Vibronic limit level sensor with acceleration sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibronic level sensors face challenges in accurately detecting fill levels of liquids and bulk solids due to interference from external vibrations and complex sectorization of piezoelectric systems, which affect measurement reliability and increase production costs.

Innovation Solution

A vibronic level sensor design that utilizes a single piezoelectric element covering the entire diaphragm surface for excitation, coupled with an accelerometer for vibration detection, and a remote evaluation unit to enhance measurement reliability and temperature range, while minimizing external vibration interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single piezoelectric system is used for excitation and evaluation, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to separately optimize excitation and detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoiddetection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The piezoelectric system is divided into separate excitation and evaluation sectors. The excitation sector applies piezoelectric elements to drive the oscillating system, while the evaluation sector uses separate piezoelectric elements to detect vibrations. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function, improving measurement precision while maintaining reasonable device complexity through functional separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If piezoelectric drives are used to excite the mechanical vibration system, then excitation effectiveness is improved, but susceptibility to external vibration interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexcitation effectivenessVSAvoidexternal vibration interference
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation sector continuously monitors the actual vibrations of the oscillating system and provides feedback signals. This feedback enables the system to distinguish between self-generated vibrations and external interference, allowing the evaluation unit to filter out harmful external vibrations while maintaining effective excitation through the piezoelectric drives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the accelerometer is mechanically coupled directly to the vibration system, then detection sensitivity is improved, but temperature range is limited due to thermal constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidoperating temperature range
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A bridge structure serves as an intermediary mechanical coupling between the oscillating system and the accelerometer. This bridge transmits vibration signals from the diaphragm to the accelerometer while providing thermal isolation, allowing the accelerometer to operate in a wider temperature range by reducing direct thermal exposure from the heated diaphragm and processing chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The design improves measurement reliability by detecting vibrations using multiple detection mechanisms and allows operation across a wider temperature range, reducing production costs and enhancing sensor robustness.

Implementation Method 1

A vibronic level sensor has a mechanical oscillation system for detecting a medium, and a drive for exciting the mechanical oscillation system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

an accelerometer for detecting oscillations of the mechanical oscillation system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration sensing: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 3

the vibration elements can interact with the medium to change the frequency, amplitude, and/or damping of the mechanical vibration system through this interaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4246100B1Vibronic limit level sensor with acceleration sensor
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 VEGA GRIESHABER GMBH & CO
  • EP4246100B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4246100B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A vibronic level sensor is proposed, comprising a mechanical vibration system for detecting a medium; a drive for exciting the mechanical vibration system; and an acceleration sensor for detecting vibrations of the mechanical vibration system.