DE102022116526A1 - METHOD FOR DETERMINING A MEDIUM, SENSOR AND MOBILE BULK CONTAINER - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for determining a medium (12), in particular a bulk material, in a container (11), comprising: - Providing a sensor unit (10) with at least one sensor for determining the medium (12); - Sending out a measurement signal (13) and then Detecting the echo amplitude (14) of the measurement signal (13) reflected from a surface of the medium (12) by the sensor; - comparing the detected echo amplitude (14) with a database which comprises characteristic echo amplitudes of different media (12); and - determining the type of medium (12) based on the characteristic echo amplitude.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for determining a medium in a container, a sensor and a mobile bulk container.

BACKGROUND

In the process industry, containers are used to store and distribute media, especially bulk goods. Bulk goods can include, for example, raw materials from agriculture, such as grain and sugar beet pulp, or technical products such as plastic granules or screws. The containers must protect the medium from external environmental influences and provide a means for feeding and discharging the medium. There is increasing cost pressure in the process industry due to the competitive situation of market participants. The cost pressure leads, among other things, to streamlining and automating processes. For example, the containers are filled and emptied automatically. Furthermore, mobile containers, for example, are filled and then transported to their place of use and set up.

It has been found that there is a need to provide a container with which such automation can be further improved. In particular, there is a need to be able to easily determine a medium in a closed container.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a method with which the automated use of containers can be further simplified. In particular, it is the object of the present invention to be able to more easily determine a medium in a closed container.

These and other tasks that will be mentioned upon reading the following description or that can be recognized by a person skilled in the art are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims further develop the central idea of the present invention in a particularly advantageous manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

• - Bereitstellen einer Sensoreinheit mit wenigstens einem Sensor zum Aussenden eines Messsignals und anschließendes Detektieren der von einer Oberfläche des Mediums reflektierten Echoamplitude des Messsignals;
• - Vergleichen der detektierten Echoamplitude mit einer Datenbank, welche charakteristische Echoamplituden verschiedener Medien umfasst; und
• - Ausgabe der Art des Mediums anhand des Vergleichs der charakteristischen Echoamplitude mit der detektierten Echoamplitude.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for determining a medium, in particular a bulk material, in a container, comprising:

• - Providing a sensor unit with at least one sensor for emitting a measurement signal and then detecting the echo amplitude of the measurement signal reflected from a surface of the medium;
• - Comparing the detected echo amplitude with a database which includes characteristic echo amplitudes of various media; and
• - Output of the type of medium based on the comparison of the characteristic echo amplitude with the detected echo amplitude.

The term medium is to be understood broadly in this case. A medium is understood to mean, in particular, a bulk material. Bulk goods include all solid-like materials that can be transported, stored or stored in a container. For example, the term bulk material includes vegetable products such as sugar, corn, beet pulp, or technical products such as plastic granules, wood pellets, fasteners (e.g. screws, nails), cement or raw materials such as salts, gravel, quartz sand and lime.

The container is preferably a closed or lockable container. The term container is to be understood broadly and includes all hollow bodies that are designed to store bulk goods. The containers preferably have a possibly closable opening for feeding the bulk material and an opening for removing the bulk material. The openings are preferably designed separately. The containers have any geometries, e.g. cuboid geometries and cylindrical geometries. The containers preferably have cylindrical geometries. The containers can be transportable, i.e. they can be dismantled and put back into operation at different locations. A building material silo should be mentioned as an example of a possible container. However, it should be noted that the example given is not to be understood as limiting and other types of containers are possible.

The sensor unit includes at least one sensor. This means that the sensor unit can include additional sensors. The sensor unit is preferably arranged on or in the container.

The term sensor is to be understood broadly in this case and includes all measurement sensors that are set up to emit a measurement signal and to detect or determine the resulting echo amplitude.

The echo amplitude depends on the medium from which the measurement signal is reflected. For example, different media have different trickle behavior. The trickling behavior of a medium influences the surface of the medium. For example, when the filled container is set up, an inclined plane forms on the surface of the medium. The slope or angle of this inclined plane depends on the trickle behavior. The slope or angle of the respective inclined plane influences the echo amplitude. Consequently, different media have their own characteristic echo amplitudes.

By comparing the detected echo amplitude with the characteristic echo amplitudes of known media, it is possible to determine the medium with which the container is filled. The characteristic echo amplitudes are stored in a database.

In one embodiment, the container is a mobile container, in particular a mobile bulk goods container. This can be, for example, a mobile bulk silo for building materials. Such silos are preferably filled and delivered to a construction site by truck and set up on site.

In one embodiment, when determining the medium, a characteristic installation process is taken into account, in which the mobile container is transferred from a horizontal to a vertical state. With the help of this information it is possible to obtain more accurate data for determining the medium. It is conceivable that several setup processes are stored in a database for selection. The setup process can be fully automatic, semi-automatic or at least partially manual. It is therefore conceivable that certain recurring processes are taken into account when determining the medium.

In one embodiment, the characteristic echo amplitudes of various media include the echo amplitudes that form due to an inclined plane formation during the deployment process. In the context of the present disclosure, the inclined plane is to be understood as the inclined plane of the surface of the medium inside the container, which was formed immediately after the installation process. In other words, the inclined plane is to be understood as the inclined plane that forms or has formed immediately after the installation process in the container and before medium was removed from the container, so that the inclined plane can preferably be attributed exclusively to the medium and the installation process is.

In one embodiment, a mobile container is transported in a horizontal position. The mobile container is then transferred from the horizontal position to a vertical position using an installation process. By moving from the horizontal to the vertical position, the medium changes its position inside the container. More precisely, the medium forms an inclined plane on the surface. The angle of the inclined plane depends, for example, on the trickle behavior, the grain size and the composition of the medium. Preferably, immediately after the setup process, the type of medium in the container is determined and dispensed using a method according to the present disclosure.

The vertical position of the container is to be understood as meaning the position that the container assumes in its regular operating state. The horizontal position is preferably understood to mean the position orthogonal to the vertical position.

In one embodiment, the database, which includes characteristic echo amplitudes of various media, is stored locally in the sensor unit and/or stored in a cloud system. This means that the comparison of the echo amplitudes can take place locally in the sensor unit and/or in the cloud. Thanks to the cloud, a user has easier access to the data, i.e. can view it from anywhere.

In one embodiment, after the medium has been determined, the measured values of the sensor are linearized, the linearization used being adapted to the medium determined. This makes it possible to provide linearization that is specifically tailored to the medium and the container. In this way, measurement inaccuracies are minimized. This is advantageous for mobile containers, for example, as they are alternately filled with different bulk materials. This makes handling easier and the measurement accuracy optimized.

In one embodiment, the corresponding linearization for a specific medium is stored in the sensor unit and/or in a cloud. In other words, the linearization method is stored in the sensor unit and/or in the cloud. This means that the linearization can take place locally in the sensor unit and/or in the cloud.

In one embodiment, the sensor unit provided comprises a radar sensor, a lidar sensor and/or an ultrasonic sensor. For example, the sensor used to determine/measure the echo amplitude can be an ultrasonic sensor. Due to the different possible sensor types, the appropriate sensor type can be selected for a preferred application.

In one embodiment, the sensor unit comprises an acceleration sensor, wherein the measured values recorded by the acceleration sensor during the installation process are taken into account when determining the medium. The acceleration sensor is particularly advantageous for installation processes that are not fully automatic. Alternatively, the acceleration sensor is arranged on the container separately from the sensor unit.

In one embodiment, a transport process of the mobile container is detected using a GPS unit that is arranged on the container. The GPS unit makes it possible for the sensor unit to recognize that the container was transported and the subsequent installation process was carried out properly. Otherwise, it is conceivable that the sensor unit issues a warning signal and/or sends an alarm message.

In one embodiment, the sensor unit comprises a position sensor in order to determine the positioning of the container by measuring the angular position of the container. The position sensor determines that an installation process has taken place due to the angular position of the container.

It is possible for the acceleration sensor, the position sensor and/or the GPS unit to be part of the sensor unit together with the sensor for determining/detecting the echo amplitudes. Additional sensors, if they make sense, can be part of the sensor unit.

In one embodiment, when determining the medium, the type of means of transport with which the mobile container is transported is taken into account. The installation process can depend in particular on the type of truck or truck body used with which the mobile container is transported. More precisely, the type of truck or truck body can be stored in the sensor unit. A specific assembly process can be assigned to the type of truck or truck body. This means that certain processes and/or their possible effects on the medium are stored. With the help of this information it is possible to obtain more accurate data for determining the medium. It is conceivable that several vehicle types and vehicle bodies are stored in a database for selection.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to emit a measurement signal and to detect a reflected measurement signal, and the sensor is configured to determine an echo amplitude and compare it with a database which contains characteristic echo amplitudes of various media includes, and the type of medium based on the characteristic echo amplitude.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a mobile bulk goods container comprising a sensor according to the aforementioned embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments are described in more detail below using figures.

• 1 einen schematischen Schnitt eines Behälters und eine korrespondierende Echoamplitude/Messkurve; und
• 2 einen weiteren schematischen Schnitt eines Behälters und eine korrespondierende Echoamplitude/Messkurve.

The figures show:

• 1 a schematic section of a container and a corresponding echo amplitude/measurement curve; and
• 2 another schematic section of a container and a corresponding echo amplitude/measurement curve.

1 and 2 each show a container 11. The two examples shown are each mobile containers 11, in particular mobile bulk goods containers 11.

1 shows a schematic section of the container 11. The container 11 comprises a hollow cylindrical geometry/shape. A funnel-shaped or hollow cone-shaped geometry is arranged on the lower side when set up. In other words, the hollow cylindrical geometry merges into the funnel-shaped geometry. The funnel-shaped area preferably includes an opening for discharging the medium. The container 11 shown is a mobile container 11.

A medium 12 is arranged inside the container 11. It is preferably a bulk material. The surface of the medium 12 or the bulk material is not horizontal due to the installation process. In other words, the surface of the medium 12 or bulk material forms an inclined plane.

A sensor unit 10 is arranged on the outer wall of the container 11. The sensor unit 10 includes, for example, a radar sensor. Other or additional sensors are possible. The sensor sends out a measurement signal 13 (dashed line). The measurement signal 13 penetrates through the outer wall of the container 11 and hits the inclined surface of the medium 12 or the bulk material inside. The measurement signal 13 is reflected from the surface of the medium 12. The sensor detects this reflection signal and uses this to determine the echo amplitude 14 of the reflected measurement signal 13.

The diagram according to 1 shows an example of a measurement. The diagram describes the course of the (echo) amplitude depending on the distance to the sensor. At the beginning, the amplitude of the reflected measurement signal 13 is large. This rash is due to the fact that the measurement signal 13 is initially partially reflected by the outer wall of the container 11. The amplitude then decreases again and runs in a valley. This area corresponds to the cavity of the container 11, in which no reflection occurs. After the valley, a second rash occurs. The second deflection corresponds to the echo amplitude 14 of the measurement signal 13 reflected by the medium 12, the echo amplitude 14 being dependent on the type of inclined plane.

2 shows another container 11 and a corresponding diagram of a measurement for determining the medium 12 in said container 11. The container 11 in 2 is out to container 11 1 essentially identical. The container 11 according to 2 differs from the container 11 only in the medium 12 contained therein 1 .

The medium 12 or the bulk material in the container 11 in 2 has an inclined plane. The inclined plane shown here has a flatter angle to the horizontal than the one in 1 inclined plane shown. In other words, it is in 1 The inclined plane of the surface of the medium 12 shown is steeper than that in 2 shown inclined plane of the surface of the medium 12. The medium 12 in 1 therefore has poorer trickle behavior than the medium 12 according to 2 on.

As in 1 is in 2 a measurement signal 13 is sent out by the sensor and the echo amplitude 14 is measured/detected. The corresponding diagram (amplitude as a function of distance) of an exemplary measurement has a first deflection right at the beginning. This rash is identical to that in 1 , since in both cases the measurement signal 13 is initially reflected by the outer wall of the container 11. This is followed by a valley in the measurement curve in which no echo is received. The second deflection corresponds to the echo amplitude 14 of the measurement signal 13. The echo amplitude 14 measured here is smaller than that in 1 measured echo amplitude 14.

In the 1 and 2 The containers 11 shown are preferably mobile bulk containers. This means that, assuming that the two containers 11 have just been set up and no material has yet been removed, in the containers 11 in 1 and 2 different media 12 are located.

The echo amplitude 14 depends on the angle of the surface of the medium 12. The angle in turn depends on the trickling behavior of the medium 12 or the bulk material. One factor for the trickle behavior is, for example, the type of grain size of the medium 12 or the bulk material. Since each medium 12 has its own characteristic trickle behavior, a corresponding medium 12 can be inferred from the echo amplitude 14. For this purpose, the detected or measured echo amplitude 14 is compared with characteristic echo amplitudes of known media.

In addition, in order to improve the accuracy with which the medium 12 is determined, further parameters can be taken into account. For example, the sensor unit 10 or the container 11 may include an acceleration sensor. This makes it possible to measure the acceleration forces that occur when the container 11 is set up from a horizontal to a vertical position. It may be advantageous to take these forces into account when determining the type of medium 12, as they can influence the angle of the inclined plane.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the installation takes place at least partially automatically. In other words, the setup process can be at least partially reproducible. In other words, the installation process can at least partially include recurring processes that are identical for every installation process of a container. These reproducible processes can also be taken into account when determining the medium 12 by the sensor unit 10, since these also influence the angle of the inclined plane after the installation process.

It can be provided that the sensor unit 10 uses a position sensor, which is arranged on the container 11, for example, to detect that the container 11 has been set up. Alternatively or additionally, this can be done with the help of a GPS unit that registers transport of the container 11 based on a change in location. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible for the information to be transmitted from a higher-level cloud system to the sensor unit 10. If one of the above-mentioned cases occurs, the sensor can determine the echo amplitude 14. A corresponding linearization optimized for the medium 12 is then stored in the sensor and/or in the higher-level cloud system. With the known medium 12 in the container 11, an adapted linearization can be specifically selected in order to compensate for measurement inaccuracies.

However, the present invention is not limited to the previous preferred embodiments Examples are limited as long as they are covered by the subject matter of the following claims. In addition, it should be noted that the terms “comprising” and “having” do not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite articles “a” or “an” do not exclude a plurality. In addition, the term unit is to be understood broadly; in particular, this term is not to be understood to mean that the respective units must be designed as integral components. The respective units can also be positioned differently. Finally, different units can also be combined in one assembly. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the above-described exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other above-described embodiments.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

10

Sensor unit

11

container

12

medium

13

measurement signal

14

Echo amplitude

Claims (14)

Method for determining a medium (12), in particular a bulk material, in a container (11), comprising: - Providing a sensor unit (10) with at least one sensor for emitting a measurement signal (13) and then detecting the measurement signal (13) reflected from a surface of the medium (12); - Comparing an echo amplitude (14) determined from the detected measurement signal with a database which includes characteristic echo amplitudes of various media (12); and - Output of the type of medium (12) based on the comparison of the characteristic echo amplitude with the determined echo amplitude (14). Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the container (11) is a mobile container, in particular a mobile bulk goods container. Procedure according to Claim 2 , characterized in that when determining the medium (12), a characteristic installation process is taken into account, in which the mobile container is transferred from a horizontal to a vertical state. Procedure according to one of the Claims 2 or 3 , characterized in that the characteristic echo amplitudes of various media (12) include the echo amplitudes that form due to the formation of an inclined plane during the installation process. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the database, which comprises characteristic echo amplitudes of various media (12), is stored locally in the sensor unit (10) and/or is stored in a cloud system. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after the medium (12) has been determined, the measured values of the sensor are linearized, the linearization used being adapted to the medium (12) determined. Procedure according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the corresponding linearization for a specific medium (12) is stored in the sensor unit (10) and/or in a cloud. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor unit (10) provided comprises a radar sensor, a lidar sensor and/or an ultrasonic sensor. Procedure according to one of the Claims 2 until 8th ; characterized in that a transport process of the mobile container is detected by means of a GPS unit which is arranged on the container (11). Procedure according to one of the Claims 2 until 9 , characterized in that the sensor unit (10) comprises a position sensor in order to determine the positioning of the container (11) by measuring the angular position of the container. Procedure according to one of the Claims 2 until 10 , characterized in that when determining the medium (12), the type of means of transport with which the mobile container is transported is taken into account. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor unit (10) comprises an acceleration sensor, the measured values recorded by the acceleration sensor during the installation process being taken into account when determining the medium (12). Sensor for determining a medium (12), in particular a bulk material, in a container (11), - the sensor being configured to emit a measurement signal (13) and to detect a reflected measurement signal (13), and - the sensor being configured for this purpose is to determine an echo amplitude (14), compare it with a database which includes characteristic echo amplitudes of different media (12), and output the type of medium (12) based on the characteristic echo amplitude. Mobile bulk container comprising a sensor Claim 13 .

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