WO2023287021A1

WO2023287021A1 - Silo-mounted low-power wireless measurement apparatus and wireless measurement system

Info

Publication number: WO2023287021A1
Application number: PCT/KR2022/008191
Authority: WO
Inventors: 고병수
Original assignee: 주식회사 에임비랩
Priority date: 2021-07-16
Filing date: 2022-06-10
Publication date: 2023-01-19
Also published as: KR102381730B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a silo-mounted low-power wireless measurement apparatus and a wireless measurement system. The silo-mounted low-power wireless measurement apparatus, according to embodiments of the present invention, comprises: a communication unit which communicates with an external management server; a measurement unit which outputs a laser signal to measure the height of an accommodated material that is accommodated in a silo; a main power generation unit which generates electricity in response to rotation of a rotation plate installed in the silo while the accommodated material is discharged to the outside; and a control unit which transmits information about the height of the accommodated material to the management server at preset time intervals, and charges internal power supply with the electricity generated from the main power generation unit.

Description

Silo-mounted low-power wireless measurement device and wireless measurement system

The present invention relates to a silo-mounted low-power wireless measuring device and a wireless measuring system, and more particularly, to a wireless measuring device that minimizes power consumption and is easy to maintain through self-generation.

A silo is a cylindrical warehouse installed to store cargo in a fluid state, such as grain or feed, or cargo in powder form, such as cement. Silos are used in factories and farms. These silos require management of the remaining amount of the contained goods stored inside. As a method of measuring the residual amount inside, it is common to measure using a laser sensor or a load sensor. However, it is cumbersome to install such a facility in a silo, and a separate power supply must be supplied for wireless communication.

Among the prior art, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1567284 (published on November 13, 2015) relates to a feed amount measuring device using a weight sensor, having a discharge pipe at the bottom and formed in the form of a feed container filled with feed. , A case having a discharge pipe insertion hole into which the discharge pipe of the feed container is inserted under a predetermined number of sliders installed radially and vertically on the outer surface of the feed container, and a case into which the feed container is inserted, and a predetermined number of guides installed radially and vertically on the inner surface of the case , It is a technical feature comprising a weight sensor installed at the lower part of the guide and measuring the weight of the feed container and the feed while the lower end of the slider of the feed container is in contact.

However, the conventional technology requires a separate facility to have a weight sensor, and has limitations in that it is difficult to apply to previously used silos.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a silo-mounted low-power wireless measuring device and a wireless measuring system that can generate and use electricity according to the movement of objects inside the silo.

In addition, it is to provide a silo-mounted low-power wireless measuring device and wireless measuring system capable of generating eco-friendly auxiliary power using solar panels or propellers formed outside the silo.

In addition, it is to provide a silo-mounted low-power wireless measuring device and wireless measuring system that is firmly attached and easily detachable by using an electromagnet inside the silo to change the polarity of magnetic force according to an electric signal and is easy to maintain.

A silo-mounted low-power wireless measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a communication unit that communicates with an external management server, a measurement unit that outputs a laser signal to measure the height of an object accommodated inside the silo, and the object is stored outside. A main power generation unit that generates electricity while the rotating plate installed in the silo rotates while being discharged into the silo, and a control unit that transmits the height information of the contained object to the management server at a predetermined time period and charges the internal power with electricity generated by the main power generation unit includes

In addition, the measurement unit may output the laser signal at the upper center of the inner side of the silo.

In addition, the main power generation unit may generate electricity when pressure is applied by a plurality of piezoelectric elements formed on an outer surface of the rotation plate.

In addition, the control unit may activate the communication unit and the measurement unit from a sleep mode to an operating mode when the movement of the rotation plate is sensed.

In addition, it further includes a secondary power generation unit for generating electricity using a solar panel or a propeller formed outside the silo, wherein the control unit controls the electricity generated by the secondary power generation unit when the amount of power generated by the main power generation unit is less than a preset value. can be used.

In addition, when electricity is supplied from the power generation unit using an electromagnet, the magnetism is changed to further include a coupling unit that is attached to or detached from the silo, and the control unit outputs a first control signal to the coupling unit to achieve a first polarity. It is switched and attached to the silo, and a second control signal is output to the coupler to convert it to a second polarity opposite to the first polarity to be separated from the silo.

On the other hand, the silo-mounted low-power wireless measurement system according to another embodiment of the present invention outputs a silo, a management server, a communication unit communicating with the management server, and a laser signal to measure the height of the object accommodated inside the silo A measurement unit, a main power generation unit generating electricity while the rotation plate installed in the silo rotates while the contained object is discharged to the outside, and transmitting the height information of the contained object to the management server at a predetermined time period, and the main power generating unit generates electricity It includes a wireless measuring device including a control unit for charging the internal power with the generated electricity.

Accordingly, electricity can be generated and used according to the movement of the objects inside the silo.

In addition, eco-friendly auxiliary power can be generated using solar panels or propellers formed outside the silo.

In addition, by using an electromagnet inside the silo, it is firmly attached by changing the polarity of magnetic force according to the electric signal, and it can be easily separated, so maintenance is simple.

1 is a block diagram of a silo-mounted low-power wireless measurement system.

2 is a block diagram of a silo-mounted low-power wireless measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 and 4 are exemplary views for explaining that the silo-mounted low-power wireless measuring device according to FIG. 2 uses electricity generated through a rotating plate.

5 is an exemplary view for explaining that a piezoelectric element is formed on a rotating plate.

6 is an exemplary diagram for explaining that a solar panel or a propeller is formed in a silo to supply electricity to an auxiliary power generation unit.

7 is an exemplary view for explaining that the coupling part of the silo-mounted low-power wireless measuring device according to FIG. 2 is coupled to and separated from the silo.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms used are terms selected in consideration of functions in the embodiment, and the meaning of the terms may vary depending on the intention of a user or operator or a precedent. Therefore, the meaning of terms used in the embodiments to be described later, when specifically defined in the present specification, follows the definition, and when there is no specific definition, it should be interpreted as a meaning generally recognized by those skilled in the art.

1 is a block diagram of a silo-mounted low-power wireless measurement system.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a silo-mounted low-power wireless measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a silo 10, a management server 20, and a wireless measurement device 100.

An accommodation space is formed inside the silo 10 and is formed standing up from the ground. The inside of the silo 10 contains feed, powder, cement, and the like. The size and storage capacity of the silo 10 may be varied by user's design. The silo 10 can conveniently install the wireless measuring device 100 inside the upper part. The silo 10 may have a discharge port capable of discharging the contained material on one side. A rotating plate 11 is installed inside the silo 10 to rotate when the contained object is discharged to the outside. A plurality of solar panel 13 or a propeller 14 for wind power generation may be formed on the outside of the silo 10 .

The management server 20 manages the capacity inside the silo 10 by communicating with the wireless measuring device 100 at a predetermined time period. The management server 20 may estimate the remaining amount of the stored object by calculating the slope of the stored object using the height information of the stored object received from the wireless measuring device 100 . The management server 20 may transmit a request signal when the wireless measuring device 100 does not transmit height information for a preset time. This is for the management server 20 to forcibly switch the wireless measuring device 100 from the sleep mode to the operating mode to check whether there is a failure. The management server 20 may monitor the amount of power of the wireless measuring device 100 and transmit a warning signal to the manager when the amount of power is insufficient.

The wireless measuring device 100 is installed inside the silo 10 to generate height information of the objects inside the silo 10. The wireless measuring device 100 may measure the height of an object by using a laser signal. The wireless measuring device 100 may transmit height information by communicating with the external management server 20 . The wireless measuring device 100 can generate power by self-generation due to the driving of the rotating plate 11 installed inside the silo 10. This is to allow the wireless measuring device 100 to perform wireless low-power communication through self-power generation. The wireless measuring device 100 uses the generated electricity to communicate with the management server 20 or generate height information.

2 is a block diagram of a silo-mounted low-power wireless measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are for explaining that the silo-mounted low-power wireless measuring device according to FIG. 2 uses electricity generated through a rotating plate. 5 is an exemplary view for explaining that a piezoelectric element is formed on a rotating plate.

1 to 5, the silo-mounted low-power wireless measuring device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a communication unit 110, a measurement unit 120, a main power generation unit 130 and a control unit 140. .

The communication unit 110 communicates with the external management server 20 . In this case, the communication unit 110 may be connected to the management server 20 through a network and communicate in a wireless communication method. For example, the communication unit 110 may be connected to the management server 20 in a LoRa method, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The communication unit 110 may communicate with the management server 20 at a predetermined time period. The communication unit 110 operates in a sleep mode to minimize power consumption. The communication unit 110 is activated by changing to an operation mode when the movement of the object inside the silo 10 is detected by the control unit 140 .

The measuring unit 120 generates a laser signal. The measuring unit 120 outputs the laser signal to the object in the silo 10. In this case, the measurement unit 120 is formed with a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit to transmit and receive laser signals. Accordingly, the height of the contained objects inside the silo 10 is measured. The measurement unit 120 may output a laser signal at the center of the inner upper portion of the silo 10 . In this case, the measuring unit 120 can reduce power consumption by outputting a laser signal at one point. The measuring unit 120 operates in a sleep mode to minimize power consumption. The measurement unit 120 is activated by changing to an operation mode when the movement of the object inside the silo 10 is detected by the control unit 140 .

In addition, the measuring unit 120 may measure the inclination of the wireless measuring device 100 . The measurement unit 120 may detect a position where the wireless measurement device 100 is installed inside the silo 10. This tilt information is transmitted to the management server 20 . The measuring unit 120 detects the inclination of the wireless measuring device 100 in addition to measuring the height of the contained object using a laser signal. This is to prevent a deviation in height information from occurring when the tilt information of the wireless measuring device 100 exceeds a preset value. The measuring unit 120 may generate height information and tilt information simultaneously while changing from a sleep mode to an operating mode.

The main power generation unit 130 generates electricity when the rotating plate 11 installed inside the silo 10 is rotated by the movement of the contained objects. In this case, the size, position, and number of the rotation plate 11 may be varied according to a user's design. The rotating plate 11 of the main power generation unit 130 is formed of a plurality of blades and may come into contact with the object. For example, the contained object may be discharged to the outside of the silo 10 and rotate the rotating plate 11 while freely falling. The main power generation unit 130 may be connected to the wireless measuring device 100 through wires. The main power generation unit 130 charges the internal power with generated electricity. In this case, the internal power source may be implemented as a secondary battery capable of charging and discharging. Electricity produced by the main power generation unit 130 may be used in the entire configuration, such as the communication unit 110, the measuring unit 120, and the control unit 140.

More specifically, the main power generation unit 130 may generate electricity by electromagnetic induction effect by rotation of the rotating plate 11 with coils and magnets formed inside the rotating plate 11 . In this case, the coil inside the rotating plate 11 may rotate in conjunction with the rotating plate 11 . The main power generation unit 130 may self-generate by rotating the rotating plate 11 . In this case, a plurality of piezoelectric elements 12 are formed on the outer surface of the rotating plate 11 to generate additional electricity. The piezoelectric element 12 generates additional electricity while contacting the accommodating plate while the rotating plate 11 rotates. In this case, the number or arrangement of the piezoelectric elements 12 may be varied by a user's design.

The control unit 140 transmits the height information of the stored object to the management server 20 at a predetermined time period. The controller 140 switches the communication unit 110 and the measurement unit 120 from a sleep mode to an operating mode when movement of the object is detected. In this case, the control unit 140 may detect the movement of the rotation plate 11 to determine whether the object is moving. In other words, the control unit 140 may determine that when the rotation plate 11 rotates at a predetermined angle or more, this is the movement of the stored object. The control unit 140 may determine whether the object moves by supplying power generated from the power generation unit or detecting the displacement of the rotating plate 11 . Accordingly, while minimizing power consumption, it is possible to quickly measure height information of an object and transmit it to the external management server 20 .

In addition, the control unit 140 charges the internal power source with electricity generated by the main power generation unit 130 . In this case, the internal power source may be formed of a secondary battery and may be charged or discharged. The control unit 140 may charge the electricity by converting the electricity generated by the main power unit 130 according to the voltage of the internal power supply. The control unit 140 may also cut off the power supplied from the main generator 130 to the internal power. This may cut off the electricity supplied from the power generation unit in order to prevent an overload when the internal power source stores more than a preset value.

In addition, the control unit 140 may store the electricity of the power generation unit in the auxiliary power source by using an auxiliary power source in addition to the internal power source. Here, the auxiliary power source refers to a battery capable of storing electricity in addition to the internal power source. The controller 140 may primarily store electricity in the auxiliary power source and charge the internal power source by discharging the auxiliary power source when power is insufficient in the internal power source. This is to prevent overload of the internal power source, and to manage power at a constant level by charging the internal power source with an auxiliary power source as needed.

Also, the control unit 140 may control the intensity of the laser signal of the measuring unit 120 . The control unit 140 may increase the intensity of the laser signal when the reception rate of the laser signal received from the measurement unit 120 is less than or equal to a preset value. This is to prevent a case in which the laser signal reflected through the object is not received due to the high height of the silo 10 . The control unit 140 may adjust the intensity of the laser signal according to the amount of remaining power of the internal power supply. This is to minimize power consumption while maintaining the reception rate of the laser signal at a certain level or higher as much as possible.

In addition, the control unit 140 may output a warning signal to the management server 20 when the wireless measurement device 100 moves in excess of a preset speed or acceleration. In this case, the measuring unit 120 may measure speed and acceleration. The control unit 140 may determine that the wireless measuring device 100 is departing from the silo 10 when the speed or acceleration of the wireless measuring device 100 is detected above a preset value. This is to warn the manager to take action when the position of the wireless measuring device 100 is changed, such as falling inside the silo 10.

1 to 6, the silo 10-mounted low-power wireless measuring device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an auxiliary power generation unit 150.

The auxiliary power generation unit 150 may generate electricity using the solar panel 13 formed on the outside of the silo 10 . This is to charge the internal power through the secondary power generation unit 150 as an auxiliary when electricity generation of the main power generation unit 130 is stopped. For example, the auxiliary power generation unit 150 may generate electricity using a plurality of solar panels 13 attached to the outside of the silo 10 . This is to generate additional power using solar energy when the amount of sunlight exceeds a certain amount.

In addition, the auxiliary power generation unit 150 may generate additional power by rotating at least one or more propellers 14 formed on the outer surface of the silo 10. This is to generate additional power using wind energy. In this case, the propeller 14 may be formed in a structure capable of rotating by wind. The size and number of propellers 14 may vary according to user settings. Accordingly, it is to generate additional energy by using wind power in the silo 10 installed in a windy place.

In this case, the control unit 140 uses the electricity generated by the secondary power generation unit 150 when the amount of power generated by the main power generation unit 130 is less than a preset value. The control unit 140 checks the amount of power of the internal power supply at a predetermined time period and determines whether to charge. When the displacement of the rotating plate 11 is primarily detected by the main generator 130, the control unit 140 receives power therefrom. The control unit 140 secondarily maintains the amount of power of the internal power source at a constant level by receiving power from the secondary power generation unit 150 when the amount of power generated by the main power unit 130 is less than a preset value.

1 to 7, the silo-mounted low-power wireless measuring device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a coupling unit 160.

The coupling unit 160 may have variable magnetism when electricity is supplied using an electromagnet. The coupling part 160 serves to couple or separate the wireless measuring device and the silo 10 . For example, when the electromagnet has a first polarity, the coupling part 160 is attached by acting on the silo 10 and attractive forces. In this case, it is preferable to form a metallic iron plate 15 to which an electromagnet can be attached to the silo 10. When the electromagnet has a second polarity that is opposite to the first polarity, the coupling part 160 is separated by a repulsive force acting on the silo 10 . The coupling part 160 may have a variable polarity due to an electric signal in the form of a permanent electromagnet.

In this case, the control unit 140 may output a first control signal to the coupling unit 160 and convert the coupling unit 160 to the first polarity to attach the coupling unit 160 to the silo 10 . This is a mode used when initially coupled to the silo 10. The control unit 140 outputs a second control signal to the coupling unit 160 to convert the second polarity to a second polarity opposite to the first polarity so as to be separated from the silo 10 . This mode is used when the wireless measuring device 100 is separated from the silo 10 or replaced. Accordingly, the control unit 140 can facilitate coupling and separation from the silo 10 by using the coupling unit 160 in the form of an electronic switch.

In the above, the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments described with reference to the drawings, but is not limited thereto. Therefore, the present invention should be interpreted by the description of the claims intended to cover obvious modifications that can be derived from the described examples.

[Description of code]

10: silo 11: rotating plate

12: piezoelectric element 13: solar panel

14: propeller 15: iron plate

20: management server 100: wireless measuring device

110: communication unit 120: measurement unit

130: main power generation unit 140: control unit

150: auxiliary power generation unit 160: coupling unit

Claims

In the wireless measuring device installed inside the silo,

A communication unit that communicates with an external management server;

a measuring unit outputting a laser signal from the upper center of the inside of the silo to measure the height of the object accommodated inside the silo;

A main power generation unit generating electricity while the rotating plate installed in the silo rotates while the contained water is discharged to the outside;

When electricity is supplied from the main power generation unit using an electromagnet, the magnetism is changed to be attached to or detached from the silo; and

The height information of the object is transmitted to the management server at a predetermined time period, and when the reception rate of the laser signal received from the measurement unit is less than a predetermined value, the intensity of the laser signal is increased, and the wireless measuring device moves at a predetermined speed. , When moving in excess of the acceleration, a warning signal is transmitted to the management server, and the internal power is charged with electricity generated from the main power generation unit, and a first control signal is output to the coupling unit to convert the first polarity to the first polarity. A silo-mounted low-power wireless measuring device including a control unit attached to the silo and outputting a second control signal to the coupling part to convert it to a second polarity opposite to the first polarity to separate from the silo.
According to claim 1,

The main power generation unit,

Silo-mounted low-power wireless measuring device for generating electricity when pressure is applied by a plurality of piezoelectric elements formed on the outer surface of the rotating plate.
According to claim 1,

The control unit,

A silo-mounted low-power wireless measuring device for activating the communication unit and the measuring unit from a sleep mode to an operating mode when the motion of the rotating plate is detected.
According to claim 1,

Further comprising an auxiliary power generation unit for generating electricity using a solar panel or propeller formed outside the silo,

The control unit,

A silo-mounted low-power wireless measuring device using electricity generated by the auxiliary power generation unit when the amount of power generated by the main power generation unit is less than the preset value.
silo;

management server; and

Including a wireless measuring device,

The wireless measuring device,

A communication unit that communicates with the management server, a measurement unit that outputs a laser signal from the upper center of the inner side of the silo to measure the height of the object accommodated inside the silo, and a rotating plate installed in the silo while the object is discharged to the outside. A main power generation unit that generates electricity while rotating, a coupling unit that is attached to or detached from the silo by changing magnetism when electricity is supplied from the main power generation unit using an electromagnet, and managing the height information of the contained object at a predetermined time period. transmits to the server, increases the intensity of the laser signal when the reception rate of the laser signal received from the measuring unit is less than a preset value, and generates a warning signal when the wireless measuring device moves in excess of the preset speed and acceleration. The transmission is transmitted to the management server, the internal power is charged with the electricity generated in the main power generation unit, the first control signal is output to the coupling unit, converted to the first polarity, and attached to the silo, and the coupling unit has a second control signal. A silo-mounted low-power wireless measuring system, characterized in that it comprises a control unit for outputting a signal and converting it to a second polarity opposite to the first polarity to depart from the silo.