Hot Aggregate Bin Level Measurement Using Feed-Weight Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing asphalt mixing plants face challenges with poor accuracy and precision in material level measurement in hot aggregate bins, leading to potential damage to vibrating screens and production delays.

Innovation Solution

A method involving belt scales at the outlets of cold feed bins and a weighing scale at the hot aggregate bin, combined with rotary paddle level gauges, to determine the proportion and actual value of material input, using n-ary linear equations to adjust and verify material levels in real-time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a continuous level gauge or rotary paddle level gauge is used to measure material level in the hot aggregate bin, then the measurement can be performed continuously, but the measurement accuracy and precision are relatively poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial level measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement signal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical level gauges (continuous level gauge, rotary paddle level gauge) with a belt scale system that measures material level indirectly through weight measurement. The belt scale measures the weight of material on the conveying belt, which is then used to calculate the material level in the hot aggregate bin, thereby achieving higher measurement precision and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a belt scale as an intermediary measurement device between the material storage and the level measurement system. Instead of directly measuring the material level in the hot aggregate bin, the belt scale measures the weight of material being conveyed, which serves as an intermediary parameter to infer the material level, thereby improving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If frequent measurement of material level in the hot aggregate bin is performed, then the damage to vibrating screen system can be prevented, but the production output is affected due to weighing delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibrating screen system protectionVSAvoidproduction output

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous monitoring of the material level through the belt scale system, which operates without interruption during the material conveying process. This continuous measurement allows for real-time detection of material level changes, enabling timely prevention of vibrating screen damage while minimizing production delays compared to frequent manual measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the belt scale continuously measures material weight and provides real-time information about material level changes in the hot aggregate bin. This feedback allows the system to automatically adjust operations to prevent vibrating screen damage while maintaining continuous production, reducing the need for frequent interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the rotary paddle level gauge is used to measure material level, then the measurement can be performed, but the measurement can only provide an approximate range of the material level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial level measurement accuracyVSAvoidmaterial level detail information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the rotary paddle level gauge with a belt scale system that provides precise weight-based measurement of the material level. The belt scale measures the actual weight of material on the conveying belt, allowing for accurate calculation of material level rather than providing only approximate ranges, thereby reducing information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from the position-based approximation of the rotary paddle level gauge to a weight-based measurement using the belt scale. This parameter change enables precise quantification of the material level, providing detailed information about the actual amount of material present rather than only its approximate position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4707755A1Material level measurement method, material level measurement control device, and asphalt mixing plant

Publication Date: 2026.03.11 CHANGDE SANY MACHINERY CO LTD

Figure 1~2

AI summary

Disclosed are a material level measurement method, a material level measurement control device, and an asphalt mixing plant. The material level measurement method includes: determining, based on a respective feeding amounts of n cold feed bins (100), a consumption amount of a hot aggregate in a certain hot aggregate bin (200), and a measured value of a remaining amount of the hot aggregate in the certain hot aggregate bin (200) within a first preset time, a proportion of material input from the n cold feed bins (100) into the certain hot aggregate bin (200); and determining, based on a respective feeding amounts of the n cold feed bins (100), a consumption amount of the hot aggregate in the certain hot aggregate bin (200), and the proportion of the material within a second preset time, an actual value of the remaining amount of the hot aggregate in the certain hot aggregate bin (200). Thus, the material level of the hot aggregate bin 200 can be measured in real-time, and an accuracy and precision of the material level measurement of the hot aggregate bin 200 are greatly improved.