Pressure Gauge Variable Range Segmentation Hysteresis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mechanical pressure sensors exhibit significant hysteresis errors, particularly at higher pressure ranges, leading to reduced measurement accuracy and usability issues due to the need for different gauges for various measurement subjects.

Innovation Solution

A pressure gauge with a measurement controller that allows users to select from multiple measurement ranges defined by specific lower and upper limit values, limiting the upper limit value to reduce hysteresis and enhance accuracy, while displaying overrange conditions when measurements exceed set limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the measurement range of the pressure sensor is increased to cover a broader scope, then the upper limit value is raised, but the hysteresis error increases and measurement accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement rangeVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure gauge is divided into multiple measurement ranges with different upper limit values (e.g., 7MPa, 10MPa, 16MPa). Each range is segmented and selectable, allowing the system to maintain high measurement accuracy within each segment while providing overall broad adaptability through range selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement controller dynamically switches between different measurement ranges based on user selection or measurement conditions. This dynamic range switching allows the system to adapt to different measurement needs while maintaining optimal accuracy for each specific range, resolving the contradiction between broad adaptability and precise measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the upper limit value of the measurement range is raised to expand measurement capability, then the measurement scope increases, but the hysteresis error becomes larger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement scopeVSAvoidhysteresis error

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement scope is segmented into multiple ranges with different upper limit values. By segmenting the measurement scope, the system reduces hysteresis error within each segment while maintaining overall broad measurement capability through selective range usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the measurement range parameter (upper limit value) based on measurement needs. By adjusting this parameter, the system optimizes the balance between measurement scope and hysteresis error, selecting appropriate ranges to minimize harmful hysteresis effects while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple measurement ranges are provided to enhance versatility, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveversatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single pressure gauge device achieves multi-functionality by incorporating multiple measurement ranges within one unit. The measurement controller enables the same hardware to operate across different ranges (7MPa, 10MPa, 16MPa), providing versatility without requiring multiple separate devices, thus managing complexity while enhancing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables both broad measurement ranges and improved accuracy by reducing hysteresis errors and full-scale errors, particularly in low-pressure areas, while maintaining usability across different measurement subjects.

Implementation Method 1

The mechanical pressure sensor makes use of deformation of a metal or the like occurring due to the effect of pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

The degree of the deformation of the metal or the like occurring due to the pressure is converted into an electric signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoresistive Effect: Piezoresistive Effect

Implementation Method 3

The pressure sensor has a hysteresis characteristic. Even with the same pressure applied to the pressure sensor, an output value observed during pressure increase and an output value observed during pressure decrease are different from each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHysteresis: Hysteresis

Data Source

PatentUS10620074B2Pressure gauge with variable measurement range and display thereof

Publication Date: 2020.04.14 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A pressure gauge includes: a pressure sensor; a display unit configured to display a measurement value of the pressure sensor; and a measurement controller configured to set, as a measurement range of the pressure sensor, any of a plurality of measurement ranges defined by a lower limit value specific to the pressure sensor and respective upper limit values that are equal to or lower than an upper limit value specific to the pressure sensor and are different from each other, and to avoid that the display unit displays the measurement value when the measurement value exceeds a display upper limit value dependent on the upper limit value of the measurement range that is set.