Screen Fabric Vibration Monitoring for Reliable Defect Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing monitoring systems for screening machines face challenges in reliably detecting defects in screen fabrics, leading to operational interruptions, material losses, and production of defective products due to indirect measurement methods and statistical uncertainties.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes an excitation device to impose a broadband vibration spectrum on the screen fabric, a vibration sensor to record the response, and a signal processing device with an adaptive algorithm based on artificial intelligence, which characterizes the vibration response using error signatures to detect defects such as cracks, abrasion, or blockages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If indirect measurement methods are used to monitor screen fabric defects, then the system can operate without direct contact with the screen, but the detection reliability is reduced due to statistical uncertainties and incomplete analysis of the entire sieved amount

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-contact monitoringVSAvoiddefect detection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces indirect acoustic/electronic monitoring methods with direct mechanical contact measurement. The measuring element is brought into direct contact with the screen fabric surface, allowing mechanical detection of defects through tactile sensing rather than indirect acoustic or electronic signals, thereby eliminating statistical uncertainties associated with sampling only portions of the sieved material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a measuring element as an intermediary that directly contacts the screen fabric. This intermediary serves as a mediator between the monitoring system and the screen, enabling reliable defect detection through direct mechanical interaction while maintaining system operability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If direct measurement methods are used to monitor screen fabric integrity, then detection reliability is improved, but the system complexity increases due to the need for direct contact measurement mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect detection reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from indirect acoustic/electronic signals to direct mechanical contact parameters. By measuring physical contact forces, displacement, or vibration characteristics of the measuring element against the screen fabric, the system achieves reliable defect detection while maintaining relatively simple device architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring element is designed to automatically contact and scan the screen fabric surface during normal operation. The system utilizes the existing motion and operational characteristics of the screening machine to bring the measuring element into contact with the screen, eliminating the need for complex additional actuation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the entire sieved amount is analyzed for defect detection, then detection completeness is improved, but the analysis effort and time required become too great for practical operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection completenessVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs mechanical vibration of the measuring element during contact with the screen fabric. By vibrating the measuring element at specific frequencies, the system can rapidly scan large areas of the screen surface and detect defects through changes in vibration characteristics, achieving comprehensive coverage without excessive analysis time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring element performs periodic contact and scanning motions across the screen fabric surface. This periodic action allows the system to systematically cover the entire screen area in a time-efficient manner, detecting defects through repeated measurements while maintaining practical operational speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic 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

This approach enables direct and reliable detection of screen fabric defects, allowing for predictive maintenance, reducing maintenance costs, and minimizing the production of defective materials by accurately identifying changes in the screen mesh before significant damage occurs.

Implementation Method 1

an excitation device (210) which is designed to impose a vibration on the screen mesh (200) of the screening machine (280)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a vibration pickup (220, 240) for recording a vibration response (250) of the screen mesh (200) of the screening machine (280)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3659718B1Method and system for monitoring a filtering machine
Publication Date: 2021.06.16 ALLGAIER WERKE GMBH
  • EP3659718B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A system for monitoring a screening machine (200, 280, 300) is provided, comprising a vibration sensor (220) configured to record a vibration response (250, 280) of a screen fabric (200) of the screening machine (200, 280, 300); and a signal processing device (300, 400) for digitally processing and evaluating the vibration response (250, 280). The signal processing device (300, 400) includes a machine learning algorithm based on artificial intelligence methods, which relates to vibration responses of one or more reference screen fabrics and is designed to characterize the vibration response (250, 280) recorded by the vibration sensor (220). Furthermore, a method for monitoring a screening machine (200, 280, 300) is presented.