AU2016100847A4 - Portable appliance tester with ability to power from general external power bank with output of 1A to 2.1A or greater - Google Patents

Abstract

A TnT ELB is an appliance tester developed to be powered from generic power bank which is readily available in market. Usual power output of such power banks is at 1A to 2.1A or greater. The invention relates to the modifications and development that have been done to existing range of TnT appliance testers. This invention relates to adding a capability of using power bank for doing earth bond test, polarity test, continuity test, 250V and 500 V insulation test, when tests are to be carried out in remote sites where mains power is unavailable to run the appliance tester. Instant switching between mains power and power bank is also ensured to allow end-users to use it with mains power, when available. Compatibility to generic power banks allows the user to use any kind of power bank available in the market and charge - discharge at his will. This allows users to do away from the power outlets, and advances the maximum efficiency of the user, by allowing him to use rechargeable and detachable power bank / power pack. A specific purpose-built and ergonomically designed external holder keeps the power bank secure while tests are underway. A specific power management and protection circuit has been designed and installed on the motherboard of the TnT appliance tester unit. This circuit also provides interface to connect the power from power bank. As power banks usually have limited continuous discharge of 1A to 2.1A or greater, this circuit manages the power requirement of motherboard and onboard microprocessor. N XMI, FfgurP 3 Tn-T Prr ot34rr Uoit vvirh rp,,rl -'V)vver hev* JiP,, i"okYer Portable Appliance Tester with Power Bank I Wavecom Instruments Pty. Ltd.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Portable Appliance Tester with Power Bank I. Technical Field [0001] The invention relates to an appliance tester that can be powered from generic available power bank with output at 1A to 2.1 A or greater, apart from being able to power from mains power. In particular, this invention relates to the ability of portable appliance tester while being powered from readily available power bank and designed to hold the power bank externally with appliance tester housing. II. Background [0002] Electrical safety testing is essential to ensure safe operating standards for any product that uses electricity. Various governments and agencies have developed stringent requirements for electrical products that are sold world-wide. In most markets it is mandatory for a product to conform to safety standards promulgated by safety and standard regularity agencies. To conform to such standards, the product must pass safety tests such as the high voltage test (also called as Dielectric voltage-withstand test or high potential test), Insulation Resistance Test, ground (Earth) Bond & Ground Continuity Test & Leakage Current Test (also called as Line Leakage Test, Earth Leakage Current Test, Enclosure Leakage Current Test or Patient Leakage Current Test. These tests are described in IEC 60335, IEC 61010 and many other national and international standards.

[0003] TnT range of appliance testers are easy to operate and have been in the market for around 20 years and proved their rugged technical design and performance in appliance testing. As almost every Appliance tester in the market, requires to be connected to mains power while operating, the TnT range of appliance testers do the same. But this puts limit on operating distance from the power outlet and also, prohibits the usage in remote building sites where power is unavailable.

[0004] The need of powering the appliance tester from battery power source, in addition to provision of mains power, has been under discussion for a while and other manufacturers have provided an option of limited functionality from AA or AAA alkaline batteries source. Wavecom engineers put forward the idea of providing power from a generic power bank1 that is commonly available in the market with 1A to 2.1A 1 Power banks are popular gadgets for charging smartphones and mobile tablet devices, readily available in market with USB voltage output of 5V @ 1A or 2.1A. A power bank is a portable device that can supply USB power using stored energy in its built-in batteries. Power banks usually are recharged via USB power supply. Basically, power banks comprise the rechargeable / secondary batteries, consisting of either Lithium-ion or Lithium-Polymer cells enclosed in protective casing, guided by sophisticated Protection Circuit Board ensuring various protective and safety measures. or greater power output. This required structural and electronics design changes in the existing TnT range of testers in order to enable them to use power banks, which were researched and tested thoroughly. III. Summary of Invention i. Technical Problem [0005] Appliance testers are uniquely essential requirements in the appliance testing business due to stringent electrical safety standards in Australia. These testing includes Class I Earth Bond test, Class II Double Insulated test, Mains Supply Test, Extension Lead Test, Leakage current Test and 500 V & 250 V Insulation test.

[0006] Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd' end users include some of the most versatile & broad range of businesses in Australia and most parts of the world. Customers from building industries and mining environment, sometimes faces the sites where mains power is unavailable. Sometimes, the power outlet sockets are not available in certain section of the building or appliances are sometimes outdoor.

[0007] While it is obvious that some tests require mains power nevertheless, tests such as Insulation test, Earth bond test and polarity tests can be done without having mains power connection. The feedback from industry was tremendous for requirement of an intelligent appliance tester with rechargeable battery options.

[0008] Some of the main concerns while researching and developing a solution for this problems were as following. a. Battery should be rechargeable, light weight, safe and easy to install without making tough & severe structural changes, as TnT appliance tester range of Wavecom has been proven in the field for many years for its durability, reliability and accuracy in all-weather conditions, and even minor changes can bring unforeseen challenges. b. A protection circuit is to be designed to fit on current version of TnT range motherboard, which should efficiently manage the power requirements without fail. As appliance tester has both AC and DC circuitry on board, a unique and safe power management circuitry has to be designed at lowest cost and minimum design modifications. c. Power management circuit that safely switches the power input automatically to mains power when mains power is connected, without getting need to remove power bank connection and without draining the power bank battery energy storage. d. An accessible power connection mechanism that connects battery with TnT unit, through commonly available circuit ports, such as USB port. This will give unit an ability to use generally available parts. e. An ergonomic battery holder design was crucial, which doesn't endanger the current structural strength and yet provides elegant look and easy access, yet robust housing to hold the battery bank.

Such appliance tester with rechargeable battery will aid the appliance testing businesses in working in remote and isolated regions. ii. Solution to Problem [0009] On researching and testing several rechargeable battery options with TnT units, Wavecom's engineers worked out this design that can use existing power banks with 1 A to 2.1A or greater current output. The idea behind creating a power bank compatibility was to provide a detachable rechargeable power source which powers the unit in case of unavailability of mains power, while being the power bank readily available in the market, users have freedom to use power bank of their choice which has very versatile uses. This invention uses a market available power bank with 1A to 2.1A or greater output, with a design that mounts the external holder bracket / housing on Wavecom Instrument's very own TnT range of unit. The capability to use the power from power bank demanded certain design changes and invention of specific protection circuit and power management circuit.

[0010] A unique ergonomic external power bank holder was designed that fits on the side of the current TnT unit and provides the end user a complete freedom of connecting - disconnecting the power bank from outside the unit. The holder was designed to be of ABS plastic, designed to use a specific adhesive along with strategically fastened screws to be secured with unit. This provided much needed strength to the whole unit assembly.

[0011] An internal protection circuit was designed to handle all critical power management issues and provides stable constant voltage power to the intelligent motherboard of the unit. Minor circuit modifications on the motherboard allowed the compatibility, while keeping the cost component at the minimum. As TnT appliance testers are intelligent units driven by very powerful microprocessor, programing changes allowed the engineers to achieve optimum power efficiency with minimum modifications in current design. Power management circuit handles the power requirements of motherboard, and ability to switch in between mains power and power bank power instantly, automatically and safely. This also provides a USB port interface, which lets power bank to connect with motherboard via USB cable. iii. Advantageous effects of inventions [0012] Power banks are not yet being used by anyone till now almost anywhere in regards to Portable Appliance Testers, this is a unique solution invented by Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd to resolve some of the most common issues faced by appliance testing end-users in the field.

[0013] Now a day, almost every other person is using power bank, to charge mobile phones, tablets, PDAs, GPS & gaming consoles, Bluetooth mini speakers, almost everything that can be used at 5V at either 1A or 2.1A. In this changing trend, using the technical and engineering capabilities and vast experience in electronics appliance tester market, Wavecom engineers decided to bring the portable appliance tester on the common voltage platform. By doing this, end users automatically get freedom to use their current power bank with Wavecom Instrument's TnT range.

[0014] Advantages of the innovative designs are as following. a. Having a battery powered appliance tester, the end user has freedom to use that in sites where mains power is unavailable for insulation test, earth bond test, continuity test or polarity test and other testing parameters. b. When connected to mains power, portable appliance tester can perform complete range of other electrical safety tests while connected to mains power, such as RCD test & earth leakage tests and tests which require earth / neutral connected to appliance tester. c. Power management circuitry ensures safe, instant and automatic switching to mains power when its connected. It also ensures relevant electrical isolation that makes sure power bank battery do not drain while appliance tester is idle or connected to mains power. d. As power banks are rechargeable battery packs, users get absolute minimum cost solution while getting away from traditional AA, AAA and other alkaline batteries. These power banks can be charged from laptops, computers or any USB output power such as generic mobile phone charger. Internal lithium ion batteries ensure maximum energy density available to use. e. If a person has his own power bank, he can choose to use it at will. Option of keeping a spare one stays with him. This provides him extra power stored that can be used to charge almost all electronic devices that are running on that voltage ratings, such as smart mobile phones, PDAs, GPS modules, Bluetooth Headphones, Tablets, cameras etc. f. Freedom of choosing and using the power bank, energy storage size can be variable as per the usage of end user, e.g. 2200 mAh can provide power till 5 days while 4400mAh capacity power bank can double the usage days. Power banks comes in surprising storage capacities. g. The uniquely designed external power bank holder / housing ensures secure holding of power bank with the unit. This ensures safety while being in use. iv. Brief description of drawings a. Power Bank Holder design [Figure 2 Powerbank Holder Design; Drawings] [0015] A unique ergonomic power holder was designed for a secure grip of power bank to the unit. This is securely attached to the unit using a specific adhesive material based on acetone.

[0016] Also, strategically placed screws holds this holder onto the TnT and provides strength. The Holder or housing secures a powerbank while in operation. A small USB cable connects the power from power bank to motherboard via USB port on rear of the unit. b. Power Bank Holder, on TnT Case [Figure 1 Bottom Case of TnT, Figure 3 Prototype

Unit; Drawings] [0017] Figure 1 shows bottom case of TnT with power bank holder mounted on it. Figure 3 shows the working prototype of TnT ELB with power bank mounted and connected. IV. Description of Embodiments [0018] Ability to perform appliance testing with a tester that can be powered from a power bank is a huge technical advancement as power banks can be recharged easily and are available readily. TnT range of portable appliance testers of Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd will carry the capability to power from power banks.

[0019] Multi-purpose Power banks of various outputs enable option of running the TnT portable appliance tester while using the same power bank to charge mobile phones, tablets and range of suitable electronics.

[0020] Specific purpose programmed intelligent microprocessor ensures best power efficiency, and decreases power requirements of motherboard circuit while under operation. These enables to use the same power bank for longer periods of time.

[0021] The holder / housing is designed to hold the power bank externally, this gives the user an access to power bank, to change it or charge it, remove it or use some other pre-charged power bank.

[0022] In Summary, this invention will be used to enable all portable appliance testers to power from power bank with ensured safety and advanced applicability to appliance testing market.

[0023] The desired embodiment has been set forth herein for the purpose of prototype. However, the description should not be deemed to be a limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, many modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the claimed inventive concept. V. Industrial Applicability [0024] This invention enables appliance testing end users to perform electrical safety tests using TnT portable appliance tester with power bank, in remote sites where mains power is unavailable and safety tests include 250V & 500V Insulation test, Earth bond test, Polarity test and continuity test, and when mains power is available, it can perform complete range of other electrical safety tests while connected to mains power, such as RCD test & earth leakage tests and tests which require earth / neutral connected to the appliance tester, including that which can be done on power bank. Advantage of using the same power bank to charge any other suitable portable electronic devices including mobile phones and tablets will be handy. Also, external holding of power bank gives the user more control over charging, changing and freedom to use any suitable power bank with the appliance tester. Power banks can be charged from almost any mobile smartphone charger with micro-usb output or from the in-car USB power output. These provides complete autonomy to the end-user in regards of power bank, which an internal battery cannot provide.

Claims (4)

1. A Portable Appliance Tester with power Bank to perform appliance electrical safety tests, comprises and consists of; a. A portable appliance tester housing; b. A motherboard that performs electrical safety tests, powered by intelligent microprocessor; c. A power protection circuit that safeguards and isolates motherboard and power bank; d. A power management circuit, that manages power and provides sufficient and continuous power to motherboard; It also safely, automatically & instantly switches to mains power when mains power gets connected to the unit, and allows user to perform other range of electrical safety tests such as earth leakage tests on mains power. e. A USB port at the rear of the unit, from where it receives power from power bank; f. A USB cable that connects Power bank and Power management circuit via USB port; g. An external power bank holder or housing that houses the power bank, secures it while under operation; h. An efficient unique design that provides end user a freedom to change the power bank, charge the power bank, attach or detach the power bank from holder or housing at will or use any power bank in the market with 1A to 2.1A or greater current output. i. A power bank with 1A to 2.1 A or greater, of any shape or storage ratings. j. LED indicators on power bank feature the amount of power left in the power bank. k. A LCD panel on Appliance tester housing where general user interface defines the mode of power, on Battery or mains power.

2. This enables end user to perform electrical safety tests such as 250V & 500V Insulation test, Earth bond test, Polarity test and continuity test (nominal appliance tester functions) while on power bank and complete range of other electrical safety tests while connected to mains power, such as RCD test & earth leakage tests and tests which require earth / neutral connected to appliance tester.

3. This innovation enables appliance tester to power the tester from any power bank and from the mains power, one at a time. Automatic switching in between these two is done by power management circuit.

4. Ability to perform appliance testing with a tester that can be powered from a power bank is a huge technical advancement as power banks can be recharged easily and are available readily. TnT range of portable appliance tester of Wavecom Instruments Pty Ltd will carry the capability to power from power banks.