Rotatable LCD Ammeter for Power Distribution Strip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power distribution strips lack effective monitoring of current consumption, particularly in EDP cabinets with multiple electronic components, and fail to provide optimal visibility and adjustability of current measurements across different orientations and phases.
Innovation Solution
A power distribution strip with an ammeter that displays true effective values (TRMS) of current, featuring an adjustable digital LCD display for flexible orientations, phase-specific flashing, and unbalanced load warnings, designed for both single-phase and three-phase configurations, with options for background color and reduced backlight for extended service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a fixed display orientation is used in the ammeter, then the device structure is simple, but the visibility is poor when the power distribution strip is installed in different orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The display is made rotatable relative to the housing, allowing it to change orientation dynamically. A rotation mechanism with detent positions at 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270° enables the display to adapt to different installation orientations of the power distribution strip, ensuring optimal visibility regardless of how the device is mounted.
2Loss of information
If the display shows all phase information continuously, then complete monitoring is achieved, but the display becomes cluttered and harder to read
Solution Approach 1:
The display content is made dynamically switchable between different modes: showing all three phases simultaneously, or cycling through individual phases. A button allows the user to switch between these modes, enabling complete phase monitoring when needed while maintaining clean, readable displays during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
When set to individual phase display mode, the ammeter cycles through displaying each phase sequentially in periodic intervals. This allows all phase information to be presented over time without cluttering the display simultaneously, maintaining readability while ensuring complete monitoring coverage.
3Illumination intensity
If the backlight is always on for optimal visibility, then the display is always visible, but the service life of the backlight is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The backlight operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. It turns on automatically when the display is active or when a button is pressed, then turns off after a predetermined time period of inactivity. This periodic operation maintains visibility when needed while significantly extending the overall service life of the backlight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from user interaction (button presses) and display state to control backlight timing. The backlight remains on as long as the display is being used or adjusted, then automatically turns off after the predetermined period, creating an adaptive lighting system that balances visibility and longevity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The strip (1) has a load connector (7), and an ampere meter (10) attached to the load connector. The ampere meter is designed for measuring and displaying real effective values of current during a single phase or three phase execution. A display (11) e.g. LCD display, of the ampere meter is adjustable for readability in angular measures i.e. 90 degree. The ampere meter is laid out for display of the effective values per phase.