Autarkic Measuring Device with On-Site Display for Energy-Efficient Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement technologies for process vessels require continuous wired energy supply for data transmission, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in energy-saving inventory control, especially in industrial environments where human intervention is minimized.
Innovation Solution
An autarkic measuring device with a sensor and evaluation unit, and a display device equipped with a switching unit, utilizing internal energy sources like batteries or energy harvesting, enabling wireless communication and on-site display of measurement data without constant power usage, allowing for energy-efficient and autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired energy supply is used for continuous data transmission, then measurement data can be continuously monitored, but energy consumption increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic measurement and display activation instead of continuous operation. The measuring device performs measurements at defined intervals and the display is activated only when new measurement values are available, creating periodic action cycles that reduce energy consumption while maintaining monitoring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring device is designed as an autarkic system with internal energy supply (battery or energy harvesting) that operates independently without external wired power supply. The device manages its own energy resources and operates autonomously, eliminating the need for continuous external energy input while maintaining measurement functionality.
2Reliability
If wired energy supply is used for continuous data transmission, then measurement data can be continuously transmitted, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy supply function from the external infrastructure (wired power) and relocates it to an internal energy supply system within the measuring device. This extraction eliminates the need for complex wired power connections and associated infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining continuous operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system for power transmission with wireless communication technologies (radio, Bluetooth, NB-IoT, LTE CAT M, W-Lan). This substitution eliminates physical cables and associated mechanical interfaces, reducing system complexity while enabling data transmission.
3Ease of operation
If on-site display is implemented, then quick actions can be taken at the process vessel, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display device is activated periodically only when new measurement values are available rather than remaining continuously on. This periodic activation allows operators to quickly view current measurements when needed while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous display operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring device maintains continuous measurement capability while the display operates discontinuously. The sensor continuously monitors process parameters and stores measurements, ensuring continuity of useful measurement action, while the display activates only when there is new data to show, optimizing energy usage.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-sufficient measuring device, for level, limit level or pressure measurement of a process vessel over a longer period of time, which has sensor and evaluation circuitry configured to determine a first measured value and/or a first diagnostic value, and a display device, which has switching circuitry and is configured to display the first measured value and/or the first diagnostic value of the sensor and evaluation circuitry. The switching circuitry is arranged to locally activate the display of the first measured value and/or the first diagnostic value on the display device.