Wireless Sensor Probe State Management for Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing probe systems in material-processing machines consume excessive electrical energy due to prolonged active states during measurement operations, leading to inefficient energy usage.
Innovation Solution
The probe system is designed to switch from a passive to an active state only when necessary, with continuous wireless control commands maintaining the active state, allowing for collision-free transmission of sensor signals using separate channels or time-division multiplexing, thereby reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the probe is kept in the active state during measurement operations, then the probe can continuously generate and transmit sensor signals, but the electrical energy consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The probe system dynamically transitions between active and passive states based on operational needs. The probe is activated only when measurement operations are required and deactivated when not in use, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining measurement capability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational state parameter of the probe between active and passive modes. This parameter change allows the probe to consume minimal energy during idle periods while being fully functional during measurement operations, resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy usage
2Ease of operation
If control commands are continuously transmitted to maintain the probe in active state, then the probe remains ready for measurement, but transmission collisions may occur with sensor signals
Solution Approach 1:
Control commands are transmitted periodically at specific intervals rather than continuously, creating predictable transmission windows. This periodic approach maintains probe readiness while avoiding continuous signal conflicts and reducing the complexity of collision avoidance mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous probe readiness through periodic reactivation commands, ensuring the probe remains in active state throughout measurement operations. This continuous useful action is achieved without permanent continuous transmission, balancing operational readiness with transmission collision prevention
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 significantly reduces overall energy consumption by limiting the active state duration to only when measurements are being taken, enhancing the probe's efficiency and extending battery life.
Implementation Method 1
sensor elements can be designed as pressure-sensitive sensor elements, for example. In this case, a sensor signal is generated by the sensor elements due to pressure changes at the contact points of the stylus
Implementation Method 2
a sensor signal is generated by the sensor elements due to pressure changes at the contact points of the stylus in the probe
Implementation Method 3
Electromagnetic waves, in particular infrared light, are advantageously used for wireless data transmission. In the case of wireless data transmission using infrared light, infrared signals can be transmitted from an infrared light source
Implementation Method 4
infrared signals can be transmitted from an infrared light source, which is arranged on the probe and on the transceiver element, and can be converted into electrical signals by optoelectronic receivers
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a sensing system comprising a probe (1) and a transmitter/receiver element (2). The probe (1) has a stylus (1.2) and a sensor element (1.5). Furthermore, the probe (1) can be switched from a passive state to an active state, in which a sensor signal can be generated by the sensor element (1.5). The probe (1) and the transmitter/receiver element (2) are configured such that wireless data transmission between them is possible, whereby the sensor signal can be converted into a switching signal (S) in the probe (1), which can be transmitted from the probe (1) to the transmitter/receiver element (2). During the active state, a control command (B) can be continuously transmitted wirelessly from the transmitter/receiver element (2), whereby the active state of the probe (1) can be maintained by the continuously transmitted control command (B).Furthermore, the transmission of the switching signal (S) can be carried out without collisions with the transmission of the control command (B). The invention also relates to a method for operating a probe head (1).