Capacitor-Activated Concrete Sensors for Wireless Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor activation methods for monitoring properties of building materials like concrete slabs are limited in flexibility and ease of installation, necessitating manual engagement during installation.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a capacitor-based power supply and power management subcircuit for wireless activation of sensors, allowing activation via remote computing devices or cloud-based systems, eliminating the need for manual engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If light activation method is used for sensor activation, then sensor can be activated after removing from packaging, but installation flexibility and ease of installation are limited requiring manual engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical engagement with wireless capacitor-based activation. The sensor device includes a capacitor that can be wirelessly charged and activated through a power management subcircuit, eliminating the need for physical manual engagement during installation. This substitution of mechanical activation with electrical/wireless activation directly improves both ease of installation and installation flexibility.
2Productivity
If manual engagement is required during sensor installation, then sensor activation can be controlled, but installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device performs self-activation through wireless capacitor charging. The power management subcircuit automatically manages the capacitor charging and sensor activation process without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by detecting the charged state and automatically powering on, which simplifies the installation process and improves productivity by eliminating manual engagement steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitor is pre-configured within the sensor device to be wirelessly charged before activation is needed. This preliminary charging action allows the sensor to be activated simply by providing wireless power, rather than requiring complex manual engagement procedures during installation. The activation mechanism is prepared in advance, reducing both complexity and installation time.
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
Enhances installation flexibility by enabling wireless activation of sensors, reducing manual intervention and improving installation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The power supply comprises a capacitor and a power regulator. The sensor device includes a power management subcircuit for activating the power regulator for powering 'ON' components of the sensor device via the capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a sensor device for monitoring properties of a building material within which the sensor device can be embedded. The sensor device has a controller, a memory associated with the controller, one or more sensors communicatively connected to the controller for measuring one or more properties of the building material, and a power supply for powering components of the sensor device. The power supply includes a capacitor and a power regulator. The sensor device includes a power management subcircuit for activating the power regulator for powering “ON” components of the sensor device via the capacitor, wherein the power management subcircuit receives an activation signal from an external power source to activate the sensor device, and wherein the external power source is configured to charge the capacitor.