RV Power Monitoring Module for Remote Shore Power Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recreational vehicles (RVs) face issues with low-quality shore power supplies that can cause damage due to high or low voltage levels, power spikes, and surges, and existing power conditioning systems lack effective monitoring and reporting capabilities, especially when users are remote from the RV.
Innovation Solution
A recreational vehicle power monitoring and reporting device with a power conditioner module and a power monitoring module, equipped with sensors, that provides real-time data and alerts via a wireless communicator to a user device, allowing for remote monitoring and control of power conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power conditioning apparatus is used to protect RV from shore power problems, then reliability of electrical devices is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power conditioning system is divided into separate functional modules: a power conditioner module containing surge protectors and voltage regulators, and a power monitoring module with sensors and communication capabilities. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function independently, improving overall reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communicator acts as an intermediary between the power monitoring module and the user's remote device. This intermediary enables remote monitoring and alerting without requiring direct physical connection or user presence at the RV, thus improving reliability by enabling continuous monitoring while avoiding the complexity of direct user interaction with the power system.
2Ease of operation
If power monitoring and reporting device is added to enable remote monitoring, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power monitoring module automatically detects power quality parameters, generates alerts when thresholds are exceeded, and communicates status information wirelessly without requiring user intervention. This self-service capability improves ease of operation by eliminating the need for users to physically check power conditions while keeping the system relatively simple through automated functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors power parameters and provides real-time feedback to the user through wireless communication when abnormal conditions are detected. This feedback mechanism improves ease of operation by keeping users informed of power conditions remotely, while the automated nature of the feedback reduces operational complexity.
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and monitoring functions are integrated, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power monitoring module is designed to perform multiple monitoring functions using a single integrated unit: measuring voltage, current, power factor, and detecting surge events. This multi-functionality approach improves measurement precision across multiple parameters while avoiding the complexity of separate dedicated devices for each measurement type.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sensing functions and communication capabilities are merged into a single power monitoring module that interfaces with the power conditioner module. This merging consolidates the sensor system, improving measurement precision through integrated multi-parameter monitoring while reducing overall system complexity compared to separate distributed sensing systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A recreational vehicle power monitoring and reporting device. The device includes a power input connection, a power output connection, a power conditioner module, and a power monitoring module. The power conditioner module includes a surge protector and the power monitoring module includes one or more sensors. The power condition module is removeable, replaceable, and independent of the power monitoring module.