Redundant Switch Assembly for Electrical Fault Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical assemblies lack sufficient functionality for detecting and protecting against fault conditions and require complex assembly processes, often failing to provide adequate redundancy and efficient current management.
Innovation Solution
The electrical assembly incorporates a first and second switch connected in series and parallel with an electrical component, allowing for secondary current provision when the component is in an open state, and a controller to manage power distribution and diagnostics, ensuring unidirectional current flow and fault protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electrical assemblies are used, then the assembly process is simple, but the functionality is insufficient and fault detection capability is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated circuit board assembly. The controller, switches, and electrical components are merged into one compact unit, providing fault detection, current management, and protection functions simultaneously without requiring separate assemblies for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions: it monitors the state of electrical components, manages power distribution through the switches, detects faults in the electrical system, and provides diagnostic information. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by delivering enhanced reliability without proportionally increasing assembly complexity.
2Reliability
If electrical component is in open state, then current flow is interrupted, but redundancy and continuous current provision are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different configurations of the first and second switches based on the state of the electrical component. When the component is closed, the switches are configured accordingly; when the component opens, the controller reconfigures the switches to maintain current flow through alternative paths, providing dynamic redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is configured to detect the open state of the electrical component and activate the alternative current path through the switches before complete current interruption occurs. This preliminary action ensures continuous current provision and maintains system reliability.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If more components are added for fault detection, then detection capability improves, but assembly complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a multi-functional device that performs fault detection, power management, and system monitoring without requiring separate dedicated detection components. This approach improves fault detection capability while avoiding the component proliferation that would increase assembly complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical component itself provides diagnostic information to the controller, allowing the system to detect faults and monitor its own state without requiring additional external sensors or detection devices. The component's inherent electrical characteristics are used for self-diagnosis.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical assembly may include an electrical component, a first switch, and/or a second switch. The electrical component may include a closed state and an open state. The first switch may be connected in series with the second switch. The first switch and the second switch may be connected in parallel with the electrical component. The first switch and the second switch may be configured to provide a second electrical connection when the electrical component is in the open state. A method of operating an electrical assembly may include providing power from a power source to the electrical component, opening the electrical component, the first switch, and/or the second switch via a controller, closing a second electrical component via the controller, and/or providing a diagnostic current from the power source to a diagnostic load to determine a status of the power source.