CN102803976A - Power cord detection systems and electrical connectors - Google Patents

Abstract

A power line detection system comprising a detection unit for performing standard voltage and continuity tests on a conductor and an electronic junction integral with the conductor having a countdown timer, the junction being in communication with the detection unit which is reset at a prescribed period when the conductor passes the voltage and continuity tests performed, the junction also having a circuit breaker mounted thereon which is triggered when the conductor fails either the voltage or continuity tests or when the countdown reaches zero, thereby isolating the conductor.

Description

Power cord detection systems and electrical connectors

technical field

The present invention relates to equipment for testing compliance with safety standards of power cords and power tools, and to electronic tags for use with the testing equipment.

Background technique

Electrical safety standards require regular testing and certification of tool power cords and extension cords. At present, the above-mentioned testing and certification is a manual process as follows: the plug of the wire is tested with a testing instrument, and if the specified insulation test and continuity test are met, the wire is marked with a printed label marked with the test date.

This manual process is time consuming and does not prevent the tool or lead from being used beyond the time required for the next inspection. A solution to the latter problem can be obtained in document GB 2450466 which discloses an electrical plug fitted with a countdown timer. When the plug is inserted into a live electrical outlet, a countdown timer starts, and after a period of time after the initial start, the active termination circuit is blocked and the lead remains disconnected from the power source.

Although the plug solves the problem of continued illegal use of wires beyond the specified detection time, the plug still requires manual detection and time-consuming reset of the countdown timer. Document US 2005023118 provides a similar power switch control device, but does not solve the problem of manual detection.

Contents of the invention

purpose of invention

Accordingly, the present invention aims to provide an automatic power cord detection system that minimizes detection time and prevents illegal use, or at least provides a method of detecting and authenticating power cords.

Description of the invention

According to the present invention, there is provided a power cord detection system comprising a detection unit for standard voltage detection and open circuit detection of the wires and an electronic connector with a countdown timer integrated with the wires, the electronic connector being connected to the When the wire passes through the voltage detection and open circuit detection, the countdown timer is reset at a specified cycle. The electronic connector is also equipped with a circuit breaker. When the wire does not pass through the When any one of the voltage detection and the open circuit detection is detected or when the countdown reaches zero, the circuit breaker is triggered, thereby isolating the wire.

Preferably, the electrical connector has an indicator indicating whether the wire is in an isolated state or in a working state.

Preferably, the electronic connector also has an indicator for indicating the specified remaining countdown time.

Preferably, the electrical connector is adapted to retrofit a standard power cord.

Preferably, the detection unit has a data input device and a readout display.

Preferably, the communication between the detection unit and the electronic connector is via an infrared connection.

Preferably, the detection unit is used to assign an identifier and a password to a new electrical connector, and in order to detect the wire again, the correct password must be input first.

Preferably, the detection unit uploads data to a data storage device.

Preferably, test data is uploaded to a logger that records date of test, number of tests, assigned serial number, test result, deadline for next test, location of the lead, description of the lead or tool, and tester license number.

Alternatively, a method for detecting a power line using the above system is provided, the method comprising the following steps:

Insert the wires with electronic connectors into the detection unit;

The detection unit cannot identify the electronic connector;

Perform voltage detection and open circuit detection on the wire and pass the detection;

assigning an identifier and a password to said electronic connector;

Set the next test date;

Upload the identifier, password and next detection date to the data storage device;

The electronic connector activates the wire.

Alternatively, a method for detecting a power line using the above system is provided, the method comprising the following steps:

Insert the wires with electronic connectors into the detection unit;

Indicate the ID and enter the password;

Display the last detection date;

Perform voltage detection and open circuit detection on the wire and pass the detection;

Set the next test date;

Upload the identifier, password and next detection date to the data storage device;

The electronic connector activates the wire.

Description of drawings

Various embodiments of the invention are illustrated, by way of example only, with reference now to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a flow chart of the detection sequence using the detection system;

Figure 2 is a side view of a power cord plug with an electronic connector installed;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the plug of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view obtained along line AA of the plug of Fig. 2;

Figure 5 is a side view of the plug of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the plug of Figure 2 with a locking connector;

Fig. 7 is a circuit diagram showing the circuit of the electronic joint; and

8 to 11 are circuit diagrams showing circuits of the detection device.

Detailed ways

2 to 5 show a power cord 1 with a three-pin plug 2 and a socket 3 fitted with an electrical connector 4 . The electronic header 4 contains the circuit shown in Figure 7, which contains the power supply to convert the mains power supply to 24 volt and 5 volt supplies, a microcontroller with battery backup for real-time countdown and communication with the detection equipment, for Infrared transceiver circuitry to communicate with detection equipment and relays to disconnect mains power when a defined time has elapsed.

The sectional view FIG. 4 reveals a circuit board 6 carrying the above-mentioned circuit and also containing LEDs 7 indicating the condition of the wire 1. A green LED indicates a safe wire, a flashing LED indicates that the wire will be disconnected within a specified period of time and requires retesting, and a red LED indicates that the wire cannot be used until retested. The transparent top 8 on the connector 4 enables the indicator LED 7 to be seen and also enables the transmission of infrared signals between the connector 4 and a hand-held detection device (not shown).

The exploded view of FIG. 6 shows how the socket 3 and the circuit board 6 fit in the joint 4 . The figure also shows the mating locking connector halves 9 used to lock the plug of the wire 10 to the connector 4 . Non-removable screws 11 lock the two halves of the connector 9 to the mating socket 3 and the plug of the wire 10 so that the joint 4 and the wire 10 are integrated. In this manner, adapters can be sold separately as retrofits to standard power cords and power tools.

A logic diagram of the detection system of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 . When the socket 3 of the new connector 4 is inserted into the hand-held detection unit (not shown), the detection unit will not recognize it, and then perform standard voltage detection and open circuit detection on the power line. If any of these tests fail, a relay for disconnecting mains power operates to sever the conductor.

If the wire passes the above two tests, the test unit assigns a license number to the joint and a date for the next test as stipulated in the standard. A password for the tested joint is also specified, and the joint is activated for use when all the above data is uploaded to the USB storage device connected to the testing unit.

If the test unit recognizes that the joint has been tested before, the test unit will ask for the code, and if the code is accepted, the test unit will display the last test date and start voltage and open circuit tests. If any of the above tests fail, the wire is disconnected, and if both tests pass, the testing unit will assign a date for the next test. As mentioned earlier, when the test results are uploaded to the USB device, the connector will be reactivated so that the wire can be used. The aforementioned USB device records test date, number of tests, assigned serial number, test result, deadline for next test, location of lead, description of lead or tool, and tester's license number.

8 to 11 are circuit diagrams detailing the circuitry of a handheld detection unit with a digital readout display and a keypad (not shown) for data entry. Figure 8 shows a high voltage generator including an oscillator circuit, a boost rectifier and a voltage feedback monitoring circuit applying a voltage of 500 volts to a sensed power line. FIG. 9 shows a low-impedance circuit with a constant current source and a voltage detector, and the above-mentioned high-voltage generator and an adjustable power supply for the above-mentioned low-impedance circuit.

Figure 10 shows the microcontroller and power supply for the microcontroller including keypad input, LCD output, real-time clock, microcontroller input and output, driver circuit for relays, V for data USB storage Driver's Communications Department. Figure 11 shows a relay network that enables various combinations of active, neutral and ground pins to be connected to a high voltage generator and a low resistance circuit for detection.

A record of all detected plugs can be read from the USB upload storage device at any time and is a secure record of the location and condition of the wires. Additionally, when the inspector sees that the power cord has the plug characteristic of the automatic testing system of the present invention, the inspector knows that if the wire is in use, it must have been tested for compliance.

advantage

Clearly, the testing system of the present invention automates standard testing procedures and thereby reduces the time required to perform safety testing. In addition, the electrical connector 4 provides an instant indication that the wire has been tested and meets the required safety standards. If the wire does not meet the required safety standards, a relay in the plug will be triggered and the wire will not be able to conduct electricity from the outlet.

out of shape

It should be appreciated that the foregoing are given as illustrative examples only, and that all other changes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the broad scope and bounds of the invention as set forth herein. For example, different circuits could be used in the plug for countdown and power circuit cutoff. In the present description and claims the term "comprising" does not exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims (11)

1. power lead detection system; It comprises and is used for lead is carried out normal voltage detection and open circuit detecting unit that detects and the electronic joint with count-down device that becomes one with said lead; Said electronic joint and said detecting unit communicate; The voltage detecting of having passed through to be carried out when said lead with open circuit that the cycle with regulation resets to said count-down device when detecting, said electronic joint also is equipped with isolating switch, when said lead does not open circuit in detecting each when detecting or when counting down toward zero through said voltage detecting and said; Said isolating switch is triggered, and thus said lead is isolated.

2. power lead detection system according to claim 1, wherein, said electronic joint has the said lead of indication and is in the isolation or the indicator of duty.

3. power lead detection system according to claim 1, wherein, said electronic joint also has the indicator of the residue countdown time that is used for indicating regulation.

4. power lead detection system according to claim 1, wherein, said electronic joint is suitable for the reference power supply line is improved.

5. power lead detection system according to claim 1, wherein, said detecting unit has data input device and read-out display.

6. power lead detection system according to claim 1, wherein, said detecting unit carries out through infrared the connection with the communication between the said electronic joint.

7. power lead detection system according to claim 5, wherein, said detecting unit is used for identifier and password are specified to new said electronic joint, and in order to detect said lead once more, must import correct password earlier.

8. power lead detection system according to claim 5, wherein, said detecting unit with data upload to data storage device.

9. power lead detection system according to claim 8; Wherein, Detect data and be uploaded to the log record device, the explanation of position, lead or the instrument of said log record device record detection date, the sequence number that detects number of times, appointment, testing result, the next time limit of detecting, lead and detection person's license numbering.

10. power lead detection method of using the described power lead detection system of claim 7, said method comprises the following steps:

The lead that electronic joint is installed is inserted in the detecting unit;

Said detecting unit can not discerned said electronic joint;

Said lead is carried out voltage detecting to be detected and detects and pass through with opening circuit;

Identifier and password are specified to said electronic joint;

Set and detect the date next time;

Be uploaded to data storage device with detecting identifier, password and next time the date;

Said electronic joint activates said lead.

11. a method of using the described power lead detection system of claim 7 to detect power lead once more, said method comprises the following steps:

The lead that electronic joint is installed is inserted in the detecting unit;

Indication identifier and input password;

Show the last detection date;

Said lead is carried out voltage detecting to be detected and detects and pass through with opening circuit;

Set and detect the date next time;

Be uploaded to data storage device with detecting identifier, password and next time the date;

Said electronic joint activates said lead.

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