Circuit Tester Volume Modulator via Rotating Aperture Cap

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circuit testers lack a mechanism to control the volume of the audible alert, making it difficult to hear the signal when outlets are located far from the load center, leading to undesirable loud alerts in closer proximity scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A circuit tester with a volume modulator that adjusts the audible signal's volume by rotating a cap with apertures, allowing for partial or full obstruction of the sound path, enabling adjustable loudness from maximum to minimum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the audible alert volume is increased to hear the signal at distant outlets, then the signal becomes audible at far locations, but the alert becomes excessively loud when outlets are located closer to the load center

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudible signal volumeVSAvoidexcessive loudness

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the housing rotatable relative to the handle, allowing the user to dynamically adjust the orientation of the apertures. This rotation enables the audible signal volume to be varied by changing the housing's angular position, thereby adapting the fixed volume signal to different spatial requirements without changing the signal generator's output level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the another dimension principle by introducing a rotational dimension to the housing. Instead of adjusting volume through amplitude modulation, the solution adds a spatial dimension (rotation angle) that controls the effective sound projection direction and intensity, allowing the same signal to be optimally directed toward the user regardless of their distance from the outlet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed volume audible alert is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the alert cannot be adjusted for different distances to the load center

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume adjustabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the housing rotatable relative to the handle, allowing the user to dynamically adjust the orientation of the apertures. This rotation enables the audible signal volume to be varied by changing the housing's angular position, thereby adapting the fixed volume signal to different spatial requirements without changing the signal generator's output level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the parameter changes principle by utilizing the housing's rotational position as a controllable parameter. The angle of rotation directly affects the alignment of apertures with the sound source, thereby changing the effective volume parameter of the audible alert without requiring additional volume control circuitry or multiple signal generators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the outlet is located far from the load center, then testing can be performed at remote locations, but the audible alert becomes inaudible without excessive volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutlet accessibilityVSAvoidaudible signal volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the another dimension principle by introducing a rotational dimension to the housing. Instead of adjusting volume through amplitude modulation, the solution adds a spatial dimension (rotation angle) that controls the effective sound projection direction and intensity, allowing the same signal to be optimally directed toward the user regardless of their distance from the outlet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables the operator to hear the audible signal clearly at varying distances while allowing for fine control of the volume, reducing unnecessary loudness and improving usability in different testing scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

a speaker or other sonic device that generates an audible signal when a voltage is present at the electrical receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 2

The cap may be rotated on/off the housing such that the apertures on the side of the cap move along the side of the circuit tester and become partly or fully obstructed by the side of the circuit tester, thereby varying the volume of the audible signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic absorption and obstruction: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentUS9116178B1Circuit tester with variable volume audible voltage indication

Publication Date: 2015.08.25 RELIANCE CONTROLS CORPORATION

AI summary

A circuit tester for testing operation of an electrical receptacle includes a speaker that generates an audible signal when a voltage is present at the electrical receptacle. A cap on the end of the circuit tester includes openings on the side through which the audible signal may pass. The cap may be rotated on/off the housing such that the openings on the side of the cap move along the side of the circuit tester and become partly or fully obstructed by the side of the circuit tester, thereby varying the volume of the audible signal.