Electronic Counter Board for Fluid Volume Meters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional volume meters for liquids face challenges in automated data processing and evaluation, leading to inaccuracies due to mechanical stress and wear, and require manual initialization of electronic counter modules, which is time-consuming and prone to errors, especially when dealing with large numbers of meters.
Innovation Solution
A volume meter with an arithmetic unit, a pulse generator arrangement, and an electronic counter board featuring an interface and detection device that allows for automatic retrieval and transmission of counter information, including serial numbers and meter readings, using wireless or wired communication, enabling seamless synchronization between mechanical and electronic counters without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual initialization and data entry is used for electronic counter modules, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases and loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic counter module automatically retrieves counter information from the electronic counter board via the interface without requiring manual intervention. The module self-initializes by reading data directly from the meter's memory, eliminating the need for operators to manually enter serial numbers, meter readings, or configuration data.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of writing down and transferring data is replaced by an automated electronic data retrieval system. The interface enables direct digital communication between the counter module and counter board, substituting the manual transcription process with automated electronic data exchange.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual data entry is used for counter information, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision decreases due to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The manual transcription process is completely replaced by automated electronic data retrieval. The counter module reads counter information directly from the electronic counter board's memory through the interface, eliminating human intervention that causes transcription errors. This ensures accurate transfer of serial numbers, meter readings, and configuration data.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter module creates a direct digital copy of the counter information stored on the electronic counter board. Instead of manually rewriting data, the system electronically copies the data from the board's memory to the module's memory, ensuring exact replication without transcription errors.
3Productivity
If electronic counter module is added to enable automated processing, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic counter module serves multiple functions: it stores counter information, retrieves data from the counter board, processes measurement data, and enables automated further utilization of flow measurement data. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate components or manual processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface acts as an intermediary between the electronic counter board and the counter module, enabling automated data exchange. This standardized interface layer simplifies the integration complexity by providing a uniform communication protocol and data transfer mechanism between different components.
4Reliability
If mechanical counter is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases due to wear and inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical roller counter is supplemented or replaced by an electronic counting system. The electronic counter board with memory and the counter module with electronic data storage eliminate the mechanical components subject to wear. Electronic counting maintains accuracy indefinitely without the degradation experienced by mechanical gears and rollers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates redundant counting capabilities with both mechanical and electronic counting systems. The electronic counter module can retrieve and verify counter information from the electronic counter board, providing a backup that cushions against mechanical wear and potential failures of the mechanical counter.
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
This solution enables efficient and accurate automated data processing and evaluation of flow rates, reduces manual errors, and maintains counting accuracy by allowing for automatic information exchange and energy-efficient operation, facilitating 'Plug&Play' integration of electronic counter modules with mechanical counters.
Implementation Method 1
the scanning of the pulse generator and in particular the disc 48 is carried out by the module from above... the scanning signal of the detection device 30 of the counter board can be received by the module through the broken disk (pulse generator)
Implementation Method 2
an electronic counter board (10) is provided with an interface and with a detection device with at least one transmitting unit and at least one receiving unit, with which the pulse generator arrangement can be scanned and volume-proportional counting pulses can be detected
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic counter board (10) for a volume counter for fluids having at least one capture device (30) having at least one sensor arrangement, wherein volume-proportional counter signals can be captured and/or generated and/or stored for retrieval by means of the sensor arrangement, and the flow rate and/or the specific counter level of each volume counter or measurement device can be determined, and/or at least one interface (90), in particular an interface compatible with each volume counter and/or with an arbitrary electronic counter module, wherein the at least one interface is preferably configured as a serial interface, for example an infrared interface, and by means of which at least one interface (90) counter-specific information, such as in particular the counter level and/or serial number, of each volume counter can be called up and/or transmitted. The invention further relates to a volume counter for fluids having such an electronic counter board.