EP3396788B1 - Safe locking of smart plug adapters to power sockets - Google Patents
Safe locking of smart plug adapters to power sockets Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3396788B1 EP3396788B1 EP17168419.4A EP17168419A EP3396788B1 EP 3396788 B1 EP3396788 B1 EP 3396788B1 EP 17168419 A EP17168419 A EP 17168419A EP 3396788 B1 EP3396788 B1 EP 3396788B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- smart plug
- mechanical vibrations
- female member
- plug adapter
- smart
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Links
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 54
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 17
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 3
- XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Iron Chemical compound [Fe] XEEYBQQBJWHFJM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 206010017577 Gait disturbance Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013016 damping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005293 ferrimagnetic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052742 iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R31/00—Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart
- H01R31/06—Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter
- H01R31/065—Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with built-in electric apparatus
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/639—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
- H01R13/6395—Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap for wall or panel outlets
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
- H01R13/665—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit
- H01R13/6683—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit with built-in sensor
Definitions
- the invention refers to smart plug adapters according to claim 1.
- a plug from a device that needs power is inserted into a socket e.g. a wall mounted socket.
- the socket is connected to electrical mains of the establishment, such as electrical mains of an apartment.
- the socket includes conducting plates that are hidden inside the socket.
- the plug of the device has conducting poles or pins that are exteriorly exposed. The conducting poles or pins of the plug are mated with the conducting poles of the device plug thereby establishing an electrical connection between the socket and the device.
- the smart plugging mechanism uses a smart plug adapter, also referred simply to as the smart plug, which includes a male member i.e. a plug part, and a female member i.e. a notch for receiving device plug.
- the male member of the smart plug adapter is connected to electric power by inserting the connecting pins of the male member into the power socket.
- Within a housing or enclosure of the smart plug adapter is present electrical circuitry that electrically connect the male member to the female member, and thus flow of electricity from male member to the female member within the smart plug adapter is established.
- At the female member of the smart plug adapter are conducting plates.
- Smart plug adapters have various advantages, for example besides functioning simply as an adapter; they have other features such as switching mechanisms, wirelessly controllable switching mechanisms, increased safety, and so on and so forth.
- such smart plug adapters While being used, such smart plug adapters often fall apart from the wall socket i.e. the power socket mounted on a wall, to which they are connected, under accidental impacts such as stumbling on the cord by a user, misfit between power socket and the smart plug adapter, excessive weight of the chord connected to the smart plug adapter, and so on and so forth, causing undesirable separation between the smart plug and the wall socket. Furthermore, the smart plug adapter may fall on the surface and get damaged. On the other hand, when the user desires to unplug the device from the smart plug adapter, the user is required to hold the surface of the smart plug in order to be able to remove the device plug without unplugging the smart plug adapter.
- the user may desire to ensure that smart plug is not unplugged from the socket while unplugging the device, for example some smart plugs may require reconfiguration once unplugged. Furthermore, if the user is not careful, the unplugging of the device plug may result into simultaneous unplugging and dropping of the smart plug adapter on the floor surface beneath the wall socket and damaging of the smart plug adapter.
- the desired smart plug adapter should obviate accidental falling off of the smart plug adapter from the wall socket when the device is being unplugged.
- the smart plug is desired to be such that the device connected to the smart plug may be removed from the smart plug without touching the smart plug connected into the wall socket.
- the smart plug adapter hereinafter also referred to as the adapter or the smart plug, includes a housing within which are enclosed a controller and electrical circuitry.
- the smart plug adapter further includes a male member, a female member, a locking mechanism, a mechanical vibrations actuator and at least one vibration sensor.
- the male member extends outwardly from a surface of the housing and is configured to receive electrical current when engaged with an external power socket, for example a wall socket.
- the male member may include conducting connector pins that engage with the power socket and thereby establish electrical connection between the electrical circuitry and the power socket.
- the locking mechanism is disposed at the surface of the housing.
- the locking mechanism when actuated is configured to lock the male member with the power socket.
- the locking mechanism may be hydraulically actuated or pneumatically actuated, and may have electromechanical mechanism or electromagnetic mechanism.
- the female member is formed on the surface of the housing and is configured to provide the electrical current to an electrical device, for example to a laptop, when a device plug i.e. a plug of the laptop or of the laptop adapter is engaged with the female member.
- the electrical current received from the power socket by the male member is thereafter conducted from the male member to the female member.
- the female member may be formed as a receptacle or notch on the surface of the housing. Additionally, the female member may include conducting connector holes that allow engagement with connectors of the device plug to establish electrical connection between the electrical circuitry and the device plug.
- the mechanical vibrations actuator is positioned at the female member, i.e. superficially in the female member, and is configured to emit mechanical vibrations outwardly i.e. away from the housing or in other words towards the device plug when such the device plug is engaged with the female member.
- the mechanical vibrations spread over a lateral surface of the device plug, when the device plug is plugged into the female member of the smart plug adapter.
- the transmission of the mechanical vibrations over the lateral surface of the device plug is further facilitated owing to a solid construction of the device plug.
- the mechanical vibrations actuator may be, but not limited to, one of an electromechanical drive, a piezoelectric transducer, and an electromagnetic drive.
- the mechanical vibrations actuator generates mechanical vibrations having a frequency value of less than 10 Hz (hertz), and more particularly less than 1 Hz.
- the vibration sensor for example a piezoelectric vibration sensor, that is generally disposed physically removed from the mechanical vibrations actuator and superficially within the female member is configured to determine the mechanical vibrations, when present, from the device plug, particularly from the lateral surface of the device plug over which the mechanical vibrations generated by the mechanical vibrations actuator is spread.
- the vibration sensor sends to the controller a signal corresponding to a determination of mechanical vibrations, i.e. the vibration sensor sends to the controller a signal indicative of presence of vibrations i.e. when the device plug is plugged into the female member.
- no signal indicative of the presence of vibrations is sent to the controller by the vibration sensor, it is indicative of a determination of absence of the device plug, i.e. no device plug is plugged into the smart plug adapter.
- the controller sends an actuating signal to the locking mechanism when the controller receives the signal from the vibration sensor that corresponds to the determination of mechanical vibrations as present, i.e. when the signal sent from the vibration sensor is indicative of a state wherein the device plug is plugged into the smart plug adapter.
- the actuating signal actuates the locking mechanism, which in turn locks the male member of the smart plug to the power socket.
- the smart plug adapter of the present technique is physically locked with the power socket when the device plug is plugged into or engaged with the female member of the smart plug adapter, and more particularly the male member of the smart plug adapter of the present technique is physically locked with the power socket when the device plug is plugged into or engaged with the female member of the smart plug adapter.
- the smart plug adapter, particularly the male member of the smart plug adapter, of the present technique is not locked, i.e. is in unlocked state, with the power socket when the device plug is not plugged into or disengaged from the female member of the smart plug adapter.
- the smart plug adapter when being used, i.e. when the device plug is plugged into the female member of the smart plug adapter, does not accidentally unplug or fall off from the power socket, i.e. the wall socket.
- the smart plug adapter is locked with the power socket for the entire duration when the device is in plugged state into the smart plug adapter. Additionally, when the user wants to unplug the device plug from the smart plug adapter, chances of accidental falling off of the smart plug adapter from the wall socket is reduced. Furthermore, the smart plug adapter, being in a locked state, does not need to be manually contacted when the user is removing the device plug from the power socket.
- the smart plug adapter includes a plurality of the vibration sensors dispersedly arranged in the female member. Additionally, the controller may be configured to send the actuating signal to the locking mechanism only when the controller receives the signal from at least two of the vibration sensor corresponding to the determination of mechanical vibrations as present. Thus mechanical vibrations at multiple points of the lateral surface of the device plug are used to conclusively determine presence of the device plug.
- Fig.1 shows a smart plug adapter 1 of the present technique.
- the smart plug adapter 1, hereinafter also referred to as the adapter 1 or the smart plug 1 generally includes a housing 30.
- the housing 30 has a surface 32 forming the surface of the housing 30.
- the housing 30 is made of insulating material and may have varied shapes and sizes, for example the housing 30 may be box-shaped as shown in Fig. 1 or may be cylindrical in shape (not shown).
- the smart plug 1 includes a male member 10 and a female member 20, configured on the surface 32 of the housing 30.
- the male member 10 and the female member 20 are generally present on opposite sides, as depicted in Fig. 1 that shows a male member side 11 and a female member side 21.
- the male member 10 and the female member 20 may also be oriented differently from the depiction of Fig. 1 , for example the female member 20 may be present on a wall of the housing 30 that is perpendicularly disposed relative to the male member side 11.
- Fig. 2 shows the male member side 11 of the smart plug 1
- Fig. 3 shows the female member side 21 of the smart plug 1.
- the smart plug 1 of Fig. 1 is explained in combination with Figs. 2 and 3 as well as Fig. 4 .
- a use scenario of the smart plug 1 is depicted in Fig. 4 .
- the smart plug 1 is used as an adapter to connect a device 90, such as a laptop or a music player, to an electrical power supply such as a power socket 80, that is generally a wall 8 mounted power socket 80.
- the device 90 has a plug 91 i.e.
- the device plug 91 that includes electrical connectors 92 such as connection pins or poles that are inserted into the female member 20 of the smart plug 1, and thus electrical connection or contact is established between the device 90 and the smart plug 1.
- the smart plug 1 is in turn inserted into or plugged into the power socket 80.
- the smart plug 1 thereby establishes an electrical connection between the power socket 80 and the device 90.
- the electrical connection established by the smart plug 1 is generally switchable i.e. the connection can be switched on and off. In an embodiment of the smart plug 1, the electrical connection can be switched on and off wirelessly, i.e. remotely.
- Such smart plug 1 includes suitable elements to enable wireless switching for example, includes an IR receiver, a Wi-Fi module, a Bluetooth module, and so on and so forth.
- the male member 10 extends outwardly from the surface 32 of the housing 30.
- the male member 10 is configured to receive electrical current when engaged with the power socket 80 shown in Fig. 4 , for example the power socket 80 mounted on the wall 8.
- the male member 10 may includes conducting connector pins or poles 12 that engage with the power socket 80, and more particularly that are inserted into socket holes 82 that have conductor plates there within.
- the housing 30 also includes within it electrical circuitry 52 such as electrical lines, conductor plates, etc that is connected to the male member 10, particularly the connector pins 12 of the male member 10, and thus electrical current flows through the socket holes 82 into the electrical circuitry 52 via the connector pins 12 of the male member 10.
- the male member 10 may have varied shapes and sizes, for example the male member 10 may have a generally cylindrical shape as shown in Fig. 2 , or may have cuboidal shape with rounded edges as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 . It may be noted that shape and size of the male member 10 is dependent on standards and regulations governing power plugs in specific geographical jurisdictions. The shape and size of the male member 10 is also dependent on the shape and size of the power socket 80 into which the male member 10 is to be plugged in.
- the female member 20 is formed on the surface 32 of the housing 30.
- the female member 20 may be formed as a receptacle or notch 24, as shown in Fig. 7 or may be formed superficially on the surface 32 without receptacle shape.
- the female member 20 includes conducting connector holes 22 that allow engagement with connectors 92 of the device plug 91, as shown in Fig. 4 .
- the connector holes 22 are connected at the inside of the housing 30 to the electrical circuitry 52 and thus, when the connectors 92 of the device plug 91 are plugged into or connected to the connector holes 22 electrical connection is established between the electrical circuitry 52 and the device plug 91, which in turn is electrically connected to the device 90, as depicted in Fig. 4 .
- the electrical current received from the power socket 80 by the male member 10 is thereafter conducted from the male member 10 to the female member 20 via the electrical circuitry 52, and subsequently the female member 20 conducts the electrical current to the device 90 via the device plug 91.
- the smart plug adapter 1 further includes a mechanical vibrations actuator 60, at least one vibration sensor 62, a locking mechanism 40 and a controller 50.
- the mechanical vibrations actuator 60 is positioned at the female member 20, i.e. superficially in the female member 20, or in other words at the surface 32 forming part of the female member 20.
- the mechanical vibrations actuator 60 hereinafter also referred to as the actuator 60, is positioned in-between the connector holes 22 of the female member 20.
- the actuator 60 emits mechanical vibrations outwardly i.e. away from the housing 30 or in other words towards the device plug 91 when the device plug 91 is engaged with the female member 20.
- the actuator 60 may be, but not limited to, one of an electromechanical drive, a piezoelectric transducer, and an electromagnetic drive.
- the mechanical vibrations actuator generates ultralow frequency mechanical vibrations, for example having a frequency value of less than 10 Hz (hertz), and preferably less than 1 Hz.
- the low frequency mechanical vibrations no audible noise is generated and no mechanical damage or interference is caused to the electrical connections established between the power socket 80 and the device 90 via the smart plug 1.
- the mechanical vibrations spread over a lateral surface 94, shown in Fig. 4 , of the device plug 91, when the device plug 91 is plugged into the female member 20 of the smart plug adapter 1.
- the spreading of the mechanical vibrations is further facilitated owing to a solid construction of the device plug 91.
- the mechanical vibrations generated by the actuator 60 just dissipate into the surrounding and are absorbed in the surrounding air.
- the vibration sensor 62 detects or senses vibrations and is generally disposed physically removed from the mechanical vibrations actuator 60 and superficially i.e. on the surface 32, within the female member 20.
- the vibrations sensor 62 is physically removed so that the mechanical vibrations from the actuator 60 are not directly detected by the vibration sensor 62.
- Other techniques may be used to inhibit direct detection of the vibrations generated by the actuator 60 and traveling though the surface 32, for example by placing vibration damping around the actuator 60 and/or around the vibration sensor 62 that inhibit the vibrations generated by the actuator 60 from traveling along the surface 32.
- Another way is to set vibration sensing by the vibration sensor 62 to a threshold limit, i.e.
- the vibration sensor 62 determines the mechanical vibrations, when present, from the device plug 91, particularly from the lateral surface 94 of the device plug 91 over which the mechanical vibrations generated by the actuator 60 spread.
- the detection of the mechanical vibrations is facilitated as the lateral surface 94 of the device plug 91 is either in direct physical contact or in immediate proximity to the sensor 62, when the device plug 91 is plugged into the female member 20 of the smart plug 1.
- the detection of the mechanical vibrations by the sensor 62 may be tuned to sense or report only vibrations having certain predetermined characteristics, whereas other vibrations may be ignored.
- the vibration sensor 62 as and when detects the presence of lateral surface 94 of the device plug 91 sends to the controller 50, positioned inside the housing 30, a signal corresponding to a determination of mechanical vibrations, i.e. the vibration sensor 62 sends to the controller 50 a signal that is indicative of presence of vibrations i.e. when the device plug 91 is plugged into the female member 20.
- a signal corresponding to a determination of mechanical vibrations i.e. the vibration sensor 62 sends to the controller 50 a signal that is indicative of presence of vibrations i.e. when the device plug 91 is plugged into the female member 20.
- no signal indicative of the presence of vibrations is sent to the controller 50 by the vibration sensor 60, it is indicative of a determination of absence of the device plug 91, i.e. no device plug 91 is plugged into the smart plug adapter 1.
- the controller 50 for example a microprocessor, sends an actuating signal to the locking mechanism 40 as a response to the controller 50 receiving the signal from the vibration sensor 62 that corresponds to the determination of mechanical vibrations as present, i.e. when the signal sent from the vibration sensor 62 is indicative of a state wherein the device plug 91 is plugged into the smart plug adapter 1.
- the actuating signal sent from the controller 50 actuates or activates the locking mechanism 40, which in turn locks the male member 10 of the smart plug 1 to the power socket 80, for example to a support structure 84 of the power socket 80, shown in Fig 4 , or to a side of a receptacle 86 of the power socket 80, also shown in Fig. 4 .
- Fig. 5 shows a state of locking mechanism 40 when the locking mechanism 40 is in default mode, i.e. when no device plug 91 is plugged into the female member 20 of the smart plug 1
- Fig. 6 shows a state of locking mechanism 40 when the locking mechanism 40 is actuated. It may be noted that the depiction of locking mechanism 40 and the different states of the locking mechanism 40 represented in Figs. 5 and 6 are only for purpose of explanation, and not for limitation.
- the locking mechanism 40 is disposed at the surface 32 of the housing 30, and preferable within the male member 10.
- the locking mechanism 40 may be any type of locking mechanism that may be actuated or activated on receiving a signal or command send from the controller 50 in response to the signal received by the controller 50 from the one or more of the vibration sensors 62.
- the locking mechanism 40 may comprise hydraulically and/or pneumatically controlled locking pins, latches, clamps, clamping rings and/or hooks that lock into a corresponding notch (not shown) in or around the power socket 80.
- the hydraulically and/or pneumatically controlled locking pins, latches, clamps, clamping rings, and/ or hooks are actuated by the actuating signal or command send from the controller 50, when the vibration sensors 62 detect presence of vibrations indicative of a presence of the device plug 91 engaged with the female member 20 of the smart plug 1.
- Another type of locking mechanism 40 may be an electromechanical system such as an electrical drive based locking mechanism, for example motor driven locking pins, latches, clamps, clamping rings and/or hooks that lock into a corresponding notch in or around the power socket 80.
- the electrical drive controlled locking pins, latches, clamps, clamping rings, and/ or hooks are actuated by the actuating signal or command send from the controller 50, when the vibration sensor 62 detects presence of vibrations indicative of a presence of the device plug 91 engaged with the female member 20 of the smart plug 1.
- Yet another type of locking mechanism 40 may be an electromagnetic arrangement such as an electromagnet based locking mechanism, for example electrically actuated electromagnetic locking pins, latches, clamps, clamping rings and/or hooks that magnetically clamp into a corresponding ferro-/ferri-magnetic member such as an iron plate in or around the power socket 80.
- the electromagnetic arrangement components are actuated by the actuating signal or command send from the controller 50, when the vibration sensors 62 detect presence of vibrations indicative of a presence of the device plug 91 engaged with the female member 20 of the smart plug 1.
- the required energy for the actuation of the aforementioned locking mechanisms 40 may be directly obtained from the electrical supply of the power socket 80 or may be stored in a battery (now shown) rechargeable via the electrical supply of the power socket 80.
- locking mechanisms 40 are for exemplary purposes only. It may be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other types of locking mechanisms 40, besides or in addition to the aforementioned locking mechanisms 40, are well within the scope of the present technique. Generally, any type of locking mechanism 40 that can secure or lock the smart plug male member 10 to the power or wall socket 80 on being actuated by receiving the actuating signal or command send from the controller 50, when the vibration sensors 62 detect presence of vibrations indicative of a presence of the device plug 91 engaged with the female member 20 of the smart plug 1 is sufficient for realizing the present technique, and thus is within the scope of the present technique.
- the locking mechanism 40 of the present technique unlocks the connection between the male member 10 of the smart plug 1 and the power socket 80 when another signal or command is send from the controller 50 to the locking mechanism 40 indicative of absence of vibrations that would have been present if the device plug 91 were engaged with the female member 20 of the smart plug 1.
- the locking mechanism 40 of the present technique unlocks the connection between the male member 10 of the smart plug 1 and the power socket 80 when the signal or command send from the controller 50 indicative of the presence of the device plug 91 engaged with the female member 20 of the smart plug 1 are absent for a predetermined time interval.
- the smart plug adapter 1 of the present technique is physically locked with the power socket 80 when the device plug 91 is plugged into or engaged with the female member 20 of the smart plug adapter 1, and more particularly the male member 10 of the smart plug adapter 1 of the present technique is physically locked with the power socket 80 when the device plug 91 is plugged into or engaged with the female member 20 of the smart plug adapter 1.
- the smart plug adapter 1, particularly the male member 10 of the smart plug adapter 1, of the present technique is not locked, i.e. is in unlocked state, with the power socket 80 when the device plug 91 is not plugged into or is disengaged from the female member 20 of the smart plug adapter 1.
- the smart plug adapter 1 when being used, i.e. when the device plug 91 is plugged into the female member 20 of the smart plug adapter 1, does not accidentally unplug or fall off from the power socket 80, i.e. the wall socket.
- the smart plug adapter 1 is locked with the power socket 80 for the entire duration when the device 90 is in plugged state into the smart plug adapter 1. Additionally, when the user wants to unplug the device plug 91 from the smart plug adapter 1, chances of accidental falling off of the smart plug adapter 1 from the wall mounted power socket 80 is reduced. Furthermore, the smart plug adapter 1, being in a locked state, does not need to be manually contacted when the user is removing the device plug 91 from the power socket 80.
- the smart plug adapter 1 may include a plurality of the vibration sensors 62 dispersedly arranged in the female member 20 as shown in Figs 3 , 9 and 10 , or alternatively may include only one vibration sensor 60 as depicted in Fig. 8 .
- the controller 50 may be configured to send the actuating signal to the locking mechanism 40 only when the controller 50 receives the signal from at least two of the vibration sensors 62 corresponding to the determination of mechanical vibrations as present.
- mechanical vibrations from multiple points of the lateral surface 94 of the device plug 91 are used to conclusively determine presence of the device plug 91 engaged with the female member 20 of the smart plug 1.
- the smart plug adapter 1 includes a housing 30, a controller 50, a male member 10 to receive electrical current when engaged with a power socket 80, a locking mechanism 40 which when actuated locks with the power socket 80, a female member 20 to provide the current to an electrical device 90 when a plug 91 of the device 90 is inserted therein, a mechanical vibrations actuator 60 at the female member 20 and that emits mechanical vibrations outwardly from the housing 30, and a vibration sensor 62 at the female member 20 and that determines mechanical vibrations, when present, from the device plug 91.
- the controller 50 sends an actuating signal to the locking mechanism 40 when the controller 50 receives a signal from the vibration sensor 62 that is indicative of presence of mechanical vibrations i.e. indicative of the presence of the device plug 91 engaged with the female member 20.
- the actuating signal actuates the locking mechanism 40.
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Description
- The invention refers to smart plug adapters according to
claim 1. - In present times machines and electronic devices have become unavoidable to every aspect of human life. Most of these devices, such as laptops, desktop computers, lamps, music systems, electronic musical instruments, etc. use electrical energy drawn directly from a power source, such as a wall socket, a mobile socket connected to wall socket or a overhanging socket, and so on and so forth. The safety of plugging mechanisms nowadays of these devices is of utmost importance for avoiding electrical hazards and accidents.
- In conventional plugging mechanisms, usually a plug from a device that needs power is inserted into a socket e.g. a wall mounted socket. The socket is connected to electrical mains of the establishment, such as electrical mains of an apartment. The socket includes conducting plates that are hidden inside the socket. The plug of the device has conducting poles or pins that are exteriorly exposed. The conducting poles or pins of the plug are mated with the conducting poles of the device plug thereby establishing an electrical connection between the socket and the device.
- Another way of electrical plugging uses smart plugging mechanism. The smart plugging mechanism uses a smart plug adapter, also referred simply to as the smart plug, which includes a male member i.e. a plug part, and a female member i.e. a notch for receiving device plug. The male member of the smart plug adapter is connected to electric power by inserting the connecting pins of the male member into the power socket. Within a housing or enclosure of the smart plug adapter is present electrical circuitry that electrically connect the male member to the female member, and thus flow of electricity from male member to the female member within the smart plug adapter is established. At the female member of the smart plug adapter are conducting plates. An electrical connection can then be established between the conducting plates of the female member of the smart plug adapter and the conducting poles of the device plug for example by inserting the device plug into the notch of the female member. Smart plug adapters have various advantages, for example besides functioning simply as an adapter; they have other features such as switching mechanisms, wirelessly controllable switching mechanisms, increased safety, and so on and so forth.
- However, while being used, such smart plug adapters often fall apart from the wall socket i.e. the power socket mounted on a wall, to which they are connected, under accidental impacts such as stumbling on the cord by a user, misfit between power socket and the smart plug adapter, excessive weight of the chord connected to the smart plug adapter, and so on and so forth, causing undesirable separation between the smart plug and the wall socket. Furthermore, the smart plug adapter may fall on the surface and get damaged. On the other hand, when the user desires to unplug the device from the smart plug adapter, the user is required to hold the surface of the smart plug in order to be able to remove the device plug without unplugging the smart plug adapter. This is undesirable as there is a risk of electrical hazard when touching the smart plug adapter. Furthermore, the user may desire to ensure that smart plug is not unplugged from the socket while unplugging the device, for example some smart plugs may require reconfiguration once unplugged. Furthermore, if the user is not careful, the unplugging of the device plug may result into simultaneous unplugging and dropping of the smart plug adapter on the floor surface beneath the wall socket and damaging of the smart plug adapter.
- Hence, there exists a need for a smart plug adapter that does not get accidentally unplugged from the wall socket while being used, i.e. for a duration when a device is in plugged state into the smart plug adapter. Additionally, the desired smart plug adapter should obviate accidental falling off of the smart plug adapter from the wall socket when the device is being unplugged. Furthermore, the smart plug is desired to be such that the device connected to the smart plug may be removed from the smart plug without touching the smart plug connected into the wall socket.
- Document
US 9,564,713 B1 - It is an object of the present technique, therefore, to provide a smart plug adapter that at least partially, and preferably completely, obviates occurrences of accidental unplugging of the smart plug adapter from the wall socket while being used or when the device connected to the smart plug adapter is being unplugged. Furthermore, the smart plug of the present technique may enable unplugging of the device from the smart plug without touching the smart plug connected to the wall socket.
- The aforementioned object is achieved by a smart plug adapter according to
claim 1 of the present invention. - The smart plug adapter, hereinafter also referred to as the adapter or the smart plug, includes a housing within which are enclosed a controller and electrical circuitry. The smart plug adapter further includes a male member, a female member, a locking mechanism, a mechanical vibrations actuator and at least one vibration sensor.
- The male member extends outwardly from a surface of the housing and is configured to receive electrical current when engaged with an external power socket, for example a wall socket. The male member may include conducting connector pins that engage with the power socket and thereby establish electrical connection between the electrical circuitry and the power socket.
- The locking mechanism is disposed at the surface of the housing. The locking mechanism when actuated is configured to lock the male member with the power socket. The locking mechanism may be hydraulically actuated or pneumatically actuated, and may have electromechanical mechanism or electromagnetic mechanism.
- The female member is formed on the surface of the housing and is configured to provide the electrical current to an electrical device, for example to a laptop, when a device plug i.e. a plug of the laptop or of the laptop adapter is engaged with the female member. The electrical current received from the power socket by the male member is thereafter conducted from the male member to the female member. The female member may be formed as a receptacle or notch on the surface of the housing. Additionally, the female member may include conducting connector holes that allow engagement with connectors of the device plug to establish electrical connection between the electrical circuitry and the device plug.
- The mechanical vibrations actuator is positioned at the female member, i.e. superficially in the female member, and is configured to emit mechanical vibrations outwardly i.e. away from the housing or in other words towards the device plug when such the device plug is engaged with the female member. The mechanical vibrations spread over a lateral surface of the device plug, when the device plug is plugged into the female member of the smart plug adapter. The transmission of the mechanical vibrations over the lateral surface of the device plug is further facilitated owing to a solid construction of the device plug. The mechanical vibrations actuator may be, but not limited to, one of an electromechanical drive, a piezoelectric transducer, and an electromagnetic drive. Preferably, the mechanical vibrations actuator generates mechanical vibrations having a frequency value of less than 10 Hz (hertz), and more particularly less than 1 Hz.
- The vibration sensor, for example a piezoelectric vibration sensor, that is generally disposed physically removed from the mechanical vibrations actuator and superficially within the female member is configured to determine the mechanical vibrations, when present, from the device plug, particularly from the lateral surface of the device plug over which the mechanical vibrations generated by the mechanical vibrations actuator is spread. The vibration sensor sends to the controller a signal corresponding to a determination of mechanical vibrations, i.e. the vibration sensor sends to the controller a signal indicative of presence of vibrations i.e. when the device plug is plugged into the female member. When no signal indicative of the presence of vibrations is sent to the controller by the vibration sensor, it is indicative of a determination of absence of the device plug, i.e. no device plug is plugged into the smart plug adapter.
- The controller sends an actuating signal to the locking mechanism when the controller receives the signal from the vibration sensor that corresponds to the determination of mechanical vibrations as present, i.e. when the signal sent from the vibration sensor is indicative of a state wherein the device plug is plugged into the smart plug adapter. The actuating signal actuates the locking mechanism, which in turn locks the male member of the smart plug to the power socket.
- Thus the smart plug adapter of the present technique is physically locked with the power socket when the device plug is plugged into or engaged with the female member of the smart plug adapter, and more particularly the male member of the smart plug adapter of the present technique is physically locked with the power socket when the device plug is plugged into or engaged with the female member of the smart plug adapter. The smart plug adapter, particularly the male member of the smart plug adapter, of the present technique is not locked, i.e. is in unlocked state, with the power socket when the device plug is not plugged into or disengaged from the female member of the smart plug adapter.
- Therefore, the smart plug adapter when being used, i.e. when the device plug is plugged into the female member of the smart plug adapter, does not accidentally unplug or fall off from the power socket, i.e. the wall socket. The smart plug adapter is locked with the power socket for the entire duration when the device is in plugged state into the smart plug adapter. Additionally, when the user wants to unplug the device plug from the smart plug adapter, chances of accidental falling off of the smart plug adapter from the wall socket is reduced. Furthermore, the smart plug adapter, being in a locked state, does not need to be manually contacted when the user is removing the device plug from the power socket.
- In an embodiment, the smart plug adapter includes a plurality of the vibration sensors dispersedly arranged in the female member. Additionally, the controller may be configured to send the actuating signal to the locking mechanism only when the controller receives the signal from at least two of the vibration sensor corresponding to the determination of mechanical vibrations as present. Thus mechanical vibrations at multiple points of the lateral surface of the device plug are used to conclusively determine presence of the device plug.
- Further benefits, goals and features of the present invention will be described by the following specification of the attached figures, in which components of the invention are exemplarily illustrated. Components of the devices and method according to the inventions, which match at least essentially with respect to their function, can be marked with the same reference sign, wherein such components do not have to be marked or described in all figures.
- Further embodiments of the present invention are subject of the further subclaims and of the following description, referring to the drawings. The invention is just exemplarily described with respect to the attached figure in the following.
-
-
Fig. 1 schematically represents an exemplary embodiment of a smart plug adapter according to the present invention, -
Fig. 2 schematically represents a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a male member side of the smart plug adapter ofFig. 1 , -
Fig. 3 schematically represents a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a female member side of the smart plug adapter ofFig. 1 , -
Fig. 4 schematically represents a wall mounted power socket and a device that is desired to be connected to the power socket through the smart plug adapter ofFig. 1 , -
Fig. 5 schematically represents a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment the male member side of the smart plug adapter when no device is connected to the smart plug adapter, -
Fig. 6 schematically represents a perspective view of the male member side of the smart plug adapter when a device is connected to the smart plug adapter, -
Fig. 7 schematically represents a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the female member of the smart plug adapter, -
Fig. 8 schematically represents a relative arrangement of mechanical vibrations actuator and a vibration sensor at the female member of the smart plug adapter, -
Fig. 9 schematically represents a relative arrangement of the mechanical vibrations actuator and a plurality of the vibration sensors at the female member of the smart plug adapter, and -
Fig. 10 schematically represents another relative arrangement of the mechanical vibrations actuator and the plurality of the vibration sensors at the female member of the smart plug adapter; in accordance with the present technique. -
Fig.1 shows asmart plug adapter 1 of the present technique. Thesmart plug adapter 1, hereinafter also referred to as theadapter 1 or thesmart plug 1, generally includes ahousing 30. Thehousing 30 has asurface 32 forming the surface of thehousing 30. Thehousing 30 is made of insulating material and may have varied shapes and sizes, for example thehousing 30 may be box-shaped as shown inFig. 1 or may be cylindrical in shape (not shown). Thesmart plug 1 includes amale member 10 and afemale member 20, configured on thesurface 32 of thehousing 30. Themale member 10 and thefemale member 20 are generally present on opposite sides, as depicted inFig. 1 that shows amale member side 11 and afemale member side 21. However, themale member 10 and thefemale member 20 may also be oriented differently from the depiction ofFig. 1 , for example thefemale member 20 may be present on a wall of thehousing 30 that is perpendicularly disposed relative to themale member side 11. -
Fig. 2 shows themale member side 11 of thesmart plug 1, andFig. 3 shows thefemale member side 21 of thesmart plug 1. Hereinafter, thesmart plug 1 ofFig. 1 is explained in combination withFigs. 2 and 3 as well asFig. 4 . A use scenario of thesmart plug 1 is depicted inFig. 4 . As shown inFig. 4 , thesmart plug 1 is used as an adapter to connect adevice 90, such as a laptop or a music player, to an electrical power supply such as apower socket 80, that is generally awall 8 mountedpower socket 80. Thedevice 90 has aplug 91 i.e. thedevice plug 91 that includeselectrical connectors 92 such as connection pins or poles that are inserted into thefemale member 20 of thesmart plug 1, and thus electrical connection or contact is established between thedevice 90 and thesmart plug 1. Thesmart plug 1 is in turn inserted into or plugged into thepower socket 80. Thesmart plug 1 thereby establishes an electrical connection between thepower socket 80 and thedevice 90. The electrical connection established by thesmart plug 1 is generally switchable i.e. the connection can be switched on and off. In an embodiment of thesmart plug 1, the electrical connection can be switched on and off wirelessly, i.e. remotely. Suchsmart plug 1 includes suitable elements to enable wireless switching for example, includes an IR receiver, a Wi-Fi module, a Bluetooth module, and so on and so forth. - As shown in
Fig. 1 and 2 , themale member 10 extends outwardly from thesurface 32 of thehousing 30. Themale member 10 is configured to receive electrical current when engaged with thepower socket 80 shown inFig. 4 , for example thepower socket 80 mounted on thewall 8. Themale member 10 may includes conducting connector pins orpoles 12 that engage with thepower socket 80, and more particularly that are inserted into socket holes 82 that have conductor plates there within. Thehousing 30 also includes within itelectrical circuitry 52 such as electrical lines, conductor plates, etc that is connected to themale member 10, particularly the connector pins 12 of themale member 10, and thus electrical current flows through the socket holes 82 into theelectrical circuitry 52 via the connector pins 12 of themale member 10. Themale member 10 may have varied shapes and sizes, for example themale member 10 may have a generally cylindrical shape as shown inFig. 2 , or may have cuboidal shape with rounded edges as shown inFigs. 5 and 6 . It may be noted that shape and size of themale member 10 is dependent on standards and regulations governing power plugs in specific geographical jurisdictions. The shape and size of themale member 10 is also dependent on the shape and size of thepower socket 80 into which themale member 10 is to be plugged in. - As shown in
Fig. 3 , thefemale member 20 is formed on thesurface 32 of thehousing 30. Thefemale member 20 may be formed as a receptacle or notch 24, as shown inFig. 7 or may be formed superficially on thesurface 32 without receptacle shape. Thefemale member 20 includes conducting connector holes 22 that allow engagement withconnectors 92 of thedevice plug 91, as shown inFig. 4 . The connector holes 22 are connected at the inside of thehousing 30 to theelectrical circuitry 52 and thus, when theconnectors 92 of thedevice plug 91 are plugged into or connected to the connector holes 22 electrical connection is established between theelectrical circuitry 52 and thedevice plug 91, which in turn is electrically connected to thedevice 90, as depicted inFig. 4 . The electrical current received from thepower socket 80 by themale member 10 is thereafter conducted from themale member 10 to thefemale member 20 via theelectrical circuitry 52, and subsequently thefemale member 20 conducts the electrical current to thedevice 90 via thedevice plug 91. - As shown in
Figs. 2 and 3 in combination withFig. 1 , thesmart plug adapter 1 further includes a mechanical vibrations actuator 60, at least onevibration sensor 62, alocking mechanism 40 and acontroller 50. - As depicted in
Fig. 3 , the mechanical vibrations actuator 60 is positioned at thefemale member 20, i.e. superficially in thefemale member 20, or in other words at thesurface 32 forming part of thefemale member 20. Preferably the mechanical vibrations actuator 60, hereinafter also referred to as theactuator 60, is positioned in-between the connector holes 22 of thefemale member 20. Theactuator 60 emits mechanical vibrations outwardly i.e. away from thehousing 30 or in other words towards thedevice plug 91 when thedevice plug 91 is engaged with thefemale member 20. Theactuator 60 may be, but not limited to, one of an electromechanical drive, a piezoelectric transducer, and an electromagnetic drive. Preferably, the mechanical vibrations actuator generates ultralow frequency mechanical vibrations, for example having a frequency value of less than 10 Hz (hertz), and preferably less than 1 Hz. As a result of the low frequency mechanical vibrations, no audible noise is generated and no mechanical damage or interference is caused to the electrical connections established between thepower socket 80 and thedevice 90 via thesmart plug 1. - The mechanical vibrations spread over a
lateral surface 94, shown inFig. 4 , of thedevice plug 91, when thedevice plug 91 is plugged into thefemale member 20 of thesmart plug adapter 1. The mechanical vibrations so received by thedevice plug 91, and particularly by thelateral surface 94 of thedevice plug 91, spread over the entirelateral surface 94 of thedevice plug 91. The spreading of the mechanical vibrations is further facilitated owing to a solid construction of thedevice plug 91. Alternatively, when thedevice plug 91 is unplugged i.e. when thedevice plug 91 is not in inserted or plugged state with thefemale member 20 of thesmart plug 1, the mechanical vibrations generated by theactuator 60 just dissipate into the surrounding and are absorbed in the surrounding air. - As shown in
Fig. 3 , thevibration sensor 62, for example a piezoelectric vibration sensor, detects or senses vibrations and is generally disposed physically removed from the mechanical vibrations actuator 60 and superficially i.e. on thesurface 32, within thefemale member 20. Thevibrations sensor 62 is physically removed so that the mechanical vibrations from theactuator 60 are not directly detected by thevibration sensor 62. Other techniques may be used to inhibit direct detection of the vibrations generated by theactuator 60 and traveling though thesurface 32, for example by placing vibration damping around theactuator 60 and/or around thevibration sensor 62 that inhibit the vibrations generated by the actuator 60 from traveling along thesurface 32. Another way is to set vibration sensing by thevibration sensor 62 to a threshold limit, i.e. only vibrations stronger than a predetermined value can be detected. Thevibration sensor 62, hereinafter also referred to as thesensor 62 determines the mechanical vibrations, when present, from thedevice plug 91, particularly from thelateral surface 94 of thedevice plug 91 over which the mechanical vibrations generated by theactuator 60 spread. The detection of the mechanical vibrations is facilitated as thelateral surface 94 of thedevice plug 91 is either in direct physical contact or in immediate proximity to thesensor 62, when thedevice plug 91 is plugged into thefemale member 20 of thesmart plug 1. The detection of the mechanical vibrations by thesensor 62 may be tuned to sense or report only vibrations having certain predetermined characteristics, whereas other vibrations may be ignored. - The
vibration sensor 62, as and when detects the presence oflateral surface 94 of thedevice plug 91 sends to thecontroller 50, positioned inside thehousing 30, a signal corresponding to a determination of mechanical vibrations, i.e. thevibration sensor 62 sends to the controller 50 a signal that is indicative of presence of vibrations i.e. when thedevice plug 91 is plugged into thefemale member 20. When no signal indicative of the presence of vibrations is sent to thecontroller 50 by thevibration sensor 60, it is indicative of a determination of absence of thedevice plug 91, i.e. nodevice plug 91 is plugged into thesmart plug adapter 1. - The
controller 50, for example a microprocessor, sends an actuating signal to thelocking mechanism 40 as a response to thecontroller 50 receiving the signal from thevibration sensor 62 that corresponds to the determination of mechanical vibrations as present, i.e. when the signal sent from thevibration sensor 62 is indicative of a state wherein thedevice plug 91 is plugged into thesmart plug adapter 1. The actuating signal sent from thecontroller 50 actuates or activates thelocking mechanism 40, which in turn locks themale member 10 of thesmart plug 1 to thepower socket 80, for example to asupport structure 84 of thepower socket 80, shown inFig 4 , or to a side of areceptacle 86 of thepower socket 80, also shown inFig. 4 .Fig. 5 shows a state of lockingmechanism 40 when thelocking mechanism 40 is in default mode, i.e. when nodevice plug 91 is plugged into thefemale member 20 of thesmart plug 1, andFig. 6 shows a state of lockingmechanism 40 when thelocking mechanism 40 is actuated. It may be noted that the depiction of lockingmechanism 40 and the different states of thelocking mechanism 40 represented inFigs. 5 and 6 are only for purpose of explanation, and not for limitation. - The
locking mechanism 40 is disposed at thesurface 32 of thehousing 30, and preferable within themale member 10. Thelocking mechanism 40 may be any type of locking mechanism that may be actuated or activated on receiving a signal or command send from thecontroller 50 in response to the signal received by thecontroller 50 from the one or more of thevibration sensors 62. For example, thelocking mechanism 40 may comprise hydraulically and/or pneumatically controlled locking pins, latches, clamps, clamping rings and/or hooks that lock into a corresponding notch (not shown) in or around thepower socket 80. The hydraulically and/or pneumatically controlled locking pins, latches, clamps, clamping rings, and/ or hooks are actuated by the actuating signal or command send from thecontroller 50, when thevibration sensors 62 detect presence of vibrations indicative of a presence of thedevice plug 91 engaged with thefemale member 20 of thesmart plug 1. - Another type of
locking mechanism 40 may be an electromechanical system such as an electrical drive based locking mechanism, for example motor driven locking pins, latches, clamps, clamping rings and/or hooks that lock into a corresponding notch in or around thepower socket 80. The electrical drive controlled locking pins, latches, clamps, clamping rings, and/ or hooks are actuated by the actuating signal or command send from thecontroller 50, when thevibration sensor 62 detects presence of vibrations indicative of a presence of thedevice plug 91 engaged with thefemale member 20 of thesmart plug 1. - Yet another type of
locking mechanism 40 may be an electromagnetic arrangement such as an electromagnet based locking mechanism, for example electrically actuated electromagnetic locking pins, latches, clamps, clamping rings and/or hooks that magnetically clamp into a corresponding ferro-/ferri-magnetic member such as an iron plate in or around thepower socket 80. The electromagnetic arrangement components are actuated by the actuating signal or command send from thecontroller 50, when thevibration sensors 62 detect presence of vibrations indicative of a presence of thedevice plug 91 engaged with thefemale member 20 of thesmart plug 1. The required energy for the actuation of theaforementioned locking mechanisms 40 may be directly obtained from the electrical supply of thepower socket 80 or may be stored in a battery (now shown) rechargeable via the electrical supply of thepower socket 80. - It may be noted that the
aforementioned locking mechanisms 40 are for exemplary purposes only. It may be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other types of lockingmechanisms 40, besides or in addition to theaforementioned locking mechanisms 40, are well within the scope of the present technique. Generally, any type oflocking mechanism 40 that can secure or lock the smart plugmale member 10 to the power orwall socket 80 on being actuated by receiving the actuating signal or command send from thecontroller 50, when thevibration sensors 62 detect presence of vibrations indicative of a presence of thedevice plug 91 engaged with thefemale member 20 of thesmart plug 1 is sufficient for realizing the present technique, and thus is within the scope of the present technique. Thelocking mechanism 40 of the present technique unlocks the connection between themale member 10 of thesmart plug 1 and thepower socket 80 when another signal or command is send from thecontroller 50 to thelocking mechanism 40 indicative of absence of vibrations that would have been present if thedevice plug 91 were engaged with thefemale member 20 of thesmart plug 1. Alternatively, thelocking mechanism 40 of the present technique unlocks the connection between themale member 10 of thesmart plug 1 and thepower socket 80 when the signal or command send from thecontroller 50 indicative of the presence of thedevice plug 91 engaged with thefemale member 20 of thesmart plug 1 are absent for a predetermined time interval. - Thus the
smart plug adapter 1 of the present technique is physically locked with thepower socket 80 when thedevice plug 91 is plugged into or engaged with thefemale member 20 of thesmart plug adapter 1, and more particularly themale member 10 of thesmart plug adapter 1 of the present technique is physically locked with thepower socket 80 when thedevice plug 91 is plugged into or engaged with thefemale member 20 of thesmart plug adapter 1. Thesmart plug adapter 1, particularly themale member 10 of thesmart plug adapter 1, of the present technique is not locked, i.e. is in unlocked state, with thepower socket 80 when thedevice plug 91 is not plugged into or is disengaged from thefemale member 20 of thesmart plug adapter 1. - Therefore, the
smart plug adapter 1 when being used, i.e. when thedevice plug 91 is plugged into thefemale member 20 of thesmart plug adapter 1, does not accidentally unplug or fall off from thepower socket 80, i.e. the wall socket. Thesmart plug adapter 1 is locked with thepower socket 80 for the entire duration when thedevice 90 is in plugged state into thesmart plug adapter 1. Additionally, when the user wants to unplug the device plug 91 from thesmart plug adapter 1, chances of accidental falling off of thesmart plug adapter 1 from the wall mountedpower socket 80 is reduced. Furthermore, thesmart plug adapter 1, being in a locked state, does not need to be manually contacted when the user is removing the device plug 91 from thepower socket 80. - Hereinafter, further embodiments of the
smart plug adapter 1 have been explained with reference toFigs. 7 to 10 . Thesmart plug adapter 1 may include a plurality of thevibration sensors 62 dispersedly arranged in thefemale member 20 as shown inFigs 3 ,9 and 10 , or alternatively may include only onevibration sensor 60 as depicted inFig. 8 . Whenmultiple vibration sensors 62 are present, thecontroller 50 may be configured to send the actuating signal to thelocking mechanism 40 only when thecontroller 50 receives the signal from at least two of thevibration sensors 62 corresponding to the determination of mechanical vibrations as present. Thus, mechanical vibrations from multiple points of thelateral surface 94 of thedevice plug 91 are used to conclusively determine presence of thedevice plug 91 engaged with thefemale member 20 of thesmart plug 1. - As indicated above, the
smart plug adapter 1 includes ahousing 30, acontroller 50, amale member 10 to receive electrical current when engaged with apower socket 80, alocking mechanism 40 which when actuated locks with thepower socket 80, afemale member 20 to provide the current to anelectrical device 90 when aplug 91 of thedevice 90 is inserted therein, a mechanical vibrations actuator 60 at thefemale member 20 and that emits mechanical vibrations outwardly from thehousing 30, and avibration sensor 62 at thefemale member 20 and that determines mechanical vibrations, when present, from thedevice plug 91. Thecontroller 50 sends an actuating signal to thelocking mechanism 40 when thecontroller 50 receives a signal from thevibration sensor 62 that is indicative of presence of mechanical vibrations i.e. indicative of the presence of thedevice plug 91 engaged with thefemale member 20. The actuating signal actuates thelocking mechanism 40. -
- 1
- smart plug adapter
- 8
- wall
- 10
- male member
- 11
- male member side of the housing
- 12
- connector pins of the smart plug adapter
- 20
- female member
- 21
- female member side of the housing
- 22
- connector holes of the smart plug adapter
- 24
- receptacle of the female member
- 30
- housing
- 32
- surface of the housing
- 40
- locking mechanism
- 50
- controller
- 52
- electrical circuitry
- 60
- mechanical vibrations actuator
- 62
- vibration sensor
- 80
- power socket
- 82
- socket holes
- 84
- support structure
- 86
- socket receptacle
- 90
- device
- 91
- device plug
- 92
- device connectors
- 94
- lateral surface of the device plug
Claims (11)
- A smart plug adapter (1) comprising:- a housing (30) having enclosed therein a controller (50) and electrical circuitry (52),- a male member (10) extending from a surface (32) of the housing (30) and configured to receive electrical current when engaged with an external power socket (80),- a locking mechanism (40) disposed at the surface (32) of the housing (30) and configured, when actuated, to lock the male member (10) with the power socket (80),- a female member (20) formed on the surface (32) of the housing (30) and configured to provide the electrical current to an electrical device (90) when a device plug (91) of the electrical device (90) is engaged with the female member (20), wherein the electrical circuitry (52) is configured to conduct the electrical current from the male member (10) to the female member (20), characterized by- a mechanical vibrations actuator (60) disposed at the female member (20) and configured to emit mechanical vibrations outwardly from the housing (30),- at least one vibration sensor (62) disposed at the female member (20) and configured to determine mechanical vibrations, when present, from the device plug (91), wherein the vibration sensor (62) is further configured to send to the controller (50) a signal corresponding to a determination of mechanical vibrations, andwherein the controller (50) is configured to send an actuating signal to the locking mechanism (40) when the controller (50) receives the signal from the vibration sensor (62) corresponding to the determination of mechanical vibrations as present, and wherein the actuating signal actuates the locking mechanism (40).
- The smart plug adapter (1) according to claim 1, wherein the male member (10) comprises conducting connector pins (12) configured to engage with the power socket (80) and to establish electrical connection between the electrical circuitry (52) and the power socket (80).
- The smart plug adapter (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the female member (20) is formed as a receptacle (24) on the surface (32) of the housing (30).
- The smart plug adapter (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the female member (20) comprises conducting connector holes (22) configured to engage with connectors (92) of the device plug (91) and to establish electrical connection between the electrical circuitry (52) and the device plug (91).
- The smart plug adapter (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mechanical vibrations actuator (60) is one of an electromechanical drive, a piezoelectric transducer, and an electromagnetic drive.
- The smart plug adapter (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the mechanical vibrations actuator (60) is configured to generate mechanical vibrations having a frequency value of less than 10 Hz.
- The smart plug adapter (1) according to claim 6, wherein the mechanical vibrations actuator (60) is configured to generate mechanical vibrations having a frequency value of less than 1 Hz.
- The smart plug adapter (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the vibrations sensor (62) is a piezoelectric vibration sensor.
- The smart plug adapter (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, comprising a plurality of the vibration sensors (62) dispersedly arranged in the female member (20).
- The smart plug adapter (1) according to claim 9, wherein the controller (50) is configured to send the actuating signal to the locking mechanism (40) when the controller (50) receives the signal from at least two of the vibration sensors (62) corresponding to the determination of mechanical vibrations as present.
- The smart plug adapter (1) according to claims 1 to 10, wherein the locking mechanism (40) is one of a hydraulically actuated mechanism, a pneumatically actuated mechanism, an electromechanical mechanism, a electromagnetic mechanism, and a combination thereof.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP17168419.4A EP3396788B1 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2017-04-27 | Safe locking of smart plug adapters to power sockets |
TR2017/07467A TR201707467A2 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2017-05-23 | Safe locking of smart plug adapters to power sockets. |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP17168419.4A EP3396788B1 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2017-04-27 | Safe locking of smart plug adapters to power sockets |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3396788A1 EP3396788A1 (en) | 2018-10-31 |
EP3396788B1 true EP3396788B1 (en) | 2019-11-13 |
Family
ID=58638768
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17168419.4A Active EP3396788B1 (en) | 2017-04-27 | 2017-04-27 | Safe locking of smart plug adapters to power sockets |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP3396788B1 (en) |
TR (1) | TR201707467A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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NO347261B1 (en) * | 2021-02-18 | 2023-08-14 | Dimeq As | A Power Plug with Secure Connection |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH09259985A (en) * | 1996-03-19 | 1997-10-03 | Kobayashi Seiko Kk | Tap added function for detecting vibration and turning power off |
JPH11111394A (en) * | 1997-10-01 | 1999-04-23 | Asatsuma Kikaku:Kk | Electrical outlet current-carrying control device |
JP2009158448A (en) * | 2007-12-26 | 2009-07-16 | Shakubai Tei | Outlet for saving power of electric product |
JP5988190B2 (en) * | 2010-09-22 | 2016-09-07 | パナソニックIpマネジメント株式会社 | Outlet for DC wiring |
GB2540972A (en) * | 2015-07-31 | 2017-02-08 | Imagination Tech Ltd | Electrical socket adapter |
US9564713B1 (en) * | 2016-04-27 | 2017-02-07 | Szu Chi Lo | Detachable and lockable socket |
-
2017
- 2017-04-27 EP EP17168419.4A patent/EP3396788B1/en active Active
- 2017-05-23 TR TR2017/07467A patent/TR201707467A2/en unknown
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EP3396788A1 (en) | 2018-10-31 |
TR201707467A2 (en) | 2018-11-21 |
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