Rotatable Electrical Probe With Inductive Clamp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional multimeter systems are cumbersome and difficult to use, especially in tight spaces, and can be hazardous due to the need to manually manage multiple terminals and power sourcing, which increases the risk of accidental power application.
Innovation Solution
A probe device with a user interface opposite a finger-gripping surface that allows switching between measurement and power application modes, featuring a rotatable probe body, inductive clamp, and ergonomic design for one-handed operation, ensuring safety by defaulting to measurement mode without power application unless actively engaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional pen-like terminals are used to measure voltage, then measurement capability is achieved, but the device becomes clumsy to use and difficult to maneuver in tight spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple terminals (power supply terminal, ground terminal, and probe terminal) into a single integrated probe device with a unified housing, eliminating the need to separately manage multiple disconnected terminals and reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The probe device integrates multiple functions including voltage measurement, current measurement, and power supply capability within a single device, allowing the user to perform various electrical testing functions without switching between different tools
2Adaptability or versatility
If longer wires are attached to terminals to reach test locations, then accessibility to obstructed areas is improved, but storing and organizing terminals becomes troublesome and results in misplaced terminals
Solution Approach 1:
All terminals are integrated into a single probe device with a unified housing structure, eliminating the need to separately store and organize multiple disconnected terminals while maintaining full accessibility to test locations
3Adaptability or versatility
If alligator clips are used to maneuver around obstructions, then ability to reach test locations is improved, but applying clips without clear line of sight becomes difficult and accidental power application risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe device integrates the probe tip, power supply terminal, and ground terminal into a single unified tool, ensuring that all electrical connections are established simultaneously through one controlled action, eliminating the risk of accidental power application that occurs when using separate alligator clips
4Adaptability or versatility
If Cruz's device provides current sourcing and multi-meter functionality simultaneously, then device versatility is improved, but safety deteriorates due to risk of accidental power application
Solution Approach 1:
The probe device is designed so that the probe tip, power supply terminal, and ground terminal are all connected to the circuit simultaneously through a single insertion action, ensuring that power is only applied when all necessary connections are in place, preventing accidental power application
Data Source
AI summary
A probe device has a main body and a probe body that can be rotatable relative to one another to change a shape of the probe device. This allows a user to use the probe device with the rotated probe body to reach behind areas that are difficult to reach into when the probe body is not rotated. The probe device could also have both a probe connector and an inductive clamp, where the probe connector could be used to measure a voltage of a conductive surface of an electronic circuit under test and the inductive clamp could be used to inductively measure a current flowing through a wire of an electronic circuit under test. The probe device is preferably configured with a grip configured to open and close the inductive clamp and a user interface positioned opposite the grip.