STRUCTURE-BORNE SOUND SENSOR UNIT

Abstract

A structure-borne sound sensor unit, in particular for an agricultural machine, includes a signal converter, which converts a mechanical sensor signal into an electrical sensor signal, and preprocessing electronics, which are connected with the signal converter. The preprocessing electronics include at least one programmable function component, a data input for receiving configuration data, and a programming interface to configure the function component based on the configuration data received. A control unit for a such a structure-borne sound sensor unit, a sensor system, which includes such a control device and such a structure-borne sound sensor unit, and a related method for controlling such a structure-borne sound sensor unit are provided.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross section through a combine harvester,

FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross section through a forage harvester with an enlarged view of the chopper drum,

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of two structure-borne sound sensor units connected to a control device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a typical sensor signal when the structure-borne sound sensor unit is used to monitor throughput,

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a typical sensor signal when the structure-borne sound sensor unit is used as a knock sensor on the shear bar of a forage harvester,

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a typical sensor signal when the structure-borne sound sensor unit is used to monitor bearings and shafts on a rotating working unit.

Claims

1. A structure-borne sound sensor unit, comprising a signal convertor which converts a mechanical sensor signal into an electrical sensor signal; preprocessing electronics which are connected with said signal convertor, said preprocessing electronics including a programmable function component, said preprocessing electronics also including a data input for receiving configuration data; and a programming interface for configuring said function component of said preprocessing electronics based on the configuration data received.

2. A structure-borne sound sensor unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said function component of said preprocessing electronics includes a programmable digital filter.

3. A structure-borne sound sensor unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said function component of said preprocessing electronics includes a programmable amplifier.

4. A structure-borne sound sensor unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said function component of said preprocessing electronics includes a programmable integrating device.

5. A structure-borne sound sensor unit as defined in claim 1; and further comprising a pulse detector, said signal convertor being mechanically coupled to said pulse detector in a manner such that when particles strike said pulse detector, vibrations that are produced are converted by said signal convertor into the electrical sensor signals.

6. A structure-borne sound sensor unit as defined in claim 1, wherein the data input is configured such that it receives the configuration data via a single line that serves to send out preprocessed, electrical sensor signals.

7. A control device for a structure-borne sound sensor unit including a signal convertor which converts a mechanical sensor signal into an electrical sensor signal; preprocessing electronics which are connected with said signal convertor, said preprocessing electronics including a programmable function component, said preprocessing electronics also including a data input for receiving configuration data, and a programming interface for configuring said function component of said preprocessing electronics based on the configuration data received, the control device comprising a configuration device for determining the configuration data to configure the programmable function component of the preprocessing electronics of the structure-borne sound sensor unit; and a data output for sending the configuration data to the structure-borne sound sensor unit.

8. A control device as defined in claim 7; and further comprising a signal input for receiving sensor signals; an evaluation device for evaluating the received sensor signals; and a signal output for sending out a control and/or information signal depending on the evaluated sensor signals.

9. A control device as defined in claim 7, wherein the control device is configured to control several such structure-bore sound sensor units.

10. A sensor system, comprising a structure-borne sound sensor unit including a signal convertor which converts a mechanical sensor signal into an electrical sensor signal; preprocessing electronics which are connected with said signal convertor, said preprocessing electronics including a programmable function component, said preprocessing electronics also including a data input for receiving configuration data, and a programming interface for configuring said function component of said preprocessing electronics based on the configuration data received; and a control device a configuration device for determining the configuration data to configure the programmable function component of the preprocessing electronics of the structure-borne sound sensor unit, and a data output for sending the configuration data to the structure-borne sound sensor unit.

11. A sensor system as defined in claim 10, wherein said control device and/or said preprocessing electronics of said structure-borne sound sensor unit include a memory device in which a number of configuration data records for configuring the function component of said preevaluation electronics are stored.

12. A sensor system as defined in claim 11, wherein said configuration data records are assigned to various sensor applications of said structure-borne sound sensor unit.

13. A sensor system as defined in claim 10, wherein several said structure-borne sound sensor units are connected to said control device.

14. A sensor system as defined in claim 1, wherein said structure-borne sound sensor unit is configured for an agricultural machine.

15. A method for controlling a structure-borne sensor unit, comprising the steps of converting a mechanical sensor signal into an electrical sensor signal by a signal convertor; connecting preprocessing electronics with the signal convertor; preprocessing a sensor signal that is received by the signal convertor in the preprocessing electronics and transmitting to a control device where it is evaluated; and modifying a sensing characteristic of the structure-borne sound sensor unit using a software control for various sensor applications.

16. A method as defined in claim 15; and further comprising using for the various sensor applications a sensor selected from the group consisting of a grain loss sensor, a vibration sensor for monitoring bearing play between components that are movable relative to each other, a vibration sensor for monitoring a distance between components that are movable relative to each other, an unbalance sensor, and a foreign object detector.

17. A method as defined in claim 15, wherein said modifying includes modifying the sensing characteristic with regard of a parameter selected from the group consisting of a signal frequency, a characteristic frequency curve, a signal amplitude, and a combination thereof.

18. A method as defined in claim 15; and further comprising for changing the sensing characteristic, configuring an element selected from the group consisting of a digital filter, an amplifier device, an integrating device of the preprocessing electronics, and a combination thereof.