Luminous Garment Control Circuit for Wet-Condition False Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional control circuits for luminous garments are prone to accidental activation due to water seepage or condensation, leading to unwanted energy consumption and malfunctioning of light sources and processors.
Innovation Solution
A control circuit design with a higher internal resistance between the processor contacts than the upstream circuit resistance, incorporating resistors strategically placed between the power source and switch, ensures that any short circuit caused by water or condensation does not power the processor, preventing accidental activation of light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional control circuits are used with low resistance paths, then the circuit operates efficiently during normal use, but water or condensation can accidentally activate the light sources by closing the circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the resistance parameter of the circuit by introducing high-value resistors (e.g., 1MΩ) in parallel with the switch and motion sensor. This modifies the electrical characteristics of the circuit to prevent accidental activation while maintaining normal operation. The high resistance value ensures that even when water creates a conductive path, the current remains insufficient to activate the light sources.
2Reliability
If the circuit resistance is increased to prevent water activation, then accidental switching on is prevented, but the processor may not be able to turn off properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces high-value resistors as intermediary elements that mediate between the switch/motion sensor and the light sources. These resistors allow the switch to function normally during dry conditions while preventing harmful current flow when water is present. The resistors act as a buffer that maintains control functionality while blocking accidental activation paths.
3Reliability
If motion sensor sensitivity is increased to detect walking motion, then the light sources turn on more reliably during use, but vibrations cause continuous activation when water is present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical resistance parameter to create a current threshold that distinguishes between legitimate motion sensor activation and spurious activation caused by water. The high-value resistors ensure that only strong, intentional signals (from actual motion) can overcome the resistance to activate the light sources, while weak signals from vibrations in wet conditions cannot.
4Ease of operation
If the switch is designed for manual ON/OFF control, then user control is simple, but water can close the circuit and prevent the processor from being turned off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces high-value resistors as intermediary protection elements that safeguard the switch functionality. These resistors are positioned to block harmful current paths while leaving the normal switch operation path unaffected. When the switch is manually operated, the circuit functions normally; when water creates unintended conductive paths, the resistors block the harmful current flow.
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 effectively prevents the processor from being switched on by water or condensation, maintaining the light sources in an off state and preventing energy wastage and processor malfunctions, while allowing normal operation when the circuit is dry.
Implementation Method 1
A control circuit design with a higher internal resistance between the processor contacts than the upstream circuit resistance, incorporating resistors strategically placed between the power source and switch, ensures that any short circuit caused by water or condensation does not power the processor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a circuit for controlling light sources for a luminous garment, such as footwear, jackets, trousers, caps, belts. The circuit comprises an electric power source, such as a battery, a processor, one or more light sources and a switch. The processor and the light sources are powered by the electric power source. The light sources are connected to the processor, which controls their turning on and turning off, for example selectively based on a light program. The switch is connected to both the electric power source and the processor, and can be operated by the user in order to switch the processor on and off. The circuit is advantageously configured so that the electric resistance inside the processor, between the contact with the switch and the contact with the positive pole of the electric power source, is higher than the circuit resistance upstream of the processor itself, i.e. the resistance between the electric power source and the contact of the processor with the switch. In the event that water or condensation cause the circuit to close, even though the switch is in the open position, the current powering the processor is still insufficient to cause it to be switched on. A method for activating light sources in a luminous garment is also described.