Optoelectronic Conveyor Measurement for Vibration-Resistant Volume Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor belt systems face measurement inaccuracies due to operational vibrations and the cumbersome process of integrating belt scales, which are necessary for accurately determining the quantity of materials transported, especially in industries like quarries and power generation.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device with a transmitting device and at least two receiving devices, configured to send and receive signals with a phase offset, allowing for the evaluation of the object's structure and volume along a linear area, which can be integrated with an object guidance device to provide accurate volume measurements without the need for physical scaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If belt scales are used to determine the quantity of transported objects, then measurement accuracy is improved, but operational vibrations occur that distort measurement results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical belt scale system with an optoelectronic measurement system that uses light transmitters and receivers to detect object properties. This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact and vibrations inherent in belt scales while maintaining measurement capability through optical detection of object edges and dimensions.
2Measurement precision
If belt scales are integrated directly during construction, then measurement capability is achieved, but retrofitting existing systems becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the mechanical conveyor structure and implements it as a separate optoelectronic sensor system. This allows the measurement capability to be added independently without modifying the existing conveyor belt infrastructure, making retrofitting straightforward by simply installing light transmitters and receivers alongside the conveyor.
3Measurement precision
If multiple receivers are used to detect object properties, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement task into distinct functional components: light transmitters for illumination, multiple light receivers for detecting different object properties, and evaluation units for processing specific measurements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture by assigning specific detection responsibilities to dedicated receivers.
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
The solution enables precise measurement of the volume and mass of objects transported, reducing the impact of vibrations and simplifying integration with existing conveyor systems, allowing for automated accounting and timely process control.
Implementation Method 1
The received signal may be the transmitted signal, which is essentially generated by reflections from the object and/or the object guidance device. In particular, the received signal may be generated by a reflection from the object's surface.
Data Source
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Figure 5a~5c
AI summary
The invention relates to a measuring device (500, 600, 530, 630) for detecting the characteristics of an object (110), said device comprising an object guiding apparatus (101) with a predefinable width, a first transmission device (502) and at least two receiving devices (505), as well as a control device (501, 601). The control device (501, 601) is set up to send a transmission signal (510, 551, 552, 553, 610, 605, 606) and to receive a receive signal (510, 551, 552, 553, 610, 605, 606). The control device (501, 601) is configured to use the receive signal (510, 551, 552, 553, 610, 605, 606) to analyse the structure of the object (110) along a linear section (130, 552', 552") within the width (B) of the object guiding apparatus (101).