GFCI Circuit Layout With Separate Trip Coils for Reliable Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing GFCI devices face safety hazards due to shared switch and drive circuits for leakage protection and timing functions, leading to potential loss of leakage protection when timing circuits are damaged or malfunction, and require large relays for high-power appliances, increasing size and cost.
Innovation Solution
Separate driving circuits for leakage protection and timing functions to control power connection, using distinct coils and semiconductor elements to drive a common switch, ensuring independent operation and reducing device size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the leakage protection circuit and timing circuit share a common switch and drive circuit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because timing circuit damage affects leakage protection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive circuit into two independent segments: a first drive circuit (including first coil and first semiconductor element) for leakage protection control, and a second drive circuit (including second coil and second semiconductor element) for timing control. Both drive separate instances of the switch unit, eliminating the reliability issue of shared circuits while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
2Power
If a large current-carrying line switch is used for high-power appliances, then the power handling capability is improved, but the device size and cost increase due to large relays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical relays with semiconductor elements (such as triacs or transistors) to control the switch unit. These semiconductor-based drive circuits can handle high currents while maintaining a compact form factor, eliminating the need for large mechanical relays and reducing both device size and cost
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
Enhances safety by eliminating potential hazards, reduces device size and cost, and maintains reliable leakage protection through separate control circuits.
Implementation Method 1
the leakage drive module includes a first coil
Implementation Method 2
the timing drive module includes a second coil which is separate from the first coil
Implementation Method 3
the reset driving module includes a third coil separate from the first coil
Data Source
AI summary
A ground fault circuit interrupter device includes a switch unit for controlling a power connection between input and output ends; a leakage protection unit including a leakage detection module, for generating a leakage fault signal upon detecting a leakage current signal, and a leakage drive module including a first coil, for driving the switch unit to disconnect the power connection in response to the leakage fault signal; a timing unit including a timing control module, for performing timing in response to a time duration setting signal and generating a timed trip signal after a first preset time duration elapses, a time duration setting module for sending the time duration setting signal to the timing control module, and a timing drive module including a second coil separate from the first coil, for driving the switch unit to disconnect the power connection in response to the timed trip signal.