Textile Measuring Circuit Automatic Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing textile measuring devices, particularly those using capacitive principles, face inaccuracies due to changes in electronic components over time, leading to measurement inaccuracies and false error messages, especially when comparing measurements from different devices or over long periods.

Innovation Solution

An automatic adjustment method for textile measuring devices, where the measuring circuit is detuned by an electrical control signal to adjust the sensitivity, with the change in output signal linked to the control signal to calculate an adjustment value stored in the device, ensuring consistent measurements across multiple devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fixed adjustment value is stored in the measuring device during factory adjustment, then the device can operate independently, but measurement inaccuracies occur over time due to component aging and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent operation capabilityVSAvoidMeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment value is transformed from a static, fixed parameter to a dynamic parameter that can be automatically updated. The measuring device periodically performs self-adjustment by measuring a reference object with known properties, calculating the deviation between measured and actual values, and updating the adjustment value accordingly. This dynamic adaptation compensates for component aging and maintains measurement precision over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring device performs automatic self-adjustment using its own resources. By incorporating a reference object with known measurement values, the device can independently detect drift in its electronic components and correct its adjustment values without external intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures continuous measurement accuracy while maintaining operational independence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If multiple measuring devices are used for increased productivity, then production capacity increases, but measurement comparability decreases due to individual component differences

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveProduction capacityVSAvoidMeasurement comparability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment value serves as a compensating parameter that is individually determined for each measuring device. By measuring a reference object with known properties and calculating the specific deviation of each device, a customized adjustment value is established for each unit. This parameter adaptation ensures that measurements from multiple devices with different electronic components can be accurately compared, maintaining measurement comparability across the production fleet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If electronic components are used in the measuring circuit, then the device achieves sufficient sensitivity, but component properties change over time due to aging and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMeasurement sensitivityVSAvoidComponent property stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A feedback mechanism is implemented where the measuring device periodically measures a reference object with known properties and compares the measured value with the actual value. The deviation detected through this feedback loop is used to calculate and update the adjustment value, which is then stored and applied to compensate for component drift. This closed-loop feedback system continuously counteracts the instability of electronic components, maintaining measurement sensitivity and accuracy over the device's operational lifetime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This method allows for reliable and comparable measurements across multiple devices, increasing productivity and reducing measurement inaccuracies by compensating for individual differences in electronic components, enabling absolute measurements and improved outlier identification.

Implementation Method 1

a measuring circuit with a measuring capacitor, which is designed as a plate capacitor, is made available

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

The dielectric properties of the test material are determined

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric properties: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentEP2614368B1Adjustment of a textile measuring device
Publication Date: 2014.08.13 USTER TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • EP2614368B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2614368B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2614368B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The adjustment method is used to automatically adjust a device (1) for examining an elongated textile test material (9) such as yarn. The device (1) contains a measuring circuit having a sensor (21) for a property of the test material (9). The measuring circuit has at least one component (31, 32) that can be detuned by at least one electrical control signal (71, 72). In order to adjust the device, the measuring circuit is detuned, and a change in an output signal (69) of the measuring circuit caused by said detuning is determined. The device (1) is adjusted on the basis of the detuning control signal and the determined change in the output signal (69). The adjustment compensates individual differences and enables measurements of a plurality of devices (1) to be compared with each other.