WO2007136213A1

WO2007136213A1 - Electric outlet device

Info

Publication number: WO2007136213A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/002464
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seong-Kyu Lim
Original assignee: Seong-Kyu Lim
Priority date: 2006-05-20
Filing date: 2007-05-21
Publication date: 2007-11-29
Also published as: KR20070112314A

Abstract

Disclosed is a power outlet device. The power outlet device comprises a relay socket main body (4) detachably inserted between a main power outlet (2) and a plug (10) of an electrical appliance. The relay socket main body (4) includes a control circuit configured to internally and selectively supply and cut off a commercial AC power to the electrical appliance according to detection of current state corresponding to a power-on or power-off state of the electrical appliance and an external power-on request of the relay socket main body (4).

Description

Description ELECTRIC OUTLET DEVICE

Technical Field

[1] A power outlet device is widely used in households or offices for various purposes,

In case where electrical appliances (for example, computers, household devices, heating appliances, kitchenettes, and the like) requiring an electric power are far away from a main power outlet installed in a wall, a multi-outlet strip is widely used for connecting the power supply with the electrical appliances.

[2] The multi-outlet strip includes one or more connection sockets, and plugs of the electrical appliances are inserted into the connection socket of the multi-outlet strip or into a main power outlet installed in the wall.

[3] The present invention relates to a power control device, and more particularly, to a power outlet device using a relay socket main body to control the electric power for electrical appliances. Background Art

[4] In the past, in case where electronic and electrical appliances are not used, the users disconnect the plugs from the outlets It is cumbersome for the user to disconnect all the plugs one by one. At the present days, mostly the plugs remain inserted into the main outlet or the multi-outlet strip. Thus, the electrical appliances connected to the outlets consume the electric current even in non-operation states and degradation of the electric circuit is accelerated.

[5] If users can conveniently cut off the electric power being supplied to the electrical appliances or re-supply the power, without necessity of disconnecting the plugs from the outlets one by one in person, or manually turning on or off the power switch of a multi-outlet strip, an energy saving can be achieved and the power outlet or socket can be prevented from early wearing-out, thereby enabling to draw consumer s attractiom Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems occurring in the prior art. It is an object of the invention to provide a power outlet device, in which a relay socket main body inserted into a main power outlet can control the power being supplied to electrical appliances Technical Solution

[7] To achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a power outlet device comprising a relay socket main body detachatably inserted between a main power outlet and a plug of an electrical appliance. The relay socket main body is capable of detachable attachment. The relay socket main body includes a control circuit configured to internally and selectively supply and cut off a commercial AC power to the electrical appliance according to detection of current state corresponding to a power-on or power-off state of the electrical appliance and an external power-on request of the relay socket main body. Advantageous Effects

[8] According to the present invention, a relay socket main body inserted into a main power outlet can control an electric power being supplied to an electrical appliance. Brief Description of the Drawings

[9] FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of a power outlet device according to an embodiment of the invention;

[10] FIG. 2 illustrates a circuit block diagram for the relay socket main body in the power outlet device of FIG. 1;

[11] FIG. 3 illustrates a circuit block diagram for the remote controller in the power outlet device of FIG. 1; and

[12] FIG. 4 illustrates timing diagrams explaining the control operations in the power outlet device, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[13]

Mode for the Invention

[14] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in details with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals refers to like elements throughout the drawings In the explanation of embodiments, details well- known in the art may be omitted in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention.

[15] FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of a power outlet device according to an embodiment of the invention. The power outlet device is configured such that the plug P of a relay socket main body 4 is inserted into a main power outlet 2. The relay socket main body 4 includes a connection socket portion 6 configured such that a plug 10 connected to electrical appliances 8 such as television sets, computers and fans is inserted into the connection socket portion 6. That is, the relay socket main body 4 is structured to be mounted between the main power outlet 2 and the plug 10 of the electrical appliance 8. [16] Here, it should be understood that the main power outlet 2 includes a power outlet mounted on a wall structure and also another relay power outlet connected thereto.

[17] According to an embodiment of the invention, when operation of the electrical appliance 8 is interrupted, the relay socket main body 4 detects the interruption and, after a desired delay, cuts off the electric power being supplied to the electrical appliance 8. In addition, the relay socket main body 4 is remotely controlled by a remote controller 12 so as to cut off an electric power supplied to the electrical appliance 8 or cut of the power supply.

[18] The relay socket main body 4 is provided at its outer face with an operation indicator lamp 22 for indicating whether or not an electric power is supplied, and a button switch 20 by which a user can manually turn on or off the electric power. When necessary, a buzzer (23 in Fig. 2) may be housed inside of the relay socket main body 4.

[19] FIG. 2 illustrates a circuit block diagram for the relay socket main body in the power outlet device of FIG. 1. The relay socket main body 4 includes a control unit 24, a DC power supply 26, a wireless communications unit 28, a switching unit 30, and a memory 32. The relay socket main body 4 includes the operation indicator lamp 22 and the button switch 20 shown in FIG. 1 and the buzzer 23 previously mentioned.

[20] The switching unit 30 is configured that a relay switch RL is connected to the connection socket 6 and a relay driver RD is driven by the control unit 10. Under the control of the control unit 10, the relay switch RL is switching-controlled to selectively form a supply passage of commercial AC power to the connection socket 6.

[21] The wireless communications unit 28 is a block for transmitting a wireless control signal from and to the external remote controller 12 in the commercial frequency band.

[22] The DC power supply 26 converts the commercial AC power into a DC power and supplies the DC power to the control unit and other circuit portions. As shown in Fig. 1, the operation indicator lamp 22 is mounted on the outside of the relay socket main body 4 and turns on and off by control of the control unit 24. The buzzer 23 selectively generates a buzzer sound by control of the control unit 24.

[23] The memory 32 maps the operating programs of the control unit 24 and stores various data under control of the control unit 24.

[24] In addition, the current transformer of FIG. 1 is connected such that the supply power line 21 within the relay socket main body 4 is embraced. An electromagnetic field generated by current flow through the supply power line 21 is converted into an electric current and output the electric current to a current detector 34, and the current detector 34 applies a voltage value corresponding to the converted current value to the control unit 24.

[25] The control unit 24 detects as to whether or not the electrical appliance 8 is used

(operated), according to the voltage value applied through the CT and the current detector 24. If the electrical appliance 8 is not being operated, the control unit 24 turns off the switching unit 30 after a desired delay (for example, after a few seconds). Thus, an AC power is cut off beforehand and never applied to the electrical appliance 8. In addition, the control unit 24 controls the switching unit 30 according to the remote switch control signal from the remote controller 12 to thereby cut off the AC power supply beforehand. Further, the control unit 24 controls the switching unit 30 to be turned on or off according to a user's pressing the button switch 20.

[26] Furthermore, the control unit 24 controls the operation indicator lamp 22 to be turned on or off and selectively drives the buzzer 23, correspondingly to the control of power supply. When the relay switch RL is switched on, the operation indicator lamp 22 is lighted. The buzzer 23 may be configured such that, when the switching unit 30 is turned on or off, a short buzzer sound can be produced.

[27] On the other hand, the remote controller 12 of FIG. 1 includes a first remote control function capable of remotely controlling the relay socket main body 4, as shown in FIG. 3, and optionally may include a second remote control function capable of remotely controlling the electrical appliance 8.

[28] The remote controller 12 includes a remote control unit 40, a wireless communications unit 42 and an infrared transmission unit 44. The wireless communications unit 42 is a wireless unit for wirelessly communicating with the relay socket main body 4 in a commercial frequency range under the control of the remote control unit 40. The infrared transmission unit 44 is an optional wireless unit for transmitting an infrared ray signal for remotely controlling the electrical appliance 8 under the control of the remote control unit 40.

[29] First, when the remote controller 12 includes both of the first remote control function and the second remote control function, one example operation of the remote controller 12 and the relay socket main body 4 will be explained as follows.

[30] If a user powers on using the keypad 46, the remote control unit 40 of the remote controller 12 according to an embodiment of the invention carries out a remote power- on control through the wireless communications unit 42 to control the relay socket main body 4 to be powered on, and thereafter carried out a remote power-on control through the infrared transmission unit 44 to control the corresponding electrical appliance 8 to be powered on.

[31] Accordingly, the relay socket main body 4 turns on the switching unit 30. Then, the relay socket main body 4 monitors through the current detector 34 as to whether or not an electric current corresponding to the power-on is detected from the electrical appliance 8.

[32] Next, when the remote controller 12 is formed of a first remote control function only, an exemplary operation of the remote controller 12 and the relay socket main body 4 will be explained as follows.

[33] If a user powers on using the keypad 46, the remote control unit 40 of the remote controller 12 according to an embodiment of the invention carries out a remote power- on control through the wireless communications unit 42 to control the relay socket main body 4 to be powered on. Accordingly, after the relay socket main body 4 turns on the switching unit 30, it monitors through the current detector 34 as to whether or not an electric current corresponding to the power-on is detected from the electrical appliance 8.

[34] FIG. 4 illustrates timing diagrams explaining the control operations in the power outlet device, according to an embodiment of the invention. More specifically, FIG. 4(a) is a timing diagram explaining the control in the relay socket main body 4 when the electrical appliance 8 being operated is powered off, FIG. 4(b) is a timing diagram explaining the control in the remote controller 12, and FIG. 4(c) is a timing diagram explaining the control in the relay socket main body 4.

[35] In FIGS. 4(a), (b) and (c), reference numeral "100" denotes a waveform showing operation (power-on) and non-operation (power-off) of the electrical appliance 8.

[36] Hereafter, the operations of the above constructions according to an embodiment of the invention will be explained in greater details.

[37] A user does not insert the plug 10 connected to the electrical appliance 8 directly to the main power outlet 2. Instead, as shown in FIG. 1, the plug 10 connected to the electrical appliance 8 is inserted into the main power outlet 2 via the relay socket main body 4. Therefore, when the electrical appliance 8 is not being used, the relay socket main body 4 cuts off the commercial AC power being supplied to the electrical appliance 8.

[38] More specifically, if the electrical appliance 8 such as a television set is turned on, the control unit 24 senses a voltage level corresponding to the operation of the electrical appliance 8 through the CT and the current detector 34 within the relay socket main body 4. At this time, the operation indicator lamp 22 of the relay socket main body 4 remains turned-on by lighting control of the control unit 24.

[39] Then, if the user turns off the electrical appliance 8 being operated, the control unit

24 of the relay socket main body 4 comes to detect a voltage level corresponding to the non-operation of the electrical appliance 8, through the CT and the current detector 34 (a time point ta in FIG. 4).

[40] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the control unit 24 monitors the output of the current detector 34 for the interval tl (for one or two seconds) to confirm whether or not the non-operation is valid. If the non-operation is valid, the control unit 24 monitors the output of the current detector 34 while standing by for the interval t2 (for 5 to 9 seconds), in order to confirm whether or not the non-operation is caused by defects in the AC voltage (blackout for a few seconds, intentional on and off of the electrical appliance, or the like).

[41] If the voltage level for non-operation is still sensed even after the interval t2, the control unit 24 controls the switching unit 30 to be turned off at the time point tb so that the commercial AC voltage being supplied to the electrical appliance 8 is cut off from the relay socket main body 4.

[42] When the switching unit 30 is turned off, the control unit 24 turns off the operation indicator lamp 22 and controls the buzzer 23 to generate a έιoτt buzzer sound.

[43] However, if the relay socket main body 4 detects a voltage level corresponding to operation during monitoring of the interval tl or t2, the switching unit 30 of the relay socket main body 4 is made not to be turned off such that the relay socket main body 4 continues to relay the commercial AC power.

[44] As described above, after the relay socket main body 4 is inserted into the main power outlet 2 and when an electrical appliance 8 being operated is powered off, the relay socket main body 4 shuts off the commercial AC power, thereby leading to energy saving.

[45] On the other hand, after the commercial AC power is cut off in the relay socket main body 4 and if the AC power is to be supplied again, the user can use the switch button 20 or the remote controller 12 of the relay socket main body 4.

[46] If a user presses the switch button 20 provided in the outer face of the relay socket main body 4 or performs a power-on control of the relay socket main body 4 using the remote controller 4 having the first remote control function only, the control unit 24 recognizes this to turn on the switching unit 30, light the operation indicator lamp 22, and make the buzzer 23 to produce for example a short "beep" sound, which is different from that when in the turn-off of the switching unit 30. [47] If the user uses the remote controller 4, it is controlled so as to turn on the relay socket main body 4 and also turn on the corresponding electrical appliance 8, according to the embodiment of the invention.

[48] More specifically, if a user carries out a remote power-on control for the electrical appliance using the keypad 46 of the remote controller 12, the remote control unit 40 recognizes this at the time point tc in FIG. 4(b). At the time point td, a remote power- on control for the relay socket main body 4 is performed through the wireless communications unit 42, and thereafter after the interval t3 (for one or two seconds), at the time point te, the remote power-on control for the electrical appliance is carried out through the infrared transmission unit 44.

[49] Accordingly, the relay socket main body 4 is powered on and thereafter the electrical appliance is powered on. Thus, the commercial AC power is supplied to the electrical appliance 8 through one time remote control using the remote controller 12.

[50] On the other hand, after the user presses the switch button 20 provided in the outer face of the relay socket main body 4 or carries out a power-on control of the relay socket main body 4 using the remote controller 4 having the first remote control function only to thereby form a supply passage of commercial AC power to the electrical appliance 8 through the relay socket main body 4, and if the electrical appliance 8 does not continue to be turned on, the relay socket main body 4 detects this and shuts off the internal passage for the commercial AC power.

[51] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4(c), if a user does a relay socket power-on request at the time point tf using the switch button 20 or the remote controller 12, the control unit 24 of the relay socket main body 4 turns on the switching unit 30 to form a supply passage for the commercial AC power to the electrical appliance 8 via the relay socket main body 4. Thereafter, the control unit 24 monitors the current detector 34 for the interval t4 (for example, for a few seconds or a few minutes) to determine whether or not a current value corresponding to the power-on of the electrical appliance is detected. If not detected, the switching unit 30 being turned on is turned off at the time point tg. In this way, the passage for commercial AC power to the electrical appliance 8 via the relay socket main body 4 is internally shut off. However, during the monitoring of the interval t4, if the control unit 24 of the relay socket main body 4 detects a voltage level corresponding to operation, the switching unit 30 of the relay socket main body 4 is controlled not to be turned off so that the relay socket main body 4 can relay the commercial AC power.

[52] In this way, even in case where a user powers on the relay socket main body 4 only, if a desired time elapses, an automatic power-off is made to thereby achieve an energy saving.

[53] As described above, the present invention has been described illustrating the relay socket main body 4 as a specific embodiment of the invention. However, it should be understood to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be applied to the main power outlet 2 or the plug 10 connected to an electrical alliance 8. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents, not the embodiment described above.

[54]

Claims

[1] A power outlet device comprising a relay socket main body detachatably inserted between a main power outlet and a plug of an electrical appliance, the relay socket main body capable of detachably attaching, wherein the relay socket main body includes a control circuit configured to internally and selectively supply and cut off a commercial AC power to the electrical appliance according to detection of current state corresponding to a power-on or power-off state of the electrical appliance and an external power-on request of the relay socket main body.

[2] The power outlet device according to claim 1, wherein, if a current value corresponding to non-operation is detected from the electrical appliance being operated, the control circuit confirm whether or not the non-operation is valid while monitoring the detected current value for a first time interval, and thereafter if the non-operation state is maintained after a stand-by while monitoring the detected current value for a second time interval, the control circuit internally cuts off the passage of the commercial AC power being supplied to the electrical, appliance through the relay socket main body.

[3] The power outlet device according to claim 1, wherein, if the commercial AC power is supplied to the electrical appliance through the relay socket main body by a power-on request from the relay socket main body, but a current value corresponding to non-operation of the electrical appliance is detected from the electrical appliance being operated, the control circuit monitors the detected current value for a third time interval, and if the non-operation state is maintained, the control circuit internally cuts off the passage of the commercial AC power being supplied to the electrical appliance through the relay socket main body.

[4] The power outlet device according to claim 1, wherein the relay socket main body includes at least one of a buzzer and an operation indicator lamp, which is controlled and operated by the control circuit of the relay socket main body.

[5] The power outlet device according to claim 1, further comprising a remote controller for powering on the relay socket main body through a wireless unit according to a request for power-on of the relay socket main body using a user keypad.

[6] The power outlet device according to claim 1, wherein further comprising a remote controller for powering on the relay socket main body through a first wireless unit and then powering on the electrical appliance through a second wireless unit according to a request for power-on of the electrical appliance using a user keypad.

[7] A power outlet device comprising a relay socket main body installed inside of a plug of an electrical appliance being inserted into a main power outlet, wherein the relay socket main body includes a control circuit configured to internally and selectively supply and cut off a commercial AC power to the electrical appliance according to detection of current state corresponding to a power-on or power-off state of the electrical appliance and an external power-on request of the relay socket main body.

[8] The power outlet device according to claim 7, wherein, if a current value corresponding to non-operation is detected from the electrical appliance being operated, the control circuit confirm whether or not the non-operation is valid while monitoring the detected current value for a first time interval, and thereafter if the non-operation state is maintained after a stand-by while monitoring the detected current value for a second time interval, the control circuit internally cuts off the passage of the commercial AC power being supplied to the electrical appliance through the relay socket main body.

[9] The power outlet device according to claim 7, wherein, if the commercial AC power is supplied to the electrical appliance through the relay socket main body by a power-on request from the relay socket main body, but a current value corresponding to non-operation of the electrical appliance is detected from the electrical appliance being operated, the control circuit monitors the detected current value for a third time interval, and if the non-operation state is maintained, the control circuit internally cuts off the passage of the commercial AC power being supplied to the electrical appliance through the relay socket main body.