ES2632231T3 - Relay to automatically select a monitoring interval - Google Patents

Abstract

A relay (100) to automatically select a monitoring interval to monitor a parameter of an input source (118), the relay (100) comprising: one or more terminals (102, 104) for coupling to the source (118) of entry; a plurality of switchable circuits coupled to one or more terminals (102, 104); a processing module (114) coupled to the plurality of switchable circuits to automatically select a monitoring interval from a plurality of monitoring intervals based on a value of the input source parameter (118), each associated monitoring interval being associated with one or more of said switchable circuits; and a relay switch (122) being configured to provide or interrupt the electrical communication to a circuit, based on an activation signal provided by the processing module (114).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Relay to automatically select a monitoring interval Technical field

The present invention broadly relates to a relay for automatically selecting a monitoring interval and a method for monitoring a parameter of an input source. The features of the preamble of the independent procedure claim are known from WO 2007/114951 A2.

Background

In the electronics industry, devices such as relays are typically used to operate machinery and circuits. Such devices typically depend on activation or connection / disconnection for operations.

Conventionally, for monitoring or control operations using a control relay, typically, the relay is specific for monitoring a certain general parameter range of, for example, an energy source, a voltage source, a current source, etc. . The parameter can be, for example, current, voltage, three-phase power, etc. For example, a control relay can be provided to monitor a global current range of 0.15A to 15A. Practically, said control relay can be provided with different subintervals that will be chosen by connection of the source to be controlled to different respective terminals. That is, the relay can have multiple input terminals corresponding to different intervals or monitoring subintervals. For example, the total range can be divided into subintervals such as 0.15A to 1.5A, 0.5 to 5A and 1.5A to 15A. To monitor a current threshold of 6A, a user normally needs to connect to two correct terminals (outside multiple terminals) to monitor a sub interval of 1.5A to 15A.

Therefore, a significant problem that may arise is that the user can connect the source to be monitored to incorrect terminals and the relay then does not work as desired. This can cause the user to interpret the relay as a defective product. In addition, a connection of a high current source to an incorrect terminal to monitor a low current range can cause us to relay.

In addition, the user needs to know in advance the parameters of the source to be measured (for example, the load current or the input voltage) to adapt to the product specifications of the relays, select the appropriate relay for monitoring purposes and / or control.

With multiple input terminals, the number of combinatorial permutations to select two input terminals (outside of many terminals) can increase the complexity of the relay operation. While user manuals are typically provided to tabulate the corresponding combination of two specific terminals with a particular source to be monitored, searching for such tables can be typically tedious and time consuming.

Furthermore, since the procedure of searching for tables and identifying the correct input terminals for the connection is currently of a manual nature, there is still the probability of human error that can lead to a malfunction or damage to the product. From the point of view of a product supplier, this is highly undesirable, since the number of product returns may increase and it may not be possible to differentiate damaged products that are caused by an incorrect connection by users or really defective products caused through, for example, manufacturing procedures.

Furthermore, since the number of input terminals that may be present in a relay is ultimately limited by the area of usable surface area of the relay, a relay can only support a limited number of subintervals. Thus, in reality, different relays with different monitoring intervals are typically provided, according to different parameter thresholds. Therefore, there may be a large number of relays available for a certain interval, which leads to confusion for users. For example, there may be a relay to monitor 0.003A at 0.03A of current, another relay to monitor 0.01A at 0.1A of current, and another relay to monitor subintervals 0.1A to 1A, 0.3A to 1, 5A, 1A to 5A and 3A to 15A of current.

Therefore, in view of the above, there is a need for a relay and a corresponding procedure that seek to address or improve at least one of the above problems.

Summary

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a relay is provided to automatically select a monitoring interval to monitor a parameter of an input source, the relay comprising one or more terminals for coupling to the input source; a plurality of switchable circuits coupled to the one or more terminals; a processing module coupled to the plurality of switchable circuits to automatically select a monitoring interval from a plurality of intervals of

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monitoring based on a value of the input source parameter, each monitoring interval being associated with one or more of said switchable circuits; and a relay switch configured to provide or interrupt electrical communication to a circuit, based on a trigger signal provided by the processing module.

The relay may further comprise a switching module for implementing the switchable circuits, the switching module comprising at least two switches in an open or closed state, in which the at least two switches can be configured to provide different electrical paths from the source of Entry to the processing module based on its individual opening and closing states.

The processing module can be configured to instruct at least one of the switches of the switching module to be in the open state or in the closed state based on the parameter value of the input source.

The processing module can be configured to sample the value of the input source parameter and to evaluate the plurality of monitoring intervals to automatically select the monitoring interval.

The evaluation may be based on the evaluation of the respective upper and lower limits of the plurality of monitoring intervals based on the sampled value.

The closed state of each of the at least two switches may correspond to a respective monitoring interval such that each of the switches remains in its closed state when the parameter value is within the respective monitoring interval.

The relay may further comprise a set of resistors for coupling to the input source, the set of resistors comprising a plurality of resistors to provide a different electrical resistance from the input source to the processing module.

The processing module can be configured to automatically select the monitoring interval based on a voltage range across the resistor assembly.

The relay may also comprise no more than two input terminals.

The input parameter may comprise at least one of a voltage and a current of the input source.

The relay can be compatible for use separately with a first input source that has a first input parameter and a second input source that has a second input parameter, being the ratio of the first input parameter to the second input parameter At least 5000

No more than one of the at least two switches may be in the closed state at any point in time.

The relay may further comprise at least one of a voltage protection module or a current protection module coupled to the processing module to substantially prevent damage to the processing module caused by the electrical properties of the input source.

The trigger signal may be provided by the processing module when one or more characteristics of the input source meet one or more predetermined conditions.

The one or more characteristics can be selected from a group consisting of single-phase voltage, three-phase voltage, single-phase current and power.

The predetermined conditions can be set by the user.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for monitoring a parameter of an input source, the method comprising the steps of coupling a plurality of circuits switchable to the source; get a parameter value; selecting a monitoring interval of a plurality of monitoring intervals based on the value of the input source parameter, each monitoring interval being associated with one or more of said switchable circuits; and provide or interrupt the electrical communication to a circuit, based on an activation signal based on the parameter monitoring.

The method may further comprise providing a switching module to implement the switchable circuits, the switching module comprising at least two switches each operable in an open or closed state, in which the at least two switches can be configured to provide different routes electric based on their individual states open and closed.

The step of selecting the monitoring interval may comprise instructing at least one of the switches of the switching module so that it is in the open state or in the closed state based on the value of the

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Parameter of the input source.

The method may further comprise sampling the value of the input source parameter and evaluating the plurality of monitoring intervals to automatically select the monitoring interval.

The method may further comprise the evaluation of the respective upper and lower limits of the plurality of monitoring intervals based on the sampled value.

The closed state of each of the at least two switches may correspond to a respective monitoring interval such that each of the switches remains in its closed state when the parameter value is within the respective monitoring interval.

The method may further comprise coupling a resistance assembly to the input source, the resistor assembly comprising a plurality of resistors to provide a different electrical resistance to the input source.

The step of automatically selecting the monitoring interval can also be based on a voltage strain across the resistor assembly.

The method may further comprise providing no more than two input terminals for coupling to the input source.

The input parameter may comprise at least one of a voltage and a current of the input source.

A ratio of a first monitoring interval to a second monitoring interval may be at least 5000.

No more than one of the at least two switches may be in the closed state at any point in time.

The method may further comprise providing at least one of a voltage protection module or a current protection module to substantially avoid damage caused by the electrical properties of the input source.

The trigger signal can be generated when one or more characteristics of the input source meet one or more predetermined conditions.

The one or more characteristics can be selected from a group consisting of single-phase voltage, three-phase voltage, single-phase current and power.

The predetermined conditions can be set by the user.

The step of selecting the monitoring interval may comprise (i) comparing the value of the parameter with a respective monitoring interval of a switch of the switching module to determine if the value is within the monitoring interval of said switch; (ii) provide that the switch is in the open state if the value is outside the monitoring interval of said switch or in the closed state if the value is within the monitoring range of said switch; (iii) repeat steps (i) and (ii) with each of the other switches until it is determined that the value is within the monitoring interval of one of the switches in the switching module and said switch is provided in a closed state

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, a computer readable data storage medium is provided that has stored in the computer code means to instruct a relay processing module to execute a procedure for monitoring a parameter. of an input source, the method comprising the steps of coupling a plurality of circuits switchable to the source; get a parameter value; selecting a monitoring interval of a plurality of monitoring intervals based on the value of the input source parameter, each monitoring interval being associated with one or more of said switchable circuits; and provide or interrupt the electrical communication to a circuit, based on an activation signal based on the parameter monitoring.

Brief description of the drawings

Examples of realization of the invention will be better understood and readily apparent to a person skilled in the art from the following written description, by way of example only, and in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 (a) is a schematic diagram illustrating a relay in an example embodiment.

Figure 1 (b) is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating the relay in the example embodiment of Figure 1 (a).

Figure 2 is a schematic flow chart to broadly illustrate an exemplary firmware algorithm.

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for a processing module in an example embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an interface that allows a user to set predetermined conditions such as threshold levels in an example embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a schematic flow chart for broadly illustrating an exemplary firmware activation algorithm for a processing module in an example embodiment.

Figure 5 (a) is a schematic drawing illustrating a current control relay in an example embodiment.

Figure 5 (b) is a schematic block diagram that broadly illustrates the components of a current control relay in an example embodiment.

Figure 6 (a) is a schematic drawing illustrating a voltage control relay in an exemplary embodiment.

Figure 6 (b) is a schematic block diagram that broadly illustrates the components of a voltage control relay in an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a schematic flow chart to illustrate a procedure for monitoring a parameter of an input source in an example embodiment.

Description of the embodiment example

The exemplary embodiments described below can provide a relay for automatically selecting an electrical path inside and a method for automatically selecting an electrical path within said relay.

A relay can be provided that allows automatic range selection for monitoring to allow users ease of connection and be easy to use. A user can simply connect an input source to be monitored, preferably, a terminal and set an appropriate threshold on a front panel of the relay, to operate the relay. The relay can then measure, for example, a mean square value (RMS) to determine / select an appropriate monitoring interval for use with the source to be monitored. The appropriate monitoring interval is selected based on the selection of an electrical path from the input source to a processing module. In the example implementations, a current range can be from 2mA to 15A (with intermediate subintervals) and a voltage range can be from 50mV to 600V (with intermediate subintervals).

In exemplary embodiments, a relay can be provided to automatically select a compatible electrical path therein for an input source. The relay comprises a set of resistors that has a set of resistors comprising a plurality of resistors; a switching module coupled to the resistor assembly, the switching module comprising at least two switches each operable in an open state or in a closed state; a processing module coupled to the switching module to automatically control the operation of the at least two switches in the switching module; and a relay switch coupled to the processing module and the relay switch is configured to provide or interrupt the electrical communication to a circuit, based on an activation signal provided by the processing module, in which the at least two switches They are configured to provide different electrical paths from the input source to the processing module based on their individual opening and closing states. In certain embodiments, the compatible electrical path is the path that allows the relay to monitor the input source with a compatible / appropriate monitoring interval and can substantially reduce the likelihood of relay damage by the input source. In certain embodiments, the processing module obtains a first reading of a parameter value of the input source to be monitored and compares the reading with the stored / known limits of different monitoring intervals. The processing module then decides which switch or switches to activate to select a compatible electrical path to monitor the input source with a compatible / appropriate monitoring interval.

In the present description, a relay can be a coil device that can be activated that can include, but is not limited to, any device that can be switched / turned on and off such as an electric relay or other devices, components or parts of electromechanical switching An activation event of a coil device that can be activated may include, but is not limited to, an electrical connection / disconnection of the element and / or a mechanical connection / disconnection of the element.

The terms "coupled" or "connected" as used in this description are intended to cover both those directly connected and those connected through one or more intermediate means, unless otherwise indicated.

The description described herein may be, in certain parts, explicitly or implicitly described as algorithms and / or functional operations that operate on data within a computer memory or an electronic circuit.

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These cotton descriptions and / or functional operations are usually used by those skilled in the arts of information / data processing for an efficient description. An algorithm is generally related to a self-consistent sequence of steps that lead to a desired result. The cotton steps may include physical manipulations of physical quantities, such as electrical, magnetic or optical signals capable of being stored, transmitted, transferred, combined, compared and otherwise manipulated.

In addition, unless specifically indicated otherwise, and it will normally be apparent from the following, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that throughout this specification, discussions using terms such as "exploration", "calculation "," determination "," generate "," initialize "," issue ", and the like, refer to actions and procedures of an instructor / computer system processor, or similar electronic circuits / devices / components that manipulate / process and transform represented data as physical quantities within the system described in other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the system or other storage, transmission or display of information, etc.

The description also describes a relevant device / apparatus for carrying out the steps of the described procedures. Said apparatus may be constructed specifically for the purposes of the procedures, or it may comprise a general purpose computer / processor or other device selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in a storage element. The algorithms and screens described herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other device. It is understood that general purpose devices / machines may be used in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Alternatively, the construction of a specialized device / apparatus may be desired to carry out the process steps.

In addition, it is argued that the description also implicitly covers an informative program, in which it is clear that the steps of the procedures described in this document can be implemented by means of an information code. It will be appreciated that a wide variety of programming and coding languages can be used to implement the teachings of the present description. In addition, the computer program, if appropriate, is not limited to any particular control flow and may use different control flows without departing from the scope of the invention.

In addition, one or more of the stages of the computer program, if appropriate, can be performed in parallel and / or sequentially. Said computer program, if applicable, can be stored in any computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include storage devices such as magnetic or optical discs, memory chips or other storage devices suitable for interacting with a suitable general purpose read / use computer. The computer-readable medium may even include a wired medium such as exemplified in the Internet system, or wireless medium such as exemplified in bluetooth technology. The computer program when loaded and executed in a suitable reader effectively results in an apparatus that can implement the steps of the described procedures.

Example embodiments can also be implemented as hardware modules. A module is a functional hardware unit designed for use with other components or modules. For example, a module can be implemented using digital or discrete electronic components, or it can form a part of a complete electronic circuit such as an Integrated Static Application Circuit (ASIC). One skilled in the art will understand that example embodiments can also be implemented as a combination of hardware and software modules.

Figure 1 (a) is a schematic diagram illustrating a relay in an example embodiment. In the embodiment example, the relay is a control relay 100. Relay 100 is configured to be coupled to an input source 118 to be monitored, such as a single phase power line voltage source. Relay 100 can detect values of one or more parameters of the source to be controlled.

Figure 1 (b) is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating relay 100 in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1 (a).

In the exemplary embodiment, relay 100 comprises a resistor assembly 106 coupled to a switching module 108. The switching module 108 is coupled to a protection module 110 in the form of a voltage protection module. The voltage protection module is coupled to a signal conditioning module 112 which is also coupled to a processing module 114. The processing module 114 is coupled to an output module 116. The processing module 114 is also coupled to an adjustment module 103 which in turn is coupled to a user interface 105. The processing module 114 is also coupled to a trigger module 120 which can be controlled by a relay activation switch 122. The resistor assembly 106 can be coupled to an input source 118 using, for example, two terminals 102 and 104 of entry. A power source module 128 may be provided to supply power to the various components of relay 100. Relay 100 may also be coupled to a programmable logic controller (not shown) for reactivation.

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In some exemplary embodiments, the source indicated in No. 118 is not limited to a single-phase voltage and may include several parameters for the sources to be monitored, such as three-phase voltage and single-phase current. Other parameters such as the power of a three-phase energy source can also be monitored.

The resistor assembly 106 comprises a plurality of resistors, for example, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 arranged in series (for example, when the switches of the switching module 108 are open). Switch module 108 comprises a plurality of switches, for example, S1, S2, S3 and S4 arranged in parallel. The voltage protection module 110 comprises a voltage suppressor and current limiting resistors to regulate the voltage to an insufficient amount to cause substantial damage to the processing module 114. The voltage protection module 110 drops and moves a voltage level from the input source to a voltage level that does not damage the processing module 114. The signal conditioning module 112 comprises capacitors (not shown) that are included for noise filtering purposes. The signal conditioning module 112 comprising an operational amplifier circuit additionally conditions the electrical properties of the incoming signal to a form / level suitable for processing by the processing module 114. It will be appreciated that the resistor assembly 106 may have different circuit arrangements or number of resistors in order to adapt to various types of, for example, physical input parameters from different sources for monitoring by the processing module 114. Similarly, the switching module may have different circuit arrangements or number of switches to adapt and provide different compatible electric channels to various types of input parameters from different sources for monitoring by the processing module 114.

The processing module 114 accepts inputs from the signal conditioning module 112 and performs the processing. In the exemplary embodiment, the processing module 114 can accept a sampled parameter value (for example, a voltage level or current value) sampled from the input source 118 and compares it with different monitoring intervals represented or associated with each of the different switches in the switching modules. The monitoring intervals can be predetermined and stored in a memory database (not shown). The processing module 114 controls the opening or closing of each of the switches depending on whether the value of the sampled parameter is within the monitoring interval of each switch.

For example, the value of the sampled parameter may be a voltage of 0.4 V and this voltage is within the voltage monitoring range associated with S1 (for example, range from 0.05V to 0.5V) but outside the range of voltage monitoring associated with S2 (for example, 0.51V to 5V), S3 (for example, range from 5.01V to 50V) and S4 (for example, range from 50.01V to 600V). In this exemplary embodiment, S1 is provided to be in a closed state while the remaining switches S2, S3 and S4 are provided in the open state to select the appropriate monitoring interval and the compatible electrical path. The current thus travels from the input source 118 to the processing module 114 through the resistor R1 and the switch S1. Accordingly, the electrical path from terminal 102 of the input source to the switch S1 has a resistance of R1 and the voltage rating in S1 can be calculated using (R2 + R3 + R4 + R5) / (R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 + R5). In this exemplary embodiment, if the switch S2 is closed, the electrical path from the input terminal 102 to the switch S2 has a resistance of (R1 + R2) and the voltage rating in S2 can be calculated using (R3 + R4 + R5) / (R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 + R5). The same logic applies to the other switches. Once the appropriate compatible electrical path is established, the processing module 114 continues to monitor the sampled parameter value (e.g., the voltage level or current value) sampled from the input source 118 against the selected monitoring interval associated with the corresponding switch and electrical path and compare the parameter value against a set of one or more predetermined conditions (for example, a set threshold). These predetermined conditions may be working conditions / threshold set by the user, preset during manufacturing or automatically adjusted by the relay. Compare user interface 105. The working conditions determine whether the relay switch 122 must be opened or closed.

The processing module 114 may comprise a microcontroller. The microcontroller can be implemented using, for example, STM32F100C from STMicroelectronics or LPC1114 from NXP. Other components connected to the microcontroller can be provided as a support circuit to allow the microcontroller to function. It will be appreciated that the support circuit may vary depending on the type of microcontroller selected for its implementation. In the exemplary embodiment, the processing module 114 functions as an intelligent process element that interacts with the components within the relay 100. The processing in the processing module 114 depends on the written firmware.

The user interface 105 may comprise external manipulated elements that can be accessed by a user of the relay 100, for example, to establish working conditions / threshold. The manipulation or adjustment set by the user in the user interface 105 is detected by the adjustment module 103 and is translated into an electrical signal in the adjustment module 103. The signal is transmitted to the processing module 114 for processing in the processing module 114.

There are several types of manipulation or adjustments depending on the type of relay 100. In this example, one possible

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manipulation or adjustment may include, but not be limited to, a low voltage adjustment, an overvoltage adjustment, etc. Hysteresis adjustment may also be included. The settings established through user interface 105 provide one or more threshold levels or "condition sets" that relay 100 uses in processing module 114 to determine whether the parameter values sampled at the source at number 118 they fall within a working range based on these "condition sets".

In the exemplary embodiment, the adjustment module 103 comprises a plurality of potentiometers intended to convert the adjustment set by the user at the user interface 105 to an electrical signal that can be transmitted and recognized by the processing module 114. For example, a first potentiometer can translate an undervoltage / overvoltage selector; a second potentiometer can translate a voltage range setting; and a third potentiometer can translate a voltage threshold desired by the user. For example, the second potentiometer can be used to select 600V as a working condition. The third potentiometer can be used to select a value of 30%, thus translating to a real or desired threshold of undervoltage or overvoltage (depending on which one is chosen) of the 180V deviation (i.e. 30% of 600V). It will be appreciated that the adjustment module 103 is not limited as such and can be expanded to more adjustments such as hysteresis, time adjustment, etc.

Therefore, in the embodiment example, in order not to obtain erroneous readings, the correct monitoring interval (through a compatible electrical path) is first selected to monitor the parameter value. Then, if a monitored value of the parameter of the source to be monitored falls outside the working range / predetermined conditions, a trigger signal is transmitted. In the exemplary embodiment, the activation signal can be transmitted by the processing module 114 by instructing the trigger module 120 to control the relay switch 122.

The trigger module 120 comprises a transistor for operating or controlling the trigger switch 122. In the exemplary embodiment, when the transistor is turned ON, the trigger switch 122 is activated or turned on. When the transistor turns OFF, trip switch 122 is deactivated or disconnected. It will be appreciated that there are several possibilities to modify the design and / or to reverse the previous logic depending on the preference of the designer. The trigger signal may be a reactivation signal to a programmable logic controller (not shown) to alert the user.

In the exemplary embodiment, the trigger switch 122 may be constructed as an electromechanical relay switch. Trigger switch 122 comprises a coil portion 124 and a contact portion 126. The coil portion 124 may be activated or deactivated by the trigger module 120 in order to switch the position or logic of the contact portion 126. It will be appreciated that the switching element can be either an electromechanical relay or a solid state switch.

In the example embodiment, optionally, a storage element or memory (not shown) can be provided. The memory can store all the information related to the parameters detected in the processing module 114. For example, the memory can store all the instantaneous information of a single-phase voltage, including the information the level of instantaneous tension, the level of historical tension, the frequency, the historical failures that had happened, etc. The memory may be, but is not limited to, an external memory module such as EEPROM, FLASH, PROM, etc., or an integrated memory circuit embedded in the processing module 114.

In the embodiment example, optionally, an integrated transceiver circuit (not shown) can be provided. The integrated transceiver circuit can transmit and receive information wirelessly or through a wired medium to and from relay 100, in communication with external devices such as a mobile phone, a computer and / or a programmable logic controller. The integrated transceiver circuit may be, but not limited to, a Bluetooth transceiver, a Wifi transceiver, a Zigbee transceiver, a universal serial bus (USB) transceiver, a serial port transceiver, etc.

Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment, the relay 100 can function as a control and monitoring device for monitoring physical input parameters and an input source. In the embodiment example, relay 100 is also compatible with different input sources. Relay 100 can provide the most compatible electrical path for the relay to carry out its control and monitoring functions accurately with an appropriate monitoring interval and with a reduced probability of damage caused by incompatibility between, for example, the classifications of voltage / current of the input source and relay components.

Relay 100 may reflect a state of the input source to be monitored in terms of a digital format / feedback. This may be a trigger signal in terms of "closing a contact" or "opening a contact" if the trigger switch 122 is an electromechanical relay or in terms of "ON" or "OFF" if the trigger switch 122 is a solid state switch. Relay 100 can be powered by a separate power source or share the same power voltage source as the physical input parameters of the source to be monitored. In the exemplary embodiment, the energy source is preferably a single-phase energy source, although other types of energy sources can also be used. It will be appreciated that the

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Power source can be an alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC).

Fig. 2 is a schematic flow diagram 200 for broadly illustrating an exemplary firmware algorithm for the processing module 114 of Fig. 1 in an exemplary embodiment. The processing module 114 may select an electrical path within the relay of Figure 1 to be compatible with and to monitor the input source with an appropriate monitoring interval.

In step 201, the processing module 114 activates the switch S2 of the switching module 108 to be in the closed state regardless of the voltage value of the input source 118. This is to allow a first reading to be taken to determine a closed monitoring interval S2 is arbitrary and it is conceivable that any of the switches can be closed in place or in combination.

In step 202, the processing module 114 samples the analog-to-digital converted value (ADC) of the input parameter obtained at terminals 102, 104 at 200 ps intervals. In step 203, the ADC value of the sample is monitored against the monitoring interval associated with the closed switch (s), that is, S2. The monitoring interval can be stored in the processing module 114. If the sampled ADC value exceeds the monitoring interval associated with S2, the processing module 114 stops sampling and proceeds to step 206. That is, the processing module 114 determines that the ADC value is above the upper limit. of the monitoring interval and, therefore, the monitoring interval is not appropriate and another monitoring interval is used. In the exemplary embodiment, the instantaneous ADC values are compared with the upper limits during the ADC sampling procedure because the inventors have recognized that, if any parameter being monitored is greater than the maximum limit associated with the switch, the ADC value obtained is the maximum ADC value of, for example, the microcontroller only (for example, the value 1023 for a 10-bit ADC port), thus causing / signaling an incorrect measurement.

Otherwise, in step 204, the processing module 114 then attempts to determine if the ADC value is within the monitoring interval by evaluating against the lower limit of the monitoring interval. The ADC sample values are processed and a real mean square (RMS) calculation is performed to obtain a temporary true RMS value.

Subsequently, in step 205, the temporary true RMS value is compared with the data stored in the processing module 114, that is, the lower limit of the monitoring interval. In the example embodiment, RMS values are used for such comparisons because the inventors have recognized that a true RMS value is, for example, a voltage reading that does not depend on the shape of the signal, that is, regardless of whether The signal is sinusoidal, triangular, square or distorted and at various waveform frequencies, etc. An RMS value can be a useful measure for real-world waveforms compared to other procedures such as peak detection or averaging procedure. If the RMS value is within the monitoring interval associated with the switch S2, then the temporary true RMS value is taken as the true true RMS value and it is determined that the switch S2 remains closed, so that the appropriate monitoring interval is used for monitor the parameter. However, if the temporary true rMs value is lower than the lower limit of the monitoring interval associated with the switch S2, the processing module 114 activates the switch S1 to be in the closed state while the switch S2 is activated to be in the open state. That is, the monitoring interval associated with S2 is not appropriate and another lower monitoring interval should be used. Next, steps 202 to 205 are repeated with switch S1 in the closed state.

As mentioned above, if the sampled ADC value exceeds the monitoring interval of S2 that is stored in the processing module 114 in step 203, the processing module 114 stops sampling and continues to step 206. In step 206, the processing module 114 activates a switch S3 to be in the closed state while the switch S2 is activated to be in the open state. That is, the monitoring interval associated with S2 is not appropriate and another higher monitoring interval should be used. Steps 202 to 205 are repeated with switch S3 in the closed state. If the obtained ADC value still exceeds the predetermined monitoring interval associated with the switch S3, the processing module 114 determines that the ADC value is above the upper limit of the monitoring interval and, therefore, the monitoring interval does not It is appropriate and another monitoring interval should be used. That is, step 207 is taken. Otherwise, it is determined that the monitoring interval associated with the switch S3 is appropriate and real RMS values are obtained to monitor the parameter.

In step 207, after determining that the monitoring interval associated with the switch S3 is not appropriate, the processing module 114 activates the switch S4 to be in the closed state while the switch S3 is activated to be in the open state. Repeat step 202 onwards. Actual RMS values are obtained to monitor the parameter against the monitoring interval associated with the S4 switch.

Once the true RMS value has been obtained from the above cotton procedure, the RMS value can then be used to determine if a trip signal is to be sent to the relay switch 122 to turn it on. That is, when determining an appropriate monitoring interval, the RMS value can be monitored against threshold conditions to determine whether relay switch 122 should be triggered.

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It will be appreciated that more than four switches may be present in the switching module and more than five resistors may be present in the resistor assembly. In such cases, the general concept of the above algorithm can be applied accordingly with variations to adapt to the number of resistors and switches added. In addition, although the algorithm proceeds by checking against an upper limit of a monitoring interval, the algorithm is not limited as such and may proceed first by checking against a lower limit of a monitoring interval to make switching decisions on it. In the above algorithm, the respective upper and lower limits of the plurality of monitoring intervals are evaluated using the value of the sampled parameter.

As an illustrative example, a relay having an architecture similar to that shown in Figure 1 (a) and 1 (b) and a procedure algorithm similar to that of Figure 2 can have the following characteristics: the resistance R1 has a resistance of approximately 900k (O 900,000) ohms, the resistance R2 has a resistance of approximately 90k ohms, the resistance R3 has a resistance of approximately 9k ohms, the resistance R4 has a resistance of approximately 900 ohms, the resistance R5 has a resistance of approximately 100 ohm The microcontroller has an ADC voltage, Vdd of about 3.3V; The microcontroller has a 10-bit ADC bit (for example, ADC count = 0-1023); the signal conditioning module 112 has a gain of 38.4; The RMS voltage monitoring interval associated with S1 is 0.05-0.5V; The voltage monitoring interval associated with S2 is 0.51-5V; The voltage monitoring interval associated with S3 is 5.01-50V; The voltage monitoring interval associated with S4 is 50,01600V.

In the previous illustrative example, if the voltage sampled from the input source 118 is of a sine waveform with a peak of 100V (for example, RMS = 70.7V), the following steps are carried out (reference is made to the steps of figure 2 for illustration). In step 201, the processing module 114 activates the switch S2 of the switching module 108 to be in the closed state regardless of the voltage value of the input source 118. In step 202, the processing module 114 samples the input voltage. The voltage brown at S2 is (R3 + R4 + R5) / (R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 + R5) x 100V, or about a peak of 1V. This value is passed to the signal conditioning module 112 to condition the signal gain by multiplying the peak voltage of 1V by the gain of 38.4. The conditioned output signal is limited by a saturation cap of the Vdd value of 3.3V. Thus, in this case, the value of the conditioned signal obtained is (1V x 38.4 or 3.3V, whichever is less) 3.3V peak. The 3.3V peak value is then used by the processing module microcontroller to calculate the ADC count based on the following calculation: 3.3 / 3.3 x 1023 = 1023 maximum. Since this value of 1023 means that the monitoring interval of S2 is exceeded, the processing continues to the next step 206.

In step 206, the processing module 114 activates the switch S3 to be in the closed state while the switch S2 is activated to be in the open state. The voltage brown at S3 is (R4 + R5) / (R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 + R5) x 100V, or about a 0.1V peak. This value is passed to the signal conditioning module 112 to condition the signal gain by multiplying the peak voltage of 0.1 V by the gain of 38.4. The conditioned output signal is limited by a 3.3V saturation cap. Thus, in this case, the value of the conditioned signal obtained is (0.1V x 38.4 or 3.3V whichever is less) 3.3V peak. The 3.3V peak value is then used by the microcontroller of the processing module to calculate the ADC count based on the following calculation: 3.3 / 3.3 x 1023 = 1023 maximum. Since this value of 1023 means that the monitoring interval of S3 is exceeded, the procedure proceeds to the next step 207.

In step 207, the processing module 114 activates the switch S4 to be in the closed state while activating the switch S3 to be in the open state. The voltage brown at S4 is (R5) / (R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 + R5) x 100V, or about a 0.01V peak. This value is passed to the signal conditioning module 112 to condition the signal gain by multiplying the peak voltage of 0.01V by the gain of 38.4. The conditioned output signal is limited by a 3.3V saturation cap. Thus, in this case, the value of the conditioned signal obtained is (0.01V x 38.4 or 3.3V whichever is less) of approximately a 0.384V peak. The 0.384V peak value is then used by the processing module microcontroller to calculate the ADC count based on the following calculation: 0.384 / 3.3 x 1023, or maximum 119 count. Since this value of 119 means that the sampled voltage is within the monitoring range of S4, the switch S4 is kept in the closed state. The actual RMS value of 70.7V is subsequently obtained and used to determine if a trip signal is to be sent to relay switch 122 to turn it on.

In the previous illustrative example, if the voltage sampled from the input source 118 is of a sine waveform with a peak of 0.1 V (for example, RMS = 0.07V), the following steps are carried out ( reference is made to the steps of figure 2 for illustration). In step 201, the processing module 114 activates the switch S2 of the switching module 108 to be in the closed state regardless of the voltage value of the input source 118. In step 202, the processing module 114 samples the input voltage. The voltage brown at S2 is (R3 + R4 + R5) / (R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 + R5) x 0.1V, or about a 0.001V peak. This value is passed to the signal conditioning module 112 to condition the signal gain by multiplying the peak voltage of 0.001V by the gain of 38.4. The conditioned output signal is limited by a saturation cap of the Vdd value of 3.3V. Thus, in this case, the value of the conditioned signal obtained is (0.001V x 38.4 or 3.3V whichever is less) peak of 0.0384V. The 0.0384V peak value is then used.

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by the microcontroller of the processing module to calculate the ADC count based on the following calculation: 0.0384 / 3.3 x 1023 = 12 maximum. Since this value of 12 means that the monitoring interval of S2 is not exceeded, the processing proceeds to steps 204 and 205. The actual RMS value is subsequently obtained and used to determine if it is within the monitoring interval of S2, that is, comparing it with the lower limit associated with S2. Since this RMS value of approximately 0.07V means that it is lower than the monitoring interval of S2 (for example, 0.51-0.5V), this indicates that a measurement obtained with closed S1 is more accurate.

Therefore, in step 205, the processing module 114 activates the switch S1 to be in the closed state while the switch S2 is activated to be in the open state. The voltage brown at S1 is (R2 + R3 + R4 + R5) / (R1 + R2 + R3 + R4 + R5) x 0.1V, or about a 0.01V peak. This value is passed to the signal conditioning module 112 to condition the signal gain by multiplying the peak voltage of 0.01V by the gain of 38.4. The conditioned output signal is limited by a 3.3V saturation cap. Thus, in this case, the value of the conditioned signal obtained is (0.01V x 38.4 or 3.3V whichever is less) of approximately a 0.384V peak. The peak value of 0.384V is then used by the processing module microcontroller to calculate the ADC count based on the following calculation: 0.384 / 3.3 x 1023, or a maximum count of 119. This can confirm that the monitoring interval of S1 is not exceeded. The actual RMS value of 0.07V is then obtained and used to determine if a trip signal is to be sent to the relay switch 122 to turn it on.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an interface that allows a user to set predetermined conditions such as threshold levels in an example embodiment. The interface 302 comprises one or more potentiometers, for example, 304. The user can manipulate a potentiometer, for example, 304 for a 10% overvoltage of an adjustment value. Therefore, if a monitored voltage exceeds 10% of an adjustment value of a normal working condition, a fault is detected. It will be appreciated that, in other embodiments, instead of setting threshold levels based on percentages, the user may be able to set the exact threshold levels (i.e., a work interval) before a fault is detected.

In an example embodiment, if a storage module is provided, the work condition information can be stored for future use. In addition, an actuator such as a button and / or a sliding door can be provided to a relay teaching module (not shown) so that a user can manipulate the actuator to send an instruction input to instruct the relay to access a present parameter value detected to determine / establish the work condition, and ignore any previous stored work condition information. As another alternative, the relay can be instructed to determine / establish the working condition at each relay ignition, that is, each initial detection of a relay power source acts as an instruction input.

In an example embodiment, the trigger signal can also work to send a visual / visual indication to a user. For example, the activation signal can be transmitted to a light-emitting diode (LED) circuit that instructs to turn on an LED when a corresponding parameter is detected that has a value outside its determined working range. For example, an overvoltage LED may come on if it is determined that a detected voltage level is, for example, a tolerance of 5% of a working condition for the voltage and an overcurrent LED may come on if it is determined that a Detection current level is, for example, out of a tolerance of 2% of a working condition for the current.

Thus, in the example embodiments described, the relay is able to establish a working condition based on a detected value of a parameter of a source to be controlled. Next, a work interval can be established based on the application of a threshold level to the adjusted work condition. If another detected value of the parameter is outside the working range, a trip signal can be sent from the relay. This may include a visual indication for the user.

Fig. 4 is a schematic flow diagram 400 for broadly illustrating an exemplary firmware activation algorithm for the processing module 114 of Fig. 1 in an exemplary embodiment. The processing module 114 can determine if an activation signal is to be sent to the relay switch 122 to turn it on.

In step 402, a user enters the desired predetermined working conditions in relay 100 to set the limits when relay 100 must activate / deactivate (ie, relay switch 122 is deactivated). For example, the user can set + 10% of 50V for overvoltage (that is, the relay trips if the voltage increases to more than 10% of 50V, which is 5V from the input source) or -10% of 50V for undervoltage (That is, the relay trips if the voltage drops to more than 10% of 50V, which is 5V from the input source).

In step 404, the working condition configurations are translated to mean square values of the root and stored. In step 406, the processing module 114 determines a compatible electrical path and an appropriate monitoring interval (compare with Figure 3).

In step 408, a work interval is determined based on the settings of step 404 and a parameter value

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current detected. In step 410, the value of the parameter at number 118 (using terminals 102, 104) is translated into an average square value of the equivalent root for comparison with the work interval.

In step 412, if the average square value of the parameter falls outside the working range, the trigger switch 122 is triggered through the trigger module 120 and a fault signal is emitted / transmitted and can be stored.

Figure 5 (a) is a schematic drawing illustrating a current control relay in an example embodiment. Relay 500 comprises a pair of terminals 502 E1-M for connecting to an input source to be controlled. A threshold setting interface 504 is provided for a user to enter a threshold setting.

Figure 5 (b) is a schematic block diagram that broadly illustrates the components of a current control relay in an example embodiment. Block 506 is provided to receive a wide range of input current sources, for example, from 0.002A to 15A. A hardware interface 508 is provided to comprise, for example, a resistor assembly and a switching module. A processing block 510 is coupled to interface 508 to control interface 508 and select an appropriate electrical path through interface 508 from block 506 to processing block 510. The electrical path is selected based on a selected or determined monitoring interval based on the source of

entry in block 506. Block 512 is provided to emit an RMS value of the source current of

input for monitoring by the selected monitoring interval.

Figure 6 (a) is a schematic drawing illustrating a voltage control relay in an exemplary embodiment. Relay 600 comprises a pair of terminals 602 E1-M for connecting to an input source to be controlled. A threshold setting interface 604 is provided for a user to enter a threshold setting.

Figure 6 (b) is a schematic block diagram that broadly illustrates the components of a voltage control relay in an exemplary embodiment. Block 606 is provided to receive a wide range of input voltage sources, for example, from 0.05V to 600V. A hardware interface 608 is provided to comprise, for example, a resistor assembly and a switching module. A processing block 610 is coupled to interface 608 to control interface 608 and select an appropriate electrical path through interface 608 from block 606 to processing block 610. The electrical path is selected based on a selected or determined monitoring interval based on the source of

entry in block 606. Block 612 is provided to emit an RMS value of the source voltage of

input for monitoring by the selected monitoring interval.

In the example embodiments described above, a user can be provided with a relay with automatic selection of a compatible electrical path for an input source, since the user does not need to know the different combinatorial ways of connecting the relay to different input sources. . This can advantageously reduce the problems associated with an incorrect connection of the relay to a particular energy source and also with problems associated with the problem resolution time and incorrect product returns. In addition, relays can be provided with wide intervals so that the number of products (each with narrower intervals) to be made available can be reduced. This can also provide a plug and use device for beginner users. Such a device can improve ease of use and has simplified user interfaces. The inventors have recognized that the described example embodiments can be applied to control relays and timed relay products so that a greater number of users can be attracted to the use of such devices.

Although the above example embodiments have been described as such, it will be appreciated that various modifications, alternatives and / or variations can be made. Here are some alternatives, among others. It will be appreciated that the alternatives are not exhaustive and are not limited to those described below.

One or more of the resistors of the resistor assembly may have a fixed resistance or a variable resistance. The resistors in the resistor assembly may be arranged in series with each other, in parallel with each other or in a mixture of series and parallel configurations. In one embodiment, the different electrical paths provided by the relay comprise different electrical resistance in each path. The difference in resistance in the different electrical paths can be provided by the set of resistors. Accordingly, the resistors in the resistor assembly may be arranged in a particular manner so that when in cooperation with the switching module, the resistor assembly provides different electrical paths of different electrical resistance from an input source to the module of processing. In addition, the processing module can automatically select a monitoring interval based on a voltage range across the resistor assembly.

The relay switching module may comprise more than two switches, each being operable in an open state or in a closed state. The number of switches in the switching module can be selected from the group consisting of at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9 or at least 10. In In some embodiments, the open state of a switch means that a current is not able to pass from an input source to the processing module through the switch. In some embodiments, the closed state of the switch means that a current is capable of passing from a source of

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input to the processing module through the switch. The closed state of the switch can correspond to a state of on and the open state of the switch can correspond to a state of off. In one embodiment, the switching module switches must be differentiated from the relay relay switch. In this embodiment, the switching module switches do not directly control a downstream circuit that is electrically coupled to the relay switch, which is instead controlled by the relay switch. In such an embodiment, the relay switch is connected and disconnected in a manner that is independent of the state of the switches in the switching module, and is activated based on an activation signal sent from the processing module.

In some embodiments, the relay switch provides or interrupts the electrical communication between an input source and an external circuit both independently coupled to the relay. In these embodiments, the relay serves as an intermediate control between the input source and the external circuit. The external circuit can be part of an external device that is coupled to the relay.

In one embodiment, no more than one of the switches in the switching module is in the closed state at any point in time. In other words, in such an embodiment, only one of the switches in the switching module is in the closed state at any point of time. In such embodiments, each closed switch provides a unique electrical path from the input source to the switching module. However, in other embodiments, more than one switch can be closed at a time point. In such embodiments, more than one switch can be closed to provide a single electrical path from the input source to the switching module. In some embodiments, a particular switch is in the closed state by default until the processing module instructs the switch to be in an open state. In one embodiment, the closed state of each of the switches corresponds to a respective monitoring interval, so that each of the switches remains in its closed state when the input parameter is within its respective monitoring interval.

In one embodiment, the processing module coupled to the switching module is capable of automatically controlling the operation of the switches in the switching module, as well as the operation of the relay switch. The control of the operation of the switches in the switching module may be based on factors other than the control of the operation of the switches in the switching module. The processing module may comprise one or more processors. In some embodiments, the processing module may comprise a processor to control the operation of the switches in the switching module and another processor to control the operation of the relay switch. In some other embodiments, a single processor is used to control the operation of the switches in the switching module and the operation of the relay switch. The processing module may have other functions besides controlling the switching module and the relay switch. The processing module, for example, can monitor an input parameter from the input source; and / or calculate an input parameter value; and / or compare the calculated value with a set of predetermined conditions, and / or determine if a trip signal is sent to the relay switch.

In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to monitor an input parameter from the input source and instruct at least one of the switches of the switching module to be in an open or closed state based on the input parameter. The input parameter is derived from at least one of a voltage and a current from the input source. In some embodiments, the input parameter comprises the average quadratic value of at least one of a voltage and a current of the input source. Therefore, the input source can be a voltage source or a current source. In one embodiment, the input source is a source of energy.

In some embodiments, the processing module can control the relay switch by controlling one or more features of the input source. If one or more features of the input source meet a set of one or more predetermined conditions, a trigger signal can be sent to the relay switch to enable / disable the relay switch. The one or more characteristics is selected from the group consisting of single-phase voltage, three-phase voltage, single-phase current and power. The predetermined conditions can be set by the user or set automatically by generating a set of conditions based on a value from the input source.

The processing module may comprise one or more resistors that are separated from the resistors in the resistor assembly. The processing module may also comprise a memory for storing values therein.

In one embodiment, the described relay does not comprise more than two input terminals to couple the resistance set to the input source. Preferably, the relay comprises only two input terminals. In one embodiment, with a terminal automatically grounded, there is only one terminal to connect the relay to the input source.

The relay may be adapted for use with a first input source that has a first input parameter and a second input source that has a second input parameter, being the ratio of the first

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input parameter to the second input parameter at least approximately 100 times. The ratio of the first input parameter to the second input parameter can be selected from the group consisting of at least about 100 times, at least about 500 times, at least about 1000 times, at least about 2000 times, at least about 3000 times, at least about 4000 times, at least about 5000 times, at least about 6000 times, at least about 7000 times, at least about 8000 times, at least about 9000 times, at least about 10,000 times, at least about 11000 times and at least approximately 120000 times. Preferably, the ratio is selected at least one of about 7500 times and at least about 12000 times. The relationship of the first input parameter with the second input parameter may also be greater than any of the numerical values listed above. In an embodiment in which the relay only has one terminal to connect the relay to the input source, the ratio of the first input parameter to the second input parameter is at least more than about 10 times. The relationship of the first input parameter with the second input parameter may also be greater than any of the numerical values listed above. In one embodiment, if the input parameter is a current, the relay is compatible for use with a current source that has a current rating within the range of about 0.002A to about 15A. In one embodiment, if the input parameter is a voltage, the relay is compatible for use with a voltage source having a nominal voltage between about 0.05V and about 600V. Thus, it is possible to provide a ratio of a first monitoring interval to a second monitoring interval that is at least 5000.

The relay may further comprise at least one of a voltage protection module or a current protection module coupled to the processing module to substantially prevent damage to the processing module caused by the electrical properties of the input source. The voltage protection module can limit a source input voltage within a predetermined range. The current protection module can limit an input current that travels to the processing module within a predetermined range. Accordingly, the voltage protection module and the current protection module can substantially protect the processing module against an electric current surge that travels from the input source to the processing module.

The relay described here may also comprise a signal conditioning module coupled to the processing module to condition an electrical signal that travels from the input source to the processing module in a manner suitable for the processing module. The electrical signal may be conditioned by the signal conditioning module in a manner that is suitable for processing by the processing module. The signal conditioning module can also improve an incoming electrical signal before passing the improved signal to the processing module for processing.

In one embodiment, the signal conditioning module is coupled to both the voltage / current protection module and the processing module and located between said modules. Consequently, the current or voltage protection module substantially prevents damage to the signal conditioning module caused by the electrical properties of the input source.

In one embodiment, the switching module is coupled to both the voltage / current protection module and the resistance assembly and located between them. Therefore, the switching module is configured to provide different electrical paths from the resistor assembly to the switching module.

In one embodiment, the resistor assembly, the switching module, the protection module, the signal conditioning module and the processing module are arranged in series such that the switching module is arranged between the resistor assembly and The protection module and the signal conditioning module is arranged between the protection module and the processing module.

In one embodiment, the relay further comprises an output module coupled to the processing module. The processing module can obtain an average quadratic value (RMS) of the input parameter of the input source and issue the RMS value through the output module. In some embodiments, this RMS value can be issued to the user visually through the output module. In some embodiments, the RMS value is compared with one or more predetermined conditions mentioned above to determine if a trip signal is to be sent to the relay switch.

In one embodiment, the relay also comprises a trigger module. The trigger signal can be sent to the relay switch through the trigger module that can be controlled by a relay switch switching element.

A method is also provided for automatically selecting an electrical path within a relay described here to be compatible with an input source, the method comprising coupling the relay to a source to be controlled; monitor an input parameter from the input source; and automatically control at least one of the switches of the switching module so that it is in an open or closed state based on a value of the input parameter in such a way that an electrical path is provided

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compatible from the input source to the processing module. This allows you to select an appropriate monitoring interval associated with the electric line to monitor the input parameter.

In one embodiment, the step of automatically controlling at least one of the switches of the switching module to be in the open state or in the closed state comprises comparing a value of the input parameter with the monitoring interval associated with a first switch of the module. switching to determine if the value of the input parameter is within the monitoring interval associated with the first switch; and providing that the first switch is in the closed state when the parameter value is within the monitoring interval associated with the first switch.

In another embodiment, the step of automatically controlling at least one of the switches of the switching module to be in the open state or in the closed state comprises comparing a value of the input parameter with the monitoring interval associated with a first switch of the module. switching to determine if the value of the input parameter is within the monitoring interval associated with the first switch; providing the first switch to be in an open state when the parameter value is outside the monitoring interval associated with the first switch; comparing the value of the input parameter with the monitoring interval associated with a second switch of the switching module to determine if the value of the input parameter is within the monitoring interval associated with the second switch; and providing that the second switch is in the closed state when the parameter value is within the monitoring interval associated with the second switch.

In one embodiment, the step of automatically controlling at least one of the switches of the switching module so that it is in an open or closed state comprises (i) comparing a value of the input parameter with the monitoring interval associated with a switch of the module of switching to determine if the value of the input parameter is within the monitoring interval associated with said switch; (ii) provide that the switch is in the open state when the parameter value is outside the monitoring interval associated with the switch or in the closed state when the parameter value is within the monitoring interval associated with the switch; and repeating steps (i) and (ii) with each of the other switches until it is determined that the parameter value is within the monitoring interval associated with one of the switches in the switching module and said switch is provided in a closed state

In one embodiment, a first switch of the switching module is in a closed state by default, while the remaining switches are in the open state by default. In this embodiment, the processing module first monitors a value of the input parameter of the input source and compares it with the monitoring interval associated with a first switch to determine if the value of the input parameter is within the associated monitoring interval. With the first switch. If yes, the first switch remains in the closed state. Otherwise, the processing module activates the first switch to be in the open state and provides a second second switch in the closed state. In this embodiment, the processing module then monitors the value of the input parameter of the input source and compares it with the monitoring interval associated with the second switch to determine if the value of the input parameter is within the associated monitoring interval. With the second switch. If yes, the second switch remains in the closed state. Otherwise, the processing module activates the second switch so that it is in the open state and provides a next third switch in the closed state and the procedure continues until a switch having an associated monitoring interval that is compatible with the device is found. value of the input parameter and Provided in a closed state.

A computer readable data storage medium is also provided that has stored in the computer code media to instruct a relay processing module described herein to execute a procedure described herein to select an electrical path within of the relay that is compatible with an input source and / or by selecting a monitoring interval to monitor the input source.

Fig. 7 is a schematic flow diagram 700 for illustrating a procedure for monitoring a parameter of an input source in an exemplary embodiment. In step 702, a plurality of switchable circuits are coupled to the source. In step 704, a parameter value is obtained. In step 706, a monitoring interval of a plurality of monitoring intervals is automatically selected based on the value of the input source parameter and each monitoring interval is associated with one or more of said switchable circuits. In step 708, the electrical communication to a circuit is provided or interrupted, based on an activation signal based on the parameter monitoring. It will be appreciated that the circuit in step 708 may refer to a circuit in the downstream direction that is affected by the relay actions, for example, the trigger causing an interruption, etc.

In some example embodiments, monitoring is not limited to evaluating a parameter value against conditions, but may include a reading of the parameter value.

Furthermore, although the switching module and the set of resistors have been described above, in certain exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the components are not limited as such. In such embodiments, a plurality of switchable circuits coupled to one or more relay terminals are provided. The processing module is coupled to the plurality of switchable circuits to automatically select a monitoring interval 5 from a plurality of monitoring intervals based on a parameter value of the source to be monitored. Just as the monitoring intervals are associated with one or more switches, each monitoring interval is associated with one or more of the switchable circuits. In such embodiments, a downstream relay switch can be provided to provide or interrupt the electrical communication to a downstream circuit based on an activation signal provided by the processing module (ie, the relay action).

One skilled in the art will appreciate that other variations and / or modifications can be made to specific embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, as described extensively in the claims. Therefore, the present embodiments must be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (15)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 1. A relay (100) to automatically select a monitoring interval to monitor a parameter of an input source (118), the relay (100) comprising: one or more terminals (102, 104) for coupling to the input source (118); a plurality of switchable circuits coupled to one or more terminals (102, 104); a processing module (114) coupled to the plurality of switchable circuits to automatically select a monitoring interval from a plurality of monitoring intervals based on a parameter value of the input source (118), each associated monitoring interval being associated with one or more of said switchable circuits; Y a relay switch (122) being configured to provide or interrupt the electrical communication to a circuit, based on an activation signal provided by the processing module (114). 2. The relay according to claim 1, further comprising a switching module (108) for implementing the switchable circuits, the switching module (108) comprising at least two switches (S1, S2, S3, S4) each being operable in an open state or a closed state, in which the at least two switches (S1, S2, S3, S4) are configured to provide different electrical paths from the input source (118) to the base processing module (114) to their individual opening and closing states, in which the processing module (114) being configured, in particular, to instruct at least one of the switches (S1, S2, S3, S4) of the switching module (108) in the open or closed state based on the parameter value of the input source (118). 3. The relay according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the processing module (114) is configured to sample the value of the input source parameter (118) and to evaluate the plurality of monitoring intervals for automatically select the monitoring interval, wherein the evaluation is based in particular on the evaluation of the respective upper and lower limits of the plurality of monitoring intervals based on the sampled value. 4. The relay according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the closed state of each of the at least two switches (S1, S2, S3, S4) corresponds to a respective monitoring interval such that each of The switches (S1, S2, S3, S4) remain in their closed state when the parameter value is within the respective monitoring interval. 5. The relay according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a set (106) of resistors for coupling to the input source (118), the set (106) of resistors comprising a plurality of resistors (R1 to R5) to provide a different electrical resistance from the input source (118) to the processing module (114), wherein the processing module (114) is configured, in particular, to automatically select the monitoring interval based on a voltage range through the resistor assembly (106). 6. The relay according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising no more than two input terminals (102, 104). The relay according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the input parameter comprises at least one of a voltage and a current of the input source (118). 8. The relay according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the relay (100) is compatible for use separately with a first input source having a first input parameter and a second input source having a second input parameter, the ratio of the first input parameter to the second input parameter being at least 5000. 9. The relay according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein no more than one of the at least two switches (S1, S2, S3, S4) is in the closed state at any point in time. The relay according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one of a voltage protection module (110) or a current protection module coupled to the processing module (114) to substantially prevent damage to the module (114) of processing caused by the electrical properties of the input source (118). 11. The relay according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the trigger signal is provided by the processing module (114) when one or more characteristics of the input source (118) meet one or more predetermined conditions, in which one or more features are selected, in particular, from a group consisting of single-phase, three-phase, single-phase and power voltage. 12. The relay according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined conditions are set by the user. 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 13. A procedure for monitoring a parameter of an input source (118), the procedure comprising the steps of: couple (702) a plurality of circuits switchable to the input source (118); obtain (704) a parameter value; characterized by select (706), by means of a processing module (114), a monitoring interval from a plurality of monitoring intervals based on the value of the parameter of the input source (118), each monitoring interval being associated with one or more of said switchable circuits; and provide or interrupt (708) the electrical communication to a circuit, based on an activation signal based on the parameter monitoring. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of selecting the monitoring interval comprises: i. comparing the parameter value with a respective monitoring interval of a switch of a switching module (108) to determine if the value is within the monitoring interval of said switch; ii. provide that the switch is in the open state if the value is outside the monitoring interval of said switch or in the closed state if the value is within the monitoring range of said switch; iii. repeat steps (i) and (ii) with each of the other switches until it is determined that the value is within the monitoring interval of one of the switches in the switching module (108) and said switch is provided in a closed state 15. A computer readable data storage medium that has stored in the computer code means to instruct a relay processing module (100) to execute a procedure to monitor a parameter of an input source (118) , the procedure comprising the steps of: couple (702) a plurality of circuits switchable to the input source (118); obtain (704) a parameter value; selecting (706) a monitoring interval from a plurality of monitoring intervals based on the parameter value of the input source (118), each monitoring interval associated with one or more of said switchable circuits; Y provide or interrupt (708) the electrical communication to a circuit, based on an activation signal based on the parameter monitoring.