Handheld Measuring Device Protective Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hand-held measuring devices face challenges in reliably detecting a ready-to-measure operating state while minimizing electromagnetic interference and component count, particularly in locating concealed objects within measurement objects like walls or floors.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held measuring device equipped with a protective circuit that includes a capacitive or UWB sensor for object detection and an operator sensor for interaction recognition, where the evaluation unit logically links object and operator parameters to control the radio signal transmission, ensuring precise measurement alignment and minimizing interference by switching off the signal in non-measurement states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the location sensor continuously transmits radio signals to locate objects, then measurement capability is maintained, but electromagnetic interference is generated and energy is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective circuit enables periodic transmission of radio signals by the location sensor based on detected operating states. The sensor transmits signals only when measurement is required (e.g., when the device is in contact with the measurement object and in ready-to-measure state), and remains silent otherwise. This periodic operation maintains measurement capability when needed while eliminating continuous electromagnetic interference and reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If multiple sensors are added to detect operating states and control signal transmission, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating state detectionVSAvoidcomponent count
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting operating states through various sensors (object sensor, operator sensor), evaluating these states, and controlling the location sensor's signal transmission. By integrating these functions into a single protective circuit unit, the patent achieves reliable multi-parameter detection without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the protective circuit serves as a multi-functional control hub rather than requiring separate dedicated circuits for each function.

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

3Productivity

If the location sensor operates in all states, then measurement availability is maximized, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement availabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective circuit dynamically adjusts the location sensor's operation based on real-time detection of operating states. When the device is not in contact with the measurement object or is not in ready-to-measure state, the protective circuit prevents the location sensor from transmitting signals, thereby reducing energy consumption. When measurement is required, the protective circuit enables signal transmission. This dynamic control maintains measurement availability when needed while significantly reducing energy consumption during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 for reliable detection of a ready-to-measure state with reduced electromagnetic interference and a low component count, ensuring precise object location and efficient measurement operations.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, a radar sensor, an X-ray sensor, another sensor that appears sensible to a person skilled in the art and/or advantageously a UWB sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

A 'UWB sensor' advantageously measures a distance between a surface of a measurement object and the object sensor using a broadband radio signal reflected from the surface of the measurement object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

The location sensor is preferably provided for locating an object in a wall, a ceiling and/or in a floor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Data Source

PatentEP2513677B1Handheld measuring device
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2513677B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2513677B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2513677B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a handheld measuring device having at least one locating sensor (12) provided for locating at least one object (14) in a measured object (16), and having a protective circuit (18) that comprises at least one object sensor (20) provided for registering at least one object parameter (22) which at least depends on an alignment of the locating sensor (12) to the measured object (16). According to the invention, the protective circuit (18) has at least one operator sensor (24, 26) provided for registering at least one operator parameter (30) dependent on an operator (28).