Textile Machine Energy Allocation via Real Consumption Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Textile machines with multiple energy-consuming work stations face inefficiencies in allocating energy resources due to varying energy demands over time, leading to suboptimal utilization of available energy and potential exceeding of maximum capacity.

Innovation Solution

A method where a control unit allocates energy resources based on the real individual consumption of working elements, determined through measurement, allowing for more efficient allocation by accounting for actual energy usage patterns, which can differ from theoretical calculations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If theoretical or empirically determined energy consumption values are used for resource allocation, then the allocation process is simple, but the utilization of available energy resources is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveutilization of available energy resourcesVSAvoidmeasurement and determination process
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter basis for resource allocation from fixed theoretical or empirically determined values to dynamically measured actual consumption values. This allows the allocation system to adapt to real-world variations in energy consumption, improving resource utilization by allocating based on true demand rather than estimates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where actual energy consumption is measured and fed back to the control unit. This feedback loop enables continuous optimization of resource allocation, as the system learns from actual usage patterns and adjusts allocations accordingly, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and optimality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If energy resources are allocated based on maximum assumed consumption, then overcapacity issues are prevented, but unproductive downtimes increase due to excessive resource reservations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of overcapacityVSAvoidunproductive downtimes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics into the resource allocation system by using measured actual consumption values that reflect real-time or real-world conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to prevent overcapacity issues while minimizing unnecessary reservations, as allocations are based on actual rather than maximum assumed consumption, thereby reducing unproductive downtimes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary measurement of actual energy consumption before allocation decisions are made. This preliminary action provides accurate baseline data that enables the control unit to make informed allocation decisions, preventing both overcapacity and excessive reservations, thus reducing downtimes while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If uniform energy consumption assumptions are made for all workstations, then the allocation process is simplified, but efficiency is reduced due to varying actual consumption patterns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine efficiencyVSAvoidindividual measurement per workstation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by measuring and allocating energy resources based on the actual consumption characteristics of each individual workstation or working element. This localized approach recognizes that different workstations have different actual consumption patterns and tailors allocations accordingly, improving overall machine efficiency despite the increased measurement complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the energy resource allocation process into individual workstation-level measurements and allocations. By dividing the system into discrete measurable units, the patent enables precise tracking of actual consumption at each workstation, allowing for optimized allocations that reflect true needs rather than uniform assumptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3882383B1Textile machine and method for operating a textile machine
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 MASCHINENFABRIK RIETER AG
  • EP3882383B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3882383B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3882383B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

In a method for operating a textile machine (1) with a plurality of identical, adjacent workstations (2), each of which has different energy-consuming working elements (3), the total energy resources available for the plurality of workstations (2) are allocated by a control unit (13) of the textile machine (1) to individual workstations (2) requesting energy resources. A subset of at least two workstations (2) is selected from the plurality of workstations (2), and at least one of the different working elements (3) is chosen. The at least one selected working element (3) is then activated at the subset of workstations (2), and the total consumption of the respective energy resource is measured. Furthermore, the total consumption of the respective energy resource is determined when the at least one selected working element (3) is at a standstill.From the difference between the determined total consumption and the partial number of workstations (2), a real individual consumption of at least one selected work element (3) per workstation (2) is determined. The real individual consumption of the at least one selected work element (3) is taken into account when allocating the energy resources by the control unit (13). A control unit (13) is provided for carrying out the procedure for a corresponding textile machine (1).