Analog Range Selector Feedback for Reliable Measurement Settings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Signaling devices in industrial environments face challenges with unreliable measurement values due to mechanical tolerances between analog setting elements and measuring range displays, leading to incorrect configurations and misinterpretation of measured values, especially when selecting adjacent ranges.

Innovation Solution

The signaling device incorporates a range scale with alternating setting and transition ranges, using an analog selection device to define an analog selection value, which detects transitions and emits a signal via a signaling means to ensure clear selection, independent of the scale, thereby improving measurement range reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the housing is made narrow for top-hat rail installation, then the form factor is improved, but the space for operating elements is reduced leading to smaller, less reliable elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing volumeVSAvoidoperating element reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical visual indication system (scale and pointer) with an electronic detection and signaling system. The analog selection value is detected electronically, and transition ranges are identified through logical evaluation, eliminating reliance on mechanical tolerance-free alignment between scale and selector.

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

2Volume of moving object

If analog selection elements are made small for narrow housing, then the form factor is improved, but the precision of range selection deteriorates due to mechanical tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing volumeVSAvoidrange selection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical visual indication system (scale and pointer) with an electronic detection and signaling system. The analog selection value is detected electronically, and transition ranges are identified through logical evaluation, eliminating reliance on mechanical tolerance-free alignment between scale and selector.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The signaling device provides feedback to the operator through a signaling means (such as an LED) that indicates when a transition range is detected. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to adjust the analog selection device to ensure a clear setting range is selected, compensating for the small size and potential imprecision of the analog element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Volume of moving object

If the scale and analog selector are closely aligned to save space, then the form factor is improved, but mechanical tolerances cause misinterpretation of measured values

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing volumeVSAvoidmeasurement value accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical visual indication system (scale and pointer) with an electronic detection and signaling system. The analog selection value is detected electronically, and transition ranges are identified through logical evaluation, eliminating reliance on mechanical tolerance-free alignment between scale and selector.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary electronic detection and evaluation system between the analog selection device and the final range determination. This intermediary system detects the analog selection value and uses logical evaluation to determine the correct setting range, acting as a mediator that eliminates the direct mechanical linkage and its associated tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If transition areas are made visible on the scale, then the clarity of range selection is improved, but the scale becomes more complex and larger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange selection clarityVSAvoidscale complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical visual indication system (scale and pointer) with an electronic detection and signaling system. The analog selection value is detected electronically, and transition ranges are identified through logical evaluation, eliminating reliance on mechanical tolerance-free alignment between scale and selector.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary electronic detection and evaluation system between the analog selection device and the final range determination. This intermediary system detects the analog selection value and uses logical evaluation to determine the correct setting range, acting as a mediator that eliminates the direct mechanical linkage and its associated tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3973252B1Measuring device
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 SIEMENS AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a signalling device (1) which is configured to generate a selection signal (3) by means of an analogue selection device (4) for choosing a signal range, and a range scale (10) for displaying the signal range chosen by the analogue selection device (4), the range scale (10) having at least two setting ranges (11-14) and at least one transition range (21-23), wherein one setting range of the at least two setting rangse (11-14) is arranged in an alternating manner with one transition range of the at least one transition range (21-23) along an extent of the range scale (10), and the analogue selection device (4) is arranged in such a way that a selection of a setting range (11-14) or a transition range (21-23) along the extent of the range scale (10) is selected and the analogue selection device (4) defines an analogue selection value (5), and the signalling device (1) is further configured to detect the analogue selection value (5) with the aid of the selection signal (3) and to check whether said value corresponds to a value that is allocated to a transition range (21-23), and if so, to output a signal by means of a signalling means (7).