Measuring Device for Active and Standby Operating Hours

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for recording the operating hours of electrical devices are complex and often inaccurate, as they fail to distinguish between active and standby modes, leading to incorrect maintenance schedules and energy consumption tracking.

Innovation Solution

A measuring device with multiple counters to differentiate between active and standby modes by setting a defined power threshold, allowing for precise recording of active and standby times, and integrating the device within the electrical device to eliminate external cabling and provide accurate maintenance insights.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single counter records total operating time including standby mode, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement precision of actual operating hours deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecounter structureVSAvoidoperating hours recording
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single counter into two separate counters: a first counter for recording active operating time and a second counter for recording standby time. This segmentation allows each counter to specialize in recording specific operational states, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If historical data is used to set power threshold, then the adaptability to device aging is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethreshold adjustmentVSAvoidthreshold management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors power consumption and compares it against dynamically adjusted thresholds based on historical data. When the device's power consumption pattern changes due to aging, the system automatically adjusts the power threshold to maintain accurate differentiation between active and standby modes, ensuring long-term adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3598606B1Detection of the operating hours of an electrical device
Publication Date: 2021.10.20 SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG
  • EP3598606B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Measuring device for recording the operating times of an electrical consumer, in particular an electrical device, comprising a first counter for recording the active operating time of the electrical device, wherein the first counter is configured to record the time when the electrical power consumed by the electrical consumer exceeds a defined power threshold; and a second counter for recording the standby time of the electrical consumer, wherein the second counter is configured to detect when an electrical voltage is applied to the electrical consumer, and wherein the second counter is further configured to record the time until the electrical power consumed by the consumer reaches or falls below the defined power threshold.