ES2742841T3 - Smart plug device - Google Patents

Abstract

A smart plug device comprising: a lower housing (110) having a pair of through holes in a lower surface thereof; an AC / DC conversion board unit (120) comprising a pair of plug pins (122) passing through the pair of through holes in the lower case (110), a transformer (123) receiving power from AC through the pair of plug pins (122) and converts AC power to DC power, a power connector (124) for delivering DC power, and a pair of power lines (125) that receive AC power through the pair of plug pins (122); a relay board unit (130) that is stacked on the AC / DC conversion board unit (120) comprising a relay module (132) that receives AC power through the pair of power lines ( 125) and supplies or interrupts AC power, or from a pair of connection terminals (135) in response to a control command from a controller module (152), a power connector (133) that is electrically and mechanically connected to the power connector (124) of the AC / DC conversion board unit (120), a power / signal connector (134) to supply the DC power and exchange signals with a controller module (152), and the pair connection terminals (135) into which the plug pins of an electronic device are inserted; a controller board unit (150) that is stacked on the relay board unit (130) comprising a controller board (151) having through holes, through which the pair of connection terminals (135) passes, the controller module (152) that is coupled to the controller board (151) and controls the operation of the smart plug device and communicates wirelessly with an external device, and a power / signal connector (153) that is coupled to the controller board and is electrically and mechanically connected to the power / signal connector (134) of the relay board unit (130); and an upper casing (160) that couples to the lower casing (110) to define a space between the upper casing (160) and the lower casing (110) and has a pair of insertion holes, through which are they insert the plug pins (122) of the electronic device, in a lower surface thereof, characterized in that it further comprises: a plate cover unit (140) which is stacked in the relay plate unit (130) between the unit relay board (130) and controller board unit (150) comprising a board cover (141) having a hole (144) to expose the power / signal connector (134) of the relay board unit (130) and a pair of terminal covers (142) that are formed on the plate cover (141) and expose the pair of connection terminals (135) of the relay plate unit (130) and surround a circumference of the pair of connection terminals (135).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Smart plug device

Background

The embodiments of the inventive concept described in the present description refer to a smart plug device and, more particularly, to a coupling structure for components of a smart plug device.

An intelligent plug device refers to a device that connects to a receptacle and an electronic device plug between the receptacle and the plug of the electronic device to monitor the power usage status of the electronic device or to supply or interrupt electrical power to, or from, the electronic device in response to a control command of a user device. The smart plug device according to the related technique has a tablet shape that has a rectangular cross section and has a large volume, and interferes with a plug of an electronic device, which is inserted into a plug insertion hole adjacent to a receptacle, or other smart plug device. In addition, since the smart plug device according to the related technique is configured so that the internal components thereof are formed integrally, the defects of the components cannot be easily tested individually in an assembly process thereof. WO 2007/136213 A1 describes a power outlet device comprising a main relay socket body removably inserted between a main outlet and a plug of an electrical apparatus, wherein the main relay socket body includes a control circuit configured to supply and cut internally and selectively a commercial AC power supply to the electrical apparatus in accordance with the detection of the state of the current corresponding to an on or off state of the electrical apparatus and an external ignition request of main body of relay socket. KR 101550313 B1 and US 2008/309164 A1 describe a state-of-the-art electrical outlet device.

Summary

The inventive concept embodiments provide a smart plug device that is small and light in size.

The inventive concept embodiments also provide a smart plug device that can be easily assembled and tested.

The technical objects of the inventive concept are not limited to those mentioned above, and the other technical objects not mentioned will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.

In accordance with one aspect of the inventive concept, an intelligent plug device is provided comprising a lower housing having a pair of through holes in a lower surface thereof, an AC / c C conversion plate unit comprising a pair of plug plugs that pass through the pair of through holes in the lower housing, a transformer that receives AC power through the pair of plug plugs and converts AC power to DC power, a power connector for the DC power delivery and a pair of power lines that receive AC power through the pair of plug plugs, a relay board unit that is stacked in the AC / DC conversion board unit comprising a relay module that receives AC power through the pair of power lines and supplies or interrupts AC power to, or from, a pair of connection terminals ion in response to a control command of a controller module, a power connector that is electrically and mechanically connected to the power connector of the AC / DC conversion board unit, a power / signal connector to deliver the power supply CC and exchange signals with a controller module, and the pair of connection terminals into which the plug plugs of an electronic device are inserted, a controller board unit that is stacked in the relay board unit comprising a controller board which has through holes, through which the pair of connection terminals passes, the controller module that attaches to the controller board and controls the operation of the smart plug device and communicates wirelessly with an external device and a connector power / signal that is coupled to the controller board and electrically and mechanically connected to the power connector Entation / signal of the relay board unit, and an upper housing that is coupled to the lower housing to define a space between the upper housing and the lower housing and has a pair of insertion holes, through which they are inserted the pins of the electronic device, on a lower surface thereof, characterized by further comprising a plate cover unit that is stacked in the relay board unit between the relay board unit and the controller board unit that It comprises a plate cover has a hole for exposing the power / signal connector of the relay board unit, and a pair of terminal covers that forms on the plate cover and exposes the pair of unit connection terminals of relay plate and surrounds a circumference of the pair of connection terminals.

The lower housing may comprise a ground that engages the lower surface of the lower housing, wherein a central portion of the earth is joined and supported by the lower surface of the lower housing to be exposed, and the sides of the earth are joined and supported by a lateral surface of the lower housing to be exposed, and a pair of through holes, through which the sides of the earth pass, are formed on the lower surface of the upper housing.

The convex-concave portions may be formed around the pair of through holes of the lower housing, and wherein the convex-concave portions coupled to the convex-concave portions of the lower housing are formed at the ends of the pair of plug pins of the AC / DC conversion board unit.

The plate cover unit may further comprise one or more closures that form on the plate cover and fix the controller plate unit on the plate cover unit.

The pair of terminal covers of the plate cover unit can pass through the through holes of the controller board.

The controller board unit may further comprise an internal button that delivers a command signal to the controller module, and wherein the upper housing further comprises an external button that protrudes through a hole formed in a side surface of the upper housing to be exposed. and interconnects with the inner button.

The upper housing may comprise a safety assembly comprising a safety bar having a pair of through holes corresponding to the pair of insert holes, and a safety cover that engages the safety bar to close the pair of through holes of the safety bar and, if the plug plugs of the electronic device are inserted through the pair of insertion holes of the upper housing, it is turned to one side to open the pair of through holes of the safety bar.

The upper housing may comprise an antenna that bends along an inner circumference of the upper housing to engage the upper housing and is connected to the controller board unit.

The upper housing may comprise a band that engages a groove formed in an outer peripheral surface of the upper housing.

The other detailed elements of the inventive concept are included in the detailed description of the inventive concept and the drawings.

Brief description of the figures

The foregoing and other objects and features will become apparent from the following description with reference to the following figures, where similar reference numbers refer to similar parts in the various figures unless otherwise specified, and where:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an intelligent plug device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the smart plug device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view illustrating a coupling structure of a lower housing of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view illustrating a coupling structure of an AC / DC conversion plate unit of FIG. two;

Figure 5 is a view illustrating a coupling structure of a relay board unit of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a view illustrating a coupling structure of a plate cover unit of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a view illustrating that a set of components of Figure 6 is coupled to the lower housing; Figure 8 is a view illustrating a coupling structure of a controller board unit of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a view illustrating a coupling structure of an upper housing of Figure 2; and Figure 10 is a view illustrating that a set of components of Figure 8 is coupled to the upper housing.

Detailed description

The above aspects and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the inventive concept will be apparent from the following description of the following embodiments given together with the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, the illustrative modalities of the inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

Referring to Figures 1 to 10, the smart plug device 100 according to an embodiment of the inventive concept includes a housing 110 and 160, an AC / DC conversion board unit 120, a relay board unit 130, a plate cover unit 140 and a controller plate unit 150 that are coupled within the housing 110 and 160.

The housings 110 and 160 define a general external appearance of the smart plug device 100. The housings 110 and 160 have a cylindrical shape and are formed by a non-conductive material. The housings 110 and 160 include a lower housing 110 and an upper housing 160. The lower housing 110 and the upper housing 160 are coupled together to define a space between them. The lower housing 110 has a diameter that is smaller than that of the upper housing 160, and an upper side of the lower housing 110 is inserted into a lower side of the upper housing 160.

The lower housing 110 includes a cylindrical lower housing body 111 having a circular cross section, one of whose sides is open. An outer diameter of the lower housing body 111 has a size corresponding to a plug insertion hole of a receptacle. Although not clearly illustrated, a pair of through holes, through which a pair of plug pins 122, which will be described below, are formed, are formed on a lower surface of the lower housing body 111. Although not clearly illustrated , the convex-concave portions are formed around the pair of through holes in the lower surface of the lower body of the housing 111 to engage the convex-concave portions at the ends of the pair of plug pins 122, which will be described below. Consequently, rotation of the pair of plug plugs 122 is avoided and, therefore, can be firmly fixed. A ground 112 for grounding is coupled to the lower surface of the lower body of the housing 111. The ground 112 has a band shape of a specific length and has a substantially U-shaped section. A central portion of the ground 112 can be coupled to the lower surface of the lower body of the housing 111 by a rivet 113. The central portion of the land 112 is joined and supported by the lower surface of the lower housing body 111 to be exposed, and the sides of the earth 112 are joined and supported by the lower surface of the lower housing body 111 to be exposed. In addition, as will be described below, the sides of the ground 112 pass through opposite sides of a lower surface of the upper body of the housing 161 to be exposed on the lower surface of the upper body of the housing 161.

The AC / DC conversion plate unit 120 includes an AC / DC conversion plate in the form of plate 121. The pair of plug pins 122 is coupled to the bottom surface of the AC / DC conversion plate 121. The ends 122a of the pair of plug pins 122 can be coupled to the bottom surface of the AC / DC conversion plate 121 through welding. Each of the pair of plug pins 122 has a rod shape of a specific length, and is formed by a conductive material. The convex-concave portions 122a are formed at the ends of the pair of plug pins 122, and can be coupled to the convex-concave portions 122a of the lower surface of the lower housing body 111 described above. As will be described below, the pair of plug plugs 122 pass through the lower surface of the lower body of the housing 111 and are exposed on the lower surface of the lower body of the housing 111. A transformer 123, a power connector plug type 124 and a pair of power line 125 are coupled to the upper surface of the AC / DC conversion board 121. The transformer 123 converts the supplied AC power (from the receptacle) through the pair of power pins plug 122 to DC power to generate internal power for the internal elements of the smart plug device 100. For example, a relay module 132 and a controller module 152, which will be described below, can be operated by using the internal power generated by transformer 123. The plug-type power connector 124 is adapted to receive internal DC power from transformer 123 and between Supply the internal DC power to the relay board unit 130, which will be described below. The pair of power lines 125 is adapted to supply the AC power supplied through the pair of plug pins 122 to the relay board unit 130, which will be described below. The pair of feed lines 125 includes a conductive metal and can be formed by pressing. The pair of power lines 125 supports the relay board unit 130 to prevent movement of the AC / DC conversion plate 121 by an external force applied to the pair of plug pins 122.

The relay board unit 130 is stacked and coupled to the AC / DC conversion board unit 120. The relay board unit 130 includes a plate-shaped relay board 131. A relay module 132 and a Pin-type power connector 133 is coupled to the bottom surface of relay board 131. Relay module 132 receives AC power through the pair of power lines 125, and can supply or interrupt AC power to or from a pair of connection terminals 135 in response to a control command of the controller module 152. The plug-type power connector 133 is electrically and mechanically connected to the plug-type power connector 124 of the AC conversion board unit / DC 120 to receive internal DC power. The plug-type power connector 133 delivers the internal DC power to the relay module 132. A pin-type power / signal connector 134 and a pair of connection terminals 135 is coupled to an upper surface of the relay board 131 The pin-type power / signal connector 134 is adapted to supply the internal DC power to the controller board unit 150, which will be described below, and exchanges signals with the controller board unit 150. The power plug plugs. An electronic device can be inserted and coupled to the pair of connection terminals 135. The pair of connection terminals 135 is formed by a conductive material, and can supply the AC power supplied by the pair of power lines 125 to the plug plugs. of the electronic device.

The plate cover unit 140 is stacked and coupled to the relay board unit 130. The plate cover unit 140 functions to electrically isolate the relay board unit 130 and the controller board unit 150, which will be described. then, and fix the controller board 150, which will be described below, in the relay board unit 130. The board cover unit 140 includes a plate-shaped plate cover 141. The cover of the plate 141 has a hole 144 for exposing the pin-type power / signal connector 134 of the relay board unit 130. A pair of terminal covers 142 and one or more closures 13 are formed on an upper surface of the plate cover 141. The pair of terminal covers 142 exposes the pair of connection terminals 135, and surrounds a peripheral periphery of the pair of connection terminals 135. The pair of terminal covers 142 is formed to be higher than the pair of connection terminals 135 to prevent sparks generated by the pair of connection terminals 135 causing an electrical problem to the controller board unit 150. The one or more closures 13 function to fix the controller board unit 150, which will be described. then in the plate cover unit 140.

In an assembly process of the smart plug device 100, the set of components in which the AC / DC conversion board unit 120, the relay board unit 130 and the board cover unit 140 are coupled together it can be inserted in the lower housing 110. In addition, the set of components can be inserted and fixed to the lower housing 110 by the use of thermal fusion or in a bolt coupling manner.

The controller plate unit 150 is stacked and coupled to the plate cover unit 140. The controller plate unit 150 includes a plate-shaped controller plate 151. The through holes 155, through which the pair of terminal covers 142 of the plate cover unit 140, are formed in the controller board 151. A pin-type power / signal connector 153 is coupled to a lower surface of the controller board 151. The power / signal connector 153 Plug type is electrically and mechanically connected to the power supply / pin-type connector 134 of the relay board unit 130 to receive internal DC power and exchange signals. The pin-type power / signal connector 153 supplies the internal DC power to the controller module 152. The pin-type power / signal connectors 134 and 153 of the relay board unit 130 and the controller board unit 150 exchange signals between the controller module 152 and the relay module 132. The controller module 152 and an internal button 154 are coupled to an upper surface of the controller board 151. The controller module 152 controls a general operation of the smart plug device 100. For example, The controller module 152 may include a processor that calculates and processes data, a memory that stores data and a communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external device, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto. The controller module 152 can measure and calculate the energy consumption, an energy factor, an amount of accumulated energy, an amount of carbon dioxide discharged and an energy rate of the electronic device, and can turn the power supply on or off to an electronic device in response to a control command received from the user's device. The internal button 154 can deliver a command signal to the controller module 152 based on a pressing operation. According to the command signal, the controller module 152 can perform an operation of switching on and off the smart plug device 100, an operation of supply and interruption of AC power to and from the plug plugs of the electronic device, and an operation of be paired with the user's device, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto.

The upper housing 160 includes a cylindrical upper housing body 161 having a circular cross-section, whose opposite sides are open. An internal diameter of the upper body of the housing 161 has a size corresponding to the plug of the electronic device. The lower surface of the upper body of the housing 161 is formed in an intermediate portion that is formed at a depth from an upper side of the upper body of the housing 161. Although not clearly illustrated, on the lower surface of the upper body of the housing Housing 161 forms a pair of insertion holes, into which the plug plugs of the electronic device can be inserted. In addition, a pair of through holes, through which the sides of the ground 112 of the lower housing 110 pass, are formed on opposite sides of the lower surface of the upper body of the housing 161. A hole 166 is formed in a lateral surface of the upper body of the housing 161, and a portion of an external button 162 engages an internal surface of the upper body of the housing 161 to protrude from the lateral surface of the upper body of the housing 161 through the hole 166 a expose. The external button 162 is interconnected with the internal button 154 of the controller board unit 150. A safety assembly 163 is coupled to the lower surface of the upper body of the housing 161 at a location corresponding to the pair of surface insertion holes. bottom of the upper body of the housing 161. The safety assembly 163 includes a safety cover 163a, a spring 163b and a safety bar 163c. Although not clearly illustrated, the safety bar 163c has a pair of through holes corresponding to the pair of insert holes. The safety cover 163a rotatably engages the safety bar 163c. The spring 163b provides an elastic force so that the safety cover 163a closes the pair of through holes of the safety bar 163c. If the plug plugs of the electronic device are inserted through the pair of insertion holes of the upper body of the housing 161, the safety cover 163a is turned to the side while a spring 163b is compressed to open the pair of through holes of the 163c security bar. Consequently, the mechanisms of the electronic device, other than the plug, can be prevented from being inserted into the smart plug device 100. An antenna 164 for wireless communication bends along an internal circumference of the upper body of the housing 161 to engage to an inner surface of the upper body of the housing 161. The antenna 164 may have a plate antenna shape. Although not clearly illustrated, one end of the antenna 164 can be connected to the controller board unit 150. A band 165 is coupled to the upper side of the upper body of the housing 161. A groove is formed in an outer peripheral surface of a portion. upper of the upper body of the housing 161, and the band 165 can be coupled to the groove. The band 165 has a specific color and is formed of silicon to provide an aesthetic sensation and user convenience to the smart plug device 100.

In an assembly process of the smart plug device 100, the set of components in which the lower housing 110 is located, the AC / DC conversion board unit 120, the relay board unit 130, the cover unit of board 140 and the controller board unit 150 coupled to each other can be inserted into the upper housing 160. In addition, the set of components can be inserted and fixed to the upper housing 160 by the use of ultrasonic fusion.

The smart plug device 100 may or may not supply the AC power supplied from the pair of plug pins 122 to the pair of connection terminals 135 through the relay module 132 under the control of the controller module 152. In addition, the device Smart plug 100 can wirelessly transmit information, such as the measured power consumption based on a current / voltage supplied to the pair of connection terminals 135 to the user device, under the control of the controller module 152.

Since the plate-shaped plate units 120, 130 and 150 are stacked sequentially along a vertical axis in the smart plug device 100 described above, the smart plug device 100 can easily be made small in size.

In addition, since the board units 120, 130 and 150 of the smart plug device 100 have terminals / connectors for receiving electrical power, the defects of the board units can easily be tested in an assembly process of the smart plug device 100.

Claims (8)

i. A smart plug device comprising: a lower housing (110) having a pair of through holes in a lower surface thereof; an AC / DC conversion board unit (120) comprising a pair of plug plugs (122) that pass through the pair of through holes in the lower housing (110), a transformer (123) that receives power from AC through the pair of plug plugs (122) and converts AC power into DC power, a power connector (124) for DC power delivery and a pair of power lines (125) that receive AC power through the pair of plug plugs (122); a relay board unit (130) that is stacked in the AC / DC conversion board unit (120) comprising a relay module (132) that receives AC power through the pair of power lines ( 125) and supplies or interrupts AC power, or from a pair of connection terminals (135) in response to a control command of a controller module (152), a power connector (133) that is electrically and mechanically connected to the power connector (124) of the AC / DC unit conversion board (120), a power / signal connector (134) to supply DC power and exchange signals with a controller module (152), and torque of connection terminals (135) into which the plug plugs of an electronic device are inserted; a controller board unit (150) that is stacked in the relay board unit (130) comprising a controller board (151) having through holes, through which the pair of connection terminals (135) passes, the controller module (152) that is coupled to the controller board (151) and controls the operation of the smart plug device and communicates wirelessly with an external device, and a power / signal connector (153) that is coupled to the controller board and is connected electrically and mechanically with the power / signal connector (134) of the relay board unit (130); and an upper housing (160) that engages the lower housing (110) to define a space between the upper housing (160) and the lower housing (110) and has a pair of insertion holes, through which They insert the plug plugs (122) of the electronic device, into a lower surface thereof, characterized in that it further comprises: a plate cover unit (140) that is stacked in the relay board unit (130) between the unit of the relay board (130) and the controller board unit (150) comprising a board cover (141) having a hole (144) to expose the power / signal connector (134) of the relay board unit (130) and a pair of terminal covers (142) that forms on the plate cover (141) and exposes the pair of connection terminals (135) of the relay board unit (130) and surround a circumference of the pair of connection terminals (135). 2. The smart plug device of claim 1, wherein the lower housing (110) comprises a ground (112) that engages the lower surface of the lower housing (110), wherein a central portion of the ground ( 112) is joined and supported by the lower surface of the lower housing (110) to be exposed and the sides of the earth (112) are joined and supported by a lateral surface of the lower housing (110) to be exposed, and a pair of through holes, through which the sides of the ground (112) pass, are formed on the lower surface of the upper housing (160). 3. The smart plug device of claim 1, wherein the convex-concave portions are formed around the pair of through holes of the lower housing (110), and wherein the convex-concave portions coupled to the convex-concave portions of the lower housing (110) are formed at the ends of the pair of plug plugs (122) of the AC / DC conversion board unit. The smart plug device of claim 1, wherein the plate cover unit (140) further comprises one or more closures that are formed in the plate cover (141) and fix the controller board unit (150) in the plate cover unit (140). 5. The smart plug device of claim 1, wherein the pair of terminal covers (142) of the plate cover unit (140) pass through the through holes of the controller board (151). 6. The smart plug device of claim 1, wherein the controller board unit (150) further comprises an internal button (154) that delivers a command signal to the controller module (152), and wherein the upper housing ( 160) further comprises an outer button (162) that protrudes through a hole formed in a lateral surface of the upper housing (160) to be exposed and interconnects with the inner button (154). 7. The smart plug device of claim 1, wherein the upper housing (160) comprises a safety assembly (163) comprising a safety bar (163c) having a pair of through holes corresponding to the pair of holes of insert, and a safety cover (163a) that attaches to the safety bar (163c) to close the pair of through holes of the safety bar (163c) and, if the plug plugs (122) of the electronic device are inserted through the pair of insertion holes of the upper housing (160), it is turned to one side to open the pair of through holes of the safety bar (163c). 8. The smart plug device of claim 1, wherein the upper housing (160) comprises an antenna (164) that bends along an inner circumference of the upper housing (160) to engage the upper housing ( 160) and connects to the controller board unit (150).