Intelligent Electrical Switching Device Merging Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of electrical systems in marine and motor vehicles, driven by redundancy and safety requirements, necessitates more efficient and cost-effective switching solutions that can combine multiple functions into a single device to reduce space, cost, and installation time, while minimizing energy consumption and processing power.
Innovation Solution
A flexible intelligent electrical switching device with a single microprocessor and multiple onboard sensors that can autonomously switch electrical loads based on internal feedback and user inputs, incorporating a printed circuit board assembly for multiple functions and allowing permanent electrical connections, thereby reducing the number of independent circuits and eliminating field wiring connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple independent switching devices are used to manage complex electrical systems, then system reliability and functionality are improved, but device complexity, installation space, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent switching devices into a single integrated intelligent switching device that can manage multiple battery banks and electrical loads. The device incorporates multiple relays, sensors, and control circuits within one unit, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability through centralized intelligent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The intelligent switching device is designed with universal functionality to perform multiple switching operations across different battery banks and load groups simultaneously. A single microprocessor-controlled unit can manage charge sharing, load distribution, and system monitoring functions that previously required multiple dedicated devices, thereby reducing installation space and cost.
2Reliability
If multiple independent switching devices are installed to handle redundant battery systems, then system availability is improved, but installation space and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple switching functions into a single compact intelligent device that can be installed in one location rather than requiring multiple devices distributed throughout the system. This centralized approach maintains full system availability while dramatically reducing the total installation space required.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides universal switching capability that can manage any combination of battery banks and load groups through a single unit. The multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized devices, reducing installation footprint while maintaining redundant system architecture for high availability.
3Extent of automation
If multiple autonomous switching devices are used to monitor and control electrical loads, then automation level is improved, but energy consumption and processing power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple autonomous monitoring and control functions into a single intelligent device with one microprocessor. This centralized approach eliminates the redundant energy consumption and processing overhead of multiple independent devices while maintaining the same level of automation. The single microprocessor can efficiently manage all sensing, decision-making, and switching operations for the entire electrical system.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible intelligent electrical switching device with multi-function capability, and methods of use are presented herein which provide an autonomous, reconfigurable switching device. The present disclosure is specifically designed to reduce space, cost of manufacture, efficiency, installation reduction time and ease of implementation.