SENSOR, SENSOR HOUSING, AND ATTACHMENT FOR MONITORING BIN PRODUCT LEVEL
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.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A bin monitoring system, comprising:
a housing;
a module housing connected to a bottom end of the housing; and
a sensor positioned within the module housing.
22 . The bin monitoring system of claim 21 wherein the housing and the module housing are connected such that the housing is positioned at least partially around the module housing.
23 . The bin monitoring system of claim 22 wherein the housing and the module housing are sized and shaped to fit together.
24 . The bin monitoring system of claim 22 wherein the module housing is secured to the housing by a plurality of fasteners.
25 . The bin monitoring system of claim 24 wherein the plurality of fasteners are positioned around a perimeter of the module housing.
26 . The bin monitoring system of claim 25 wherein the plurality of fasteners are received through a bottom of the housing.
27 . The bin monitoring system of claim 21 wherein a bottom of the housing is U-shaped.
28 . The bin monitoring system of claim 27 further comprising the module housing received at least partially by the bottom of the housing.
29 . The bin monitoring system of claim 21 wherein the module housing is secured to the module housing by a plurality of fasteners.
30 . The bin monitoring system of claim 29 wherein the plurality of fasteners are positioned around a perimeter of the module housing.
31 . The bin monitoring system of claim 21 further comprising 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.
32 . The bin monitoring system of claim 21 further comprising the housing having a plurality of holes adjacent an upper end of the housing.
33 . The bin monitoring system of claim 21 further comprising the housing having a mount, wherein the mount applies a clamping force to a rim of a lid of a bin.