Motor Current Monitoring for Precise Compaction Progress Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing concrete and soil compaction systems lack precise monitoring of the compaction process, relying on imprecise duty cycle measurements that fail to distinguish between different working states, leading to uncertain compaction quality without additional hardware.

Innovation Solution

A compaction system that includes a measuring device to record electrical current drawn by the motor and an evaluation device, possibly external, to determine compaction progress by analyzing current profiles and gradients, utilizing existing hardware and AI for precise assessment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If duty cycle measurement is used to assess compaction quality, then compaction assessment can be performed, but the measurement precision is insufficient and cannot distinguish different working states

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompaction quality assessment accuracyVSAvoidadditional measuring systems
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the existing motor's current consumption data, which is already available for operational monitoring, to determine compaction quality. The motor essentially monitors itself by providing the measurement data needed for compaction assessment without requiring separate sensing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention shifts from measuring mechanical operational parameters (duty cycle, time, location) to measuring electrical parameters (current consumption, power). This parameter change enables more precise differentiation of working states since electrical current varies characteristically with compaction resistance and operational mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If additional measuring systems are installed to improve compaction monitoring, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompaction progress monitoring accuracyVSAvoidhardware components
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The existing motor serves multiple functions: it provides the compaction force through the imbalance exciter and simultaneously serves as the measurement sensor by providing current consumption data. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated measuring systems while maintaining measurement precision.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical current acts as an intermediary parameter that connects the motor's operational state to the compaction quality. By measuring this intermediary parameter, the system indirectly but accurately determines compaction progress without direct mechanical sensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If duty cycle-based assessment is used, then some compaction information can be obtained, but reliability is insufficient due to inability to differentiate operating modes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompaction quality determination reliabilityVSAvoidoperating state differentiation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from temporal parameters (duty cycle, duration) to electrical parameters (current magnitude, power consumption). These electrical parameters provide richer information content that naturally differentiates between idle, compaction, and removal modes, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors current consumption and uses this feedback to determine both the operational mode and compaction quality. This real-time feedback mechanism enables reliable differentiation of working states and dynamic adjustment of compaction assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 recognition of working states and compaction progress without additional hardware, improving the accuracy of compaction quality assessment and efficiency in concrete and soil compaction processes.

Implementation Method 1

a measuring device for measuring a current drawn by the electric motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical current measurement: Ohmmeter

Implementation Method 2

a compression device with an electric motor for generating a compression movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

the compaction device can include an unbalance exciter, e.g., with one or more unbalanced shafts that are set in rotation by the electric motor. This creates strong vibration forces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4311897A1Compaction system with determination of the rate of advance of compaction
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 WACKER NEUSON PRODUKTION GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4311897A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4311897A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4311897A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A compression system for compressing a medium is specified, comprising a compression device (1) with an electric motor (5) for generating a compression movement, a power supply device (2) for providing electrical energy to the electric motor (5), a measuring device (13) for measuring a current drawn from the electric motor (5), and an evaluation device (16) for evaluating the current drawn by the measuring device (13) and thereby determining a compression progress in the medium to be compressed, wherein the evaluation device (16) is at least partially arranged in an external device (15), spatially separated from the power supply device (2) and/or the compression device (1).