Modular Overcurrent Protection for Custom Solar Circuit Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar energy systems often come with non-customizable circuitry, limiting users' ability to tailor their energy generation and storage systems to specific requirements, such as varying voltage and amperage needs, which can lead to inefficient overcurrent protection.
Innovation Solution
A modular overcurrent protection system that allows users to customize components like fuses and breakers through a user interface, enabling plug-and-play integration of components such as solar panels, charge controllers, and inverters, with AI-driven calculations for appropriate overcurrent protection elements based on user inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-customizable circuitry is used in solar energy systems, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different voltage and amperage requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is divided into multiple slots that can accommodate different overcurrent protection elements (fuses, breakers, MAXI fuses) with varying amperage ratings. This segmentation allows the system to be manufactured with a standardized base configuration while enabling customization through slot-specific component selection, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board is designed with universal slots that can accept multiple types of overcurrent protection elements (fuses, breakers, MAXI fuses) interchangeably. This multi-functionality allows a single circuit board design to serve multiple voltage and amperage configurations, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving versatility across different system requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If customizable overcurrent protection elements are integrated into the circuit board, then adaptability to user requirements is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board features distinct, dedicated slots for different types of overcurrent protection elements (first slot for fuse, second slot for breaker, third slot for MAXI fuse). This segmentation organizes the complexity into manageable, standardized sections, making the customization process simpler despite the increased number of components.
Solution Approach 2:
Each slot on the circuit board is designed with specific local characteristics optimized for its intended overcurrent protection element type. The first slot is configured for fuses, the second for breakers, and the third for MAXI fuses, with each location having tailored electrical and mechanical properties. This local quality approach manages overall device complexity by assigning specific functions to specific locations.
3Ease of operation
If a user interface with AI-driven calculations is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface automatically performs AI-driven calculations to determine the appropriate overcurrent protection element ratings based on user inputs about system requirements. The system serves itself by autonomously computing the correct fuse, breaker, or MAXI fuse ratings without requiring users to manually calculate or understand complex electrical specifications, thus improving ease of operation while managing software complexity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The user interface provides real-time feedback to users as they input system parameters, automatically calculating and displaying the recommended overcurrent protection element ratings. This feedback mechanism guides users through the configuration process, making the system easier to operate by providing immediate, actionable information while managing software complexity through structured calculation algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus, disclosed for assisting a user with configuring an integrated circuit devised to facilitate the generation of customizable solar energy generation systems. Responsive to the user utilizing a user interface (UI) by specifying inputs, the UI identifies requirements for load requirements and offer customizable module recommendations. The UI incorporates graphical representations, interactive elements, tooltips, hyperlinked terms, language localization, and augmented reality/virtual reality features, aimed at elucidating intricate solar energy system-related concepts.