RV Power Plug With Fault Indicators and Hi-Pot Test Switch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicular electrical plugs lack indicators for electrical ground or polarity problems, making it difficult for users to diagnose issues, and existing complex and expensive solutions are not necessary for most situations.

Innovation Solution

A vehicular electrical plug with a switch for high potential dielectric withstand testing and normal use, featuring multiple lights for indicating power flow and detecting ground or polarity problems, and a water-resistant seal using liquid polyurethane.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional single-light plugs are used, then the device is simple and inexpensive, but it cannot indicate electrical ground or polarity problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical safety indicationVSAvoidplug structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple monitoring functions (power flow indication, ground detection, polarity detection) into a single integrated plug assembly with multiple LEDs. This merging approach provides comprehensive safety information without requiring separate devices, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity by integrating multiple functions into one unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plug is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: indicating power flow, detecting ground faults, and detecting polarity reversals. This multi-functionality allows a single device to provide comprehensive electrical safety monitoring, improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If complex power monitoring devices with microprocessors are used, then comprehensive power monitoring is achieved, but the device becomes expensive and overly complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower monitoring capabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs simple, inexpensive components such as LEDs and basic electrical contacts instead of expensive microprocessors and memory modules. These simple components provide the essential monitoring functions needed for safety without the overhead of complex computing systems, effectively resolving the contradiction between monitoring capability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential monitoring functions needed for safety (power flow indication, ground detection, polarity detection) and implements them through simple electrical circuits. Non-essential features such as wireless communication, GPS tracking, and cloud connectivity are omitted, leaving a streamlined system that provides reliable monitoring without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If multiple separate monitoring devices are used, then comprehensive electrical monitoring is achieved, but the device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical problem detectionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges ground detection, polarity detection, and power flow indication into a single integrated plug assembly. Multiple LEDs are housed within one plug body, and all sensing circuits are consolidated into a unified structure. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate devices, providing comprehensive monitoring while maintaining a compact, simple form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If traditional plugs without water sealing are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the plug lacks durability for outdoor use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a waterproof seal (such as an O-ring gasket) within the plug housing to create a water-resistant barrier. This flexible sealing element protects the internal electrical components from moisture and environmental damage, enhancing durability for outdoor use while adding minimal complexity to the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS12244106B2Vehicle cable and plug with indicator lights and switch

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 GLENDINNING PROD LLC

AI summary

A vehicular electrical plug or connector is provided. In another aspect, an electrical connector includes a wire cable having a first end that is permanently connected to a wheeled recreational vehicle, a second end with an outlet-engageable plug thereon, and a switch allowing for a high potential or dielectric withstand test by the vehicle manufacturer in one switch condition, and then the switch allowing for normal use while detecting and/or alerting a user of an electrical ground and/or polarity problem in another switch condition. A further aspect of an electrical connector employs multiple lights on a plug, one of which alerts a user of an electrical ground and/or polarity problem, and another of which is illuminated when electricity is flowing through the plug. Another aspect of a vehicular electrical plug and method of manufacturing same, includes liquid polyurethane fed into a hole in a plug housing which then fills the otherwise open area therein to create a water-resistant seal for the plug.