Calibration Metering Wheel for Automated Dosing Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling and regulating dosing wheels in distribution machines are prone to errors due to sensory detection issues and require time-consuming manual calibration tests, leading to inaccurate dosing and potential economic and environmental damage.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a separate, rotary-driven calibration metering wheel with a weighing device that allows for automated calibration tests at any time during distribution work, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing errors by directly measuring the mass of material distributed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual calibration tests are performed with sensory detection, then calibration can be done, but errors occur and time is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual sensory detection with an automated weighing device that directly measures the mass of distributed material. The control unit processes this weight data to determine actual mass flow rate, eliminating human error and time-consuming manual calibration while improving dosing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-calibration by automatically measuring the mass of material distributed during calibration tests. The control unit autonomously calculates correction factors based on the ratio of target mass flow rate to actual mass flow rate, without requiring manual intervention or sensory detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If manual calibration tests are performed, then calibration can be done, but dosing errors occur leading to economic and environmental damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration operationVSAvoiddosing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual calibration operations with an automated system that uses a weighing device to measure mass and a control unit to calculate correction factors. This eliminates human error in manual operations while maintaining ease of use through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously measuring the actual mass flow rate using the weighing device and comparing it to the target mass flow rate. The control unit adjusts the metering wheel rotational speed based on the calculated correction factor, ensuring reliable and accurate dosing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If sensory detection is used for mass flow measurement, then calibration can be performed, but measurement errors occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration automationVSAvoidmass flow measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces sensory detection with a weighing device that directly measures the mass of distributed material. This mechanical measurement system provides accurate mass flow data without the errors associated with sensory detection, while the control unit automates the calibration process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures high accuracy and continuous dosing precision by allowing calibration tests to be performed at any point during operation, accounting for changes in material properties and eliminating the need for manual handling, thereby reducing the risk of dosing errors and environmental damage.

Implementation Method 1

a weighing device downstream of the separate calibration metering wheel, which is connected to the control and/or regulating device in order to rotate the calibration metering wheel with a predetermined number of revolutions for the purpose of performing calibration tests and to gravimetrically determine the calibration mass of material distributed by the calibration metering wheel during the calibration test

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3908097B1Method for performing open-loop and/or closed-loop control of a metering wheel of a distribution machine while carrying out calibration tests and distribution machine suitable for same
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 RAUCH LANDMASCHINENFABRIK GMBH
  • EP3908097B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3908097B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3908097B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method for performing open-loop or closed-loop control of a metering wheel of a distribution machine is proposed, comprising a metering wheel which is driven in rotation, a distribution element which is arranged downstream of the metering wheel, and an open-loop/closed-loop control device which is connected to the metering wheel and is designed to perform open-loop or closed-loop control of the rotational speed of the metering wheel according to a predeterminable setpoint mass flow of distribution material. In order to perform closed-loop or open-loop control of the actual mass flow of distribution material, which is metered by means of the metering wheel, so as to bring about adjustment to a setpoint mass flow, a calibration test is carried out on a separate calibration-metering wheel which is driven in rotation and has a weighing device which is arranged downstream of said wheel, wherein the calibration-metering wheel rotates with a predeterminable number of revolutions, and the calibration mass of distribution material which is metered in this way is sensed gravimetrically, the calibration mass, which is obtained in this way is transmitted in relation to the number of revolutions of the calibration-metering wheel to the open-loop/closed-loop control device, in order to determine therefrom the actual mass of distribution material, metered by means of the metering wheel, in relation to the number of revolutions of the metering wheel, after which the rotational speed of the metering wheel is subjected to open-loop or closed-loop control in relation to the number of revolutions of the metering wheel by means of the open-loop/closed-loop control device in accordance with this actual mass of distribution material, so as to bring about adjustment to the setpoint mass flow of distribution material.