Resonant-Circuit Humidity Sensor for Post-Installation Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing humidity sensors require a large potential difference between electrodes and high-capacitance energy-storage devices for operation, and they cannot be tested for functionality after installation.
Innovation Solution
The energy-storage device is positioned downstream of the voltage-increasing device, with one electrode shaped as a coil to form a resonant circuit, allowing excitation by an external high-frequency signal for generating electrical supply energy, enabling testing in any environment and reducing the need for high capacitance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the energy-storage device is positioned upstream of the voltage-increasing device, then a large potential difference and high-capacitance energy-storage device are required for operation, but this increases device complexity and reduces testing capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the functional configuration of the energy-storage device dynamic rather than static. The energy-storage device can be configured in two different ways: upstream configuration during normal operation and downstream configuration during testing. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements, solving the contradiction between reliability during operation and testing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the operational modes into distinct configurations. By separating the upstream configuration (for normal operation with high reliability) and downstream configuration (for testing with reduced capacitance requirements), the system can optimize for each mode independently. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing different capacitance requirements for different operational states.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a large potential difference is applied between electrodes to charge the energy-storage device, then sufficient energy is provided for operation, but this requires larger electrodes and increases manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the electrical parameters (voltage and capacitance) based on operational mode. In normal operation, the system uses high voltage and high capacitance for sufficient energy storage. During testing, the system switches to low voltage and low capacitance configuration. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between energy storage capacity and manufacturing cost.
3Reliability
If the humidity sensor is designed for operation only in humid environments, then it can provide accurate humidity sensing, but it cannot be tested for functionality after installation in non-humid environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the humidity sensor to perform multiple functions: normal humidity sensing in humid environments and functionality testing in non-humid environments. The downstream configuration of the energy-storage device during testing enables this multi-functionality, allowing the same device to be both a humidity sensor and a testable system without requiring separate testing equipment.
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
This configuration allows rapid charging with lower capacitance, reduces costs, and enables functional testing of the sensor in both humid and non-humid conditions, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
one of the electrodes is shaped to be a coil, which is electrically connected to a capacitor in order to form a resonant circuit such that, in a test state of the humidity sensor, the resonant circuit can be excited by an external high-frequency signal in order to generate the electrical supply energy for the control device
Implementation Method 2
the potential difference applied to the two electrodes is increased by means of the voltage-increasing device to a voltage level such that the downstream energy-storage device can be charged with an increased electrical voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A humidity sensor which may be tested after installation including: a first electrode having a first surface material; a second electrode having a second surface material that is different from the first surface material such that an electrical voltage is generated when the first surface material and the second surface material come into contact with a humid medium; a voltage-increasing device; an energy storage device for storing the electrical energy provided by the two electrodes; and a transmitter unit for wirelessly transmitting information, wherein one of the electrodes is shaped as a coil which is electrically connected to a capacitor in order to form a resonant circuit so that, in a test state of the humidity sensor, the resonant circuit can be excited by an external high-frequency signal in order to generate the electrical supply energy for the control device in order to provide a test signal.