Dynamic A/D Converter Channel Selection for Material Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional material testing machines have a fixed number of A/D converter channels, leading to wasted resources as not all channels are utilized simultaneously, with fixed sampling rates and accuracy, limiting flexibility and efficiency in data processing and feedback control.
Innovation Solution
A material testing machine with a delta-sigma type A/D converter that allows dynamic channel selection and adjustment of sampling rate and accuracy through digital communication, enabling only used channels to be active, allowing users to prioritize between channel number, sampling rate, and accuracy based on testing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple channels are provided for A/D conversion, then the capability to handle multiple detectors is improved, but the sampling rate and accuracy for each channel decrease when all channels are used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic channel selection where the A/D converter can flexibly activate or deactivate channels based on actual testing needs. The control unit dynamically configures which channels are active, allowing the system to adapt between handling multiple detectors simultaneously or dedicating full resources to fewer channels, thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and measurement precision.
2Device complexity
If a fixed number of channels are preset for A/D conversion, then the device structure is simplified, but resource wastage occurs when not all channels are utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic channel allocation where the A/D converter's active channels are determined by actual testing requirements rather than being fixed. The control unit receives detector connection information and dynamically configures the A/D converter to activate only the necessary channels, eliminating resource wastage while maintaining simple device structure.
3Productivity
If all A/D converter channels are activated, then the system can process multiple detector outputs simultaneously, but the sampling rate and accuracy for each channel are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic channel activation where the control unit determines which A/D converter channels are active based on the actual number of detectors connected and their sampling requirements. This allows the system to optimize between parallel processing capability and measurement precision by activating only the necessary number of channels at any given time.
4Measurement precision
If the sampling rate and accuracy are increased for each channel, then the measurement precision is improved, but the number of channels that can be actively used decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active A/D converter channels based on the sampling rate and accuracy requirements of the connected detectors. When high precision is needed, fewer channels are activated; when multiple detectors need simultaneous processing, the system allocates channels accordingly, thus dynamically balancing measurement precision with adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A material testing machine includes a load mechanism for applying a load to a test piece, and a plurality of detectors for detecting physical values associated with the applied load. An A/D converter receives the output measurement data of each of the detected physical values, and digitalizes the received output data. The A/D converter has multiple channels, and can select use/nonuse of each of the multiple channels based on an external selection signal. Since the detecting rate and/or the detecting accuracy are inversely proportional to the number of multiple channels in use at one time, the machine enables a user to prioritize between the number of channels in use, the detecting rate, and the detecting accuracy.