Optical Circuit Breaker Interface for High-Voltage Data Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit breakers and systems do not adequately address the danger of high voltage, which can lead to the destruction of interface units or computers connected to the circuit breaker and pose a risk of electric shock to personnel.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an optical circuit breaker data interface that converts data into modulated light pulses for transmission, ensuring galvanic separation and safety against electrical shocks, and using contactless power interfaces to power the circuit breaker components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a galvanic data interface is used between the circuit breaker and interface unit/computer, then data transmission is simple and direct, but the interface unit or computer may be destroyed by high voltage and personnel are at risk of electric shock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical converter as an intermediary device between the circuit breaker and the interface unit/computer. This converter transforms electrical signals into optical signals for transmission, thereby mediating the interaction between the high-voltage circuit breaker environment and the low-voltage data processing equipment. The optical interface acts as a safety buffer that prevents direct galvanic connection while enabling data communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional electrical/galvanic connection system with an optical transmission system. By substituting electrical signal transmission with optical signal transmission through light guides, the system eliminates the direct electrical pathway that poses safety risks, while maintaining the essential function of data transmission between components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an optical data interface is implemented to ensure safety, then protection against high voltage is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical converter serves as a protective intermediary that isolates the interface unit and computer from the high-voltage environment of the circuit breaker. By converting electrical signals to optical signals, it creates an electrical barrier that blocks harmful high voltage while allowing data to pass through safely via light transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the dangerous electrical connection system with a safe optical transmission system. The light guide replaces electrical wires for data transmission, and the optical converter replaces direct electrical interfaces, thereby eliminating the pathway for high voltage to reach sensitive equipment while maintaining communication functionality.
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
Provides electrical insulation and safety against electrical shocks from high voltage grids, protecting equipment and personnel by preventing electric shocks and ensuring reliable data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
the circuit breaker data interface is an optical interface
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments relate to a circuit breaker, which includes a housing, a switching contact, a trigger unit acting on the switching contact, a circuit breaker microcontroller and a circuit breaker memory and an optical circuit breaker data interface, which is connected to a data input and/or output of the circuit breaker microcontroller and/or to a data input and/or output of the circuit breaker memory. Moreover, a system with such a circuit breaker is disclosed, which additionally includes an interface unit and/or a computer being connected to the circuit breaker.