Pulse Activated Magnetic Trip Reset Mechanism for GFCI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) require separate trip and reset circuits with multiple components, increasing cost and size, necessitating a solution to consolidate these functions into a single circuit.
Innovation Solution
A pulse activated magnetic trip/reset mechanism using a ferrite core, plunger, and trip/reset coil, with a permanent magnet and reset spring, allowing the plunger to switch between trip and reset positions based on polarity of pulses, and an electronic circuit with diodes, resistors, and silicon controlled rectifiers to control the trip/reset coil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate trip and reset circuits are used in GFCI, then reliability and functionality are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the trip circuit and reset circuit into a single integrated circuit that performs both functions. The trip coil and reset coil are merged into one coil structure, and a single control circuit manages both tripping and resetting operations through pulse width modulation, eliminating the need for separate circuits while maintaining safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it can trip the breaker by applying a first pulse width signal and reset the breaker by applying a second pulse width signal. The control circuit universally manages both protective tripping and user-initiated resetting operations, making the circuit multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single purpose.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate trip and reset circuits are used in GFCI, then functionality is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trip coil and reset coil are physically merged into a single coil structure that can be actuated by different pulse widths from the same control circuit. This merging eliminates duplicate components while preserving both tripping and resetting functionalities through differential pulse control.
Solution Approach 2:
A single control circuit is designed to universally handle both trip and reset operations. By varying the pulse width parameter, the same circuit can initiate tripping (first pulse width) or resetting (second pulse width), eliminating the need for separate control circuits and reducing overall component count.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate trip and reset circuits are used in GFCI, then functionality is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trip and reset coil structures are merged into a single compact coil assembly, and the control circuit is integrated into one unified unit. This spatial merging significantly reduces the volume occupied by these components compared to having separate trip and reset circuits distributed throughout the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated control circuit serves dual purposes by using pulse width modulation to achieve both tripping and resetting functions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate control circuits, thereby reducing the overall device volume while maintaining full trip and reset capabilities.
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
This mechanism simplifies the GFCI design by using a single circuit for both trip and reset functions, reducing component count and size while maintaining safety and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a trip/reset coil positioned at the bottom portion of the body and around the cylindrical opening of the body
Implementation Method 2
a permanent magnet positioned under the top surface of the body, around and outside of the cylindrical opening of the body
Implementation Method 3
a ferrite core having a concave top surface, and convex bottom surface... a ferrite surrounding magnetically coupled with the ferrite core and the plunger to form a complete magnetic field loop
Implementation Method 4
a reset spring positioned between a plunger block and the top surface of the body to keep the plunger in its reset position
Data Source
AI summary
A pulse activated magnetic trip/reset mechanism for a ground fault circuit interrupter, comprising: (i) a body, (ii) a ferrite core, (iii) a plunger, (iv) a ferrite surrounding, (v) a permanent magnet, (vi) a trip/reset coil, (vii) a reset spring positioned between a plunger block and the body, (viii) a first fixed contact holder having a first fixed contact point, and (ix) a first movable contact holder having a first movable contact point, wherein the first movable contact holder is attached to the body of the plunger such that when the plunger is in its first position (trip position), the first movable contact point is not in contact with the first fixed contact point, and when the plunger is in its second position (reset position), the first movable contact point is in contact with the first fixed contact point.