Wireless Sensor Diagnosis for Moving Parts

Solution Overview

Problem

Complex devices with moving parts, such as industrial robots and production systems, require reliable diagnosis of their operational state and parameters, but current methods involve costly and disruptive measurement setups.

Innovation Solution

The integration of wireless sensor devices at critical connection points, which communicate via radio, infrared, or ultrasound, allowing for the collection of physical data without disturbing normal operation and enabling reliable diagnosis through test movement sequences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex measurement setups are installed to diagnose devices with moving parts, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnosis reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement setup complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex wired measurement systems with wireless sensor devices that communicate via radio, infrared, or acoustic signals. This substitution eliminates the need for physical wiring and complex installation infrastructure while maintaining diagnostic capabilities, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless sensor devices as intermediary elements between the device under test and the diagnostic system. These sensors act as mediators that collect measurement data without requiring direct physical connection to the device, thereby simplifying the overall measurement setup while preserving diagnostic reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If complex measurement setups are installed to diagnose devices with moving parts, then measurement precision improves, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnosis reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs wireless sensor devices that are relatively simple, inexpensive components compared to traditional wired measurement systems. These sensors can be easily deployed and replaced if needed, significantly reducing installation and maintenance costs while maintaining adequate measurement precision for diagnostic purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

By replacing expensive wired measurement infrastructure with wireless sensor technology, the patent eliminates costly installation requirements such as wiring harnesses, connection points, and specialized mounting structures, thereby reducing overall installation cost while preserving diagnostic capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If complex measurement setups are installed to diagnose devices with moving parts, then measurement precision improves, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnosis reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex wired measurement systems with wireless sensor devices that communicate via radio, infrared, or acoustic signals. This substitution eliminates the need for physical wiring and complex installation infrastructure while maintaining diagnostic capabilities, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless sensor devices as intermediary elements between the device under test and the diagnostic system. These sensors act as mediators that collect measurement data without requiring direct physical connection to the device, thereby simplifying the overall measurement setup while preserving diagnostic reliability

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

This approach allows for inexpensive, error-free monitoring and diagnosis of devices, with data collected and stored locally, then transmitted to a computer for analysis, ensuring permanent monitoring and fault detection without disrupting the device's operation.

Implementation Method 1

which communicate with the data processing system (1) by means of radio and/or infrared and/or acoustically

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2464495B1Assembly for diagnosing a device with moving parts

Publication Date: 2016.06.29 ABB AG(DE)

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AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly comprising a data processing system (1) having a computer (8) and at least one device (2) having a control unit (9), wherein the device (2) comprises moving parts (3) that are hinged to attachment points (4) of a stationary main body (5) or to further moving parts (3). With regard to the problem of designing and refining an assembly in such a way that a reliable diagnosis of the state and/or the operating parameters of the device can be carried out cost-effectively, the assembly is characterised by at least one sensor unit (6), which is wirelessly fixed to an attachment point (4) or to a moving part (3).