Self-test module of electronic circuit breaker

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9797953-B2
Application number	US-201415034674-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 24, 2014
Priority date	Nov 8, 2013
Publication date	Oct 24, 2017
Grant date	Oct 24, 2017

Abstract

A self-test module of an electronic circuit breaker includes a power supply assembly with a rechargeable battery, a self-test enablement assembly, an induced power supply assembly, a boost power supply, and a micro control unit (MCU). The self-test enablement assembly is connected to the rechargeable battery and includes an enablement button, a capacitor and a first power chip connected in series. The induced power supply assembly includes a buck chip. The boost power supply includes a second power chip and a boost chip connected in series. The MCU includes a plurality of pins that are connected to the first and second power chips, the buck chip, and the boost chip. The self-test module has two working modes; the electronic circuit breaker may be provided with or without a load current. The MCU operates the self-test procedure, indicates the self-test status, and maintains the indication for a period of time.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A self-test module of an electronic circuit breaker, comprising:
a power supply assembly comprising a rechargeable battery;
a self-test enablement assembly comprising an enablement button, a capacitor and a first power chip which are connected in series, wherein the self-test enablement assembly is connected to the rechargeable battery;
an induced power supply assembly comprising a buck chip;
a boost power supply comprising a second power chip and a boost chip which are connected in series;
a micro control unit (MCU) provided with a plurality of pins which are connected to the first power chip, the second power chip, the buck chip and the boost chip, respectively;
wherein, when the electronic circuit breaker does not have a load current, when the enablement button is pressed, the MCU is powered by the rechargeable battery and operates a self-test procedure to check completeness of the components and obtain detection results, the MCU indicates the self-test status after operating the self-test procedure and maintains the indication for a period of time, then the rechargeable battery stops powering the MCU.

2. The self-test module of an electronic circuit breaker according to claim 1 , wherein
when the electronic circuit breaker is provided with a load current, the induced power supply assembly receives a DC signal generated by a current transformer from a load current, and the DC signal is used as the actuating signal of the flux convertor, the DC signal is stepped down by the buck chip and the bucked DC signal is used to power the MCU, the MCU detects an induced current, when the enablement button is pressed, the MCU detects the pressing and operates the self-test procedure, indicates the self-status statues and maintains the indication for a period of time.

3. The self-test module of an electronic circuit breaker according to claim 2 , wherein
when the electronic circuit breaker does not have a load current, the capacitor is charged to a potential equal to the rechargeable battery when the enablement button is pressed, when the enablement button is released, the capacitor discharges so that the first power chip powers the MCU, the MCU does not detect an induced current and maintains the first power chip to power the MCU for operating the self-test procedure, the MCU enables the second power chip, the second power chip outputs an enable signal to the boost chip, the boost chip outputs an actuating signal and steps up the actuating signal, the MCU monitors a voltage of the actuating signal, and disables the boost chip and instructs the flux convertor to actuate when the actuating signal is stepped up to or exceed a threshold voltage of the flux convertor, the self-test procedure is finished and the MCU indicates the self-test status and maintains the indication for a period of time, then the first power chip stops powering the MCU.

4. The self-test module of an electronic circuit breaker according to claim 3 , wherein
the power supply output pin of the first power chip and the buck output pin of the buck chip are both connected to the power supply pin (DVCC) of the MCU for powering the MCU;
the first enablement pin (BAT-EN) of the MCU is connected to the first power chip, if the first enablement pin (BAT-EN) outputs a high level signal, the first power chip powers the MCU; if the first enablement pin (BAT-EN) outputs a low level signal, the first power chip stops powering the MCU;
the second enablement pin (BAT-EN 1 ) of the MCU is connected to the second power chip, if the second enablement pin (BAT-EN 1 ) outputs a high level signal, the second power chip is enabled and powers the boost chip to enable; if the second enablement pin (BAT-EN 1 ) outputs a low level signal, the second power chip is disabled and the boost chip is disabled;
the first monitoring pin (A/D IN 0 ) of the MCU is connected to the input pin (PVCC) of the induced power supply assembly for monitoring the induced current;
the button monitoring pin (BAT-IN) of the MCU is connected to the enablement button (T) for monitoring whether the enablement button (T) is pressed or not.

5. The self-test module of an electronic circuit breaker according to claim 4 , wherein
the output of the boost chip is provided as the actuating signal (CVCC) of the flux convertor, the actuating signal (CVCC) is connected to the second monitoring pin (A/D IN 1 ) of the MCU.

6. The self-test module of an electronic circuit breaker according to claim 4 , wherein
the input pin (PVCC) of the induced power supply assembly receives a DC signal generated by a current transformer from a load current, the DC signal is used as the actuating signal (CVCC) of a flux convertor;
the input pin (PVCC) is also connected to the input pin of the buck chip, the buck output pin of the buck chip is connected to the power supply pin (DVCC) of the MCU;
the buck output pin of the buck chip is also connected to the rechargeable battery for charging the rechargeable battery.

7. The self-test module of an electronic circuit breaker according to claim 1 , wherein
the power supply assembly, the self-test enablement assembly, the induced power supply assembly, the boost power supply and the micro control unit are mounted on a circuit board and are accommodated in a housing, the circuit board is positioned at the bottom of the housing, the housing packages the components;
a connector is provided at the bottom of the housing, the connector is electrically connected to the circuit board and the components mounted on the circuit board;
the enablement button extends upwards and exceeds the top of the housing.

8. The self-test module of an electronic circuit breaker according to claim 7 , wherein
the self-test module is mounted on an electronic release of the electronic circuit breaker, the electronic release is provided with a slot on its housing, the slot matches with the housing of the self-test module, a connection slot is provided at the bottom of the slot, the position and shape of the connection slot match with the connector, the connector is plugged into the connection slot and the components of the self-test module are electrically connected with the electronic release.

9. The self-test module of an electronic circuit breaker according to claim 8 , wherein
the electronic release comprises a screen, an indicator light and a navigation keyboard, the self-test status are indicated by the screen and the indicator light.

10. The self-test module of an electronic circuit breaker according to claim 9 , wherein
the self-test module is pluggable.

Assignees

• Seari Electric Technology Co Ltd
• Zhejiang Chint Electrics Co Ltd

Inventors

• Hu Yinglong
• Chen Lijun
• Yi Xianjun

Classifications

• H02H1/06

  Arrangements for supplying operative power {(power supply arrangements in general G05F, H02M)} · CPC title

• H02H3/044

  Checking correct functioning of protective arrangements, e.g. by simulating a fault (for differential current circuit breakers H02H3/335) · CPC title

• G01R31/327 Primary

  Testing of circuit interrupters, switches or circuit-breakers · CPC title

• G01R31/3277 Primary

  of low voltage devices, e.g. domestic or industrial devices, such as motor protections, relays, rotation switches · CPC title

• H02H3/08

  responsive to excess current (responsive to abnormal temperature caused by excess current H02H5/04) · CPC title