Consumer Identification in Pneumatic Networks via Time Delay

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods struggle to accurately identify and assign switching on/off processes to specific consumers or generators in electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic networks, especially when multiple identical devices are present, leading to inefficiencies in energy management due to the inability to track individual power consumption and peak usage.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a local distance inference from a measured value recording unit to assign switching events to specific consumers or generators, allowing for automatic identification and enabling the use of probability criteria and calibration for accurate assignment, even with identical consumers, by analyzing the time profiles and simulating different line lengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If comparison profiles are used to identify consumers, then identification is possible for different consumers, but identical consumers cannot be distinguished from each other

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsumer identification accuracyVSAvoidability to handle identical consumers
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new dimension for identification by measuring the time delay between a consumer switching on and the corresponding power consumption increase being detected. This temporal dimension allows differentiation of identical consumers based on their distance from the measuring device, solving the problem where identical consumers cannot be distinguished using traditional comparison profiles alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If manual inspections are used to assign power consumption to individual devices, then identification is possible, but it requires significant time and additional costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice assignment accuracyVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic identification of consumers by measuring power consumption changes and inferring distances through time delay analysis. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual inspections by qualified personnel, allowing the system to automatically assign power consumption to individual devices based on measured temporal characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection processes with automated electronic measurement and analysis. By using power consumption measurements and time delay calculations, the system substitutes human inspectors with an automated computational method that continuously monitors and identifies consumers without requiring physical access or manual intervention.

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

3Ease of operation

If devices are switched on automatically, then operational readiness is improved, but energy waste occurs when devices run unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated device operationVSAvoidunnecessary device operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides feedback by continuously monitoring power consumption and identifying which specific consumers are active. This information enables automated control strategies to switch off devices that are not needed, preventing energy waste while maintaining operational readiness for devices that are actually in use. The feedback loop allows dynamic adjustment of device operation based on real-time consumption patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2529185B1Method of identifying consumers or producers in a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric network
Publication Date: 2016.08.31 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2529185B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2529185B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2529185B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for identifying consumers (12 to 15) in a pneumatic, hydraulic or electric network (100). According to said method, an especially central control unit (21) detects connection or disconnection processes of the consumers (12 to 15) and said processes are associated with consumers (12 to 15). According to the invention, comparison profiles of consumers (12 to 15) are stored in the central control unit (21), each detected connection and disconnection process is compared with the stored comparison profiles, and the detected connection and disconnection process is associated with a determined consumer (12 to 15) at least with a defined probability.