Revolution Counter Dynamic Scanning Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing revolution counters face issues with energy efficiency and accurate counting of shaft revolutions, particularly during transitions and at low speeds, due to sporadic detection of quadrant changes caused by noise and reduced scanning rates.
Innovation Solution
A revolution counter with sensors and a determination unit that generates decision signals for counting sectors, switching between a high-scanning and low-scanning mode based on sector changes, and defining uncertainty ranges to prevent false transitions, ensuring accurate counting and reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the revolution counter operates in continuous scanning mode to maintain accurate counting, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between two operational modes: a first mode with high scanning rate for accurate counting and a second mode with low scanning rate for energy saving. The control unit dynamically adjusts the scanning rate based on the operational state, allowing the system to optimize between accuracy and energy consumption in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the scanning rate parameter based on operational conditions. In the first mode, the scanning rate is set to a first value optimized for accuracy, while in the second mode, it is reduced to a second value for energy efficiency. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting system performance to actual needs.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the scanning rate is reduced to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sporadic detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the scanning rate based on operational mode. When in the second (energy-saving) mode, the scanning rate is reduced but the system maintains sufficient accuracy for the application by accepting that continuous high-precision counting is not required, thus resolving the contradiction between energy saving and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
In the second mode, the system performs partial scanning at reduced rate rather than continuous full scanning. This partial action is sufficient for the application requirements while significantly reducing energy consumption, accepting that some precision is sacrificed for the sake of energy efficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the scanning rate is reduced at low shaft speeds, then energy consumption is reduced, but false transitions occur due to noise
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the scanning rate based on the operational mode and detected shaft speed. In the second mode, even at low speeds, the system uses reduced scanning rate but maintains reliability through the control logic that distinguishes between genuine transitions and noise-induced false transitions, thus resolving the contradiction between energy saving and reliability.
4Reliability
If the revolution counter continuously monitors position to prevent loss of count, then reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between continuous monitoring (first mode) and periodic monitoring (second mode). In the second mode, the control unit periodically checks position changes rather than continuously monitoring, which is sufficient to prevent count loss while significantly reducing power consumption, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy consumption.
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
The solution achieves an energy-saving operation while maintaining accurate counting by dynamically adjusting the scanning rate and excluding uncertainty ranges for reliable quadrant detection, reducing current consumption and extending battery life.
Implementation Method 1
Optical, magnetic or inductive scanning principles are usually used here
Implementation Method 2
magnetic scanning for the number of revolutions
Implementation Method 3
German Patent Disclosure DE 10 2006 046 531 A1 of the present Applicant, for instance, describes an angle encoder, based on the inductive scanning principle
Implementation Method 4
a current-saving mode is provided that is achieved by a pulsed mode
Data Source
AI summary
A revolution counter including sensors, which generate position values that define an angular position of a shaft, and a determination unit that receives the position values and generates decision signals therefrom, wherein the decision signals determine counting sectors. The revolution counter includes a counting control unit that receives the counting sectors, and operates the revolution counter in a first mode or a second mode of operation. The counting control unit switches over to the second mode, if after a length of time no change in one of the counting sectors takes place, and switches over to the first mode if a change in one of the counting sectors does take place. The determination unit determines an uncertainty range between each pairing of the counting sectors. The counting control unit does not take the uncertainty ranges into account for the switchover from the second mode to the first mode.