Inline GFCI Power Cord With LED Status and Remote Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical power cords lack effective inline ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) that can detect and prevent electrical faults, particularly in scenarios where devices are connected to multiple outlets, and do not provide clear visual notifications or remote control capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The integration of inline GFCIs with light emitting diodes (LEDs) in electrical power cords to provide real-time power flow information and remote control functionality, along with a communication interface for wireless communication with external devices, enabling enhanced safety and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inline GFCIs are integrated into power cords to detect and prevent electrical faults, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The GFCI functionality is nested within the power cord structure itself, with the GFCI device integrated into the cord body. This allows the safety function to be embedded within the existing power distribution infrastructure without requiring separate external devices, thereby improving safety while managing complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The power cord is designed to perform multiple functions: standard power transmission and GFCI fault detection/interruption. By making the power cord universal and multi-functional, the patent improves safety through GFCI capabilities while avoiding the need for additional separate devices, thus managing the complexity increase.
2Loss of information
If LEDs are added to provide visual notifications of power flow status, then information clarity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
LEDs are incorporated into the GFCI device to provide visual status indicators. Different LED states (on/off, different colors) indicate different power flow conditions and fault states. This principle uses optical signal changes to convey information clearly to users, improving information clarity while adding a relatively simple visual notification component.
Solution Approach 2:
The LEDs provide real-time visual feedback about the power flow status and GFCI operational state. This feedback mechanism allows users to immediately understand the system status without requiring technical knowledge, improving information clarity by translating electrical states into intuitive visual signals.
3Ease of operation
If communication interfaces are integrated for remote control capabilities, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A communication interface is integrated into the GFCI device to enable wireless communication with external devices such as smartphones or control systems. This intermediary allows remote monitoring and control of the power cord's GFCI functionality, improving ease of operation by enabling remote management while adding communication capabilities in a modular fashion.
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 solution effectively prevents electrical shocks by detecting and interrupting power flow in case of faults, provides clear visual notifications through LEDs, and allows remote control of power flow, enhancing safety and usability in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
GFCIs can include one or more LEDs that can illuminate in specific ways to represent power flow information
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments relate to power cords for electrically connecting one or more devices to an electrical source. A power cord may include a first end configured to couple to an electrical source and a second end configured to electrically couple to a device. A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) may be coupled to the power cord between the first end and the second end such that the GFCI is configured to control a flow of electricity through the power cord to the device when the second end of the power cord is electrically coupled to the device. The GFCI may include a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) with a first LED configured to illuminate when the GFCI is preventing the flow of electricity, and wherein a second LED is configured to illuminate when an output side of the GFCI is outputting electricity.