Circuit Interrupter Trip Unit USB Interface Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current circuit interrupter electronic trip units are bulky and costly due to the need for adjustable switches for varying trip settings, which can be improved upon to reduce size and cost while maintaining functionality.
Innovation Solution
A system that replaces adjustable switches with a portable computing device acting as a USB host, communicating with the electronic trip unit via a plug-and-play USB interface to set and read trip settings, eliminating the need for physical switches and allowing for remote monitoring and adjustment of settings through a graphical user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable switches are used to vary trip settings in electronic trip units, then trip setting flexibility is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustable switches with a microprocessor-based electronic control system that uses software programming to configure trip settings. The microprocessor (38) reads configuration data from non-volatile memory (40) and stores it in volatile memory (20), eliminating the need for physical switches while maintaining full trip setting flexibility through digital parameter storage and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses non-volatile memory (40) to store configuration data that can be read by the microprocessor (38). This creates a digital copy of the trip settings that can be easily modified and reprogrammed without physical hardware changes, allowing flexible trip setting adjustment while reducing device size compared to mechanical switch assemblies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable switches are used to vary trip settings in electronic trip units, then trip setting flexibility is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces costly mechanical adjustable switches with a microprocessor-based system using standard electronic components (microprocessor 38, non-volatile memory 40, volatile memory 20). This electronic implementation reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining or improving trip setting flexibility through software-based configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements trip setting flexibility through programmable parameters stored in memory rather than fixed mechanical switch positions. The microprocessor can be programmed with different trip settings by loading configuration data into non-volatile memory, allowing cost-effective customization without requiring different hardware configurations for different applications.
3Device complexity
If physical switches are eliminated in favor of USB communication, then device size is reduced, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a USB interface module (78) as an intermediary between the external world and the trip unit's internal microprocessor (38). This module handles all communication protocols and data formatting, translating external USB commands into internal memory operations. The intermediary absorbs the operational complexity, keeping the main trip unit simple while enabling flexible configuration through standard USB connections.
4Stability of the object's composition
If trip settings are stored in non-volatile memory, then setting retention is improved, but data access time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-loads trip configuration data into non-volatile memory (40) during manufacturing or initial setup. When the trip unit is powered on, the microprocessor (38) automatically reads this pre-stored configuration data into volatile memory (20) for rapid access during operation. This preliminary action ensures settings are retained across power cycles while minimizing access time during normal operation, as the data is already prepared and stored in the appropriate memory location.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A circuit interrupter system (2, 2') includes a circuit interrupter (4, 4') including a processing unit (16), a serial port interface (26) operatively coupled to the processing unit for enabling communication with the processing unit, and a USB processing unit (28, 82) configured to run a USB stack and operatively coupled to the serial port interface for enabling communication with the processing unit through the serial port interface, and a portable computing device (10) selectively connectable to the USB processing unit of the circuit interrupter through a USB connection, the portable computing device being structured to function as a USB host and to implement a graphical user interface (42) for enabling communication between the portable computing device and the processing unit of the circuit interrupter through the serial port interface and the USB processing unit when the portable computing device is connected to the USB processing unit of the circuit interrupter.