Receptacle Over-Temperature Detection Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Overheating in receptacle outlets due to poor electrical connections poses a safety hazard and is not adequately addressed by existing technologies, which can lead to component melting or fire, and there is a need for cost-effective solutions in receptacles and circuit protection systems.

Innovation Solution

A circuit interrupter with a temperature-based tripping mechanism, comprising a thermistor and resistor voltage divider, a comparator circuit, and a processor that de-energizes the outlet or trips a circuit breaker when excessive temperature is detected, preventing power flow and thus mitigating overheating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If temperature monitoring and automatic tripping mechanisms are added to receptacles, then safety against overheating is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against overheatingVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical temperature monitoring systems with an electronic sensing circuit that uses a thermistor and comparator to detect temperature changes. This electronic approach simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining reliable overheating protection through electrical signal processing rather than mechanical mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit interrupter automatically monitors its own operating temperature and triggers protective tripping without external intervention. The temperature sensing circuit continuously monitors conditions and autonomously activates the interruption mechanism when overheating is detected, eliminating the need for external monitoring systems or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If temperature sensing circuits and comparator circuits are integrated into receptacles, then overheating detection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverheating detection capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a thermistor whose resistance changes with temperature to detect overheating conditions. This parameter-based detection method allows the circuit to monitor temperature through simple resistance measurements rather than complex temperature sensing, reducing component costs and manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The voltage divider configuration using the thermistor and fixed resistor creates a simplified model of temperature conditions that can be easily compared against reference voltages. This analog copying approach allows temperature detection through voltage comparison rather than direct temperature measurement, reducing the need for expensive precision temperature sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Object-affected harmful factors

If automatic interruption mechanisms are added to de-energize outlets, then protection against safety hazards is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against safety hazardsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the temperature sensing circuit, comparator logic, and interruption mechanism into a single integrated circuit interrupter unit. By merging these functions into one device rather than separate components, the overall system complexity is reduced while maintaining comprehensive protection against safety hazards through coordinated operation of integrated elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 overheating by automatically de-energizing the outlet or tripping the circuit breaker, reducing the risk of safety hazards and maintaining cost-effectiveness in receptacle design.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature sensing circuit including a resistor and a thermistor arranged as a voltage divider, wherein the thermistor has a resistance proportional to temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermistor resistance-temperature relationship: Thermistor

Data Source

PatentUS10658834B2Receptacle, circuit protection system, and circuit interrupter with over-temperature detection

Publication Date: 2020.05.19 EATON CORP

AI summary

A receptacle includes an outlet, an interruption mechanism structured to activate to de-energize the outlet, a temperature sensing circuit including a resistor and a thermistor arranged as a voltage divider, wherein the thermistor has a resistance proportional to temperature, a comparator circuit structured to compare an output of the temperature sensing circuit to a predetermined reference voltage and to selectively output a signal based on the comparison of the output of the temperature sensing circuit and the predetermined reference voltage. The interruption mechanism is structured to activate to de-energize the outlet in response to the comparator circuit outputting the signal.