Mobile Functional Unit for Location-Independent Energy Metering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical energy metering systems are limited to fixed geographical points, leading to inefficient billing and lack of differentiation in energy consumption among users, requiring additional technical means and infrastructure for communication and identification.
Innovation Solution
A metering and measuring point system comprising a stationary connection device and a mobile or non-stationary functional unit that detects and measures electrical energy usage, stores data, and reads out identifiers, allowing for location-unbound metering and billing, without the need for additional computer units or communication via power grids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If stationary energy meters are permanently installed at fixed geographical points, then electrical energy can be measured and metered, but user-based differentiation and mobile energy consumption cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional stationary metering system into a dynamic system where the functional unit can be moved between different connection devices. The metering capability follows the user rather than being fixed to a location, enabling user-based billing while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional unit is designed to be universally applicable across multiple connection devices and locations. It can detect identifiers from any connection device and perform metering functions at any geographical point, making the system versatile without requiring location-specific infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If tap-off facilities are equipped with computer units and power line communication for user identification, then user-based billing is enabled, but additional technical means and infrastructure costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the identification and metering functions from the connection device and tap-off facility infrastructure and places them in a portable functional unit. This eliminates the need for computer units and power line communication infrastructure at fixed locations, reducing system complexity and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional unit autonomously performs identification of connection devices and metering of energy consumption without requiring external communication infrastructure. The unit carries its own processing capabilities, eliminating dependence on power line communication systems.
3Ease of operation
If computer units are installed at tap-off facilities for communication and control, then billing and control functions are achieved, but technical demands on connection devices and infrastructure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines identification, metering, data storage, and communication functions into a single integrated functional unit. This consolidation achieves comprehensive billing and control capabilities while minimizing the technical means required at connection devices and infrastructure points.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a metering and measuring point system for measuring and metering the electrical energy drawn off a connection device or fed in the connection device by a consumption and/or generation unit at a fixed geographical point, comprising (a) an identifiable stationary connection device as well as (b) an identifiable mobile or non-stationary functional unit, the latter comprising respective devices for (b1) detecting the identifier of the connection device, (b2) metering and measuring the electrical energy drawn off and/or fed in the recognized connection device, (b3) storing the determined metering and measuring data and the determined identifier of the respective connection device being used and (b4) reading out the stored data.The invention further relates to a method for mobile/non-stationary measuring, metering and billing/clearing of the electrical current.