JP2001256585A - Power supply outlet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power outlet capable of monitoring used power. SOLUTION: This outlet consists of a power supply terminal part 2 to which a power line PL is connected, a supply line 5 connected to the part 2 and feeding power, an outlet socket 3 that is connected to the line 5 and can feed power supplied to the part 2 via the line 5, a current detecting means 6 which is provided on the line 5, measures current supplied from the socket 3 via the line 5 and outputs a current value, and a communicating means 7 which is connected to the means 6 and also connected to the line 5, inputs the current value outputted from the means 6, calculates power from a voltage value and a current value applied to the line, converts the power into prescribed power data information and transmits the power data information to the line PL through the line 5, and can transmit the power data information with the line PL as a communication line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an indoor outlet for transmitting information on the usage state of the indoor outlet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, power equipment and the like are connected to indoor outlets installed on indoor and outdoor walls, and electric power is used by using electric power supplied through indoor wiring. Is measured by an electricity meter installed at each contracted building (home).
It was only used to calculate electricity rates. On the other hand, a system in which a gas company, a power company, and a security company respectively manage and control gas and electricity in individual buildings (homes) using an information line such as a telephone or cable television and wireless communication is considered. Had been. In particular, with respect to power management and control, a control system-compatible home appliance capable of inputting and outputting information signals that can be processed by application software for control transmits information signals through a telephone line, thereby providing external power. A system that manages and controls information based on information signals obtained by companies, gas companies, and the like has been considered. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a television corresponding to the electricity and control system of each building (home),
In an air conditioner, a refrigerator, or a gas or electric hot water supply system using electricity, an information signal indicating its own status is transmitted to a power company or a gas company via a telephone line, and each company transmits the information. Based on the signal, an information signal including control information for controlling each device is transmitted to each device via a telephone line, and each device is received and controlled. For example,
The air conditioner 100 converts information such as its own power consumption, room temperature and humidity into an information signal for communicating with the power company 102 via the telephone line 101, and transmits the information signal to the power company 102 via the telephone line. In the power company 102, the air conditioner 1
Based on information in the information signal transmitted from 00, control information for adjusting the set temperature, power consumption, and the like of the air conditioner 100 can be transmitted via the telephone line 101 by appropriately considering temperature, humidity, power consumption, and the like. It is converted into an information signal and transmitted. Then, the air conditioner 100 is controlled in temperature and humidity by the control information transmitted by the information signal.

[0003]

[0005] However, control of devices performed via these telephone lines is conditioned on devices compatible with the control system, and other devices cannot control or monitor. Had problems. In addition, there is a problem that the power used cannot be monitored even with an outlet for connecting a device such as a hair dryer which does not particularly require remote control. In view of these problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an outlet capable of monitoring used electric power.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention relates to a power supply terminal connected to a power line, a power supply path connected to the power supply terminal, and a power supply path for supplying power supplied to the power supply terminal, An outlet socket capable of supplying power supplied to the power supply terminal via a supply path, and a current detecting means provided on the supply path, and measuring a current supplied from the outlet socket via the supply path to measure a current value. And a current measuring unit for outputting the current value, the current measuring unit is connected to the supply path on the power supply terminal side from the current detecting unit, and a current value output from the current measuring unit is input and applied to the power line. Communication means for calculating power from the voltage value and the current value, converting the power data information into predetermined power data information, and transmitting the power data information to the power line, and transmitting the power data information using the power line as a communication line. Power outlets,

[0005] and

A power supply terminal connected to the power line, a supply path connected to the power supply terminal for supplying power supplied to the power supply terminal, and a power supply connected to the supply path and supplied to the power supply terminal. An outlet socket that can be supplied through the supply path, a current measurement section that is provided in the supply path, measures a current supplied from the outlet socket through the supply path, and outputs a current value, and is connected to the current measurement section. Is connected to the supply path, receives a current value output from the current measuring unit, calculates power from the voltage value and the current value applied to the power line, converts the power value into predetermined power data information, and converts the power data information. It can be transmitted to the power line via the supply path, and can receive instruction data information transmitted to the power line via the supply path,
A power outlet, comprising: communication means for turning on / off power supply to an outlet socket according to the instruction of the instruction data information when receiving the instruction data information, wherein the power information can be transmitted and received using the power line as a communication line,

Is provided. The operation of the present invention is as follows. That is, the power transmitted to the power line is applied to the power supply terminal unit, supplied to the outlet socket via the supply path, and supplied to the electric appliance and the like connected to the outlet socket. Since electric power supplied to an electric appliance or the like is transmitted through a supply path, a current detection unit provided in the supply path measures the supplied electric current, and outputs the measured current value to the communication unit. The communication unit inputs a current value from the current detection unit, and calculates power from the voltage value supplied to the supply path and the input current value. The calculated power is converted into power data information that can be transmitted from the power line as a communication line, and transmitted to the power line via the supply path.

When the communication means can transmit the power data information and can receive the instruction data, the transmission of the power data information is performed by the current value input from the current detection means and the voltage applied to the supply path. The power calculated from the value is converted so that the power line can be transmitted as a communication line, and transmitted to the power line via the supply path. When the communication means receives the instruction data information from the supply path using the power line as the communication line, the supply means controls the supply of power by turning on / off the supply path connected to the communication means in accordance with the instruction of the instruction data information.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front side perspective explanatory view showing the first embodiment, FIG. 3 is a rear side perspective explanatory view showing the same, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the second embodiment.

[0010] PL is a power line, and in Fig. 1, it is an indoor power line installed in a house. Power line PL is 50H
An AC power supply of z or 60 Hz, 100 V or 200 V is transmitted. In a general house, a single-core conductor, a two-core or a three-core cable or the like is usually used for indoor wiring.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a power outlet according to the first embodiment. The power outlet 1 is unitized as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a power terminal PL 2 connected to the power line PL is provided on the back, and a power terminal 2 is provided on the front side. An outlet socket 3 for supplying power to electric appliances and the like is provided, and a power outlet 1
Are respectively provided in the housings 4 forming the housing, and are used in a wall-mounted outlet or the like in which only the outlet socket 3 is embedded in the wall of the house and only the outlet socket 3 is exposed on the wall surface.

The power terminal 2 is provided in the housing 4 on the back of the power outlet 1 so as to be connectable to the power line PL inserted through a hole formed slightly larger in diameter than the conductor of the power line PL. When the power line PL is inserted, the power line PL is electrically connected inside the hole and also physically connected so that the power line PL does not come off. .

The outlet socket 3 can be locked with an outlet plug of an electric appliance or the like inserted into a parallel rectangular hole formed in the housing 4 in front of the power outlet 1 and the locked state is not easily detached. It is.
In the first embodiment, two outlet sockets 3 are provided vertically.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a supply path, which connects the power supply terminal portion 2 and the outlet socket 3 inside the housing 4 of the power outlet 1. Therefore, the power line P
The power supplied from L is supplied to electric appliances and the like connected to the outlet socket 3.

Reference numeral 6 denotes current detection means. The current detecting means 6 is provided in the supply path 5 inside the housing 4, is provided so as to be able to measure a current flowing in the supply path 5, and outputs a measured current value.

Reference numeral 7 denotes communication means. The communication means 7 is provided inside the housing 4, is electrically connected to the current detection means 6 so that a current value output from the current detection means 6 can be input, and transmits internally processed power data information to the supply path 5. Connected as possible. The communication means 7 functions as a power line carrier means, calculates power from a current value input from the current detection means 6 and a voltage value supplied to the power path (not shown), and outputs the calculated power data. Conveying means (not shown) capable of transmitting as power data information via a power line
And other power supplies, line transformers,
It is composed of a coupling capacitor and the like, and can convert the calculated power into a data format of a predetermined form and output it as power data information. The voltage value used for calculating the power value may be a preset value, or may be a measured value obtained by providing another means for directly measuring the voltage applied to the supply path. In the first embodiment, the power outlet 1 is converted into a digital signal including identification information and power information that can be identified, and is transmitted at a transmission speed of 1200 bit / s. The power outlet 1 is identified, and the current flowing through the power outlet 1 can be monitored. Conversion to power data information is not necessarily 1
The transmission speed does not need to be 200 bit / s, and the present invention can be implemented without using a digital signal. In the first embodiment, the communication means 7 is connected to the supply path 5 on the side of the power supply terminal unit 2 from the current detection means 6, but the communication means 7 is supplied from the current detection means 6 on the side of the outlet socket 3. It may be connected to the road 5. The individual monitoring station GW is provided connected to the power line PL, monitors whether power data information is transmitted via the power line PL, and can input a signal thereof.
The individual monitoring station GW can transmit the input power data information to a centralized monitoring station (not shown) which collectively manages the individual monitoring stations GW by a transmission means such as a telephone line. Then, a centralized monitoring station (not shown) manages power data information transmitted from each individual monitoring station GW to be input, for example, from an individual monitoring station GW supposed to be away from home, a power supply not used during absence. If the outlet 1 consumes power, the security company is contacted to enable monitoring of the individual home with the individual monitoring station GW. In this embodiment, the individual monitoring station GW functions as a gateway, but if a centralized management station such as a condominium can be installed, the individual monitoring station GW is installed in a condominium management room or the like, and the individual monitoring station GW is set.
May perform the same function as the centralized monitoring station.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment thus formed will be described. An electric appliance is connected to the outlet socket 3 and used. When an electric appliance is used, a current flows through the power line PL, the supply path 5 and the outlet socket 3. Therefore, the current detection unit 6 measures the current to be used and outputs the current value to the communication unit 7. The communication unit 7 calculates power from the input current value and the voltage value supplied to the supply path 5. Next, the calculated power is converted into power data information in a predetermined format. The converted power data information is transmitted to the supply path 5. The power data information is transmitted from the supply path 5 to the individual monitoring station GW via the power line PL. The individual monitoring station GW outputs the input power data information to a central monitoring station (not shown) via a transmission line such as a telephone line. Then, a central monitoring station (not shown) monitors the power outlet 1 connected to the power line PL of each individual monitoring station GW.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, similarly to the first embodiment, the power outlet 1 includes a power terminal portion 2, an outlet socket 3, a supply path 5, a current detection unit 6 inside a housing 4. And a communication means 7. The communication means 7 is connected to the supply path 5 on the side of the power supply terminal unit 2 from the current detection means 6, and receives the transmitted instruction data information to turn on the power supply. The third embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that it has a function of turning off. In the second embodiment,
Each individual monitoring station GW can input instruction data information transmitted from a central monitoring station (not shown) via a transmission line such as a telephone line, and can transmit the instruction data information to the power line PL. That is, the communication means 7 in the second embodiment can receive the instruction data information transmitted from the individual monitoring station GW via the power line PL and the supply path 5 as shown in FIG. Switching means 8 for turning on / off the supply path 5 according to the instruction of the instruction data information is provided. The transmitted instruction data information includes information capable of identifying whether or not the communication means 7 supplies power. The switching information 8 is operable, and the power outlet 1 is capable of identifying itself. . The rest of the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. An electric appliance is connected to the outlet socket 3 and used. When an electric appliance is used, a current flows through the power line PL, the supply path 5 and the outlet socket 3. Therefore, the current detection unit 6 measures the current to be used and outputs the current value to the communication unit 7. The communication unit 7 calculates power from the input current value and the voltage value supplied to the supply path 5. Next, the calculated power is converted into power data information in a predetermined format. The converted power data information is transmitted to the supply path 5. The power data information is transmitted from the supply path 5 via the power line PL, and the individual monitoring station GW inputs the power data information. And in the individual monitoring station GW,
As in the first embodiment, the power data information is output to a centralized monitoring station (not shown) via a transmission line such as a telephone line. When the instruction data information transmitted from the central monitoring station (not shown) is input by the individual monitoring station GW, and the instruction data information for the power outlet 1 is transmitted from the individual monitoring station GW, the communication unit 7 transmits the instruction data. Receives the information, identifies whether or not the identification information included in the instruction data information is its own, and, if the identification information is transmitted to itself, identifies the ON / OFF information included in the instruction data information. In the case of an instruction to turn on and turn off the switching means 8 based on the off information, the supply path 5 is turned off and the power line PL is turned off.
Is not supplied to the outlet socket 3 and the supply path 5 is turned on in the case of an instruction to turn it on, and the power supplied from the power line PL is supplied to the outlet socket 3.

In the second embodiment, the switching means 8 is configured to simultaneously turn on and off the two outlet sockets 3 provided in the power outlet 1, but the switching means 8 is provided for each of the two outlet sockets 3. In addition to providing the information, the instruction data information may include information for turning on / off each of the outlet sockets 3 so that the two outlet sockets 3 may be turned on / off independently. In both the first and second embodiments, an example has been described in which the power outlet 1 is used as the outlet unit 3 assuming that a new house is to be constructed. By applying the power outlet 1 to the table tap to be connected, it is possible to cope with an existing house.

[0021]

According to the present invention, power used in each power outlet can be transmitted for each power outlet using a power line to which power is supplied as a transmission path, so that dedicated transmission such as wireless transmission is performed. It is possible to monitor each power outlet at a monitoring station such as an individual monitoring station without providing a path. Furthermore, when a centralized monitoring station for transmitting data from the individual monitoring stations is provided, each individual monitoring station can be monitored in a concentrated manner. Since the power outlet receives the instruction data information transmitted using the transmission line, identifies whether it is the instruction data information for itself, and can turn on / off the power supplied to the electric appliance, etc. Power outlets can be monitored elsewhere, such as an individual monitoring station, and the power can be turned on and off. Further, when the individual monitoring station is managed by the central monitoring station, the power can be turned on and off from a remote place.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the same.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view of the rear side.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 PL Power line GW Individual monitoring station 1 Power outlet 2 Power terminal 3 Outlet socket 4 Housing 5 Supply path 6 Current detection means 7 Communication means 8 Switching means

Claims (2)

[Claims] A power supply terminal connected to a power line, a supply path connected to the power supply terminal for supplying power supplied to the power supply terminal, a power supply connected to the supply path, and supplied to the power supply terminal. An outlet socket capable of supplying electric power via a supply path; a current detection means provided in the supply path, for measuring a current supplied from the outlet socket via the supply path and outputting a current value; Connected to the supply path and connected to the supply path, input a current value output from the current detection means, calculate power from the voltage value and the current value applied to the supply path, convert the power into predetermined power data information, A power outlet comprising communication means for transmitting data information to a power line via a supply path, and capable of transmitting power data information using the power line as a communication line. 2. A power supply terminal connected to a power line, a supply path connected to the power supply terminal and supplying power supplied to the power supply terminal, and connected to the supply path and supplied to the power supply terminal. An outlet socket capable of supplying electric power via a supply path; a current detection means provided in the supply path, for measuring a current supplied from the outlet socket via the supply path and outputting a current value; Connected to the supply path on the power supply terminal side from the current detecting means, input a current value output from the current detecting means, calculate power from a voltage value and a current value applied to the power line, and determine a predetermined value. Is converted to power data information, the power data information can be transmitted to the power line via the supply path, the instruction data information transmitted to the power line can be received via the supply path, and when the instruction data information is received, A power outlet comprising communication means for turning on / off power supply to an outlet socket in accordance with an instruction of instruction data information, and capable of transmitting and receiving data information using a power line as a communication line.