Timed Electrical Outlet with Current Sensor and Counter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard electrical outlets lack a mechanism to automatically disconnect electrical loads after a preset time, posing a safety hazard due to forgotten or unattended appliances that continue to draw current, potentially leading to fires or other hazards.
Innovation Solution
An electrical outlet equipped with a current sensor, counter, and electrical switch that detects current flow and automatically switches off the power after a preset time interval, optionally using a power regulator or battery for operation, and includes a reset button to manually re-enable the current flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard electrical outlets continuously provide power without time limitation, then electrical loads can operate indefinitely, but safety hazards increase due to forgotten or unattended appliances drawing current
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet performs preliminary actions by detecting current flow and automatically disconnecting power after a preset time interval before a fire hazard can develop. The control circuit monitors current continuously and preemptively cuts power when the time threshold is reached, preventing the harmful effect rather than reacting to it after occurrence.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet employs feedback mechanisms where the control circuit continuously monitors current flow through sensors and adjusts the circuit breaker state accordingly. When current is detected, the system feedbacks this information to the timing mechanism, which then triggers disconnection after the preset interval, creating a closed-loop safety system that responds to actual load conditions.
2Reliability
If electrical outlets automatically disconnect after preset time, then safety against forgotten appliances is improved, but user convenience deteriorates due to manual reset requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet performs self-service by automatically monitoring current flow and executing power disconnection without requiring user intervention. The control circuit autonomously detects when a load is plugged in, times the preset interval, and triggers the circuit breaker to open, thereby serving the safety function independently while the user simply needs to press the reset button when ready to use the appliance again.
3Duration of action of moving object
If external timers are used to control electrical loads, then operation timing can be achieved, but device complexity increases and the timer must remain plugged in continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the timing function directly into the electrical outlet itself, combining the circuit breaker, timing mechanism, and current detection capabilities into a single integrated device. This eliminates the need for separate external timers, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the same time-controlled power delivery functionality. The outlet becomes a multi-functional device that simultaneously provides power distribution and time-based safety control.
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
Prevents unnecessary current flow to electrical loads after a predetermined time, enhancing safety by reducing the risk of fires and other hazards associated with forgotten appliances, while allowing manual reset for convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a current sensor adapted to detect an electrical current flowing between the hot electrical terminal and the neutral electrical terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A timed electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus) and a method of operation thereof. The electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus) includes a current sensor, a counter, and an electrical switch. When an electrical load is plugged into the electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus), the current sensor senses the flow of current and triggers the counter to start counting. When the counter is finished counting, the counter triggers the electrical switch, opening the current path within the electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus) such that electrical current no longer flows to the electrical load.