NFC-Powered Indicator Light for Identifying Electrical Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical protective devices in close proximity struggle to reliably identify which device is communicating via near-field communication due to overlapping NFC antennas, and existing visual indicators require a power source, posing reliability issues when that source is faulty or absent.
Innovation Solution
An electrical apparatus with a wireless communication module that captures energy from a remote communication unit's electromagnetic field to power an indicator light, allowing reliable visual identification even without a direct power source, using a control module to emit a control signal for specific communication or fault indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple electrical protective devices are installed side by side in an electrical distribution panel, then the devices can be compactly arranged and space-efficient, but it becomes unreliable to determine which specific device is communicating via NFC due to overlapping antennas located less than one centimeter apart
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual indication through light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit different colors or light patterns to identify which specific electrical protective device is currently communicating via NFC. This allows users to visually distinguish between multiple closely-spaced devices, resolving the identification reliability issue while maintaining compact arrangement.
2Reliability
If an indicator light is used to identify the communicating device, then visual identification is provided, but a power source is required which poses reliability problems when the source is faulty or absent
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator light system is powered by the same NFC communication mechanism itself. The electromagnetic field generated for NFC communication is harvested to power the LED indicator, eliminating the need for a separate power source. This self-service approach ensures the indicator works reliably during communication without requiring additional power infrastructure.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a separate power source is used to power the indicator light, then the light can be reliably powered, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases when the power source is faulty or absent
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC communication system serves dual functions: data communication and power supply for the indicator light. The electromagnetic field generator is used both for transmitting data and for harvesting energy to power the LED, eliminating the need for separate power infrastructure and reducing overall device complexity.
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
Provides reliable visual indication of communication or fault status without relying on a power source, ensuring accurate device identification even when devices are closely spaced, with low energy consumption and cost-effective components.
Implementation Method 1
a wireless communication module (2) comprising at least a first receiver (3) configured to receive an electromagnetic field (EM) in a near field from a remote communication unit (4) comprising at least a second transmitter (5) configured to emit the electromagnetic field (EM), the wireless communication module (2) being configured to be electrically powered by energy captured from the intensity of the electromagnetic field (EM)
Implementation Method 2
at least one light indicator (6) configured to emit at least one light signal (SL) to provide at least one visual information
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical apparatus (1) comprising a wireless communication module (2) having a first receiver (3) and configured to be electrically powered by energy captured (EN) from the intensity of the electromagnetic field (EM), a light indicator (6) configured to emit a light signal, a housing (7) containing inside the wireless communication module (2) and the light indicator (6) characterized in that it comprises a control module (9) contained in the housing (7) electrically connected to the first receiver (3) and to at least one light indicator (6), in that the control module (9) is configured to be powered at least by at least a part of the energy captured (EN) at least in the absence of power from the electrical network or an auxiliary source so as to be suitable and intended to power at least one light indicator (6).