Smart Receptacle Visualizing Current Levels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power systems are complex and not user-friendly, making it difficult for consumers to determine if a power circuit is drawing too much current and for how long, which is crucial for energy-saving purposes.
Innovation Solution
A smart receptacle equipped with current sensors and indicators that provide real-time feedback on current levels and consumption duration, using a processor to control indicators such as LEDs to display relative energy usage, helping users identify potential overloads and energy inefficiencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If power systems provide detailed monitoring capabilities, then energy management effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded LED indicators (green, yellow, red) to represent different energy consumption levels and circuit breaker statuses. This visual encoding system transforms complex electrical parameters into simple, intuitive color signals that users can immediately understand without needing to interpret numerical data or complex system states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the monitoring system into separate functional modules: current sensors for detecting electrical parameters, a processor for analyzing consumption patterns, and indicator lights for displaying status. This modular segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
2Productivity
If receptacles provide real-time current monitoring, then energy saving effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements immediate visual feedback through LED indicators that change color and intensity based on real-time current levels and energy consumption patterns. This continuous feedback loop allows users to instantly see the impact of their electrical usage decisions, enabling intuitive energy management without requiring users to understand or operate complex monitoring interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses color-coded indicators to represent different operational states: green for normal operation, yellow for moderate consumption, and red for high current or breaker trip conditions. This color-coding system translates complex real-time electrical data into simple visual cues that are immediately recognizable and require no interpretation or training.
3Measurement precision
If circuit breakers provide thermal memory compensation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thermal memory circuitry that automatically compensates for ambient temperature effects on current measurements without requiring external calibration or user intervention. The system self-adjusts by using the thermal characteristics of its own components to reference and correct measurement drift, maintaining precision while avoiding the complexity of active temperature sensing and compensation algorithms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to easily monitor and manage energy consumption, preventing overloads and promoting energy-saving practices by providing clear visual cues for current levels and usage duration.
Implementation Method 1
a number of indicators structured to indicate a relative level of the sensed current or corresponding energy
Data Source
AI summary
A smart receptacle is for a number of loads. The smart receptacle includes separable contacts; an operating mechanism structured to open and close the separable contacts; and a number of current sensors structured to sense current flowing through the separable contacts to one of the number of loads. A number of indicators indicate a relative level of the sensed current or corresponding energy. A processor inputs the sensed current, determines the relative level of the sensed current or the corresponding energy, and controls the number of indicators to indicate the relative level of the sensed current or the corresponding energy.