Self-Deactivating Tethered Power Outlet with Proving Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems for providing off-board electrical power to mobile equipment, such as refrigerated trailer units, often result in hazardous situations due to improper disconnection and detachment of power connectors, leading to exposed live wiring and potential for destructive short circuits and electrical shocks.
Innovation Solution
A self-deactivating tethered interconnection system that includes a circuit breaker and a conductive tether with a proving circuit, which detects the connection state and automatically disables power transfer when the connector is disconnected from the load, ensuring safe de-energization of the entire power transferring assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the connector is left disconnected from the load after power transfer, then the power outlet remains accessible for future use, but the cable and connector remain live and exposed to hazards such as electrical shock and short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The proving circuit continuously monitors the connection state before power is transferred to the load. When disconnection is detected, the circuit breaker is pre-tripped to de-energize the cable and connector before any hazardous situation can develop, preventing electrical shock and short circuit hazards while maintaining outlet accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The proving circuit provides real-time feedback on the interconnection state between the connector and load. This feedback mechanism triggers the circuit breaker to automatically de-energize the power transferring assembly when disconnection is detected, eliminating the hazard of exposed live wiring while preserving the ability to reconnect later.
2Productivity
If the connector is forcibly disconnected from the power outlet, then the load can be quickly removed, but the cable and connector may be torn apart leaving live wiring exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The breakaway device is pre-configured with a predetermined fracture point that allows the connector to separate cleanly from the cable under excessive force. This preliminary design ensures that when forcible disconnection occurs, the connector detaches without tearing the cable or exposing live wiring, maintaining both speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The breakaway device acts as a sacrificial element designed to fail in a controlled manner before the main cable or connector is damaged. This beforehand cushioning protects the integrity of the interconnection assembly by providing a predetermined failure point that prevents catastrophic damage during forcible disconnection.
3Productivity
If the circuit breaker remains energized to allow quick reconnection, then operational efficiency is maintained, but the disconnected cable remains a safety hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The proving circuit continuously monitors the interconnection state and provides feedback to the circuit breaker. When disconnection is detected, the circuit breaker automatically trips to de-energize the cable and connector, eliminating exposure to elements and safety hazards. The system maintains operational efficiency by allowing quick reconnection once the load is properly reattached, at which point power can be restored.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-deactivating tethered interconnection system for a power outlet is provided, in which a circuit breaker actuates to selectively disable transfer of electrical power supplied at a source side of the power outlet to a load side thereof. A conductive tether disposed at the load side transmits the electrical power transferred by the circuit breaker. A power connector coupled to the conductive tether is configured for interconnection with a load for delivery thereto of the electrical power transmitted by the conductive tether. A proving circuit coupled to the power connector and circuit breaker includes a sensing portion that detects an interconnection state of the power connector to the load, and a trip portion operating responsive to the sensing portion to selectively inhibit transfer of the supplied electrical power to the load side. The power connector and conductive tether are thus adaptively de-energized when interconnection with the load is interrupted.