Three-phase meter segment display icon for phase monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-phase electricity meters lack the ability to effectively display all relevant phase information due to limited display space, making it difficult to accurately diagnose wiring faults and supply conditions.
Innovation Solution
A three-phase electricity meter with a segment display that uses a single icon to visually indicate phase operating conditions, comprising subsets of segments arranged concentrically around a central point, with distinct optical states and rotation patterns to represent energy flow, phase rotation, and neutral wire presence, allowing for efficient use of display area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If separate phase indicators and arrow indicators are used to display phase information, then the information completeness is improved, but the display area required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate phase indicators and arrow indicators into a single integrated icon. The icon includes multiple segments that can be selectively activated to represent different phase conditions (forward energy flow, reverse energy flow, null energy flow, phase rotation direction) simultaneously within one compact graphical element, thereby reducing the display area while maintaining information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The single icon serves multiple functions by incorporating both phase flow indicators and rotation indicators within the same graphical element. Different segments of the icon can represent different types of phase information, allowing one component to perform the work of what would traditionally require multiple separate indicators.
2Loss of information
If more display segments are used to show all phase conditions, then the information completeness is improved, but the display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The icon is divided into multiple discrete segments that can be independently controlled. Each segment represents a specific phase condition or aspect of phase information. By segmenting the icon in this way, the display can show comprehensive phase information using a manageable number of controllable elements rather than requiring a large number of separate indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The icon segments can be dynamically activated or deactivated based on the current phase conditions. The display transitions between different segment activation patterns to represent different operating states (normal phase rotation, reverse phase rotation, abnormal conditions), allowing the same physical segments to convey multiple types of information through different activation patterns.
3Area of stationary object
If a compact icon design is used to minimize display area, then the display area efficiency is improved, but the readability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different segments within the icon are designed with specific visual characteristics optimized for their particular function. Each segment's shape, position, and activation pattern are tailored to clearly represent its specific phase information, ensuring that even within a compact overall design, each local element remains distinct and readable.
Solution Approach 2:
The icon can use periodic activation patterns (such as sequential lighting of segments or flashing patterns) to indicate phase rotation and other dynamic conditions. This temporal dimension adds to the information conveyed without requiring additional spatial elements, maintaining readability through time-based visual cues.
Data Source
Figure 1~1h
Figure 2~2c
Figure 3a~3k
AI summary
The invention relates to an electricity meter with at least three inputs adapted to connect to a three-phase electricity supply, a segment display (260) providing visual indications of information by selectively activating/deactivating a plurality of segments on said display and activation/deactivation means (200-230) for selectively activating/deactivating said plurality of segments. According to the invention, the segments are locally arranged in a same area of the display so as to form a single icon (1) for monitoring the phase operating conditions of the meter. The icon comprises a first subset of segments each representative of an energy flow within one of the three inputs, and arranged according to a first pattern, and a second subset of segments representative of the phase rotation, and arranged according to a second pattern; first and second patterns being concentrically arranged with respect to a central point of said area. Activation/deactivation means (200-230) are adapted to control the switching of each segment of said first subset between three distinct optical states depending whether the energy flow of the corresponding input is a forward energy flow, a reverse energy flow or is not measurable; and the successive activation/deactivation of each segment or group of segments of the second subset in clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation depending on the sign of the phase rotation, and with a rotation speed depending on the instantaneous power level delivered through said meter.