Concrete Mixer Drum Acceleration Sensing for Slump Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing concrete mixer vehicles lack efficient and cost-effective methods to determine the presence and properties of materials within the mixer drum, such as slump, which affects the delivery process.

Innovation Solution

A sensor system comprising a first and second acceleration sensor is used to measure baseline and disturbed acceleration signals, respectively, allowing a controller to determine the presence and properties of materials within the mixer drum, such as slump, by analyzing the difference between these signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If expensive weighing systems are used to determine material presence and properties, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial property determination accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical weighing systems with acceleration sensors that measure vibrational characteristics of the mixer drum. The control system analyzes acceleration signals to determine material presence and properties, substituting mechanical weight measurement with dynamic vibration analysis, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the measurement parameter from static weight to dynamic acceleration characteristics. By measuring how the mixer drum's acceleration varies with material presence and properties, the system achieves material detection through parameter transformation, simplifying the overall system architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If manual determination of material properties is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery efficiencyVSAvoidautomation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixer vehicle system performs self-diagnosis by automatically detecting material presence and properties through its own acceleration sensors. The control system processes the acceleration signals to determine slump and material characteristics without external intervention, enabling the system to serve its own monitoring needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring acceleration signals from the mixer drum and using this information to determine material properties in real-time. This closed-loop approach provides automatic feedback on material state, enabling proactive delivery decisions without manual checking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If acceleration sensors are used to measure material properties, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidslump determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The acceleration sensors serve multiple functions: they monitor mixer drum operation, detect material presence, and determine material properties such as slump. By making the sensors multi-functional, the system achieves precise material characterization without adding dedicated measurement devices, maintaining simplicity while improving measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables accurate determination of material presence and properties within the mixer drum, reducing the need for expensive weighing systems and improving delivery efficiency by automating processes like BM axle pressure and mixer drum orientation.

Implementation Method 1

a first acceleration sensor and a second acceleration sensor positioned within a mixer drum to produce baseline and disturbed acceleration signals, respectively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcceleration measurement: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS20250332760A1Concrete sensor system

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 OSHKOSH CORPORATION

AI summary

A mixer vehicle includes a mixer drum, a first acceleration sensor, a second acceleration sensor, and a controller. The first acceleration sensor is configured to produce first acceleration signals and the second acceleration sensor is configured to measure accelerations within the mixer drum to produce second acceleration signals. The controller is configured to receive the first acceleration signals from the first acceleration sensor and second acceleration signals from the second acceleration sensor. The controller is further configured to determine a presence of material within the mixer drum based on the first acceleration signals and the second acceleration signals. The controller is further configured to determine one or more properties of the material within the mixer drum based on the first acceleration signals and the second acceleration signals.