Inductive Proximity Sensor for Wireless State Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor devices require physical user input or perforations for state transitions, which are inconvenient and prone to damage, and lack efficient power management for reduced size and increased durability.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device with a proximity sensor that detects the removal of transport protection, such as metallic tape, to transition from a transportation state to a configuration or operational state, enabling wireless communication without physical buttons or perforations, using inductive sensing for power-efficient state control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a reset button is provided for state transition, then the sensor device can transition from transportation state to operational state, but the housing requires perforation and physical user input which reduces durability and convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical reset button system with an inductive proximity sensor that detects the presence or absence of a metallic object (such as a key or packaging material). This substitution eliminates the need for physical perforations in the housing while enabling state transition through non-contact sensing, thereby maintaining housing integrity and improving reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the sensor device remains in transportation state with all components shut off, then power is preserved during transport, but the device cannot transition to operational state without physical user input
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the sensor device automatically transitions from transportation state to operational state by detecting the presence or absence of a metallic object through the inductive proximity sensor. This eliminates the need for manual user input, allowing the device to autonomously manage its state transitions while preserving power during transport.
3Reliability
If a metallic tape transport protection is used, then the sensor device is protected during transport, but the proximity sensor cannot detect external objects due to shielding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the shielding effect of the metallic transport protection into a useful detection mechanism. The inductive proximity sensor detects the presence or absence of the metallic tape itself as an indicator of transport state. When the metallic protection is removed or detached, the sensor detects this change and triggers the state transition, thereby using the protective element's metallic property to enable automatic state recognition.
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 solution provides a durable, user-friendly, and power-efficient method for sensor devices to transition states, ensuring reliable operation and long battery life without physical input devices or housing perforations, enhancing durability and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the proximity sensor detects the removal of the metallic tape based on inductive sensing
Data Source
AI summary
It is provided a sensor device comprising: a proximity sensor (10); a processor (11); a wireless communication module (13); and a memory (14). When the sensor device is in a first functional state (20, 20a, 20b) and the proximity sensor detects a predetermined change in its proximity, the sensor device is configured to transition from the first functional state, in which wireless communication is inactivated, to a second functional state (21), in which wireless communication module is enabled. The predetermined change in its proximity is a removal of transport protection, comprising removal of a metallic tape over the proximity sensor, whereby the proximity sensor is capable to detect the removal of the metallic tape based on inductive sensing.