Wireless Node Internal Force Sensor Sealed Enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high costs associated with deploying wireless sensor networks for industrial equipment data collection and transmission, particularly in remote locations with limited cellular reception, make existing solutions uneconomical due to infrastructure and ongoing operational expenses.
Innovation Solution
A wireless instrument area network node and method that eliminates the need for external buttons and screens by using an internal force sensor to initiate operations, allowing for automated data collection and analysis through a walk-in device that communicates with industrial equipment using Bluetooth, WiFi, or Zigbee, and processes data for maintenance recommendations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external buttons and screens are provided on the node surface for user interaction, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential intrusion of fluids, gases, or other unwanted substances into the node
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes external buttons and screens from the node surface, extracting the interaction interface from the sealed housing. User interaction is enabled through wireless communication (Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee) between a walk-in device and the node's internal circuitry, eliminating physical openings that would compromise the sealed enclosure and allow fluid intrusion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication infrastructure is deployed in remote locations with limited cellular reception, then data transmission capability is improved, but cost deteriorates due to infrastructure建设和ongoing operational expenses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs low-cost, short-range wireless communication technologies (Bluetooth Low Energy, WiFi, Zigbee) that do not require expensive cellular infrastructure. These communication protocols enable data transmission using existing consumer-grade infrastructure or ad-hoc peer-to-peer communication, eliminating the need for costly cellular towers and ongoing service subscriptions in remote locations.
3Device complexity
If manual data collection by staff is used instead of automated sensor networks, then operational expense is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming manual processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated sensor nodes that autonomously collect, process, and transmit data without requiring manual intervention. The nodes self-monitor environmental parameters, self-communicate with walk-in devices when detected, and self-transmit data wirelessly, eliminating the need for staff to manually collect data while maintaining high productivity through continuous automated operation.
4Reliability
If the node housing is made completely sealed to prevent fluid intrusion, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates as user interaction becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical interaction interfaces (buttons, switches, physical ports) with wireless communication mechanisms. User commands and data are transmitted electromagnetically through air using Bluetooth, WiFi, or Zigbee protocols, eliminating the need for physical openings in the sealed housing while maintaining full operational capability through contactless interaction.
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
This solution reduces operational expenses by enabling secure, automated data collection and analysis, minimizing the need for external infrastructure and ongoing costs, while ensuring data integrity and accuracy through secure, low-range wireless communication.
Implementation Method 1
a deflection detector on the base plate within the housing, the deflection detector configured to provide an input to the node control circuitry in response to a user-provided force being applied to the housing
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless instrument area network node employs an internal force sensor arrangement to detect user-provided force on the node and initiate a node operation, such as wake the node from a sleep state or low power mode to a more power-hungry awake and processing state. The internal force sensor avoids the need to provide external buttons, a screen, and the like on the surface of the node that could lead to intrusion of fluids, gases, or other unwanted substances into the node. In some embodiments, the internal sensor may include a microswitch that has sufficient sensitivity to detect even a very small amount of deflection resulting from, for example, a hand touch. In some embodiments, the internal sensor may include a piezoelectric sensor that has similarly high deflection sensitivity. Multiple such deflection detectors may be at different angles to one another deployed to provide greater directional coverage for the deflection.