Level Measurement Scheduling Under Regulatory and Energy Constraints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing level measuring devices do not adequately consider aspects such as measurement duration, interval, and duty cycle, necessitating manual compliance with various regulations and energy constraints, which can be complex and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for automatically controlling measurement duration, interval, and duty cycle by calculating start and end times based on historical data and real-time restrictions, including legal, positional, and energy constraints, ensuring compliance and optimizing energy usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual control of measurement parameters is used, then compliance with regulations can be ensured, but operational complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompliance with regulationsVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The level measuring device automatically determines measurement parameters (duration, interval, duty cycle) by evaluating stored historical data and current restrictions without manual intervention. The control unit autonomously calculates optimal measurement settings based on previously stored measurement durations, intervals, and current regulatory or operational constraints, eliminating the need for manual configuration while ensuring compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device pre-stores measurement durations and intervals from previous measurements in memory before new measurements are required. This historical data is readily available for immediate use in calculating optimal measurement parameters for current operations, allowing the system to quickly determine appropriate settings without manual research or configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If measurement duration and interval are extended to improve measurement quality, then measurement precision increases, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement qualityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement parameters (duration, interval, duty cycle) are dynamically adjusted based on the evaluation of historical data and current restrictions. The control unit calculates optimal parameters that balance measurement quality requirements with energy consumption constraints, allowing the system to adapt measurement settings to actual operational conditions rather than using fixed prolonged measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes measurement parameters (duration, interval, duty cycle) based on evaluated historical data and current restrictions. By calculating optimal parameter values from stored measurement histories and applying current constraints (such as maximum duty cycle limits or minimum interval requirements), the system achieves appropriate measurement quality while minimizing energy consumption through parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If measurement frequency is increased to improve response time, then productivity increases, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement response timeVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device pre-calculates and stores optimal measurement intervals and durations from previous operations. When new measurements are required, the system retrieves historical data and immediately calculates appropriate parameters based on current restrictions, enabling rapid measurement scheduling without manual intervention while optimizing energy usage through intelligent parameter selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously evaluates stored historical measurement data and current restrictions to determine optimal measurement parameters. This feedback mechanism allows the system to learn from previous operations and adjust measurement frequency and duration to achieve the required response time while minimizing energy consumption based on actual performance patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4600617A1Method for controlling a measurement period and/or a measurement distance
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 VEGA GRIESHABER GMBH & CO
  • EP4600617A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4600617A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4600617A1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling a measuring duration (Ta), a measuring distance (Tp) and/or a duty cycle of a measurement, in particular a measurement carried out by a level measuring device (100).The method comprises the following steps: storing a plurality of measurement durations (Ta) and measurement intervals (Tp) from at least two previous measurements; determining a current measurement interval (Tp) and a plurality of current restrictions, wherein the plurality of current restrictions comprises at least a minimum measurement interval (Tp); calculating the start time (ts) of the measurement from the current measurement interval (Tp), the plurality of measurement durations (Ta) and measurement intervals (Tp), and the plurality of current restrictions; starting the measurement at the calculated start time (ts); calculating the end time (te) of the measurement from the start time (ts), the plurality of measurement durations (Ta) and measurement intervals (Tp), and the plurality of current restrictions; and ending the measurement at the calculated end time (te).