Washer Assembly Variable Capacitor Wireless Joint Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring the tightness of electrical joints are time-consuming and hazardous, especially in systems with numerous joints or those that are difficult to access, and can lead to conductivity issues and overheating due to loose fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A washer assembly incorporating a variable capacitor and a wireless transponder unit that senses capacitance changes caused by the fastener's force, allowing for wireless communication with a reader unit to determine proper joint tightness without direct human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a technician manually verifies electrical joint tightness, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The joint tightness monitoring system performs self-verification through wireless communication between the washer assembly sensor and reader unit, eliminating the need for technician intervention while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical verification with an automated sensor-based system that uses variable capacitor technology and wireless communication to detect and report joint tightness status
2Measurement precision
If a technician manually verifies electrical joint tightness, then measurement precision is improved, but safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system performs self-verification through wireless communication between the washer assembly sensor and reader unit, eliminating technician exposure to electrical hazards while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless communication as an intermediary between the sensor on the washer assembly and the reader unit, allowing joint tightness verification without direct technician contact with energized components
3Measurement precision
If numerous electrical joints are monitored manually, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Each washer assembly performs self-verification and transmits status wirelessly, enabling simultaneous monitoring of multiple joints without sequential technician intervention, thus improving productivity while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system uses a universal wireless communication protocol that can interface with multiple washer assemblies simultaneously, allowing batch verification of numerous joints through a single reader unit
4Measurement precision
If difficult-to-reach electrical joints are monitored manually, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses wireless communication as an intermediary to transmit joint tightness data from difficult-to-reach locations to a remotely accessible reader unit, maintaining measurement precision while improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual physical access to difficult-to-reach joints with automated sensors embedded in the washer assembly that transmit data wirelessly to a remote reader unit
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 efficient and safe monitoring of electrical joint tightness, reducing technician time and exposure to hazards by wirelessly assessing capacitance changes to determine if joints are properly tightened, thereby preventing conductivity issues and overheating.
Implementation Method 1
a variable capacitor having a capacitance based on an amount of force applied thereto by the fastener
Implementation Method 2
output the information to a wireless reader unit via the antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A washer assembly is for use with a fastener. The washer assembly includes a first conductive portion, a second conductive portion, and an insulating portion disposed between the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion. The first conductive portion, the second conductive portion, and the insulating portion form a variable capacitor having a capacitance based on an amount of force applied thereto by the fastener. A wireless transponder unit includes a control unit electrically connected to the variable capacitor and an antenna electrically connected to the control unit. The control unit is configured to sense the capacitance of the variable capacitor, to generate information representing the capacitance, and to output the information to a wireless reader unit via the antenna.