Magnetic-Latched Vehicle Sensor Assembly for Low-Power Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft tire pressure measurement systems face challenges in minimizing power consumption during storage, ensuring robustness against environmental factors, and requiring specific equipment for activation and deactivation, which can be impractical in remote locations.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a primary switch operated by a magnetic field and a locking circuitry that maintains the switched-on state independently of the primary switch's state, allowing for activation without specific equipment and ensuring robustness against environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sensor is permanently powered on to ensure immediate operation, then the reliability of measurement is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is pre-configured with a magnetic switch that can be activated by a magnet applied before storage. This preliminary action ensures the sensor is in a known state (powered on or off) before being stored, allowing it to be immediately operational when needed without continuous power consumption during storage period
2Use of energy by moving object
If specific activation equipment is used to switch on the sensor, then the power consumption is minimized during storage, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to equipment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic activation equipment with a simple magnetic field-based switch. A magnet can be applied directly to the sensor to activate it, eliminating the need for specialized activation devices. This mechanical/magnetic approach maintains low power consumption during storage while dramatically improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field acts as an intermediary between the user and the sensor's power system. Instead of directly connecting power or using complex electronic activation, the magnet serves as a simple mediator that triggers the power-on state through magnetic field detection, simplifying the activation process
3Use of energy by moving object
If the sensor is activated by pressure or activation signal as in prior art, then the power consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to specific stimulus requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the magnetic switch functionality from the main sensor body, placing it on the external magnet. This separation means the sensor itself remains simple without embedded pressure sensors or signal receivers, while the magnetic activation mechanism is external. This reduces device complexity while maintaining low power consumption
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 effectively minimizes power consumption during storage, maintains robustness against environmental factors, and allows for convenient activation and deactivation without requiring specific equipment, enhancing usability in remote locations.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic switch circuitry (75) having a magnetic switch (76) arranged to switch on, i.e. close an electric circuit, when a magnetic field is applied to the magnetic switch (76)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A sensor assembly providing a physical property of a vehicle, e.g. tire pressure of a wheel of an aircraft, comprises electronic circuitry including a locking arrangement (236) and sensor suited to sense the physical property and an exhaustable power source, e.g. a battery. For prolonged shelf life, a first (76,232,230,220) and a second (242,244, 220) switch means are functionally arranged between power source and circuitry. The 2nd switch means (242,244, 220) is controlled by the locking arrangement (236), whereas the first switch means (76,232,230,220) is controllable from outside the sensor assembly, e.g. by a magnetic field. The first switch means is arranged to switch the power to the electronic circuitry, whereby the locking arrangement is powered, too. In consequence, the locking arrangement is capable to close the second switch means (242,244, 220). Thereafter, a further stimulus to the first switch will no more be capable to switch the sensor off, unless the locking arrangement enables it again by opening the second switch means (242,244, 220).