Smart Circuit Breaker Wireless Power Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable device chargers continue to draw power from AC outlets even when devices are not charging, leading to increased power consumption and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A smart circuit breaker system that communicates with user devices via wireless protocols like BLE or NFC to intelligently control the flow of power from AC outlets to chargers, only allowing power when needed, such as when the device's charge level is low or an alarm is set, and ceasing power when the device is fully charged or not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chargers are left plugged in to AC outlets, then devices can be charged when needed, but power is continuously consumed even when devices are not charging
Solution Approach 1:
The smart circuit breaker performs preliminary actions by detecting device presence and charging status before allowing power flow. It proactively opens the circuit when no device is connected or when charging is complete, preventing wasteful standby power consumption while ensuring power is available when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the circuit breaker continuously monitors charging status, device presence, and power consumption levels. Based on this feedback, it dynamically adjusts the circuit state to either closed (allowing power flow) or open (blocking power flow), optimizing the balance between charging availability and energy efficiency.
2Extent of automation
If smart circuit breaker communicates wirelessly with devices, then power can be controlled intelligently, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The smart circuit breaker acts as an intermediary device that bridges the AC power outlet and the charging device. It incorporates wireless communication capabilities (BLE, NFC) to detect device presence and charging status, then automatically controls power flow without requiring complex integration into the charging device itself, thus managing system complexity centrally.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit breaker performs self-service by autonomously monitoring charging parameters and making decisions about power flow. It uses its own sensors and communication capabilities to detect when a device is connected, when charging is complete, and automatically opens or closes the circuit without requiring constant user intervention or complex external control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit breaker device may wirelessly communicate with a user device, in order to supply power to the user device, via a charger, at times when charging the user device may be desirable. The circuit breaker device may also forgo supplying power to the user device, via the charger, at times when charging the user device may not be necessary. The user device may request charging at certain times, such as when a charge level of the battery is excessively low, and/or when an alarm clock, set by a user of the user device, is about to ring.