Power Inlet Monitoring for RV and Boat Power Quality Faults
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recreational vehicles and boats face damage due to poor power quality from external power sources, which can go unnoticed, especially when the owner is not physically proximate, given the high voltage and amperage requirements and variability in power quality at different locations.
Innovation Solution
A power inlet protection and monitoring device with a power connection port, a monitoring module to assess electrical characteristics, a power conditioner module for surge protection, and a communication module for remote notifications, which can disconnect the power source and alert the owner of any faults or out-of-tolerance conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle is connected to external power sources at various locations, then the vehicle can be powered and charged, but the power quality may be poor and unknown, causing damage to the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a power inlet device as an intermediary component between the external power source and the vehicle's electrical system. This intermediary includes monitoring modules that detect power quality parameters and conditioning modules that filter and condition the power before it reaches the vehicle, thus mediating the connection to ensure reliability while maintaining adaptability to different power sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary monitoring and conditioning of power quality before the power is supplied to the vehicle. The monitoring modules assess power quality parameters in advance, and the conditioning modules prepare the power by filtering surges and stabilizing voltage, ensuring that only qualified power reaches the vehicle's sensitive electrical systems
2Power
If high voltage and amperage are supplied to the vehicle, then the vehicle's power needs are met, but the vehicle may be adversely affected by poor-quality power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates surge protectors and power conditioning circuits that act as cushioning elements before harmful power quality issues can damage the vehicle. These components are positioned to absorb and dissipate voltage surges and current spikes, providing a protective buffer that cushions the vehicle's electrical system from the full impact of poor power quality while still allowing high voltage and amperage to meet power demands
3Ease of operation
If the owner is not in close physical proximity to the vehicle, then the owner has mobility freedom, but they cannot quickly notice power quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through communication modules that continuously monitor power quality parameters and transmit status information to the owner's mobile device. This feedback loop allows the owner to remain mobile while still receiving real-time information about power quality issues, eliminating the need for physical proximity to the vehicle to stay informed about electrical system status
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 device ensures safe and reliable power supply by monitoring and conditioning electrical inputs, preventing damage from poor power quality and providing timely notifications to the owner, thus protecting the vehicle's electrical system.
Implementation Method 1
a power conditioner module including a surge protector configured to redirect an over voltage or over amperage
Data Source
AI summary
A power inlet protection and monitoring device includes a power connection port configured to be on a vehicle and configured to have electrical characteristics when accepting power from an external power source, a monitoring module configured to measure electrical characteristics of the power connection port and configured to determine whether the electrical characteristics of the power connection port are in tolerance, wherein when the monitoring module determines that the electrical characteristics of the power connection port are out of tolerance or a fault may present, the monitoring module triggers one or more alarm conditions, and a power conditioner module that includes a surge protector configured to redirect an over voltage or over amperage.