Wearable Voltage Detection Device with Dissipative Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wearable voltage detection devices face challenges in accurately detecting active AC voltage sources due to electromagnetic interference and charge accumulation, which can lead to false alarms and reduced sensitivity, especially when designed to be thin and unobtrusive.
Innovation Solution
A wearable voltage detection device with a housing made of electrically dissipative materials, embedded antennas, signal processing circuitry, and a microprocessor that generates signals in response to electromagnetic radiation, processes these signals, and uses an electronic switch to reduce interference, allowing for passive detection of AC voltage sources within a range of 50 to 1000 VAC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the housing is made of highly electrically insulative material (such as silicone rubber), then the device provides good electrical isolation and safety, but electric charge accumulates on the housing interfering with voltage detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical property parameter of the housing material from highly insulative to electrically dissipative. The housing is made of material with electrical resistivity between 10^6 and 10^10 ohm-centimeters, which allows controlled charge dissipation while maintaining electrical isolation. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by enabling the housing to provide safety isolation while preventing charge accumulation that would interfere with voltage detection.
2Device complexity
If the alarm is generated near the sensor input element, then the device structure is compact and simple, but electromagnetic interference from the alarm couples into the sensor input element reducing detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alarm generation function from proximity to the sensor input element. The alarm is positioned away from the sensor, and an electronic switch is used to control alarm activation. This spatial separation prevents electromagnetic interference from coupling into the sensor input, resolving the contradiction between compact structure and detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an electronic switch to preliminarily control alarm activation based on detected voltage levels. The switch prevents alarm generation during conditions that would cause interference, allowing the alarm to be positioned closer to the sensor while maintaining detection accuracy through proactive interference prevention.
3Ease of operation
If the device is designed to be physically thin and low profile, then the device is comfortable to wear and unobtrusive, but the detection range and sensitivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical property parameters of the housing material to electrically dissipative characteristics with specific resistivity ranges. This allows the thin housing to maintain adequate charge dissipation capability while preserving wearability. The parameter optimization enables the device to remain thin and comfortable while achieving sufficient detection sensitivity through improved electrical charge management.
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
The device effectively detects active AC voltage sources with improved sensitivity and reduced interference, providing accurate alerts to the wearer while minimizing false alarms and enhancing detection range and directionality.
Implementation Method 1
at least one antenna embedded in the housing, the at least one antenna configured to generate a signal in response to exposure to electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
When the housing moves relative to a sensor or other electronics, or if the housing contacts another object, an electric charge may be accumulated on the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage detection device for detecting proximity to an active alternating current (AC) voltage source is provided. The device includes a housing, at least one antenna configured to generate a signal in response to exposure to electromagnetic radiation, signal processing circuitry configured to process the signal generated by the at least one antenna, a processing device embedded in the housing and communicatively coupled to the signal processing circuitry, the processing device configured to determine, from the processed signal, whether the voltage detection device is proximate to the active AC voltage source, and an electronic switch embedded in the housing and one of included within the processing device and communicatively coupled to the processing device, the electronic switch configured to reduce an impact of interference on detection of the active AC voltage source.