KR20170042078A

KR20170042078A - Smart multi-tap

Info

Publication number: KR20170042078A
Application number: KR1020150141552A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 이상범; 신익수; 강창원; 윤규진; 전용병; 이종민
Original assignee: 단국대학교 천안캠퍼스 산학협력단
Priority date: 2015-10-08
Filing date: 2015-10-08
Publication date: 2017-04-18

Abstract

A smart power strip capable of remote control with an external control device is provided. The smart power strip includes a lead connected to an external power source, a plurality of outlet sockets, a switching module for connecting each of the plurality of outlet sockets with the lead so as to perform on/off control the plurality of outlet sockets, a control part for controlling the operation of the switching module, and a communication module connectable to a communication network. The control part includes a program configured to generate a control signal for the setting and switching modules according to the signal of the communication module.

Description

Smart Multitap {SMART MULTI-TAP}

The present invention relates to the field of receptacles, and more particularly to a smart multi-tap that can be remotely controlled by the user.

Electrical appliances and electronic appliances that use electrical energy are essential for running modern life. For example, virtually all household appliances, such as lighting, television, and computers, are powered by electricity. Therefore, if electricity is not supplied, the normal life of an individual or a family, as well as an industrial system or a social infrastructure system, will not operate normally. Therefore, each government has sufficient electric energy, and various measures are taken and implemented for stable and efficient distribution / supply. In this context, it is necessary to minimize standby power.

Standby power refers to the power consumed when a plug of an electronic device or an electronic device that is not currently operating is plugged into an outlet. Because each home uses a variety of electronics, this standby power is a significant amount of electricity being wasted. Currently, about 11% of electricity consumed by households in Korea is consumed as standby power, which means that each household consumes about 76,000 won per year in standby power.

The most obvious way to minimize this waste of standby power is to unplug the device that is not currently in use. However, it is quite cumbersome to plug / unplug their plugs as many types of electronic devices are used at home. As a solution to this problem, a multi-tap having one or more switches has been developed and used. However, there is a problem in that the receptacle device such as a multi-tap and plugs and electric wires connected thereto tend to be aesthetic, and are usually placed in a position where they are not easily exposed.

Therefore, it is necessary to use an easy-to-use multi-tap that can be controlled remotely.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2005-0049211

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and provides a smart multi-tap that can be remotely controlled.

The present invention provides a smart multi-tab capable of remote control using a smart device such as a smart phone of a user.

The present invention provides a smart multi-tap whose operation is controlled according to a preset schedule.

The present invention provides a smart multi-tap, comprising: a lead connected to an external power source; A plurality of outlet sockets; A switching module connecting each of the plurality of outlet sockets to the conductor so as to be capable of on / off control; A control unit for controlling an operation of the switching module; And a communication module connectable to a communication network, wherein the control unit includes a program configured to generate a control signal for setting and the switching module according to a signal of the communication module.

The communication network may be an Internet network.

The control unit includes a timer element capable of synchronizing with an external standard time transmitted through the communication module.

The program of the control unit may be configurable to control the switching module to turn on or off a socket set at a predetermined time.

The program of the control unit may be configurable to control the switching module to turn on or off a socket set after a predetermined time has elapsed.

According to the present invention, a smart multi-tap capable of remote control is provided. Such a smart multi-tap allows a user to control the multi-tap using a communication device such as a smart phone at a remote place such as a workplace using a communication network such as the Internet. Further, since the smart multi-tap of the present invention can control the operation in accordance with the timer and the schedule, more reliable standby power interruption is possible.

1 is a diagram illustrating a smart multi-tap according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing Fig.
3 is a diagram showing an example of an application driven by a remote control device for controlling the smart multi-tap according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a manufactured smart multi-tap according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a smart multi-tap according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an application driven by a remote control device for controlling the smart multi-tap according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, a smart multi-tap 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a lead 11 connected to an external power source (not shown), a plurality of outlet sockets 12, a plurality of outlet sockets 12 A control unit 14 for controlling the operation of the switching module 13 and a communication module 15 connectable to the communication network. The control unit 14 includes a program that can be set according to a signal of the communication module 15 and is capable of generating a control signal for the switching module 13. [

For reference, the smart multi-tap 1 shown in Fig. 1 shows a state in which the outer housing is removed for convenience of understanding.

Specifically, the lead wire 11 and the plurality of outlet sockets 12 connected to the external power source may be similar to the configuration of a general multi-tap, for example. For example, the lead wire 11 may be removably connected to a socket (not shown) having a plug 111 at an end thereof and fixed to the wall. When the plug 111 is connected to an external power source, the multi-tap of the present invention can supply electric energy to electric devices (not shown) connected to the plurality of outlet sockets 12. In the illustrated example, the plurality of outlet sockets 12 are provided with four individual sockets, but are not limited thereto.

The lead wire (11) and the plurality of outlet sockets (12) are connected through the switching module (13). The switching module 13 is capable of on / off control of each of the plurality of outlet sockets 12 individually. For example, a relay switch may be applied to the switching module 13. [ For reference, the terminal blocks 161 and 162 may be provided for secure arrangement of the conductors in the smart multi-tap 1. [

The control unit 14 is configured to control the switching module 13 to turn on / off the sockets 12. The control unit 14 may include a processor and a storage unit for storing a program for control. The control unit may be implemented using a board such as, for example, Arduino.

The communication module 15 is connected to the communication network by wire or wireless, receives the control signal from the external control device 2, and transmits the control signal to the control unit 14. The communication module 15 may be implemented using Raspberry Pi, for example. The communication module 15 operates as a communication server, and the external control device 2 such as a smart phone of the user can access through the Internet.

As described above, the communication network may preferably be an Internet network, and the external control apparatus 2 may be a smart phone of the user. In this case, an application linked to the program stored in the control unit 14 can be driven to the external control device 2. [

The smart multi-tap 1 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention may be provided with a power supply 17 for supplying DC power to the control unit 14, the communication module 15, and the switching module 13. Further, the earth leakage breaker 19 may be further employed.

Further, in the preferred embodiment, a power-compatible chip may further be employed to overcome the voltage difference between the rudernaboard employed in the control unit 14 and the raspberry pie employed in the communication module 15. [ Such a power compatible chip can be installed using the breadboard 18.

Preferably, the controller 14 includes a timer element capable of synchronizing with the external standard time transmitted via the communication module 15.

Also, the program of the control unit 14 can be set to control the switching module 13 so that the socket set at the set time is turned on or off. The set time may include, for example, a schedule function that allows a specific socket to be turned on or off at a predetermined time of day or a predetermined day of the week.

Further, the program of the control unit 14 may be able to be set to control the switching module 13 to turn on or off the socket set after the set time has elapsed.

The setting of the control program can be performed through the external control device 2. Of course, the user may perform real-time operation control for each socket through the external control device 2. [

3 shows an exemplary screen of an application driven by a smart phone which is an external control device.

The smart multitap 1 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the user can set the 'power on / off', 'timer time setting', 'scheduler function setting' ', The corresponding event is transmitted to the communication server 15 by the communication module 15. The data is transmitted to the interlocked control unit 14 and generates a signal for controlling the switching module 13 at a predetermined time. So that the socket 12 performs an on or off operation.

Also, the environment thus changed can be fed back to be viewed as a user application again.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.

1: Smart multi-tap 2: External control device
11: lead 12: outlet socket
13: Switching module 14:
15: Communication module 161, 162: Terminal block
17: Power 18: breadboard
19: Earth leakage breaker

Claims

As a smart multi-tap:
Leads connected to external power;
A plurality of outlet sockets;
A switching module connecting each of the plurality of outlet sockets to the conductor so as to be capable of on / off control;
A control unit for controlling an operation of the switching module; And
And a communication module connectable to a communication network,
Wherein the control unit is configured to allow the control unit to generate a control signal for setting and the switching module according to a signal of the communication module.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the communication network is an Internet network.

The method of claim 2,
Wherein the control unit includes a timer element capable of synchronizing with an external standard time transmitted through the communication module.

The method of claim 2,
Wherein the program of the control unit is configurable to control the switching module to turn on or off a socket set at a predetermined time.

The smart multi-tap according to claim 2, wherein the program of the control unit is configurable to control the switching module to turn on or off a socket set after a predetermined time elapses.