Integrated PCB Assembly for Ground Fault Indication Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power pedestals require significant labor and cost for assembly and maintenance due to the complexity of components needed for ground fault indication systems, which often involve multiple parts and wiring.
Innovation Solution
A printed circuit board assembly integrated with ground fault input devices and an indication apparatus that provides circuit status indications, eliminating the need for separate timers, control relays, and terminal relays, and allowing for easier assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ground fault indication systems with multiple separate components (timers, control relays, terminal relays) are used, then the system provides comprehensive circuit status indication, but the assembly and maintenance labor and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (timers, control relays, terminal relays, ground fault indication) into a single integrated printed circuit board assembly. This consolidation maintains all necessary circuit status indication functions while eliminating the need for multiple discrete components, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The printed circuit board assembly is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: ground fault detection, timing operations, relay control, and status indication. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace several specialized components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive functionality.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for ground fault indication, then the system can provide comprehensive circuit status monitoring, but the assembly and maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple functional components into a single printed circuit board assembly, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be sourced, inventoried, and assembled. This consolidation directly lowers manufacturing costs and simplifies maintenance procedures, addressing the cost issue while preserving comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses standardized printed circuit board technology to create a reproducible, modular assembly that can be manufactured using automated processes. This approach enables cost-effective production through standardization and automation, reducing both assembly and maintenance costs compared to custom-wired discrete component systems.
3Loss of information
If traditional multi-component ground fault indication systems are implemented, then the system provides complete circuit status feedback, but the number of parts and wiring complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of all ground fault indication functions into a single printed circuit board assembly eliminates the need for extensive wiring between separate components. The internal circuitry of the PCB provides all necessary electrical connections, significantly reducing external wiring complexity while maintaining complete circuit status feedback capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The printed circuit board acts as an intermediary integrated system that receives inputs from ground fault detection devices and provides processed status indications. This intermediary approach consolidates the complex wiring and signal routing into a single managed platform, simplifying the overall system architecture while preserving complete status feedback.
Data Source
AI summary
A printed circuit board assembly is for a ground fault indication system of a power pedestal. The power pedestal includes a housing. The ground fault indication system has a number of ground fault input devices each structured to be coupled to the housing. The printed circuit board assembly includes an enclosure, a number of terminals each coupled to the enclosure, at least one of the number of terminals being structured to be electrically connected with one of the number of ground fault input devices, and a printed circuit board enclosed by the enclosure and electrically connected to the number of terminals. The printed circuit board has an indication apparatus structured to provide an indication of circuit status.