Conveyor Belt Weight Sensing for Real-Time Paving Material Mass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing construction machinery, such as road finishers and feeder vehicles, lack precise and continuous quantification and monitoring of paving material processing, relying on visual inspection and estimated material quantities.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an electronic control system with weight sensors, inclination sensors, and volume sensors in the conveyor belt system to calculate the mass and volume of paving material, along with speed sensors to determine conveying rates, enabling real-time monitoring and efficient material management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual inspection and estimation are used to monitor material quantities, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with automated electronic sensors (weight sensors, inclination sensors, volume sensors) that continuously measure material quantities. This substitution of mechanical/manual monitoring with electronic sensing systems directly resolves the contradiction by providing precise automated measurement without requiring complex manual intervention systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic control system as an intermediary that processes data from multiple sensors (weight sensors on bearings, inclination sensors, volume sensors) and calculates material quantities. This intermediary system integrates multiple simple sensor measurements into accurate material quantity data, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring with sensors is implemented, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control system performs multiple functions: it receives data from weight sensors, inclination sensors, and volume sensors; calculates material quantities; monitors material supply; and provides continuous reliability assurance. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single control system, the patent achieves high reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous feedback monitoring where sensors constantly measure material quantities and feed this information to the electronic control system. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable material supply monitoring by continuously comparing actual material quantities against required levels, enabling timely responses to prevent supply interruptions.
3Measurement precision
If weight sensors and inclination sensors are added to calculate mass, then the measurement precision improves, but the loss of time for data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous measurement and processing where weight sensors and inclination sensors continuously measure material mass, and the electronic control system continuously processes this data without interruption. This continuous operation eliminates delays between measurement and availability of mass data, resolving the contradiction by making the processing time negligible through uninterrupted real-time operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculations by the electronic control system to establish the relationship between weight sensor readings, inclination sensor data, and actual material mass. By pre-programming the calculation algorithms and having the system ready to process data immediately, the patent minimizes processing time while maintaining high measurement precision.
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 precise and continuous monitoring of material processing, preventing interruptions due to insufficient material and reducing waste by optimizing material delivery and paving operations.
Implementation Method 1
weight sensors which are configured to measure the weight force of the paving material located on the conveyor belt
Implementation Method 2
one or more inclination sensors configured to measure an inclination angle and/or a roll angle of the conveyor belt system
Data Source
AI summary
A construction machine, which is a feeder vehicle or a road finisher, comprises an operating platform, a material hopper, a conveyor belt system and an electronic control system. The conveyor belt system comprises a conveyor belt and one or more weight sensors which are configured to measure weight force of paving material located on the conveyor belt. In addition, the conveyor belt system comprises one or more inclination sensors which are configured to measure an inclination angle and/or a roll angle of the conveyor belt system. The electronic control system is configured to receive and process data from the one or more weight sensors and the one or more inclination sensors to calculate a mass of the paving material.