Moisture Detection Circuit for Electrical Connector Impedance Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile electronic devices face challenges in wet environments due to corrosion of metal connectors, leading to malfunction and potential permanent damage from moisture exposure, with existing solutions being cumbersome and unreliable.

Innovation Solution

A moisture detection circuit integrated with the connector's interface circuit to monitor impedance changes, alerting the user and suspending operations when moisture is detected, thereby preventing corrosion without the need for mechanical seals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical seals or covers are used to protect connectors from moisture, then connector protection is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector protectionVSAvoidmechanical seal complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical protection systems (seals, covers, plugs) with an electrical impedance-based moisture detection system. The moisture detection circuit continuously monitors impedance changes between connector contacts to detect moisture presence, eliminating the need for mechanical sealing components and their associated complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector protection system uses the connector's own electrical characteristics (impedance) to detect moisture presence. The moisture detection circuit leverages the natural electrical properties of the connector contacts themselves, requiring no external sensors or additional protective components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If mechanical seals are used to protect connectors, then corrosion prevention is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion preventionVSAvoidconnector usability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical seals and covers that would require user interaction to install or remove. Instead, it uses an electrical impedance monitoring system that automatically detects moisture and triggers protective actions, maintaining ease of connector operation while providing corrosion protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The moisture detection circuit continuously monitors impedance changes and provides real-time feedback about moisture presence. This feedback mechanism enables automatic protective responses without requiring user intervention, maintaining operational simplicity while ensuring protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If moisture detection and suspension operations are implemented, then device reliability in wet environments is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice performance in wet environmentsVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The moisture detection circuit operates by periodically measuring impedance changes rather than continuously monitoring. The system checks for moisture presence at intervals and suspends operations only when moisture is detected, reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring while maintaining reliability in wet environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 prevents corrosion and maintains device functionality in wet conditions for up to thirty minutes without mechanical covers, reducing the risk of permanent damage and user frustration.

Implementation Method 1

A moisture detection circuit is to detect moisture contacting the electrical connector. In one embodiment, the moisture detection circuit is to detect a current flowing between the electrical contact and another electrical contact or a shroud of the electrical connector when the moisture contacts the electrical connector.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Impedance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS9823286B2Moisture detection system for external electrical connector and methods therefor

Publication Date: 2017.11.21 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC

AI summary

An electronic device includes a housing and an electrical connector disposed along the housing. The electrical connector includes one or a plurality of electrical contacts having at least a portion thereof exposed to an exterior of the housing. An interface circuit is operable with the electrical connector and coupled to one or more electrical contacts of the electrical connector to interact with a complementary connector when connected to the electrical connector. A moisture detection circuit is to detect moisture contacting the electrical connector.