Optical Voltage Probe with Crossed Lines for ESD Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical voltage probes fail to accurately measure voltage signals during ESD tests due to the influence of varying magnetic fields generated by discharged currents, which induce electromotive forces that interfere with the measurement.

Innovation Solution

The optical voltage probe design includes crossed contact terminals and electric lines in a non-contact manner, with adjustable areas and lengths to cancel induced electromotive forces, using a branch interference type optical modulator on a lithium niobate crystal substrate to convert voltage signals into optical intensity modulation signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional optical voltage probes are used to measure voltage signals during ESD tests, then the measurement can be performed, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to induced electromotive forces from varying magnetic fields

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage signal measurement accuracyVSAvoidinfluence of varying magnetic fields
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the principle of converting harm into benefit by utilizing the varying magnetic field generated during ESD tests to induce electromotive forces in a controlled manner. By designing the electric lines to form closed loops with specific areas, the induced electromotive forces are converted from harmful interference signals into compensating signals that cancel out the unwanted magnetic field effects, thereby improving measurement accuracy during ESD testing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary anti-action by pre-configuring the electric lines and contact terminals to create closed loops with specific geometric arrangements before the ESD test begins. This preliminary setup ensures that when varying magnetic fields are present during testing, the induced electromotive forces automatically cancel out the harmful effects, providing proactive protection against measurement errors without requiring real-time compensation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Device complexity

If contact terminals and electric lines are arranged in conventional configurations, then the device structure is simple, but induced electromotive forces from magnetic fields interfere with voltage measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure of contact terminals and electric linesVSAvoidvoltage signal measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the electric line structure into multiple segments with specific geometric configurations. The electric lines are arranged to form closed loops with defined areas, and the contact terminals are positioned at specific locations along these segments. This segmented arrangement allows the structure to maintain relative simplicity while creating the necessary geometric properties to cancel induced electromotive forces through controlled loop areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetry in the geometric arrangement of electric lines and contact terminals to optimize the cancellation of induced electromotive forces. By creating closed loops with specific asymmetric geometric configurations, the patent ensures that the induced electromotive forces from varying magnetic fields cancel out effectively, improving measurement accuracy without requiring perfectly symmetric structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 design effectively reduces the impact of surrounding magnetic fields, allowing accurate measurement of voltage signals by canceling induced electromotive forces, suitable for ESD tests and other environments with varying magnetic fields.

Implementation Method 1

a voltage signal obtained from contact terminals is applied on an optical modulator, and the optical modulator converts the voltage signal into an optical modulation signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectro-optic effect: Electro-Optic Effects

Implementation Method 2

when a magnetic field penetrating between the first contact terminal and the second contact terminal or between the first electric line and the second electric line varies, electromotive forces in opposite directions are induced between the first contact terminal and the second contact terminal or between the first electric line and the second electric line at portions before and after the crossing portion by the magnetic field which varies

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250264503A1Optical voltage probe
Publication Date: 2025.08.21 SEIKOH GIKEN
  • US20250264503A1 patent drawing
  • US20250264503A1 patent drawing
  • US20250264503A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An optical modulator configured to modulate an intensity of an incident light depending on a voltage between first and second electrode pads; first and second contact terminals that are configured to be in contact with the measurement point; a first electric line connecting the first contact terminal with the first electrode pad; and a second electric line connecting the second contact terminal with the second electrode pad are provided, the first and second contact terminals or the first and second electric lines are crossed with each other at least one time in a non-contact manner, and electromotive forces in opposite directions are induced between the first and second contact terminals or between the first and second electric lines at portions before and after a crossing portion when a magnetic field penetrating between the first and second contact terminals or between the first and second electric lines varies.