Sensor Probe With Adjustable Clamp For Non-Contact Electrical Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical parameter measurement devices require galvanic contact, posing safety risks and limiting their use in confined spaces, and existing non-contact devices only indicate the presence of AC voltage without measuring its magnitude.
Innovation Solution
An electrical parameter sensor probe with a movable sleeve and adjustable clamp that uses non-contact sensors to measure voltage and current in insulated conductors without galvanic contact, allowing for safe and precise measurements in confined spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional voltmeters use galvanic contact to measure voltage, then measurement accuracy is improved, but safety risks and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical galvanic contact system with an electromagnetic field-based non-contact sensing system. The sensor probe uses electromagnetic induction to detect voltage in insulated conductors without physical contact, eliminating safety risks while maintaining measurement capability through field-based detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary between the measurement device and the conductor. The sensor detects voltage through the electromagnetic field surrounding the insulated conductor, allowing indirect measurement without breaking insulation or creating galvanic contact
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional multimeters require circuit break to measure current, then measurement capability is improved, but productivity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical circuit-breaking method with electromagnetic field-based sensing. The sensor probe detects current through electromagnetic induction from insulated conductors without requiring circuit interruption, maintaining measurement versatility while dramatically improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor probe is pre-configured with electromagnetic sensing capability that allows immediate measurement upon approaching the conductor. No preliminary circuit breaking or reconfiguration is needed - the system is ready to measure current in insulated conductors directly through field detection
3Object-affected harmful factors
If non-contact voltage detectors are used to detect AC voltage, then safety is improved, but measurement precision worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from simple presence/absence indication to quantitative electromagnetic field strength measurement. The sensor measures the magnitude of the electromagnetic field to determine actual voltage values, transforming qualitative detection into quantitative measurement while maintaining non-contact safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the binary indication system with an analog electromagnetic sensing system. The sensor probe continuously measures electromagnetic field parameters and converts them to precise voltage magnitude readings, enabling accurate measurement without contact
4Adaptability or versatility
If clamp-on multimeters are used to measure current, then measurement versatility is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the current sensing function from the bulky clamp-on multimeter housing and integrates it into a compact sensor probe. The electromagnetic sensing elements are miniaturized and incorporated into a slender probe that maintains current measurement versatility while eliminating the need for large external clamps and complex internal structures
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
Enables safe and accurate measurement of electrical parameters like voltage and current in insulated conductors without physical contact, overcoming safety and space limitations of conventional devices and providing actual magnitude readings.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact sensor coupled to the sleeve and positioned at or near a perimeter of the interior region within the clamp. The non-contact sensor is operative to sense at least one electrical parameter of the insulated conductor without requiring galvanic contact with the conductor
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor probe includes a body, a sleeve that is moveable along the body between open and closed positions, a clamp having first and second jaws that contain an interior region within the clamp, and a non-contact sensor coupled to the sleeve and positioned at or near a perimeter of the interior region within the clamp. When the sleeve is in the open position, the first and second jaws create a gap that allows an insulated conductor to pass into the interior region within the clamp. When the sleeve is in the closed position, the first and second jaws close the gap and thereby close the interior region within the clamp. The size of the interior region is reduced when the sleeve is moved toward the closed position. The non-contact sensor is configured to detect an electrical parameter of the insulated conductor without requiring galvanic contact with the conductor.