Measurement Device Display Visual Electrical Condition Indication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional measurement devices face challenges in effectively indicating the presence or absence of electrical conditions in circuits, particularly in outdoor or high-intensity light conditions, due to insufficient illumination from small light sources, and may be distracting or difficult to perceive in noisy environments, especially for users with hearing disorders.

Innovation Solution

A measurement device with processing circuitry that transitions a display between different operating modes based on detected electrical conditions, using varying luminance, color, or flashing patterns to provide clear and unobtrusive visual indications of measurement results, allowing for non-contact electrical characteristic sensing without galvanic contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a small light source is used to indicate electrical conditions, then the device structure is simple, but the illumination intensity is insufficient in outdoor or high-intensity light conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination intensityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the indication function with the display device by making the display device itself emit light in different patterns (flashing, different luminance levels) to indicate electrical conditions, rather than using a separate small light source. This merging approach increases illumination intensity while avoiding the complexity of additional indication components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display device serves multiple functions: it displays measurement values and simultaneously provides visual indication of electrical conditions through varied light emission patterns. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate indication light sources while enhancing the illumination capability for condition indication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If an audio speaker is used to emit tones or beeps for continuity detection, then the indication is clear, but it becomes distracting in office environments and difficult to hear in noisy environments or for operators with hearing disorders

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddistracting or difficult to perceive
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the audio indication system (speaker emitting sounds) with a visual indication system using the display device's light emission capabilities. This substitution eliminates the harmful effects of audio distractions and hearing accessibility issues while maintaining clear indication of electrical conditions through visual patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The display device uses different light colors, luminance levels, and flashing patterns to indicate various electrical conditions. This visual approach provides clear indication without the distracting or inaccessible audio responses, allowing operators to easily perceive results in any environmental condition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Reliability

If a light source is used to indicate electrical conditions, then visual indication is provided, but it may become inoperable due to light failure or circuit disruption, and accumulation of materials may occlude the light source

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the indication function into the existing display device, eliminating separate light sources that can fail or become occluded. The display device's integrated light emission system provides reliable indication without the vulnerability of external light sources, maintaining simplicity while enhancing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3896464B1Measurement devices with visual indication of detected electrical conditions
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 FLUKE CORP
  • EP3896464B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3896464B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3896464B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems, devices, and operating methods thereof provide for operation of a display based on detection of defined electrical conditions. Measurement devices may include a housing sized and shaped to be held in a hand, a set of sensor devices for sensing a set of electrical characteristics, processing circuitry, and a display supported by the housing. The measurement devices receive measurements obtained from the sensor devices and determine whether the measurements satisfy criteria for detecting defined electrical conditions in an element under test. Operating modes of the display having different corresponding illumination characteristics are controlled as a result of determining the presence of defined electrical conditions in the element under test.