DE102020132489A1 - Building material continuous mixing device, method for providing a processing-moist building material mixture by means of a building material continuous mixing device and device, in particular with a control unit or storage unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention on which it is based relates in particular to a building material continuous mixing device (1) with a continuous mixer unit (2) for providing a processing-moist building material mixture, such as mortar or plaster mortar, by mixing a dry building material mixture (20) with liquid (18). The building material continuous mixing device has an operating mode for automatically changing at least one mixing parameter (RPM) influencing the moisture consistency (F) of the building material mixture on the basis of a detected operating parameter (RPM) of the building material continuous mixing device (1) that is indicative of the moisture consistency (F) or one of them derived parameters.

Description

The invention relates in particular to a building material continuous mixing device, a method for providing a processing-moist building material mixture by means of a building material continuous mixing device and a device, in particular with a control unit or a storage unit.

A building material continuous mixing device with a mixer unit operated in continuous flow to provide a processing-moist building material mixture from a dry building material mixture and water is, for example, from DE 20 2004 020 257 U 1 known. The known building material continuous mixing device has a mixing chamber, which is horizontally aligned during operation, with a dosing zone upstream of the mixing chamber for feeding the dry building material mixture into the mixing chamber. In the mixing operation for the production of the processing-moist building material mixture, water is continuously fed to the mixing chamber and the dry building material mixture is fed via the dosing zone. By means of mixer arms in the mixing chamber, the dry building material mixture is mixed with the water as it passes through the mixing chamber to form the processing-moist building material mixture. The processing-moist building material mixture is discharged at the end of the mixing chamber facing away from the dosing zone. The dry-to-wet quantity ratio, i.e. the moisture consistency, of the building material mixture results from the quantity of dry building material mixture that is added via the dosing zone and from the quantity of water added. Undesirable fluctuations in the moisture consistency can occur during operation of the known building material continuous mixing device, for example if, as is customary, the dry building material mixture is provided in a silo and fed from the silo to the dosing zone. In particular, such fluctuations in the moisture consistency can occur when the outflow behavior of the dry building material mixture from the silo is subject to fluctuations, for example caused by bridging in the silo or due to longer standing times in the silo.

The object of the underlying invention is to provide a new or alternative continuous mixing device for building materials. In particular, a building material continuous mixing device is to be provided with which the disadvantage mentioned, in particular fluctuations in the moisture consistency, can be at least partially avoided or at least reduced and/or with which fluctuations in the moisture consistency can be determined automatically. Furthermore, a method for providing a processing-moist building material mixture by means of a building material continuous mixing device is to be provided. In addition, a device is to be provided, in particular with a control unit or a memory unit, which is set up to carry out the method.

This object is achieved in terms of device by the building material continuous mixing device and the device according to claims 1 and 22, and in terms of method by the method according to claim 14. Configurations for solving the problem result from the dependent claims and from the following description of configurations and exemplary embodiments of the invention .

The features and feature combinations described herein according to the underlying invention are not limited by the feature combination(s) selected in the claims and the selected dependencies. Each feature of one claim category can also be claimed in another claim category. Furthermore, each feature in the patent claims can also be claimed independently of the respective dependent reference according to the claim, for example in any combination with one or more other feature(s) of the claims or the following description. Furthermore, each feature disclosed in the following description and/or attached drawings and/or described or disclosed in connection with the drawings may stand alone, independently or detached from the context in which it stands, alone or in any combination with one or more other features that are described or disclosed in the claims, the description and/or the drawings, in particular to the extent that the respective feature makes at least a contribution to the solution of the stated object .

In an embodiment according to the invention according to the features of claim 1, a building material continuous mixing device is provided with a mixer unit operated in continuous flow for providing a processing-moist building material mixture, such as mortar or plaster mortar, by mixing a dry building material mixture with liquid, for example water. The building material mixture can be based, for example, on mortar or concrete, and can include, for example, light plaster, lime plaster, cement plaster, thermal plaster and/or mortar mixtures and the like. Such building material mixtures, or the underlying dry building material mixture, usually contain a binder and harden permanently by the added liquid initiating a chemical setting process (hardening). For the purposes of this application, building material mixtures are particularly suitable, after an im processing-moist, in particular free-flowing, state permanently harden processing, and are produced or can be produced in a continuous mixing process.

The building material continuous mixing device can be set up, for example, to produce the building material mixture in continuous flow through the mixer unit, e.g. a mixing chamber or a mixing zone. The mixture of dry building material and the liquid can be fed continuously to the mixer unit and mixed, so that the building material mixture can be made available continuously. In this respect, the building material mixture differs fundamentally from a compulsory mixer, in which cement, aggregates and water, for example, are added to a mixing drum and produced in batches.

The moisture consistency of the building material mixture is given in particular by the dry-to-wet quantity ratio of the building material mixture. The moisture consistency or the dry-to-wet quantity ratio can, for example, be described or expressed by the viscosity of the building material mixture. For example, a higher dry-to-wet ratio means higher viscosity. With increasing viscosity, the building material mixture becomes less flowable. On the other hand, a lower dry-to-wet quantity ratio means, for example, a lower viscosity. As the viscosity decreases, the building material mixture becomes more flowable. In this respect, the operating parameter indicative of the moisture consistency of the building material mixture can also be referred to as an operating parameter indicative of the viscosity of the building material mixture, or as an operating parameter dependent on the viscosity of the building material mixture.

The term processing-moist is to be understood in particular as meaning that the building material mixture is present in a moisture state suitable for the respective processing purpose or processing application and has a correspondingly suitable dry-to-wet quantity ratio. As a processing application, for example, application to bricks as a layer of plaster or application to bricks to connect them comes into consideration.

In one embodiment, the building material continuous mixing device is set up to automatically change (or: adapt or set) at least one of the moisture consistency (or: the viscosity) of the building material mixture, at least in one operating mode, for example in an operating mode that can be optionally activated, e.g. by a user influencing mixing parameters or to automatically change (or: adjust or set) at least one mixing parameter influencing the moisture consistency of the building material mixture.

The building material continuous mixing device is set up to bring about (or bring about) the automatic change in the mixing parameter on the basis of a recorded operating parameter of the building material continuous mixing device indicative of the moisture consistency or a parameter derived therefrom.

A mixing parameter influencing the moisture consistency of the building material mixture is, as the term itself suggests, a mixing parameter that has an influence on the dry-to-wet quantity ratio during mixing operation of the building material continuous mixing device for preparing (or: producing) the processing-moist building material mixture. Exemplary mixing parameters are mentioned below. For example, an increase in the dry quantity, e.g. by changing the mixing parameter relating to the quantity of dry building material mixture fed to the mixing chamber, leads to a higher viscosity, while a decrease in the dry quantity correspondingly leads to a lower viscosity, assuming a constant supply of liquid. The same applies to the mixing parameter regarding the supply of liquid, i.e. the wet quantity. An increase in the wet quantity, e.g. by changing the mixing parameter relating to the quantity of liquid supplied to the mixing chamber, causes a reduction in viscosity, assuming a constant supply of dry quantity. On the other hand, reducing the amount of wet causes an increase in viscosity.

An operating parameter that is indicative of the moisture consistency is, as the term itself suggests, an operating parameter of the building material continuous-flow mixing device which, during mixing operation, directly or indirectly, in particular causally, assumes a value that depends on a specific moisture consistency, or changes directly or indirectly , especially causally, changes with the moisture consistency. An example of such an operating parameter is the torque, for example, of a drive unit, for example an electric motor, used to drive the mixer unit, in particular a mixing rotor or a mixing shaft. For example, assuming otherwise the same operating conditions, an increasing or higher torque is indicative of an increasing or higher viscosity, i.e. a moisture consistency with an increasing or higher dry-to-wet quantity ratio, since the building material mixture is less flowable with higher viscosity and correspondingly higher mixing power , i.e. requires a higher mixing torque. On the other hand, how Assuming otherwise the same operating conditions, a decreasing or low torque is indicative of a decreasing or low viscosity, i.e. a moisture consistency with a decreasing or lower dry quantity, since the building material mixture is more flowable with a lower viscosity and accordingly requires a lower mixing force, i.e. a lower mixing torque.

In an embodiment according to the invention of a building material continuous mixing device according to the features of claim 2, with a mixer unit operated in continuous flow to provide a processing-moist building material mixture, such as mortar or plaster mortar, by mixing a dry building material mixture with liquid, an operating mode is provided in which at least one for the moisture consistency of the building material mixture indicative operating parameters of the building material continuous mixing device are essentially continuously recorded, and the recorded operating parameter or a parameter derived therefrom is provided for changing a mixing parameter influencing the moisture consistency of the building material mixture and/or for display on a display unit of a user interface and/or for storage in a memory such as a log file.

For example, the operating parameter or the parameter derived from it can be made available to a setting unit for a mixing parameter that influences the moisture consistency. The control unit can then change one (or more) mixing parameters, for example, and through this change influence the viscosity, i.e. the flowability of the building material mixture, and consequently the moisture consistency, in particular change it in a targeted or directed manner.

By providing the operating parameter or the parameter derived therefrom for display on a display unit of a user interface, the display unit can then display this, for example, for example as visual or auditory information directed at an operator. Based on this information, the user can, for example, change a mixing parameter if the displayed operating parameter or derived parameter is indicative of an unsuitable or unfavorable moisture consistency, in particular viscosity.

With the provision of the operating parameter or the parameter derived from it for storage in a log file, it can be stored, for example, in a memory of the building material continuous mixing device or in a memory assigned to the building material continuous mixing device. The log file can be used, for example, for quality control purposes, to determine drying or hardening times for the building material mixture and/or to determine the operating state of the building material continuous mixing device for maintenance purposes.

The memory can be part of a memory unit of the building material continuous mixing device, for example. It is also possible that the memory is part of a memory unit that is connected or can be connected to the continuous building material mixing device via a wired or wireless data communication connection. The storage unit can be installed at a location that is different, in particular remote, from the operating site of the continuous building material mixing device, for example in the form of a cloud storage unit. This is advantageous, for example, as part of predictive maintenance, in particular predictive remote maintenance, and/or as part of (remote) coordination of deployment planning for the building material continuous mixing device and/or work steps that may be required after the building material mixture has hardened are.

In configurations, the operating parameter or the parameter derived from it can be stored together with other data, in particular processing data, for example the batch number of the dry building material mixture, the processing location, the processing temperature, etc. The other data can be entered manually and/or automatically by a user, for example are recorded. For example, the processing location can be determined by manual input at a user interface or automatically by a position detection system, e.g. based on GPS or GNSS. Furthermore, it is possible to determine the batch number, for example of the dry building material mixture provided in a silo, by manual input or manual recording, for example by means of a scanner for scanning a batch code. It is also possible for the further data to be assigned to the operating parameter or the parameter derived therefrom in some other way, in particular automatically, for example by an external computer instance set up, for example, to coordinate the use and work of the building material continuous mixing device.

Analogously to the operating parameter, the derived parameter can have a parameter value, for example, which indicates or specifies the moisture consistency and/or the viscosity of the building material mixture, or is characteristic of it. For example, the parameter value can specify or describe the dry-to-wet quantity ratio or the viscosity of the building material mixture. The derived parameter can, for example, empirically from test runs of the building material continuous mixing device and/or from Calibration runs of the building material continuous mixing device and / or are determined by calculation based on the properties of the dry building material mixture.

Such test runs and/or calibration runs of the building material continuous mixing device and/or a calculation are possible in particular if the dry building material mixture to be processed, even in different batches, has essentially the same, in particular defined or guaranteed, properties, in particular mixing properties, and/or an im Has a substantially constant, in particular defined or guaranteed composition. The derived parameter can also take into account the ambient temperature and/or the temperature of the liquid, in particular to the extent that the viscosity of the building material mixture can be influenced by these temperatures. Any calculation bases can be determined e.g.

If the building material continuous mixing device is set up to process dry building material mixtures of different types, for example with different compositions, different mixing behavior and/or different hardening behavior, the derived parameter can be determined or set specifically for the processed type. Correspondingly, any desired values, which are described in more detail below, can be provided specifically for the type, for example in the form of a recipe database.

The configurations of the continuous-flow building material mixing device proposed according to the invention are, based on the above statements, suitable for recognizing, determining, recording and logging the moisture consistency or a variable representing the moisture consistency during operation and/or for operating the continuous-flow building material mixing device use or provide. In particular, it is possible to recognize or determine fluctuations in the moisture consistency and to use the information obtained in this way, for example, as part of a preferably continuous adjustment or monitoring of the moisture consistency. For example, the building material continuous mixing device can be operated in such a way that the building material mixture can be provided or produced with a substantially constant moisture consistency. Among other things, there are also advantages in the quality assurance that is possible as a result in the context of the production and/or processing of the building material mixture. Furthermore, under certain circumstances, information on device wear and/or maintenance can be determined from the operating parameters. The latter can be used, for example, as part of fleet management and/or predictive maintenance.

According to configurations, the at least one operating parameter can include at least one variable selected from the following group: speed, torque, power consumption, power factor, current consumption of the mixer unit, in particular of a drive unit assigned to the mixer unit. The operating parameter(s) can, for example, be recorded (or: measured) actual values, such as the actual speed, the actual torque, etc. The operating parameter derived therefrom can correspondingly be a respective actual parameter. For example, the moisture consistency or viscosity of the building material mixture just mixed in the mixer unit can be determined or calculated from the respectively determined or measured torque and used as the derived parameter. However, the operating parameter can also be used directly. The derived parameter, for example a value describing the moisture consistency and/or the viscosity, can be determined, for example, on the basis of an empirically or rheologically determined calculation formula and/or on the basis of a table of values, e.g. based on empirical values or operating data, by comparison.

The use of operating parameters to characterize the moisture consistency offers the particular advantage that it is not absolutely necessary to install measuring sensors in the mixing chamber. The measuring sensors for measuring or determining the operating parameter can advantageously be arranged outside of the mixing chamber, for example on or in a drive train of the building material continuous mixing device. As a result, for example, simpler assembly, simpler electrical and data technology connection and/or maintenance of the measuring sensors can be achieved. Furthermore, the measuring sensors can be installed in a protected area compared to an arrangement in the mixing chamber and the harsh environmental influences prevailing therein.

According to configurations, the at least one mixing parameter can include at least one variable selected from the following group: amount of dry building material mixture fed to the mixer unit, in particular to a mixing chamber of the mixer unit, amount of liquid fed to the mixer unit, in particular to a mixing chamber of the mixer unit. For example, is the operating parameter or one derived from it Parameters indicative of too low a viscosity, the amount of dry building material mixture supplied can be increased in order to counteract a falling viscosity, and vice versa if the viscosity is too high. At the same time or alternatively, it is possible to reduce the quantity of liquid supplied in the case of an operating parameter or derived parameter indicative of too low a viscosity in order to counteract the reduced viscosity, correspondingly vice versa if the viscosity is too high. The quantity of dry building material mixture can be changed, for example, by increasing or reducing the conveying speed of a conveying unit for the dry building material mixture, for example a dosing unit. A change in the quantity of dry building material mixture can also be achieved in that a slider present in the conveyor line for the dry building material mixture is adjusted, for example further closed or opened. The same applies to the supply of the liquid, in which case, for example, a valve present in the supply line can be adjusted, for example further closed or opened. A pump can also be present to supply the liquid. Depending on the selected mixing parameter, the building material continuous mixing device can comprise controllable control units, for example for a delivery unit, a slide, a valve, a pump, etc., and the building material continuous mixing device can be set up for these control units and thus the respectively assigned mixing parameters as a function to set or adjust the operating parameter or the derived parameter, for example to counteract a respectively determined or detected change in the operating parameter or the derived parameter.

In configurations, the building material continuous mixing device can be set up to couple the operating parameter or the derived parameter to the mixing parameter in terms of open-loop or closed-loop control. For example, the coupling can provide that if the operating parameter or the derived parameter changes, for example if the operating parameter or the derived parameter deviates from a target value or a target value interval, the at least one mixing parameter, e.g. by setting the assigned control unit, is changed in this way or it is set that the change or the deviation can be counteracted.

It is therefore possible to achieve a moisture consistency that remains essentially the same or constant or is within a predetermined range during continuous mixing operation of the building material continuous mixing device. However, it is at least possible to at least largely reduce, suppress or minimize undesired fluctuations in the moisture consistency, for example in such a way that the moisture consistency is within a specified or specifiable desired value or tolerance range.

According to configurations, the building material continuous mixing device can furthermore comprise a conveyor unit for charging the mixer unit, in particular the mixing chamber of the mixer unit, with the mixture of dry building material. The building material continuous mixing device can be set up to automatically change the quantity of the dry building material mixture fed to the mixer unit, in particular the mixing chamber, by changing the conveying speed of the conveying unit on the basis of the operating parameter. This has already been described above as an example. The conveying unit can comprise, for example, one or more screw conveyors, conveyor belts, etc.

According to configurations, the building material continuous mixing device can comprise a liquid supply unit which is designed to supply the liquid to the mixer unit, in particular to the mixing chamber of the mixer unit. The liquid supply unit can, for example, comprise a feed line with which the liquid can be supplied from a tank to the mixing chamber. The liquid can be supplied based on gravity and/or based on a pump. If the amount of liquid supplied is used as a mixing parameter, a controllable valve, such as a control valve, can be used in the case of gravity-based supply. In the case of pump-based supply, a controllable pump can be used, with which the mixing parameter relating to the quantity of liquid supplied can be changed or adjusted, for example by changing the pump output or pump speed. In the case of a gravity-based supply of the liquid, for example from a storage tank, fluctuations in the liquid supply can be at least largely or even completely avoided in comparison to the supply from a supply network, for example a water supply network. Fluctuations in a supply network can occur, for example, if several consumers with variable or discontinuous liquid withdrawal are connected to it. In this sense, the storage tank can be used as a kind of buffer storage for the liquid. Even if such a buffer store is fed from a supply network, said fluctuations can be at least largely or even completely avoided by the buffer effect. Consequently, essentially uncontrollable fluctuations, which are subject to a supply network, can act as potential disturbance variables in the liquid supply be excluded, so that corrective measures can be dispensed with. By reducing or avoiding said fluctuations, an essentially constant, for example defined, supply of the quantity of liquid can be achieved, so that it is possible to set, regulate or control the moisture consistency solely via the mixing parameters relating to the quantity of dry building material mixture supplied.

If the liquid is supplied from a supply network or feed network that is subject to fluctuations in the amount of liquid supplied, said fluctuations can be corrected, for example, by suitable measures. For example, the building material continuous mixing device can have a flow meter with which the amount of liquid supplied can be determined. Based on the measurement data from the flow meter, the supply of dry building material mixture can then be adjusted, for example in such a way that the moisture consistency desired in each case is achieved. If the liquid supply is too low or too high, the supply of dry building material mixture can be throttled or increased accordingly.

According to configurations, the continuous-flow mixing device for building material is set up to automatically change the quantity of liquid fed to the mixer unit, in particular the mixing chamber, on the basis of the operating parameter. Exemplary configurations using a controllable valve or a controllable pump have already been mentioned above.

According to configurations, an electronic arithmetic unit assigned to the building material continuous mixing device can be set up to determine an actuating signal from the operating parameter or the derived parameter. Furthermore, the building material continuous mixing device can comprise a control unit, in particular an electronic control unit, for changing the mixing parameter on the basis of the control signal. The control unit can be set up, for example, to change, in particular to adjust, the conveying speed of a conveying unit for feeding the mixer unit with dry building material mixture. Furthermore, the control unit can be set up to change, in particular to adjust, the supply of liquid to the mixer unit via a valve or a pump, for example.

According to configurations, the building material continuous mixing device can furthermore comprise a measuring unit for detecting the operating parameter. For example, a torque sensor can be present in the drive train of the mixer unit to detect the torque as an operating parameter. Corresponding sensors can be present to record other operating parameters, such as a current or power sensor and/or speed sensor on an (electric) drive of the drive train.

Said computer unit can, at least in part, be part of the building material continuous mixing device, or, at least partially, be designed as a remote computer unit that can be connected or is connected to the building material continuous mixing device via a data communication link. The operating parameter measured by the measuring unit or the derived parameter, if this is determined by the measuring unit, can be transmitted to the computer unit, which determines the mixing parameter and/or the control signal from it and transmits it to the control unit for implementation or controls the control unit accordingly. In the case of a remote computer unit, the building material continuous mixing device or the measuring unit can, for example, transmit the measured operating parameter or the derived parameter via the data communication connection to the remote computer unit, which can then, for example, determine the control signal and transmit it to the building material continuous mixing device for implementation. It is also possible for the actuating unit to be controlled or regulated by the remote computer unit.

According to configurations, the building material continuous mixing device, in particular the electronic control unit, can be set up to set the moisture consistency of the building material mixture to a predefined or specifiable desired value or a predefined or specifiable desired value interval. The moisture consistency can be set, for example, by the computer unit, in which case, as already indicated, the computer unit can be designed as the central unit of the building material continuous mixing device. It is also possible for the computer unit to include a number of distributed units, including remote units.

According to configurations, the building material continuous mixing device can be set up to use the operating parameter or the parameter derived therefrom as a regulation or control variable, the target value or the target value interval as a command variable, and the mixing parameter as a manipulated variable or control variable. For example, a correspondingly designed computer unit can be set up to regulate or control the moisture consistency on the basis of the operating parameter or the derived parameter. The moisture consistency can be changed, in particular regulated or controlled, for example by setting or changing one or more mixing parameters, for example based on control values from the operating parameter or the derived parameter can be determined.

A setpoint operating parameter characteristic of a predetermined or predeterminable moisture consistency of the building material mixture or a characteristic setpoint operating parameter interval for the detected operating parameter or the derived parameter can be used as the setpoint or as the setpoint interval. For example, a desired moisture consistency, e.g. viscosity, can be assigned a characteristic target torque or torque interval, etc., and the building material continuous mixing device or an assigned computer unit can be set up to adapt the mixing parameters in such a way that deviations from the respectively determined operating parameters or The parameters derived from the target value or target value interval can be reduced or minimized.

Determined, e.g. measured, individual values of the operating parameter or the derived parameter can be used for a comparison with the setpoint or setpoint interval. However, it is also possible to use an average value of a number of individual values determined in succession for the comparison. By averaging, and for example also by using setpoint intervals or tolerances, for example, the regulation, control or adjustment effort for changing the mixing parameter can be reduced.

According to configurations, the building material continuous mixing device is set up to set or set the reference variable and/or the manipulated variable or control variable as a function of the ambient and/or liquid temperature. The building material continuous mixing device can also be set up to determine or measure the ambient temperature and/or the liquid temperature, for example using appropriate temperature sensors. By taking the temperature into account, for example, temperature fluctuations that occur during processing, e.g. daily temperature fluctuations, can be included.

According to embodiments, the target value or the target value interval can be stored in a database or a memory, preferably in the form of a table of values, e.g. also as a function of the temperature. The stored or filed values can be target values or target value intervals that are specific to the dry building material mixture and/or the application of the building material mixture. By providing a value table or setpoint table, it is possible to adjust the building material continuous mixing device to different building material mixtures and application or operating conditions in a comparatively simple manner.

According to configurations, the building material continuous mixing device can be set up to read the target value and/or the target value interval from the database or the memory and to use it to adjust the moisture consistency, for example by using the target value or the target value interval read out by a computer unit for regulating or controlling the Operation of the building material continuous mixing device, in particular the mixing parameter, is used.

According to configurations, the building material continuous mixing device can include a user interface with a setting control element, in particular a setting button, and be set up to set a respectively determined actual value of the operating parameter as the setpoint when the setting control element is actuated. A predefined or definable tolerance range can be assigned to the setpoint value that is set. With this refinement, it is possible, for example, to set the setpoint and/or the setpoint interval manually. The building material continuous mixing device can, for example, be set up in such a way that a correspondingly set setpoint and/or setpoint interval is or is stored in the database or memory, preferably together with additional information on the type of dry building material mixture, the batch, the temperature, the Processing location, etc. In this respect, the database or memory can provide a type of recipe or processing database, which can be designed to be expandable by adding further setpoint data, and from the recipes, e.g. setpoint data and other information, for example for setting the building material continuous mixing device and/or can be called up as part of a quality assurance or test.

According to configurations, the building material continuous mixing device can be set up to process the operating parameter or the derived parameter and/or the respective associated mixing parameter, optionally together with further data or information, e.g. the respective ambient temperature, in particular processing temperature, and/or the temperature of the liquid. the place of processing, date, time, etc., in a log file. To reduce the amount of data to be stored, it is possible, for example, to only store corresponding data if there is a deviation, for example a continuous and/or significant deviation, for example deviations existing over a longer period of time, of the operating parameter indicative of the moisture consistency or a parameter derived therefrom from the setpoint or setpoint interval determined or be determined. The stored data can be used, for example, as part of quality assurance. The stored data can also be read out and analyzed as part of predictive maintenance and/or to determine operating information such as malfunctions, wear and tear on mixer arms, dosing elements, etc.

According to embodiments, the building material continuous mixing device is set up to stop the mixing operation of the building material continuous mixing device, in particular to stop it in a manner that can be acknowledged, if a, e.g. continuous and/or significant, deviation of the operating parameter indicative of the moisture consistency or a parameter derived therefrom from the setpoint or setpoint interval is detected or is determined. For this purpose, the time profile of the operating parameter or the parameter derived therefrom, in particular the time profile of the deviation from the target value or target value interval, can be recorded. To determine significant deviations, for example, a tolerance limit value can be or can be stored in addition to the setpoint or setpoint interval. If the tolerance limit value is exceeded, in particular if it is continuously exceeded, a significant deviation, in particular a continuous one, can be determined accordingly. With the mode of operation described, it can be avoided, for example, that in terms of moisture consistency, unsuitable or unsuitable building material mixtures are processed.

In configurations, the building material continuous mixing device can be set up to output an error message or warning message, preferably one that can be acknowledged, on a user interface if there is a, in particular continuous and/or significant, deviation of the operating parameter indicative of the moisture consistency or a parameter derived therefrom from the setpoint or setpoint interval is detected. In this mode of operation, the user can be alerted to corresponding deviations, for example visually or acoustically.

The stopping of the building material continuous mixing device or the output of the error message, e.g. in the case of continuous and/or significant deviations, can be linked, for example, to a notice to check that the building material continuous mixing device, e.g. the mixer unit, etc. is working properly. Persistent deviations can be caused, for example, by wear and tear or malfunctions in the area of feeding the mixing chamber with dry building material mixture and/or liquid supply. Examples include wear on a dosing shaft for feeding the dry building material mixture to the mixing chamber, missing or insufficient discharge when removing the dry building material mixture from a silo, partial or full closure of the liquid supply, etc..

According to configurations, the building material continuous mixing device or a computer unit that is data-technically connected to the building material continuous mixing device can be set up to record the operating parameter, the derived parameter and/or the mixing parameter, and/or a time profile of the operating parameter, the derived parameter or mixing parameter or to determine, and based on the operating parameter, the derived parameter and/or the mixing parameter and/or the respective course over time, to determine an operating state, in particular an operating moment, of the building material continuous mixing device as part of predictive maintenance, to provide this for determining the operating state, or in a log file. In this respect, the operating parameters determined in any case for setting the moisture consistency or derived parameters can also be used for maintenance purposes.

According to configurations, the building material continuous mixing device or computer unit can be set up to display a maintenance and/or wear indicator for at least one operating component of the building material on a user interface, e.g. Continuous mixing device, in particular the mixer unit, a drive unit, a conveyor unit for supplying the dry building material mixture and/or for supplying or adding the liquid. Corresponding maintenance or wear information can also be transmitted to a remote computer, for example for the purpose of requesting spare parts or maintenance measures.

According to one embodiment, the mixer unit comprises a continuous mixing chamber with a mixing zone, a loading zone for loading the mixing area with dry building material mixture and a discharge zone for discharging processing-moist building material mixture from the mixing zone. The continuous mixing chamber, in particular the mixing zone, the charging zone and/or the discharge zone, can have, for example, a hollow-cylindrical shape at least in part. The flow-through mixing chamber can be set up as a horizontal mixing chamber, in which the building material mixture or the dry building material mixture runs through the mixing chamber, for example essentially parallel to the machine standing surface or mounting surface. However, it is also possible that the Passing through at an angle to the machine base or assembly area.

• - eine Zufuhreinheit oder Einspeiseeinheit zum Zuführen oder Einspeisen der Flüssigkeit, insbesondere Wasser, in die Mischzone;
• - eine Messeinheit zur Erfassung des für die Feuchtekonsistenz indikativen Betriebsparameters, und
• - eine Datenverarbeitungseinheit, beispielsweise eine mit der Baustoff-Durchlaufmischvorrichtung datentechnisch verbundene oder verbindbare Rechnereinheit, zur Ermittlung und zur Einstellung des Mischparameters auf Grundlage des Betriebsparameters oder des davon abgeleiteten Parameters, beispielsweise im Rahmen einer Regelung oder Steuerung.

In configurations, the building material continuous mixing device can also include:

• - a supply unit or feeding unit for feeding the liquid, in particular water, into the mixing zone;
• - a measuring unit for acquiring the operating parameter indicative of the moisture consistency, and
• a data processing unit, for example a computer unit which is or can be connected to the building material continuous mixing device in terms of data technology, for determining and setting the mixing parameter on the basis of the operating parameter or the parameter derived therefrom, for example as part of a regulation or control system.

According to configurations, the building material continuous mixing device comprises a mixing shaft with mixing elements assigned to the mixing zone, a dosing shaft with dosing elements assigned to the charging zone and also at least one, in particular precisely one, drive unit that is or can be coupled to the mixing shaft and the dosing shaft to drive them.

According to configurations, the detected operating parameter indicative of the moisture consistency can be an operating parameter of the drive unit, for example a drive motor or a drive train. In configurations, the dosing shaft can be connected to the drive unit to drive it, and the mixing shaft can be connected to the dosing shaft via a non-positive coupling, in particular in a collinear arrangement. Such a coupling can be used, for example, in the above-mentioned horizontal mixing chamber, but also in mixing chambers in which the passage takes place at an angle to the ground or the machine base.

According to configurations, the building material continuous mixing device comprises a torque sensor arranged in a drive train for operating the mixer unit, in particular between the drive unit and the metering shaft and/or the mixing shaft, for detecting the torque of the drive unit as the operating parameter indicative of the moisture consistency of the building material mixture, with the torque sensor preferably being used is designed as a strain gauge sensor. The torque sensor can be arranged, for example, in the area between the output of a drive motor and a drive shaft of the mixer unit that is driven by the drive motor.

According to a procedural embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for providing a processing-moist building material mixture by means of a building material continuous mixing device, in particular according to one of the embodiments described herein, by mixing a dry building material mixture with liquid.

In the method, at least one operating parameter that is indicative of the moisture consistency of the building material mixture is recorded. On the basis of the operating parameter that is recorded and is indicative of the moisture consistency or based on a parameter derived therefrom, at least one mixing parameter of the continuous-flow mixing device that influences the moisture consistency is changed, in particular adjusted or set, and/or the operating parameter that is indicative of the moisture consistency of the building material mixture is changed or a parameter derived therefrom is provided, in particular for changing a mixing parameter influencing the moisture consistency of the building material mixture and/or for storage in a memory, in particular in a log file.

With the proposed method, it is possible, for example, to continuously produce building material mixtures with an essentially constant moisture consistency, but at least largely within a desired tolerance range, or to monitor the continuous production with regard to the moisture consistency.

According to one embodiment, at least one variable selected from the following group is recorded or measured as an operating parameter in the method: speed, torque, power consumption, power factor, current consumption of the mixer unit, in particular of a drive unit assigned to the mixer unit. The variables can each be recorded or measured as actual variables. It is also possible for the method to be based on a mean value of successive individual measurements as the operating parameter.

One or more of the variables mentioned can be used in the method. If the building material continuous mixing device is set up to record or measure several of the said variables, provision can be made for the variable or combination of variables to be used in each case to be variable, in particular selectable. For example, different sizes and/or combinations of sizes, e.g. for selection, can be provided and/or used for different types of building material mixtures.

In the method, the at least one mixing parameter can be at least one of the already further variables mentioned above in connection with the building material continuous mixing device.

According to an embodiment of the method, the determined operating parameter or the parameter derived therefrom can be compared with a predetermined or specifiable desired value or desired value interval. In the event of a deviation from the target value determined on the basis of the comparison, the mixing parameter is changed, in particular controlled or regulated, in such a way that the operating parameter or the derived parameter is returned to the target value. As already described above, the mixing parameter can also be changed as a function of the ambient temperature and/or the liquid temperature or other relevant variables.

According to one embodiment of the method, the target value or the target value interval is or is stored in a database, e.g. When the method is carried out, the desired value or the desired value interval is read out from the database or the memory and used to set the moisture consistency or the mixing parameter.

According to a method-related embodiment, an actual value of the operating parameter determined during operation of the building material continuous mixing device or a parameter derived therefrom is set or stored as a setpoint value to be used or usable in further operation. The desired value can be stored or set, for example, based on a user input recorded by a user interface assigned to the building material continuous mixing device. For example, user input may be captured via a set control or set button.

According to one embodiment of the method, the operating parameter or the derived parameter and/or the respective associated mixing parameter, optionally together with the respective ambient temperature and/or the temperature of the liquid, and/or other relevant data already mentioned above, are stored in a log file . In configurations, storage in the log file can take place when a continuous and/or significant deviation of the operating parameter indicative of the moisture consistency or the parameter derived therefrom from the target value is determined. In configurations, the mixing operation of the building material continuous mixing device can be stopped, in particular stopped with acknowledgment, if a continuous and/or significant deviation of the operating parameter indicative of the moisture consistency or the parameter derived therefrom from the setpoint is determined. In configurations, an error message, preferably one that can be acknowledged, can be output on a user interface if a, in particular continuous and/or significant, deviation of the operating parameter indicative of the moisture consistency or the parameter derived therefrom from the target value is detected. With regard to further configurations, reference is made to the above statements on the building material continuous mixing device, which can be implemented accordingly in terms of the method.

According to a procedural configuration, the operating parameter, the parameter derived therefrom and/or the mixing parameter and/or the time profile of the operating parameter, the derived parameter or mixing parameter is recorded or determined and based on the operating parameter, the derived parameter and/or the mixing parameter and/or the respective course over time, an operating state, in particular an operating moment, of the building material continuous mixing device is determined. This determination can be made as part of predictive maintenance. According to embodiments, one or more of the parameters mentioned can also only be provided for further processing, for example to determine the operating status, for example if the processing and processing takes place on a separate computer unit, e.g. remotely.

According to configurations, based on the determined or provided operating state, a maintenance and/or wear and tear message can be generated for at least one operating component of the continuous building material mixing device, in particular the mixer unit, a conveyor unit for supplying the dry building material mixture and/or the liquid and/or a drive unit, wherein the maintenance and/or wear message is preferably provided for display on a display unit assigned to the building material continuous mixing device, e.g. a user interface, or a display unit of a computer unit assigned to the building material continuous mixing device and/or is displayed thereon.

According to process-side configurations, the continuous-flow mixing device comprises a mixing shaft with mixing elements assigned to a mixing zone, a dosing shaft with dosing elements assigned to a charging zone, and also a drive unit for driving the mixing shaft and the dosing shaft. The detected operating parameter can be used as an operating parameter of the drive unit and/or a drive train can be detected. For the arrangement and coupling of the shafts mentioned, reference is made to the above statements on the building material continuous mixing device.

In configurations, the operating parameter can preferably be detected as a torque determined in the drive train, in particular on the drive unit. For example, the torque can be determined or recorded by means of a torque sensor, e.g. a strain gauge sensor, arranged between a drive motor and the dosing shaft and/or the mixing shaft.

According to an embodiment of the method, the operating parameter or the derived parameter is determined as an average of successively measured operating parameter values, in particular continuously successively measured operating parameter values.

According to configurations, before determining the operating parameter and/or the mixing parameter, a calibration of a measuring unit or actuating unit used to determine the operating parameter and/or the mixing parameter can be carried out.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a device is provided, in particular with a control unit or a memory unit, which includes a memory with instructions stored therein which, when executed by a computer unit, bring about a method according to an embodiment of the invention described herein. The device can be a computer unit connected to the building material continuous mixing device via a data communication interface and/or the building material continuous mixing device as such can comprise the device.

Overall, the above description of embodiments according to the invention shows that the building material continuous mixing device proposed here, the method and the device solve the underlying task.

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht einer Baustoff-Durchlaufmischvorrichtung,
• 2 die Baustoff-Durchlaufmischvorrichtung nach 1 mit weiteren Komponenten und/oder zugeordneten Einheiten,
• 3 bis 5 Diagramme zum zeitlichen Verlauf diverser Parameter und Größen während eines beispielhaften Mischbetriebs,
• 6 ein beispielhaftes Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Betrieb der Baustoff-Durchlaufmischvorrichtung.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the attached figures. Show it:

• 1 a schematic view of a building material continuous mixing device,
• 2 the building material continuous mixing device 1 with other components and/or assigned units,
• 3 until 5 Diagrams of the time course of various parameters and variables during an exemplary mixed operation,
• 6 an exemplary flowchart of a method for operating the building material continuous mixing device.

1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary building material continuous mixing device 1. The building material continuous mixing device 1 comprises a mixer unit 2 and a drive unit 3 assigned to the mixer unit 2, for example an electric motor.

The building material continuous mixing device 1 is set up to provide a processing-moist building material mixture from a dry building material mixture with the addition of water.

In the building material continuous mixing device 1 shown, the dry building material mixture is supplied via a hopper opening 4, for example from a (in 1 not shown) silo with dry building material mixture. The funnel opening 4 can have a flange 5 via which the building material continuous mixing device 1 can be detachably flanged to an outlet opening of the silo. The setting of the amount of dry building material mixture reaching the hopper opening 4 can be provided, for example, with a controllable or manually operated slide for opening and closing the outlet opening or the hopper opening 4 .

Deviating from the described embodiment, however, it is also possible that the dry building material mixture is not fed directly from the silo, but via an intermediate conveyor unit, e.g. with a screw conveyor, to the building material continuous mixing device 1. The invention described herein can be practiced in either embodiment.

The dry building material mixture reaches the dry material zone 6 of the mixer unit 2 via the hopper opening 4. This dry material zone 6 comprises mixing elements for pre-mixing the dry building material mixture. The dry material zone 6 is followed by a dosing zone 7 for the dry building material mixture. The mixture of dry building material is transported from the dry material zone 6 through the metering zone 7 to the mixing zone 9 by means of a conveying and metering shaft 8 . In the present example, the conveying and dosing shaft 8 comprises a worm thread for the directional conveying of the dry building material mixture from the dry material zone 6 via the dosing zone 7 into the mixing zone 9, and for pre-mixing the dry building material mixture in the dry material zone 6.

In the area of the metering zone 7, a conveyor screw of the conveyor and metering shaft 8 runs in a tubular section, the inside diameter of which corresponds approximately to the outside diameter of the screw thread of the conveyor screw. According to the normal way in which a screw conveyor works, the quantity of dry building material mixture that is conveyed depends, among other things, on the respective speed of the screw conveyor, i.e. in the present example the speed of the conveying and dosing shaft 8.

At the end of the dosing zone 7 facing the mixing zone 9 , the dosing zone 7 has a funnel-shaped design that widens towards the mixing zone 9 . In this area, the pitch of the screw thread is greater, and the diameter increases towards the mixing zone 9 in a funnel-shaped manner corresponding to the funnel-shaped enlargement.

The mixing zone 9 comprises a mixing chamber 10 in which there is a mixing shaft 11 emanating from the conveying and dosing shaft 8 with a plurality of mixer arms 12 attached thereto, which can have radially and/or axially running mixing segments and/or mixing fingers.

How out 1 As can be seen, the shafts 8 and 11 are arranged axially one behind the other and collinear with one another. Correspondingly, the zones 6, 7 and 9 assigned to the shafts are arranged axially one behind the other.

During operation, the mixture of dry building material is transported in the axial direction of the shafts 8 and 11 to the mixing chamber and, if operation is correct, mixed with water in the mixing chamber 10 to form a building material mixture that is moist for processing. The water is supplied to the mixing chamber 10 via a water supply 13 .

In particular, due to the axial thrust generated by the screw thread in the direction of the mixing chamber 10 and the continuous supply of dry building material mixture, the processing-moist building material mixture is conveyed through the mixing chamber 10, mixed with water by the mixer arms 12, and made available at a discharge zone 14 for further processing.

It follows from the above statements that the mixer unit is operated in continuous flow for the continuous provision of the building material mixture.

Consequently, in the embodiment shown, the building material continuous mixing device 1 is designed as a continuous mixing device which is suitable for producing or providing a processing-moist building material mixture from the mixture of dry building material with the addition of water in continuous operation. When the mixer unit 2 is in operation, its longitudinal axis is preferably aligned essentially parallel to the machine base 15 or a subsurface, in particular horizontally.

The conveying and dosing shaft 8 is non-positively connected to the mixing shaft 11, for example via a detachable non-positive connection. The conveying and dosing shaft 8 in turn is connected to the drive unit 3 via a non-positive connection, for example via a detachable non-positive connection.

A torque sensor 16 is arranged between the end of the delivery and metering shaft 8 facing the drive unit 3 and the output of the drive unit 3, which is set up to measure the torque at the output of the drive unit 3 or the torque acting on the delivery and metering shaft 8.

An operating mode of the building material continuous mixing device 1 according to 1 and an operating procedure are described below in connection with the 2 until 6 described in more detail.

2 shows the building material continuous mixing device with additional components and/or associated units. To 2 a building material continuous mixing device 1 is provided, with an associated feed tank 17 for water 18 and a silo 19 for the dry building material mixture 20. The feed tank 17 is connected to the water supply 13 via a feed line 21. In the example shown, the silo 19 has a screw conveyor 22 for supplying dry building material mixture 20 from the silo 19 to the dry material zone 6 .

Furthermore shows 2 a computer unit 23, a setpoint memory 24 and a log memory 25, and a user interface 26. The units or components mentioned can be assigned to the building material continuous mixing device 1 or they can be part of the building material continuous mixing device 1.

The computer unit 23 is connected to the setpoint memory 24 , the log memory 25 and to the user interface 26 via data communication links 27 .

The computer unit 23, the setpoint memory 24, the log memory 25 and the user interface 26 can be an integral part of a machine control of the building material continuous mixing device 1, or at least partially as separate units, in particular remote units. For example, the log memory 25 and / or the setpoint memory 24 at the Building material continuous mixing device 1 may be present as such. It is also possible for at least one of the memories 24, 25 to be in the form of a remote memory, in particular a cloud memory. The computer unit 23 can comprise one or more separate units which can be designed in the machine control or as remote computer units. The data communication connections 27 can be wireless or wired connections.

The building material continuous mixing device 1 and the other components and/or associated units are set up in a mixing operating mode to determine the torque D of the drive train 3 , 8 , 11 by means of the torque sensor 16 . According to a finding based on the invention, the torque D can be used as an operating parameter of the continuous-flow mixing device 1 for the building material which is indicative of the moisture consistency F of the processing-moist building material mixture. In the present example, the moisture consistency F describes the dry-to-wet quantity ratio of the building material mixture, i.e. the ratio between the dry quantity of the dry building material mixture and the quantity of water in the building material mixture.

The torque D continuously determined by the torque sensor 16 during the mixing process is transmitted to the computer unit 23 via the data communication connection 27 or retrieved from it. The torque D or a parameter provided or determined by the computer unit 23 and derived therefrom is used, in the present example, by the computer unit 23 in an operating mode to change the speed RPM of the drive unit 3. To change the speed RPM, the speed-adjustable or controllable drive unit 3 an actuating signal, in particular a regulation or control signal, is supplied by the computer unit 23 via one of the data communication connections 27 . The drive unit 3 changes the speed RPM accordingly in response to the actuating signal. According to one finding on which the invention is based, the speed RPM is a mixing parameter of the continuous-flow mixing device 1 that influences the moisture consistency of the building material mixture.

In alternative modes of operation or in addition, the speed D or the derived parameter can be provided for display on a display unit of the user interface 26 and/or for storage in a log file of the log memory 25 . For example, the speed D or the derived parameter can be displayed on the display unit and/or stored in the log file.

In one operating mode, the computer unit 23 and the building material continuous mixing device 1 can be set up to automatically change the speed RPM as the mixing parameter influencing the moisture consistency F on the basis of the detected torque D or the parameter derived therefrom, which are each representative of a moisture consistency F indicative operating parameters.

The present example is described as an example with the torque as the operating parameter and the speed RPM as the mixing parameter. However, other parameters mentioned above can also be used alone or in any combination. With regard to the mixing parameter, for example, the quantity of water 18 supplied to the mixing chamber 10 from the feed tank 17 can also or alternatively be used. In addition or as an alternative to the speed RPM as a mixing parameter, the quantity of dry building material mixture 20 supplied to the dry material zone 6 via the hopper opening 4 can also be changed. For example, a control valve in the feed line 21 or on the water supply 13 or in the area of the screw conveyor 22 at the outlet of the silo 19 or on the hopper opening 4 is suitable for changing the amount of water 18 or the amount of dry building material mixture fed to the hopper opening 4. controllable slider.

In the present mode of operation using speed RPM and torque D, increasing or decreasing the speed RPM results in an increased or decreased conveying speed, whereby the amount of dry build material mix 20 supplied to the mixing chamber 10 may be increased or decreased. The moisture consistency F, i.e. the dry-to-wet quantity ratio, increases or decreases accordingly. The same applies if the amount of water 18 supplied is used as a mixing parameter. In particular, increasing or reducing the amount of water is also suitable for adjusting, in particular reducing or increasing, the moisture consistency F, i.e. the dry-to-wet quantity ratio.

In one operating mode, the building material continuous mixing device 1, in particular the computer unit 23, is set up to set the moisture consistency F of the building material mixture to a predetermined or specifiable desired value S or a predetermined or specifiable desired value interval SI. The setpoint interval SI can be defined on the basis of a setpoint S by tolerance ranges T lying on both sides of the setpoint S.

As described above, the torque D can be used as a regulation or control variable in a control or regulation, which can be implemented on the computer unit 23, for setting the moisture consistency F. The speed RPM can be used as a manipulated variable or control variable.

In modified operating modes, other influencing variables or disturbance variables can be taken into account when setting the moisture consistency F, for example the ambient, processing and/or water temperature, the type of dry building material mixture 20, the processing location, etc.

In one operating mode it can be provided that the setpoint S or the setpoint interval SI, possibly the tolerance range T, is stored in the setpoint memory 24, e.g. in the form of a value table. The setpoint memory 24 can be set up to store several different data sets including the setpoint S, the setpoint interval SI and/or the tolerance range T, and to keep them available for the computer unit 23 to call up. The data sets can be stored specifically for a type or a type of dry building material mixture 20 and/or for the respective application or processing of the building material mixture. In this respect, the setpoint memory 24 can be set up as a type of recipe database. In this operating mode, the computer unit 23 can be set up, for example, to call up a data set displayed via the user interface 26 and selected by the user and to use it for setting the moisture consistency F.

The computer unit 23 and/or the user interface 26 can have or provide a selection menu and/or a search function, for example, which enable the user to search for and select a suitable data record. However, it is also possible for the data set to be loaded automatically into the computer unit 23, for example via an identifier present on the silo 29 and specific to the mixture 20 of dry building material. The identifier can be entered, for example, via a scanner or via the user interface 26 and transmitted to the computer unit 23 .

In one embodiment, the user interface 26, which is embodied, for example, as a touch-sensitive display, can comprise a setting control element 28, which can be displayed, for example, in a separate menu, or, in a different embodiment, a setting button. In this case, the user interface 26 can transmit a detected activation of the setting control element 28 to the computer unit 23 . In response to receiving a corresponding activation, the computer unit 23 can set an actual value measured or determined at the time of activation for the operating parameter torque D as the setpoint S for setting, in particular open-loop or closed-loop control, the moisture consistency F or the mixing parameter speed RPM . Instead of a point in time, it is also possible to use time intervals that include the point in time of activation, in which case, for example, a mean value of the torques D measured in the time interval by individual measurement can be used as the desired value S. In this operating mode, it is therefore possible that after an initial run of the mixer unit 2, when a suitable moisture consistency F is determined by the user, for example, the setting control element 28 is activated manually and that the computer unit 23 then tries, e.g. based on a control or regulation, that Automatically adjust the moisture consistency F to the set setpoint S. A manual setting of the setpoint S can be replaced by suitable, predetermined tolerance ranges T for the setpoint interval [S-T; S+T]. It is also possible for the user interface 26 to be set up to query tolerance values T by means of a user query and to assign them to the setpoint value S that has been set.

In a modified operating mode, the computer unit 23 can be set up to store the torque D, i.e. the measured operating parameter, or a parameter derived therefrom, and/or the respectively associated speed RPM as the mixing parameter in the log memory 25. For example, corresponding parameters can each be stored in a log file in the log memory 26 together with a time and/or location stamp, for example corresponding to the time of the measurement or the processing location. It is also possible for the mixing parameter or parameters determined from the operating parameter to be stored in the log memory 26 in one or the same log file. Optionally, the parameters mentioned can be stored in the log file together with other data. Further data can include, for example, the temperatures mentioned, the place of processing and other data already mentioned above.

In particular, it is possible to only save the data mentioned if there is, for example, a continuous or significant deviation of the operating parameter, e.g. the speed D, from the target value or is detected, for example in order to reduce the amount of data and/or to reduce the analysis effort. For periods of time or points in time for which no data is stored, it can be assumed, for example, that the building material mixture had or has the desired moisture consistency F at least within the setpoint interval.

In a further alternative operating mode, the computer unit 23 can be set up to stop the mixing operation of the continuous building material mixing device 1 , for example in a manner that can be acknowledged via an element of the user interface 26 . Stopping comes into consideration, for example, if a continuous and/or significant deviation of torque D from setpoint S or setpoint interval SI is determined or ascertained. By stopping the mixed operation, it can be avoided, for example, that a building material mixture with an unsuitable moisture consistency F is processed.

In a further operating mode, an error message, e.g. visual or auditory, can be output on the user interface 26, for example in a manner that can be acknowledged via an element of the user interface 26. Such an error message can be output, for example, if a particularly continuous and/or significant deviation of the torque D from the target value S or target value interval SI is determined or ascertained, and accordingly the moisture consistency F continuously and/or significantly deviates or fluctuates from the set value. A corresponding deviation and/or fluctuation can thus be communicated to the user at least visually or audibly. If only an error message is displayed, it is up to the operator, for example, to continue operation and to continue processing the building material mixture despite the deviation and/or fluctuation, or to stop the building material continuous mixing device 1 e.g. for control purposes.

The stopping of the building material continuous mixing device 1 or the error message according to the operating modes described can, for example, be indicative of a malfunction in the mixer unit 2, the supply of dry building material mixture 20 and/or the supply of water 18. In particular, repeated stops or repeated error messages can indicate the need for maintenance and, for example, be indicative of a worn conveying and dosing shaft 8 and/or mixing shaft, etc. The torques D determined by the building material continuous mixing device 1 as operating parameters and/or the detected deviations can be evaluated as part of predictive maintenance and to determine or define maintenance work, for example whether the conveying and metering shaft 8 and/or the mixing shaft 11 should be replaced is required to be used. Predictive maintenance can also be performed based on the data stored in the log memory 25, for example. The evaluations for predictive maintenance can be carried out by the computer unit 23 . It is also possible for these evaluations to be carried out by a separate maintenance entity, e.g. a remote computer, which has access to the log memory 25 . In this case, the log memory 25 can be integrated into a network so that the maintenance instance can access it. Furthermore, it is also possible for the reference value memory 24 to be integrated into a network, so that reference value data can be stored in the reference value memory 24 and/or retrieved from it via the network. Setpoint memory 24 and log memory 25 can be implemented in a common memory unit.

Based on an analysis of the data in the log memory 25, or also on the basis of data determined directly in mixed operation, a maintenance or wear indicator, for example, can be output on the user interface 26 if the data is appropriate. In this way, the user can be made aware of any maintenance work to be carried out.

3 until 5 show diagrams of the time course of various parameters and variables during an exemplary mixed operation.

3 shows the moisture consistency F of the building material mixture over time in an exemplary, illustrative mixing process. In this case, T1 designates the end of a start-up phase after the start 0 of the continuous building material mixing device 1 at the start of a mixing process. In this phase, the mixing chamber 10, which is still essentially empty, is charged with a mixture of dry building material 20, and the torque D increases accordingly, for example with a simultaneous, uniform supply of water 18.

In the exemplary mixed operation, time T1 is followed by a calibration phase that lasts up to time T2. In this calibration phase, the speed RPM is not yet set as a mixing parameter. Rather, this phase in the operating mode described serves to determine a suitable target value S for the torque D, corresponding to a moisture consistency F that is suitable in each case for processing the building material mixture.

In the operating mode shown, the user actuates the setting control element 28 at time T2 and thus defines the setpoint value S for the torque D as an operating parameter. For example, the mean value of the torques D measured in the time interval [T1, T2] can be used as the setpoint S. It is also possible that the torque measured at the time of user actuation is used as setpoint value S. The tolerance range T, specified or specified by the user, defines the target value interval SI: [S-T, S+T].

In the mixing interval following time T2, the mixing process is subject to the regulation or control of the computer unit 23, which attempts or is set up to regulate the torque D, as the operating parameter indicative of the moisture consistency F, to the target interval SI. For this purpose, the computer unit 23 sets or regulates the speed RPM, ie the mixing parameter influencing the moisture consistency F, such that if the torque D deviates from the desired value S, the torque D is returned to the desired value S.

For example, in the time interval [T2, T3], the torque D is above the setpoint S, but still in the setpoint interval SI. The higher torque D corresponds to an increased moisture consistency F compared to the target value S, i.e. an increased dry-to-wet quantity ratio. Accordingly, the computer unit 23 regulates the speed RPM downwards, as a result of which the conveying and dosing shaft 8 conveys less dry building material mixture 20 into the mixing chamber 10 . Assuming a constant water supply, the result is that the dry-to-wet quantity ratio is reduced and the torque D decreases accordingly, that is to say it is guided towards the desired value S.

In the subsequent time interval [T3, T4], the moisture consistency F drops, combined with a falling torque D. To counteract this, the computer unit 23 increases the speed RPM with the aim of conveying more dry building material mixture 20 into the mixing chamber 10.

However, in the exemplary mixed operation, the moisture consistency F drops further after the time interval [T3, T4]. This can be caused, for example, by a disrupted outflow of the dry building material mixture 20 from the silo 19 due to bridging in the silo 19.

The computer unit 23 increases the speed RPM accordingly. In the time interval [T4; T5], the torque D is outside the setpoint interval SI, and in this situation the computer unit 23 can issue a warning message on the user interface 26. It is also possible, as mentioned above, for the computer unit 23 to stop the mixed operation if, for example, the target value interval SI is not reached (analogously if it is exceeded), or take other measures mentioned above. However, in the present exemplary mixed operation, it is assumed that only a warning message is displayed and the mixed operation is continued.

As in the example of 3 until 5 is shown, increasing the speed RPM from time T5 ultimately leads to the desired effect of increasing the speed D to a value within the setpoint interval SI. Accordingly, the moisture consistency F is again within the target range.

In the further course of time, the computer unit 23 regulates the moisture consistency F according to the mechanisms previously described by way of example.

As can be seen, the moisture consistency F can advantageously be set automatically to a specified setpoint interval SI or a specified setpoint S based on the torque D as the operating parameter indicative of the moisture consistency F, and based on the speed RPM as the mixing parameter influencing the moisture consistency.

6 shows an example of a flow chart of a method for operating the building material continuous mixing device 1 in the mixing mode.

In a first method step 601, corresponding to a first operating phase, the computer unit 23 determines a setpoint S and an associated setpoint interval SI. This can be done, for example, by a calibration process or by reading out from the reference value memory 24 .

In a subsequent method step 602, corresponding to a second operating phase, the mixing operation for preparing the building material mixture is started, using a speed RPM that corresponds to the desired value S. The initial speed RPM can, for example, be a standard setting, for example a setting that is characteristic of the respective dry building material mixture 20 . This initial speed can, for example, be read out together with the setpoint S from the setpoint memory 24 and/or be a speed set by a user.

With the start of the mixed operation, the torque D is measured continuously in the operating phase 603 . However, the torque D can also already be measured in the calibration phase 601 if the setpoint value S is determined by means of a calibration process.

In the operating phase 604, the measured torque D or a mean value of successive measurements is compared with the target value S.

If the comparison shows that the torque D corresponds to the setpoint S, the mixed operation is continued without changing the speed RPM, with further continuous measurement of the Torque D and comparison with the target value S, indicated by process step 605.

If, on the other hand, the comparison reveals that the torque D deviates from the setpoint S, the computer unit 23 regulates the rotational speed RPM in the operating phase 606, as described above, with the aim of returning the torque D to the setpoint S. The torque D continues to be measured continuously and compared to the setpoint value S, which is indicated by the process step 607 .

If it is then determined that the torque D, or a mean torque value determined from a number of individual measurements, corresponds to the setpoint value S, the method branches off to method step 605. However, if a deviation from the desired value S is still determined, the computer unit 23 stays in the loop given by the operating phase 606 and the process step 607 .

All of this shows that the invention proposed here is suitable for determining fluctuations in the moisture consistency in a building material continuous mixing device and for automatically counteracting such fluctuations.

Reference List

1

Building material continuous mixing device

2

mixer unit

3

drive unit

4

funnel opening

5

flange

6

dry material zone

7

dosing zone

8th

conveyor and dosing shaft

9

mixing zone

10

mixing chamber

11

mixed shaft

12

mixer arm

13

water supply

14

discharge zone

15

machine footprint

16

torque sensor

17

feeding tank

18

water

19

silo

20

mixture of dry building materials

21

feed line

22

Auger

23

computing unit

24

setpoint memory

25

log storage

26

user interface

27

data communication connection

28

setting control

601 - 607

Process steps/operating phases

D

torque

f

moisture consistency

RPM

rotational speed

S

setpoint

S.I

setpoint interval

T

tolerance range

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 202004020257 U [0002]

Claims (22)

Building material continuous mixing device (1) with a mixer unit (2) operated in continuous flow for providing a processing-moist building material mixture, such as mortar or plaster mortar, by mixing a dry building material mixture (20) with liquid (18), characterized by an operating mode for automatically changing at least one of the moisture consistency (F) the mixing parameter (RPM) influencing the building material mixture based on a detected operating parameter (D) of the building material continuous mixing device (1) indicative of the moisture consistency (F) or based on a parameter derived therefrom. Building material continuous mixing device (1), in particular according to claim 1 , with a continuous mixer unit (2) for providing a processing-moist building material mixture, such as mortar or plaster mortar, by mixing a dry building material mixture (20) with liquid (18), characterized by an operating mode in which at least one of the Building material mixture indicative operating parameters (D) of the building material continuous mixing device (1) are recorded essentially continuously, and the recorded operating parameter (D) or a parameter derived therefrom is provided for changing a mixing parameter (RPM) influencing the moisture consistency (F) of the building material mixture and/or for display on a display unit of a user interface (26) and/or for storage in a memory (24, 25), in particular a log file (25). Building material continuous mixing device (1). claim 1 or 2 , wherein the at least one operating parameter (D) comprises at least one variable selected from the following group: speed, torque (D), power consumption, power factor, current consumption of the mixer unit (2), in particular of a drive unit (3) assigned to the mixer unit (2), and wherein the at least one mixing parameter (RPM) comprises at least one variable selected from the following group: quantity of the dry building material mixture (20) fed to the mixer unit (2), in particular a mixing chamber (10) of the mixer unit (2), quantity of the mixture (20) fed to the mixer unit ( 2), in particular a mixing chamber (10) of the mixer unit (2), supplied liquid (18). Building material continuous mixing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 3 further comprising: - a conveyor unit (6, 22) for feeding the mixer unit (2), in particular the mixing chamber (10) of the mixer unit (2), with the dry building material mixture (20), the building material continuous mixing device (1) being set up for this purpose is to automatically change the quantity of the dry building material mixture (20) fed to the mixer unit (2), in particular the mixing chamber (10), by changing the conveying speed (RPM) of the conveying unit (6, 22) on the basis of the operating parameter (D), and/ or - a liquid supply unit (17, 21) designed to supply the liquid (18) to the mixer unit (2), in particular to the mixing chamber (10) of the mixer unit (2), wherein the building material continuous mixing device (1) is set up to increase the quantity of to automatically change the liquid (10) supplied to the mixer unit (2), in particular the mixing chamber (10), on the basis of the operating parameter (D). Building material continuous mixing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 4 , wherein an electronic computing unit (23) assigned to the building material continuous mixing device (1) is set up to determine a control signal from the operating parameter (D) or the derived parameter, and wherein the building material continuous mixing device (1) has a control unit (23) for Changing the mixing parameter (RPM) on the basis of the actuating signal, the building material continuous mixing device (1) preferably further comprising a measuring unit (16, 23) for detecting the operating parameter (D). Building material continuous mixing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 5 , wherein the building material continuous mixing device (1), in particular the electronic control unit (23). claim 5 , is set up to set the moisture consistency (F) of the building material mixture to a predetermined or specifiable setpoint (S) or a predetermined or specifiable setpoint interval (SI). Building material continuous mixing device (1). claim 5 , wherein the building material continuous mixing device (1) is set up to use the operating parameter (D) or the parameter derived therefrom as a controlled variable, the setpoint (S) or the setpoint interval (SI) as a reference variable, and the mixing parameter (RPM) as a To use manipulated variable or control variable, as a setpoint (S) or as a setpoint interval (SI) for a predetermined or specifiable moisture consistency (F) of the building material mixture characteristic setpoint operating parameter (S) or a characteristic setpoint operating parameter interval (SI) to the recorded Operating parameter (D) or the derived parameter is used, and wherein the building material continuous mixing device (1) is preferably also set up to the reference variable and / or the manipulated variable or control variable, further as a function to set or adjust the ambient and/or liquid temperature. Building material continuous mixing device (1). claim 6 or 7 , wherein - the target value (S) and/or the target value interval (SI) is stored in a database (24) or a memory (24), preferably in the form of a value table, preferably as a for the dry building material mixture (20) and/or the application of the building material mixture specific target value (S) or specific target value interval (SI), and wherein the building material continuous mixing device (1) is set up to the target value (S) or the target value interval (SI) from the database (24) or the memory ( 24) and to use it to set the moisture consistency (F), and/or - the continuous building material mixing device (1) comprises a user interface (26) with a setting control element (28), in particular a setting button, and is set up to do so when actuated of the setting control element (28) to set a respectively determined actual value of the operating parameter (D) as the desired value (S). Building material continuous mixing device (1) according to one of Claims 6 until 8th , wherein the building material continuous mixing device (1) is set up to - store the operating parameter (D) or the derived parameter and/or the respective associated mixing parameter (RPM), optionally together with further data, in a log file (25), preferably at deviation of the operating parameter (D) indicative of the moisture consistency (F) or a parameter derived therefrom from the target value (S), and/or - to stop the mixing operation of the building material continuous mixing device (1), in particular to stop it in a manner that can be acknowledged, at, preferably continuously and/or significant deviation of the operating parameter (D) indicative of the moisture consistency (F) or a parameter derived therefrom from the target value (S) or target value interval (SI), and/or - to output an error message, preferably one that can be acknowledged, on a user interface (26) if a, in particular continuous and/or significant, deviation from the operating parameters indicative of the moisture consistency (F). rs (D) or a parameter derived from it is determined from the target value (S) or target value interval (SI). Building material continuous mixing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 9 , wherein the building material continuous mixing device (1) or a computer unit (23) which is data-technically connected to the building material continuous mixing device (1) is set up to process the operating parameter (D), the derived parameter and/or the mixing parameter (RPM), and/or to record or determine a time course of the operating parameter (D), the derived parameter or the mixing parameter (RPM), and based on the operating parameter (D), the derived parameter and/or the mixing parameter (RPM) and/or the respective to determine an operating state over time, in particular an operating moment, of the building material continuous mixing device (1) as part of predictive maintenance, to provide this for determining the operating state, or to store it in a log file (25), the building material continuous mixing device (1) or computer unit ( 23) is preferably also set up to, on the basis of the determined or provided operating status ands a maintenance and/or wear indicator for at least one operating component (8, 11, 22) of the building material continuous mixing device (1), in particular the mixer unit ( 2), a conveyor unit (8, 22) for supplying the dry building material mixture (20) and/or for supplying (18, 21) the liquid (18) and/or a drive unit (3). Building material continuous mixing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 10 , wherein the mixer unit (2) has a continuous mixing chamber (10) with a mixing zone (9), a charging zone (6, 7) for charging the mixing zone (9) with dry building material mixture (20) and a discharge zone (14) for discharging processing-moist building material mixture from the mixing zone (9), wherein the building material continuous mixing device (1) further comprises: - a supply unit (18, 21) for supplying the liquid (18), in particular water, into the mixing zone (9); - a measuring unit (16, 23) for detecting the operating parameter (D) indicative of the moisture consistency (F), and - a data processing unit (23), in particular a computer unit (23) which is or can be connected in terms of data technology to the building material continuous mixing device (1), for determining and adjusting the mixing parameter (RPM) based on the operating parameter (D) or the parameter derived from it. Building material continuous mixing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 11 , comprising a mixing shaft (11) with mixing elements (12) assigned to one or the mixing zone (9), a dosing shaft (8) assigned to one or the feed zone (6, 7) with dosing elements and also a drive unit (3) for driving the Mixing shaft (11) and the dosing shaft (8), the detected operating parameter (D) indicative of the moisture consistency (F) being an operating parameter of the drive unit (3), and the dosing shaft (8) preferably being connected to the drive unit ( 3) ver is bound, and the mixing shaft (11) is further preferably connected via a non-positive coupling to the metering shaft (8), in particular in a collinear arrangement. Building material continuous mixing device (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 12 , comprising a torque sensor (16) arranged in a drive train (3, 16, 8, 11) for operating the mixer unit (2), in particular between the drive unit (3) and the metering shaft (8) and/or the mixing shaft (11). Detection of the torque (D) of the drive unit (3) as the operating parameter (D) indicative of the moisture consistency (F) of the building material mixture, the torque sensor (16) preferably being designed as a strain gauge sensor. Method for providing a processing-moist building material mixture by means of a building material continuous mixing device (1), in particular according to one of Claims 1 until 13 , by mixing a dry building material mixture (20) with a liquid (18), with at least one operating parameter (D) indicative of the moisture consistency (F) of the building material mixture being recorded (603), and with: - on the basis of the recorded and for the moisture consistency (F ) indicative operating parameter (D) or on the basis of a parameter derived therefrom at least one mixing parameter (RPM) influencing the moisture consistency (F) of the building material continuous mixing device (1) is changed (605), in particular adapted or set, and/or - the operating parameters (D) indicative of the moisture consistency (F) of the building material mixture or a parameter derived therefrom is provided, in particular for changing a mixing parameter (RPM) influencing the moisture consistency (F) of the building material mixture and/or for storage in a memory (24, 25) . procedure after Claim 14 , at least one variable selected from the following group being recorded as the operating parameter (D): speed, torque (D), power consumption, power factor, current consumption of the mixer unit (2), in particular of a drive unit (3) assigned to the mixer unit (2), and wherein the at least one mixing parameter (RPM) comprises at least one variable selected from the following group: quantity of the dry building material mixture (10) fed to the mixer unit (2), in particular to a mixing chamber (10) of the mixer unit (2), quantity of the mixture of dry building material (10) fed to the mixer unit (2 ), In particular a mixing chamber (10) of the mixer unit (2), supplied liquid (18). Procedure according to one of Claims 14 or 15 , wherein the determined operating parameter (D) or the parameter derived therefrom is compared (604) with a specified or specifiable target value (S) or target value interval (SI), and with a deviation from the target value (S ) the mixing parameter (RPM) is changed, in particular controlled or regulated, (606, 607) in such a way that the operating parameter (D) or the derived parameter is returned to the setpoint (S), with the mixing parameter (RPM) optionally also being in Depending on the ambient temperature and / or the liquid temperature is changed. procedure after a Claim 16 , wherein - the target value (S) or the target value interval (SI) in a database (24) or a memory (24), in particular a table of values, as a specific value for the dry building material mixture (20) and/or the application of the building material mixture Target value (S) or target value interval (SI) is stored, and the target value (S) or target value interval (SI) is read out from the database (24) or the memory (24) and used to set the moisture consistency (F), and/or - an actual value of the operating parameter (D) determined (603) during operation of the building material continuous mixing device (1) or a parameter derived therefrom is set or stored as a setpoint value (S) to be used or usable in further operation , in particular based on a user input on a user interface (26, 28) assigned to the building material continuous mixing device (1), in particular in the form of a setting control element (28) or a setting button. Procedure according to one of Claims 14 until 17 , wherein the operating parameter (D) or the derived parameter and/or the respective associated mixing parameter (RPM), optionally together with the respective ambient temperature and/or the temperature of the liquid (18), is stored in a log file (25), preferably if a continuous and/or significant deviation of the operating parameter (D) indicative of the moisture consistency (F) or the parameter derived therefrom from the target value (S) is determined, and/or the mixing operation of the building material continuous mixing device (1) is stopped, in particular in a manner that can be acknowledged is stopped if a continuous and/or significant deviation of the operating parameter (D) indicative of the moisture consistency (F) or the parameter derived therefrom from the setpoint (S) is detected, and/or where an error message, preferably an acknowledgeable one, is displayed on a user interface ( 26) is issued if there is, in particular, a persistent and/or significant deviation from the the moisture consistency (F) indicative operating parameter (D) or the parameter derived from it is determined from the target value (S). Procedure according to one of Claims 14 until 18 , wherein the operating parameter (D), the parameter derived therefrom and/or the mixing parameter (RPM) and/or a time profile of the operating parameter (D), the derived parameter and/or the mixing parameter (RPM) is recorded or determined, and based on the operating parameter (D), the derived parameter and/or the mixing parameter (RPM) and/or the respective course over time, an operating state, in particular an operating moment, of the building material continuous mixing device (1) is determined as part of predictive maintenance, or for determination of the operating state is provided, and wherein a maintenance and/or wear report for at least one operating component (2, 3, 8, 11, 21, 22) of the building material continuous mixing device (1), in particular the mixer unit, is preferably provided on the basis of the determined or provided operating state (2), a conveyor unit (22, 8, 21) for supplying the dry building material mixture (20) and/or the liquid (18 ) and/or a drive unit (3), the maintenance and/or wear message being generated for display on a display unit (26) assigned to the building material continuous mixing device (1) or on a display unit of a computer unit (26) assigned to the building material continuous mixing device (1). 23) is provided and/or displayed thereon. Procedure according to one of Claims 14 until 19 , wherein the continuous mixing device (1) has a mixing shaft (11) with mixing elements (12) assigned to a mixing zone (9), a dosing shaft (8) with dosing elements assigned to a loading area (7) and furthermore a drive unit (3) for driving the mixing shaft (11 ) and the dosing shaft (8), wherein the detected operating parameter (D) is detected as an operating parameter (D) of the drive unit (3) and/or a drive train (3, 15, 8, 11), and wherein: - the dosing shaft (8) for the drive of which is preferably connected to the drive unit (3) and the mixing shaft (11) is connected to the metering shaft (8) via a non-positive coupling, in particular in a collinear arrangement, and/or - the operating parameter (D) preferably as a torque (D) determined in the drive train (3, 16, 8, 11), in particular on the drive unit (3), the torque (D) preferably being measured by means of a between a drive motor (3) and the metering shaft ( 8) and/or the torque sensor (16) arranged on the mixing shaft (11), in particular by means of a strain gauge sensor. Procedure according to one of Claims 14 until 20 , wherein the operating parameter (D) is determined as an average of successively measured operating parameter readings, and/or wherein, before determining the operating parameter (D) and/or the mixing parameter (RPM), a calibration for determining the operating parameter (D) and/or the mixing parameter is performed (RPM) used measuring unit (16, 23) or control unit (23) is carried out. Device (23), in particular with a control unit (23) or a memory unit, comprising a memory with instructions stored therein which, when executed by a computer unit (23), use a method according to one of Claims 14 until 21 effect.

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