Waste Hopper Height Prediction Using Pattern Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for predicting waste height changes in waste hoppers of waste incineration plants are inaccurate due to complex incineration time variations based on waste characteristics, leading to potential waste shortages.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device that uses a camera and waste height measuring band to capture and analyze waste height patterns, generating predicted pattern information to accurately determine when waste levels will reach critical thresholds, thereby optimizing waste introduction schedules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If linear approximation method is used to calculate waste introduction time, then calculation simplicity is improved, but prediction accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation simplicityVSAvoidprediction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter representation from simple linear time calculation to pattern-based time series prediction. By storing and comparing historical waste height change patterns, the system transforms the calculation approach from direct linear approximation to pattern-matching prediction, thereby improving accuracy while maintaining computational feasibility through pre-processed pattern data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If more waste is introduced into the waste hopper to prevent waste shortage, then waste supply reliability is improved, but resource waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaste supply reliabilityVSAvoidresource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring actual waste height changes and comparing them with predicted patterns. The system uses this feedback to refine future predictions and adjust waste introduction timing, thereby achieving reliable waste supply without excessive waste introduction. The feedback loop enables progressive improvement of prediction accuracy based on accumulated operational data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3754256B1Information processing device and information processing program
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 HITACHI ZOSEN CORP
  • EP3754256B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3754256B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3754256B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The present invention highly accurately predicts a time until next introduction of waste into a waste hopper. The information processing device (1) includes: a measured value obtaining section (11) configured to obtain a measured value of a waste height at predetermined time intervals; and a predicted pattern information generating section (12) configured to generate predicted pattern information which indicates over-time changes in the waste height until next introduction of waste into the waste hopper, the predicted pattern information generating section (12) generating the predicted pattern information on the basis of (i) a measured value obtained during a period from introduction of waste into the waste hopper to the next introduction of the waste and (ii) a past pattern of over-time changes in the waste height in the waste hopper.