Plug Socket Thermal Monitoring for Early Electrical Hazard Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical hazard detection systems fail to detect potential fires caused by faulty household appliances at an early stage, often resulting in delayed alerts and increased risk of damage, especially when residents are absent.
Innovation Solution
An electrical safety device with a thermal sensor, such as an infrared sensor, is used to detect the surface temperature of electrical plugs and appliances, employing machine learning algorithms to identify temperature anomalies and trigger a relay switch to disconnect power when hazardous conditions are detected, while also incorporating additional sensors for comprehensive hazard detection and wireless communication for remote alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional smoke or CO sensors are used to detect fire risks, then fire detection capability is provided, but detection occurs only after fire has already started, resulting in delayed prevention
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal sensor detects temperature rises and anomalies before they reach fire-starting levels, enabling preliminary identification of hazardous conditions. The system monitors temperature trends and triggers alerts during the pre-fire stage, allowing preventive action before actual combustion occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of detecting fire products (smoke, CO) after combustion has started, the invention inverts the approach by detecting the precursor condition (abnormal temperature rise) before fire occurs. This reverses the detection sequence from post-fire to pre-fire detection.
2Reliability
If thermal sensors are used to detect surface temperature of electrical plugs, then early hazard detection is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal sensor serves multiple functions: detecting temperature of electrical plugs, monitoring ambient temperature, and identifying fire hazards. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive safety monitoring through a single sensor component.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that simplifies the system by interpreting complex thermal sensor data, comparing readings against safety thresholds, and triggering appropriate responses. This intermediary layer manages the complexity of sensor integration while providing straightforward hazard detection and alert 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
The system enables early detection and mitigation of electrical hazards, reducing the risk of fires by automatically disconnecting power and alerting users or authorities, even when residents are not present, thereby enhancing household safety.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal sensor arranged to detect the surface temperature of an electrical plug when received in the socket
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical safety device is described which includes a socket arranged to receive an electrical plug of an electrical appliance to connect a current supply to the electrical appliance, a thermal sensor arranged to detect the surface temperature of an electrical plug when received in the socket and a processor in communication with the thermal sensor, the processor configured to determine when the sensed surface temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold. The invention also includes an electrical safety system comprising the electrical safety device configured to communicate with a remote device. The device and system provide early detection of electrical faults and hazards to reduce the risk of fires.