3D Trigger System for Power Control Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surge protection devices (SPDs) lack flexibility in protecting circuit loads due to limited trigger conditions, which restrict their ability to respond effectively to varying electrical power conditions.

Innovation Solution

A power monitor employs a three-dimensional (3D) trigger system that includes a reference threshold, trigger period, and trigger number to control electrical power, allowing for customizable responses to signal conditions, enabling more comprehensive protection of electrical loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional SPDs use fixed or limited trigger thresholds, then the device structure remains simple, but the protection capability against varying electrical conditions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidtrigger conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger system is segmented into three independent dimensions: reference threshold (signal level), trigger period (time window), and trigger number (count requirement). Each dimension can be independently configured and adjusted, allowing the system to address different electrical anomaly conditions separately. This segmentation enables comprehensive protection against varying conditions without requiring a completely complex monolithic trigger mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger conditions are made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. Users can modify the reference threshold, trigger period, and trigger number to adapt to different electrical conditions and protection needs. This dynamic configuration allows the SPD to effectively respond to varying electrical anomalies while maintaining a relatively simple underlying structure that can be flexibly programmed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If SPDs use multiple fixed trigger thresholds, then coverage of different conditions improves, but the flexibility to customize protection parameters is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization flexibilityVSAvoidparameter configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger system transitions from one-dimensional fixed thresholds to a three-dimensional configurable space encompassening reference threshold, trigger period, and trigger number. This dimensional expansion provides comprehensive customization flexibility, allowing users to define complex protection criteria by adjusting parameters across all three dimensions rather than being constrained to a limited set of fixed thresholds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows continuous adjustment of key parameters including reference threshold, trigger period, and trigger number. By enabling parameter changes rather than providing fixed options, the SPD achieves high customization flexibility. Users can optimize protection settings for specific applications by modifying these parameters without changing the device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3624289A1Multi-dimensional triggers for power control
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 AMETEK ELECTRONICS SYST PROTECTION
  • EP3624289A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3624289A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3624289A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power monitor establishes a three-dimensional (3D) trigger to trigger an action related to control of electrical power responsive to a reference variable indicative of a signal. The 3D trigger includes trigger conditions directed to a reference threshold, a trigger period, and a trigger number. The power monitor periodically measures the signal to produce signal values, and produces reference values for the reference variable based on the signal values. The power monitor tests whether the reference values meet the trigger conditions. The power monitor triggers or does not trigger the action when the test operation indicates or does not indicate that the reference values meet the conditions, respectively.