METHOD FOR DETERMINING WHETHER STATIONARY MEASURING INSTALLATIONS ARE ACCALIBRED

Abstract

One method for determining whether stationary measuring instruments are calibrated is as follows: Measuring a first value of a parameter of a respective object of a first group of objects with a first stationary measuring device and measuring a second value of the parameter of the respective object of the first group with a mobile measuring device in a first period, measuring a third value of the parameter of a respective object of a second group of objects with a second stationary measuring device and measuring a fourth value of the parameter of the respective object of the second group with the mobile measuring device in a second period, calculating a first absolute value of a first difference between the respective second value and the respective first value, and calculating a second absolute value of a second difference between the respective fourth value and the respective third value.Forming a third absolute value, a third difference between a first maximum value of the first absolute values ​​and a second maximum value of the second absolute values, and determining whether the first stationary measuring instrument and the second stationary measuring instrument are calibrated or not, based on the third absolute value.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for determining whether stationary measuring instruments are calibrated. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for determining whether stationary measuring instruments, with which a time-varying value of a parameter characterizing a property of an object, especially a product, can be measured, are calibrated.

[0002] In trade, it is common practice for a supplier and a customer or buyer of products or items, especially industrially manufactured items and / or organic items such as food, to agree on certain specifications which the products delivered by the supplier to the customer, or certain properties thereof, must meet in order to, for example, enable or guarantee consistent quality and safety of the products for the customer's end customers.

[0003] After delivery of the products, the customer therefore checks them, at least partially, especially many of them in the case of large quantities, to see whether they meet the specifications or not.

[0004] On the supplier's side, the products are also at least partially checked before delivery to determine whether they meet the specifications or not, and the result of the check is recorded in order to be able to prove, if necessary, that the products met the specifications before delivery.

[0005] In some cases, the specifications concern one or more limit values ​​for values ​​of a parameter characterizing a property of the product / object that may change over time, for example due to aging, temperature effects and / or chemical reactions.

[0006] For a foodstuff, this parameter could be, for example, the viscosity of the food.

[0007] For a battery or battery cell, this parameter could, for example, be the open-circuit voltage of the battery or battery cell.

[0008] Both at the supplier and at the customer, the respective test regarding compliance with the specifications can be carried out using a measuring device, in particular a stationary one, integrated into a (production or processing) device that is not transportable or only transportable with great effort, to measure a value of the corresponding parameter.

[0009] Although these respective (stationary) measuring instruments are typically calibrated, a comparison between these two measuring instruments is necessary, or it must be determined whether these two measuring instruments are calibrated or not, in order to be able to compare the respective measurements.

[0010] This applies in particular to a case where the distance between the supplier and the customer is several thousand, for example ten thousand, kilometers, so that the delivery of the products from the supplier to the customer, especially if the products are transported by ship, may take a considerable amount of time, for example 10 weeks, which may significantly change the value of the parameter of the product to be tested, especially due to the considerable time required for transport and / or temperature effects.

[0011] For example, the open-circuit voltage of a battery or battery cell fluctuates over time and is not constant. In particular, it varies with temperature, time, and the expansion of the battery or battery cell. Therefore, standard methods for determining whether stationary measuring instruments are calibrated are not applicable for measuring open-circuit voltage or are associated with a high (time) effort and / or high costs, since this would require measuring the open-circuit voltage of a very large number of delivered batteries or battery cells in order to generate meaningful statistics and thus assess whether the delivered batteries or battery cells meet the specifications.

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to improve a method for determining whether stationary measuring instruments are calibrated or not.

[0013] This problem is solved by the features of the independent patent claim. Further preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent patent claims.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for determining whether stationary measuring instruments, with which a time-varying value of a parameter characterizing a property of an object, in some embodiments a product, can be measured, are calibrated, comprises the following steps:

[0015] Measuring a respective first value of the time-varying value of the parameter of a respective object of a first group of objects of several objects, in some versions for each object of the first group, with a first stationary measuring device (at respective times) in a first period of time,

[0016] Measuring a respective second value of the time-varying value of the parameter of the respective item of the first group of items from the several items, in some versions for each item of the first group, with a mobile measuring device (at respective times) in the first period,

[0017] Measuring a respective third value of the time-varying value of the parameter of a respective item of a second group of items from the multiple items, in some versions for each item of the second group, with a second stationary measuring device (at respective times) in a second period of time,

[0018] Measuring a respective fourth value of the time-varying value of the parameter of the respective item of the second group of items from the multiple items, in some versions for each item of the second group, with the mobile measuring device (at respective times) in the second period,

[0019] Forming a respective first absolute value of a respective first difference between the respective second value and the respective first value of the time-varying value of the parameter of the respective item of the first group of items from the several items, in some versions for each item of the first group, and forming a respective second absolute value of a respective second difference between the respective fourth value and the respective third value of the respective item of the second group of items from the several items, in some versions for each item of the second group,

[0020] Forming a third absolute value, a third difference between a first maximum value of the first absolute values ​​and a second maximum value of the second absolute values, and

[0021] Determine whether the first stationary measuring instrument and the second stationary measuring instrument are calibrated or not, based on the third absolute value.

[0022] In this case, in particular, one and the same mobile measuring device is used for the measurements in the first period and the second period.

[0023] Furthermore, in this case, only a sample of the several items can be selected for the first and / or second group.

[0024] In some designs, this can reduce the (time) effort and / or the costs of checking whether the two stationary measuring devices are calibrated or not.

[0025] Furthermore, in some designs, this can prevent items that allegedly do not meet specifications due to a lack of comparison between the two measuring devices from being sorted out as rejects, thereby relieving the burden on the environment and conserving resources.

[0026] Furthermore, in some versions, the items to be considered for determining whether the first stationary measuring device and the second stationary measuring device are calibrated or not are preferably selected for the second group under a precondition with reference to the already measured first and / or second values ​​of the respective parameter of the respective items of the first group.

[0027] For example, the entirety of the first and / or the second (measured) values ​​can be statistically evaluated, and the precondition can be determined based on the results of the statistical evaluation.

[0028] In one version, a mean value and a range of variation (around the mean value) of the first values ​​measured with the mobile measuring device can be calculated, whereby a fourth value measured with the mobile measuring device or the associated object is only taken into account for determining whether the first stationary measuring device and the second stationary measuring device are calibrated or not, if the fourth value lies within a predetermined range of variation around the mean value of the first values.

[0029] The specified range of variation can be chosen depending on the type of object and / or the parameter to be measured, and can be, for example, 1%, 2%, 5% or 10%.

[0030] Preferred embodiments of the invention and their further developments are described below, which, unless expressly excluded, can be combined with one another as desired.

[0031] In some versions, it is determined that the first stationary measuring instrument and the second stationary measuring instrument are calibrated if the result of dividing the third absolute value by a maximum value of the first values ​​of the time-varying value of the parameter of the respective item of the first group of items is less than 0.1, in particular less than 0.01.

[0032] In this case, if the result of the division is greater than 0.01, in particular greater than 0.1, it can be determined that the first stationary measuring device and the second stationary measuring device are not calibrated.

[0033] In this case, arrangements can be made to use a second stationary measuring device for the measurement, after it has been checked or determined that it is calibrated with the first stationary measuring device.

[0034] In some versions, the second period is chronologically located after the first period.

[0035] In some versions, a third period, which includes more than one week, in particular more than eight weeks, may lie between the second period and the first period.

[0036] In some versions, the number of multiple items can range from 1000 to 10000, particularly from 4000 to 6000.

[0037] In some versions, the number of items in the first group and the number of items in the second group may be in the range of 10 to 40, particularly in the range of 20 to 30.

[0038] The number of items in the first group and the number of items in the second group can be the same or different.

[0039] In some versions, the first group of items is the same as the second group of items.

[0040] In some versions, the first group of items is not the same as the second group of items.

[0041] In some versions, the multiple items are items of the same type.

[0042] In some versions, the mobile measuring device is a calibrated measuring device; in some versions, it is a calibrated voltmeter.

[0043] In some embodiments, the object is a battery, in some embodiments a traction battery for supplying an electric motor of an electric vehicle with electrical energy, wherein the parameter is an open-circuit voltage of the battery, or the object is a battery cell, in some embodiments a traction battery cell for supplying the electric motor of the electric vehicle with electrical energy, wherein the parameter is an open-circuit voltage of the battery cell.

[0044] In some versions, the object is a foodstuff, and the parameter is the viscosity of the foodstuff.

[0045] Further advantageous developments will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments. This is shown, partly schematically: Fig. 1. A flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining whether stationary measuring instruments with which a time-varying value of a parameter characterizing a property of an object can be measured are calibrated according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 several items together with a first stationary measuring device and a mobile measuring device, Fig. 3 the several items and the mobile measuring device that are in Fig. 2 are shown, together with a second stationary measuring device, and Fig. 4. A diagram illustrating a measurement of the time-varying value of the parameter on objects.

[0046] Fig. Figure 1 shows a flowchart illustrating a procedure for determining whether stationary measuring instruments with which a time-varying value of a parameter P characterizing a property of an object can be measured are calibrated according to one embodiment.

[0047] Fig. Figure 2 shows several items G11, ..., G22 together with a first stationary measuring device 10 and a mobile measuring device 30, Fig. Figure 3 shows the several items G11, ..., G22 and the mobile measuring device 30, which are in Fig. 2 are shown, together with a second stationary measuring device 20, and Fig. Figure 4 shows a diagram in which a parameter P is plotted against time t, to illustrate a measurement of the time-varying value of the parameter P on the objects G11, ..., G13 or G14, ..., G16.

[0048] The first stationary measuring device 10 and the second stationary measuring device 20 can each be used as described in the Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 illustrates that 100, 200 are integrated and / or an integral part of a respective device that is not transportable or can only be transported with great effort.

[0049] Furthermore, the first stationary measuring device 10 and the second stationary measuring device 20 can be located at a great distance from each other, for example a thousand to ten thousand kilometers.

[0050] The mobile measuring device 30, on the other hand, is portable and can, for example, be carried by one person. Preferably, the mobile measuring device 30 is a calibrated measuring instrument; in some versions, it is a calibrated voltmeter or a calibrated viscometer.

[0051] Items G11, ..., G22 are items of the same type, for example, products that are preferably manufactured or have been manufactured in series production. Each item G11, ..., G22 has a property that can be assigned to a parameter P, where a value of the parameter P indicates a quality or measure of the property.

[0052] In some embodiments, items G11, ..., G22 can each be, for example, a battery, in particular a traction battery for supplying an electric motor of an electric vehicle with electrical energy, where the parameter is an open-circuit voltage of the battery.

[0053] In other embodiments, the items G11, ..., G22 can each be a battery cell, in particular each a traction battery cell for supplying the electric motor of the electric vehicle with electrical energy, wherein the parameter P is an open-circuit voltage of the battery cell.

[0054] In this case, the first stationary measuring device 10, the second stationary measuring device 20 and the mobile measuring device 30 can be set up as voltage measuring devices in order to be able to measure a voltage, in particular the respective open-circuit voltage of the batteries or battery cells.

[0055] In other versions, items G11, ..., G22 can each be a foodstuff, where the parameter is a viscosity of the foodstuff.

[0056] In this case, the first stationary measuring device 10, the second stationary measuring device 20 and the mobile measuring device 30 can be designed as viscometers in order to be able to measure the respective viscosity of the foodstuffs.

[0057] Although only a small number of items G11, ..., G22 are shown in the Fig., the number of the multiple items G11, ..., G22 can be in the range of 1000 to 10000, in particular in the range of 4000 to 6000.

[0058] Furthermore, the number of items G11, ..., G13 of a first group GG1 of items and the number of items G14, ..., G16 of a second group GG2 of items may be in the range of 10 to 40, in particular in the range of 20 to 30.

[0059] Here, the number of items G11, ..., G13 of the first group GG1 and the number of items G14, ..., G16 of the second group GG2 can be as in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The illustrations may be the same, or different in non-illustrated versions.

[0060] Furthermore, as in the Fig. Figures 2 to 4 illustrate that the first group GG1 of objects is not equal to the second group GG2 of objects.

[0061] In versions not shown, the first group GG1 of objects can be the same as the second group GG2 of objects.

[0062] In step S10 of the procedure, with reference to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 4. Measuring a respective first value P11, ..., P13 of the time-varying value of the parameter P of a respective object G11, ..., G13 of a first group GG1 of objects from the multiple objects G11, ..., G22 for each object G11, ..., G13 of the first group GG1 with the first stationary measuring device 10 in a first period Δt1,

[0063] In step S20 of the procedure, a respective second value P21, ..., P23 of the time-varying value of the parameter P of the respective object G11, ..., G13 of the first group GG1 is measured for each object G11, ..., G13 of the first group GG1 using a mobile measuring device 30 in the first period Δt1.

[0064] In step S30 of the procedure, with reference to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 a measurement of a respective third value P31, ..., P33 of the time-varying value of the parameter of a respective object G14, ..., G16 of a second group GG2 of objects of the multiple objects G11, ..., G22 for each object G14, ..., G16 of the second group GG2 with a second stationary measuring device 20 in a second period Δt2.

[0065] This can be done, as in Fig. Figure 4 illustrates that the second period Δt2 lies after the first period Δt1, with a third period Δt3 lying between the second period Δt2 and the first period Δt1. This third period Δt3 can, for example, include or last more than one week, in particular more than eight weeks.

[0066] In step S40 of the procedure, a respective fourth value P41, ..., P43 of the time-varying value of the parameter P of the respective object G14, ..., G16 of the second group GG2 of objects of the several objects G11, ..., G22 is measured for each object G14, ..., G16 of the second group GG2 with the mobile measuring device 30 in the second period Δt2.

[0067] In particular, one and the same mobile measuring device 30 is used for the measurements in the first period Δt1 and the second period Δt2.

[0068] In Fig.4 is indicated by the frame around the values ​​P11, ..., P13, P21, ..., P23, marked with the reference GG1, that these values ​​are assigned to the items G11, ..., G13 of the first group GG1, and is indicated by the frame around the values ​​P31, ..., P33, P41, ..., P43, marked with the reference GG2, that these values ​​are assigned to the items G14, ..., G16 of the second group GG2.

[0069] In step S50 of the procedure, a first absolute value of a first difference is calculated between the second value P21, ..., P23 and the first value P11, ..., P13 of the time-varying value of the parameter P of the respective object G11, ..., G13 of the first group GG1 of objects from the multiple objects G11, ..., G22, for each object G11, ..., G13 of the first group GG1, and a second absolute value of a second difference is calculated between the fourth value P41, ..., P43 and the third value P31, ..., P33 of the respective object G14, ..., G16 of the second group GG2 of objects from the multiple objects G11, ..., G22, for each object G14, ..., G16 of the second group GG2.

[0070] In step S60 of the procedure, a third absolute value is formed as a third difference between a first maximum value of the first absolute values ​​and a second maximum value of the second absolute values.

[0071] In step S70 of the procedure, it is determined whether the first stationary measuring device 10 and the second stationary measuring device 20 are calibrated or not, based on the third absolute value.

[0072] It can be determined that the first stationary measuring device 10 and the second stationary measuring device 20 are calibrated if the result of dividing the third absolute value by a maximum value of the first values ​​of the time-varying value of the parameter P of the respective item G11, ..., G13 of the first group GG1 of items of the multiple items G11, ..., G22 is less than 0.1, in particular less than 0.01.

[0073] Furthermore, if the result of the division is greater than 0.01, in particular greater than 0.1, it can be determined that the first stationary measuring device 10 and the second stationary measuring device 20 are not calibrated.

Claims

[1] Method for determining whether stationary measuring devices (10, 20) with which a time-varying value of a parameter characterising a property of an object (G11, ..., G22), in particular a product, can be measured, are calibrated, comprising the following steps: Measuring a respective first value (P11, ..., P13) of the time-variable value of the parameter (P) of a respective object (G11, ..., G13) of a first group (GG1) of objects of a plurality of objects (G11, ..., G22) with a first stationary measuring device (10) in a first period (Δt1), Measuring a respective second value (P21, ..., P23) of the time-variable value of the parameter (P) of the respective object (G11, ..., G13) of the first group (GG1) of objects from the plurality of objects (G11, ..., G22) with a mobile measuring device (30) in the first period (Δt1), Measuring a respective third value (P31, ..., P33) of the time-variable value of the parameter of a respective object (G14, ..., G16) of a second group (GG2) of objects from the plurality of objects (G11, ..., G22) with a second stationary measuring device (20) in a second period (Δt2), Measuring a respective fourth value (P41, ..., P43) of the time-variable value of the parameter (P) of the respective object (G14, ..., G16) of the second group (GG2) of objects from the plurality of objects (G11, ..., G22) with the mobile measuring device (30) in the second period (Δt2), Forming a respective first absolute value of a respective first difference between the respective second value (P21, ..., P23) and the respective first value (P11, ..., P13) of the time-variable value of the parameter (P) of the respective object (G11, ..., G13) of the first group (GG1) of objects from the plurality of objects (G11, ..., G22), and forming a respective second absolute value of a respective second difference between the respective fourth value (P41, ..., P43) and the respective third value (P31, ..., P33) of the respective object (G14, ..., G16) of the second group (GG2) of objects from the plurality of objects (G11, ..., G22), Forming a third absolute value of a third difference between a first maximum value of the first absolute values ​​and a second maximum value of the second absolute values, and Determining whether the first stationary measuring device (10) and the second stationary measuring device (20) are aligned or not based on the third absolute value. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the first stationary measuring device (10) and the second stationary measuring device (20) are adjusted if a result of a division of the third absolute value divided by a maximum value of the first values ​​of the time-variable value of the parameter (P) of the respective object (G11, ..., G13) of the first group (GG1) of objects from the plurality of objects (G11, ..., G22) is less than 0.1, in particular less than 0.

01. [3] Method according to claim 2, wherein, if the result of the division is greater than 0.01, in particular greater than 0.1, it is determined that the first stationary measuring device (10) and the second stationary measuring device (20) are not adjusted. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second period (Δt2) is after the first period (Δt1). [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which between the second period (Δt2) and the first period (Δt1) there is a third period (Δt3) which comprises more than one week, in particular more than eight weeks. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which a number of the plurality of objects (G11, ..., G22) is in the range from 1000 to 10000, in particular in the range from 4000 to 6000. [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which a number of the objects of the first group (GG1) of objects and a number of the objects of the second group (GG2) of objects is in the range from 10 to 40, in particular in the range from 20 to 30. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first group (GG1) of objects is equal to the second group (GG2) of objects. [9] Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first group (GG1) of objects is not equal to the second group (GG2) of objects. [10] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of objects (G11, ..., G22) are objects of the same type. [11] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile measuring device is a calibrated measuring device, in particular a calibrated voltmeter. [12] Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the object is a battery, in particular a drive battery for supplying an electric motor of an electric vehicle with electrical energy, and the parameter is an open circuit voltage of the battery, or the object is a battery cell, in particular a drive battery cell for supplying the electric motor of the electric vehicle with electrical energy, and the parameter is an open circuit voltage of the battery cell.

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