Rotational Detection Using Offset Sensors and Pulsed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for detecting rotational movement in flow meters require high power consumption due to the need for continuous operation of sensors and high sampling rates, especially when detecting rapid accelerations, leading to battery drain and potential missed measurements.
Innovation Solution
A device with two sensors offset by 10° to 170°, preferably 90°, where the second sensor is activated only upon a change in the first sensor's signal, reducing power consumption by half and allowing for reliable detection of rapid accelerations with lower power requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous operation of two sensors is used for quadrature detection, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by operating sensors in pulsed intervals rather than continuously. The controller activates sensors only during specific sampling windows determined by the sampling rate, creating periodic on/off cycles that dramatically reduce average power consumption while maintaining detection capability through strategic timing of sensor activation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the sampling rate variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the sampling rate based on detected motion characteristics, increasing sampling frequency when motion is detected and decreasing it during stationary periods, thereby optimizing the balance between detection reliability and power consumption
2Measurement precision
If high sampling rate is used to detect rapid accelerations, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a variable sampling rate that adapts to motion conditions. The controller increases sampling rate when acceleration or motion is detected to ensure accurate measurement, and reduces sampling rate during stationary periods, dynamically optimizing the trade-off between measurement precision and power consumption based on real-time conditions
3Use of energy by moving object
If variable sampling rate is used to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but rapid accelerations may be missed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring sensor signals and using this information to adjust the sampling rate. When motion or acceleration is detected through sensor feedback, the controller increases the sampling rate to capture rapid changes accurately, and decreases it when no motion is present, creating a closed-loop system that maintains detection reliability while optimizing power 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 a significant reduction in power consumption by activating the second sensor only when necessary, enabling reliable detection of rotational movements up to maximum speed while extending battery life and improving measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
A capacitive, non-resonant scanning is described in the published application DE 199 08 612 A1
Implementation Method 2
This can be done, for example, by a sensor that can be coupled inductively or capacitively to the metal coating
Data Source
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AI summary
The device (100) has two sensors (10, 46) for detecting two rotational position regions of a rotary element, where the rotational position regions are offset with respect to each other about 90 degrees. A controller (102) activates one of the sensors to detect a signal (Bdigital) in case of change of another signal of the other sensor, and increments a counter of rotational movement. The controller determines sign of the increment corresponding to a direction of rotational movement of the rotary element based on the change of the signal. An independent claim is also included for a method for detecting rotational movement of a wheel blower of a flow meter.