GB2286904A

GB2286904A - Externally programmed power switch

Info

Publication number: GB2286904A
Application number: GB9503644A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Colin Powell
Original assignee: POWERBREAKER PLC
Current assignee: POWERBREAKER PLC
Priority date: 1994-02-24
Filing date: 1995-02-23
Publication date: 1995-08-30
Also published as: GB9503644D0; GB9403532D0

Abstract

An electrical timing arrangement comprises a plug, socket or adaptor 11 which is additionally provided with a timer device 15 and a memory unit 14 for controlling the operation of a switching means 16 whereby to connect output terminals 18 to a mains supply. The on/off times are input to the memory unit 14 from an external source 10 which is common to a number of units. <IMAGE>

Description

TIMER APPARATUS The present invention relates to timer apparatus.

Conventionally, timer apparatus is either built into individual appliances so that the appliance can automatically switch on and/or off at times selected by the user or a timer adaptor is plugged into a supply socket with the requisite appliance plugged into the adaptor. The adaptor is then provided with an electro/mechanical timer device which can be set by a user.

It is also known to provide timer arrangements which can be wired into electrical circuits so as to switch off and/or on one or more electrical supply sockets.

All these arrangements suffer from either cost or complexity problems.

Recently, steps have been taken to improve the safety of electrical equipment by providing supply sockets with safety devices such as residual current devices (RCD's) to automatically switch off the supply of power to the output contacts of a supply socket should the RCD detect a fault current. Thus, sockets are now available which are already provided with a switching mechanism to enable disconnection and connection of power to the output contacts of supply sockets irrespective of the position of the usual switch.

The present invention has, as an object, to build upon the fact that many electrical products such as plugs, adaptors and sockets are now provided with automatic switching mechanisms to propose that an electrical product be provided with a memory device and timer to enable the supply of power to output means to be controlled in accordance with the time of day or day of month either separately from or in addition to any safety switching.

Data is transferred to the memory of the electrical product from a master unit either by remote signalling or by a contact docking arrangement. Contact docking is less complicated since each socket does not require a unique data address but is less convenient as one has to bend down to make contact with the socket.

In order that the present invention be more readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows schematically one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows in more detail a socket of the present invention; Fig. 3 shows in more detail a master unit for use with the present invention.

The preferred embodiment comprises a master timer input device 10 which is arranged to be operated by a user and connected to any desired socket 11 provided with a requisite memory 14 and timer device 15.

In operation, a user will couple the master input device to the desired socket, input selected "on" and "off" times using a suitable key pad or other input arrangement on the input device 10, which times will then be stored in the memory device 14 of the socket.

Since the socket also includes an in-built timer 15, the switch contacts 16 can be operated at the appropriate time stored in the memory device of the socket 11.

Power for the timer, the memory device and any other parts is taken from the mains unit a back-up power source such as a battery can be provided if necessary.

The sockets are envisaged to be conventional UK 13 amp switch sockets but it will be appreciated that any type of socket operating on any general voltage can be utilised.

The master input device 10 is preferably provided with a key pad by which a user can input desired starting and stopping times. The key pad can take any convenient form.

The master timer input device 10 is connected to the switched socket 11 in any convenient manner which will enable transfer of information from the master unit to the memory and timer of the switched socket. This may take the form of a special connector device.

Alternatively, the master unit may be arranged to plug into the normal socket contacts in which case the memory and timer devices will be coupled to the socket contacts and data transfer will take plate via the pins of the master timer unit 10. Once the master device 10 has been used to input desired times into the memory, it may be removed from the socket 11 and replaced by the plug of an appliance or other electrically powered device. An alternative arrangement using remote coupling will now be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3.

A programming head (10) in Fig. 2 is provided, as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, with a power source (25) display (30), user input interface such as a keyboard (40) memory (45), and a read write component (50). The read write component (50) is any suitable remote device such as but not exclusively, electromagnetic induction coils, infra-red sender/receiver or ultrasonic transceivers. The programming head is conveniently contained in a housing suitable for holding in the hand.

One of a multiplicity of clock and switch units 11 is shown in Fig. 3 as comprising power tapping means (60), backup power source (70), programmable memory (80), remote transceiver (85) clock device 82, switching means (90) and load connecting means (95).

The load connecting means 95 may by way of example but not exclusively, be a socket outlet, light bayonet fitting, screw terminals or in line connectors to any available format. The clock and switch unit 11 may be contained in a portable casing e.g. an adaptor or one suited to mounting on a wall or one suited to fitting behind an existing accessory.

Operation of the device is carried out following connection of the clock and switch units to the mains supply via the power tapping means (60) and activation of the programming head via its power source (25). The programming head 20 is set to the correct time and this information is stored in its memory (45).

Also the desired "on" and "off" times can be stored in memory if desired.

The programming head is then moved to close proximity e.g. less than 1 metre with each clock/switch unit in turn such that the read write component (50 in the programming head can link with the timer/switch transceiver (85). The time set in the programming head memory (80) is transferred to the clock/switch unit and the display shows the contents of the clock/switch unit's memory. Typically there will be a number of slots with on and off times. These may be displayed in any convenient format on the programming head and are transferred to the unit 11 either by directly operating the keyboard (40) or replaying the content of the memory (45).

Whilst the programming head is within range of the remote link the two parts behave as if they are a single conventional timer, such that the user can set on-off times via the keypad.

Upon completion of the setting sequence for the first clock/switch unit 11 the user simply moves out of range of the remote link. Because the timer programme memory is held within the clock/switch unit the programme is followed and switching at the desired times takes place.

This process is repeated until every unit 11 has been programmed.

Depending on the specific arrangement employed, it may be necessary to provide the master input unit with a facility for setting the timer in the socket to the correct time of day and/or day of week in addition to setting on/off times.

Further modifications can be made so that timed operation may be only effected when the normal rocker switch of the socket is in the "on" position or timed operation may be independent of the position of the normal rocker switch.

Further, it is envisaged that the master device 10 can be provided with an interrogation facility so that the timings stored in any socket can be checked by plugging the master device into the appropriate socket and looking at the read out on a display or via illuminated portions of the key pad as described in our earlier application mentioned above.

It is contemplated that the socket may be provided with some visual indication as to when it is operating in a timed manner so that a user will be readily able to determine whether the socket into which he was plugging an appliance will provide a timed output or a normally switched output.

The advantage of this arrangement is that only one master timer unit need be owned by a user although any number of sockets can be provided with the memory and timing arrangement so that timed operation of appliance can be more readily achieved in a cost effective manner.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An electrical product to which an electrical appliance may be connected comprising power output means for connection to the electrical appliance, power input means and a switching device for applying power from the input means to the output means, and a timer control arrangement for controlling said switching means, the timer control arrangement having control input means for receiving control data to the product from an external programming source.

2. An electrical product according to Claim 1, where the timer control arrangement comprises a timer device and a memory unit.

3. An electrical product according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the control input means are terminals for physical contact with the external programming source.

4. An electrical product according to Claim 3, wherein the terminals are the conventional power terminals of the product.

5. An electrical product according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the control input means is arranged to receive a signal from a remote external programming source.

6. An electrical product according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product is a plugsocket or adaptor.

7. An electrical timing arrangement comprising a plurality of electrical products each according to any one of the preceding claims and a single programming device for inputting time data to each product in turn.

8. An electrical product substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.