Wireless Level Gauge Battery Life Prediction and Energy Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Level measurement devices are limited by the need for extensive wiring for energy and data transmission, restricting their application area and requiring significant effort for setup.

Innovation Solution

A battery-operated level measuring device with a remaining lifespan determination device that calculates the minimum battery life based on age, energy requirements, and operational parameters, allowing for energy-saving measures such as increased measurement intervals and reduced transmission frequency, and can alert or adjust settings to prevent battery drain.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If level measuring devices are powered via cables, then reliable power supply and data transmission are ensured, but wiring effort is considerable and application range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidwiring effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power supply and data transmission functions from cable connections by implementing a battery-powered autonomous measuring device. The device includes a battery (102) for power supply and a radio module (106) for wireless data transmission, eliminating the need for physical cable connections while maintaining reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a radio module (106) as an intermediary for wireless communication between the measuring device and external systems. This radio interface enables data transmission without physical cable connections, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If battery-operated mode is used, then wiring effort is reduced and application range is expanded, but battery life is limited and requires monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary monitoring of battery status through a remaining service life determination unit (109) that continuously tracks battery charge level and calculates expected remaining operational time. This allows proactive management of battery life before depletion occurs, enabling planned maintenance intervals and preventing unexpected device failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback loop where the remaining service life determination unit (109) continuously monitors battery status and provides information about remaining operational time. This feedback enables adaptive adjustment of measurement intervals and transmission frequency to optimize battery consumption while maintaining required functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If frequent measurements and transmissions are performed, then measurement accuracy and data availability are improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement frequencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of measurement and transmission parameters based on battery status. The remaining service life determination unit (109) adapts the measurement sequence and radio transmission frequency according to available battery capacity, allowing high measurement frequency when battery charge is充足 and reducing frequency when battery level decreases, thus optimizing the balance between measurement precision and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3637064B1Battery-operated fill level measuring device with means for determining remaining service life
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 VEGA GRIESHABER GMBH & CO
  • EP3637064B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3637064B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Battery-powered level gauge with a remaining battery life determination function that provides information from which a minimum remaining battery life can be calculated. This calculation can be performed on the gauge itself or in the cloud.