Circuits for circuit interrupting devices having automatic end of life testing function
First Claim
1. An end-of-service-life integrated circuit chip (IC2) capable of performing an end-of-service-life test in a circuit interrupting device, said IC2 comprising:
- a flip-flop latch circuit comprises a first transistor and a second transistor;
wherein said flip-flop latch circuit is adapted to receive and transmit a status signal when said circuit interrupting device is powered on and at a tripped state, allow said circuit interrupting device to be reset when components in a main circuit of said circuit interrupting device function normally, and disallow said circuit interrupting device to be reset when at least one of said components in said main circuit of said circuit interrupting device do not function properly; and
an emitter circuit comprising a third transistor;
wherein said emitter circuit is adapted to output said status signal from said flip-flop latch circuit through said third transistor to a simulated leakage current generation circuit of said circuit interrupting device to generate a simulated leakage current to test whether said components in said main circuit of said circuit interrupting device function normally; and
wherein said IC2 performs said end-of-service-life test without a depression of a reset button in said circuit interrupting device.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a set of circuits which is capable of performing an automatic check on main components of a circuit interrupting device when the circuit interrupting device is properly powered and the device is at a tripped state to determine whether these main components function normally. The results of the automatic check can be detected by depressing a reset button in the circuit interrupting device. If the reset button can be depressed, the main components function normally. Alternatively, the results can be automatically displayed by a showing on the face lid of the circuit interrupting device of either a green light, which means that the main components function normally, or a red or yellow light or no light, which means that at least one of the main components in the circuit interrupting device does not function properly. The present invention also provides an end-of-service-life detection integrated circuit chip capable of receiving and transmitting an automatic check signal and determining whether or not the circuit interrupting device can be reset. The preferred circuit interrupting device is a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
91 Citations
30 Claims
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1. An end-of-service-life integrated circuit chip (IC2) capable of performing an end-of-service-life test in a circuit interrupting device, said IC2 comprising:
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a flip-flop latch circuit comprises a first transistor and a second transistor;
wherein said flip-flop latch circuit is adapted to receive and transmit a status signal when said circuit interrupting device is powered on and at a tripped state, allow said circuit interrupting device to be reset when components in a main circuit of said circuit interrupting device function normally, and disallow said circuit interrupting device to be reset when at least one of said components in said main circuit of said circuit interrupting device do not function properly; andan emitter circuit comprising a third transistor;
wherein said emitter circuit is adapted to output said status signal from said flip-flop latch circuit through said third transistor to a simulated leakage current generation circuit of said circuit interrupting device to generate a simulated leakage current to test whether said components in said main circuit of said circuit interrupting device function normally; andwherein said IC2 performs said end-of-service-life test without a depression of a reset button in said circuit interrupting device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A set of circuits in a circuit interrupting device capable of automatically performing a check on main components in said circuit interrupting device, said set of circuits comprising:
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a main circuit which comprises a differential transformer, a leakage current detection chip (IC1), a silicon controlled rectifier, and a solenoid coil;
wherein said main circuit is capable of detecting a leakage current and/or a simulated leakage current;
wherein when said leakage current or said simulated leakage current is detected, said main circuit discontinues an electrical continuity of said circuit interrupting device;a reset status checking circuit which comprises a status test switch (KR1);
wherein when KR1 is in a conductive state, said reset status checking circuit generates a status signal to be sent to an end-of-service-life integrated circuit chip (IC2);an end-of-service-life detection circuit which comprises said IC2;
wherein when said main circuit is functioned properly, said IC2 receives a reset confirmed signal from a simulated current detection feedback circuit to allow said circuit interrupting device to be reset;
said simulated current detection feedback circuit being adapted to connect to said main circuit and generating said reset confirmed signal when said main circuit functions properly;a simulated leakage current generation circuit which comprises a leakage current simulation circuit and optionally a failure status indicating circuit;
wherein said leakage current simulation circuit recognizes a status signal from said IC2 or a signal from a manual switch coupled to a test button; and
wherein when a failure status signal is received by said failure status indicating circuit, a failure status indicating light is turned on; anda reset confirmation circuit which receives said reset confirmed signal from said IC2 when said main circuit functions properly;
wherein said reset confirmation circuit comprises a reset start switch (KR4) having a first spring piece and a second spring piece;
wherein said first spring piece is connected to said IC1 in said main circuit and said second spring piece is adapted to connect to said IC2;
whereby when said reset confirmation circuit receives said reset confirmed signal from said IC2 and said reset button is depressed, said first spring piece and said second spring piece are in a conductive state to allow said circuit interrupting device to be reset. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification