Intelligent Current Limiting for Chained DC Appliances

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Solution Overview

Problem

In areas with scarce electrical outlets, such as garages or exterior building areas, providing power to multiple appliances is challenging with conventional power strips or extension cords, which can lead to inconvenient wiring schemes and potential fire hazards due to overheating.

Innovation Solution

The development of intelligent current limiting methods and devices that allow AC and DC appliances to be chained together safely by using current-limiting devices and adaptors, ensuring each appliance has a conductor with a current-carrying capacity greater than the shared current limit, and incorporating sensors and breakers to prevent overheating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple appliances are connected using power strips or extension cords in areas with scarce electrical outlets, then the ability to power multiple appliances is improved, but the risk of overheating and fire hazards increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to power multiple appliancesVSAvoidoverheating and fire hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the chain of appliances into segments with individual current-limiting devices at each appliance. Each appliance has its own current-limiting device that independently controls the current flow to that specific appliance, preventing any single appliance from drawing excessive current and causing overheating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Current-limiting devices are introduced as intermediary components between the power source and each appliance. These devices act as mediators that regulate and control the current flow, ensuring safe operation while enabling multiple appliances to be connected in a chain configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If conventional power strips or extension cords are used to provide power to multiple appliances, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability and safety of the electrical connection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of connecting appliancesVSAvoidelectrical connection safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Current-limiting devices are pre-installed within each appliance before connection to the power source. This preliminary action ensures that current limiting protection is already in place and active as soon as the appliance is connected, preventing safety issues before they can occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Each appliance performs self-protection through its own integrated current-limiting device. The appliance automatically regulates its own current consumption without requiring external monitoring or control, ensuring reliable and safe operation while maintaining ease of connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If appliances are chained together without current limiting, then the adaptability to scarce outlets is improved, but the harmful thermal effects worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechaining capabilityVSAvoidthermal effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The chain configuration is segmented into individual appliances with discrete current-limiting devices. This segmentation allows the chain to be extended adaptably while each segment independently controls its current and thermal output, preventing cumulative thermal effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the current parameter by implementing dynamic current limiting at each appliance. By actively controlling and reducing the current flow through each appliance according to its capacity, the thermal effects are directly controlled while maintaining the ability to chain multiple appliances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 the safe and efficient powering of multiple appliances in areas with limited outlets by preventing overheating and reducing the risk of fires, while allowing for convenient chaining configurations using metal tracks for mounting.

Implementation Method 1

Each AC electrical appliance may comprise an AC electrical input, an AC electrical output, and a conductor comprising an AC current-limiting device with an AC current limit common to the plurality of AC electrical appliances

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS10658846B2Intelligent current limiting to enable chaining of DC appliances

Publication Date: 2020.05.19 MILES JEROME

AI summary

The invention is a method for intelligent current limiting enabling chaining of electrical appliances. Different embodiments apply to alternating current (AC) appliances, direct current (DC) appliances, and a combination of each. In each embodiment, current limits control the number of appliances that can be connected in the chain. If current limits are exceeded, current-limiting devices cut power to one or more of the appliances. Each appliance in the system has conductors with the capacity to carry a current load at least as large as the overall current limit. Preferably, the appliances in the system are garage appliances that are mounted to an overhead track system in a garage, where electrical outlets are scarce.