WO2008131497A1

WO2008131497A1 - An apparatus for sensing an electrical condition

Info

Publication number: WO2008131497A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000610
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Tarrant
Original assignee: Mark Tarrant
Priority date: 2007-05-01
Filing date: 2008-05-01
Publication date: 2008-11-06

Abstract

A hand tool (100) for sensing an electrical condition of an electrical component, the hand tool (100) including a head portion (110) being attached to a handling portion (120) of the hand tool (100), the head portion (110) including a sensor for sensing the electrical condition.

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR SENSING AN ELECTRICAL CONDITION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus, and in particular, an apparatus for sensing and/or determining an electrical condition associated with an electrical component.

Description of the Background Art

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Presently, numerous injuries and fatalities occur, as well as damage to electrical equipment, due to the handling of electrical components such as live wires, or the like, with an electrical tool.

Thus, for example, an electrician who is handling wires may not be aware that one of the wires is live, which can cause considerable harm. Accordingly, although the electrician may test wires prior to handling, it is often the case that the electrician may forget to test the wires or handle the wires having thought that it is safe to do so.

Accordingly, there is required an apparatus for use with/on an electrical component, which is able to sense an electrical condition, such as, in one example, a live wire.

The present invention seeks to substantially overcome, at least ameliorate one or more disadvantages of, or provide alternatives to existing arrangements. Summary of the Present Invention

In a first broad form, there is provided a hand tool for sensing an electrical condition of an electrical component, the hand tool including a head portion being attached to a handling portion of the hand tool, the head portion including a sensor for sensing the electrical condition.

According to one example, the head portion is a working end of the hand tool for working on the electrical component.

In a further example, the handling portion includes an indicator for alerting to the electrical condition.

According to yet another example, the handling portion includes a processing system, the processing system being configured to receive an indication of a presence of an electrical condition from the sensor; and, generate the alert.

According to a further aspect, the processing system includes any one or a combination of: a processing chip; and, an electrical circuit.

In another example, the sensor is an aerial, the aerial being able to sense an electrical current and/or voltage.

In accordance with another form, the handling portion includes a switch for activating the sensor.

According to yet a further example, the handling portion includes a power source.

In one example, the indicator is able to communicate with the processing system, such that the processing system is able to alert a user of the electrical condition.

In a further example, the alert generated includes any one or a combination of generating a sound; and, generating a light signal. In another aspect, the electrical condition can include any one or a combination of the electrical component is a live wire; and, the electrical component is generating a voltage between a voltage range.

In accordance with a further example, the apparatus is a pair or pliers, the handling portion being the handle of the pair of pliers.

In another example, the electrical component is a wire.

According to another example, the electrical condition is sensed when the head portion is placed in a closer proximity to the electrical component than the handling portion.

In another form, the hand tool is a pair or pliers, the handling portion being a handle portion of the pair of pliers.

According to a further aspect, the sensor forms a part of a voltage detector.

In a second broad form, there is provided a hand tool for sensing a presence of an electrical condition of an electrical component, the hand tool including:

(a) a working end for working on the electrical component, the working end including an aerial for sensing the electrical condition; and,

(a) a handling portion attached to the working end, the handling portion including an indicator,

wherein in the event that the aerial senses the electrical condition, the indicator is activated to alert to the presence of the electrical condition.

According to a third broad form, there is provided a pair of pliers, the pliers including a working end, and a handling portion attached to the working end, the handling portion being for handling the pair of pliers, wherein the working end includes an aerial for sensing an electrical condition.

According to a fourth broad form, there is provided a hand tool for sensing an electrical condition associated with an electrical component, the hand tool having: - a head portion, the head portion including a sensor for sensing the electrical condition; and,

- a handling portion attached to the head portion, the handling portion including an indicator for indicating the sensed electrical condition, and a processing system.

In a fifth broad form, there is provided an apparatus for sensing an electrical condition associated with an electrical component, the apparatus having:

- a head portion; and, a handling portion attached to the head portion, the handling portion being for handling of the apparatus,

wherein the head portion is configured to sense the electrical condition when the head portion is placed in a closer proximity to the electrical component than the handling portion.

In a sixth broad form, there is provided a device for sensing an electrical condition associated with an electrical component, the device forming a part of a hand tool, the hand tool having:

wherein the head portion includes at least a part of the device, the head portion being configured to sense the electrical condition.

In a seventh broad form, there is provided an apparatus for sensing an electrical condition associated with an electrical component, the apparatus having:

wherein the head portion is configured to sense the electrical condition.

It will be appreciated that the above forms and examples above can be taken individually or in combination. Brief Description of the Drawings

An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -

Figure IA is a schematic diagram of an example of an apparatus for sensing an electrical condition;

Figure IB is a schematic diagram of an example of an apparatus for sensing an electrical condition, being used to sense a live wire/cable;

Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of an example processing system that can be utilised to embody or give effect to a particular example; and, Figure 3 A is a schematic diagram of another example of an apparatus for sensing an electrical condition;

Figure 3B is a schematic diagram of the example apparatus of Figure 3A showing the power source which can be inserted into the apparatus;

Figure 3C is a schematic diagram of a side view of the example apparatus of Figure 3A; and, Figure 3D is a schematic diagram of the example apparatus of Figure 3 A in use.

Modes For Carrying Out The Invention

An example of an apparatus for sensing an electrical condition associated with an electrical component is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows an apparatus 100 having a head portion 110 and a handling portion 120. The apparatus 100 can generally be referred to as a hand tool and can be any form of hand tool such as a pair of pliers, screwdriver, wire cutter, scissors, wire stripper, or the like.

As shown in Figure 1, the head portion 110 can be configured to sense (by including a sensor or the like) an electrical condition associated with or of an electrical component 150 (as shown in Figure IB and as discussed further below).

Notably, in one particular example, the head portion can be a working end of the hand tool for working on the electrical component. Additionally, the sensor can be an aerial, where the aerial is able to sense an electrical current. The handling portion 120 is attached to the head portion 110, where the handling portion 120 can be used by a user to handle the apparatus 100. The handling portion 120 can include an indicator 130, which can be used to alert to the electrical condition. The alert generated can include any one or a combination of emitting a sound and/or a light signal, or the like.

In a further example, the handling portion 120 can also include a switch for activating the sensor of the head portion 110. However, it will be appreciated that the sensor can be formed such that it is constantly activated. Notably, the handling portion 120 can also include a power source.

Additionally, the handling portion can also include a processing system 140, so that the indicator 130 is able to communicate with the processing system 140, such that the processing system is able to alert a user of a particular electrical condition. It will be appreciated that the processing system can be configured to receive an indication of a presence of an electrical condition from the sensor, and generate the alert. An example, of a processing system is given below, however, it will be appreciated that this is an example only and that the processing system can include any form of a processing system, including but not limited to a processing chip and/or an electrical circuit.

Thus, the user can be alerted to a particular electrical condition such as the electrical component being a live wire and/or the electrical component generating a voltage between a certain voltage range. In one example, the electrical condition is sensed when the head portion 110 is placed in a closer proximity to the electrical component than the handling portion 120.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that a user can be alerted to the electrical condition in a variety of ways, including but not limited to having the apparatus generate a sound or a light signal, and in one further example, the apparatus may include a display (not shown), where the display can provide an indication to a user if there is an electrical condition present. For example, the display may be a text display which can have textual information in respect of the voltage and/or current range. In one particular example, the apparatus 100 is a pair of pliers (as shown in Figures IA and IB) and the handling portion 120 can act as the handle of the pair of pliers, where the pliers can sense a live wire 150.

Thus, in the examples as shown in Figures IA and IB, the pair of pliers 100 has built into the handle an indicator 130, which can detect voltage when the head 110 of the pliers goes near live cables 150. The apparatus 100 can then sound or light up to alert a user not to cut the wires 150. Accordingly, the device can be used whenever an electrician or home handyman is working near cables and electrical equipment.

Thus, the pliers 100 can have a power source 135 (such as batteries or the like) and a processing system 140 (which can be a computer chip) built into the handles 142 of the pliers

100. In this example, the head portion of the pliers 110 can act as a sensor, and can be an aerial or the like either forming part of the heard portion 110 or being connected to the head portion 110, where the sensor can be linked with the processing system 140. Furthermore, the batteries and the processing system can also be linked in order to light a buzzer or the like (such as, for example, an LED which lights up or flashes) or emit a sound (such as a beep, a buzz, or the like).

Accordingly, if the head of the pliers 110 is near live cables or electrical components then a light or sound will alert the user of the danger of electrical works that they were about to undertake and to take the appropriate measures to ensure their safety, or limit/reduce the chances of injury to a user.

In a further example, the voltage detecting pliers 100 can detect voltage over 60 volts, and the voltage detector (which can be the combination of the sensor and the indicator as well as the processing system) is permanently on (or activated) so that each time the pliers 100 are in use, the voltage detector 130 is able to determine whether or not, for example, an electrical cable is live or not. It will be appreciated that in the examples shown, the voltage detector forms an integral part of the pliers 100.

Persons skilled in the art would appreciate that any form of suitable processing system 140 may be used. An example is shown in Figure 3. In this example, the processing system 140 includes at least a processor 200, a memory 201, an input/output (I/O) device 202, such as a light or sound buzzers, or a display (which can display voltage information or information in respect of the status of the electrical component), and can also include an external interface 203, coupled together via a bus 204 as shown.

Further examples of an apparatus for sensing an electrical condition is shown in Figures 3A to 3D.

In particular, Figures 3 A to 3D show a hand tool 300 for sensing the presence of an electrical condition of/for an electrical component. The hand tool 300 includes a head portion 310 (which can also be referred to as a working end), for working on the electrical component. The working end 310 includes an aerial 315 for sensing the electrical condition.

The hand tool 300 also includes a handling portion 320 attached to the working end 310. The handling portion 320 includes an indicator 330 for indicating the presence of the electrical condition. In this example, the indicator 330 is a strip light which emits red light in order to alert a user of the presence of an electrical condition. Accordingly, in the event that the aerial 315 senses an electrical condition, the indicator 330 can be activated to alert to the presence of the electrical condition.

The hand tool 300 of Figures 3A to 3D also includes a power source 345, which in this example can be a battery or the like. The battery 345 is inserted into the handling portion 320 of the handle tool 300 via the base 325, which in this example, has a cap 328 that can be turned to be released from the base 325 so that the battery 345 can be inserted into the hand tool 300, and the cap 328 can be re-attached once the battery 345 has been inserted.

In this example, the hand tool 300 also includes a slide switch 350, which can be used to activate the aerial 315. It will be appreciated that although the slide switch 350 is shown to be located on one side of the handling portion 320, the switch 350 can be located anywhere on the hand tool 300. Furthermore, the switch 350 can be any form of a switch and does not necessarily have to be slide switch.

Notably, Figure 3D shows the hand tool 300 in use by a user 360. It will be appreciated, the apparatus for sensing an electrical condition described herein can be used to sense a variety of electrical conditions, and to generate a variety of respective indications. Thus for example, the apparatus may be used to sense a range of electrical conditions from "not dangerous" to "dangerous" and the alerts generated can be different so as they differentiate between the type of electrical condition. Accordingly, the apparatus could include a plurality of alert states (such as different colours or sounds), indicators, or the like.

It will also be appreciated that the apparatus described does not necessary have to be a pair of pliers can be any apparatus or tool which is used in the electrical/electronics industry. It will further be appreciated that the electrical condition is not limited to voltage detection. Thus, for example, the apparatus could be used to test the resistance of a resistor in an electrical circuit, the power of an electrical component, the current through an electrical component, or the like.

It will further be appreciated that the apparatus described can provide numerous advantages, including but not limited to providing a hand tool having an integrated device which can allow for the sensing, detection, and/or determining of an electrical condition. This can allow for a user of the hand tool to be protected when working on certain electrical components (such as live wires), or to ascertain the status of an electrical component (such as, for example, a voltage range or the like), thus allowing for a multi-function hand tool.

The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention, and modifications and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.

In the context of this specification, the word "comprising" means "including principally but not necessarily solely" or "having" or "including", and not "consisting only of. Variations of the word "comprising", such as "comprise" and "comprises" have correspondingly varied meanings.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A hand tool for sensing an electrical condition of an electrical component, the hand tool including a head portion being attached to a handling portion of the hand tool, the head portion including a sensor for sensing the electrical condition.

2. The hand tool of claim 1, wherein the head portion is a working end of the hand tool for working on the electrical component.

3. The hand tool of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the handling portion includes an indicator for alerting to the electrical condition.

4. The hand tool of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the handling portion includes a processing system, the processing system being configured to: (a) receive an indication of a presence of an electrical condition from the sensor; and,

(b) generate the alert.

5. The hand tool of claim 4, wherein the processing system includes any one or a combination of: (a) a processing chip; and,

(b) an electrical circuit.

6. The hand tool of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sensor is an aerial, the aerial being able to sense an electrical current and/or voltage.

7. The hand tool of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the handling portion includes a switch for activating the sensor.

8. The hand tool of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the handling portion includes a power source.

9. The hand tool of any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the alert generated includes any one or a combination of: (a) generating a sound; and,

(b) generating a light signal.

10. The hand tool of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the electrical condition can include any one or a combination of: (a) the electrical component is a live wire; and,

(b) the electrical component is generating a voltage between a voltage range.

11. The hand tool of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the electrical condition is sensed when the head portion is placed in a closer proximity to the electrical component than the handling portion.

12. The hand tool of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the hand tool is a pair or pliers, the handling portion being a handle portion of the pair of pliers.

13. The hand tool of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the sensor forms a part of a voltage detector.

14. A hand tool for sensing a presence of an electrical condition of an electrical component, the hand tool including: (a) a working end for working on the electrical component, the working end including an aerial for sensing the electrical condition; and,

(a) a handling portion attached to the working end, the handling portion including an indicator, wherein in the event that the aerial senses the electrical condition, the indicator is activated to alert to the presence of the electrical condition. ^

15. A pair of pliers, the pliers including a working end, and a handling portion attached to the working end, the handling portion being for handling the pair of pliers, wherein the working end includes an aerial for sensing an electrical condition.