Intelligent measuring apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air conditioning system measurement devices lack efficient and user-friendly solutions for data management and sensor integration, particularly in chemical industrial plants, where regular calibration and maintenance require complex and time-consuming processes.

Innovation Solution

A measuring device with a housing, internal sensors, an electronic control unit, a radio module, and an information carrier that enables wired and wireless connections to external sensors, prioritizing data from available sensors and providing intelligent support for commissioning and maintenance tasks, using technologies like Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11 for communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wired and wireless sensors are integrated into the measuring device, then the ease of operation and data management is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines wired and wireless sensor integration into a single measuring device, merging multiple data acquisition methods into one unified system. The electronic control unit processes signals from both wired sensors (direct electrical connection) and wireless sensors (radio frequency communication), consolidating what would otherwise be separate measurement systems into one integrated device that manages multiple data sources through a single interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring device is designed with multi-functionality to handle both wired and wireless sensor connections simultaneously. The electronic control unit is configured to receive and process measurement signals from diverse sensor types through different communication protocols, making the device universally applicable to various sensor configurations without requiring separate specialized equipment for each sensor type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If sensor data prioritization is implemented, then the data management efficiency is improved, but the measurement precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata management efficiencyVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic control unit implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the availability and quality of measurement signals from both wired and wireless sensors. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically determines which sensor data to prioritize for processing and display, allowing efficient data management while maintaining measurement accuracy through adaptive selection rather than static prioritization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3841357B1Intelligent measuring apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.11.23 REFCO MFG
  • EP3841357B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3841357B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3841357B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring apparatus (1) comprising a housing (3), at least one internal sensor, an electronic control unit (10), at least one radio module (14), an operating device (13) and an information carrier (15), wherein the measurement apparatus (1) is designed to be connected by cable and/or wirelessly to external sensors and the electronic control unit (10) is designed to convert measurement signals of internal and external sensors into digital measurement data and to provide the digital measurement data to the information carrier (15). According to the invention, in the event of sensors connected by cable or wirelessly connected sensors being simultaneously available, the information carrier (15) is configured to provide as a priority and to visualise either the data from the sensors connected by cable or the data from the wirelessly connected sensors. The invention further relates to a system (60) for performing measurement tasks and for managing measurement data and to methods for starting up and/or maintaining an air conditioning system. The invention further relates to methods for starting up and/or maintaining a system (2).