DE102022123829A1 - Device for determining the fill level of bulk material - Google Patents

Abstract

Device (1) for determining the fill level of bulk material, comprising a holding device (30) for pivotally holding at least one elongated measuring element (10), at least one elongated measuring element (10) with a first end (11) directed towards the bulk material and a a second end (12) opposite the first free end (11), which consists of metal or a metal-containing material, a sensor (20) facing the second end (12) for detecting a deflection of the measuring element (10), and a pivot bearing (40 ) with which the elongated measuring element (10) is pivotally attached to the holding device (30).

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a device for determining the fill level of bulk material, in particular stones, gravel, gravel, grit, sand or pellets, wood chips, bark mulch, soil, such as potting soil or other topsoil substrates. With the device according to the invention, either the filling level and/or the filling height in a container, bunker, tank, silo or other container, or the bulk material height in a storage area or a stockpile can be determined.

State of the art

A wide variety of measuring methods for determining the fill level of bulk material are known from the prior art. In industrial applications there is often the task of determining the fill level of bulk goods, especially in a container, bunker, tank or silo, or the height of the bulk goods in a storage area or stockpile. A number of techniques are known for this purpose, with a fundamental distinction being made between contacting level measurement methods on the one hand and non-contacting level measurement methods on the other.

The contact level measurement methods in which a component of the measuring device comes into contact with the bulk material whose level is to be measured include, for example, level measurement using a touch plate, a sensing or sensing weight or a measuring probe, or level measurement using a capacitive sensor. It is known to determine the fill level of bulk material using electromechanical plumb sensors, which are mounted, for example, on the container roof of the filling material container. A sensing or tactile weight is lowered into the product container. The sensing or tactile weight is attached to the end of a measuring rope, which is wound on an electric motor-driven spool. If the sensing or tactile weight hits the surface of the filling material, the winding direction is switched and the weight returns to its original position. During the downward movement of the sensing or sensing weight, the distance is measured electronically by the rotation of the pulley, with a microprocessor converting the measured distance into a volume-specific output signal that depends on the container geometry. Since the sensing or sensing weight must first be lowered for another measurement, the filling level cannot be monitored continuously. In addition, the container geometry is included as a parameter in order to determine the fill level of the product container. Therefore, the use of electromechanical plumb sensors is not suitable for determining the height of bulk goods in storage areas, stockpiles or other open spaces.

Non-contact level measurement methods include, for example, measurement using laser, sound or ultrasound. A laser, sound or ultrasonic signal is emitted, reflected on the surface of the bulk material, and the reflected signal is recorded again, with the filling level of the bulk material being determined based on the transit time of the signal. An example of this is: DE 26 49 075 A1 to name which determines the fill level in a container or the height of the bulk material in a storage area according to the echo sounder principle by measuring the total transit time of a sound or ultrasonic signal directed onto the surface of the filling material or bulk material and the echo signal reflected from the surface of the filling material or bulk material to determine. In the DE 10 2005 011 778 A1 a method for measuring the level of medium provided in a container based on the radar principle is also known.

It is sometimes problematic, particularly when determining the fill level of bulk material or determining the height of the bulk material, that the fill level height cannot be determined directly using the transit time of the reflected portion of the measurement signal. In the case of bulk materials, there is typically no planar surface, but rather a cone of bulk material, so that there is no defined, clear filling level at all. In addition, measurement errors often occur when measuring the fill level in environments in which a lot of dirt and dust is stirred up when bulk material accumulates, as the laser, sound or ultrasonic waves or the signals reflected from the surface of the bulk material are caused by the whirled up dust or dirt can sometimes be significantly disturbed.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. The device should determine the fill level of bulk material or the height of the bulk material as precisely and reliably as possible, be robust and resistant to external influences and be inexpensive and easy to produce. This object is achieved according to the invention by the device according to independent claim 1. Further advantageous aspects, details and refinements of the invention result from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The device according to the invention for determining the fill level of bulk material comprises a holding device for pivotally holding at least one elongated measuring element, at least one elongated measuring element with a first end directed towards the bulk material and a second end opposite the first free end, which is made of metal or consists of a metal-containing material, a sensor facing the second ends for detecting a deflection of the measuring element and a pivot bearing with which the elongated measuring element is pivotally attached to the holding device.

For the purposes of the invention, “bulk material” is to be understood as meaning a powdery, granular or lumpy mixture that is in a pourable form. The bulk materials include, for example, sand, gravel, chippings, gravel, stones, ore, coal, but also bark mulch, pellets, wood chips or granules of any kind, such as plastic granules. Storage takes place in silos, bunkers, tanks or other containers or, if it is not sensitive to the weather, outdoors, especially in storage areas, dumps or other open spaces.

The bulk material, such as sand, gravel, chippings, gravel or stones, is often transported or conveyed to a storage area or a dump via transport or conveyor belts, whereby the bulk material is piled up in a heap for storage. This is also referred to as heap storage or heaps. Since the bulk material is always poured at the same point, the result is essentially a cone of dumping that has an angle of repose. The angle of repose is an important parameter, for example, to determine the volume or space required in the top part of a silo or the space required for heap storage. Typical dump cones can be seen, for example, in gravel, sand or gravel quarries.

A particular advantage of the device according to the invention is that the device is extremely robust and insensitive to dirt, dust and moisture. On the one hand, the device consists of a few exchangeable or replaceable individual components, namely a holding device, at least one measuring element and a sensor, i.e. the device is designed to be minimalist and defective or damaged individual components can be exchanged or replaced in a simple manner, on the other hand the holding device and the at least one measuring element that comes into contact with the bulk material have great stability and high resistance. The device can therefore easily be used to measure the fill level or the bulk material height of coarse-grained bulk material, such as stones, gravel or gravel.

Preferably, the measuring element is arranged perpendicular to the subsurface or storage area or container bottom, with the first free end of the measuring element directed in the direction of the bulk material. If the bulk material is now piled up in the form of a heap, the first free end of the measuring element comes into contact with the side surface of the bulk cone during the filling process, with the contact with the side surface of the growing bulk cone causing the measuring element to move relative to its rest position or Rest position or rest position is deflected. The deflection of the measuring element is then detected by the sensor, which faces the second end of the measuring element or is opposite the second end of the measuring element. The greater the pressure on the first end of the measuring element, the further the measuring element is deflected relative to its rest position, i.e. the higher the pile is piled up or the greater the filling quantity, the greater the pressure that the bulk material exerts on the first end of the measuring element is exerted and the greater the deflection of the measuring element compared to its rest position. As soon as the measuring element comes into contact with the side surface of the bulk cone, the fill level or the height of the bulk material is continuously measured or monitored. The measurement data is received and evaluated by a commercially available control unit (not shown). When a defined or predetermined pivoting or deflection angle of the measuring element is reached or exceeded, the control unit can be used to interrupt the supply of bulk material via the transport or conveyor belt.

In contrast to many conventional level measurement methods, the measurement of the fill level or the height of the bulk material is based on a contact level measurement method in which the measurement result depends on external influences, such as swirled dust, dirt or moisture, or the nature of the bulk material, such as conductivity, moisture, reflection coefficient or grain size of the bulk material is not influenced.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensor is an inductive sensor. Inductive sensors are characterized by the fact that, due to their functional principle, they can detect metallic objects without contact. Inductive sensors are also very robust and resistant sensors, especially when exposed to external influences such as dirt, large amounts of dust, moisture or splash water. Since the second end of the measuring element facing the sensor is made of metal or a metal-containing material, the inductive sensor can reliably and safely detect and record the measuring element. In particular, such a sensor can be used to determine the angular position and direction of rotation of the measuring element in a simple and, above all, reliable manner.

The measuring element is advantageously designed as a measuring rod. The measuring rod has a longitudinal axis in the longitudinal direction and is preferably cylindrical, i.e. the measuring rod has a circular cross-sectional shape. The measuring rod can therefore be a rod made of round material. Furthermore, the measuring rod has a diameter between 0.2 cm and 2.5 cm, preferably between 0.5 cm and 1.8 cm, in particular between 0.6 cm and 1.4 cm and a total length between 5 cm and 300 cm, preferably between 10 cm and 250 cm, in particular between 20 cm and 200 cm. However, the invention is in no way limited to cylindrical measuring rods; rather, the measuring rod can have any other cross-sectional shape, in particular an arcuate or semicircular, oval, elliptical, triangular, rectangular or square, quadrilateral, hexagonal or octagonal or polygonal cross-sectional area.

In a preferred embodiment, the measuring element is at least partially, in particular completely, made of metal, such as iron, steel, stainless steel or stainless steel. The measuring element is particularly resistant and robust if it is made entirely of metal. Depending on the area of application or requirements for the measuring rod, the measuring rod can be made from a hollow profile or from solid material. However, it is also conceivable that the measuring rod is made of another resistant and robust material, such as plastic, fiber-reinforced plastic, etc., in which case at least the second end of the measuring element facing the sensor must contain a metallic material the inductive sensor can detect the deflection of the measuring element. The metallic material could also be a type of cap made of metal or at least a metal plate, which can be attached or is attached to the second end of the measuring element.

The holding device is designed for pivotally holding at least one elongated measuring element and preferably has at least one leg on which the elongated measuring element is pivotally mounted or held. In a first preferred embodiment, the holding device is L-shaped. According to the invention, a first holding device can be provided for pivotally holding at least one elongated measuring element and a second holding device for holding a sensor, i.e. the holding device is designed in two parts.

The holding device advantageously also carries the sensor. Contrary to a first advantageous embodiment, in which the sensor and the measuring element are each arranged on a separate holding device, this alternative embodiment only has one holding device which carries both the measuring element and the sensor. The holding device is preferably designed in the form of a bracket, the measuring element being pivotally mounted on a first leg of the bracket and the sensor being arranged on a second leg of the bracket, or vice versa, i.e. the sensor is arranged on a first leg of the bracket and The measuring element is pivotally mounted on a second leg of the bracket. The bracket preferably consists of a flat material made of metal, such as steel, iron, stainless steel, stainless steel or a metal alloy. The metal bracket represents an extremely robust and easy-to-produce holding device, which is also very resistant to external influences or environmental influences.

The bracket particularly preferably has a U-shape, consisting of a first leg, a second leg and a base section connecting them. The first and second legs of the U-shaped bracket run essentially parallel to one another, so that the measuring element and the sensor can be arranged axially to one another in a simple manner.

To accommodate the measuring element, a first through opening is provided in the leg carrying the measuring element, while in the opposite leg carrying the sensor, a second through opening is provided for receiving the sensor. The sensor is inserted through the second through opening and attached to the leg using fasteners. The sensor can be attached to the leg carrying the sensor in different ways, for example by means of a screw connection. For this purpose, the sensor has an external thread at least in the area of the second through opening, so that the sensor can be attached to the leg, for example by means of nuts or nuts, namely an upper and lower nut. For example, a square or hexagonal nut can be used as a screw nut. A detachable connection, such as a screw connection, has the advantage that, on the one hand, the distance of the sensor from the second end of the measuring element or measuring rod can be individually adjusted, and on the other hand, the sensor can be easily removed at any time can be exchanged. The sensor or sensor head can also be easily assembled/disassembled to clean it.

Furthermore, the first through opening has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the measuring element. Due to the larger diameter of the first through opening, it is possible that the measuring element can be moved back and forth or pivoted within the through opening, i.e. the measuring element can be deflected relative to its rest position. The pivoting range or the maximum pivoting angle of the measuring element is therefore dependent, among other things, on the size of the first through-opening, because the larger the diameter of the first through-opening, the larger is the pivoting angle by which the measuring rod can be pivoted relative to a rest position. The diameter of the first through opening is between 0.3 cm and 3 cm, preferably between 0.5 cm and 2 cm, in particular between 0.8 cm and 1.6 cm.

In addition, it is advantageous that the measuring element is guided through the first through opening and the pivotable mounting of the measuring element on the holding device is provided by an upper, first stop and a lower, second stop as well as at least one spring element arranged between the holding device and one of the two stops is realized. The first stop, the second stop and the spring element consequently form the bearing, whereby the bearing ensures a high level of functional reliability due to the components used and is very robust against external influences.

It would also be conceivable at this point to mount the measuring element using a ball joint, but the ball joint is extremely maintenance-intensive compared to the bearing according to the invention, since the ball joint is susceptible to dust, dirt and moisture. Particularly when using the device according to the invention in a sand, gravel or gravel factory, the measuring device must be robust and resistant to dirt, dust and other contaminants.

So that the measuring element is replaceable, both the first stop and the second stop are detachably attached to the measuring element. The first and second stops are advantageously designed as hollow cylindrical or ring-shaped stops, the opening of the hollow cylindrical or ring-shaped stop being selected so that the measuring element can be accommodated therein. The respective stop is preferably attached to the measuring element by means of a clamp connection. For example, the hollow cylindrical or ring-shaped stop can have a radial opening with an internal thread in order to be able to fix the stop relative to the measuring element by means of a clamping screw, i.e. in the assembled state, the upper, first and lower, second stops limit the movement of the measuring element in the longitudinal direction of the measuring element. The first stop and the second stop thus limit the movement of the measuring element in the longitudinal direction of the device. Alternatively, the stops can be designed in the form of a clamping ring. The first and second stops do not have to be attachable to the measuring element in a clamping manner; rather, other types of stops can also be used.

In another alternative embodiment of the device, at least one stop is designed as part of the measuring element, in which the stop is designed as a bead-like or plate-shaped or annular section of the measuring element or the stop is designed as a separate component which is firmly connected to the measuring element is. It is thus possible for a first stop to be part of the measuring element, while the other or second stop can be attached to the measuring element in a removable or detachable manner.

So that the measuring element can be deflected from its rest position and return to the rest position, at least one spring element is provided, which is arranged between the upper, first stop and the lower, second stop. Advantageously, the spring element is supported either on the upper, first stop and on the inside of the leg of the holding device carrying the measuring element, or on the lower, second stop and on the outside of the leg of the holding device carrying the measuring element. A compression spring or helical spring is preferably used as the spring element.

Furthermore, the bracket has at least one fastening means on the middle part or base section in order to be able to attach the device according to the invention to the location or storage location where the bulk material is piled up or to the container in which the bulk material is filled. To align or level the device, at least two elongated holes are preferably provided, namely at least one elongated hole extending in the vertical direction and at least one elongated hole extending in the horizontal direction. This allows the device to be aligned both horizontally and vertically. The fastening means can also be designed as holes or fastening holes. Instead of one Screw connection, an adhesive connection or rivet connection would also be conceivable.

In order to achieve a reliable and safe measurement, the sensor is arranged axially opposite the second end of the measuring element. In the rest position of the measuring element, the sensor or measuring head of the sensor faces the second free end of the measuring element at a distance from one another, i.e. the surface of the sensor head is aligned essentially parallel to the cross-sectional area of the measuring element. Thus, in the rest position of the measuring element, the measuring element is essentially in the middle or in the center of the measuring field of the sensor. If the measuring element is deflected in one direction by the bulk material, the measuring element moves out of the middle or the center of the measuring field. Both the direction of movement and the swivel angle are continuously recorded. In order to obtain the most reliable and strong measurement signal possible, a preferred distance is provided between the sensor and the measuring element. The sensor thus has an end face facing the measuring element and the measuring element has an end face located at the second end and facing the sensor, the distance between the end face of the measuring element in the rest position and the end face of the sensor being less than 3 cm, preferably is less than 1 cm, in particular less than 0.5 cm.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention is characterized in that the measuring element has an upper, first measuring element section and a lower, second measuring element section, the first measuring element section extending in the installed or mounted state from the second end to the first through opening of the measuring element and the second measuring element section in the installed or assembled state extends from the first through opening to the first end of the measuring element and wherein the first measuring element section has a length between 2.5 cm and 30 cm, preferably between 5 cm and 15 cm, in particular between 6 cm and 7.8 cm , and the second measuring element section has a length between 10 cm and 270 cm, preferably between 15 cm and 220 cm, in particular between 20 cm and 200 cm.

Depending on the material, different angles of repose result when piling up bulk material or when pouring filling or bulk material into a container. The angle of repose indicates how steep a cone of repose is, i.e. a flat cone has a small angle of repose, while a steep cone has a large angle of repose. In order to be able to use the device according to the invention for a wide variety of bulk materials or in a very versatile manner, the measuring element can be pivoted relative to its rest position up to a pivot angle of a maximum of 42 degrees, preferably a maximum of 35 degrees, in particular a maximum of 30 degrees. The direction of the pivoting movement and the associated pivoting angle depend on which side of the pile or cone of material the measuring element is arranged on. As a result, the pivot angle with respect to the rest position of the measuring element can assume either a negative or positive pivot angle depending on the deflection of the measuring element, i.e. the angular range is between -42 degrees and 42 degrees, preferably between -35 degrees and 35 degrees, preferably between -30 degrees and 30 degrees. However, it would also be conceivable to adapt the device according to the invention in such a way that larger pivot angles can be achieved, i.e. the measuring element can also be deflected by more than +/- 42 degrees compared to its rest position. It is known that, for example, gravel has an angle of repose between 32 degrees and 37 degrees, sand has an angle of repose between 32 degrees and 35 degrees and rubble, such as railway ballast, has an angle of repose of around 40 degrees.

Further developments, advantages and possible applications of the invention also emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. All described and/or illustrated features, individually or in any combination, are fundamentally the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their relationship.

Brief description of the drawings

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Ermittlung des Füllstands von Schüttgut;
• 2 eine Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung gemäß 1 mit einem montierten bzw. eingebauten Sensor;
• 3 eine Vorderansicht der Vorrichtung gemäß 1 und
• 4 einen vertikalen Querschnitt durch eine Ausführungsform gemäß 1.

The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments in connection with the schematic drawings. Show it

• 1 a perspective view of a device according to the invention for determining the fill level of bulk material;
• 2 a side view of the device according to 1 with a mounted or built-in sensor;
• 3 a front view of the device according to 1 and
• 4 a vertical cross section through an embodiment according to 1 .

Ways of carrying out the invention

In 1 The reference number 1 shows a device for determining the fill level of bulk material or the height of bulk material. Such a device 1 or measuring device is used in particular Special purpose is to determine or measure either the filling level and/or the filling height in a container, bunker, tank, silo or other container, or the height of the bulk material in a storage area or a stockpile or other open space. In the present case, the term bulk material is understood to mean, in particular, bulk material such as stones, gravel, gravel, grit, sand, quartz sand, ore, coal or pellets, wood chips, bark mulch, soil, such as potting soil or other topsoil substrates. However, the device according to the invention can also be used for other types of bulk material, such as powdery materials, granules, etc. The device according to the invention can therefore be used in a variety of ways, which results in an extremely wide area of application.

The device according to the invention comprises a holding device 30 for pivotally holding at least one elongated measuring element 10. The holding device 30 preferably consists of a flat material made of metal, in particular steel, iron, stainless steel or stainless steel, or a metal alloy, and is by means of a bending or forming process, i.e. the holding device 30 is formed in one piece or in one piece. The holding device 30 made from a flat material has an inside 36 and an outside 37 and a thickness or material thickness h between 0.1 cm and 1.2 cm, preferably between 0.25 cm and 0.8 cm, in particular between 0.3 cm and 0.6 cm.

Preferably, the holding device 30 has at least one leg in which the elongated measuring element 10 is pivotally mounted or deflectable. As in 1 shown, the holding device 30 can also be designed in the form of a bracket, in particular a U-shaped bracket, consisting of a first leg 31, a second leg 32 and a middle leg or base section 33 connecting the two legs 31, 32. It would also be conceivable that the holding device 10 is L-shaped, comprising a base section 33 and only one leg.

Regardless of the embodiment, there is a leg in which 1 to 4 the first leg 31 is provided with a first through opening 34 or a hole through which the elongated measuring element 10 is guided. In order for the elongated measuring element 10 to be pivotable or deflectable, the diameter d2 of the first through opening 34 is dimensioned such that the elongated measuring element 10 is movable within the first through opening 34. As a result, the diameter d2 of the first through opening 34 is larger than the diameter d1 of the measuring element 10, in particular the diameter d2 of the first through opening 34 is between 0.3 cm and 3 cm, preferably between 0.5 cm and 2 cm, in particular between 0. 8cm and 1.6cm.

Furthermore, the base section 33 of the holding device 10 has at least one fastening means 46, which is preferably designed as a hole or elongated hole. By means of the at least one fastening means 46, the device 1 according to the invention can be attached to the storage location or place where the bulk material is piled up or to the container into which the bulk or filling material is filled. In the exemplary embodiment according to 1 the base section 33 has two fastening holes 47, 47 ', namely a first elongated hole 47 extending in the vertical direction and a second elongated hole 47 ' extending in the horizontal direction, the first and second elongated holes being used for adjusting or aligning the device 1 in serve horizontal and vertical directions.

In the 1 to 4 The holding device 10 has a U-shape and therefore, in addition to a base section 33 and a first leg 31, also has a second leg 32 opposite the first leg 31. The holding device 31, which is designed as a U-shaped bracket, provides a second leg 32 to which a sensor 20 can be attached. Since the first and second legs 31, 32 are arranged essentially parallel to one another, the sensor 20 and the elongated measuring element 10 can be positioned relative to one another in a simple manner. To attach a sensor 20 to the second leg 32, it has a second through opening 35, the diameter being selected such that at least the sensor 20 can be guided through. In the embodiment according to 1 to 4 The second leg 32 therefore carries the sensor 20.

Furthermore, the device 1 according to the invention for determining the fill level of bulk material or the height of the bulk material has at least one elongated measuring element 10, which has a longitudinal axis LA running in the longitudinal direction LR of the device 1 as well as a first end 11 facing the bulk material and a first end 11 opposite, second end 12. The second end 12 is therefore the section of the measuring element 10 which faces the sensor 20 in the assembled or installed state. So that the sensor 20 can detect the deflection of the measuring element 10, at least the second end 12 consists of a metal or metal-containing material.

The measuring element 10 preferably consists entirely of metal or a metal alloy and has a diameter d1 between 0.2 cm and 2.5 cm, preferably between 0.5 cm and 1.8 cm, in particular between 0.6 cm and 1.4 cm. The measuring element 10 according to 1 to 4 is rod-shaped, ie the measuring element 10 is a measuring rod, which preferably has a circular cross-sectional shape. A rod made of round steel, for example, can be used as a measuring rod. However, the invention is by no means limited to a circular cross-sectional shape; rather, the measuring rod can also have a circular arc or semicircular, oval, elliptical, triangular, rectangular or square, quadrilateral, hexagonal or octagonal or polygonal cross-sectional area.

In the assembled or installed state, the measuring element 10 is guided through the first through opening 34 provided on the first leg 31, which divides the measuring element 10 into a first measuring element section 10a and a second measuring element section 10b. The first measuring element section 10a protrudes through the first through opening 34 and faces the sensor 20 with its free end 12, i.e. first measuring element section 10a extends from the first through opening 34 to the second end 12. In contrast, the second measuring element section 10b extends from the first through opening 34 to the free end 11 facing the bulk material. The total length L of the measuring element 10 is between 5 cm and 300 cm, preferably between 10 cm and 250 cm, in particular between 20 cm and 200 cm, the first measuring element section 10a a length l1 between 2.5 cm and 30 cm, preferably between 5 cm and 15 cm, in particular between 6 cm and 7.8 cm, and the second measuring element section 10b a length 12 between 10 cm and 270 cm, preferably between 15 cm and 220 cm, in particular between 20 cm and 200 cm.

The pivotable attachment of the measuring element 10 to the holding device 30 takes place by means of a bearing or a pivot bearing 40, comprising an upper, first stop 41, a lower, second stop 42 and at least one spring element 45. The spring element 45 is preferably a Compression or coil spring. Depending on the embodiment, the spring element 45 is supported either on the inside 36 of the first leg 31 and the first stop 41 or on the outside 37 of the first leg 32 and the second stop 42. The spring element 45 causes, on the one hand, the measuring element 10 to be movably mounted relative to the holding device 10, and on the other hand, the measuring element 10 can be deflected by the pressure of the bulk material and returns to the rest position in the depressurized state. The deflection or rest position of the measuring element 10 is in the 2 shown schematically by means of the longitudinal axis LA and the longitudinal axis LA1 or LA1 ', namely the longitudinal axis LA shows the measuring element 10 in the rest position and the longitudinal axis LA1 shows the measuring element 10 in a first deflected position or pivoting position and the longitudinal axis LA1 shows the measuring element 10 in one second deflected position or pivot position. The direction of deflection of the measuring element 10 depends on which side of the pile or cone the measuring element 10 is arranged. The angle which is included between the longitudinal axis LA and the longitudinal axis LA1 or LA1' is referred to as the pivot angle α or α', ie the larger the pivot angle α or α', the higher the height of the bulk material or the higher it is the level of the filling or bulk material.

In the rest position or rest position or rest position, the measuring element 10 is held in the bearing perpendicularly or perpendicular to the leg carrying the measuring element 10. The ones in the 1 to 4 The advantageous embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention shown is mounted in such a way that the longitudinal axis LA of the measuring element 10 runs in the vertical direction, ie in this installed state the measuring element 10 has its equilibrium position due to the weight force. When filling a container with bulk material or when piling up bulk material to form a pile of bulk material, the measuring element 10 is deflected relative to its rest position depending on the fill level or the height of the bulk material, namely by the pressure that the bulk material exerts on the first end 11 of the measuring element 10. The higher the fill level or the bulk material height, the greater the deflection of the measuring element 10 compared to its rest position.

The movement of the elongated measuring element 10 along the longitudinal axis LA is limited by the upper, first stop 41 and the lower, second stop 42, the first and second stops 41, 42 preferably being releasably attached to the measuring element 10. Due to the releasable attachment of at least one stop, it is possible to replace or assemble/disassemble the measuring element 10 in a simple manner. The attachment is preferably carried out by means of a clamping connection, for example by means of a commercially available clamping ring or an annular or hollow cylindrical stop body, which is attached to the measuring element 10 with a clamping screw. It would also be conceivable that at least one stop is part of the measuring element 10 and is designed, for example, in the form of a bead or a disk- or plate-like section of the measuring element 10, not shown in the figures. In order to be able to position the measuring element 10 as well as possible, it is advantageous to design both stops 41, 42 in such a way that these can be detachably attached to the measuring element 10.

The sensor 20 is preferably an inductive sensor, since it can be used to detect metallic objects well and reliably. The inductive sensor is particularly suitable for use when measuring the fill level or bulk height of bulk goods where a lot of dust and dirt is generated during filling or accumulation. The device 1 according to the invention can therefore easily be used to determine the fill level of bulk material in, for example, a sand, gravel or gravel works.

The sensor 20 can be fastened in the second through opening 35 in different ways. So the sensor 20 can have an external thread at least in the area of the through opening, so that the sensor 20 can be fastened to the holding device 10 by means of nuts or nuts, in particular a square or hexagon nut. Typically, the sensor 20 is attached to the outside 37 of the leg and to the inside 36 of the leg with a nut or screw nut. This type of attachment makes it possible for the sensor 20 to be replaced at any time or assembled/disassembled for cleaning or repair. So that good and reliable measurement results can be achieved and the deflection of the measuring element 10 can be recorded in any direction, the measuring element 10 and the sensor 20 are axially aligned with one another, so that the end face 21 of the sensor 20 facing the measuring element 10 and the end face 13 of the second end 12 of the measuring element 10 face each other centrally or in the middle. As a result, the end face 21 of the sensor 20 and the end face 13 of the second end 12 of the measuring element 10 are aligned essentially parallel to one another. The measurement is particularly reliable if the distance A between the two end faces 13, 21 is less than 3 cm, preferably less than 1 cm, in particular less than 0.5 cm.

First, the device 1 according to the invention is positioned at a storage location or a dump where bulk material is piled up or a container into which filling or bulk material is to be filled, in order to then measure the fill level or the height of the bulk material. The fill level or the bulk material height is determined as soon as the measuring element 10 is deflected from its rest position by the inductive sensor 20 detecting the movement of the second end 12, which consists of metal or metal-containing material. The deflection of the measuring element 10 occurs due to the pressure that the growing cone of material exerts on the first end 11. The larger the cone of material grows, the greater the deflection of the measuring element 10.

Reference symbol list

1

contraption

10

elongated measuring element

10a

first measuring element section

10b

second measuring element section

11

first ending

12

second ending

13

front side

20

sensor

21

front side

30

Holding device

31

first leg

32

second leg

33

Base section

34

first passage opening

35

second passage opening

36

inside

37

Outside

40

Pivot bearing

41

first attack

42

second attack

45

Spring element

46

Fasteners

47, 47'

mounting hole

d1

Diameter of the measuring element

d2

diameter

L

overall length

l1

Length of the first measuring element section

l2

Length of second measuring element section

H

Thickness or material thickness

α, α'

Swivel angle

A

Distance

LA

Longitudinal axis (in rest position)

LA1

Longitudinal axis in first pivot position

LA1'

Longitudinal axis in second pivot position

LR

Longitudinal direction of the device

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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Cited patent literature

• DE 2649075 A1 [0004]
• DE 102005011778 A1 [0004]

Claims (15)

Device (1) for determining the fill level of bulk material, comprising a holding device (30) for pivotally holding at least one elongated measuring element (10), at least one elongated measuring element (10) with a first end (11) directed towards the bulk material and a a second end (12) opposite the first free end (11), which consists of metal or a metal-containing material, a sensor (20) facing the second end (12) for detecting a deflection of the measuring element (10), and a pivot bearing (40 ) with which the elongated measuring element (10) is pivotally attached to the holding device (30). Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the sensor (20) is an inductive sensor. Device according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the measuring element (10) is a measuring rod. Device according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the measuring element (10) is at least partially, in particular completely, made of metal or at least one metal element, in particular a metal plate or metal cap or metal pin, is attached to the second end (12) of the measuring element (10). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding device (30) additionally carries the sensor (20). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding device (30) is designed in the form of a bracket with at least one leg. Device according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the measuring element (10) is pivotally mounted on a first leg (31) of the bracket and the sensor (20) is arranged on a second leg (32) of the bracket, or vice versa. Device according to Claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that the leg carrying the measuring element (10) has a first through opening (34) with a diameter (d2) and the measuring element (10) has a diameter (d1), the diameter (d2) of the first through opening (34) is larger than the diameter (d1) of the measuring element (10). Device according to one of the Claims 6 until 8th , characterized in that the pivot bearing (40) has an upper, first stop (41) and a lower, second stop (42) as well as at least one spring element arranged between the holding device (30) and one of the two stops (41, 42). (45). Device according to one of the Claims 6 until 9 , characterized in that the bracket has at least one fastening means (46), in particular fastening hole (47, 47 '), on the middle part or base section (33). Device according to one of the Claims 6 until 10 , characterized in that the bracket has a U-shape, consisting of a first leg (31), a second leg (32) and a base section (33) connecting them. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (20) is arranged axially opposite the second end (12) of the measuring element (10). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (20) has an end face (21) facing the measuring element (10) and the measuring element (10) has an end face located at the second end (12) and facing the sensor (20). (13), wherein the distance (A) of the end face (13) of the measuring element (10) in the rest position and the end face (21) of the sensor (20) is less than 3 cm, preferably less than 1 cm, in particular less than 0.5 cm. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measuring element (10) has an upper, first measuring element section (10a) and a lower, second measuring element section (10b), the first measuring element section (10a) being separated from the second in the installed or mounted state End (12) of the measuring element (10) extends to the first through opening (34) of the measuring element (10) and the second measuring element section (10b) in the installed or assembled state extends from the first through opening (34) to the first end (11) of the measuring element (10), and wherein the measuring element section (10a) has a length (11) between 2.5 cm and 30 cm, preferably between 5 cm and 15 cm, in particular between 6 cm and 7.8 cm, and the measuring element section ( 10b) has a length (12) between 10 cm and 270 cm, preferably between 15 cm and 220 cm, in particular between 20 cm and 200 cm. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Measuring element (10) has a longitudinal axis (LA) running in the longitudinal direction (LR) and the measuring element (10) has a pivot angle (α, α ') of at most 42 degrees, preferably at most 35 degrees, in particular at most 30 degrees, relative to its rest position , is pivotable.

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