Feed Mixer Wagon Pivot Control for Uniform Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feed mixing wagons face challenges in uniformly filling the feed storage container, leading to uneven distribution, blockages, and increased mixing time due to complex conveyor integration and material flow issues, particularly at the transition point between conveyors.
Innovation Solution
A self-propelled feed mixer with a pivot position determination device and a longitudinal fill level distribution determination device controls the conveying speed based on the current pivot position and fill level distribution to ensure even filling, using a single conveyor to prevent overfilling and blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a second conveyor is integrated into the filling device to control feed distribution, then the fill uniformity of the mixing hopper is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the first conveyor (pivoting removal arm with conveyor belt) and the second conveyor (fixed conveyor) into a single integrated conveyor system. This consolidation eliminates the complexity of coordinating two separate conveyors while maintaining the ability to control feed distribution through a unified control device that adjusts conveyor speed based on fill level sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The single conveyor system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate at variable speeds to control feed throw distance, it can be controlled by the control device to achieve uniform filling, and it integrates the functions previously requiring two separate conveyors into one multi-functional unit.
2Ease of operation
If the removal arm is positioned in a highly erected position, then the discharge angle of the conveyor is directed sharply downwards, but this causes difficulty in transferring feed to the second conveyor and may lead to blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the conveyor system dynamic by enabling variable speed control. The control device adjusts the conveyor speed based on the pivot angle of the removal arm and feedback from fill level sensors. When the removal arm is in a highly erected position, the conveyor speed is automatically reduced to prevent sharp downward discharge that would cause blockages, ensuring reliable feed transfer throughout the entire range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates fill level sensors that provide feedback to the control device. This feedback loop allows the control device to monitor the feed transfer process and adjust conveyor speed in real-time to prevent blockages, particularly when the removal arm is positioned at angles that create sharp downward discharge.
3Productivity
If feed is conveyed at high speed to fill the storage hopper quickly, then the productivity increases, but uneven distribution and accumulation in specific sections occur
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system operates dynamically with variable speed rather than at a fixed high speed. The control device continuously adjusts the conveyor speed based on feedback from fill level sensors positioned at different locations in the storage hopper. This allows the system to maintain high overall productivity while preventing local accumulation by reducing speed when sensors detect excessive fill levels in specific sections.
Solution Approach 2:
Fill level sensors distributed throughout the storage hopper provide continuous feedback to the control device. This feedback enables the control device to monitor feed distribution in real-time and adjust conveyor speed to maintain uniform filling, preventing accumulation in front and rear sections while preserving high overall filling productivity.
4Device complexity
If the conveyor system fills the storage hopper without speed control, then the operation is simple, but excessive accumulation in front and rear sections occurs leading to blockages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where fill level sensors monitor the feed distribution in the storage hopper and provide information to the control device. This feedback enables automatic speed adjustment to prevent blockages while maintaining relatively simple operation. The control device processes sensor data and adjusts conveyor speed automatically, balancing complexity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system operates autonomously using feedback from fill level sensors to self-regulate conveyor speed. The system monitors its own operation and makes necessary adjustments without external intervention, preventing blockages through automatic speed reduction when accumulation is detected, thereby improving reliability with minimal additional complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A feed mixer wagon (100) comprises a drive unit (13), a feed storage container (10), a swiveling discharge arm (11) with a discharge device (12) for removing feed (14) from a feed storage (15) during a filling operating condition of the feed mixer wagon (100), a conveying system (16) with a controllable conveying speed (v, vSOLL) for transporting the feed (14) removed by the discharge device (12) into the feed storage container (10), a data storage device (18) and a control unit (20) for controlling the conveying speed (v, vSOLL) of the conveying system (16) based on data stored in the data storage device (18).To ensure uniform filling of the feed mixer wagon (100), it is proposed to equip the feed mixer wagon (100) with at least one pivot position detection device (30) configured to determine the current pivot position (SPist, SP1, SP2, W) of the pivoting conveying system (16) during the filling operation. Alternatively or additionally, at least one longitudinal fill level distribution detection device (50) can be provided, configured to determine the current longitudinal fill level distribution (FSLV) of the feed located in the feed storage container (10) in a longitudinal direction (L) of the feed mixer wagon (100) during the filling operation.The control device (20) is designed to control the conveying speed (v, vSOLL) of the conveying system (16) during the filling operating state, depending on the determined pivot position (SPist, SP1, SP2, W) and/or the determined longitudinal fill level distribution (FSLV), while adhering to a longitudinal filling characteristic specified to the control device (20) as a control criterion, such that feed spillage and overfilling of a longitudinal section (L1, L2, L3) of the feed storage container (10) are prevented during the filling operating state. A method for controlling the filling of the feed mixer wagon (100) is also presented.