JP2007087849A - Outlet apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an outlet apparatus making sure judgement of whether there is a possibility of use exceeding amount of allowed power at a stage when a plug is plugged in. <P>SOLUTION: A control part 60 in the outlet apparatus receives input rated power read by a transceiver part 41 from radio IC tags 23A, 23B and 23C in each plug 20A, 20B and 20C. The control part 60 calculates total input TIR by adding amounts of input rated power IR1, IR2 and IR3. Furthermore, the control part 60 receives the allowed amount of output rated power OR for an outlet box 10 by carrying out communication with a memory 55. In addition, the control part 60 compares the total input TIR which is a sum for all plugs 20A, 20B and 20C with the allowed amount of output rated power OR for the outlet box 10. When the total input TIR is amount of output rated power OR or less, judgement is made that it is in a normal acting state and when the total input TIR exceeds the amount of output rated power OR, judgement is made that it is in an abnormal acting state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an outlet device for supplying electric power to a plug extending from various electric devices, and more particularly to an outlet device that can reliably prevent a plug from being inserted beyond a rating.

  Known as a table tap is a switch that houses a switch that turns on / off the power to the outlet, a measuring unit that measures the power consumption of the electrical equipment connected to the outlet, and a display that displays the power consumption. (See Patent Document 1).

Also, as another table tap, a rectifier diode and a current regulator are connected to a transformer that extracts power from the current used, and the current regulator has a contact function that has a power consumption metering function and a switch function that operates outside the allowable range. Some have an ammeter connected, and a warning sound is generated due to overcurrent (see Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-288990 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-107381

  However, if all of the above-mentioned table taps are not actually used, it is not checked whether or not the allowable power amount (rated) has been exceeded. When the plug is inserted, the table tap is used exceeding the allowable power amount. It cannot be determined that there is a possibility of For example, even if it is within the allowable power amount immediately after the user inserts the plug and starts using the electric device, the allowable power amount may be exceeded after the user leaves the electric device. Even if screams, it may not be noticed, and the state where the allowable power is exceeded may continue and accidents may occur.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an outlet device that can reliably determine whether or not there is a possibility of using an electric power exceeding the allowable power amount when the plug is inserted.

  In order to solve the above problems, an outlet device according to the present invention is provided in (a) one or more power supply terminals that can supply power to one or more electrical equipment plugs, and (b) one or more electrical equipment plugs. Information reading means capable of reading input rating information from one or more information holding means each holding input rating information of the electrical equipment, (c) a memory storing output rating information of one or more power supply terminals, d) One or more input rating information received via the information reading means and the output rating information read from the memory are compared to determine whether a plug exceeding the rating is connected to one or more power supply terminals. Determination means.

  In the outlet device, the judging means compares one or more input rating information received via the information reading means with the output rating information read from the memory, and a plug exceeding the rating is connected to one or more power supply terminals. It is possible to determine whether or not there is a possibility of being used in excess of the allowable power amount simply by inserting the plug, and an accident such as failure or fire occurs in the outlet device. Can be surely prevented.

  According to a specific aspect or aspect of the present invention, in the outlet device, the information reading unit performs wireless communication with the information holding unit. In this case, it is possible to obtain information on excess rating without contact, and ease of handling for the user can be achieved.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, the information holding unit includes a wireless IC tag, and the information reading unit includes a predetermined circuit that exchanges power and signals with the wireless IC tag. In this case, it is possible to perform accurate and reliable information communication while being small, and it is possible to reliably prevent the outlet device from being used exceeding the allowable power amount.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, when the determination unit receives a plurality of input rating information from a plurality of information holding units with a plurality of plugs connected to one or more power supply terminals, the plurality of input ratings It is determined whether or not the total input obtained by adding the information is less than or equal to the value indicated in the output rating information. In this case, regardless of the number of plugs connected, it can be determined whether or not there is a possibility that the outlet device will be used in excess of the allowable power amount as a total amount.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, when the determination unit determines that a plug exceeding the rating is connected to one or more power supply terminals, the warning unit further includes a warning unit that visually or audibly warns of exceeding the rating. . In this case, the user can directly and easily know whether or not the plug connection is within the allowable range.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, when the determination unit determines that a plug exceeding the rating is connected to one or more power supply terminals, the power supply is shut off to stop power supply to at least one of the one or more power supply terminals. Means are further provided. In this case, it is possible to prevent the outlet device from being used forcibly beyond the allowable power amount.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outlet box which is an outlet device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The outlet box 10 is configured to turn on / off a plurality of power supply terminals 31 into which the plugs 20A, 20B, and 20C are to be inserted, a plurality of transmission / reception units 41 built in the vicinity of the power supply terminals 31, and a power supply to each power supply terminal 31. Switch 51 and drive circuit 53 to be switched depending on the output, memory 55 for storing the rated output power amount as a numerical value, indicator 57 for displaying a warning when there is a possibility of exceeding the rating, and use exceeding the rating An alarm buzzer 59 that generates a warning sound when there is a possibility of being triggered, and a control unit 60 that controls the overall operation.

  The power supply terminal 31 is a hole for receiving and holding the pin terminal 71 of the plugs 20A, 20B, and 20C so as to be inserted and removed (or detachable), and is connected to a commercial power source via the switch 51.

  The transmission / reception unit 41 is an information reading unit for wireless communication including an antenna and a reader circuit, and power is supplied to the wireless IC tags 23A, 23B, and 23C in the plugs 20A, 20B, and 20C located at a certain distance from the antenna. And the necessary information can be received by communicating with the wireless IC tags 23A, 23B, and 23C. This information includes, as the input rating information, the input rated power amount corresponding to the upper limit power consumption determined by the electric device main bodies 25A, 25B, and 25C connected to the ends of the plugs 20A, 20B, and 20C. It is.

  The switch 51 includes a switching element such as a relay, and constitutes a cutoff means together with the drive circuit 53. By appropriately operating the drive circuit 53, the switch 51 can be turned on / off at a desired timing. That is, the sum of the input rated power amounts determined by the electric device main bodies 25A, 25B, and 25C connected to the ends of the plugs 20A, 20B, and 20C is a constant upper limit, that is, the upper limit output rated power of the outlet box 10 When the amount is exceeded, the switch 51 operates and the connection of the commercial power supply to any one or more of the three power supply terminals 31 is cut off.

  The memory 55 can be a read-only memory element configured by an integrated circuit, but can also be a writable nonvolatile memory element. The memory 55 stores, as output rating information, an output rated power amount corresponding to the upper limit power consumption that can be supplied from the outlet box 10 to all the plugs 20A, 20B, 20C, that is, all the electric device bodies 25A, 25B, 25C. This output rated power amount corresponds to the maximum power amount that can be safely supplied from the commercial power source to the outlet box 10.

  The indicator 57 is a warning means having an LED and other lamps and a drive circuit, and lights up at a necessary timing based on a command from the control unit 60. That is, when the sum of the input rated power amounts set in the plugs 20A, 20B, and 20C in the connected state exceeds the output rated power amount of the outlet box 10, the warning lamp provided on the display unit 57 lights or blinks. The user is visually notified of the excess capacity.

  The alarm buzzer 59 is a warning means having a speaker and a drive circuit, and generates a warning sound at a necessary timing based on a command from the control unit 60. That is, when the sum of the input rated power amounts set in the plugs 20A, 20B, and 20C in the connected state exceeds the output rated power amount of the outlet box 10, the speaker provided in the alarm buzzer 59 sounds and informs the user. Audible notification of overcapacity.

  The control unit 60 is a determination unit that includes a logic circuit, a microcomputer chip, and the like. The control unit 60 communicates with the transmission / reception unit 41 and the memory 55, and the input rated power amount read by the transmission / reception unit 41 from the wireless IC tags 23A, 23B, and 23C in the plugs 20A, 20B, and 20C. Receive from the transceiver 41. At this time, the control unit 60 calculates the total input TIR by adding the input rated power amounts IR1, IR2, and IR3 for the plugs 20A, 20B, and 20C read by the transmission / reception unit 41. In addition, the control unit 60 communicates with the memory 55 and receives the rated output power amount OR allowed for the outlet box 10. Further, the control unit 60 has a built-in comparison unit 63, which compares the total input TIR = IR1 + IR2 + IR3 added for all the plugs 20A, 20B, and 20C with the output rated power amount OR allowed for the outlet box 10. If the total input TIR is less than or equal to the rated output power amount OR, it is determined that the operation is normal. If the total input TIR exceeds the output rated power amount OR, it is determined that the operation is abnormal. For example, the control unit 60 operates the transmission / reception unit 41 at regular time intervals to periodically check the wireless IC tags 23A, 23B, and 23C.

  When the control unit 60 determines that the operation state is normal, the operation state is not particularly changed. On the other hand, when the control unit 60 determines that it is in an abnormal operation state, the control unit 60 outputs a command to the drive circuit 53 to operate the switch 51, and any of the plugs 20A, 20B, and 20C inserted last. The power supply to the power supply terminal 31 corresponding to is cut off. At the same time, the control unit 60 operates the display 57 and the alarm buzzer 59 appropriately to notify the user of the excess capacity visually or audibly. Accordingly, even when the electric device main bodies 25A, 25B, and 25C exceeding the ratings are connected without being noticed by the user, it is possible to notify the user of an excessive connection state by a warning and to prevent an accident from being caused by forced interruption. Note that which of the plugs 20A, 20B, and 20C is inserted last is determined based on which of the three transmitting / receiving units 41 has read the change of the input rated power last. Specifically, for example, which one of the wireless IC tags 23A, 23B, and 23C is connected lastly in the transmission / reception unit 41 is stored in advance, and the power supply terminal 31 corresponding to the last connected tag is stored. Cut off.

  In the above operation, the interruption of the power supply to the power supply terminal 31 and the operation of the indicator 57 and the alarm buzzer 59 are not limited to immediately after the plugs 20A, 20B, 20C are inserted into the power supply terminal 31, but the plugs 20A, 20B, For example, 20 C can be inserted into the power supply terminal 31 and several seconds later. Further, immediately after the plugs 20A, 20B, and 20C are inserted, the display 57 and the alarm buzzer 59 can be operated, and the power supply to the power supply terminal 31 can be cut off several seconds later.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of the plug 20A. The plug 20A includes a pin terminal 71 to be inserted into the power supply terminal 31 of the outlet box 10 and a wireless IC tag 23A. Here, the wireless IC tag 23 is information holding means, a transmission / reception unit 73 built in the vicinity of the pin terminal 71, a memory 75 for storing the input rated power of the electric device main body 25A as a numerical value, a transmission / reception unit 73, And a logic circuit 77 disposed between the memories 75. The electric device body 25A includes home appliances, various electronic devices, and the like.

  The pin terminal 71 is connected to the electric device main body 25 </ b> A. When the pin terminal 71 is inserted into the power supply terminal 31 of the outlet box 10, the pin terminal 71 is held in the power supply terminal 31 so as to be insertable / removable.

  The transmission / reception unit 73 is a wireless information reading unit including an antenna and an attached circuit, receives power from the transmission / reception unit 41 provided near the power supply terminal 31 on the outlet box 10 side, and communicates with the transmission / reception unit 41 to be necessary. You can send information. This information includes an input rated power amount that is input rating information of the plug 20A, that is, the electric device main body 25A.

  The memory 75 is composed of a read-only storage element or a nonvolatile storage element, and stores an input rated power amount that is input rating information. This input rated power amount is the maximum power amount that may be used in the electric device main body 25A, and is a value unique to the electric device main body 25A.

  The logic circuit 77 communicates with the transmission / reception unit 73 and the memory 75, and when the command received by the transmission / reception unit 73 requests reading of the input rated power amount stored in the memory 75, the memory 75. The input rated power amount read from is transmitted to the transmission / reception unit 73. The transmission / reception unit 73 wirelessly transmits the input rated power amount received from the logic circuit 77 to the transmission / reception unit 41 of the outlet box 10.

  Note that the plugs 20B and 20C have the same structure as the plug 20A described above and have the same functions, and thus description thereof is omitted.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a table tap which is an outlet device according to the second embodiment. The table tap 110 operates by being connected to the outlet box 10 shown in FIG. 1, and includes a plurality of power supply terminals 31 into which plugs extending from the electric device main body (see FIG. 1) are inserted, and the vicinity of each power supply terminal 31. A plurality of transmission / reception units 41, a switch 51 and a drive circuit 53 for switching power supply to each power supply terminal 31 on and off, a memory 55 for storing the rated output power amount as a numerical value, and exceeding the rating An indicator 57 that displays a warning when there is a possibility that it will be generated, an alarm buzzer 59 that generates a warning sound when there is a possibility that it will be used beyond its rating, and a plug 120 connected to the outlet box 10 A communication unit 91 for communicating with the wireless IC tag 123 embedded in the plug 120, and a control unit 160 for controlling the overall operation. .

  The transmitter / receiver 41, the switch 51, the drive circuit 53, the memory 55, the display device 57, the alarm buzzer 59 and the like are the same as those shown in FIG. Each transmitting / receiving unit 41 can supply power to the wireless IC tag in the plug extending from the electric device main body, and can communicate with the wireless IC tag to receive information on the input rated power amount. The switch 51 is driven by the drive circuit 53 to operate, and when one or more plugs exceeding the upper limit output rated power amount of the table tap 110 are connected, the power to any one or more of the two power supply terminals 31 Shut off the supply. The memory 55 stores an output rated power amount corresponding to an upper limit power consumption that can be supplied to the electric device main body connected to the table tap 110. The display device 57 and the alarm buzzer 59 visually indicate that the capacity is exceeded when the sum of the input rated power amounts set for each plug connected to the table tap 110 exceeds the output rated power amount of the table tap 110. To be heard either visually or audibly.

  Plug 120 has a structure similar to that shown in FIG. However, in the wireless IC tag 23 in the plug 120, the memory 75 (see FIG. 2) is composed of a writable nonvolatile memory element, and the sum of the input rated power amounts of the electrical device main bodies connected to the table tap 110. Is memorized in principle.

  The communication unit 91 communicates with the wireless IC tag 23 and the control unit 160 to rewrite the contents of the memory 75 in the wireless IC tag 23.

  The control unit 160 communicates with the transmission / reception unit 41 and the memory 55, and receives the input rated power amount read from the wireless IC tag in the plug (not shown) connected to the power supply terminal 31 from the transmission / reception unit 41. At this time, the control unit 160 calculates the total input TIR by adding the input rated power amount for each plug read by the transmission / reception unit 41 and communicates with the memory 55 to allow the outlet box 10 The output rated power amount OR is received. Further, the control unit 60 compares the total input TIR and the output rated power amount OR, and determines that the total input TIR is in the normal operation state if the total input TIR is equal to or less than the output rated power amount OR. When OR is exceeded, it is determined as an abnormal operation state.

  When the control unit 60 determines that the operation state is normal, the control unit 160 transmits the total input TIR to the wireless IC tag 23 in the plug 120 via the communication unit 91, and the contents of the memory 75 in the wireless IC tag 23 are transmitted. The contents are maintained when there is no rewrite or change. On the other hand, when the control unit 60 determines that it is in an abnormal operation state, the control unit 160 outputs a command to the drive circuit 53 to operate the switch 51 and cope with one of the plugs 20A and 20B inserted last. The power supply to the power supply terminal 31 is cut off. At this time, the control unit 160 operates the display unit 57 and the alarm buzzer 59 appropriately to notify the user of the excess capacity visually or audibly. In this case, the control unit 160 does not transmit the total input TIR to the communication unit 91.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

  That is, in the above embodiment, wireless communication is performed between the transmission / reception unit 41 of the outlet box 10 and the wireless IC tags 23A, 23B, and 23C of the plugs 20A, 20B, and 20C. By reading the code, it is possible to read the output rated power amount and the like. Moreover, not only the non-contact communication as described above, but also the rated output power amount and the like can be read from each plug 20A, 20B, 20C by a contact type communication.

  In the above embodiment, the display device 57 is operated in the abnormal operation state. However, the green LED can be turned on in the normal operation state, and the red LED can be turned on in the abnormal operation state.

  In the above-described embodiment, the wireless IC tags 23A, 23B, and 23C and the transmission / reception unit 41 are associated one-to-one. Arise. In this case, the problem of interference can be solved by providing each wireless IC tag 23A, 23B, 23C with ID information.

It is a block diagram explaining the outlet apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram explaining the internal structure of a plug. It is a block diagram explaining the outlet apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Outlet box, 20A, 20B, 20C ... Plug, 23A, 23B, 23C ... Wireless IC tag, 25A, 25B, 25C ... Electric equipment main body, 31 ... Power supply terminal, 41 ... Transmission / reception part, 51 ... Switch, 55 ... Memory 57 ... Display device, 59 ... Alarm buzzer, 60 ... Control unit, 63 ... Comparison unit, 71 ... Pin terminal, 73 ... Transmission / reception unit, 75 ... Memory, 77 ... Logic circuit, 91 ... Communication unit, 110 ... Table tap, 120 ... Plug, 123 ... Wireless IC tag, 160 ... Control unit

Claims (6)

One or more power supply terminals capable of supplying power to one or more electrical equipment plugs;
Information reading means that can be provided on a plug of one or more electrical devices and can read the input rating information from one or more information holding units that respectively hold the input rating information of the electrical devices;
A memory for storing output rating information of the one or more power supply terminals;
Whether one or more input rating information received via the information reading means is compared with the output rating information read from the memory, and whether or not a plug exceeding the rating is connected to the one or more power supply terminals. An outlet device comprising a judging means for judging   The outlet device according to claim 1, wherein the information reading unit performs wireless communication with the information holding unit.   3. The outlet device according to claim 2, wherein the information holding unit includes a wireless IC tag, and the information reading unit includes a predetermined circuit that exchanges power and signals with the wireless IC tag.   In the case where a plurality of plugs are connected to the one or more power supply terminals and a plurality of pieces of input rating information are received from a plurality of information holding units, the determination unit adds the plurality of input rating information to the output. The outlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it is determined whether or not the value is equal to or less than a value indicated in the rating information.   5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a warning unit that visually or audibly warns of exceeding the rating when the determining unit determines that a plug exceeding the rating is connected to the one or more power supply terminals. The outlet device according to claim 1. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a blocking unit that stops power supply to at least one of the one or more power supply terminals when the determination unit determines that a plug that exceeds a rating is connected to the one or more power supply terminals. The outlet device according to claim 5.

Images