Operational Status Determining Apparatus Using Adaptive Current Thresholds

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods lack a clear threshold value to determine whether electrical equipment connected to a power cable is operating, as they rely solely on the magnitude of alternating current without defining specific limits.

Innovation Solution

An operational status determining apparatus that includes a current measuring section and an on/off determining section, using a threshold value derived from current limits to differentiate between powered-on and powered-off states, with the threshold value being equal to or higher than a current upper limit below which the equipment is definitely off and equal to or lower than a current lower limit above which it is definitely on.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a threshold value is defined to determine operational status, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational status determination accuracyVSAvoidthreshold value definition and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically learns and adapts threshold values through self-testing mechanisms. The determination unit performs self-tests to acquire on-current and off-current values, automatically deriving threshold values without requiring manual configuration or external intervention. This eliminates the need for complex manual threshold setup while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts threshold values based on learned current characteristics. The threshold value derivation unit modifies threshold parameters according to the acquired on-current and off-current values, allowing the system to adapt to different electrical equipment and operating conditions. This dynamic parameter adjustment maintains precision without requiring fixed complex threshold definitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If automatic threshold learning is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethreshold configuration simplicityVSAvoidoperational status determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the determination unit performs self-tests and uses the results to acquire current values. These feedback results are fed back to the threshold value derivation unit, which adjusts thresholds based on actual measured data. This closed-loop feedback ensures that automatic learning processes maintain high measurement precision by continuously refining thresholds based on real operational data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical threshold configuration with automated electronic learning processes. Instead of requiring manual setup of threshold values, the system uses automated self-tests and computational algorithms to derive thresholds automatically. This substitution maintains or improves precision while dramatically enhancing ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If multiple current measurement points are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent threshold determination accuracyVSAvoidcurrent measurement system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the current measurement process into distinct functional components: a determination unit for self-testing, an acquisition unit for collecting current values at multiple points, and a derivation unit for processing data. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision through multiple measurement points while managing complexity through modular, organized processing stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Effectively determines the operational status of electrical equipment by setting clear thresholds for current measurements, ensuring accurate identification of power states without unnecessary ambiguity.

Implementation Method 1

detecting an alternating current flowing through the power cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250020701A1Operational status determining apparatus, method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 ALLIED TELESIS

AI summary

An operational status determining apparatus includes a current measuring section, and an on/off determining section. The current measuring section measures a current through a power cable connected to an electrical equipment. The on/off determining section determines that the electrical equipment is powered on when the current is higher than a threshold value, while determines that the electrical equipment is powered off when the current is lower than the threshold value. The threshold value is equal to or higher than a current upper limit below which the electrical equipment is definitely powered off, and equal to or lower than a current lower limit above which the electrical equipment is definitely powered on.