Miswiring Circuit for Electrical Fault Interrupter Sensor Simplification

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical fault interrupters require multiple and complex sensors to detect faults and miswiring conditions, which are costly and bulky, necessitating a solution to reduce sensor complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a miswiring circuit that generates a miswire signal when an improper connection is detected, allowing for the reduction or elimination of additional sensors and triggering the tripping of the electrical fault interrupter in miswiring conditions, thereby reducing the number and complexity of sensors needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple electrical fault sensors are employed to detect faults and miswiring conditions, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidsensor complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple detection functions (fault detection and miswiring detection) into a single integrated electrical fault sensor. The sensor simultaneously monitors both proper electrical faults and miswiring conditions through unified circuitry, eliminating the need for separate sensors and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical fault sensor is designed with multi-functionality to perform both traditional fault detection and miswiring detection. By incorporating a miswiring detection circuit within the sensor that can identify improper connections (such as hot wire connected to neutral terminal), the single sensor achieves universal detection coverage for multiple hazard conditions without requiring additional specialized sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple electrical fault sensors are employed to detect faults and miswiring conditions, then detection reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple detection functions (fault detection and miswiring detection) into a single integrated electrical fault sensor. The sensor simultaneously monitors both proper electrical faults and miswiring conditions through unified circuitry, eliminating the need for separate sensors and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical fault sensor is designed with multi-functionality to perform both traditional fault detection and miswiring detection. By incorporating a miswiring detection circuit within the sensor that can identify improper connections (such as hot wire connected to neutral terminal), the single sensor achieves universal detection coverage for multiple hazard conditions without requiring additional specialized sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a miswiring circuit is added to detect improper connections, then miswiring detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemiswiring detection capabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The miswiring detection circuit is merged with the existing electrical fault sensor circuitry rather than being implemented as a separate independent system. The sensor's output is coupled to a logic circuit that integrates miswiring detection logic, allowing the system to identify improper connections through the same sensing infrastructure already present in the device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7924537B2Miswiring circuit coupled to an electrical fault interrupter

Publication Date: 2011.04.12 LEVITON MFG CO INC

AI summary

The disclosure relates to an electrical fault interrupter comprising at least one electrical fault sensor which is configured to detect an electrical fault condition, at least one miswiring circuit configured to detect the improper connection to the electrical fault sensor, and at least one circuit interrupter which is configured to open at least one circuit in the presence of an electrical fault or a miswiring condition. In at least one embodiment, one end of the miswiring circuit is coupled to a ground line.