Working Tool Vibration Monitoring for Mass Loss Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural plant cutting machines lack efficient and reliable methods to detect the condition of rotatable working tools, particularly for identifying potential wearing and loss of mass, which can affect their performance and operational safety.
Innovation Solution
An assembly and method that utilizes sensors to detect vibration patterns and loss of mass in working tools, using a controller to process sensor signals and output status or condition signals to an output device, allowing for the detection of tool wear and potential failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor signals are used to detect working tool condition, then tool wear detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical inspection systems with sensor-based detection. Accelerometers and other sensors detect vibrations and signals generated during tool operation, allowing automated detection of tool wear, imbalance, and failure conditions without mechanical contact or complex disassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The working tool itself serves as the signal source for detection. The tool's natural vibrations, vibrations from plant material interaction, and vibrations from imbalances or damage provide the detection signals, eliminating the need for external excitation devices or additional measurement infrastructure.
2Reliability
If vibration detection is used to identify tool wear, then detection reliability is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller continuously receives vibration signals from accelerometers, processes them in real-time, and provides feedback about tool condition. This allows dynamic adjustment of detection thresholds and continuous monitoring, improving reliability by comparing current vibrations against baseline patterns and detecting deviations that indicate wear or failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes mechanical vibration as the primary detection mechanism. Accelerometers mounted on the tool carrier or tool housing detect vibrations generated during cutting operations, including vibrations from tool-plant interactions, imbalances, and structural failures. The vibration characteristics change predictably as tools wear, providing reliable detection signals.
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 efficient and reliable monitoring of working tool condition, providing timely warnings and recommendations for tool replacement, thereby ensuring optimal performance and safety of agricultural plant cutting machines.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor operable for detecting sensor signals identifying loss of mass for the working tool
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure refers to an assembly for detecting a tool condition of a working tool of an agricultural plant cutting machine, and an agricultural plant cutting machine. The assembly is comprising: a working tool (2) configured for at least one of cutting plants and conditioning cut plant material, wherein the working tool (2) is rotatably received on a tool carrier element (3); a driving device (4) configured to rotate the working tool (2) in operation; a controller (6) operable for outputting signals to an output device (7); and a sensor operable for detecting sensor signals identifying loss of mass for the working tool (2) and outputting sensor signals representative thereof to the controller (6). The controller (6) is automatically operable for processing the sensor signals to identify the loss of mass for the working tool (2), and for outputting a status signal representative thereof to the output device (7).Further, a method for detecting a tool condition of a working tool (2) of an agricultural plant cutting machine is provided.