Injection Mold Monitoring with Dual Processors for Low-Power Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring devices for injection molds require significant energy and external power supply, limiting their long-term functionality and reliability, especially in high-capacity and dense operation environments.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring device with a dual processing unit system, where a first processing unit is integrated into the mold and operates at a lower clock rate for sensor data collection and storage, while a second processing unit handles external communication and data exchange, enabling standalone operation and robust functionality without continuous external power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing monitoring devices are used for injection molds, then monitoring functions are provided, but energy consumption is high and external power supply is required
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring device is divided into two separate processing units: a first processing unit integrated into the mold that operates at low clock rate for sensor data collection and storage, and a second processing unit that handles external communication. This segmentation allows the mold-integrated unit to consume minimal energy while maintaining core monitoring functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The first processing unit operates periodically at a lower clock rate rather than continuously at high speed, collecting and storing sensor data intermittently. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining the ability to provide continuous monitoring over long periods.
2Duration of action of moving object
If external power supply is required for monitoring devices, then adequate power is available, but long-term standalone operation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The critical monitoring functionality is extracted from the external power supply dependency and embedded into the mold-integrated first processing unit. This unit can operate independently using minimal power, enabling long-term standalone operation without requiring continuous external power connection.
3Speed
If high clock rate is used for processing unit, then data processing speed is fast, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first processing unit dynamically operates at a lower clock rate optimized for its specific function of collecting and storing sensor data from sensors. This dynamic adjustment of operating speed matches the actual processing requirements, avoiding the energy waste of continuously operating at high clock rates while maintaining adequate data collection capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is directed to a monitoring device (1) for an injection mold. The monitoring device comprises a first processing unit (2) and a sensor interface (3) by which during operation at least one sensor (4) is interconnected to the first processing unit (2). A second processing unit (6) is interconnected to the first processing unit (2) via a data bus (7) to exchange data with the first central processing unit (2). At least one user interface (8) is interconnected to the second processing unit (6) for exchanging information with a user.