Sensor Calibration Electronics With Tag Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pH sensors require on-site calibration and adjustment, which is labor-intensive and prone to errors due to the need for multiple sensors and potential incorrect replacements, especially in industrial settings like sulfuric acid production.

Innovation Solution

A pH sensor design with evaluation electronics that allows for calibration and adjustment independently of its measurement location, using a TAG number for identification and storage of calibration data, ensuring accurate and efficient sensor deployment and replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sensors are calibrated and adjusted on-site at the measurement location, then the sensor delivers correct measured values, but the calibration process requires considerable effort and time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of measured valuesVSAvoidcalibration time and effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing calibration and adjustment of the sensor outside the measurement location before actual use. The sensor is calibrated in advance in a controlled environment, and all necessary calibration data is stored in the sensor's memory. This eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site calibration while ensuring the sensor is ready for immediate deployment at the measurement location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If a large number of sensors are stored to ensure quick replacement, then replacement speed is improved, but the risk of installing incorrect sensor types increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplacement speedVSAvoidcorrect sensor installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback through an identification system that reads sensor type information from memory elements (such as EEPROM or RFID tags) and verifies compatibility between the sensor and the measurement location. The system provides immediate feedback by displaying whether the installed sensor is correct or incorrect, preventing wrong sensors from being used while maintaining a large inventory for quick replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of manufacture

If sensors are calibrated at the measurement location, then calibration can be performed, but the process is labor-intensive and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration process simplicityVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the calibration process from the measurement location and performs it externally in a controlled environment. All calibration operations, adjustments, and data storage are completed before the sensor is deployed. This separation removes the complexity of on-site calibration equipment and procedures, making the sensor ready for simple installation without requiring skilled operators at the measurement location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2024711B1Method for calibrating and/or adjusting a sensor
Publication Date: 2016.11.02 ENDRESS HAUSER CONDUCTA GMBH CO KG
  • EP2024711B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2024711B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for calibrating and/or adjusting a sensor (10), especially an electrochemical, electrophysical or optical sensor, the sensor (10) having evaluation electronics (12) that are configured in such a way that the signal generated by the sensor (10) cannot be substantially modified by a subsequent transmission. The sensor (10) is calibrated and/or adjusted at a point different from the later measuring point or the later measuring environment.