Looking for a simple circuit that would activate a relay that would power an electric clutch to run a conveyor to fill a bin. When the bin is full it would stop filling and then restart again when the bin is almost empty to refill again. I am using it in an agriculture project. I would likely use 2 diffuse sensors but open to suggestions . The product in the bin is a dry product. This would be a 12 volt system. Maybe there is some off the shelf circuit out there .Thanks for any advice.
The dry product would be peas, lentils or small grains. The bin or hopper is a wood construction and not large about 3ft x 3ft x 2ft. It sits on top of a cleaning machine. It fills and empties approximately every 5 minutes depending how fast the cleaner excepts the product.
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I think an IR sensor would work, with the IR LED emitter on one side of bin and its corresponding IR sensor directly across from it.
Of course there may need to be some delay in the fill sensor so the falling product when filling won't trip the sensor.
If the beam can be mounted off-center, away from the falling product stream, that could minimize this problem.
There are also ultrasonic sensors used for this purpose.
A search for "Bin level sensor" lists some commercial solutions that may work for you.
Of course there may need to be some delay in the fill sensor so the falling product when filling won't trip the sensor.
If the beam can be mounted off-center, away from the falling product stream, that could minimize this problem.
There are also ultrasonic sensors used for this purpose.
A search for "Bin level sensor" lists some commercial solutions that may work for you.
Thank you for the info. Yes I am sure you are correct on sensor placement. The issue I want to address is the bin needs to be filled and when full the conveyor or auger delivering the products stops when full and the restarts to refill when the bin is almost empty. It is a cycling process.
Can you program a micro, since that would be the easy way to control the auger?
Any sensor would need to be "guarded" in such a way to avoid false triggering from the incoming product.
Time of Flight ( small radar sensors) might be applied as would possibly "weighing" , both requiring an amount of programming.
A "tilt" sensor suspended via 3 points could be used direct without any microcontroller. An arrangement we used successfully in the coal mines suspended off the end of a conveyor to enable the latter to traverse when the coal reached a specific level.
Time of Flight ( small radar sensors) might be applied as would possibly "weighing" , both requiring an amount of programming.
A "tilt" sensor suspended via 3 points could be used direct without any microcontroller. An arrangement we used successfully in the coal mines suspended off the end of a conveyor to enable the latter to traverse when the coal reached a specific level.
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