Sensor Sequence Control for Energy Optimization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial sensors face high energy consumption due to rigid task execution schedules, leading to increased demands on power supply units, particularly in wireless and self-powered devices, which is not optimized for varying application requirements.

Innovation Solution

A sensor with a memory to store tasks and a sequence control that analyzes and combines tasks based on temporal execution specifications, allowing for simultaneous, overlapping, or sequential execution of tasks with identical subtasks, thereby forming modified tasks that eliminate redundant subtasks and maintain equivalent end states, optimizing energy usage by adjusting measurement and transmission frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tasks are executed according to rigid schedules with fixed frequencies, then task execution reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask execution reliabilityVSAvoidsensor energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system dynamically adjusts task execution schedules based on actual operational needs rather than following rigid fixed frequencies. The sequence control modifies task timing and combines tasks adaptively, allowing the system to maintain reliability while reducing energy consumption during periods when full-frequency execution is unnecessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes execution parameters (timing, frequency, combination of tasks) based on operational conditions. By modifying task execution parameters dynamically and combining identical subtasks across different tasks, the system reduces redundant operations and optimizes energy usage while preserving task execution reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If measurement and transmission frequencies are increased, then data accuracy and responsiveness are improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sequence control combines tasks that have identical or overlapping subtasks, merging their execution requirements. By consolidating measurement and transmission operations that occur at similar frequencies, the system maintains data accuracy and responsiveness while reducing the total number of separate high-frequency operations, thereby lowering energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tasks with identical subtasks are executed separately, then task specificity is maintained, but redundant operations increase energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask specificityVSAvoidenergy waste from redundancies
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The sequence control identifies and combines tasks that share identical subtasks, executing them in a consolidated manner. This merging eliminates redundant operations while preserving the specific requirements of each task through the modified task structure, thereby reducing energy waste without sacrificing task adaptability or versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The modified tasks are designed to serve multiple original task requirements simultaneously. By creating universal task executions that fulfill the needs of multiple specific tasks through shared subtasks, the system maintains task specificity while avoiding redundant energy-consuming operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Speed

If wireless sensors operate continuously, then real-time monitoring capability is improved, but battery life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time monitoring capabilityVSAvoidbattery operating time
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic task execution with optimized intervals rather than continuous operation. By carefully scheduling task executions to occur at appropriate intervals and combining tasks with overlapping time windows, the system maintains real-time monitoring capability while significantly reducing the duty cycle and extending battery operating time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system dynamically adjusts its operational mode based on conditions, switching between different task execution frequencies and combinations. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain real-time monitoring when necessary while operating in lower-power modes during stable conditions, thereby extending battery life without sacrificing monitoring capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3757525B1Sensor and method for operating same
Publication Date: 2021.11.03 PEPPERL & FUCHS SE
  • EP3757525B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3757525B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3757525B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates, inter alia, to a sensor which has a sequence control which is configured to combine identical subtasks and/or tasks at runtime and can prioritize or delay the execution of tasks within a predetermined tolerance and/or omit functionally opposing subtasks and/or tasks within the tolerance and conditions specified for the task.