Container Fill-Level Sensing with Connection-Triggered Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring devices for detecting fill or limit levels in containers require a stationary energy supply, limiting their use with mobile containers and lacking efficient energy utilization, which results in reduced reliability and increased structural effort.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device with a sensor, energy supply unit, and activation unit that operates on demand, activating only when the container is connected to a filling or emptying device, using contactless measurement methods and a battery or rechargeable battery for energy storage, optimizing energy efficiency and enabling partial automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a stationary power supply device is used to supply energy to the measuring device, then the measuring device can operate continuously, but the device becomes location-dependent and cannot be used with mobile containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power supply from the stationary external source and places it directly into the measuring device itself. The measuring device is equipped with its own power supply unit (battery or rechargeable battery), enabling it to operate independently of external power sources and be used with mobile containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring device serves itself by containing its own power supply unit. The device is self-sufficient in terms of energy supply, eliminating the need for external stationary power supply devices and enabling autonomous operation during filling or emptying processes.
2Reliability
If the sensor operates continuously to monitor fill levels, then measurement reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor operates periodically rather than continuously. The activation unit triggers the sensor to perform measurements only at specific moments (during filling or emptying operations), while keeping it inactive during other periods. This periodic operation maintains measurement reliability when needed while significantly reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor performs partial measurements only when necessary rather than continuous full monitoring. The activation unit enables the sensor to operate at full capacity only during critical filling or emptying phases, using excessive action only when required, thereby balancing reliability with energy efficiency.
3Speed
If the measuring device is always active to detect fill levels, then response time is reduced, but energy utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring device uses periodic activation through the activation unit, which triggers the sensor only during filling or emptying operations. This ensures the device is ready to measure quickly when needed (maintaining response speed) while avoiding continuous operation that would waste energy.
4Extent of automation
If manual connection of the measuring device to the control system is required, then system complexity is reduced, but automation capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring device automatically connects and integrates with the control system without requiring manual intervention. The device autonomously performs measurements, processes data, and communicates results to the control system, enabling full automation of the filling or emptying monitoring process.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring device establishes automatic feedback communication with the control system. The sensor continuously or periodically provides measurement data to the control system, which can then automatically adjust filling or emptying operations based on the detected fill levels, creating a closed-loop automated system.
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
The solution provides reliable, energy-self-sufficient, and partially automated operation for measuring fill or limit levels, enhancing the usability of the device with mobile containers by reducing unnecessary energy consumption and extending the device's service life.
Implementation Method 1
The measurement methods used to detect fill or limit levels are often time-of-flight-based methods such as radar or ultrasound
Implementation Method 2
The measurement methods used to detect fill or limit levels are often time-of-flight-based methods such as radar or ultrasound
Implementation Method 3
The measurement methods used to detect fill or limit levels are often time-of-flight-based methods such as radar or ultrasound
Implementation Method 4
hydrostatic methods (e.g., pressure measurements)
Implementation Method 5
capacitive
Implementation Method 6
radiometric methods
Implementation Method 7
Optical methods can also be used to determine fill or limit levels
Implementation Method 8
a battery or rechargeable battery for energy storage
Implementation Method 9
a battery or rechargeable battery for energy storage
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a measuring apparatus (1) for detecting a fill level or limit level of a filling material (2) in a container (3), wherein the measuring apparatus (1) is designed to be situated on the container (3) and comprises a sensor (4) for determining the fill or limit level, a power supply unit (5) which is electrically connected to the sensor (4) and is designed and configured to supply the sensor (4) with electrical power, and an activation unit (6) which is connected at least to the power supply unit (5) for signal communication. In order to achieve at least partially automated, energy self-sufficient, reliable and error-reduced operation in such a measuring apparatus (1), according to the invention the activation unit (6) is designed and configured, as a result of being actuated by an actuation means (8a, 8b) provided on the container (3) and/or the filling or emptying device (7), in particular when the container (3) is connected to the filling or emptying device (7), to actuate the sensor (4) and to switch same from an inactive mode to an operating mode. The invention furthermore relates to a method for filling or emptying a container (3) with or of a filling material (2) using a filling or emptying device (7) and to a measuring apparatus (1) designed according to the invention and situated on the container (3).