Electrical Receptacle Load Detection for Automatic Power Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical receptacles, such as GFCI devices, lack an efficient mechanism to determine if an acceptable external load is connected to the outlet and to automatically control power delivery accordingly, leading to potential safety issues and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An electrical receptacle with a testing circuit and an interrupting device that outputs a test signal, analyzes the response signal to determine if an acceptable load is connected, and controls the power delivery by electrically connecting or disconnecting the line terminal to the load terminal based on the analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an electrical receptacle provides continuous power delivery capability, then power availability is improved, but energy waste increases when no load is connected
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle automatically detects the presence and type of connected load using a testing circuit that analyzes impedance characteristics, and autonomously controls power delivery through an interrupting device without requiring manual user intervention. This self-service mechanism ensures power is delivered only when needed and only to appropriate loads, eliminating energy waste while maintaining readiness.
2Extent of automation
If a testing circuit is added to detect external load, then power delivery control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The testing circuit serves multiple functions: it detects the presence of an external load, determines the load type (high-impedance vs. low-impedance), and provides this information to control the interrupting device. By consolidating these detection and control functions into a single integrated circuit rather than separate systems, the patent achieves automatic power control while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
3Reliability
If the receptacle automatically detects and controls power delivery, then safety is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is divided into distinct functional modules: a testing circuit for load detection, an interrupting device for power control, and a controller for coordination. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and tested independently, improving overall safety through specialized design while facilitating easier manufacturing and assembly compared to a fully integrated monolithic design.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical receptacle including an outlet for electrically connecting to an external load, a load terminal electrically connected to the outlet, a line terminal electrically connected to a line and configured to receive line power, an interrupting device, and a testing circuit. The interrupting device electrically connects the load terminal to the line terminal when in a first condition and electrically disconnects the load terminal and the line terminal when in a second condition. The testing circuit is configured to determine when the external load is electrically connected to the outlet, and place the interrupting device in the first condition when the external load is electrically connected to the outlet.