Multifunctional Sensor Device with Opposite-Surface Light Emitter and Illuminance Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing environmental sensors are not compact, rigid, or highly usable due to large USB connectors and non-rigid protective housings, and they often have a single sensor type that limits their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional environmental sensor device with a substrate-mounted plurality of sensors, including a light emitter and illuminance sensor, acceleration sensor, antenna, and temperature sensor, connected directly to an electronic device's USB terminal via a wiring pattern, eliminating the need for a USB connector and enhancing rigidity with a dual-housing structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a USB connector is used to connect the environmental sensor to an electronic device, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device size increases and cannot be downsized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the USB connector from the environmental sensor device, eliminating the component that caused size increase while maintaining connection functionality through direct contact with the USB terminal of the electronic device
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal contact structure is designed to be universally compatible with standard USB terminals, allowing the sensor device to connect to various electronic devices without requiring a dedicated connector, thus achieving both small size and broad applicability
2Reliability
If a protective housing is used to protect the environmental sensor, then the sensor protection is improved, but the housing may not be rigid and can break under external force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the housing, combining materials with complementary properties to achieve both protection and rigidity, making the housing resistant to external forces while maintaining sensor safety
Solution Approach 2:
The housing design incorporates cushioning elements or structural features that absorb and distribute external forces before they reach the sensor, preventing breakage under impact while maintaining overall rigidity
3Device complexity
If a single sensor type is used in the environmental sensor, then the device simplicity is improved, but the usability is reduced and cannot measure different target values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple different types of sensors (e.g., temperature, humidity, pressure, light) into a single integrated environmental sensor device, allowing simultaneous measurement of various environmental parameters while maintaining a unified compact structure
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device is designed with multi-functionality, capable of measuring different environmental target values through multiple sensor types, making it universally applicable for various environmental monitoring needs without requiring separate devices
4Volume of moving object
If the light emitter and illuminance sensor are placed close together, then the device compactness is improved, but the light from the emitter may affect the illuminance detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device into multiple surfaces (first surface and second surface), placing the light emitter on one surface and the illuminance sensor on the opposite surface, effectively separating their positions while maintaining overall device compactness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the third dimension (depth/thickness) of the device by placing components on opposite surfaces, thereby achieving spatial separation of the light emitter and illuminance sensor without increasing the device's planar footprint, maintaining compactness while preventing light interference
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 device is compact, rigid, and highly usable, capable of measuring various environmental parameters with reduced noise and heat interference, and efficient data transmission through multiple paths, while maintaining operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The cover may have a surface with fine irregularities to scatter light. The above structure causes light near the illuminance sensor to scatter on the cover surface. More specifically, external light can be easily detected by the illuminance sensor.
Implementation Method 2
the light emitter that illuminates and the illuminance sensor that detects illuminance in response to light
Data Source
AI summary
A multifunctional environmental sensor device is connectable to a terminal of an electronic device for use. The sensor device includes a substrate, a plurality of different types of components mounted on the substrate and including at least a light emitter and an illuminance sensor, and a wiring pattern located on a surface of the substrate and including a contact to be in contact with the terminal of the electronic device. The light emitter is mounted on a surface of the substrate opposite to a surface of the substrate on which the illuminance sensor is mounted.