of loading of the additional material (e.g., the time when the change in measurements was detected or the current time), and the position of machine 100 at the time of loading of the additional material.

[0027] In one example, controller 114 can detect measurements related to the temperature of the material in material carrier 116 that indicate a change in the loading of additional material into material carrier 116. For example, a change indicating the loading of additional material could be a temperature spike; in one example, a temperature spike might occur when new hot paving material is added to hopper 118 and falls onto old paving material that has cooled sufficiently in hopper 118. In an example involving milling, a temperature spike might occur when there is new milling abrasive material heated by friction associated with milling on the conveyor of a cold milling machine (e.g., a lower temperature is sensed when there is no new milling abrasive material on the conveyor). In this way, temperature changes can provide a simple indicator for detecting when additional material should be loaded into material carrier 116.

[0028] Additionally or alternatively, the controller 114 may detect measurements related to the distance (e.g., average distance, distance at a single point, or distance across multiple points) between the sensor 124 and the material in the material carrier 116, which may indicate a change in the distance that would indicate the loading of additional material into the material carrier 116. For example, a change in the distance indicating the loading of additional material could be a sudden, large change in distance that occurs when new material is added to the material carrier 116 and falls on top of older material, thus altering the total height of the material in the material carrier 116. In this way, the distance change can provide a simple indicator for detecting when additional material is loaded into the material carrier 116.

[0029] In some cases, changes in measurements may be due to events unrelated to the loading of additional material, such as physical adjustments to the material carrier 116. "Physical adjustment" can refer to changes in the shape, size, physical configuration, movement, and / or orientation of the material carrier 116. For example, physical adjustment could be tilting, vibrating, agitating, or moving the material carrier 116. As an example, physical adjustment could be the folding operation of the folding wings 120 of the hopper 118. Even without loading additional material onto the material carrier 116, physical adjustments may cause the sensor 124 to detect changes in measurements.

[0030] Therefore, controller 114 can identify whether the detected change in the measured value coincides in time with a physical adjustment of the material-bearing component 116. For example, controller 114 can identify whether the detected change in the measured value coincides in time with a folding operation of the folding wing 120. The coincidence of the change in the measured value with the physical adjustment in time can mean that the change in the measured value overlaps in time (e.g., completely or partially) with the duration of the physical adjustment operation, or that the change in the measured value occurs immediately after the operation is completed (e.g., within a threshold time (such as 2 seconds or 1 second)).

[0031] In some examples, controller 114 may receive a command to perform a physical adjustment operation (e.g., a folding operation) via an operator interface (e.g., input panel 112). Controller 114 may receive the command at the command time (e.g., the time when controller 114 receives the command). Controller 114 may then determine whether the relationship between the command time and the time of detected loading of additional material indicates that the physical adjustment (e.g., the folding operation) coincides with a change in the measured value in time. Therefore, controller 114 may identify whether a change in the measured value coincides with an operation (e.g., the folding operation) in time based on the relationship between the command time and time. For example, if the time is within a threshold time of the command time, controller 114 may determine that there is a time overlap. The threshold time may be based on the duration of the operation (e.g., a folding operation may take 10 seconds to complete, and therefore if the time is within 10 seconds of the command time, controller 114 may determine that the physical adjustment coincides with a change in the measured value in time).

[0032] In some examples, controller 114 may (e.g., by outputting a signal that causes actuation of a hydraulic cylinder or another type of actuator) cause physical adjustment of the material-bearing component 116. Controller 114 may identify a change in the measured value that coincides with the physical adjustment in time based on the physical adjustment caused. For example, controller 114 may recognize that a change in the measured value occurs when controller 114 is outputting a signal, or immediately after controller 114 has stopped outputting a signal (e.g., within a threshold time such as 2 seconds or 1 second).

[0033] Controller 114 may output loading information in response to the detection of additional material loading (e.g., a change in measurement indicating loading). The controller may output the loading information to an operator interface (e.g., input panel 112) or to another device on or outside of machine 100. For example, controller 114 may send the loading information to a remote system (e.g., a user device, a remote control device, a back-end system, or a cloud computing system, etc.). Furthermore, controller 114 may output (e.g., send) loading information in response to a physical adjustment of material-bearing component 116 that does not coincide with a change in measurement in time. For example, controller 114 may output (e.g., send) loading information in response to a folding operation of hopper 118 that does not coincide with a change in measurement in time. In some examples, controller 114 may avoid outputting (e.g., sending) loading information based on a physical adjustment coinciding with a change in measurement in time (indicating that the physical adjustment, rather than the loading of additional material, is the cause of the change in measurement).

[0034] Loading information can indicate the time associated with loading additional materials and / or the location of machine 100 associated with loading additional materials. Loading information can be used (e.g., by machine 100 and / or by a remote system) to track the frequency of loading additional materials onto material-bearing component 116, the distance traveled by the haul truck to load additional materials, the delay duration of loading additional materials, and / or machine idle time caused by the delay, etc. Therefore, loading information can be used (e.g., by machine 100 and / or by a remote system) to generate a schedule for loading additional materials to reduce machine idle time and / or reduce the distance traveled by the haul truck to load additional materials. In this way, loading information contributes to improved utilization of machine 100 and efficient use of the haul truck.

[0035] In some examples, loading information may further indicate one or more of the measurements (e.g., measurements collected before and / or at the time of or after a change in the measurement). For example, these measurements may indicate the correlation between material temperature and loading time and location (e.g., this may indicate the duration between the loading of the trailer truck and its loading onto machine 100, and / or the length of time the trailer truck waits to be loaded onto machine 100). In some examples, these measurements may be used to train or retrain machine learning models.

[0036] In some examples, controller 114 may identify the idle time of machine 100 (e.g., one or more time periods during which machine 100 is idle). For example, controller 114 may identify idle time as the time during which machine 100 is stationary (e.g., which can be identified using GNSS) and / or the time during which machine 100 is in park (e.g., which can be identified via communication with the transmission controller). Controller 114 may then determine, (e.g., based on whether the detected loading of additional materials falls within the time period of idle time), whether the detected loading of additional materials coincides with the idle time of machine 100 in time. During the loading of additional materials, machine 100 is expected to be idle to allow loading. However, if machine 100 is idle at other times, it may indicate that machine 100 is not being used efficiently (e.g., the operator is not using the machine efficiently, or there is a delay in loading additional materials). Therefore, in response to the loading of additional materials not coinciding with the idle time in time, controller 114 may output a notification indicating that the machine idle time is too long. This notification may be output on the operator interface (e.g., input panel 112) or sent to a remote device.

[0037] Figure 3This is a flowchart of an example process 300 associated with sensor-based material loading detection. One or more steps of process 300 may be performed by one or more controllers (e.g., controller 114). Additionally or alternatively, one or more steps of process 300 may be performed by another device or set of devices (such as another device or component inside or outside machine 100) that is separate from or includes the controller.

[0038] At step 310, process 300 may include (e.g., using controller 114 and / or one or more sensors 124) monitoring measurements collected by sensor 124 relating to the properties of the material in material-bearing component 116 of machine 100.

[0039] At step 320, process 300 may include: (e.g., using controller 114 and / or one or more sensors 124) detecting that a measurement value exhibits a change in indicating the loading of additional material onto the material-bearing component 116. For example, process 300 may include: (e.g., using controller 114 and / or one or more sensors 124) monitoring the measurement value; (e.g., using controller 114) comparing one of the measurement values ​​with one or more previous measurement values; and (e.g., using controller 114) detecting that the measurement value exhibits a change in indicating the loading of additional material based on a threshold amount difference between the measurement value and one or more previous measurement values. In some examples, process 300 may include: (e.g., using controller 114 and / or one or more sensors 124) detecting that both a temperature-related measurement value and (e.g., collected by a depth sensor) a distance-related additional measurement value exhibit a change in indicating the loading of additional material.

[0040] At step 330, process 300 may include: in response to a change indicating the loading of additional material, (e.g., using controller 114 and / or GNSS 115) outputting loading information indicating at least one of the time or location of machine 100 associated with the loading of additional material. In some examples, process 300 may include: (e.g., using controller 114) identifying whether a change in a measurement coincides in time with a physical adjustment of the material-carrying component 116. Here, process 300 may include: in response to a change indicating the loading of additional material and in response to an adjustment of the material-carrying component 116 that does not coincide in time with the change, (e.g., using controller 114 and / or GNSS 115) outputting loading information. To identify whether a change in the measured value coincides in time with a physical adjustment of the material-bearing component 116, process 300 may include: at a command time, (e.g., using controller 114) obtaining a command to perform an adjustment operation via an operator interface; (e.g., using controller 114) determining whether the relationship between the command time and that time indicates that the adjustment operation coincides in time with a change in the measured value; and based on the relationship between the command time and that time, (e.g., using controller 114) identifying whether a change in the measured value coincides in time with an adjustment operation.

[0041] In some examples, process 300 may include (e.g., using controller 114 and / or actuator of machine 100) causing a physical adjustment of the material-bearing component 116; based on causing the physical adjustment, (e.g. using controller 114) identifying a change in the measured value that coincides with the physical adjustment in time; and based on the physical adjustment coinciding with the change in the measured value in time, (e.g. using controller 114) avoiding sending loading information.

[0042] Process 300 may include: (e.g., using controller 114) identifying the idle time of machine 100; (e.g., using controller 114) determining whether the loading of additional material coincides with the idle time of machine 100 in time; and in response to the loading of additional material not coinciding with the idle time in time, (e.g., using controller 114) outputting a notification (e.g., indicating that the machine idle time is too long).

[0043] although Figure 3 Example steps of process 300 are shown, but in some specific implementations, process 300 may include... Figure 3 The steps described herein are compared to additional steps, fewer steps, different steps, or steps arranged in a different manner. Additionally or alternatively, two or more steps of process 300 may be performed in parallel.

[0044] Industrial applicability The monitoring system 200 described herein can be used with any machine that includes material-carrying components (e.g., hoppers, carriages, or conveyors). For example, the monitoring system 200 can be used with a paver involved in a paving process associated with a road or parking lot. Data indicating the time and location at which the paver loads fresh asphalt is extremely useful for efficiently managing the logistics of haul trucks and other machines involved in paving. Generally, this data is obtained using GPS, sensing systems (e.g., cameras), and / or wireless communication between the paver and the haul truck. Such systems are complex, expensive, prone to inaccuracies, and consume significant computing resources during operation.

[0045] Monitoring system 200 can be used to monitor and detect the loading of material onto a material-bearing component (e.g., the hopper of a paver). Monitoring system 200 can use simple temperature sensors (e.g., infrared sensors) and / or depth sensors (e.g., ultrasonic sensors) mounted on the material-bearing component to detect material loading based on peak values ​​in measurements collected by the sensors. Specifically, monitoring system 200 can use changes in temperature and / or material height as indicators for detecting when material has been loaded onto the material-bearing component. In this way, monitoring system 200 provides a simple, low-cost technique for detecting material loading, with minimal computational requirements and less susceptibility to failures or interruptions that might occur in more complex systems.

[0046] Furthermore, the monitoring system 200 is capable of accurate detection (particularly by identifying false alarms). For example, the monitoring system 200 can detect when a peak in a measurement responds to an event unrelated to the loaded material (such as a physical adjustment of the material-bearing component). When a peak in a measurement responds to an event unrelated to the loaded material, the monitoring system 200 can avoid collecting, storing, and / or transmitting information about the material loading, thereby improving the accuracy of material loading detection and saving computational and network resources that might be consumed in response to false alarms.

[0047] The foregoing describes only some embodiments, and substitutions, modifications, additions, and / or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments, which are illustrative and not restrictive. Furthermore, specific implementations are not limited to the disclosed embodiments and can encompass various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. In addition, the various embodiments described above can be implemented in combination with other embodiments; for example, aspects of one embodiment can be combined with aspects of another embodiment to implement other embodiments. Additionally, each individual feature or component of any given component or process can constitute an additional embodiment. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. Furthermore, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, as used herein, the term “or” means “and / or.”

[0048] When a “controller” or “one or more controllers” (within a single claim or across multiple claims) is described or stated as performing or configured to perform multiple operations, unless otherwise described or stated (e.g., by using “first controller” and “second controller” or other languages ​​that distinguish controllers), the language is intended to cover a single controller performing or configured to perform all operations, a group of controllers jointly performing or configured to perform all operations, a first controller performing or configured to perform a first operation and a second controller performing or configured to perform a second operation, or any combination of controllers performing or configured to perform operations.

Claims

1. A monitoring system, the monitoring system comprising: A temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature of a material in a material-bearing component of a machine; A global navigation satellite system, configured to detect the location of the machine; and The controller is configured to: The temperature sensor was used to detect measurements related to the temperature, which indicated changes in the loading of additional material onto the material-bearing component. Identify whether the change in the measured value coincides in time with a physical adjustment of the material-supporting component; as well as In response to a physical adjustment by the material-bearing component that does not coincide with the change in the measured value over time, loading information is sent to a remote system. The loading information indicates the time associated with the loading of the additional material and the location of the machine.

2. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the machine is a paver and the material-bearing component is the paver's hopper, and The physical adjustment mentioned above refers to the folding operation of one or more folding wings of the hopper.

3. The monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the machine is a cold milling machine, and The temperature sensor is located on the conveyor of the cold milling machine.

4. The monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller is further configured to: Identify the idle time of the machine; Determine whether the loading of the additional material coincides with the idle time of the machine; and A notification is output in response to the loading of the additional material not coinciding with the idle time, wherein the notification indicates that the machine idle time is too long.

5. The monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, in order to identify whether the change in the measured value coincides in time with the physical adjustment of the material-bearing component, the controller is further configured to: The physical adjustment that causes the material-supporting component to be adjusted; Based on the physical adjustment that caused it, the change in the measured value is identified as coinciding with the physical adjustment in time; and Based on the fact that the physical adjustment coincides with the change in the measured value in time, the loading information is avoided from being sent.

6. The monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a depth sensor configured to measure the distance to the material in the material-bearing member. In order to detect changes in the loading of the additional material that are indicated by the temperature-related measurements, the controller is configured to: Both the temperature-related measurement and the distance-related measurement indicate a change in the loading of the additional material into the material-bearing component.

7. A method for detecting material loading, the method comprising: The controller monitors measurements related to the properties of the materials in the material-bearing components of the machine, collected by sensors. The controller detects that the measured value indicates a change in the loading of additional material onto the material-bearing component; and In response to the change indicating the loading of the additional material, the controller outputs loading information indicating at least one of the time associated with the loading of the additional material or the location of the machine.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the method further comprises: Identify whether the change in the measured value coincides in time with a physical adjustment of the material-supporting component. The output of the loading information includes: The loading information is output in response to the change indicating the loading of the additional material and in response to the material-bearing component not being adjusted in time in accordance with the change.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein identifying whether the change in the measured value coincides with the physical adjustment in time comprises: The command to execute the physical adjustment is obtained via the operator interface and at the command time; Determine whether the relationship between the command time and the time indicates that the physical adjustment coincides with the change in the measured value in time; and Based on the relationship between the command time and the time, it is determined whether the change in the measured value coincides with the physical adjustment in time.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein detecting the measurement value exhibiting the change indicative of the loading of the additional material comprises: Monitor the measured values; Compare one of the measured values ​​with one or more previous measured values; as well as Based on a threshold difference between the measured value and one or more previous measured values, the measured value is detected to exhibit a change indicating the loading of the additional material.

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