GB2459120A

GB2459120A - Power supply comprising electrical outlet and remote master switch

Info

Publication number: GB2459120A
Application number: GB0806542A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Tucker; David Tucker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-11
Filing date: 2008-04-11
Publication date: 2009-10-14
Anticipated expiration: 2028-04-11
Also published as: GB2459120B; GB0806542D0

Abstract

An electricity supply arrangement 10 comprises a dual wall socket 12 including first and second sockets 14, 16. Each of the sockets is connected to electricity supply 18. An on/off socket switch 20 is located between the electricity supply and is connected to an economy switch 22. The economy switch 22 is located on the outer casing of the dual wall socket and is switchable between an on position or an economy position. When in the economy position the socket is controlled by a master switch 32 which may be remote from the dual wall socket.

Description

Electricity Power Supply Network The present invention relates, in general, to an electricity power supply network comprising an electrical outlet and remote master switch. Particularly the invention relates to an arrangement in which a number of electrical appliances with differing usage requirements can be on the same circuit arrangement thus enabling a number of those electrical appliances to be switched off when not in use without switching off other electrical appliances for which a constant supply of electricity power is desired.

io In any household many electrical devices rely on an electricity supply to function. Of these devices many are switched off by a user after use using either a switch local to the device in the case of, for example, a vacuum cleaner, or a remote controller in the case of, for example, a television.

When a switch local to the device is engaged as in the case of the vacuum cleaner above, the device is normally turned completely off and hence prevented from drawing any further current from the electricity supply.

However, in the case of the television above, which is turned off by a remote controller, the television enters what is commonly termed a "stand-by" mode.

In a stand-by mode the electrical device continues to draw current from the electricity supply. The purpose of this may be to increase the speed at which the device can subsequently be re-activated, run a clock or timer or simply power an ambient light. Other uses may have no real purpose such as in the case of power adapters or chargers, which can draw current even if a device is not connected to the adapter or charger.

Whilst the current drawn from an individual device when in a stand-by mode may be small, when factored over all the devices in an entire building or even over all the homes in a nation, the use becomes very significant.

The increasing awareness of issues such as climate change has placed energy efficiency and therefore how to solve a problem of energy wastage at the forefront of people's minds. There have therefore been a number of attempts to increase energy efficiency by providing various devices that can switch off io devices whilst in a stand-by mode without inconvenience to a user.

A power distribution device as described in WO 2006/1 06310 is typical of prior art attempts at solving the above problem. According to WO 2006/1 06310 a power distribution board is connected to a wall socket and comprises a number of plugs into which sockets of individual items such as a television, video is recorder and Hi-Fi can be plugged. Many varieties of such a power distribution board are known, but perhaps the most common is a so called "four gang" socket. Local to the power distribution board of WO 2006/1 06310 is a switch remotely operable by a remote controller. On activation of the switch, two of the four sockets (if a four gang socket is being used) are switched completely off.

In this way, devices which otherwise would have remained in stand-by mode can be switched completely off whereas adjacent devices can remain on.

Devices such as those described in WO 2006/106310 require a user to purchase many individual devices to cover all appliances in a house which can be very expensive. Further, each individual device must be individually activated and deactivated by a user, which is often inconvenient and commonly results in many devices being left on which otherwise would be switched off.

Power distribution boards are also bulky items, often with extended cabling, which can be a hazard in a home especially to young children and the elderly.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which obviates or at least mitigates the shortcomings of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electricity power supply network comprising an electricity power supply input io connected to an electrical outlet, the electrical outlet having a first switch connected to the electricity power supply input and switchable between an on state and an economy-on state, the first switch being connected to a relay contact when in an economy-on state; wherein the network further comprises a master switch operable to control the relay contact.

is Thus the master switch is operable to control the relay contact and so in turn is capable of cutting an electrical connection between the electricity power supply input and the electrical outlet for those electrical outlets for which the first switch is switched to the economy-on state. Those electrical outlets for which the first switch is set to an on state are not affected by the use of the master switch, because in this state they are directly connected to the electricity power supply without being further connected to the relay contact.

As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the first switch is preferably connected to a relay controlled contact when in an economy-on state. When the master switch is switched off, the relay causes the contact to switch to an open state thereby cutting the electrical connection between the electricity power supply input and the electrical outlet for those electrical outlets for which the first switch is switched to the economy-on state.

Preferably, the master switch is remote from the electrical outlet. Put another way, the master switch is not integral to the housing or apparatus comprising the electrical outlet but can be located in a remote part of a building some distance away from the electrical outlet.

Preferably, the master switch is electrically connected in parallel between the io electricity power supply input and the relay contact.

In this way, the master switch can be hard wired into the power supply network.

The electricity power supply network can be preferably located in a residential or a commercial building.

Preferably, the electrical outlet comprises a socket. More preferably, the socket is is adapted to receive and engage a plug of an electrical appliance.

Preferably, the electrical power supply input is connected to a plurality of electrical outlets.

Preferably, at least two electrical outlets are distributed across a single relay.

Preferably, each electrical outlet comprises an individual relay.

Preferably, the master switch is a mechanical switch movable between an on and off state.

Preferably, the master switch is an electronic switch operable by a user between on and off states.

Preferably, the electronic switch includes a touch screen.

Preferable, the relay is remotely controllable by a wireless communication device including the master switch.

Preferably, the wireless communication device is an infra-red or a radio frequency remote.

Preferably, the master switch is operable by a logic means.

Preferably, each electrical outlet comprises at least two electrical connector apertures adapted to engage at least two pins of an electrical plug.

Preferably, each electrical outlet comprises at least three electrical connector apertures adapted to engage at least three pins of an electrical plug. More preferably, each electrical outlet is adapted to engage a three pin plug.

Preferably, the electrical outlet comprises a further switch arranged between the first switch and the electricity power supply.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical outlet having a first switch connectable to an electricity power supply input and switchable between an on state and an economy-on state, the first switch being connected to a relay when in an economy-on state; wherein the relay is controllable by a master switch.

Preferably, the electrical outlet is an electrical socket for accommodating an electrical plug. Preferably, the electrical outlet comprises a further switch arranged between the first switch and the electricity power supply.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of an electrical outlet according to an embodiment of the present invention; and io Figure 2 is a schematic drawing of an electricity power supply network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, an electricity power supply network 10 comprises a dual wall socket 12 comprising a first electrical socket 14 and second electrical socket 16. Each of the first electrical socket 14 and second electrical socket 16 is connected to an electricity power supply 18 through the use of cabling as is known in the art. An on/off socket switch 20 is located between the electricity power supply 1 8 and is connected to a first terminal of a first switch 22 (referred to generally as an economy switch 22).

Although for ease of viewing a second terminal of the economy switch 22 is shown disposed between two contacts -an on contact 24 and an economy-on contact 26, the economy switch 22 in use is either contacting the on contact 24 or the economy-on contact 26. The economy switch 22 is switchable between positions using a movable switch (not shown in Figure 1) on the outer casing housing the dual wall socket 1 2.

When the economy switch 22 is in an on position, the second terminal of the economy switch 22 contacts the on contact 24 which is connected to the live contact of the first or second electrical socket 14, 1 6.

When the economy switch 22 is in an economy-on position, the second terminal of the economy switch 22 contacts the economy-on contact 26 which is connected to the live contact of the first or second electrical socket 14, 16 by way of a relay contact 28. The relay contact 28 is part of a relay 30 which is io connected to the electricity power supply 18 by way of a master switch 32. As best seen in Figure 1, the master switch 32 is arranged in a parallel circuit configuration to the electricity power supply 1 8 cabling.

An isolation switch 34 such as that commonly found in a fuse-box or circuit breaker is located at the entry of the electricity power supply 1 8 cabling to the is building.

An additional isolation switch 48 (such as that commonly found in a fuse-box, circuit breaker or fused spur) is also provided in series to the master switch 32 to allow lower rated cabling between the master switch 32 and the relays 30 thus reducing the costs of such cabling.

In operation and with reference to Figure 2, an embodiment of the present invention shows three dual wall sockets 12 and a master switch 32 located remote to the wall sockets 1 2.

On the housing of each wall socket is a switch to control the economy switch 22 of each of the wall sockets 12. A television 33 has been plugged into socket 34 whereas an alarm clock 36 has been plugged into a socket 38. Other devices are also plugged in to include a DVD player 40, a fridge freezer 42, a microwave 44 and a lamp 46.

The setting of the economy switch 22 is such that position 1 is "always on" and position 2 is "economy-on".

As such, alarm clock 26 is plugged into socket 38 with the economy switch 22 in an always on position. Thus, when the master switch 32 is switched off and the io relay 30 breaks the electrical connection between the economy-on contact 26 which is connected to the live contact of the socket 38, the alarm clock remains on. However, television 33 is plugged into socket 34 with the economy switch 22 in an economy on position. Thus, when the master switch 32 is switched off and the relay 30 breaks the electrical connection between the economy-on contact 26 which is connected to the live contact of the socket 34, the television is turned off.

Alternative embodiments to that described above include the master switch 32 being part of logic means in a wireless transmitter. So long as the master switch 32 can communicate with the relay 30 to trip the relay contact 28, it can be effective. Typical means of communication are known in the art and include infra-red or radio signal transmission. Other ways could include remote communication such as SMS messaging to a central server so as to turn appliances off if the user is away from the building or turn appliances on in advance of returning to the building.

Additionally preferred embodiments include a single relay controlling multiple relay contacts of an array of sockets.

In the preferred embodiment, the power supply network 10 according to the invention is hard wired into the building. In such a preferred embodiment, an extra conductive wire needs to be run from each socket to the master switch 32.

Such an arrangement can be particularly attractive to new build homes where the network 10 can be incorporated into existing building plans. Since the network 10 is convenient and centralised through use of the master switch 32, switching off the building before sleep or leaving for work should become as normal as switching off the lights.

No doubt many other effective alternatives will occur to the skilled person. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and encompasses modifications apparent to those skilled in the art lying within the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

Claims 1. An electricity power supply network comprising an electricity power supply input connected to an electrical outlet, the electrical outlet having a first switch connected to the electricity power supply input and switchable between an on state and an economy-on state, the first switch being connected to a relay contact when in an economy-on state; wherein the network further comprises a master switch operable to control the relay contact.
2. A network as claimed in claim 1, wherein the master switch is remote from the electrical outlet.
3. A network as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the master switch is electrically connected in parallel between the electricity power supply input and the relay contact.
4. A network as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the power supply network is located in a residential or a commercial building.
5. A network as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electrical outlet comprises a socket.
6. A network as claimed in claim 5, wherein the socket is adapted to receive and engage a plug of an electrical appliance.
7. A network as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electrical power supply input is connected to a plurality of electrical outlets.
8. A network as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least two electrical outlets are distributed across a single relay.
9. A network as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the master switch is a mechanical switch movable between an on and off state.
10. A network as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the relay is remotely controllable by a wireless communication device including the master switch.
11. A network as claimed in claim 1 0, wherein the wireless communication device is an infra-red or a radio frequency remote.
12. A network as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the master switch is operable by a logic means.
13. A network as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each electrical outlet comprises at least two electrical connector apertures adapted to engage at least two pins of an electrical plug.
14. A network as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each electrical outlet comprises at least three electrical connector apertures adapted to engage at least three pins of an electrical plug.
15. A network as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electrical outlet comprises a further switch arranged to between the first switch and the electricity power supply.
16. An electrical outlet having a first switch connectable to an electricity power supply input and switchable between an on state and an economy-on state, the first switch being connected to a relay when in an economy-on state; wherein the relay is controllable by a master switch.
17. An electricity power supply network substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
18. An electrical outlet substantially as hereinbefore described and/or io with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.