5G Wireless Communication for Rotating Filling Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large bottling plants face challenges in efficient and cost-effective communication between rotating and stationary parts, leading to high wiring efforts, mechanical wear, and communication bottlenecks, which limit data exchange and diagnostic capabilities.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a 5G mobile radio standard for wireless communication between the stationary and moving parts of the filling device, allowing for a cost-effective and complex-free exchange of information, with the option to use other protocols for specific components, creating a transparent network that reduces cabling and hardware usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired communication (pulse signals, CAN bus, Modbus) is used between sensors and controller on the rotary filler, then data transmission can be established, but wiring complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired communication system with a wireless communication system. Sensors and actuators on the rotating carrier communicate with the control unit via wireless signals, eliminating the need for physical wires to pass through the rotation axis. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable data transmission while eliminating the complex wiring infrastructure that previously required numerous connection lines through the rotation axis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If slip rings are used to connect decentralized control system on rotating part to stationary part, then power and data transmission is enabled, but mechanical wear occurs and communication bottleneck is created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system connectivityVSAvoidmechanical wear and communication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical slip ring connection system with a wireless communication system. The decentralized control unit on the rotating carrier exchanges data with the stationary control unit wirelessly, eliminating mechanical contact components. This resolves the contradiction by enabling control system connectivity without the mechanical wear and communication bottlenecks inherent in slip ring systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If high pulse frequencies are selected for flow sensors to minimize quantization errors, then measurement precision improves, but hardware demands increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow measurement precisionVSAvoidhardware processing power
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pulse signal-based communication method with wireless digital communication. Sensors transmit their measurements directly as digital values via wireless signals rather than encoding them in high-frequency pulses. This resolves the contradiction by achieving precise flow measurement without the need for high pulse frequencies, thereby reducing hardware processing demands while maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Speed

If CAN bus technology is used for communication with sensors and valves, then real-time capabilities are achieved, but wiring effort increases due to requiring two connection lines per device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication speedVSAvoidwiring effort
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the CAN bus wired communication system with wireless communication. Sensors, valves, and the decentralized control unit communicate via wireless signals, eliminating the need for separate power and communication wires for each device. This resolves the contradiction by achieving real-time communication capabilities while dramatically reducing the wiring effort associated with multi-wire protocols like CAN bus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4071104B1Filling of a medium
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 SICK AG
  • EP4071104B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4071104B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4071104B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A filling device (10) is described, comprising a base (32) and a rotating device (34) movable relative to the base (32). The base (32) includes a system controller (36), and the rotating device (34) includes a plurality of filling stations (12), each with at least one valve (22), a filling station controller (28) for filling a container (20) with a predetermined quantity (24) of a medium (16) via the valve (22), and a sensor (26) for monitoring the filling process. Communication between the system controller (36) and the rotating device (34) and/or within the rotating device (34) is via a wireless connection according to the 5G mobile communication standard.