Position Determination Using Partial Range Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the position of movable elements in machines, such as electric motors, are inefficient due to the need to consider the entire range of possible positions, leading to increased computing time and reduced accuracy, especially in feedback systems where speed and precision are critical.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines a partial range of possible positions based on predetermined boundary conditions like speed and acceleration, allowing for faster and more precise position determination by limiting the comparison to a subset of stored measurement signals within this partial range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the entire range of possible positions is considered when determining position from measurement signals, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased computing time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidposition determination speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the overall position determination task into two stages: first determining a partial range of positions based on boundary conditions (speed, acceleration, time), then performing precise position determination only within this reduced partial range. This segmentation reduces the computational search space while maintaining accuracy, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If more measurement signals are stored for comparison, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to longer comparison duration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidposition calculation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and utilizes boundary condition information (speed, acceleration, time) to determine a partial range of positions before performing the actual position determination. This extraction of relevant constraints eliminates the need to compare measurement signals across the entire position range, reducing comparison time while maintaining precision by focusing only on the relevant partial range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If the complete set of stored measurement signals is loaded from memory for comparison, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases due to additional loading operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption for position calculation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the set of stored measurement signals into those corresponding to the partial range of positions and those outside this range. Only the relevant subset within the partial range is loaded from memory for comparison, reducing energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision by focusing computational resources on the relevant data subset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3361220B1Determining the position of a moveable element
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 BECKHOFF AUTOMATION GMBH
  • EP3361220B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3361220B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3361220B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for determining the position of a movable element of a machine from a measurement signal within a total range (50) comprises, as one step, determining a limit value (54) of a sub-range (52) within the total range (50) of possible positions of the movable element at a given time, taking into account a first position (60) of the movable element forming an initial position and a given boundary condition for movement of the movable element. The method further comprises reading the measurement signal and determining a second position (62) of the movable element as an end position from the measurement signal, taking into account only the sub-range (52) of possible positions at the given time.