Living Body Testing Probe Non-Mechanical Switch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional living body testing probes require manual operation to change test conditions, leading to usability issues and difficulties in cleaning due to mechanical switches that can allow water ingress and cause defects.

Innovation Solution

A living body testing probe with a non-mechanical switch, such as a touch panel or optical switch, integrated into the probe itself, allowing for easy condition changes without openings that can be difficult to clean, and a display for confirming settings, reducing the risk of water ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a mechanical switch (dial switch or lever switch) is provided in the living body testing probe to change test conditions, then the usability is improved, but the cleaning difficulty increases and water ingress risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of changing test conditionsVSAvoidwater ingress risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical switches (dial switches or lever switches) with a non-mechanical switch that receives operation inputs through touch or proximity detection. This substitution eliminates movable portions and openings in the switch structure, preventing water ingress while maintaining the ability to change test conditions. The non-mechanical switch detects user input without physical contact, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and water ingress risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a mechanical switch is provided in the living body testing probe to change test conditions, then the usability is improved, but the cleaning difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of changing test conditionsVSAvoidcleaning ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical switches with a non-mechanical switch that has no movable portions or openings. This design allows the entire probe surface to be easily cleaned without disassembly or special attention to switch mechanisms, significantly improving cleaning ease while maintaining operational functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If the main testing device is operated with one hand to change test conditions while operating the probe with the other hand, then no additional components are needed in the probe, but the usability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobe structure simplicityVSAvoidusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the probe to independently change test conditions through its integrated non-mechanical switch, which detects touch or proximity inputs directly on the probe. This self-service capability allows users to adjust settings without needing to operate the main testing device separately, significantly improving usability while adding only minimal components to the probe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9498186B2Living body testing probe

Publication Date: 2016.11.22 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A living body testing probe includes a living body contact part, a grip part, a non-mechanical switch part and a notification part. The living body contact part is configured and arranged to contact a living body. The non-mechanical switch part is configured and arranged to receive an operation input for changing test conditions upon being touched or approached. The notification part is configured and arranged to output information indicative of a change in the test conditions based on the operation input received by the non-mechanical switch part.