Power Distribution Unit Socket Disabling via Solenoid Shutters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power distribution units often overload, leading to a high risk of fire due to gradual increases in electrical load, as existing circuit breakers and fuses may not activate at maximum loads and require monitoring with alerts that can be ignored, posing a continued risk.

Innovation Solution

A power distribution unit with a mechanical disabling mechanism that selectively disables unoccupied sockets when the aggregate power drawn exceeds a predetermined threshold, using an excess power detector and solenoid-actuated shutters to prevent further current draw, and includes a re-enabling mechanism when safe to do so.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If circuit breakers and fuses are used for overload protection, then electrical safety is improved, but they may not activate at maximum loads and require monitoring that can be ignored

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverload protection reliabilityVSAvoiduser response to monitoring alerts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors power consumption and disables sockets without requiring user attention or action. The mechanical disabling mechanism self-activates when the processor detects excessive power draw, eliminating the need for users to respond to alerts or manually intervene.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional passive circuit breakers and fuses with an active electronic monitoring system that uses a processor to detect power consumption and a mechanical disabling mechanism (such as solenoid-actuated shutters) to physically prevent plug insertion, providing more reliable protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sockets are provided in a power distribution unit, then power distribution versatility is improved, but the risk of overload increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower distribution capabilityVSAvoidoverload and fire risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the aggregate power consumption across all sockets and provides feedback to the processor. When the power draw exceeds a predetermined threshold, the processor activates the mechanical disabling mechanism to prevent further loading, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical disabling mechanism is positioned to prevent plug insertion before overload occurs. By disabling sockets proactively when the power threshold is approached, the system prevents harmful conditions from developing rather than reacting after overload begins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a mechanical disabling mechanism is added to prevent overload, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverload preventionVSAvoidmechanical disabling mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical disabling mechanism is implemented as separate shutter assemblies for each socket or group of sockets. Each shutter can be independently actuated by its own motor or solenoid, allowing the system to disable only specific sockets as needed rather than requiring a complex centralized mechanism.

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 prevents overloading by physically preventing additional plugs from being inserted into unoccupied sockets, thereby safeguarding against electrical fires and reducing the risk of human error in monitoring and responding to alerts.

Implementation Method 1

using an excess power detector and solenoid-actuated shutters to prevent further current draw

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolenoid: Solenoid

Data Source

PatentUS10587117B2Disabling sockets in a power distribution unit in response to detection of excess power

Publication Date: 2020.03.10 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

An electrical power distribution unit for overload prevention and a method for preventing overload of the electrical power distribution unit. The power distribution unit includes: (i) a plurality of sockets, each socket being an electrical power outlet socket, each socket having a plurality of receptacles for receiving corresponding pins of a power plug; (ii) a mechanical disabling mechanism configured to disable each socket that is unoccupied by a respective power plug; and (iii) an excess power detector configured to detect an aggregate power drawn from the sockets. The method includes: monitoring, by the excess power detector, a first aggregate power drawn from the sockets; and determining that the first aggregate power exceeds a predetermined first threshold and in response, actuating the mechanical disabling mechanism to disable each socket that is unoccupied by a respective power plug.