Voltage Probe Automation Using Acceleration-Verified Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing voltage testing methods for electrical conductors are inefficient and lack automation, requiring manual intervention and lacking comprehensive data documentation and verification.

Innovation Solution

A voltage measuring device with a voltage measuring unit, position/acceleration sensor, control device, and communication interface that automates voltage detection, documents results wirelessly, and provides automated verification and data transmission to an external receiver.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual voltage testing methods are used, then the testing process is simple, but the efficiency and productivity are low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage measuring device automatically performs voltage detection, acceleration pattern recognition, and result transmission without requiring manual intervention. The device self-activates upon detecting the acceleration pattern of being placed on a conductor, automatically measures voltage, and transmits results via wireless communication, enabling fully automated testing that dramatically improves productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical testing operations with automated sensor-based detection. Acceleration sensors detect the mechanical action of placing the device on a conductor, and this mechanical signal is converted into an automated measurement sequence, substituting human operation with sensor-based automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If automated probing detection is implemented, then the measurement precision and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprobing detection accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The acceleration sensor provides feedback about the device's mechanical state and placement actions. This feedback loop allows the control unit to distinguish between intentional probing actions and accidental movements, improving measurement precision by ensuring measurements are only taken when proper probing intent is detected

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The acceleration sensor serves multiple functions: detecting probing actions, validating measurement conditions, and triggering the measurement process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate validation mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If data transmission to external receiver is added, then the loss of information is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata documentationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Wireless communication serves as an intermediary that transfers measurement data and documentation information to external receivers without requiring physical connection or manual data entry. This intermediary approach eliminates information loss while adding minimal complexity through integrated wireless communication modules

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device creates a digital copy of the measurement results and transmission data, storing and transmitting information about voltage measurements, acceleration patterns, and metadata. This copying mechanism ensures information preservation and documentation without requiring complex manual recording systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Ease of operation

If automatic activation upon probing is implemented, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability may worsen due to false activation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidfalse activation rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary validation by detecting and analyzing the acceleration pattern before activating the measurement function. The control unit evaluates whether the detected acceleration matches the predetermined pattern for intentional probing, preventing false activation while maintaining ease of operation for legitimate use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses dynamic acceleration pattern recognition to distinguish between intentional probing actions and accidental movements. By analyzing the temporal and spatial characteristics of acceleration signals, the system adapts its activation threshold to differentiate between deliberate user actions and environmental disturbances, maintaining both ease of operation and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 automated, efficient, and documented voltage testing on electrical conductors, ensuring accurate detection and verification of voltage presence or absence, with integrated data logging and communication capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

voltage measuring unit with which the presence and/or absence of voltage in the electrical conductor can be detected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical pulse detection: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

position/acceleration sensor with which an acceleration pattern of a probing process of the voltage measuring unit on the electrical conductor can be detected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP4707818A2Voltage measuring device for testing a voltage on an electrical conductor and method for testing a voltage on an electrical conductor with a voltage measuring device
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 DEHN SOHNE GMBH CO KG
  • EP4707818A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4707818A2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4707818A2 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a voltage measuring device (1) for testing a voltage on an electrical conductor (EL), comprising a voltage measuring unit (3), a position/acceleration sensor (2), a control device (SE) with which the probing process with a predetermined acceleration pattern stored in the control device (SE) (and in combination with the electrical pulse detection, which occurs simultaneously and is logically linked with "and") is comparable for a successful probing and a successful probing is recognizable and/or exclusionable and, in the case of a successful probing, at least information about a voltage determined by the voltage measuring unit (3) in the electrical conductor (EL) can be generated; a storage device (SP) in which predetermined data about an acceleration pattern of the voltage measuring unit (3) can be stored or are stored; and a communication interface (4).wherein the communication interface (4) enables the transmission of at least one piece of information about a voltage determined by the voltage measuring unit (3) (and the information about a successful electrical probe) in the electrical conductor (EL) to an external receiver (E) via a wireless connection, wherein in an automated process, upon successful probe and a detected voltage in the electrical conductor (EL), at least one piece of information about the determined voltage can be transmitted via the communication interface (4), and time and/or position information about the detected voltage can be generated and stored in the storage device (SP) and/or transmitted via the communication interface (4). The voltage measuring device (1) can, in addition to or instead of the described probe process, have and perform a frequency detection function.where an automatic and frequency-dependent detection threshold setting can be implemented, and a message can be issued in case of frequency deviation, depending on the setting.