Modular Measuring Device Segmentation for Calibration Maintenance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing measuring devices in electrical systems face challenges with calibration maintenance, as they are often difficult to replace or recalibrate, leading to potential system shutdowns and compliance issues with legal regulations, especially when communication and application parameters are lost during device replacement.

Innovation Solution

A modular measuring device design where the measurement module with correction data can be detached, recalibrated, and reconnected without disrupting system operation, allowing for hot swapping and certification, ensuring seamless communication and application parameter continuity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the measuring device is firmly installed in electrical equipment, then the measuring device remains stable and reliable, but it becomes difficult to replace or recalibrate, leading to system shutdowns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasuring device stabilityVSAvoidcalibration maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring device is divided into two separate parts: a firmly installed base unit containing communication and application parameters, and a detachable measurement module containing correction data. This segmentation allows the measurement module to be removed for calibration while the base unit remains installed, eliminating the need to disconnect the entire measuring device and preventing system shutdowns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the entire measuring device is replaced for calibration, then calibration accuracy is maintained, but communication and application parameters are lost, requiring manual transfer and increasing downtime

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidsystem downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the measurement module (with correction data) from the base unit (with communication and application parameters), the system allows selective replacement of only the measurement module for calibration. The base unit retains all communication and application parameters, eliminating data loss and reducing calibration downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The correction data is extracted into a separate, detachable measurement module that can be removed from the base unit. This allows the measurement module to be taken out for calibration purposes while the base unit remains operational, preventing loss of communication and application parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of repair

If the measurement module is made detachable for easy calibration, then maintenance becomes simpler, but the structural complexity of the measuring device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration maintenanceVSAvoidmeasuring device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring device is segmented into a base unit and a measurement module connected by a detachable interface. This segmentation simplifies maintenance by allowing the measurement module to be easily removed for calibration, while the modular structure actually reduces overall system complexity by isolating the calibration function from the communication functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3301406B1Use of a system comprising a measuring device and an installation
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 SIEMENS AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a measuring device and a system with a permanently installed measuring device, which has: a) at least one measuring input for an analog measured quantity, b) at least one correction quantity, the determination of which is carried out during a calibration, c) a first memory in which the at least one correction quantity is stored, d) at least one measuring function for determining a digital measured value, e) at least one communication parameter for communication with the system and/or at least one application parameter for the use of the measured values ​​by the system and f) a second memory for storing the parameters.To avoid shutting down the system due to the measuring device requiring adjustment and calibration, it is proposed that the measuring device be designed in two parts, with one of the two parts being permanently installed on the system and the other part being designed as a separate measuring module, and that the permanently installed part has a common interface with the system, through which the system has access to at least one communication parameter and/or at least one application parameter independently of the measuring module.