Miniature Circuit Breaker Non-Volatile Memory Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current miniature circuit breakers lack a comprehensive storage mechanism for trip information, leading to limited data logging and poor diagnostic capabilities, especially for arc fault circuit interrupters, due to restrictions on microprocessor operations and EEPROM limitations.
Innovation Solution
A processor in the circuit interrupter inputs sensed power circuit information and stores it in non-volatile memory for the operating life span, using a routine that initializes and updates data in a circular buffer, allowing continuous data storage without hindering circuit protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a microprocessor with EEPROM is used to store trip information, then diagnostic capability is improved, but data storage capacity and retention are limited due to EEPROM restrictions and microprocessor operational constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-volatile memory device as an intermediary between the microprocessor and the stored trip information. This memory device has larger storage capacity than EEPROM and maintains data without power, serving as a mediator that resolves the contradiction between improved diagnostics and limited storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of trip information in the non-volatile memory device, which has superior storage characteristics compared to EEPROM. This copying approach allows the system to maintain comprehensive trip data with enhanced capacity and retention while the microprocessor continues its protective functions.
2Loss of information
If the microprocessor stores trip information in EEPROM, then diagnostic data is captured, but the storage process may interfere with the microprocessor's ability to execute protection algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The non-volatile memory device acts as an intermediary that handles data storage independently of the microprocessor's execution cycle. This separation allows the microprocessor to focus on reliable protection algorithm execution while the memory device concurrently stores trip information without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data capture and storage in the non-volatile memory device before the microprocessor needs to execute protection algorithms. This preliminary action ensures trip information is preserved without delaying or interfering with the time-critical protection response.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive trip data is stored for improved diagnostics, then field issue diagnosis is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-volatile memory device serves as a dedicated intermediary component that handles comprehensive data storage without requiring complex control logic in the microprocessor. This separation simplifies the overall system architecture while enabling enhanced diagnostic capabilities through detailed trip information retention.
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 2C~3C
AI summary
A miniature circuit breaker (2) includes separable contacts (4), an operating mechanism (6) structured to open and close the separable contacts, a trip mechanism (8) cooperating with the operating mechanism to trip open the separable contacts, a processor (10) having a routine (12), a plurality of sensors (14,16,18,20) sensing power circuit information operatively associated with the separable contacts, and a non- volatile memory (42) accessible by the processor. The routine of the processor is structured to input the sensed power circuit information, determine and store trip information for each of a plurality of trip cycles in the non- volatile memory, store the sensed power circuit information in the non-volatile memory for each of a plurality of line half-cycles, and determine and store circuit breaker information in the non-volatile memory for the operating life span of the miniature circuit breaker.