Measuring Amplifier Sensor Recognition via Contact Potential Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for adapting measuring amplifiers to sensors require manual intervention, leading to potential malfunctions and incorrect measurement results due to forgotten or missed synchronization of clock signals and manual data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A method where the measuring amplifier automatically detects the connection of a sensor via a plug connection with a contact pair, applies an electrical potential, and compares the potentials to determine if a sensor is connected, then reads and adjusts its settings based on the sensor's data memory, ensuring correct evaluation of electrical signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual triggering of clock signal is used for synchronization, then the measuring amplifier can be adapted to sensors without technically qualified knowledge, but manual operation leads to malfunctions and incorrect measurement results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adaptationVSAvoidreliability of measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring amplifier automatically detects sensor connection through the plug connection contacts and triggers the clock signal itself without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by automatically recognizing when a sensor is connected and initiating the synchronization process, thereby maintaining ease of operation while eliminating manual errors that compromise reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring amplifier continuously monitors the connection state of the sensor through the plug connection contacts. When a sensor is detected, the system provides feedback by automatically triggering the clock signal to synchronize with the sensor's data transmission, ensuring reliable adaptation without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If manual triggering of clock signal is used, then no technical knowledge is required for adaptation, but the measuring amplifier may continue with previous settings instead of reading new sensor data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adaptationVSAvoidloss of sensor characteristic data
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring amplifier automatically detects sensor connection and initiates the data reading process without requiring manual knowledge or intervention. The system self-manages the entire adaptation process, ensuring that new sensor characteristic data is always read and processed, preventing information loss about sensor properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring amplifier is pre-programmed to automatically detect sensor connection through the plug connection and trigger the clock signal before the user needs to take any action. This preliminary automatic action ensures that sensor data is read and processed immediately upon connection, preventing loss of characteristic information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If automatic detection of sensor connection is implemented, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional detection circuitry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of measurementVSAvoidcomplexity of detection system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plug connection contacts serve multiple functions: they provide both the electrical connection for sensor operation and the detection function for automatic recognition. By making the connection contacts multi-functional, the system achieves automatic detection without adding separate detection circuitry, thus improving measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables automatic adaptation of the measuring amplifier to sensors, preventing incorrect measurement results by ensuring the amplifier is correctly configured for the connected sensor, reducing human error and ensuring accurate data reading.

Implementation Method 1

the measuring amplifier applies an electrical potential to one contact of its contact pair and measures the electrical potential at the second contact of the contact pair

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical potential measurement: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentEP2048478B1Method for recognising a sensor at a measurement amplifier and for automatically adapting a measurement amplifier to a sensor
Publication Date: 2016.06.01 HOTTINGER BRUEEL & KJAER GMBH
  • EP2048478B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2048478B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The method involves providing a plug (5) comprising a contact pair (7) with a contact (8) and another contact (9) coupled with the former contact. Contacts (12, 13) of a measurement amplifier (4) contact with the contacts (8, 9), and an electrical potential is applied to the contact (8) by the amplifier. Electrical potential to the contact (9) of the contact pair is measured by the amplifier, and the electrical potentials of both the contacts of the contact pair are compared by the measuring amplifier.