Processor-Controlled Receptacle Fault Isolation Without Mechanical Shutters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrical receptacles face challenges such as difficulty in use for elderly and special needs individuals due to mechanical tamper resistance mechanisms, inadequate protection against arc faults, ground faults, and overcurrents, lack of individual outlet disconnection capability, and insufficient surge protection, leading to potential safety hazards and false triggering.

Innovation Solution

An electrical receptacle with a processor-controlled switch system that includes sensors for real-time monitoring of current and voltage conditions, independent control of each outlet, and integrated surge protection, enabling precise fault detection and isolation, self-testing, and recalibration capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mechanical tamper resistance mechanisms (spring loaded gates, shutters) are employed to prevent foreign object insertion, then safety against shock and electrocution is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates for elderly and special needs individuals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against shock and electrocutionVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical tamper resistance mechanisms (spring loaded gates, shutters) with an electronic control system that uses sensors to detect plug insertion and electronically controls the outlets. This eliminates the need for mechanical force while maintaining safety, thereby improving ease of operation for elderly and special needs individuals while preserving protection against foreign object insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If conventional circuit interrupters use transformer current sensors with fixed current value and time interval, then arc fault detection is simplified, but measurement precision deteriorates leading to false triggering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of arc fault detectionVSAvoidprecision of arc fault detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic monitoring of current and voltage waveforms with multiple parameters including frequency, amplitude, and phase relationships. The system continuously adjusts detection thresholds and analysis parameters based on the electrical conditions, enabling precise distinction between normal arcing (such as motor startup) and dangerous arc faults, thereby reducing false triggering while maintaining detection sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor electrical parameters and adjust detection algorithms in real-time. By analyzing the relationship between voltage and current waveforms and comparing against learned patterns of normal versus fault conditions, the system improves measurement precision and reduces false positives while maintaining a relatively simple overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If conventional AFCI or GFCI disconnect both receptacle outlets and any downstream receptacles upon fault detection, then safety is improved by terminating power, but adaptability deteriorates as individual outlet disconnection capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety by terminating powerVSAvoidindividual outlet disconnection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the electrical system into independently controllable outlets, each with its own control mechanism. When a fault is detected at a specific outlet, only that outlet is disconnected while other outlets remain operational. This segmentation enables both safety through fault isolation and adaptability through selective disconnection, allowing the system to maintain power supply to unaffected outlets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If mechanical gates require simultaneous opening of shutters with equivalent force on each blade, then tamper resistance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates when located close to floor or behind furniture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper resistanceVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical gate and shutter system with an electronic detection and control system. Sensors detect when a plug is inserted into the outlet, and electronic controls manage power delivery accordingly. This eliminates the need for users to physically manipulate mechanical gates or apply force to shutters, making the outlet easily operable even when located close to the floor or behind furniture, while maintaining tamper resistance through electronic foreign object detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11855437B2Electrical receptacle fault protection

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 BRAINWAVE RESEARCH CORP

AI summary

An electrical receptacle contains a plug outlet that has a pair of contacts for electrical connection to respective hot and neutral power lines. A controlled switch, such as a TRIAC, is connected in series relationship between the outlet contact and the hot power line. Sensors in the receptacle outputs signals to a processor having an output coupled to the control terminal of the controlled switch. The processor outputs an activation signal or a deactivation signal to the controlled switch in response to received sensor signals that are indicative of conditions relative to the first and second contacts.