Patent Publication Number: US-9409313-B2

Title: Concrete mixer truck

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a concrete mixer truck. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A concrete mixer truck having a mixer drum capable of carrying freshly mixed concrete is used conventionally. The freshly mixed concrete is generated by introducing cement, aggregate, water, and so on into the mixer drum of the concrete mixer truck and driving the mixer drum to rotate so that the materials are mixed. 
     JP2005-022640A proposes a concrete mixer truck that includes an inspection instrument for performing a quality inspection when transported freshly mixed concrete is unloaded. In this concrete mixer truck, a slump test for measuring a fluidity of the freshly mixed concrete is performed on the freshly mixed concrete as the quality inspection. In a slump test, a slump, which is a numerical value indicating the fluidity of freshly mixed concrete, is measured. The fluidity of the freshly mixed concrete increases as the measured slump increases. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a conventional concrete mixer truck, however, the slump of the freshly mixed concrete is adjusted by an operator using a rule of thumb, and therefore variation occurs in the slump of the freshly mixed concrete at the time of unloading, making it difficult to manage the quality of the freshly mixed concrete. 
     An object of this invention is to provide a concrete mixer truck that can manage the quality of freshly mixed concrete. 
     To achieve the above object, this invention provides a concrete mixer truck having a mixer drum capable of carrying freshly mixed concrete. The concrete mixer truck comprises a driving device that is driven by rotation of an engine so as to drive the mixer drum to rotate using a fluid pressure of a working fluid, a pressure detector that detects a pressure of the working fluid in the driving device, a controller having a material introduction determination unit that determines whether or not a material for generating the freshly mixed concrete has been introduced into the mixer drum, and a pressure determination unit that determines whether or not the pressure of the working fluid detected by the pressure detector has fallen to a set pressure set in advance in accordance with a carrying amount and a fluidity of the freshly mixed concrete after the introduction of the materials for the freshly mixed concrete into the mixer drum, and a notification device that notifies an operator that the pressure of the working fluid in the driving device has fallen to the set pressure on the basis of the determination made by the pressure determination unit. 
     The details as well as other features and advantages of this invention are set forth in the remainder of the specification and are shown in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a concrete mixer truck according to an embodiment of this invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing control of the concrete mixer truck according to this embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart showing a routine for adjusting a slump of freshly mixed concrete, which is performed in the concrete mixer truck according to this embodiment of this invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A concrete mixer truck  100  according to an embodiment of this invention will be described below with reference to the figures. 
     First, referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the overall constitution of the concrete mixer truck  100  will be described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the concrete mixer truck  100  is a vehicle including an operating cab  11  and a frame  1 . The concrete mixer truck  100  includes a mixer drum  2  carried on the frame  1  to be capable of carrying freshly mixed concrete, a driving device  4  that drives the mixer drum  2  to rotate, and a controller  10  that controls rotation of the mixer drum  2 . The concrete mixer truck  100  transports freshly mixed concrete carried in the mixer drum  2 . 
     The freshly mixed concrete can be generated by introducing materials such as cement, aggregate, and water into the mixer drum  2  of the concrete mixer truck  100  and driving the mixer drum  2  to rotate so that the materials are mixed. 
     The mixer drum  2  is a closed-end cylindrical container that is carried rotatably on the frame  1 . The mixer drum  2  is carried such that a rotary axis thereof is oriented in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. The mixer drum  2  is tilted in the front-rear direction when carried so as to gradually increase in height toward a rear portion of the vehicle. 
     An opening portion is formed in a rear end of the mixer drum  2 , and the freshly mixed concrete can be introduced and discharged through the opening portion. The mixer drum  2  is driven to rotate using a traveling engine  3  installed in the concrete mixer truck  100  as a power source. 
     The driving device  4  is driven by rotation of the engine  3  so as to drive the mixer drum  2  to rotate using a fluid pressure of a working fluid. A rotary motion of a crankshaft in the engine  3  is transmitted to the driving device  4  by a power take-off (PTO) mechanism  9  that continuously draws power from the engine  3 , and a drive shaft  8  (see  FIG. 2 ) that couples the power take-off mechanism  9  to the driving device  4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the power take-off mechanism  9  is provided with a rotation sensor  9   a  that detects a rotation speed and transmits a rotation speed signal corresponding to the detected rotation speed to the controller  10 . A rotation speed of the drive shaft  8  may also be detected using the rotation sensor  9   a.    
     In the driving device  4 , working oil is used as the working fluid. An incompressible fluid other than working oil may be used as the working fluid. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the driving device  4  includes a hydraulic pump  5  that is driven by the engine  3  to serve as a fluid pressure pump for discharging the operating fluid, and a hydraulic motor  6  that is driven by the hydraulic pump  5  to serve as a fluid pressure motor for driving the mixer drum  2  to rotate. The driving device  4  is capable of rotating the mixer drum  2  forward and in reverse, and increasing and decreasing a rotation speed of the mixer drum  2 . 
     The hydraulic pump  5  is driven to rotate by power drawn continuously from the engine  3  via the power take-off mechanism  9 . Accordingly, a rotation speed of the hydraulic pump  5  is greatly affected by variation in the rotation speed of the engine  3  corresponding to a traveling condition of the vehicle. Hence, in the concrete mixer truck  100 , operations of the hydraulic pump  5  and the hydraulic motor  6  are controlled by the controller  10  so that the mixer drum  2  reaches target rotation conditions in accordance with the rotation speed of the engine  3 . 
     The hydraulic pump  5  is a swash plate type axial piston pump having a variable capacity. Upon reception of a command signal from the controller  10 , the hydraulic pump  5  switches a tilt angle of the pump to a positive rotation direction or a reverse rotation direction. The hydraulic pump  5  includes a solenoid valve for adjusting the tilt angle. By switching the solenoid valve, a discharge direction and a discharge capacity of the hydraulic pump  5  are adjusted. 
     The working oil discharged from the hydraulic pump  5  is supplied to the hydraulic motor  6 , whereby the hydraulic motor  6  rotates. The mixer drum  2  is coupled to the hydraulic motor  6  via a reduction gear  7 . The mixer drum  2  thus rotates in accordance with the rotation of the hydraulic motor  6 . 
     When the mixer drum  2  is operated to rotate forward by the hydraulic pump  5 , the freshly mixed concrete in the mixer drum  2  is agitated. When the mixer drum  2  is operated to rotate in reverse by the hydraulic pump  5 , on the other hand, the freshly mixed concrete in the mixer drum  2  is discharged to the outside through the opening portion in the rear end. 
     An oil pressure of the working oil discharged from the hydraulic pump  5  varies according to a carrying amount and a slump of freshly mixed concrete carried in the mixer drum  2 . The hydraulic pump  5  is provided with a pressure sensor  5   a  (see  FIG. 2 ) that serves as a pressure detector for detecting the pressure of the discharged working oil. 
     The slump is a numerical value indicating a fluidity of the freshly mixed concrete. The fluidity of the freshly mixed concrete increases as the numerical value of the slump increases. In other words, as the numerical value of the slump increases, the freshly mixed concrete becomes softer, and as the numerical value of the slump decreases, the freshly mixed concrete becomes harder. The freshly mixed concrete is mixed by driving the mixer drum  2  to rotate, and as a result, the slump of the freshly mixed concrete is adjusted so that an appropriate slump is realized at the time of unloading. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pressure sensor  5   a  transmits a load pressure signal to the controller  10  in accordance with the detected pressure of the working oil. The pressure sensor  5   a  may be provided in the hydraulic motor  6  rather than the hydraulic pump  5  in order to detect the pressure of the working oil in the hydraulic motor  6 . In other words, the pressure sensor  5   a  is used to detect the pressure of the working oil in the driving device  4 . 
     The hydraulic motor  6  is a swash plate type axial piston motor having a variable capacity. The hydraulic motor  6  is driven to rotate upon reception of a supply of the working oil discharged from the hydraulic pump  5 . The hydraulic motor  6  includes a solenoid valve that adjusts a tilt angle of the motor upon reception of a command signal from the controller  10 . By switching the solenoid valve, the capacity of the hydraulic motor  6  is switched between two stages, namely a small capacity for high-speed rotation and a large capacity for normal rotation. 
     The controller  10  controls the driving device  4 . The controller  10  is a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an I/O interface (input/output interface). The RAM stores data used in processing performed by the CPU. A control program of the CPU and so on are stored in the ROM in advance. The I/O interface is used to input and output information to and from a connected device. Control of the driving device  4  is realized by operating the CPU, the RAM, and so on in accordance with the program stored in the ROM. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , when an operator starts the engine  3  by operating an ignition switch in the operating cab  11 , an ignition power supply is input into the controller  10 . As a result, a power supply relay  21  is switched such that a main power supply from a main battery  23  is supplied to the controller  10 , thereby activating the controller  10 . 
     The concrete mixer truck  100  also includes a water tank  12  storing water, a water pressure pump  13  that aspirates and discharges the water in the water tank  12 , and an open/close valve  14  provided between the water pressure pump  13  and the mixer drum  2 . 
     The water pressure pump  13  and the open/close valve  14  are provided in a supply passage for supplying water into the mixer drum  2  from the water tank  12 . The water pressure pump  13  is activated by an activation signal from the controller  10 . The open/close valve  14  is opened and closed in accordance with an open/close signal from the controller  10 . 
     The water in the water tank  12  is supplied into the mixer drum  2  when the water pressure pump  13  is activated and the open/close valve  14  is switched to an open state. The water in the water tank  12  can be replenished from an external water line at a plant or the like. 
     Next, referring to  FIG. 2 , control of the concrete mixer truck  100  will be described. 
     The controller  10  controls the operations of the hydraulic pump  5  and the hydraulic motor  6  such that the rotation direction and rotation speed of the mixer drum  2  reach target rotation conditions in accordance with a calculated rotation speed of the engine  3 . More specifically, the controller  10  calculates a discharge direction and a discharge capacity of the hydraulic pump  5  such that the rotation direction and rotation speed of the mixer drum  2  reach the target rotation conditions. Further, the controller  10  calculates the capacity of the hydraulic motor  6 , and outputs a control signal to the hydraulic pump  5  and a two-speed switch signal to the hydraulic motor  6 . 
     A load pressure signal is input into the controller  10  from the hydraulic pump  5  via the pressure sensor  5   a , and a rotation direction signal and a rotation speed signal are input into the controller  10  from the hydraulic motor  6  via sensors. The controller  10  controls the operations of the hydraulic pump  5  and the hydraulic motor  6  on the basis of these input signals. 
     The controller  10  includes a material introduction determination unit  15  that determines whether or not the materials for generating the freshly mixed concrete have been introduced into the mixer drum  2 , and a pressure determination unit  16  that determines whether or not the working oil pressure detected by the pressure sensor  5   a  has fallen to a preset set pressure. 
     The material introduction determination unit  15  determines whether or not the materials for generating the freshly mixed concrete have been introduced into the mixer drum  2  on the basis of the load pressure signal from the pressure sensor  5   a . When the materials are introduced into the mixer drum  2 , greater force is required to rotate the mixer drum  2  than before the materials are introduced. Therefore, the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  increases. 
     The material introduction determination unit  15  determines that the materials have been introduced by detecting an increase in the discharge pressure. More specifically, the material introduction determination unit  15  determines that the materials have been introduced when an increase width of the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  exceeds a preset predetermined increase width. 
     In a steady state, the mixer drum  2  is driven by the driving device  4  to perform agitation rotation, which is rotation at a rotation speed at which a quality of the freshly mixed concrete in the mixer drum  2  can be maintained. When the material introduction determination unit  15  determines that the materials have been introduced into the mixer drum  2 , the mixer drum  2  switches to mixing rotation, which is rotation at a higher speed than the agitation rotation. Thus, the materials in the mixer drum  2  can be mixed to generate the freshly mixed concrete. 
     The pressure determination unit  16  determines whether or not the freshly mixed concrete in the mixer drum  2  has reached an appropriate slump on the basis of the load pressure signal from the pressure sensor  5   a . After a set time has elapsed following introduction of the materials for the freshly mixed concrete into the mixer drum  2 , the pressure determination unit  16  determines on the basis of the signal from the pressure sensor  5   a  whether or not the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  has fallen to the set pressure. 
     When the freshly mixed concrete in the mixer drum  2  is mixed, the freshly mixed concrete gradually becomes softer, and therefore the force required to rotate the mixer drum  2  gradually decreases. Accordingly, the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  gradually falls. When the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  falls below the preset set pressure, the pressure determination unit  16  determines that the freshly mixed concrete has reached the appropriate slump. 
     The set pressure is set in advance in accordance with the amount of freshly mixed concrete carried in the mixer drum  2  as a working oil pressure at which the freshly mixed concrete in the mixer drum  2  reaches the appropriate slump. 
     To set the set pressure, first, an overall weight of the mixer drum  2 , including the freshly mixed concrete carried therein, is measured using a weight sensor. The amount of carried freshly mixed concrete is then calculated by subtracting the weight of the mixer drum  2  from the measured weight. 
     Next, the mixer drum  2  is caused to perform the high-speed mixing rotation so that the freshly mixed concrete is mixed, whereupon the mixer drum  2  is switched to low-speed measurement rotation. The measurement rotation is rotation at a rotation speed for suppressing variation in the working oil pressure accompanying rotation of the mixer drum  2 . 
     Next, a part of the freshly mixed concrete is removed from the mixer drum  2  and subjected to a slump test to measure the slump of the freshly mixed concrete. When the measured slump takes an appropriate numerical value, the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  is measured while the mixer drum  2  rotates in accordance with the measurement rotation. The discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  at this time serves as the set pressure corresponding to the amount of freshly mixed concrete carried in the mixer drum  2 . 
     It should be noted that the set pressure may be calculated in advance by the operator on the basis of the carrying amount and the slump of the freshly mixed concrete and input through an input unit provided on an operating device  32 . 
     A parking brake  31 , the operating device  32  for operating the mixer drum  2 , and a notification device  35  for issuing notifications to the operator are disposed in the operating cab  11 . 
     A detector that detects a lever position of the parking brake  31  is provided on the parking brake  31 . When the parking brake  31  is applied, a stop signal is output to the controller  10  from a detector. 
     A knob type operating switch  32   a  for switching the rotation direction and rotation speed of the mixer drum  2 , a stop switch  32   b  for halting rotation of the mixer drum  2  in an emergency, and an automatic agitation switch  32   c  for causing the mixer drum  2  to perform the agitation rotation automatically are provided on the operating device  32 . Further, an introduction mode switch  32   d  for switching an introduction mode in which the materials of the freshly mixed concrete can be introduced into the mixer drum  2 , a slump readjustment switch  32   e  for readjusting the slump of the freshly mixed concrete in the mixer drum  2 , and a mixing switch  32   f  for mixing the freshly mixed concrete in the mixer drum  2  for a predetermined time are provided on the operating device  32 . 
     When the operator operates the respective switches  32   a  to  32   f , command signals are output to the controller  10  from the operating device  32 . On the basis of the command signals, the controller  10  determines the target rotation conditions of the mixer drum  2 , or more specifically the rotation direction and rotation speed. 
     A rotation operation of the mixer drum  2  will now be described. When the automatic agitation switch  32   c  is ON, the stop signal is not output from the parking brake  31 , and when a vehicle speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed, the controller  10  determines that the vehicle is traveling. Accordingly, the controller  10  causes the mixer drum  2  to perform the agitation rotation automatically, thereby preventing discharge of the freshly mixed concrete and maintaining the quality of the freshly mixed concrete. 
     When the automatic agitation switch  32   c  is OFF, on the other hand, the controller  10  may operate the operating device  32  to rotate the mixer drum  2  in reverse so that the freshly mixed concrete in the mixer drum  2  can be discharged to the outside even though the vehicle is traveling. The controller  10  may likewise operate the operating device  32  to rotate the mixer drum  2  in reverse so that the freshly mixed concrete in the mixer drum  2  can be discharged to the outside when the stop signal is output from the parking brake  31 . 
     On the basis of the determination made by the pressure determination unit  16 , the notification device  35  notifies the operator that the working oil pressure has fallen to the set pressure. The notification device  35  is a buzzer that notifies the operator by sound, a lamp that provides the operator with visible notification, or similar. 
     A rear portion operating device  38  with which the mixer drum  2  can be operated from the exterior of the concrete mixer truck  100  is disposed on a rear portion of the concrete mixer truck  100 . Similarly to the operating device  32 , the rear portion operating device  38  is provided with a knob type operating switch  38   a  for switching the rotation direction and rotation speed of the mixer drum  2 , and a stop switch  38   b  for halting rotation of the mixer drum  2  in an emergency. When the operator operates the rear portion operating device  38 , command signals are output to the controller  10  from the rear portion operating device  38 . 
     Further, an automatic washing/mixing operating device  39  that enables automatic washing of the interior of the mixer drum  2  and mixing of the freshly mixed concrete from the exterior of the concrete mixer truck  100  is disposed on the concrete mixer truck  100 . 
     Next, referring to  FIG. 3 , a routine for adjusting the slump of the freshly mixed concrete, which is executed on the concrete mixer truck  100  by the controller  10 , will be described. The controller  10  executes this routine repeatedly at fixed time intervals of 10 milliseconds, for example, while the engine  3  is operative. 
     The operator drives the concrete mixer truck  100  in advance to a material introduction position on a plant, and then stops the vehicle. When the concrete mixer truck  100  is stationary in the material introduction position and preparation for material introduction is complete, the operator operates the introduction mode switch  32   d.    
     In a step  1 , the introduction mode switch  32   d  is operated by the operator. When the introduction mode switch  32   d  is operated, the controller  10  switches to a material introduction mode and then advances to a step  2 . 
     In the step  2 , agitation rotation is begun in the mixer drum  2 . 
     In a step  3 , a determination is made as to whether or not the materials for the freshly mixed concrete have been introduced into the mixer drum  2 . When it is determined in the step  3  that the materials for the freshly mixed concrete have been introduced, the routine advances to a step  4 . When it is determined in the step  3  that the materials for the freshly mixed concrete have not been introduced, on the other hand, the routine returns. 
     In the step  4 , the mixer drum  2  is switched to the high-speed mixing operation. As a result, the materials of the freshly mixed concrete introduced into the mixer drum  2  are mixed. 
     In a step  5 , a determination is made as to whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed following the start of the mixing operation in the mixer drum  2 . When it is determined in the step  5  that the predetermined time has elapsed, the routine advances to a step  6 . The predetermined time is set at a time required to generate the freshly mixed concrete through the mixing operation in the mixer drum  2  following introduction of the materials into the mixer drum  2 . 
     In the step  6 , the mixer drum  2  is switched to the low-speed measurement rotation. The rotation speed of the mixer drum  2  during the measurement rotation may be identical to the rotation speed during the agitation rotation. 
     In a step  7 , a determination is made as to whether or not the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  has fallen to the set pressure. When it is determined in the step  7  that the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  has not fallen to the set pressure, the routine advances to a step  10 . 
     In the step  10 , the water pressure pump  13  is activated and the open/close valve  14  is switched to the open state for a set time. As a result, a predetermined amount of the water stored in the water tank  12  is supplied to the mixer drum  2 . At this time, the freshly mixed concrete in the mixer drum  2  has not yet been mixed to the appropriate slump, and therefore, by supplying the predetermined amount of water to the mixer drum  2 , the freshly mixed concrete in the mixer drum  2  is brought closer to the appropriate slump. 
     After the predetermined amount of water has been supplied to the mixer drum  2  in the step  10 , the routine advances to the step  4 . Accordingly, the freshly mixed concrete in the mixer drum  2  is mixed further such that the slump of the freshly mixed concrete is adjusted. 
     When it is determined in the step  7  that the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  has fallen to the set pressure, on the other hand, this means that the freshly mixed concrete in the mixer drum  2  is at the appropriate slump, and therefore the routine advances to a step  8 . 
     In the step  8 , the notification device  35  is switched ON. By notifying the operator that the pressure of the working in the driving device  4  has fallen to or below the set pressure, the operator can be informed that the freshly mixed concrete in the mixer drum  2  has been adjusted to a predetermined slump. 
     Hence, in contrast to a conventional concrete mixer truck, in which the slump of the freshly mixed concrete is adjusted by the operator using a rule of thumb, the freshly mixed concrete carried on the concrete mixer truck  100  can be regulated to an appropriate slump automatically. As a result, variation in the slump of the freshly mixed concrete at the time of unloading can be suppressed, and the quality of the freshly mixed concrete can be managed. 
     In a step  9 , the mixer drum  2  is switched to the agitation rotation. When the mixer drum  2  is switched to the agitation rotation in the step  9 , slump adjustment of the freshly mixed concrete is complete, and therefore the routine advances to a step  11 . 
     In the step  11 , a determination is made as to whether or not the slump readjustment switch  32   e  has been operated. For example, the operator may readjust the slump of the freshly mixed concrete by operating the slump readjustment switch  32   e  before the freshly mixed concrete is discharged or the like. In so doing, the quality of the freshly mixed concrete can be checked immediately prior to unloading. 
     When it is determined in the step  11  that the slump readjustment switch  32   e  has been operated, the routine advances to the step  6 , where the mixer drum  2  is switched to the measurement rotation, and then to the step  7 , where the determination as to whether or not the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  has fallen to the set pressure is made again. When it is determined in the step  11  that the slump readjustment switch  32   e  has not been operated, on the other hand, the routine returns. 
     It should be noted that the operator may switch the mixer drum  2  to the high-speed mixing rotation for a predetermined time to remix the freshly mixed concrete by operating the mixing switch  32   f  before the freshly mixed concrete is discharged. 
     With the embodiment described above, the following effects are obtained. 
     The discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  for driving the mixer drum  2  to rotate is detected by the pressure sensor  5   a , and when the detected pressure falls to the set pressure, the operator is notified thereof by the notification device  35 . The discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  varies according to the carrying amount and the slump of the freshly mixed concrete in the mixer drum  2 . The set pressure is set in advance in accordance with the carrying amount and the slump of the freshly mixed concrete. 
     By notifying the operator that the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  has fallen to the set pressure, the operator can be informed that the freshly mixed concrete in the mixer drum has been adjusted to a predetermined slump. As a result, variation in the slump of the freshly mixed concrete at the time of unloading can be suppressed, and the quality of the freshly mixed concrete can be managed. 
     Although the invention has been described above with reference to certain embodiments, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Modifications and variations of the embodiments described above will occur to those skilled in the art, within the scope of the claims. 
     For example, in the above embodiment, the mixer drum  2  is switched to the mixing rotation after the materials are introduced into the mixer drum  2  and then switched to the measurement rotation after the predetermined time has elapsed following the switch to the mixing rotation. Further, the pressure determination unit  16  determines whether or not the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  has fallen to the set pressure. 
     However, this invention is not limited thereto, and instead, after the materials have been introduced into the mixer drum  2  and the mixer drum  2  has been switched to the mixing rotation, the pressure determination unit  16  may determine whether or not the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  has fallen to the set pressure continuously while the mixer drum  2  continues to perform the mixing rotation. 
     In this constitution, the mixer drum  2  is switched from the mixing rotation to the agitation rotation after the pressure determination unit  16  determines that the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  has fallen to the set pressure. Further, in this constitution, the predetermined amount of water is supplied to the mixer drum  2  in the step  10  when the pressure determination unit  16  determines that the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump  5  has not fallen to the set pressure following the elapse of a predetermined time after the mixer drum  2  is switched to the mixing rotation. 
     The contents of 2011204860, with a filing date of Jul. 19, 2011 in Australia, are hereby incorporated by reference.