Currentless Optical Switch with Reset Delay Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical switches used to monitor access to critical infrastructure, such as telecommunications and utility shafts, struggle with reliable detection of brief switching events due to pulsed measurement methods, which can miss transient triggering and require complex setups with magnets and OTDR devices.
Innovation Solution
A currentless, mechanical optical switch using a bending-sensitive optical conductor with a deflection device and reset delay mechanism, allowing for reliable detection of switching states without electricity, magnets, or complex setups, and enabling sequential or star-shaped monitoring of multiple switches with reduced installation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pulsed measurement with OTDR is used to detect switch triggering, then measurement capability is provided, but brief switching events are missed and detection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical conductor is pre-positioned in a tensioned state within the switch housing, ready to immediately respond to triggering. The conductor extends from one side of the housing to the other, pre-loaded to deflect upon activation, ensuring no detection delay occurs when a switching event happens.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical conductor maintains continuous tension and contact throughout the housing, allowing uninterrupted light transmission and continuous monitoring. This continuous state ensures that even brief switching events are captured without the gaps inherent in pulsed measurement systems.
2Ease of operation
If magnets and springs are used to trigger the optical conductor, then switching mechanism is provided, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes magnets and springs from the system entirely. The switching mechanism relies solely on the mechanical deflection of the optical conductor itself when triggered by external forces such as manhole cover movement, eliminating complex magnetic components and their associated complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical conductor serves dual functions: it acts as both the triggering element and the detection medium. When deflected by external triggering, the conductor itself provides the signal, eliminating the need for separate triggering components like magnets and springs.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the optical conductor is held in a fixed position, then structural stability is maintained, but switching state detection is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The optical conductor is positioned to be dynamically responsive within the housing. It extends across the housing in a tensioned state, allowing it to deflect when triggered while maintaining overall structural integrity. The conductor's position changes from a static fixed state to a dynamic responsive state upon triggering.
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
Ensures reliable detection of switching states regardless of duration, reduces installation costs, and maintains functionality in harsh environments with no magnetic interference or power supply issues, while being maintenance-free and resistant to sabotage.
Implementation Method 1
The system makes use of the properties of light-conducting, bending-sensitive optical conductors, and in particular the fact that when such optical conductors are kinked or bent, light emerges at the kink or bending point.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a switch that can be checked, which comprises a housing, an optical conductor (10) arranged in the housing, a deflecting device (16) for the optical conductor, which deflecting device is arranged in the housing, and a triggering device, which initiates a switching process of the switch and actuates the deflecting device at least at times. The deflecting device is designed in such a way that, when the deflecting device is actuated, the optical conductor is deflected in a defined manner such that the bending radius of the optical conductor changes in a defined manner. According to the invention, the switch that can be checked also has a restoring mechanism (34) for the deflecting device, and the restoring mechanism has a restoring delay, which returns the deflecting device to the original position of the deflecting device with a defined delay after the triggering device has been restored.