Electrical safety devices and apparatus for blocking the flow of electric current based on temperature detection.

Abstract

An electrical safety device operates in conjunction with an electrical assembly to perform a safety method. The electrical assembly comprises one or more of an electrical cable, an electrical socket, or an electrical plug. The electrical safety device collects at least one temperature reading from one or more parts of the electrical assembly and blocks the flow of current through the electrical assembly if one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion. In one embodiment, the electrical assembly is an extension cable. In another embodiment, the electrical assembly is an electrical wall outlet. In yet another embodiment, the electrical assembly is an electric device. In yet another embodiment, the electrical assembly is an electrical socket adapter device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 463,906, filed on May 4, 2023, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to electrical devices and apparatuses, and more particularly, to safety devices and apparatuses that detect temperature increases in electrical components and block the flow of current in response to the detected temperature increases.

Background Art

[0003] Electrical assemblies are used to transfer power from a power source, typically a mains power supply, to a device of interest. Examples of electrical assemblies include electrical extension cords, electrical devices powered by a mains power supply (such as DC charging devices and electronic devices), and electrical wall outlets. Components of an electrical assembly can include electrical cables and / or wire assemblies, electrical plugs, and electrical sockets. These components can malfunction, for example, due to loose electrical contacts, loose wiring, or exposed wiring, which can cause an increase in current or an unintended flow, leading to an increase in the temperature of the components and ultimately potentially causing an electrical fire.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The subject matter of this disclosure, also referred to herein as disclosure, includes safety devices and equipment for detecting temperature rises in components of electrical assemblies, such as electrical plugs, electrical sockets, and electrical cables having wire assemblies, and for blocking the flow of current to or through some or all of the components of the electrical assembly in response to the detected temperature rise. In some exemplary embodiments, the detection of the temperature rise is performed by a thermal switch having a thermal sensor arrangement which may be configured to be normally open or normally closed. In such embodiments, the operation of the thermal switch can block the flow of current by creating a short circuit or an open circuit in response to the detected temperature rise. The electrical assembly may include electrical contacts or wiring that are directly or indirectly connected to a mains wall outlet, and in some exemplary embodiments, the short circuit or open circuit achieved by the thermal switch can cause the blocking of the flow of current in all circuits connected to the mains wall outlet, which have associated circuit breakers housed in a circuit breaker box that also houses the circuit breakers associated with the mains wall outlet.

[0005] A safety device is provided by teaching embodiments of the present disclosure. The safety device comprises an electrical assembly including an electrical cable for conducting electric current, an electrical plug electrically connected to a first portion of the electrical cable for coupling to a mains power source to provide a flow of current from a mains power source through the electrical cable, and at least one electrical socket electrically connected to a second portion of the electrical cable for receiving current through the electrical cable; and an electrical safety device coupled to the electrical assembly, which collects at least one temperature reading from one or more portions of the electrical assembly and is configured to block the flow of current through the electrical cable if one or more of the collected at least one temperature readings meet a threshold criterion.

[0006] Optionally, electrical safety devices are integrated with the electrical assembly.

[0007] Optionally, electrical safety devices are mounted on the electrical assembly.

[0008] Optionally, an electrical safety device may be placed in at least one electrical socket.

[0009] Optionally, an electrical safety device may be placed in the electrical plug.

[0010] Optionally, the electrical safety device may be placed in or on a portion of the electrical cable.

[0011] Optionally, an electrical safety device may block the flow of current to all circuits connected to the mains power supply when one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion.

[0012] Optionally, an electrical safety device may, when one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, trigger a residual current device electrically connected to the mains power supply, thereby disconnecting all circuits from the mains power supply and blocking the flow of current to all circuits connected to the mains power supply.

[0013] Optionally, electrical safety devices include a thermal cutoff that is electrically connected to the electrical assembly.

[0014] Optionally, the thermal cutoff is a thermal switch configured to operate in a normally open configuration.

[0015] Optionally, a thermal switch is electrically coupled to the zero and ground elements of an electrical assembly, and when one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes, creating a short circuit between the zero and ground elements, thereby preventing a residual current device electrically connected to the mains power supply from flowing current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

[0016] Optionally, a thermal cutoff is a thermal switch configured to operate in a normally closed configuration, where the thermal switch is connected to the zero element of the electrical assembly.

[0017] Optionally, when one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, the thermal switch opens, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero element.

[0018] Optionally, the thermal cutoff is a thermal fuse.

[0019] Furthermore, the teaching of embodiments of the present disclosure provides a safety device. The safety device comprises an electrical assembly, the electrical assembly comprising a wiring assembly, the wiring assembly comprising one or more wires for conducting current, an electrical plug electrically connected to a first part of the wiring assembly and electrically coupled to a mains power supply to provide a flow of current from a mains power supply through the wiring assembly, and at least one electrical output component electrically connected to a second part of the wiring assembly to receive current through the wiring assembly; and an electrical safety device coupled to the electrical assembly, the electrical safety device being configured to collect at least one temperature reading from one or more parts of the electrical assembly and to block the flow of current through the wiring assembly if one or more of the collected at least one temperature readings meet a threshold criterion.

[0020] Optionally, an electrical assembly is an electric device.

[0021] Optionally, at least one electrical output component includes at least one electrical socket.

[0022] Optionally, at least one electrical output component includes a DC output.

[0023] Optionally, if one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, the electrical safety device will block the flow of current to all circuits connected to the mains power supply.

[0024] Optionally, an electrical safety device may, when one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, trigger a residual current device electrically connected to the mains power supply, thereby disconnecting all circuits from the mains power supply and blocking the flow of current to all circuits connected to the mains power supply.

[0025] Optionally, the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch, which is electrically coupled to the zero and ground elements of an electrical assembly and configured to operate in a normally open configuration, wherein when one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes, creating a short circuit between the zero and ground elements, so that a residual current device electrically connected to the mains power supply prevents the flow of current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

[0026] Optionally, the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch, which is configured to operate in a normally closed configuration connected to the zero element of an electrical assembly, and which opens when one or more of the at least one collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero element.

[0027] Also, in accordance with the teachings of embodiments of the present disclosure, a safety device is provided. The safety device is a socket adapter device, comprising an electrical plug electrically coupled to a main power source to receive current from the main power source, at least one electrical socket, and an electrical connection arrangement providing an electrical connection between the electrical plug and the at least one socket; and an electrical safety device coupled to the socket adapter device, the electrical safety device collecting at least one temperature reading from one or more parts of the socket adapter device, and blocking the flow of current to the at least one electrical socket when one or more of the at least one collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion.

[0028] Optionally, the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch electrically coupled to the zero and ground elements of the socket adapter device and configured to operate in a normally open configuration, and when one or more of the at least one collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes to create a short circuit between the zero and ground elements so that a residual current device electrically connected to the main power source blocks the flow of current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

[0029] Optionally, the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch configured to operate in a normally closed configuration where the thermal switch is connected to the zero element of the socket adapter device, and when one or more of the at least one collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, the thermal switch opens, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero element.

[0030] Also, in accordance with the teachings of embodiments of the present disclosure, a safety device is provided. The safety device is an electrical socket assembly, which includes a back box, an electrical wiring assembly housed within the back box and including one or more wirings configured to be electrically connected to a main power supply and conduct current from the main power supply, and a faceplate attached to the back box and including an electrical receptacle electrically connected to the electrical wiring assembly. The electrical receptacle is configured to receive an electrical plug and, when the electrical plug is received in the receptacle, is configured to transmit current from the main power supply through the electrical wiring assembly. The safety device further includes an electrical safety device coupled to the electrical wiring assembly, which collects at least one temperature reading from one or more parts of the electrical wiring assembly and, when one or more of the collected at least one temperature reading meets a threshold criterion, blocks the flow of current through the electrical wiring assembly.

[0031] Optionally, when one or more of the collected at least one temperature reading meets a threshold criterion, the electrical safety device blocks the flow of current to all circuits connected to the main power supply.

[0032] Optionally, when one or more of the collected at least one temperature reading meets a threshold criterion, the electrical safety device triggers a residual current device electrically connected to the main power supply to disconnect all circuits from the main power supply, thereby blocking the flow of current to all circuits connected to the power supply.

[0033] Optionally, the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch configured to operate in a normally open configuration, electrically coupled to the zero and ground elements of an electrical socket assembly, wherein when one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes, creating a short circuit between the zero and ground elements, thereby preventing a residual current device electrically connected to the mains power supply from flowing current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

[0034] Optionally, the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch, which is configured to operate in a normally closed configuration connected to the zero element of an electrical socket assembly, and which opens when one or more of the at least one collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero element.

[0035] Furthermore, an electrical safety device is provided for electrically connecting to an electrical wiring assembly electrically connected to a mains power supply in order to conduct current from a mains power supply, wherein the electrical wiring assembly has a plurality of insulated electrical wires, including a first insulated electrical wire which is a zero wire and a second insulated electrical wire which is a live wire. The electrical safety device comprises a thermal cutoff including at least one temperature sensor configured to sense temperature, and a pin assembly electrically connected to the thermal cutoff, wherein the pin assembly includes a first pin and a second pin, the first pin being configured to penetrate the insulating material of the first insulated electrical wire and bring the conductive material of the first insulated electrical wire into contact at a first contact point, wherein the electrical safety device is configured to collect at least one temperature reading from one or more portions of the electrical wiring assembly near the first contact point, and to block the flow of current through the electrical wiring assembly if one or more of the collected at least one temperature readings meet a threshold criterion.

[0036] Optionally, if one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, the electrical safety device will block the flow of current to all circuits connected to the mains power supply.

[0037] Optionally, an electrical safety device may, when one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, trigger a residual current device electrically connected to the mains power supply, thereby disconnecting all circuits from the mains power supply and blocking the flow of current to all circuits connected to the mains power supply.

[0038] Optionally, the multiple insulated electrical wires include a third insulated electrical wire which is a ground wire, and the second pin is configured to penetrate the insulating material of the third insulated electrical wire and make contact with the conductive material of the third insulated electrical wire at a second contact point, and the thermal cutoff is a thermal switch configured to operate in a normally open configuration, and when one or more of the at least one temperature readings collected meet a threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes and creates a short circuit between the zero line and the ground wire so that a residual current device electrically connected to the mains power supply blocks the flow of current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

[0039] Optionally, the thermal cutoff is a thermal switch configured to operate in a normally closed configuration connected to the zero line of an electrical socket, wherein the thermal switch opens when one or more of the at least one temperature readings collected meet a threshold criterion, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero line.

[0040] Furthermore, the teaching of embodiments of the present disclosure also provides a safety method for being implemented on an electrical assembly including one or more electrical cables, electrical sockets, or electrical plugs. The safety method includes the steps of: collecting at least one temperature reading from one or more parts of the electrical assembly using an electrical safety device; and, if one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, blocking the flow of current through the electrical assembly using the electrical safety device.

[0041] Unless otherwise defined herein, all technical and / or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those understood by those skilled in the art in which this disclosure pertains. Similar or equivalent methods and materials may be used to carry out or to test the examples of this disclosure, but exemplary methods and / or materials are described below. In case of any conflict, this specification, including definitions, shall prevail. Furthermore, materials, methods, and examples are merely illustrative and not necessarily intended to be limiting. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0042] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein only as examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With regard to specific references to detailed drawings, it is emphasized that the details shown are, for illustrative purposes, for the purpose of illustrating the embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, the description, together with the drawings, will be evident to those skilled in the art how the embodiments of the present disclosure may be carried out.

[0043] Now, let's look at the drawing, where similar reference numbers or letters indicate corresponding components or similar components.

[0044] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a safety device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which includes an electrical assembly implemented as an extension cable and an electrical safety device integrated into a portion of the extension cable. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical plug of the electrical assembly shown in Figure 1, illustrating the arrangement of electrical safety devices within the electrical plug. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an electrical safety device implemented as a normally-open thermal switch, conceptually illustrating the coupling between the electrical safety device and the zero element and grounding element of the electrical assembly according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an electrical assembly in which an electrical safety device is connected to the main power supply, one or more circuits are similarly connected to the main power supply via a residual current device, and a transceiver device is further connected to the electrical safety device. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic representation of an electrical safety device, similar to that in Figure 3 but implemented as a normally closed thermal switch, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, conceptually illustrating the coupling between the electrical safety device and the zero element of the electrical assembly. [Figure 6A] Figure 6A is a front view illustrating a schematic representation of the electrical plug of the electrical assembly in Figure 1, showing the electrical plug with the cover and prongs removed, and illustrating the coupling of the electrical safety device with the zero and ground elements of the electrical assembly within the electrical plug. [Figure 6B] Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view of an electrical plug in an electrical assembly similar to that in Figure 1, showing the electrical safety device within the electrical plug and the electrical contacts corresponding to the prongs of the electrical plug, and is a front view illustrating a schematic representation of the electrical plug of the electrical assembly in Figure 1, showing the electrical plug with the cover and prongs removed, and showing the coupling between the electrical safety device and the zero and ground elements of the electrical assembly within the electrical plug. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic representation of a safety device having an electrical assembly implemented as an extension cable reel and an electrical safety device integrated into a portion of the extension cable reel, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8]Figure 8 is a perspective view of the safety device as seen from the electrical plug side of the safety device, and in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the electrical assembly is implemented as a socket adapter device having an electrical plug and a pair of electrical sockets, and the electrical safety device is integrated into one or more parts of the socket adapter device. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the safety device shown in Figure 1, as seen from the electrical socket side of the safety device. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the safety device shown in Figures 8 and 9, illustrating the electrical contacts of the electrical plug and electrical socket of the socket adapter device, as well as the placement of a pair of electrical safety devices. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is an exploded view of the safety devices of Figures 8 and 9, showing the electrical safety device and the electrical connection arrangement that provides an electrical connection between the common elements of the electrical plug and the electrical socket of the socket adapter device. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a front view illustrating a schematic representation of a safety device, in which, according to the embodiment of this disclosure, an electric wall socket assembly and an electric safety device are coupled to the electrical wiring assembly of the electric wall socket assembly. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a plan view illustrating a schematic representation of an electrical safety device, which, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, comprises a housing and a pair of electrical contacts having associated pins for penetrating the insulating material of insulated electrical wiring of an electrical assembly. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0045] This disclosure includes safety devices and equipment that detect temperature rises in components of an electrical assembly, such as electrical plugs, electrical sockets, and electrical cables, and in response to the detected temperature rises, block the flow of current to or through some or all of the components of the electrical assembly.

[0046] The principles and operation of the safety devices and apparatus described herein can be better understood by referring to the drawings accompanying this specification.

[0047] Embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to the use of various types of electrical assemblies and are particularly valuable when used with electrical assemblies used in homes, businesses, schools, or any other structure that have one or more electrical outlets (sockets) that output electricity (voltage and current) from mains via a connection to a power grid. The various types of electrical assemblies for which embodiments of the present disclosure may be advantageously used are typically smaller-scale electrical assemblies, as opposed to large-scale or industrial-type assemblies such as power generation equipment that distributes power to a power grid. Examples of electrical assemblies for which embodiments of the present disclosure may be advantageously used include, but are not limited to, electrical extension cable assemblies having an electrical cable connected to an electrical plug and one or more electrical sockets, electrical wall outlets, electrical devices having an electrical cable connected to an electrical plug and a DC output, and electrical equipment having an electrical cable and an electrical plug, wherein the electrical cable has an electrical plug or electrical socket at one end and wiring at the other end.

[0048] In the context of this specification, a mains power outlet (also called a “mains voltage power wall outlet,” “wall outlet,” or “wall socket”) is a fixed, stationary mains power source that outputs mains power (electricity, i.e., voltage and current) via a connection to the power grid.

[0049] In the context of this disclosure, “mains power” (also referred to as “main voltage power”) refers to a power source that supplies mains power (electricity, i.e., voltage and current), typically at least 100 volts AC, through a connection to the power grid. As used in the context of this disclosure, “mains power outlet” (also referred to as “main voltage power wall outlet,” “wall outlet,” or “wall socket”) refers to a stationary, fixed mains power source that outputs mains power (electricity, i.e., voltage and current), often on the interior and exterior walls of a building. For example, wall outlets in the United States typically supply power in the range of 100–120 volts AC, while wall outlets in Europe typically supply power in the range of 220–240 volts AC.

[0050] Before describing in detail at least one embodiment of this disclosure, it should be understood that, at the time of its application, this disclosure is not necessarily limited to the details of configuration and arrangement of components and / or methods revealed in the following description and / or illustrated in the drawings and / or examples. Other embodiments of this disclosure are possible and can be carried out or implemented in various ways.

[0051] Referring to the drawings in general, Figures 1–13 illustrate electrical safety devices and apparatus, as well as their associated components, according to embodiments of the present disclosure. According to one set of embodiments, an electrical safety device is electrically coupled to an electrical assembly to form a safety device. In one embodiment, the electrical safety device may be integrated with a part of the electrical assembly, while in another embodiment, the electrical safety device may be attached to a part of the electrical assembly by making contact with one or more wires of the electrical assembly and sealing the contact area with an adhesive electrical insulator. As will be considered in further detail below, the electrical assembly can take various forms. In one set of exemplary embodiments, the electrical assembly includes an electrical cable (having one or more wires) that conducts electric current, to which an electrical plug is electrically connected at a first part (or end), the electrical plug is configured to be electrically coupled to a mains power source (e.g., via a plug into a wall outlet), and to which at a second part (or end) it is connected to at least one electrical output component (e.g., a socket / outlet, a motorized device, etc.). Some non-limiting examples of implementations of the electrical assembly according to such embodiments include extension cables and power strips. In other embodiments, the electrical assembly is a device powered by a mains power supply, such as a lamp, a DC charging device (e.g., a mobile phone charger), an electronic device (e.g., a desktop computer, a television, etc.), or an electronic device (e.g., a refrigerator, an oven, a microwave oven, a toaster, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a dryer, etc.). In another set of exemplary embodiments, the electrical assembly may be a socket adapter, which may be a multi-socket adapter having an electrical plug configured to be electrically coupled to a mains power supply, and one or more electrical sockets electrically connected to the electrical plug via an electrical connection arrangement which may be electrical contacts, one or more busbars, or a set of wiring. According to another set of embodiments, the electrical safety device is integrated into or connected to an electrical outlet of the mains power supply to form a safety device in the form of a safety wall outlet.

[0052] Referring particularly to Figure 1, a safety device, collectively designated (10), is shown according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure. The safety device (10) includes an electrical assembly (30) in which an electrical safety device is integrated (represented in Figure 1 as a dashed rectangle (20) to show that the electrical safety device is integrated into part of the electrical assembly (30)). The electrical assembly (30), represented here as an extension cable assembly, includes an elongated electrical cable (32) for conducting power (including current), an electrical plug (i.e., an AC plug) (36) electrically connected at a first portion (first end) of the electrical cable (32), and an electrical socket (i.e., an outlet) (40) electrically connected at a second portion (second end) opposite to the first portion of the electrical cable (32). The electrical plug (36) is electrically coupled to a mains power source (for example, by insertion into a wall outlet / not shown in Figure 1) to provide a flow of current from the mains power source through an electrical cable (32), thereby configuring the electrical socket (40) to accept current (power) from the mains power source through the electrical cable (32).

[0053] The electrical plug (36) comprises a plug body (37) having a number of prongs (also called "pins") extending therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, there are three prongs, including a neutral prong (38a) (also called the "zero" prong), a grounding prong (38b) (also called the "earth" prong), and a hot prong (38c) (also called the "active" prong).

[0054] The electrical cable (32) contains multiple electrical wires, which are typically insulated electrical wiring with a protective cable sheath. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, each segment of the electrical wiring is represented by a dashed line to indicate that the electrical wiring is inside the cable (32). In the illustrated embodiment, there are three electrical wires, including a neutral wire (34a) (also called the “zero” wire), a ground wire (34b) (also called the “earth” wire), and a hot wire (34c) (also called the “live” wire). Although only one section of the electrical wiring (34a), (34b), and (34c) is shown in the figure, it will be understood that the electrical wiring (34a), (34b), and (34c) run along the length of the electrical cable 32 and connect the electrical plug (32) to the electrical socket (40), as will be described below.

[0055] The zero wire (34a) is electrically connected to the zero pin (38a), the ground wire (34b) is electrically connected to the ground pin (38b), and the live wire (34c) is electrically connected to the live pin (38c).

[0056] The electrical socket (40) is a receptacle for receiving an electrical plug of a corresponding shape (e.g., another extension cable or plug for an electric device) and comprises several electrical contacts, shown in Figure 1 as openings (42a), (42b), and (42c) within the socket body (41). In the illustrated embodiment, there are three electrical contacts, including a neutral contact (42a) (also called the “zero” contact), a ground contact (42b) (also called the “earth” contact), and a hot contact (42c) (also called the “live” contact). The zero wire (34a) is electrically connected to the zero contact (42a), the ground wire (34b) is electrically connected to the ground contact (42b), and the live wire (34c) is electrically connected to the live contact (42c). This electrical connection provides an electrical connection between the electrical socket (40) and the electrical plug (36), thereby providing a path for the flow of current from the mains power source to the electrical socket (40) via the electrical cable (32).

[0057] As described below, in one embodiment, the electrical safety device (20) includes a thermal cutoff and a set of electrical contacts and is electrically coupled to one or more parts of the electrical assembly (30), in particular via the electrical contacts, to a zero element and optionally to a ground element. The thermal cutoff includes a thermal sensing arrangement, which includes one or more thermal sensors, and it collects at least one temperature reading from one or more parts of the electrical assembly (30). If one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion (e.g., 40 degrees Celsius or higher), the electrical safety device (20) operates to block the flow of current through the electrical cable (32) and, preferably, to block the flow of current to all circuits connected to the mains power supply to which the electrical assembly (30) is coupled. As described below, in one embodiment, the prevention of the flow of current is achieved by the thermal cutoff creating a short circuit between the zero element and the ground element, while in other embodiments, the flow of current is achieved by the thermal cutoff creating an open circuit by disconnecting from the zero element.

[0058] In one non-limiting configuration, the electrical safety device (20) is located (i.e., integrated) in an electrical socket (40). In another non-limiting configuration, the electrical safety device (20) is located (i.e., integrated) in an electrical cable (32). In yet another non-limiting configuration, the electrical safety device (20) is located (i.e., integrated) in an electrical plug (36). The electrical coupling of the electrical safety device (20) with the electrical assembly (30) depends on the location configuration but generally involves electrically connecting the electrical safety device (20) to the zero element of the electrical assembly (30) (either a zero wire (34a), a zero prong (38a), or a zero contact (42a)) and, optionally, to the corresponding earth element (either an earth wire (34b), an earth prong (38b), or an earth contact (42b)). In embodiments where the electrical safety device (20) is positioned in an electrical cable (32), the placement locations can be selected such that the electrical safety device (20) is positioned at identified critical fault points or at multiple points along the length of the electrical cable (32). A point may be considered a critical fault point if its temperature rises more rapidly or tends to rise to a higher absolute temperature compared to other points along the electrical cable (32).

[0059] Following the reference to Figure 1, attention is also drawn to Figures 2 and 3, which help illustrate one non-limiting arrangement configuration example in which an electrical safety device (20) is coupled with an electrical socket (40). More specifically, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical socket (40) described in Figure 1, showing the electrical safety device (20) arranged (i.e., integrated) in the electrical socket (40). Here, the electrical safety device (20) is implemented as a thermal cutoff having a housing (22) that has or houses a thermal sensing arrangement (one or more thermal sensors, schematically represented as (23) in Figure 3) and is coupled to a pair of electrical contacts (24) and (26). Figure 3 is a representation of an electrical safety device (20) integrated into an electrical socket (40), which schematically shows the coupling of the thermal cutoff (20) to the zero and ground elements via thermal sensors (multiple) (23) and electrical contacts (24) and (26), and also schematically and conceptually shows the switching function of the thermal cutoff (20) via a switching element of the thermal cutoff (20), schematically represented in the drawing as a switching element (21). In Figure 3, the electrical safety device (20) is shown as being electrically coupled to the zero and ground elements of an electrical assembly (30), schematically represented in the figure as the zero contact (42a) and ground contact (42b) portions of the electrical socket (40). These portions of the zero contact (42a) and ground contact (42b) can be located inside the socket (40), for example, inside the socket body (41) (Figures 1 and 2). The first electrical contact (24) is electrically connected to the zero contact (42a), and the second electrical contact (26) is electrically connected to the ground contact (42b). Note that the electrical connections between the electrical contacts (24) and (26) and their respective zero contact and ground elements can also be made, for example, by connecting the electrical contacts (24) and (26) to portions of the wiring (34a) and (34c) that connect to the electrical contacts (42a) and (42c). These portions of the wiring (34a) and (34c) are located inside the socket (40) inside the housing of the socket (40).

[0060] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the thermal cutoff (20) is implemented as a thermal switch configured to operate in a normally open configuration, thereby the switch element (21) is nominally connected only to the zero element of the electrical assembly (30). This configuration is ideal for use in situations where the electrical plug (36) and electrical cable (32) include an earth element (earth prong (38b) and earth wire (34b)). Thus, when the thermal sensor(s)(23) of the thermal cutoff (switch) (20) senses that the temperature of the electrical cable (32) exceeds a threshold (i.e., meets a temperature threshold criterion), the thermal cutoff (20) closes (conceptually understood as the switch element (21) closing between contacts (24) and (26) and connecting to the earth element), creating a short circuit between the zero contact (42a) and the earth contact (42b). This short circuit prevents the flow of current through the electrical cable (32), and more specifically, prevents the flow of current from the main power supply to the socket (40). By preventing the flow of current, the risk of electrical fire caused by the temperature rise of the electrical components in the electrical assembly (30) is significantly reduced, if not completely eliminated.

[0061] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, and also to Figure 4, Figure 4 schematically illustrates a mains power source (50) (e.g., a wall outlet) to which an electrical assembly (30) is electrically coupled. In many situations, the mains power source (50) is electrically connected to a residual current device (52), which may be located, for example, in a circuit breaker box, and is also electrically connected to one or more other electrical circuits (54) (often all or most of the circuits in the building or structure where the power source is located). In such situations, residual current (or leakage) resulting from a short circuit caused by the closing of a thermal cutoff (20) trips (or triggers) the residual current device (52), blocking the flow of current to all circuits (54) connected to the residual current device (52). This interruption of current to all circuits, performed by the thermal cutoff (20) and the residual current device (52), adds another layer of fire protection. Figure 4 also schematically shows an electrical safety device (20) connected to an electrical assembly (30) and a transceiver device (70) that can be used to send alert notifications over one or more networks according to a non-limiting embodiment, as described in later sections of this specification.

[0062] It should be noted that in most developed countries and geographical areas, mains wall outlets, and therefore electrical plugs, sockets, and cables, often include a grounding element. However, in many parts of developing countries, a grounding element is often absent in many electrical outlets and plugs. Therefore, in order to accommodate such ungrounded outlets and plugs, embodiments of the electrical assembly (30) may not include any grounding element (i.e., there are no grounding prongs (38b), grounding wires (34b), and grounding contacts (42b)). However, an electrical safety device (20) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can still be configured to operate in such ungrounded electrical assembly configurations. In such embodiments, for example, as schematically shown in Figure 5, a first electrical contact (24) is electrically connected to a zero element (contact 42a), and a second electrical contact (26) is not electrically connected to any component. Here, the thermal cutoff (20) can be implemented as a thermal switch configured to operate in a normally closed configuration, and so when the temperature sensor (23) of the thermal cutoff (switch) (20) senses that the temperature of the electrical cable (32) exceeds a threshold, the thermal cutoff (20) opens (conceptually understood as the switch (21) opening and closing the contact (26)) to create an open circuit to disconnect from the zero contact (42a). Creating an open circuit affects the flow of current overall, as does the short circuit resulting from the normally open configuration described above, namely the open circuit blocks the flow of current through the electrical cable (32), and more specifically, the flow of current from the mains power supply to the socket (40). However, since the normally closed configuration is primarily used in situations where there is no ground connection and triggering an open circuit, the open circuit may not trip any residual current devices and therefore may not block the flow of current to other circuits connected to the mains power supply.

[0063] As described above, the electrical safety device (20) is optionally or additionally located in the electrical cable (32) and / or electrical plug (36). In embodiments in which the electrical safety device (20) is coupled to the electrical plug (36), the coupling can be provided via electrical connections of electrical contacts (24) and (26) at the zero prong (38a) (zero element) and the grounding prong (38b) (grounding element), respectively. The electrical connection to the prongs (38a) and (38b) can be made, for example, by connecting the electrical contacts (24) and (26) to the portions of the wiring (34a) and (34b) that connect to the bases of the prongs (38a) and (38b) inside the plug (36), as schematically shown in Figure 6A (which shows the plug (36) with the plug body removed and the electrical safety device (20) connected to portions of the wiring (34a) and (34b). As another example, the electrical connection between the contacts (24, 26) and the prongs (38a, 38b) can be made, for example, by directly connecting the contacts (24, 26) to the prongs (38a, 38b) at the base of each prong (38a, 38b) located inside the plug body (37) of the plug (36). Figure 6B shows an example of an electrical safety device (20) in an electrical plug (36), illustrating the electrical contacts (39a, 39, 39c) of the electrical plug (36) that connect to the prongs (38a, 38b, 38c) respectively (the electrical connection between the electrical safety device (20) and the electrical contacts of the electrical plug (36) is not shown in Figure 6B). The bases of the prongs (38a, 38b, 38c) can themselves be electrical contacts. Similarly, in embodiments in which the electrical safety device (20) is electrically coupled to the electrical cable (32), the coupling can be provided via the electrical connections of the electrical contacts (24) and (26) with the respective portions of the zero wire (34a) and ground wire (34b) (for example, at the portion or segment of the cable identified as a critical fault point). Although the electrical coupling of the electrical safety device (20) to the electrical cable (32) is not shown here, this coupling is conceptually the same as that shown in Figure 3 and can be made at any segment of the electrical cable (32).

[0064] The operation of the electrical safety device (20) is, in principle, the same as described above with reference to Figures 2 to 4, when it is arranged in any of these configurations. Thus, when the thermal sensor (23) of the thermal cutoff (switch) (20) detects that the temperature of the electrical plug (36) or cable (32) (or an area of ​​the electrical assembly (30) adjacent to the electrical plug (36) or adjacent to the contacts of the electrical cable (32)) exceeds a threshold, the thermal cutoff (20) triggers a short circuit between the zero prong (38a) or zero line (34a) and the ground prong (38b) or ground wire (34b) (i.e., by closing the switch (21)), thereby blocking the flow of current through the electrical cable (32). Furthermore, in embodiments in which the electrical plug (36) or cable (32) does not include a grounding element (i.e., a ground prong or ground wire), the electrical safety device (20) may be arranged as described with reference to Figure 5. Therefore, in such an embodiment, the first electrical contact (24) is electrically connected to the zero prong (38a) or zero line (34a) (i.e., the zero element), and the second electrical contact (26) is not electrically connected to any component, and therefore triggers an open circuit (i.e., by opening the switch (21)) when the temperature sensor (23) of the thermal switch (20) detects that the temperature of the electrical plug (36) or cable (32) (or an area of ​​the electrical assembly (30) adjacent to the electrical plug (36) or adjacent to the contacts of the electrical cable (32)) exceeds a threshold.

[0065] It should be understood that the implementation of thermal cutoff as a thermal switch offers the advantage of reusability of the electrical safety device (20) because the thermal switch can typically return to its initial position or state (i.e., return to open if in a normally open configuration, and return to closed if in a normally closed configuration) when the temperature of the component that triggered the switch falls below a threshold temperature. However, despite the fact that the thermal switch can return to its initial ("normal") position, human intervention is typically required to restore the flow of current to various circuits. In embodiments where the thermal switch is in a normally open configuration (e.g., when the mains power supply and electrical assembly include a grounding element), restoring the flow of current may be as simple as manually resetting (i.e., switching to "on") a residual current device connected to the mains power supply circuit and / or resetting the mains power supply circuit breaker. In embodiments where the thermal switch is in a normally closed configuration (e.g., when the mains power supply and electrical assembly do not include a grounding element), restoring the flow of current may require manually reopening the corresponding circuit. Despite the advantages of the reusability of the thermal switch mounting configuration, other thermal cutoff mounting configurations, including, for example, a thermal fuse configuration, are considered herein.

[0066] Figure 1 shows a specific non-limiting configuration of the electrical assembly (30) as an extension cable, but it should be noted that other cable-based electrical assembly configurations are also within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the electrical assembly (30) shown in Figure 1 is shown having a single electrical socket (40), but it is clear that electrical assemblies according to embodiments of this disclosure may include multiple electrical sockets, each configured similarly to the electrical socket (40) and arranged in series or parallel. For example, in one non-limiting implementation, the electrical assembly may be implemented as a power strip having a block of electrical sockets electrically connected to a first end of an electrical cable and an electrical plug connected to a second end of the electrical cable. In such embodiments, the electrical cable may be long, but may be shorter than in the embodiment shown in Figure 1. In certain embodiments, for example, in embodiments where the electrical assembly is implemented as a power strip, the electrical assembly may include surge protectors to limit the voltage supplied to the electrical socket (40).

[0067] As another example, as schematically illustrated in Figure 7, an electrical assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an extension cable reel, thereby extending the electrical cable (32) further compared to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 and housing it by winding the electrical cable around a frame or drum (60). It should be noted that placing an electrical safety device (20) in or on the electrical cable (32) in such a frame-wound electrical assembly has particular advantages, partly due to the fact that winding the electrical cable (32) around the frame (60) can, in some cases, cause a rapid increase in the temperature of the components of the electrical assembly (30) and / or a more significant absolute increase. In such an embodiment, a critical failure point of the electrical cable (32) may be about 2 meters from the main power source (wall outlet), and therefore the electrical safety device (20) may preferably be placed at or near such a critical failure point (attached to or integrated with the electrical cable (32)).

[0068] It should be noted that an electrical socket (40) (or more sockets) is just one type of electrical output component that can be electrically connected to an electrical cable (32). Generally, the electrical assembly (30) may include any suitable electrical output component, such as an exemplary electrical socket, as well as any type of device powered by a mains power supply, including, but not limited to, DC charging devices (such as mobile phone chargers), electronic devices (e.g., desktop computers, televisions, etc.), and electronic equipment (e.g., refrigerators, ovens, microwave ovens, toasters, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, etc.). Thus, the electrical assembly may include one or more electrical output components that are implemented as non-socket type components, such as an electrical output component in the form of a DC output component (e.g., as part of a mobile phone charger), a lighting power component that provides power to a lighting component (e.g., a light bulb), and a heating power component that provides power to a heating element.

[0069] Referring next to Figures 8 to 11, a safety device (100) according to another set of embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Here, the safety device (100) may be a multi-socket adapter comprising an electrical assembly (300) implemented as a socket adapter device, therein integrated electrical safety devices (20) (in Figures 8 and 9, the electrical safety devices are represented by dashed rectangles to indicate that they are integrated into the electrical assembly (300)). The electrical assembly (300) comprises a housing (302) having opposing first and second sides (304a, 304b), where an electrical plug (36) protrudes outward from the central region of the first side (304a), and a pair of electrical sockets (40) are recessed in the respective regions of the second side (304b). The electrical plug (36) is electrically connected to a main power source (not shown) to provide a flow of current from the main power source, thereby configuring the electrical socket (40) to accept current from the main power source via the electrical plug (36).

[0070] Incidentally, it should be noted that in one embodiment, the socket adapter device (300) may include a voltage adapter (converter) configured to convert between the mains high voltages of two or more regions or countries. For example, the voltage adapter may be configured to convert between 100-120 volts AC (used in the United States) and 220-240 volts AC (used in Europe). In other embodiments, the socket adapter device (300) may include a surge protector to limit the voltage supplied to the electrical socket(s)(40).

[0071] Although only two electrical sockets are shown in Figures 9 to 11, it should be noted that an electrical assembly can include any appropriate number of electrical sockets, including a single socket or more than two. For example, in embodiments where the socket adapter device includes a voltage adapter, a single socket may be employed.

[0072] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the electrical assembly (300) includes an electrical connection arrangement (306) inside the housing (302) that provides electrical connections between the electrical plug (36) and the electrical socket (40), particularly between common elements of the plug and socket (e.g., ground to ground, zero to zero, live to live). The electrical connection arrangement (306) includes conductive material and can be implemented in various ways, for example, including one or more busbars or one or more wires. In the illustrated embodiment, the busbars (306) provide electrical connections between each electrical contact (42a, 42b, 42c) of the electrical socket (40) and the corresponding electrical contacts (39a, 39, 39c) (not shown in the drawings, but located inside the housing (302) at the base of the corresponding prongs (38a, 38b, 38c)). In one embodiment, the electrical contacts (24) and (26) of the thermal cutoff (20) may be electrically connected to the zero element and the ground element via a direct connection to a suitable portion of the busbar (306).

[0073] In the embodiments shown in Figures 8 to 11, each of the electrical plug (36) and electrical socket (40) has an electrical safety device (20) coupled to it. However, it should be noted that any combination of coupling of the electrical safety device (20) to the plug (36) can be employed, including a single electrical safety device (20) coupled to the plug (36) or a single electrical safety device (20) coupled to one of the sockets (40). The coupling of the electrical safety device (20) to the plug and socket is the same as in the embodiments described above. Thus, in embodiments in which the electrical safety device (20) is electrically coupled to the electrical plug (36), the coupling can be provided via the electrical connection of the electrical contacts (24) and (26) to the respective zero and ground prongs of the electrical plug (36), and the electrical connection to the prongs can be provided by connecting the electrical contacts (24) and (26) to the portion of the prong located inside the plug (36) (i.e., inside the housing (302)). Similarly, in embodiments in which the electrical safety device (20) is electrically coupled to one of the electrical sockets (40), the coupling may be provided via the electrical connection of the electrical contacts (24) and (26) to the respective portions of the zero contact and ground contact of the socket (e.g., the portion inside the socket, such as the inside of the housing (302)). In some embodiments, the coupling between the electrical safety device (20) and the electrical plug (36) and / or electrical socket (40) may be provided via the electrical connection of the electrical contacts (24) and (26) to the zero portion and ground portion of the busbar (306).

[0074] In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 8-11, the operation of the electrical safety device(s)(20) is, in principle, the same as in the embodiments described above. Thus, when the temperature sensor of the thermal cutoff(switch)20 detects that the temperature of the electrical assembly(300) (electrical plug(36) or socket(40)) exceeds a threshold, the thermal cutoff(20) triggers a short circuit between the zero element and the ground element (i.e., by closing the switch), thereby preventing the flow of current to the electrical socket(40).

[0075] It should be noted that the electrical assembly (300) may also be configured without a grounding element (i.e., without a grounding prong or grounding contact). In such embodiments, the electrical safety device (20) may be arranged as described with reference to Figure 5, so that a first electrical contact (24) is electrically connected to a zero element (which may be a zero prong, a zero contact, or a zero element of a suitable busbar (306)), and a second electrical contact (26) is not electrically connected to any component, and so that when the thermal sensor of the thermal switch (20) detects that the temperature of the electrical assembly (300) (electrical plug (36) or socket (40)) exceeds a threshold, it triggers an open circuit (i.e., by opening the switch).

[0076] Referring next to Figure 12, a safety device (200) according to another set of embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. Here, the electrical safety device (20) is integrated with or connected to a mains power electrical wall socket assembly (210) to form a safety wall socket. The electrical wall socket assembly (210) includes a back box (or base plate) (212), an electrical wiring assembly (214) housed inside the back box (212), and a faceplate (216) mounted on the back box (212). The electrical wiring assembly (214) includes one or more electrical wires electrically connected to a mains power supply and configured to conduct current from the mains power supply. In the illustrated embodiment, the wiring of the electrical wiring assembly (214) includes a neutral (zero) wire (34a), an earth wire (34b), and a hot (live) wire (34c). The panel (216) includes an electrical receptacle (socket) (40), which is electrically connected to an electrical wiring assembly (214), accepts an electrical plug, and is configured to transmit current from the mains power supply to the electrical plug through the electrical wiring assembly (214) when the electrical plug is accepted into the electrical receptacle. The electrical receptacle (40) includes a number of electrical contacts, which are represented as openings (42a, 42b, 42c) in Figure 12. The electrical contacts of the electrical receptacle (40) include a neutral (zero) contact 42a, an earth contact 42b, and a hot contact (42c). The neutral wire (34a) is electrically connected to the neutral contact (42a), the earth wire (34b) is electrically connected to the earth contact (42b), and the hot wire (34c) is electrically connected to the hot contact (42c).

[0077] The electrical safety device (20) is coupled to the socket assembly (210) in the same manner as in the embodiments described above. Thus, the electrical safety device (20) can be coupled to the electrical socket assembly (210) via electrical connections between the electrical contacts (24) and (26) and the respective portions of the zero element and ground element of the electrical socket assembly (210), for example, the portions of the zero wire (34a) and ground wire (34b) or the zero contact (42a) and ground contact (42b) located inside the electrical receptacle (40).

[0078] The operation of the safety device (200) is, in principle, the same as that of the embodiments described above. Thus, when the temperature sensor of the thermal cutoff (switch) (20) detects that the temperature of some or more parts of the electrical wall socket assembly (210) (parts / segments of the electrical wiring assembly (214)) exceeds a threshold, the thermal cutoff (20) triggers a short circuit between the zero element and the ground element (i.e., by closing the switch), thereby blocking the flow of current through the electrical wiring assembly (214).

[0079] It should be noted that the electric wall socket assembly (210) may be configured without a grounding element (i.e., without a grounding wire or grounding contact). In such embodiments, the safety device (200) may be arranged as described with reference to Figure 5, so that the first electrical contact (24) is electrically connected to a zero element, which may be a portion of the zero wire (34a) or a portion of the zero contact (42a). Thus, when the thermal sensor of the thermal switch (20) senses that the temperature of the electric wall socket assembly (210) (a portion / segment of the electrical wiring assembly (214)) exceeds a threshold, the thermal switch (20) triggers an open circuit by disconnecting from the zero element (i.e., by opening the switch).

[0080] The embodiments described so far relate to electrical safety devices integrated into electrical assemblies. However, embodiments in this specification are contemplated in which the electrical safety device is externally mounted to one or more components of an electrical assembly. Referring here to Figure 13, an embodiment of an electrical safety device (20') configured to be electrically connected to an electrical wiring assembly that conducts current and is electrically connected to a mains power supply is schematically shown. The electrical wiring assembly has a plurality of insulated electrical wires. In one embodiment, the plurality of insulated electrical wires include an insulated neutral (zero) wire, an insulated earth (ground) wire, and an insulated hot (live) wire. In other embodiments, the earth wire may not be present. In certain embodiments, the insulated electrical wire is part of an electrical cable, for example, an electrical cable (32) in Figure 1, and is provided within a protective cable sheath. In other embodiments, the insulated electrical wire does not have a cable sheath, for example, if it is part of an electrical wall socket, such as an electrical wiring assembly (214) in Figure 12.

[0081] The electrical safety device (20') is structurally identical to the electrical safety device (20) described in the above embodiments, but also includes a pin assembly (25) having a pair of pins (27) and (29) that are close to each other (e.g., within a few millimeters or within one or two centimeters), which allows the user to attach the electrical safety device (20') to an electrical cable or electrical wiring from the outside by inserting the pins into the electrical wiring assembly. The pins (27) and (29) provide electrical contacts for forming electrical connections between the electrical contacts (24) and (26) and their respective zero wire and ground wire. The pins (27) and (29) have pointed ends to allow the pins to penetrate the insulating material of the insulated wiring, such that the pin (27) penetrates the insulation of the zero wire of the electrical wiring assembly (e.g., wiring (34a) in Figure 1) and is configured to contact the conductive material of the zero wire at a first contact along the zero wire. In embodiments where a ground wire is present, pin (29) is configured to penetrate the insulating material of the ground wire of the electrical wiring assembly (e.g., wiring (34b) in Figure 1) so as to contact the conductive material of the ground wire at a second contact along the ground wire, the second contact being close to the first contact (due to the proximity of pins (27) and (29)).

[0082] In embodiments where the electrical wiring assembly is provided within a protective cable sheath (for example, when the electrical safety device (20') is externally mounted to the electrical cable), the pins of the pin assembly can be elongated so that they can penetrate the protective cable jacket and reach the conductive material of the wiring. As is obvious, in embodiments where the electrical safety device (20') is externally mounted to the wiring of a wall outlet, the faceplate of the wall outlet should first be removed to allow user access to the wiring assembly of the wall outlet.

[0083] Once the electrical safety device (20') is attached to the wiring assembly, adhesive electrical insulation (commonly referred to as "electrical tape") can be wrapped around the attached portion of the electrical safety device and the electrical cable or wiring to provide insulation to any exposed wiring and to secure the electrical safety device (20) to the electrical cable or wiring.

[0084] The operation of the electrical safety device (20) shown in Figure 13 is, in principle, the same as in the embodiments described above in which the electrical safety device is integrated with an electrical cable or electrical wiring assembly; therefore, such an operation will not be repeated here.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the electrical safety device (20) (and / or safety devices (10, 100, 200) or electrical socket assembly (200)) of the present disclosure may be configured to provide alert notifications.

[0086] In one embodiment, alert notifications can be provided by one or more indicator components that indicate the activation of a switch, i.e., the blocking of the flow of current. In certain embodiments, the indicator component may be implemented as a visual indicator component that provides a visual indication that the flow of current has been interrupted. One non-limiting example of a visual indicator component is a lighting component, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), which may be part of a thermal cutoff or be electrically coupled to a thermal cutoff and can activate (illuminate) when a thermal sensor detects that the temperature of the electrical assembly exceeds a threshold. In other embodiments, the indicator component may be implemented as an audible indicator component to provide an auditory indication that the flow of current has been interrupted. One non-limiting example of an audible indicator component is a sound generator, which may be part of a thermal cutoff or be electrically coupled to a thermal cutoff and can activate to output an audible sound or tone when a thermal sensor detects that the temperature of the electrical assembly exceeds a threshold.

[0087] In another set of embodiments, the electrical safety device (20) (and / or safety devices (10, 100, 200) or electrical socket assembly (200)) of the present disclosure may provide alert notifications to one or more users via communication with one or more networks, which may include, for example, one or more cellular networks, one or more local area networks, the Internet, etc. The alert notifications may take various forms, but are not limited to, text-based messages sent to the user's mobile device via a messaging service (e.g., SMS, MMS, WhatsApp, etc.) and email notifications sent to the user's email address. In such embodiments, network communication may be provided by, for example, a transceiver device that is part of or electrically connected to (i.e., attached to) the electrical safety device (20) (and / or safety devices (10, 100, 200) or electrical socket assembly (200)). In one non-limiting exemplary implementation, the transceiver device may include a cellular transceiver configured to communicate with a cellular network. In such embodiments, the activation of the thermal cutoff induces a transceiver device to transmit an alert notification over the network. Figure 4 schematically shows a non-limiting embodiment in which the electrical safety device (20) is connected to a transceiver (70) that operatively transmits an alert notification when the electrical safety device (20) is activated. Figure 4 shows the transceiver device in the context of an embodiment in which there is a circuit (54) connected to a mains power supply (50) (to which the electrical assembly is connected) via a residual current device (52), but it should be noted that the transceiver device (70) may be used with any of the embodiments described herein, and that it may be advantageous to use the transceiver device in embodiments in which there is no residual current device connected between the mains power supply and other circuits.

[0088] It should be noted that the embodiments described herein include various electrical plugs configured to be electrically coupled to a mains power supply. In the context of this document, the electrical coupling of an electrical plug to a mains power supply may be a direct coupling, for example, via insertion into an electrical wall outlet, or an indirect coupling, for example, via insertion into an electrical socket or socket adapter of an extension cable, or into another assembly having an electrical plug that is inserted into an electrical wall outlet.

[0089] Many of the embodiments disclosed herein relate to electrical safety devices used with electrical assemblies having an electrical cable having an electrical plug at one end and at least one electrical output component (e.g., a socket / outlet, an electric motor, etc.) at the other end. However, it should be noted that the electrical safety devices according to this disclosure may be used with other variations of such electrical assemblies, including variations in which the electrical cable is provided with an electrical plug or electrical socket at one end and a non-fixed electrical wiring (connected to the electrical plug or electrical socket) at a second end of the electrical cable (opposite the first end). Such embodiments allow the user to select an electrical connector component, such as at least one electrical socket or electrical plug, to connect to the second end of the electrical cable via a suitable wiring connection.

[0090] Various embodiments described herein relate to electrical safety devices, for example in the form of a thermal cutoff, which collect temperature readings from at least one component of an electrical assembly and operate to block the flow of current through the component of the electrical assembly if one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, i.e., if one or more of the collected temperature readings exceed a threshold temperature. The temperature criterion / temperature threshold at which the electrical safety device blocks the flow of current may be a preset parameter of the electrical safety device or an adjustable parameter that may be a temperature selected from an operating range of temperatures supported by the electrical safety device. For example, a thermal switch may have a preset temperature threshold of 40°C, while another thermal switch, for example, provided by Texas Instruments in Dallas, Texas, may have a higher preset temperature threshold, e.g., about 100°C. As another set of examples, Sensata Technologies (Attleboro, Massachusetts) manufactures an array of thermal switches having different operating ranges, allowing user selection of a preferred temperature threshold within the operating range. Thus, the safety devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure may have a pre-selected temperature threshold or a user-adjustable temperature threshold, and the selection of the type of electrical safety device for use with the various electrical assemblies discussed herein may vary depending on the specific application and may vary from electrical assembly to electrical assembly.

[0091] The various embodiments described herein have been presented for illustrative purposes only, but are thorough and not intended to limit the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the embodiments described herein. The terms used herein have been selected to best describe the principles of the embodiments, the practical applications or technical improvements across the technologies found in the market, or to enable those skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0092] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include multiple references unless the context explicitly states otherwise.

[0093] The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, illustration, or illustration.” Any embodiment described as “exemplary” is not necessarily construed as preferred or advantageous across other embodiments and / or does not necessarily preclude the incorporation of features from other embodiments.

[0094] It is recognized that certain features of the Disclosure, described for clarity in the context of a separate embodiment, may also be provided in combination with a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the Disclosure, described for clarity in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately, in any suitable subcombination, or as appropriate in any other described embodiment of the Disclosure. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not considered essential features of an embodiment unless the embodiment cannot be carried out without those elements.

[0095] The fact that the attached claims were drafted without multiple dependencies is simply to comply with formal requirements in legal jurisdictions that do not permit such multiple dependencies. It should be noted that all possible combinations of features that would be suggested by compounding the dependencies of the claims should be clearly assumed and considered to be part of this disclosure.

[0096] While this disclosure has been described with respect to its specific embodiments, it will be apparent that many alternatives, modifications, and variations are obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended to encompass all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that are in the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. It is a safety device, An electrical assembly, Electrical cables for conducting electric current, An electrical plug electrically connected to the first portion of the electrical cable, for electrically coupling to the main power supply in order to provide a flow of current from the main power supply through the electrical cable, and At least one electrical socket electrically connected to the second portion of the electrical cable in order to receive current through the electrical cable. Including electrical assemblies, An electrical safety device coupled to the aforementioned electrical assembly, Collect at least one temperature reading from one or more parts of the electrical assembly, If one or more of the collected temperature readings meet the threshold criteria, the flow of current through the electrical cable is blocked. Electrical safety devices configured in such a way A safety device equipped with this feature.

2. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical safety device is integrated with the electrical assembly.

3. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical safety device is attached to the electrical assembly.

4. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical safety device is located in the at least one electrical socket.

5. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical safety device is arranged in the electrical plug.

6. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical safety device is located in the electrical cable or on a portion of the electrical cable.

7. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein when one or more of the at least one temperature readings collected meet the threshold criterion, the electrical safety device prevents the flow of current to all circuits connected to the main power supply.

8. The safety device according to claim 7, wherein when one or more of the collected at least one temperature readings satisfy the threshold criterion, the electrical safety device triggers a residual current device electrically connected to the main power supply to disconnect all circuits from the main power supply, thereby preventing the flow of current to all circuits connected to the main power supply.

9. The safety device according to claim 1, wherein the electrical safety device includes a thermal cutoff electrically connected to the electrical assembly.

10. The safety device according to claim 9, wherein the thermal cutoff is a thermal switch configured to operate in a normally open configuration.

11. The safety device according to claim 10, wherein the thermal switch is electrically coupled to the zero element and the ground element of the electrical assembly, and when one or more of the at least one temperature readings collected meet the threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes, causing a short circuit between the zero element and the ground element, thereby preventing the residual current device electrically connected to the main power supply from flowing current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

12. The safety device according to claim 9, wherein the thermal cutoff is a thermal switch, the thermal switch is configured to operate in a normally closed configuration connected to the zero element of the electrical assembly.

13. The safety device according to claim 12, wherein when one or more of the collected at least one temperature readings satisfy the threshold criterion, the thermal switch opens, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero element.

14. The safety device according to claim 9, wherein the thermal cutoff is a thermal fuse.

15. It is a safety device, An electrical assembly, One or more wiring assemblies for conducting electric current, An electrical plug electrically connected to a first portion of the wiring assembly, for electrically coupling to the main power supply to provide a flow of current from the main power supply through the wiring assembly, and At least one electrical output component electrically connected to the second portion of the wiring assembly in order to receive current through the wiring assembly. Including electrical assemblies, An electrical safety device coupled to the aforementioned electrical assembly, Collect at least one temperature reading from one or more parts of the electrical assembly, If one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, the flow of current through the wiring assembly is blocked. Electrical safety devices configured in such a way A safety device equipped with this feature.

16. The safety device according to claim 15, wherein the electrical assembly is an electric device.

17. The safety device according to claim 15, wherein the at least one electrical output component includes at least one electrical socket.

18. The safety device according to claim 15, wherein the at least one electrical output component includes a DC output.

19. The safety device according to claim 15, wherein when one or more of the at least one temperature readings collected meet the threshold criterion, the electrical safety device prevents the flow of current to all circuits connected to the main power supply.

20. The safety device according to claim 19, wherein when one or more of the collected at least one temperature readings satisfy the threshold criterion, the electrical safety device triggers a residual current device electrically connected to the main power supply to disconnect all circuits from the main power supply, thereby preventing the flow of current to all circuits connected to the main power supply.

21. The safety device according to claim 15, wherein the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch, which is electrically coupled to the zero element and the ground element of the electrical assembly and is configured to operate in a normally open configuration, and when one or more of the at least one temperature readings collected meet the threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes to create a short circuit between the zero element and the ground element, thereby preventing a residual current device electrically connected to the main power supply from flowing current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

22. The safety device according to claim 15, wherein the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch, the thermal switch being configured to operate in a normally closed configuration connected to the zero element of the electrical assembly, and when one or more of the collected at least one temperature readings meet the threshold criterion, the thermal switch opens, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero element.

23. It is a safety device, A socket adapter device, An electrical plug that is electrically connected to the main power supply in order to receive current from the main power supply. At least one electrical socket, and An electrical connection arrangement that provides an electrical connection between the electrical plug and the at least one socket. Socket adapter devices, An electrical safety device coupled to the aforementioned socket adapter device, Collect at least one temperature reading from one or more parts of the socket adapter device, If one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, the flow of current to the at least one electrical socket is blocked. Electrical safety devices configured in such a way A safety device equipped with this feature.

24. The safety device according to claim 23, wherein the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch, which is electrically coupled to the zero element and the ground element of the socket adapter device and is configured to operate in a normally open configuration, and when one or more of the at least one temperature readings collected meet the threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes to create a short circuit between the zero element and the ground element, thereby preventing the residual current device electrically connected to the main power supply from flowing current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

25. The safety device according to claim 23, wherein the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch, the thermal switch being configured to operate in a normally closed configuration connected to the zero element of the socket adapter device, and when one or more of the collected at least one temperature readings satisfy the threshold criterion, the thermal switch opens, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero element.

26. It is a safety device, An electrical socket assembly, Back box, An electrical wiring assembly housed within the back box, comprising one or more wires electrically connected to a mains power supply and configured to conduct current from the mains power supply, and A panel attached to the back box, comprising an electrical receptacle electrically connected to the electrical wiring assembly, wherein the electrical receptacle is configured to receive an electrical plug, and when the electrical plug is received by the receptacle, it is configured to transmit current from the main power supply to the electrical plug through the electrical wiring assembly. Including an electrical socket assembly, An electrical safety device coupled to the aforementioned electrical wiring assembly, Collect at least one temperature reading from one or more parts of the electrical wiring assembly, If one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, an electrical safety device blocks the flow of current through the electrical wiring assembly. A safety device equipped with this feature.

27. The safety device according to claim 26, wherein when one or more of the at least one temperature readings collected meet the threshold criterion, the electrical safety device prevents the flow of current to all circuits connected to the main power supply.

28. The safety device according to claim 27, wherein when one or more of the collected at least one temperature readings satisfy the threshold criterion, the electrical safety device triggers a residual current device electrically connected to the main power supply to disconnect all circuits from the main power supply, thereby preventing the flow of current to all circuits connected to the main power supply.

29. The safety device according to claim 26, wherein the safety device includes a thermal switch, which is electrically coupled to the zero element and the ground element of the electrical socket assembly and is configured to operate in a normally open configuration, and when one or more of the at least one temperature readings collected meet the threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes to create a short circuit between the zero element and the ground element, thereby preventing a residual current device electrically connected to the main power supply from flowing current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

30. The safety device according to claim 26, wherein the electrical safety device includes a thermal switch, the thermal switch being configured to operate in a normally closed configuration connected to the zero element of the electrical socket assembly, and when one or more of the collected at least one temperature readings meet the threshold criterion, the thermal switch opens, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero element.

31. An electrical safety device for electrically connecting to an electrical wiring assembly that is electrically connected to a main power supply in order to conduct current from the main power supply, wherein the electrical wiring assembly has a plurality of insulated electrical wires, including a first insulated electrical wire which is a zero line and a second insulated electrical wire which is a live line, and the electrical safety device is A thermal cutoff including at least one temperature sensor configured to sense temperature, A pin assembly electrically connected to the thermal cutoff, wherein the pin assembly includes a first pin and a second pin, the first pin being configured to penetrate the insulating material of the first insulated electrical wiring so as to bring the conductive material of the first insulated electrical wiring into contact with the conductive material of the first insulated electrical wiring at a first contact point, and Equipped with, The aforementioned electrical safety device is Near the first contact point, at least one temperature reading is collected from one or more portions of the electrical wiring assembly. If one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, the flow of current through the electrical wiring assembly is blocked. It is configured in such a way. Electrical safety devices.

32. The electrical safety device according to claim 31, wherein when one or more of the collected temperature readings satisfy the threshold criterion, the electrical safety device blocks the flow of current to all circuits connected to the main power supply.

33. The electrical safety device according to claim 32, wherein when one or more of the at least one temperature readings collected satisfy the threshold criterion, the electrical safety device triggers a residual current device electrically connected to the main power supply to disconnect all circuits from the main power supply, thereby preventing the flow of current to all circuits connected to the main power supply.

34. The electrical safety device according to claim 32, wherein the plurality of insulated electrical wires include a third insulated electrical wire which is a ground wire, the second pin is configured to penetrate the insulating material of the third insulated electrical wire so as to bring the conductive material of the third insulated electrical wire into contact with the conductive material of the third insulated electrical wire at a second contact point, and the thermal cutoff is a thermal switch configured to operate in a normally open configuration, and when one or more of the at least one temperature readings collected meet the threshold criterion, the thermal switch closes to create a short circuit between the zero wire and the ground wire, thereby preventing the residual current device electrically connected to the main power supply from flowing current to all circuits connected to the residual current device.

35. The electrical safety device according to claim 31, wherein the thermal cutoff is a thermal switch configured to operate in a normally closed configuration, in which the thermal switch is connected to the zero line, and when one or more of the at least one temperature readings collected meet the threshold criterion, the thermal switch opens, thereby disconnecting the thermal switch from the zero line.

36. A safety method to be performed on an electrical assembly, wherein the electrical assembly includes one or more of an electrical cable, an electrical socket, or an electrical plug, and the safety method is A step of collecting at least one temperature reading from one or more parts of the electrical assembly using an electrical safety device, If one or more of the collected temperature readings meet a threshold criterion, the electrical safety device prevents the flow of current through the electrical assembly. Safety methods, including those mentioned above.

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