Appliance Power Sharing via Mode Negotiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standalone refrigerators and freezers installed in a side-by-side configuration on the same alternating current circuit can exceed the current rating of the circuit breaker during defrost cycles, causing power loss and potential spoilage of food due to circuit breaker tripping.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for power sharing between electrical appliances on an AC circuit, where control devices communicate to manage requests for switching between power modes, ensuring only one appliance operates in high power mode at a time, thereby preventing excessive current draw and circuit breaker tripping, utilizing onboard communication circuits and control devices to facilitate communication and power allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple appliances operate independently on the same AC circuit, then each appliance can function autonomously, but the combined current draw can exceed circuit breaker capacity causing power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple appliances by implementing communication circuits that allow appliances to exchange operational status information. This enables coordinated power mode switching where appliances negotiate and share the AC circuit capacity, preventing simultaneous high-power operations that would trip the circuit breaker while maintaining individual appliance functionality.
2Power
If appliances switch to high power mode independently, then each appliance can meet its peak power demands, but the total current can exceed circuit breaker rating causing tripping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where appliances continuously monitor and communicate their power mode status to other appliances on the same circuit. When one appliance switches to high power mode (second power mode), it transmits status information that triggers other appliances to remain in low power mode (first power mode), ensuring the total current draw remains below the circuit breaker's rated capacity while still allowing individual appliances to access peak power when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for power sharing between a plurality of electrical appliances electrically coupled to an AC circuit is provided. The method can include obtaining, by one or more control devices of a first electrical appliance of the plurality of electrical appliances, data indicative of a request of a second electrical appliance of the plurality of electrical appliances to switch from a first power mode to a second power mode. In response to obtaining the data indicative of the request, the method can further include determining, by the one or more control devices, whether any of the plurality of electrical appliances are currently configured in the second power mode. Furthermore, in response to determining none of the plurality of electrical appliances are currently configured in the second power mode, the method can include transmitting, by the one or more control devices, data indicative of approval of the request.