Cleaning Device Sensor Calibration Using Reference Measurements

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cleaning devices face challenges in ensuring accurate calibration of sensors, leading to potential malfunctions and inadequate hygienization effects, particularly in areas like healthcare, due to complex, error-prone, and time-consuming calibration processes that often require manual intervention and specialized equipment.

Innovation Solution

A method and kit for calibrating cleaning devices that utilize a calibration sensor to independently measure state variables like temperature and pressure, transmitting reference values to a controller for automatic correction of sensor readings, reducing the need for manual intervention and specialized equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual calibration with specialized equipment is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor calibration accuracyVSAvoidcalibration process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device performs self-calibration using its own sensor as a reference. The controller compares the sensor reading at a known state (empty chamber, ambient temperature/pressure) with expected values and automatically applies correction factors, eliminating the need for external calibration equipment and manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs calibration automatically during startup or before operation by detecting initial conditions (empty chamber state, ambient environment) and pre-adjusting sensor readings. This preliminary calibration ensures measurement accuracy without requiring separate calibration steps with specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If manual calibration with specialized equipment is used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor calibration accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device performs self-calibration using its own sensor as a reference. The controller compares the sensor reading at a known state (empty chamber, ambient temperature/pressure) with expected values and automatically applies correction factors, eliminating the need for external calibration equipment and manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs calibration automatically during startup or before operation by detecting initial conditions (empty chamber state, ambient environment) and pre-adjusting sensor readings. This preliminary calibration ensures measurement accuracy without requiring separate calibration steps with specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If simple reference measurements are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration operation simplicityVSAvoidsensor measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device performs self-calibration using its own sensor as a reference. The controller compares the sensor reading at a known state (empty chamber, ambient temperature/pressure) with expected values and automatically applies correction factors, eliminating the need for external calibration equipment and manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller continuously monitors sensor readings and compares them with expected values based on known chamber states. When deviations are detected, the system automatically adjusts calibration parameters and applies correction factors to maintain measurement accuracy throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of operation

If sensor calibration is neglected, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoidhygienization effect reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device performs self-calibration using its own sensor as a reference. The controller compares the sensor reading at a known state (empty chamber, ambient temperature/pressure) with expected values and automatically applies correction factors, eliminating the need for external calibration equipment and manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller continuously monitors sensor readings and compares them with expected values based on known chamber states. When deviations are detected, the system automatically adjusts calibration parameters and applies correction factors to maintain measurement accuracy throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This approach enables quick, reliable, and cost-effective calibration of cleaning devices, ensuring accurate sensor readings and maintaining hygienization standards without the need for extensive manual effort or specialized tools, thereby preventing contamination and ensuring effective disinfection.

Implementation Method 1

A method for calibrating a cleaning device, the cleaning device having at least one sensor for detecting at least one state variable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 2

comparing the reference value with at least one measured value of the sensor of the cleaning device and adjusting at least one correction function according to the comparison, future measured values of the sensor of the cleaning device being automatically corrected with the correction function

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAutomatic correction:

Data Source

PatentEP3051996B1Method for calibrating a cleaning device

Publication Date: 2018.01.17 MEIKO MASCHINENBAU GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for calibrating a cleaning device (112). The cleaning device (112) has at least one sensor (134) for detecting at least one state variable. The method comprises the following steps: a) carrying out a calibration measurement, wherein the at least one state variable is detected by means of at least one calibration sensor (113), independently of the sensor (134) of the cleaning device (112), and at least one reference value is identified; b) producing an electronic connection between the calibration sensor (113) and a control (128) of the cleaning device (112) and electronic transmission of the reference value to the control (128); and c) comparing the reference value to at least one measurement value of the sensor (134) of the cleaning device (112) and modifying at least one correction function according to the comparison, wherein future measurement values of the sensor (134) of the cleaning device (112) are automatically corrected by the correction function.