Detachable Surge Protector Module for Degradation Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surge protection devices in field devices are difficult to detect degradation, leading to unreliable operation and increased operational costs due to the need for replacing entire housings when degradation occurs, and are not easily adaptable to different structures.
Innovation Solution
A surge protection device with detachable connectors and varistors that can be easily replaced and monitored for degradation, using a terminal connector portion for measurement and automatic self-diagnosis to determine the need for replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the surge protection device is soldered to the housing of the field device, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the replacement becomes difficult and operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surge protection device is segmented into a separable configuration where the surge protection module can be detached from the housing. The housing includes a mounting portion that can accommodate the surge protection device, allowing it to be installed and removed without permanent soldering, thus enabling easy replacement while maintaining secure connection during operation.
2Reliability
If the surge protection device blocks surge voltage, then the field device is protected, but the surge protection element degrades and becomes difficult to detect
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a degradation detection mechanism that provides feedback on the condition of the surge protection element. By monitoring parameters such as resistance changes or electrical characteristics of the varistor, the system can detect when the surge protection element has degraded, alerting users to replace it before it fails completely, thus maintaining field device protection while enabling degradation detection.
3Reliability
If the entire housing is replaced when surge protection device degrades, then reliability is maintained, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surge protection device is extracted as a separate, replaceable module from the housing. The housing includes a mounting portion designed to accommodate the surge protection device, allowing only the degraded surge protection module to be removed and replaced while keeping the housing and other components in place, thereby reducing operational costs compared to replacing the entire housing.
4Device complexity
If the surge protection device is integrated into the housing, then the structure is compact, but adaptability to different field device structures becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The housing mounting portion is designed with universal compatibility features that can accommodate different surge protection device configurations. The mounting structure can adapt to various field device types and structures, allowing the same housing design to work with different surge protection modules, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining structural integration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy detection and replacement of degraded surge protection devices, improving reliability and reducing operational costs by allowing timely replacements and adaptability across various field devices.
Implementation Method 1
a surge protection element that absorbs a surge electric current in a case where a surge voltage is applied
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A surge protection device (1) is mounted on a transmitter (100). A cable that sends a signal received from an external device is connected to terminal block screw portions (12, 13). The connector (23) is detachable with respect to a connector component provided in the transmitter (100), and outputs an input signal received from each of the terminal block screw portions (12, 13) to the connector component. The surge protection element (21, 22) absorbs a surge electric current in a case where a surge voltage is applied from the terminal block screw portions (12, 13) to the connector component. The terminal connector portion (11) is connected to the terminal block screw portions (12, 13) via the surge protection element (21, 22).