Hall Effect Sensor Alignment for Energy Consumption Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing residential energy consumption measurement systems face challenges in balancing complexity and cost with precision, as low precision sensors often provide inaccurate data, reducing the value of energy consumption information.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing low precision Hall effect sensors with a casing for precise alignment and auto-calibration methods to improve measurement accuracy, combining these sensors with high precision sensors for total consumption measurements and processing units for data correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If low precision sensors are used, then cost and device complexity are reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing calibration measurements before actual energy consumption measurements. The system first measures the magnetic field at multiple known positions around the wire to establish a calibration model, then uses this pre-established model to correct subsequent measurements. This allows the use of low precision sensors while achieving high measurement accuracy through pre-computed correction factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the calibration data to continuously correct the output of low precision sensors. The system compares the sensor readings against the pre-established calibration model and applies correction factors to compensate for positioning errors and sensor inaccuracies. This feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain high measurement precision despite using cost-effective low precision components.
2Device complexity
If low precision sensors are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical precision requirement with a computational solution. Instead of requiring mechanically precise sensor positioning, the system uses magnetic field sensing and computational algorithms to determine wire position and correct measurements. This substitution of mechanical precision with computational correction significantly reduces device complexity while maintaining or improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from fixing physical parameters (sensor position) to measuring and computationally correcting them. The system measures the magnetic field strength and direction to infer wire position, then uses this information to correct the current measurement. This parameter change from fixed mechanical positioning to dynamic computational correction reduces device complexity while enhancing measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If high precision sensors such as current transformers are used, then measurement precision is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cheap Hall effect sensors instead of expensive current transformers. The low precision sensors are compensated through computational calibration, making them functionally equivalent to or better than expensive precision sensors. This approach replaces costly precision components with inexpensive sensors that achieve comparable or superior performance through software-based correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational calibration model between the low precision sensor and the final measurement result. This calibration model, based on pre-measured magnetic field characteristics, acts as a mediator that transforms inaccurate raw sensor data into precise energy consumption measurements, eliminating the need for expensive precision sensors.
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 system achieves precise energy consumption measurements by correcting low precision sensor data using auto-calibration algorithms, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of energy usage information while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
Each one of the measuring devices comprises a Hall effect sensor configured to measure a current flowing through the wire
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a system to measure the electrical consumption of a household. This system consists of a network of measuring devices that are attached to wires between electrical appliances and circuit breakers and of a communication and processing unit that receives measurement data from the measuring devices. Low precision sensors based on the Hall effect may be used for obtaining precise measurements of energy consumption by providing a casing for the measuring devices that ensures a fixed, known, and precise alignment with respect to the wire to which it is attached. Low precision sensors based on the Hall effect may also be used by performing a correction calibration of measured data.