Temperature-Correlated Valve Timing for Fluid Flow Abnormality Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fluid state management system is unreliable in determining whether the opening/closing time of the valve member in a lubrication device is due to a malfunction or temperature changes, leading to incorrect identification of abnormalities.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a flow detector and a management unit with a temperature sensor, which calculates and correlates the actual opening/closing time of the valve member with a proper time range based on temperature, and transmits an abnormal signal if the time falls outside this range, thereby distinguishing between temperature-induced changes and actual malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the existing flow detector is used to detect valve member opening/closing time, then the flow state can be monitored, but the system cannot reliably distinguish between temperature-induced changes and actual malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing temperature as an additional measurement parameter. The management unit correlates temperature data with opening/closing time data to establish a relationship model. This allows the system to account for temperature-induced variations in valve response time, thereby improving the reliability of abnormality detection while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring both temperature and opening/closing time, then using this feedback to dynamically adjust the expected time range. The management unit compares actual opening/closing times against the temperature-correlated expected range, providing feedback that enables reliable distinction between normal temperature effects and actual malfunctions.
2Device complexity
If the valve member opening/closing time is used as the sole criterion for abnormality detection, then the detection system remains simple, but false abnormalities are generated due to temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection approach by incorporating temperature as a correlating parameter. Instead of using opening/closing time alone, the system now uses a combination of temperature and time parameters. The management unit stores and processes both parameters together, creating a more accurate basis for abnormality detection that reduces false positives while maintaining reasonable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The management unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects opening/closing events, measures temperature, correlates these parameters, determines expected time ranges, and identifies abnormalities. This multi-functional approach allows the system to use temperature information to improve time-based detection without requiring a completely separate detection system.
3Reliability
If temperature correlation analysis is added to the flow detection system, then abnormality detection reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The management unit is designed as a multi-functional device that integrates flow detection, temperature sensing, data correlation, and abnormality identification. By making the management unit universal and capable of handling multiple tasks, the patent avoids the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while still achieving improved reliability through temperature correlation analysis.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention comprises: a flow detector (30) that detects the flow of a fluid by opening/closing a valve body; a management unit (60) that detects the opening/closing of the valve body of the flow detector (30) and that manages the flow state of the fluid within the flow detector (30); and a temperature sensor (S) that detects the temperature of the fluid. The management unit (60) comprises: a valve body opening/closing detection means (61); an actual opening/closing time calculation means (63) that calculates, as an actual opening/closing time, the time from when the opening/closing detection means (61) detects the opening of the valve body until the same detects the closing thereof within a defined detection time; a correlation storage means (64) that stores a correlation between the temperature of the fluid and an appropriate opening/closing time range that is appropriate for the valve body; an opening/closing time determination means (66) that determines whether the actual opening/closing time is within or outside the appropriate opening/closing time range derived by an appropriate time range derivation means (65); and an abnormal signal transmission means (67) that transmits an abnormal signal when the actual opening/closing time is determined to be outside the range. Due to this configuration, increases/decreases in the opening/closing time of the valve body caused by the temperature are not determined to be abnormal, and abnormalities in a fluid feeding device due to the length of the opening/closing time of the valve body can be determined.