Apparatus And Method For Reducing The Energy Consumption Of A Machine Or System

• US 20100026102A1
• Filed: 07/31/2009
• Published: 02/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: BUERGER, Thomas, BRUEHL, Jens, LANDGRAF, Guenther
• Granted Patent: US 8,362,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/116
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25286 Switch on power, awake controlled machine from standby if command signal
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25289 Energy saving, brown out, standby, sleep, powerdown modus for microcomputer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34306 Power down, energy saving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/10 Greenhouse gas [GHG] capture, material saving, heat recovery or other energy efficient measures, e.g. motor control, characterised by manufacturing processes, e.g. for rolling metal or metal working

Abstract

An apparatus for reducing the energy consumption of a machine has a deactivation device and a monitoring device. The deactivation device is embodied for providing a deactivation signal in response to a pre-defined deactivation event. The monitoring device is embodied for switching the machine to an energy-saving mode in response to the deactivation signal in accordance with a pre-defined deactivation rule.

Claims

1. An apparatus for reducing the energy consumption of a machine, comprising:

a deactivation device configured and arranged to provide a deactivation signal in response to a pre-defined deactivation event; and

a monitoring device configured and arranged to switch the machine to an energy-saving mode in response to the deactivation signal in accordance with a pre-defined deactivation rule.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the deactivation device includes a time monitor configured and arranged to provide the deactivation signal when the machine is in an idle mode for a pre-defined period of time.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the monitoring device is configured and arranged to secure operating information for the machine when the machine is switched to the energy-saving mode.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the monitoring device is configured and arranged to transfer data in a volatile memory in the machine to a non-volatile memory when the machine is switched to the energy-saving mode.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the machine has at least one actuator, and wherein the monitoring device is configured and arranged to monitor a function of the actuator to prevent an impermissible function by the actuator when the machine is switched to the energy-saving mode.

6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the machine has a plurality of sub-systems, and wherein the monitoring device is configured and arranged to switch the plurality of sub-systems to the energy-saving mode in response to the deactivation signal.

7. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the monitoring device is configured and arranged to:

switch the machine to a first energy-saving mode in response to a first deactivation signal;

switch the machine to a second energy-saving mode in response to a second deactivation signal, the machine consuming less energy in the second energy-saving mode than in the first energy saving mode; and

switch the machine to a third energy-saving mode in response to a third deactivation signal, the machine consuming less energy in the third energy-saving mode than in the second energy saving mode.

8. The apparatus in accordance with claim 7, the machine comprising a control electronics unit and at least one actuator, the monitoring device configured and arranged to:

supply energy to the control electronics unit and the actuator in the first energy-saving mode; and

supply energy to the control electronics unit without supplying energy to the actuator in the second energy-saving mode.

9. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the deactivation device is configured and arranged to provide an activation signal in response to a pre-defined activation event, and wherein in the monitoring device is configured and arranged to switch the machine from the energy-saving mode to an operating mode in response to the activation signal in accordance with a pre-defined activation rule.

10. A machine having an energy-saving mode, the machine comprising an apparatus for reducing energy consumption of the machine, the apparatus comprising:

a deactivation device configured and arranged to provide a deactivation signal in response to a pre-defined deactivation event; and

a monitoring device configured and arranged to switch the machine to an energy-saving mode in response to the deactivation signal in accordance with a pre-defined deactivation rule.

11. The machine in accordance with claim 10, the machine being selected from the group consisting of a CNC-controlled machine, a PLC-controlled machine, a motion-controlled machine, and a robot-controlled machine.

12. A method for reducing the energy consumption of a machine, comprising the following steps:

providing a deactivation signal in response to a pre-defined deactivation event; and

switching the machine to an energy-saving mode in accordance with a pre-defined deactivation rule in response to the deactivation signal.

13. A computer readable medium on which is stored a computer program for reducing energy consumption of a machine, the computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by a computer, performs the steps of:

providing a deactivation signal in response to a pre-defined deactivation event; and

switching the machine to an energy-saving mode in accordance with a pre-defined deactivation rule in response to the deactivation signal.