Embedded Resonant Belt Sensor for Dust-Proof Temperature Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing belt temperature measurement systems are unreliable in dusty environments due to dust layers interfering with infrared sensors, which prevents accurate temperature detection and assessment of belt condition and wear.

Innovation Solution

A belt with an embedded sensor unit comprising electrical resistance, capacitance, and inductance components forming a resonant circuit, which uses wireless electromagnetic waves to transmit temperature information contactlessly, allowing for robust and low-maintenance temperature measurement regardless of dust interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If infrared sensors are used to measure belt temperature, then temperature measurement capability is provided, but measurement reliability deteriorates in dusty environments due to dust layer interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement reliability in dusty conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the sensor unit from the external environment and embeds it directly into the belt's base material. This removes the sensor from the harmful dusty environment while maintaining direct thermal contact with the belt, eliminating dust interference while preserving temperature measurement capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The base material acts as an intermediary between the belt and the sensor unit. It provides thermal coupling for accurate temperature sensing while simultaneously protecting the sensor from direct exposure to dust and contaminants in the operating environment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If contactless electromagnetic wave transmission is used for temperature data transmission, then reliability in dusty conditions is improved, but device complexity increases due to embedded sensor unit with resonant circuit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliability in dusty conditionsVSAvoidsensor unit structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor unit is designed to be powered wirelessly through electromagnetic induction from an external transmitter. The inductor element in the resonant circuit enables the sensor to harvest energy from the electromagnetic field without requiring batteries or wired power connections, making the system self-sufficient

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The resonant circuit serves multiple functions: it acts as the temperature sensing element, provides wireless power reception through electromagnetic induction, and enables contactless data transmission through frequency modulation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If sensor unit is embedded in base material, then protection from dust and contaminants is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from dust interferenceVSAvoidbelt manufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor unit is pre-positioned and integrated into the base material during the belt manufacturing process, specifically during the vulcanization stage. This preliminary integration ensures the sensor is properly embedded and protected before the belt is put into service, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 reliable temperature measurement of the belt, particularly the core temperature, with minimal maintenance, even in dusty conditions, by using wireless electromagnetic waves to transmit data from the embedded sensor unit, reducing the impact of dust and other disturbances.

Implementation Method 1

The resistance element is designed as a temperature-dependent resistance element connected to the base material, such that the electrical resistance of the resistance element is determined as a function of the temperature of the base material of the belt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature-dependent resistance: Thermistor

Implementation Method 2

The components of the sensor unit are coupled to an electrical resonant circuit, such that a corresponding resonant frequency is determined as a function of the electrical resistance of the resistor element and at least indirectly represents the temperature of the belt's base material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

The electrical inductor element is designed to wirelessly receive a first electromagnetic wave to provide electrical energy for exciting the resonant circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 4

The electrical inductor element is also designed to generate and/or emit a second electromagnetic wave at the resonant frequency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3597962B1Belt and system
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 CONTITECH ANTRIEBSSYSTEME GMBH
  • EP3597962B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3597962B1 patent drawingFigure 5
  • EP3597962B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a belt (2) comprising: a base material (4) in which reinforcing elements (6) are embedded, and a sensor unit (8) embedded in the base material (4), wherein the sensor unit (8) comprises an electrical resistance element (10), an electrical capacitance element (12), and an electrical inductance element (14), wherein the resistance element (10) is designed as a temperature-dependent resistance element connected to the base material (4), such that the electrical resistance of the resistance element (10) is determined as a function of the temperature of the base material (4) of the belt (2), wherein the components of the sensor unit (8) are coupled to form an electrical resonant circuit (16).such that an associated resonant frequency is determined as a function of the electrical resistance of the resistive element (10) and at least indirectly represents the temperature of the base material (4) of the belt (2), wherein the electrical inductor element (14) is configured for wireless reception of a first electromagnetic wave in order to receive electrical energy for exciting the resonant circuit (16), and wherein the electrical inductor element (14) is configured for generating and emitting a second electromagnetic wave with the resonant frequency. The invention also relates to a system (24) with such a belt (2).