Hall Effect Sensors for Ground Fault Detection in Multi-Phase Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Older ovens only measure current per power phase, while newer ovens require ground fault detection systems to detect current leaks, which often necessitate additional and cumbersome custom-made coils for effective ground fault detection.
Innovation Solution
Employing Hall Effect sensors to measure phase currents and implement a ground fault detection circuit that sums these currents, reducing the need for large, heavy coils and enabling reliable current measurement and ground fault detection with reduced weight and board space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If custom-made coils are used for ground fault detection, then ground fault detection capability is achieved, but device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/electromagnetic current measurement coils with Hall Effect sensors that use magnetic field detection. This substitution eliminates the need for large, heavy custom-made coils while maintaining ground fault detection capability through electronic sensing of current leakage via magnetic field changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from direct current measurement through coils to magnetic field strength measurement by Hall Effect sensors. This parameter change enables ground fault detection using lightweight electronic sensors instead of heavy electromagnetic coils, significantly reducing system weight.
2Reliability
If custom-made coils are used for ground fault detection, then ground fault detection capability is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, commercially available Hall Effect sensors instead of costly custom-made coils. These standard electronic components are mass-producible and easily integrated, dramatically improving manufacturability and reducing costs while maintaining effective ground fault detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The Hall Effect sensors serve multiple functions: they detect both phase currents and ground fault conditions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated ground fault detection coils, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing component variety.
3Measurement precision
If traditional current measurement coils are used, then current measurement is achieved, but PCB space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky current measurement coils with compact Hall Effect sensors that can be mounted directly on the PCB. This substitution maintains accurate current measurement capability while occupying minimal board space, as electronic sensors are much smaller than their electromagnetic coil counterparts.
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
The use of Hall Effect sensors results in a smaller, lighter, and more reliable system with reduced PCB space requirements, improved manufacturability, and lower costs, as they are commercially available and easier to integrate, compared to custom-made coils.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of Hall Effect sensors configured to detect phase currents associated with at least one portion of a multi-phase system
Data Source
AI summary
A system for current measurement and ground fault detection is disclosed. In embodiments, the system includes a plurality of Hall Effect sensors configured to detect phase currents associated with at least one portion of a multi-phase system. The system further includes a plurality of phase current measurement circuits and a ground fault detection circuit connected to the Hall Effect sensors. The phase current measurement circuits are configured to measure the phase currents detected by the Hall Effect sensors, and the ground fault detection circuit is configured to measure a summation of the phase currents detected by the Hall Effect sensors.