Intelligent Sensor Self-Diagnosis for Vending Machine Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vending and return machines experience significant downtimes due to sensor failures, leading to reduced operational reliability, increased maintenance costs, and consumer dissatisfaction, as existing solutions rely heavily on frequent and costly maintenance checks to prevent failures.
Innovation Solution
Integration of intelligent sensors with self-diagnostic capabilities, including a communication interface, diagnostic device, and output device, allowing for real-time monitoring and analysis of sensor states, enabling early detection of potential failures and reducing the need for frequent maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequent maintenance checks are performed to prevent sensor failures, then reliability is improved, but maintenance costs and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor performs self-diagnosis by monitoring its own functional state and outputting diagnostic information about its condition, eliminating the need for external maintenance personnel to continuously check each sensor manually
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor includes a diagnostic device that continuously monitors the sensor's own state and provides feedback information about its functional condition, allowing proactive identification of degradation before complete failure occurs
2Reliability
If preventive maintenance is performed regularly to avoid sensor failures, then downtime is reduced, but maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor autonomously monitors its own functional state and generates diagnostic information, eliminating the need for maintenance personnel to perform routine checks on every sensor
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnostic device detects sensor degradation and potential failures before they occur, allowing maintenance to be performed only when actually needed rather than following a fixed preventive schedule
3Reliability
If manual sensor checking is performed to identify failures, then fault detection is achieved, but response time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor continuously monitors its own functional state and immediately outputs diagnostic information when abnormalities are detected, providing real-time feedback without waiting for manual inspection
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor autonomously detects and reports its own functional state and potential failures, eliminating the time delay associated with manual checking by maintenance personnel
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a vending or return machine with at least one intelligent sensor configured to detect a measured quantity, wherein the intelligent sensor further comprises: a communication interface configured to communicatively couple the intelligent sensor with a communication participant external to the sensor; a sensor-integrated diagnostic device configured to additionally detect and analyze at least one intrinsic state of the intelligent sensor; and a communication device configured to display information based on the detected and analyzed intrinsic state via a sensor output device and/or to forward it to the communication participant external to the sensor via the communication interface. The present invention further relates to a method for diagnosing the intrinsic state of at least one sensor in a vending or return machine.