Low-Voltage Trip Control Using Closed-State Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional low-voltage power distribution devices using a lower incoming line connection approach face issues where the control circuit board remains charged after tripping, leading to useless tripping mechanism operations and potential burnout, and users may overlook alarm signals due to lack of fault detection, compromising safety and device integrity.

Innovation Solution

The improved low-voltage power distribution device incorporates a detection unit and connection assembly that only powers the detection unit in the closed state, ensuring a closed-state signal is sent to the control unit, triggering tripping only when both the closed state and tripping condition are met, thus preventing unnecessary tripping actions and enhancing user alertness through a closed-loop control mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the control circuit board remains charged after tripping in lower incoming line connection, then the device can continue to detect faults, but the tripping mechanism performs useless operations and may burnout

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault detection capabilityVSAvoidtripping mechanism burnout
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by disconnecting the power supply to the detection unit immediately when tripping occurs. The connection assembly is designed to cut off power to the detection unit before any harmful effects can occur, preventing the tripping mechanism from performing useless operations and avoiding burnout while maintaining the ability to detect faults when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the detection unit is always powered, then fault detection is continuous, but unnecessary tripping actions occur and energy is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous fault detectionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by powering the detection unit only when needed - specifically, when the circuit is in the closed state. The connection assembly connects power to the detection unit only during normal operation, allowing continuous fault detection when the circuit is active, while cutting off power when the circuit is open to save energy and prevent unnecessary tripping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3706154B1Low-voltage power distribution device and method for controlling low-voltage power distribution device tripping
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP3706154B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3706154B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3706154B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method for a low-voltage power distribution device and a method for controlling a low-voltage power distribution device tripping. The low-voltage power distribution device comprising a detection unit configured to send a closed state signal to the control unit when the low-voltage power distribution device is in a closed state; and a control unit, which is coupled to the detection unit and configured to enable the low-voltage power distribution device to switch from the closed state to the open state for tripping upon receiving the closed state signal and satisfying the tripping condition. A method for controlling a low-voltage power distribution device tripping, wherein the method comprising: detecting whether the low-voltage power distribution device is in a closed state; detecting whether a tripping condition associated with the low-voltage power distribution device are satisfied; in response to the low-voltage power distribution device being in the closed state and the tripping condition being satisfied, causing the low-voltage power distribution device to perform a tripping action in order to enable the low-voltage power distribution device to switch from a closed state to an open state.