Bulk Goods Metering Configuration via Image-Based Flow Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing metering devices for bulk goods require complex and costly laboratory analyses to determine suitable configurations, necessitating specialized personnel and time-consuming tests to ensure reliable operation.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves creating a first image of a bulk goods sample to derive information about its metering behavior, allowing for the determination of an appropriate metering device configuration, including type and operating parameters, through data processing and machine learning models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If laboratory analyses and experimental tests are conducted to determine metering device configuration, then reliability of metering is improved, but time consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of meteringVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical laboratory analyses and mechanical testing with an image processing system that captures and analyzes images of bulk goods to automatically determine metering device configuration. This substitution of mechanical testing with optical detection and computational analysis resolves the contradiction by providing reliable metering configuration determination without time-consuming physical tests

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy (image) of the bulk goods and analyzes this copy to determine metering parameters, rather than physically testing the actual bulk goods in laboratory setups. This copying approach maintains measurement accuracy while eliminating the time and resource requirements of physical testing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If laboratory analyses and experimental tests are conducted to determine metering device configuration, then reliability of metering is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of meteringVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive laboratory equipment, specialized personnel, and physical testing infrastructure with an affordable image processing system using standard cameras and computational algorithms. This substitution dramatically reduces the cost while maintaining the ability to determine reliable metering configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses inexpensive image capture devices and disposable computational resources (processing power) instead of expensive, long-lived laboratory infrastructure. The image analysis system requires minimal physical resources compared to traditional laboratory setups, reducing overall cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If specialized personnel are used for laboratory analyses, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the bulk goods themselves to provide the measurement information through their visual characteristics captured in images. The system automatically extracts metering-relevant properties (particle size, shape, density) from image data without requiring external expertise or complex testing procedures, making the process self-sufficient and simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the need for specialized human personnel with an automated image processing system that uses computer vision algorithms to analyze bulk goods characteristics. This substitution eliminates the complexity of training and managing specialized staff while maintaining or improving measurement precision through consistent automated analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If complex sample tests on test rigs are conducted, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent allows the bulk goods to self-reveal their metering characteristics through their visual appearance in images. The system automatically processes the image data to extract relevant parameters, eliminating the need for operators to conduct complex manual tests or interpret complicated test results, thereby greatly simplifying operation while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20260030587A1Method for providing a metering device for bulk goods, method for obtaining a recommendation for a configuration of a metering device for bulk goods, and devices for processing data

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 QLAR EUROPE GMBH

AI summary

A method for ascertaining at least one configuration of a metering device for buik goods to be metered. A method for obtaining a recommendation for a configuration of a metering device for buik goods to be metered, and devices for processing data are also provided.