Capacitive Sensing Cable Connector for Proximity LED Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable connector assemblies lack a reliable method to illuminate the charging port for easy docking, especially in low-light environments, and existing solutions either require physical touch or pre-specified light conditions.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive sensing USB 2.0 cable with a metal enameled wire braid layer that, when connected to a power source, generates a uniform electrostatic field, triggering an LED light to turn on when a user approaches within a certain range, facilitating easy detection of the charging port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical touch is used to activate lighting, then the lighting can be turned on, but the user must physically touch the cable which is inconvenient and unsanitary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical touch-based lighting activation with a capacitive sensing system. The braid layer acts as a capacitive sensor that detects changes in electrical field caused by proximity of conductive objects (like fingers), triggering the LED light without requiring physical contact. This substitutes mechanical interaction with electrical field-based detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The braid layer serves as an intermediary between the user and the lighting system. Instead of directly touching the cable to activate light, the user's proximity alters the electrical field, which the braid layer detects and translates into a signal to illuminate the LED. This intermediary mechanism enables contactless operation.
2Illumination intensity
If pre-specified light conditions are used to trigger illumination, then the lighting can be activated, but it requires complex sensor systems and pre-defined conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical sensor systems with a simpler capacitive sensing approach. Instead of using light sensors to detect ambient light conditions, the system uses the existing electrical field in the cable (through the braid layer) to detect user proximity and trigger lighting, significantly reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The braid layer, which already serves as electromagnetic shielding in the cable structure, is additionally utilized as a capacitive sensor for proximity detection and lighting activation. This multi-functional use of the braid layer eliminates the need for separate sensor components, reducing overall device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the cable structure is modified to add capacitive sensing capability, then contactless lighting activation is achieved, but the cable structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The braid layer is designed to serve dual functions: electromagnetic shielding (its traditional role) and capacitive sensing for proximity detection. By making the existing component multi-functional rather than adding separate sensing elements, the cable structure complexity is minimized while achieving contactless activation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the shielding function and sensing function into a single integrated braid layer structure. The same metal wires that provide electromagnetic shielding also serve as the capacitive sensor elements, combining multiple functions into one component to avoid increasing overall structural complexity.
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 capacitive sensing mechanism allows the LED light to illuminate the charging port when a user is nearby, enhancing the visibility and accuracy of docking in various lighting conditions without the need for physical touch or pre-defined light requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the cable causes the LED light to be illuminated by capacitive sensing through proximity
Implementation Method 2
when connected to a power source, generates a uniform electrostatic field
Data Source
AI summary
A cable connector includes a first plug, a second plug opposite the first plug, a cable connected with the first plug and second plug, and a LED light located in the first plug or the second plug, wherein the cable is provided with a braid layer located at the outermost side of the cable, the braid layer is composed of metal enameled wire mixed fibers, and the cable causes the LED light to be illuminated by capacitive sensing through proximity.