Sensor, sensor housing, and attachment for monitoring bin product level
AssigneeBin Slide, LLC
InventorsJoshua Sorenson, Jim Ryken, Michael Hansen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bin level monitoring system utilizes an optical sensor housed in a housing. The housing is attached at or near the opening of a bin or other storage structure without the need for a hanging bracket. The sensor housing can be clipped or directedly attached to the bin opening or lid of the bin, such as at the lip of the opening. The shape of the housing aids in directing the particulate material into the bin housing, while protecting the sensor. The location of the sensor and housing provides ideal location to best monitor and evaluate the amount or volume of material product in the bin at a given time.
Claims19
A bin monitoring system, comprising:
- a housing having a downward sloped portion;
- a module housing connected to the housing underneath the downward sloped portion;
- a sensor positioned within the module housing;
- and
- the module housing connected to a bottom end of the housing.
A bin monitoring system, comprising:
- a housing having sides, an open rear, and a downward sloped portion positioned between a front vertical portion and a rear vertical portion;
- the housing connected to a rim of an opening at an upper end of a bin by a mount, wherein the downward sloped portion extends inwardly and downwardly from the rim towards an interior of the opening;
- a module housing having a cover and a base;
- the module housing connected to the housing at a bottom end of the housing and underneath the downward sloped portion;
- a sensor positioned within the module housing.
A bin monitoring system, comprising:
- a housing having a downward sloped portion;
- a module housing connected to the housing underneath the downward sloped portion;
- a sensor positioned within the module housing;
- a sensor module positioned within the module housing;
- the sensor positioned at least partially within the sensor module;
- and
- a motor positioned within the module housing and operatively connected to a wiper having a plurality of whiskers positioned outside the module housing;
- wherein the wiper is configured to remove debris from the sensor disposed outside the module housing.
A bin monitoring system, comprising:
- a housing having a downward sloped portion;
- a module housing connected to the housing underneath the downward sloped portion;
- a sensor positioned within the module housing;
- and
- the housing connected to a rim of an opening at an upper end of a bin;
- wherein the downward sloped portion of the housing extends inwardly and downwardly from the rim towards an interior of the opening.
A bin monitoring system, comprising:
- a housing having a downward sloped portion;
- a module housing connected to the housing underneath the downward sloped portion;
- a sensor positioned within the module housing;
- and
- the housing having a plurality of holes adjacent an upper end of the housing.
A bin monitoring system, comprising:
- a housing having a downward sloped portion;
- a module housing connected to the housing underneath the downward sloped portion;
- a sensor positioned within the module housing;
- and
- at least one mount connected to the housing;
- wherein the at least one mount is a clip positioned over a rim of an opening at an upper end of a bin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.