JP2011078177A - Power supply controller, power supply control program, and power supply tap - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stop the power supply of equipment connected to a main AC outlet and a power supply tap itself for electrical power saving. <P>SOLUTION: In a power supply device, a power supply controller of a power supply tap having one or more power supply plug connecting means is provided with: a standby power detecting means that detects whether the value of supply power supplied to the one or more power supply plug connecting means is equivalent to a standby power value; and a power supply stopping means that stops power supply to each power supply plug connecting means when a predetermined time has passed after detection of a value equivalent to the standby power value by the standby power detecting means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power supply control device, a power supply control program, and a power strip. For example, the present invention can be applied to a power strip that controls power supply to devices such as personal computers, peripheral devices, and home appliances.

Reduction of CO ₂ emissions is required as a measure against global environmental warming, and as part of this, technological development for power saving (energy saving) of equipment (for example, IT equipment) is progressing.

  For the purpose of reducing the standby power of the device, a power strip (AC tap) has been commercialized. The power tap performs power control of the device connected to the outlet. For example, at night when the device is not used, the power supply to the device can be turned off.

  Some conventional power strips have various functions. For example, as a simple power strip, a switch is attached to the power strip. By switching this switch on / off, power can be supplied to connected devices. There is something to turn on / off.

  Further, there is a power strip having a time setting function for turning off the power supply to a connected device after a preset time has elapsed or at a time.

  In the table tap described in Patent Document 1, the measured current value to the device connected to the main outlet becomes lower than the threshold value, and it is determined that the main outlet device is turned off. This is a technique for turning off the power supply to the device, and this threshold value, delay time, etc. can be set through a personal computer or the like.

  Patent Document 2 describes a technology related to a power switch that is automatically turned on after being turned on manually.

JP 2006-172723 A JP-A-60-154426

  Conventionally, for the purpose of reducing the power consumption of peripheral devices, when the power consumption of a device connected to the main AC outlet is equivalent to standby power for a certain period, it is linked to this and connected to another AC outlet. An interlocking power strip that can stop the power supply of the product has been commercialized.

  However, since the conventional power strip is intended to reduce the power consumption of peripheral devices, the standby current of devices connected to the main AC outlet cannot be suppressed.

  Further, since the power strip supplies power to the internal circuit through the power plug, even if power supply to the device connected to the outlet is stopped, power supply to the internal circuit of the power strip itself cannot be stopped.

  Therefore, even if the device connected to the main AC outlet enters a standby state and the power supply to the AC outlet linked to this can be stopped, the power supply to the main AC outlet and the power strip itself is stopped. I can't. In order to achieve further power saving, it is desired to stop such power supply.

  However, conventionally, power supply to the internal circuit of the power strip is switched by manually turning on / off the power switch of the power strip. It is difficult for the user to monitor the usage state and power consumption of the connected device of the power strip, and to turn off the power appropriately for power saving.

  In addition, even when all AC outlets of the power strip are main AC outlets (non-interlocking taps), those that stop the power supply to the main AC outlet and those that stop the power supply to the internal circuit of the power tap And has the same problem as above.

  Therefore, in order to further reduce power consumption, a power strip that stops the power supply of the connected device and the power strip according to the power consumption of the device connected to the power strip is desired.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a power strip, a power strip power supply control device, and a program that can also stop the power source connected to the main AC outlet and the power strip itself.

  In order to solve such a problem, a power supply device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a power supply control device for a power strip having one or more power plug connection means. (1) One or more power plug connection means Standby power detection means for detecting whether the supplied power value to be supplied corresponds to the standby power value; and (2) after a predetermined time elapses after the standby power detection means detects the standby power value. Power supply stopping means for stopping power supply to the means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power supply program for a power strip having one or more power plug connecting means. (1) The supply power value supplied to one or a plurality of power plug connecting means is standby power. Standby power detection means for detecting whether the value corresponds to a value; and (2) a power supply for stopping power supply to each power plug connecting means after a predetermined time has elapsed after detection corresponding to the standby power value by the standby power detection means It is made to function as supply stop means.

  A power strip according to a third aspect of the present invention includes the power supply control device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to stop the power supply of the device connected to the main AC outlet and the power strip, so that power saving can be achieved more than ever.

It is an internal block diagram which shows the internal structure of the power tap of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the controller part of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the power supply stop process of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the power supply start process of 1st Embodiment. It is an internal block diagram which shows the internal structure of the power tap of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the power supply control process of 2nd Embodiment.

(A) First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a power supply control device, a power supply control program, and a power strip according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the first embodiment, for example, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a power strip that suppresses standby power of a device such as a personal computer, a peripheral device, or a home appliance is illustrated.

(A-1) Configuration of the First Embodiment FIG. 1 is an internal configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of the power tap of the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the power strip 1A of the first embodiment includes a main AC outlet 11, an interlocked AC outlet 12, a current detection circuit unit 13, a switch unit 14, a controller unit 15, a power circuit unit 17, a relay 16, and an AC plug 18. At least.

  The power tap 1 </ b> A is supplied with commercial power through a power plug 18 and supplies power to devices connected to the main AC outlet 11 and the interlocked AC outlet 12. Here, although not shown in the drawings, for example, personal computers (including desktop and node types), servers, portable terminals (for example, PDAs and mobile phones), peripheral devices such as printers and scanners, home appliances, etc. All devices that require power supply are applicable.

  Further, when the power value supplied to the device connected to the main AC outlet 11 becomes equivalent to the standby power value, the power tap 1A stops the power supply to the device connected to the interlocked AC outlet 12, and is connected to the main AC outlet 11. The power supply to the equipment to be stopped is also stopped.

  The main AC outlet 11 is a main AC outlet and is connected to, for example, a personal computer or a server. Although only one main AC outlet 11 is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of main AC outlets 11 may be provided.

  The interlocked AC outlet 12 is a secondary AC outlet for the main AC outlet 11, to which peripheral devices related to devices connected to the main AC outlet 11 are connected. As with the main AC outlet 11, only one interlocked AC outlet 12 is shown in FIG. 1, but a plurality of interlocked AC outlets 12 may be associated with one main AC outlet 11.

  The current detection circuit unit 13 is interposed between the power plug 18 and the main AC outlet 11, and detects whether or not the power value supplied to the main AC outlet 11 is equivalent to the standby power value. For example, when a device connected to the main AC outlet 11 shifts to a standby mode or the like, the amount of power used by the device decreases, and the current value to the main AC outlet 11 also decreases. The current detection circuit unit 13 monitors the current value to the main AC outlet 11, and when the current value to the main AC outlet 11 becomes less than a predetermined standby power value, notifies the controller unit 15 that it corresponds to the standby power value. To do.

  The switch unit 14 is a switch that gives a signal to the controller unit 15 to instruct the start of power supply to the main AC outlet 11.

  The controller unit 15 is supplied with power from the power circuit unit 17 and controls the function of the power tap 1A. When receiving an ON signal from the switch unit 14, the controller unit 15 performs relay control on the relay 16 so as to supply power to devices connected to the main AC outlet 11 and the interlocked AC outlet 12. The controller unit 15 receives a notification from the current detection circuit 13 that the device connected to the main AC outlet 11 is equivalent to standby power, and when the state continues for a predetermined time, the controller unit 15 sends the main AC outlet 11 and the interlocked AC outlet 12 to the main AC outlet 11. Relay control is performed on the relay 16 so as to stop the power supply.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the controller unit 15 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the controller unit 15 includes a relay control unit 20 that functions as a power supply stop unit 201 and a power supply start unit 202.

  When the power supply stop unit 201 detects that the power value from the current detection circuit unit 13 to the device connected to the main AC outlet 11 is equivalent to the standby power value, the main AC outlet 11 and the interlocked AC outlet after a predetermined time elapses. 12 is a function for controlling the relay 16 to stop the power supply to the power supply 12.

  The power supply start unit 202 has a function of controlling the relay 16 to supply power to the main AC outlet 11 and the interlocked AC outlet 12 when receiving an ON signal from the switch unit 14. Here, the power supply start unit 202 may be different between the power supply start timing main AC outlet 11 and the interlocked AC outlet 12. For example, power supply to the main AC outlet 11 may be started after power supply to the linked AC outlet 12 is started.

  The power supply circuit unit 17 is a power supply circuit of the power supply tap 1 </ b> A and supplies power to the controller unit 15.

  The relay 16 is interposed between the power plug 18 and the main AC outlet 11 and the interlocked AC outlet 12, and is turned on / off under the control of the controller unit 15. When the relay 16 receives a power supply stop instruction from the controller unit 11, for example, the relay 16 turns off the contact with the main AC outlet 11 and the interlocked AC outlet 12 to stop the power supply.

  The power plug 18 is a plug that plugs into a commercial outlet and supplies power to the power tap 1A.

(A-2) Operation of the First Embodiment Next, the operation of the power supply control process in the power tap 1A of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing power supply stop processing in the power tap 1A.

  First, in the power tap 1A, the current detection circuit unit 13 monitors the amount of power used by the connected device based on the current value to the main AC outlet 11 (step S101).

  Then, when the current value to the main AC outlet 11 is equal to or greater than the threshold, the current detection circuit unit 13 determines that the amount of power used by the connected device is not equivalent to the standby power value, and returns to step S101 to return to the main AC outlet. 11 is repeatedly monitored.

  On the other hand, when the current value to the main AC outlet 11 is less than the threshold value, the current detection circuit unit 13 determines that the power consumption of the connected device is equivalent to the standby power value, and Notify that.

  The controller unit 15 receives the notification from the current detection circuit 13 and stops supplying power to the main AC outlet 11 and the interlocked AC outlet 12 when the standby power value is equivalent even if it continues for a predetermined time (step S103). The relay 16 is controlled (step S104). If the standby power value is not reached within the predetermined time, the process returns to step S101.

  That is, the relay 16 turns off the contact so as to cut off the power supply to the main AC outlet 11 and the interlocked AC outlet 12 in accordance with an instruction from the controller unit 15.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a power supply start process in the power tap 1A.

  When the user performs a switch operation on the switch unit 14 of the power tap 1A and is turned on (step S201), the controller unit 15 controls the relay 16 to supply power to the main AC outlet 11 and the interlocked AC outlet 12. (Step S202).

  That is, the relay 16 turns on the contact so as to supply power to the main AC outlet 11 and the interlocked AC outlet 12 according to an instruction from the controller unit 15.

  After the contact is turned on, in order to wait until the user turns on the power of the device connected to the main AC outlet 11, the user may wait for a predetermined time, or the current value to the main AC outlet 11 once exceeds a threshold value. You may wait until it becomes (step S203). After waiting, the power supply stop process in the power tap 1A in FIG. 3 is started.

(A-3) Effects of First Embodiment As described above, according to the first embodiment, when a device connected to the main AC outlet 11 is in a standby power state, it is connected to the interlocked AC outlet 12. The power supply not only to the device but also to the device connected to the main AC outlet 11 can be cut off.

  Therefore, the standby power of the power tap 1A itself is generated, but can be sufficiently reduced than the standby power of the device connected to the main AC outlet 11.

(B) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the power supply control device, the power supply program, and the power tap of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the power supply of the power strip itself is also stopped.

(B-1) Configuration of Second Embodiment FIG. 5 is an internal configuration diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a power strip according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the power tap 1B of the second embodiment includes a main AC outlet 11, an interlocked AC outlet 12, a current detection circuit unit 13, a controller unit 21, a power variable switch unit 22, a power circuit unit 17, and an AC. It is configured to have at least a plug 18.

  The variable power switch unit 22 is interposed between the power plug 18, the power circuit unit 17, the main AC outlet 11 and the interlocked AC outlet 12, and is switched off under the control of the control unit 21. Thus, since the power supply to the power supply circuit unit 17 can be stopped by switching the power supply variable switch unit 22 to OFF, the power supply of the power strip 1B itself can be cut off from the power plug 18.

  The power variable switch unit 22 also serves as a power switch for the power tap 1B. By turning on the power variable switch unit 22, power is supplied from the power plug 18 to the power circuit unit 17. Thereby, since the power supply circuit unit 17 can supply power to the controller unit 21, the controller unit 21 can be activated.

  Here, the power supply variable switch unit 22 can be turned off by an electrical signal from the controller unit 21. With such a power supply variable switch unit 22, various types of switches can be widely applied.

  For example, as in the technique described in Patent Document 2, it can be manually switched on / off, and can be automatically switched off by an electrical signal from the controller unit 21 after being manually turned on once. A mechanical automatic off switch can be applied.

  As in the first embodiment, the controller unit 21 is activated when power is supplied from the power supply circuit unit 17 and performs power supply control of the power tap 1B. Further, the controller unit 21 receives a notification from the current detection circuit unit 13 that the device connected to the main AC outlet 11 is equivalent to the standby power value, and when the state continues for a predetermined time, the controller unit 21 notifies the power source variable switch unit 22 A signal to turn off the connection is given. When the power supply variable switch unit 22 is turned off, the power supply from the power supply circuit unit 17 is interrupted, so that the controller unit 21 does not function. Thereafter, when the power variable switch unit 22 is turned on, power is supplied from the power circuit unit 17 and the controller unit 21 is activated.

(B-2) Operation of Second Embodiment Next, the operation of the power supply control process in the power tap 1B of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the power supply control process in the power tap 1B.

  First, when power supply is started from the power tap 1 </ b> B, the user turns on the power supply variable switch unit 22.

  When the power supply variable switch section 22 is turned on, power supply from the power plug 18 to the main AC outlet 11 and the interlocked AC outlet 12 is started, and power is also supplied to the power circuit section 17 (step S301). The unit 21 is activated (step S302).

  In order to wait until the user turns on the device connected to the main AC outlet 11, the user may wait for a predetermined time, or may wait until the current value to the main AC outlet 11 once exceeds a threshold value. (Step S308).

  When the controller unit 21 is activated, the current detection circuit unit 13 monitors the current value to the main AC outlet 11 as in the first embodiment, and the power consumption of the device connected to the main AC outlet 11 is the standby power. Whether or not the value is equivalent is monitored (step S303).

  If the current value to the main AC outlet 11 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that the amount of power used by the device connected to the main AC outlet 11 is not equivalent to the standby power value, and the process proceeds to step S303. The current value is monitored repeatedly.

  On the other hand, if the current value to the main AC outlet 11 is less than the threshold value, it is determined that the amount of power used by the connected device is equivalent to the standby power value, and the controller unit 21 is notified accordingly.

  When the controller unit 21 receives the notification from the current detection circuit 13 and corresponds to the standby power value even if it continues for a predetermined time (step S305), the controller unit 21 transmits a power-off switching signal to the power variable switch unit 22. (Step S306), the power supply variable switch unit 22 is turned off. Note that the power supply variable switch unit 22 can be manually turned off by the user.

  When the power supply variable switch unit 22 is turned off, the power supply to the devices connected to the power tap 1B (that is, the connected devices of the main AC outlet 11 and the interlocked AC outlet 12) is stopped (step S307). The standby power of devices connected to the AC outlet 11 and the linked AC outlet 12 can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since the power supply to the power supply circuit unit 17 of the power tap 1B is also stopped, the power used by the AC outlets 11 and 12 is also reduced, and the standby power can be made completely zero.

(B-3) Effects of the Second Embodiment As described above, according to the second embodiment, not only the standby power of the device connected to the main AC outlet 11 but also the standby power of the power strip 1B itself Can be reduced.

(C) Other Embodiments In the first and second embodiments described above, the main AC outlet and the linked AC outlet linked to the main AC outlet are provided, but the linked AC outlet linked to the main AC outlet is not provided. May be. That is, all can be used as the main AC outlet.

  In this case, for example, in order to stop the power supply of the power strip itself, a current detection circuit unit for detecting a current value to each main AC outlet is provided for each main AC outlet, and a standby current value is obtained from all the current detection circuit units. The controller unit may stop the power supply to the connected devices of the main AC outlets when receiving the notice that it is appropriate. Specifically, this can be realized by providing a relay for each of the plurality of main AC outlets, and the controller unit performing relay control for turning off the contact point for each relay.

  Further, the controller unit may be divided into a relay for main AC outlet and a relay for interlocking AC outlet, and the peripheral unit may be turned on first by shifting the timing of starting power supply.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the function of the controller unit can be realized by software processing. For example, the CPU executes a processing program stored in the ROM using data necessary for processing. Can be realized. It can also be realized by hardware such as an electronic circuit.

1A and 1B ... Power tap, 11 ... Main AC outlet, 12 ... Linked AC outlet,
13 ... Current detection circuit unit, 14 ... Switch unit, 15 and 21 ... Controller unit,
16 ... relay, 17 ... power circuit, 18 ... power plug,
20 ... Relay control unit, 201 ... Power supply stop unit, 202 ... Power supply start unit,
22 ... Power supply variable switch part.

Claims (7)

In a power supply control device for a power strip having one or a plurality of power plug connecting means,
Standby power detection means for detecting whether the supply power value supplied to the one or more power plug connection means corresponds to the standby power value;
A power supply control device comprising: a power supply stop unit that stops power supply to each of the power plug connecting units after a predetermined time has elapsed after detection of the standby power value by the standby power detection unit. The plurality of power plug connecting means includes one or a plurality of main power plug connecting means and one or a plurality of interlocking power plug connecting means interlocking with the main power plug connecting means.
When the standby power detection means detects whether the supply power value supplied to the main power plug connection means corresponds to the standby power value,
After the power supply stop means is detected by the standby power detection means corresponding to the standby power value, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the power supply to the main power plug connection means and the main power plug connection means are linked to the main power plug connection means. The power supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein power supply to the interlocking power plug connecting means is stopped. Power supply variable switch means for turning on / off the power supply from the power plug of the power tap,
The power supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the power supply stop means switches off the power variable switch means to stop power supply to the internal circuit of the power tap.   When the power of the power tap is turned on, power supply start means for starting power supply to each main power plug connection means and power supply to each linked power plug connection means linked to each main power plug connection means The power supply control device according to claim 2, further comprising:   5. The power supply starting means starts power supply to each main power plug connecting means after a predetermined time has elapsed after starting power supply to each interlocking power plug connecting means. The power supply control device described in 1. A power supply control device for a power strip having one or a plurality of power plug connecting means,
Standby power detection means for detecting whether the supply power value supplied to the one or more power plug connection means corresponds to the standby power value;
A power supply control program that functions as power supply stop means for stopping power supply to each of the power plug connection means after a predetermined time has elapsed after detection of the standby power value by the standby power detection means.   A power strip comprising the power supply control device according to claim 1.

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