Adaptive Scanning Frequency for Linear Position Measurement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional linear position measuring systems require continuous external power supply to maintain position data, leading to data loss during power interruptions and necessitate time-consuming recalibration upon power restoration, with increased costs and mass associated with larger energy storage solutions.

Innovation Solution

A linear displacement measuring system with an incremental scale and scanning device that adapts scanning frequency to the detected frequency of the analog signal curve, allowing for reduced power consumption and extended energy bridging duration using internal energy sources, ensuring continuous operation during and after power interruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the scanning frequency is increased to maintain measurement accuracy during high-speed carriage movement, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidscanning device energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The scanning device dynamically adapts its scanning frequency to the actual carriage speed. When the carriage moves at low speed, the scanning frequency is reduced to save energy. When the carriage accelerates or moves at high speed, the scanning frequency increases automatically to maintain measurement accuracy. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between measurement precision and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the scanning frequency parameter based on detected carriage speed. The scanning device monitors the frequency of the analog signal curve generated by the incremental scale and adjusts its scanning frequency accordingly, ensuring accurate position measurement only when necessary, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of moving object

If a larger mobile energy source is used to extend operation duration during power outages, then duration of action is improved, but weight and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy bridging durationVSAvoidscanner mass
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The scanning device performs periodic scanning at an adapted frequency rather than continuous high-frequency scanning. By reducing the scanning frequency during low-speed or stationary periods, the energy consumption is significantly reduced, allowing a smaller mobile energy source to provide sufficient operation duration during power outages without increasing the scanner's weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the scanning frequency parameter dynamically based on carriage speed. This parameter adaptation reduces average power consumption, enabling the use of a compact mobile energy source that can bridge power interruptions for the required duration without adding excessive weight or volume to the scanning device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If the scanning frequency is reduced to save energy, then energy consumption is decreased, but measurement precision deteriorates during high-speed movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning device power consumptionVSAvoidposition determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The scanning device incorporates feedback from the detected frequency of the analog signal curve generated by the incremental scale. This feedback information about carriage speed is used to automatically adjust the scanning frequency. When the feedback indicates high-speed movement, the scanning frequency increases to maintain measurement precision. When speed is low, the scanning frequency decreases to save energy, thus resolving the contradiction through closed-loop control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static scanning frequency to dynamic scanning frequency that automatically adapts to carriage speed conditions. This dynamic behavior ensures measurement precision is maintained during high-speed movement while energy consumption is reduced during low-speed operation, eliminating the need to choose between precision and energy savings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If continuous external power supply is provided to maintain position data, then reliability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition data continuityVSAvoidpower supply system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scanning device is equipped with a mobile energy source that enables it to maintain position data and continue operation autonomously during external power interruptions. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex external power supply systems, recalculation mechanisms, and recalibration procedures, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares for potential power interruptions by equipping the scanning device with a mobile energy source in advance. This preliminary action ensures that position data continuity is maintained during power outages without requiring complex external power supply infrastructure or post-interruption recalibration systems, thus improving reliability while simplifying the overall system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2533021B1Linear distance measuring system and method for determining the absolute position of a slide in relation to a guide rail
Publication Date: 2016.10.26 SCHNEEBERGER HLDG AG
  • EP2533021B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2533021B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The linear path measuring system (10) comprises an incremental scale (14) applied along a running rail (12) and a scanning device mounted on the running slide. The scanning device is designed for scanning multiple incremental markings with variable sampling frequency along the incremental scale, where the incremental markings are scanned as analogous signal course. The sampling frequency is variable corresponding to an actual detected frequency of the analog signal course.