Temperature Time Monitor Activation via Capacitive Disconnection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for activating temperature time monitors are costly, unreliable, and lack efficient automation for large-scale activation, often involving complex mechanisms prone to interference and requiring verification.
Innovation Solution
The method involves interrupting a conductive connection or peeling off a conductive area from the enclosure to act as a capacitor, providing a reliable and irreversible activation mechanism, allowing for automatic activation of multiple monitors on a carrier tape, with visual verification of activation status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional activation methods (push button, infrared, RF signal) are used, then the monitor can be activated, but the cost increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the activation function from complex external mechanisms (buttons, infrared transmitters, RF modules) and implements it through a simple internal conductive connection that is interrupted during packaging. The conductive area on the packaging material serves as both packaging and activation trigger, eliminating the need for separate activation components.
Solution Approach 2:
The packaging material itself performs the activation function by incorporating a conductive area that, when removed or interrupted, automatically triggers the monitor. The system activates itself through the natural handling and opening of packaging, without requiring external activation devices or complex control circuits.
2Extent of automation
If manual activation methods are used, then individual monitors can be activated, but automation for large-scale activation is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive connection is pre-configured during packaging assembly, and the activation occurs automatically when the packaging is opened or handled. This preliminary setup enables batch activation of multiple monitors simultaneously during the packaging process, achieving high throughput without manual intervention for each unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical activation (push buttons, switches) with an automated electrical detection system. The evaluation circuit automatically detects the interruption of the conductive connection and triggers activation, enabling integration with automated packaging lines and high-volume production processes.
3Reliability
If conductive connection interruption is used for activation, then reliable and unambiguous activation information is provided, but the conductive connection must be disposed outside the enclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive area on the packaging material serves as an intermediary element that bridges the external handling action and the internal activation detection. When this intermediary conductive connection is interrupted during packaging opening, it reliably triggers the activation while allowing visual confirmation of the breakaway zone on the packaging exterior.
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 approach ensures cost-effective, reliable, and automatic activation of temperature time monitors with high throughput, eliminating interference issues and providing unambiguous activation confirmation.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive area, which is isolated from the remaining circuit, is peeled off from the enclosure. This area acts as a capacitor. The change in capacitance is detected, causing the monitor to be activated.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an activation of temperature time monitors (1), particularly for perishable products, such as medications, vaccines, stored blood, or food products, wherein the monitor (1) contains at least one electrical circuit (4-6), which is mechanically activateable/changeable, characterized in that the monitor (1) is activatable by means of an irreversible mechanical interruption of an electrically conductive connection (8) of the at least one electrical circuit (4-6), or that the monitor (10) is activatable by means of an irreversible mechanical removal of an electrically conductive area (15) of the at least one electrical circuit (16, 17). The invention is based on the object of improving an activation of temperature time monitors in such a way what it is particularly cost effective and reliable, and that an automated activation is possible.