Vibrating Screen Stress Monitoring via 3D Motion Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vibrating screen units face challenges in accurately monitoring operational stress forces, leading to asynchronous plate movement, reduced operational life, and inefficient classification due to subjective and limited two-dimensional monitoring techniques, which are inaccessible and unreliable on larger units.

Innovation Solution

A stress monitoring system that simultaneously monitors both plates at designated points in real-time, including the z-axis, using multiple sensors connected to a processor for superimposed curve comparison and remote data access, providing objective and dynamic performance data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional two-dimensional monitoring techniques are used, then the monitoring system is simple to implement, but the measurement precision and reliability deteriorate on larger units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional monitoring to three-dimensional monitoring by adding z-axis sensors. This dimensional expansion enables accurate measurement of plate movement in all spatial directions, resolving the limitation of traditional methods that could only capture x-y plane motion and failed to detect asynchronous movement along the z-axis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces subjective manual throw card techniques with automated electronic sensors and digital processing systems. This substitution eliminates human error and subjectivity, providing objective, quantifiable data about plate movement and stress forces, thereby significantly improving measurement precision.

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

2Reliability

If throw cards are manually monitored, then the equipment complexity is low, but the reliability and objectivity of monitoring deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring reliabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual throw card monitoring with automated electronic sensors connected to processors. This substitution eliminates subjective human judgment and manual measurement errors, providing consistent, objective, and reliable data about plate movement and operational stress forces throughout the equipment's operation.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring system is designed to automatically collect, process, and analyze data without continuous human intervention. The sensors continuously monitor plate movement and the processor automatically compares movements between plates, enabling the system to self-diagnose asynchronous operation and reduce the need for manual inspection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If real-time simultaneous monitoring of both plates is implemented, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplate movement measurement accuracyVSAvoidsensor and processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the monitoring system into modular components: sensors positioned at specific locations on each plate, individual processing units for each monitoring point, and a central system for comparing data. This segmentation allows precise simultaneous monitoring of both plates while managing complexity through organized, distributed architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring system uses identical sensor and processing configurations for both plates, creating a universal monitoring approach. This multi-functionality allows the same system architecture to monitor multiple plates simultaneously, improving measurement precision while avoiding the complexity of designing separate monitoring systems for each plate.

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

4Measurement precision

If three-axis sensors are used to monitor z-axis movement, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvez-axis movement detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds z-axis sensing capability to the monitoring system, transitioning from two-dimensional to three-dimensional measurement. This dimensional expansion enables detection of plate movement and stress forces in the previously unmonitored z-direction, significantly improving measurement precision for detecting asynchronous operation and potential damage conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 system enables accurate, objective, and real-time monitoring of plate-to-plate performance variations, allowing for timely adjustments to maintain optimal operation and extend the life of vibrating screen units, even on larger units.

Implementation Method 1

at least one motion sensor (e.g., accelerometer) disposed at each monitoring point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP2162240B1Stress monitoring system for vibrator screen units
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 METSO OUTOTEC USA INC
  • EP2162240B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2162240B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2162240B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A stress monitoring system for use in a vibrating unit (10) having first and second opposed sidewall plates (12, 14) includes at least one motion sensor (42) disposed at least one corresponding monitoring point (44) on each of the first and second plates. The motion sensors (42) are connected to a processor (46) such that simultaneous monitoring data of the monitoring points is provided to the processor for comparing real-time movement of the corresponding monitoring points of the opposed plates.