Multicolor LED Signal Display Device for Wiring Harness Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current signal display methods for wiring harnesses only provide information on the presence or absence of signals, failing to convey voltage levels or frequency information, and require time-consuming manual measurement with specialized instruments like multimeters or oscilloscopes for multiple signal paths.
Innovation Solution
A signal display device using multicolor display elements, such as bi-color or tri-color LEDs, connected to signal paths to provide information on signal values through color coding, allowing for the evaluation of voltage, frequency, and current levels without the need for separate measurement instruments, with an evaluation unit activating the LEDs based on signal values to display multiple colors representing different information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple LED is used to display signal presence, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the information content displayed is limited to only signal presence or absence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multicolor LED display elements that can emit different colors (e.g., red, green, yellow) to represent different signal value ranges. The evaluation unit compares the measured signal value against predefined thresholds and activates the corresponding LED color to indicate the signal level, thereby displaying detailed information without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the display parameter from binary (on/off) to multi-state (multiple colors) by utilizing the different emission wavelengths of multicolor LEDs. This allows a single display element to convey multiple levels of signal information through color variation rather than requiring multiple separate indicators
2Loss of information
If multicolor display elements are used to provide detailed signal information, then the information content is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multicolor LED display element serves multiple functions: it indicates signal presence, signal absence, and various intermediate signal value ranges through different colors. A single multicolor LED replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate indicators, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high information content
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit acts as an intermediary that processes the measured signal value and translates it into the appropriate LED color output. It compares the signal against threshold values and activates the corresponding color channels of the multicolor LED, thereby bridging the gap between raw signal measurement and human-readable visual indication
3Measurement precision
If manual measurement with multimeters or oscilloscopes is used to obtain signal values, then measurement precision is improved, but the productivity decreases due to time-consuming separate examination of each signal path
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple measurement and display functions into a single integrated device. The signal display device simultaneously measures and visually indicates the status of multiple signal paths through parallel LED indicators, eliminating the need for separate manual measurements and enabling rapid assessment of all signals at once
Solution Approach 2:
The signal display device performs automatic measurement and evaluation of signal values without requiring external measuring instruments. The integrated sensor and evaluation unit continuously monitor signal levels and automatically update the LED display, providing self-service measurement that eliminates manual intervention and accelerates the evaluation process
4Measurement precision
If separate measuring instruments are used for each signal path, then the measurement precision is maintained, but the device complexity and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple measurement functions into a single integrated device that can simultaneously evaluate multiple signal paths. The parallel architecture allows concurrent measurement and display of all signals, reducing total evaluation time while maintaining measurement precision through dedicated sensing and evaluation circuits for each channel
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
Enables efficient and space-saving signal evaluation by displaying signal information through color, reducing the need for complex measuring instruments and allowing technicians to quickly assess signal paths, facilitating development and service without manual disconnection of wiring harnesses.
Implementation Method 1
a signal display device using multicolor display elements, such as bi-color or tri-color LEDs
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a signal display device for displaying signals on signal paths of a wiring harness, for example, which may be connected to the signal outputs of an electronic apparatus generating/receiving signals, or looped into the signal paths between a signal-generating electronic apparatus and a signal-receiving electronic apparatus. A signal to be displayed each time is measurable from a plurality, preferably all, of the signal paths, and each measured signal is fed to an evaluation unit that, for each measured signal, activates a multicolor display element based on a value of the signal, such that one of several colors may be displayed using the multicolor display element.