Coriolis Meter Integrating Exciter and Sensor on Circuit Board

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Coriolis measuring devices are bulky and costly due to voluminous vibration exciters and sensors, limiting their compactness and production efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A Coriolis measuring device design featuring an electronic board with integrated fixed exciter and sensor elements, including coils, where movable exciter or sensor elements, such as permanent magnets, are arranged on the measuring tube to maximize force and sensitivity, and the electronic components are arranged on the board to minimize size and material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If vibration exciters and sensors are designed as conventional bulky components, then reliable vibration excitation and detection is achieved, but device compactness is reduced and material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration excitation and detection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the fixed excitation element and fixed sensor element directly into the electronic circuit board, merging previously separate components (exciter, sensor, and electronics) into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for separate housings and mounting structures, significantly reducing device volume while maintaining functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic circuit board serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, houses electronic components, and integrates the fixed excitation and sensor elements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components and mounting structures, achieving compactness without sacrificing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional vibration exciters and sensors are used, then adequate excitation and sensing capability is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcitation and sensing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the fixed excitation element and fixed sensor element into the electronic circuit board, the patent reduces the total component count and assembly steps. This simplification directly lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the necessary excitation and sensing capabilities through the combined structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic circuit board performs multiple functions (structural support, electronic processing, vibration excitation, and vibration sensing), eliminating the need for separate dedicated components. This reduces part counts, simplifies assembly, and lowers overall manufacturing costs while preserving functional capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If fixed excitation and sensor elements are integrated into the electronic circuit board, then device compactness is improved, but electromagnetic coupling and sensitivity must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidelectromagnetic coupling and sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the movable excitation element (permanent magnet) specifically in the central region of the coil's inner volume, where the magnetic field strength is optimal. This localized positioning ensures maximum electromagnetic coupling and sensitivity despite the compact integrated design, maintaining reliability while achieving compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The coil acts as an intermediary between the fixed excitation element (integrated into the circuit board) and the movable excitation element (on the measuring tube). This intermediary structure enables effective electromagnetic coupling across the small gap, maintaining excitation and sensing reliability in the compact integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design results in a more compact and cost-effective Coriolis measuring device capable of accurately measuring volume flow and density, with enhanced electromagnetic coupling and vibration damping, leading to improved performance and reduced production costs.

Implementation Method 1

the coil has turns and is designed to generate a magnetic field along the coil axis perpendicular to the electronic circuit board

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the movable excitation element has a side surface facing the coil... wherein the movable excitation element is arranged on the measuring tube such that the side surface is located in the central region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Implementation Method 3

vibrations imparted to the at least one measuring tube change in a characteristic manner relative to a reference

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 4

Coriolis type meter for measuring the volume flow or the density of a medium flowing through a measuring tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoriolis force: Coriolis Force

Data Source

PatentEP3762689B1Coriolis type meter
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 ENDRESS HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
  • EP3762689B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3762689B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a Coriolis measuring device (1) for measuring the volume flow or the density of a medium flowing through a measuring tube, comprising: the measuring tube (10) for guiding the medium; at least one exciter (20) which is designed to cause the measuring tube to vibrate; at least one sensor (30) which is designed to detect the vibrations of the measuring tube; an electronic measuring/operating circuit (70) which is designed to operate the exciter and the sensor and to determine and output flow or density measurement values; wherein the electronic measuring/operating circuit (70) has an electronic circuit board (71), wherein at least one exciter has a fixed exciter element (21), and/or wherein at least one sensor has a fixed sensor element (31), characterised in that at least one fixed exciter element and/or at least one fixed sensor element is integrated into the electronic circuit board (71).