Wearable Electric Field Detector for Horizontal Hard Hat Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable electric field detectors lose sensitivity and accuracy when not worn in a vertical position, limiting their effectiveness in detecting high-voltage conductors.
Innovation Solution
A wearable electric field detector designed to be clipped to a hard hat or clothing in a horizontal orientation, featuring a spring-loaded clip and components that maintain functionality regardless of orientation, including antennas for directionality, LEDs for field strength indication, and an audio output for proximity alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the detector is designed to be worn in a vertical position only, then it can maintain proper sensitivity and accuracy, but it loses effectiveness when worn in other orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The detector incorporates a dynamically adjustable antenna system that can reorient itself based on the device's current orientation. The antenna assembly includes movable elements that automatically adjust their angular position to maintain optimal alignment with electric field sources, regardless of whether the detector is worn vertically, horizontally, or at any intermediate angle on the worker's hard hat or clothing.
Solution Approach 2:
The detector employs electronic parameter adjustment mechanisms that modify operational characteristics based on detected orientation. Sensors monitor the device's angular position and trigger microprocessor-controlled adjustments to antenna impedance, signal amplification gain, and filtering parameters, thereby maintaining measurement precision across varying wearing orientations without requiring the user to consciously adjust settings.
2Ease of operation
If the detector is made portable and wearable, then it provides convenience and safety to workers, but it must maintain functionality across various orientations rather than a fixed position
Solution Approach 1:
The detector incorporates a dynamically adjustable antenna system that can reorient itself based on the device's current orientation. The antenna assembly includes movable elements that automatically adjust their angular position to maintain optimal alignment with electric field sources, regardless of whether the detector is worn vertically, horizontally, or at any intermediate angle on the worker's hard hat or clothing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs orientation sensors that continuously monitor the detector's angular position and provide feedback to a control mechanism. This feedback loop enables automatic compensation for orientation changes by adjusting antenna positioning or electronic parameters, ensuring reliable detection performance whether the device is worn on a hard hat, clipped to clothing, or carried in any other portable configuration.
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 reliable detection and directional warning of high-voltage conductors in various orientations, ensuring safety and convenience for utility workers by maintaining sensitivity and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a processor, and an antenna operatively coupled to the processor. The antenna is configured to detect a presence of an electric field
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable electric field detector is configured to detect an electric field generated by a high-voltage electrical source in an environment, and includes a housing providing a cavity in which electrical components are provided, an indicator operatively coupled to the electrical components and configured to provide an alert to the wearer indicative of a strength of a detected electric field, and a spring-biased clip coupled to the housing by a pivotal connection. The clip includes a first arm section which overlays a top wall of the housing, and a second arm section which overlays a front wall of the housing. At least one pin is mounted within a bore in the housing, and a spring within the bore biases the pin outward from the housing and into contact with the second arm section of the clip.