Electric Drive Energy Efficiency Indication via LED Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of electric drives in demanding industrial applications face challenges in determining the energy efficiency of their systems, as existing methods do not provide real-time, user-friendly feedback on energy consumption, leading to uncertainty about proper installation and changing usage conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that collect data from electric drive subsystems and settings, analyze it against user-selected standards, and indicate energy efficiency using LED lights with varying intensities and colors in a specific light area, allowing users to quickly assess energy efficiency grades and potential faults or maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If energy efficiency data is collected and analyzed from various subsystems, then energy efficiency information becomes available, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides energy efficiency monitoring into separate functional modules: data collection unit for gathering parameters from subsystems, determination unit for analyzing efficiency, and indication unit for displaying results. This segmentation allows complex monitoring functionality to be implemented through independent, manageable components that can be developed and maintained separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit acts as an intermediary between the data collection unit and the indication unit. It processes raw energy efficiency data from various subsystems, compares it against standard values, and translates it into meaningful efficiency grades that are then displayed to users. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the complex analysis logic.
2Loss of information
If detailed energy efficiency data is provided to users, then energy efficiency understanding improves, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The indication unit uses color-coded LED lights to represent different energy efficiency grades. Green LEDs indicate high efficiency, yellow indicates moderate efficiency, and red indicates low efficiency. This color-coding system allows users to instantly grasp energy efficiency performance without needing to interpret numerical data or complex parameters, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining comprehensive information delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms complex energy efficiency parameters collected from multiple subsystems into simplified efficiency grades (A, B, C, D, E, F) that are easily understandable by users. This parameter transformation converts technical data into actionable insights that users can immediately comprehend and use for decision-making without requiring specialized knowledge.
3Loss of time
If real-time energy efficiency monitoring is implemented, then energy efficiency feedback is immediate, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data collection unit periodically samples energy efficiency parameters from various subsystems rather than continuously monitoring them. The determination unit processes these periodic measurements to calculate efficiency grades, and the indication unit updates LED displays accordingly. This periodic monitoring approach provides timely feedback while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous real-time monitoring.
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
Enables users to continuously monitor and understand energy efficiency without extra effort, providing immediate visual feedback on savings and system performance, ensuring optimal operation and energy savings.
Implementation Method 1
LED lights of the same colour, e.g. green, are used with different light intensities for indicating specific energy efficiency values or energy efficiency grades
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the field of electric drives used for industrial applications and more particularly to a method for indicating energy efficiency of an electric drive apparatus and to an electric drive apparatus. An electric drive apparatus according to the present invention has a data collection unit (7) for collecting data relevant to the energy efficiency of the electric drive, a determination unit (8) for determining the energy efficiency of the electric drive by analysing the collected energy efficiency data together with the applicable standard values set for energy efficiency, and an indication unit (9) for indicating the energy efficiency to the user with the help of light.