JP2015216118A - Receptacle with power management function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a receptacle with an embedded power management function.SOLUTION: An embedded receptacle 1 has a receptacle substrate 100, a measurement part substrate 104, and a control part substrate 102 provided in parallel to each other. Receptacles 108, 110 provided on the receptacle and the measurement part substrate 104 are connected by a combined component 134 having all of a function as a structural material, a distribution function and a measuring function. A current flowing through the combined component 134 is measured by a Hall element provided inside the combined component 134, and measurement results are outputted to a measurement part 136.

Description

  The present invention relates to an embedded outlet with a power management function.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an outlet with a display function that allows the outlet itself to grasp and display the product name and rated power consumption of an electrical appliance receiving electric power from the outlet.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a system capable of grasping the usage status of electrical equipment in a residence and determining that an abnormal usage status has occurred at a remote location.

JP 2007-123191 A JP 2011-29778 A

  The problem to be solved is to provide an embedded outlet with power management function.

  An outlet with power management function according to the present invention includes at least a first board provided with an outlet, a second board provided with a plurality of electronic components, the first board, and the second board. A connecting member that connects the two, and at least a part of the connecting member transmits power between an outlet provided on the first board and an electronic component provided on the second board. The electronic component provided on the second board serves as at least a part of the function of measuring the power or current supplied from the outlet and transmitting the measured power or current to the outside. .

  Preferably, the first substrate is disposed substantially parallel to the second substrate, and electronic components projecting from the substrate on opposite surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate, and Electrical components are provided.

  Preferably, the first substrate is provided with a plurality of outlets, and the second substrate is provided with a switch mechanism for cutting off power supply to a part of the plurality of outlets. .

  In addition, the outlet with power management function according to the present invention includes at least an outlet body provided with an outlet, and a control device configured to control power supply via the outlet, which is configured by a housing different from the outlet body. The control device is connected to the outlet body through a flexible line.

  The outlet with power management function of the present invention realizes miniaturization and enables embedding. In particular, the outlet with power management function of the present invention can be expected to fit in a size that conforms to standard specifications of a house or the like.

It is a figure which illustrates the section of embedding outlet 1 typically. It is a top view of the layer to which the decorative panel 106 belongs. It is a top view of the layer to which the display part board | substrate 116 belongs. It is a top view of the layer to which the measurement board | substrate 104 belongs. It is a top view of the layer to which the control board | substrate 102 belongs. It is a figure which illustrates typically the assembly method of embedding outlet 1. It is a figure which illustrates typically the installation method of embedding outlet 1. It is a figure which illustrates the embedding outlets 12 and 14 of a modification. It is a figure which illustrates the separation-type embedded outlet socket 16. It is a figure which shows the application example of the separation type | mold embedded outlet socket 16. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an embedded outlet 1; FIG.

[Background and concept]
Because outlets have a variety of functions, cost increases in terms of unit price, labor cost, and system introduction, so there is much more than the usage method that can be used only for a limited purpose on the spot like a conventional instrument. When it is installed in a modern house with an outlet, it becomes a factor that reduces cost performance.
In addition, it is necessary to take various withstand voltages, heat dissipation, and noise countermeasures so as not to violate laws and safety standards, but in addition to connection, measurement and control, functional parts such as wired / wireless communication, circuit opening and closing, display increase, Within the specified volume, it is necessary to add a safety distance, to dissipate heat, and to secure a pressure-resistant gap.
In order to incorporate a circuit breaker relay, it is necessary to select either a large mechanical relay that can handle a large current or a semiconductor relay after considering heat dissipation, which is a big barrier to reducing the product volume. . In addition, semiconductor relays for high power are generally closed contacts when control is impossible, leaving a risk in terms of safety.
The circuit open / close function by the relay is a function that synergistically benefits from the operation logic of the control circuit for the purpose of safety and power saving, or an external open / close instruction, so it is desirable to use electronic control and communication function together . However, even if a relay is installed in a conventional generation device design that is complete for a single purpose for measurement purposes, it has only a function that can be replaced with a switch or fuse, and its utility value is low for cost and size. It was a thing.

In the case of incorporating a large-sized relay corresponding to high power, relatively large power is required to drive the relay, and as a result, a large-sized power supply circuit is required.
In order to cope with communication, it is necessary to allocate a larger amount of power to the communication device than a design in which autonomous control is performed alone, and as a result, a large power supply circuit is required.
If the device itself is equipped with various functions such as automatic control, communication, relay drive, and display without a high-efficiency power supply design, the device itself consumes a large amount of power at all times and becomes a device that contradicts power saving, thus losing product value. To do.
The existing power monitoring communication control is more effective when the system and network specifications are unique or independent from the viewpoint of reliability and cost, and is not highly compatible with a larger and more advanced information infrastructure. However, at the present time, IP networks and cloud technologies, which are higher-level communication networks, are becoming widespread, and a great merit can be expected in designing them to be connectable to them.

When a device is packaged in its own enclosure, the insulation of the device is completed by the housing. However, in the case of a system that receives external operation and control, the power supply and communication network must be insulated. Unlike a circuit configuration that does not insulate, a large number of mechanism parts are required.
In order to prevent overheating of large current passages, it is necessary to ensure safety by a wiring method that satisfies the rated capacity, but creating a large number of dedicated connection mechanisms and wiring parts is a matter of design, manufacturing, maintenance, and standard certification procedures. It becomes a factor which pushes up the product cost.
An embedded outlet 1 that improves or solves the above problems will be described as an embodiment of the present invention.

The embedded outlet 1 of the present embodiment is reduced in size as a whole by devising the structure of the current passing portion. Specifically, it is a structure that combines wiring, current detection, and substrate fixing by a structural material-supporting column that satisfies electrical standards, not on a printed circuit board pattern that requires space.
Further, the embedded outlet 1 ensures a certain display function even when the existing decorative panel 106 is used. Specifically, a method of transmitting information by actively emitting light leaking through the panel gap by emitting light from the back of the panel with a brightness that can be perceived through transmission is used.
Further, the embedded outlet 1 is configured to simplify the process while earning an insulating distance and a disposable space. Specifically, volume efficiency is improved by taking the mounting direction into consideration, and the assembly process at the site is “just inset”.

It is a configuration of an outlet with a power management function for communication that can be used in the form of adding to an existing outlet as well as an embedded outlet installed in an industry standard, and a standard general power distribution facility (outlet) is already installed. For existing houses, the installation work is facilitated by designing to fit within the existing volume of the wall socket.
In addition, the embedded outlet 1 measures the power consumed by the home appliances via this, and communicates the current state and amount of power using a predetermined communication method, thereby constructing a networked power total control system. Or join an existing network system. In addition to measurement, it has a function to disconnect and reconnect the current of the embedded outlet 1, prevent overuse or forgetting to turn off any device, systematic power saving, power supply that measures constant power, automatic connection device A predetermined application operation such as control is realized.

With regard to communication control, for example, by having a design margin that can be connected to a network standard that can be expected to be highly versatile and popular, such as ECHONET, connectivity to information communication networks will be improved in the future.
In addition, the communication system will be a hardware standard that can be used for existing indoor home appliance control wiring, or a hardware / software design that can select and implement wireless communication using the ISM band.
For wireless communication, an antenna with a built-in device with a gain that can secure a sufficient network indoors (between rooms) is adopted to suppress the overhang of the antenna part found in existing measurement wireless devices.
Insulating the power distribution unit, the control circuit power supply of the device main body, and the communication network with a predetermined withstand voltage performance prevents electric shocks and leakage accidents and guarantees system reliability.

After installation of the embedded outlet 1, like a normal embedded outlet, a general user who does not have construction qualifications cannot arbitrarily remove it and may interfere with the operation of the embedded outlet 1 without system management authority. Since it becomes difficult, it has a status display section for notifying that it is in normal operation and under monitoring, or that there is some equipment abnormality and it should be solved.
In addition, by rationalizing the main body parts, the assembly and manufacture of the board for measurement and control and the installation wiring work are simplified, and the reliability as a device through which a large current passes is improved.
By not adopting dedicated housing and power supply parts with unique volumes, external shapes, and standards for the parts that make up the outer shell of the main body, existing parts can be diverted for electrical equipment parts other than measurement control circuits. The design is possible, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and at the same time improving the versatility and maintainability during installation work.

Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the embedded outlet 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, when the embedded outlet 1 is embedded in a wall, the exposed surface is referred to as “front side”, and the innermost surface in the wall surface is referred to as “back side”.
FIG. 1 schematically shows a cross section of the embedded outlet 1.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the embedded outlet 1 includes an outlet substrate 100, a measurement unit substrate 104, and a control unit substrate 102. The outlet substrate 100, the measurement unit substrate 104, and the control unit substrate 102 are disposed so as to be separated from each other substantially in parallel. Specifically, the outlet substrate 100, the measurement unit substrate 104, and the control unit substrate 102 are arranged in this order from the front side, and are fixed by a structural material (such as a support column).

2 to 5 are plan views of each surface from the front side to the back side of the embedded outlet 1.
A decorative panel 106 is provided on the front side of the outlet board 100, and a communication module 112 and a display unit board 116 are provided on the back side of the outlet board 100. Further, the first outlet 108 and the second outlet 110 pass through the decorative panel 106 and the outlet board 100 and are fixed to the outlet board 100. The first outlet 108 is an outlet that does not have a function of cutting off supplied power, and the second outlet 110 is an outlet that can cut off supplied power. An external connection 120 and a combined part 134 (described later) are connected to the first outlet 108 and the second outlet 110.
The communication module 112 includes an antenna, and transmits a measurement result to the outside and receives a control signal from the outside by wireless communication.
The display unit substrate 116 is provided with a light emitting unit (such as an LED) and emits light according to the state of the embedded outlet 1. For example, the display unit board 116 includes a light emitting unit installed in the vicinity of the first outlet 108 and a light emitting unit installed in the vicinity of the second outlet 110, and the state of each outlet (the power supply state). Each light emitting unit is turned on with a color or pattern according to the presence or absence or the amount of accumulated power consumption. The light emitted from the light emitting unit can be visually recognized by the user, for example, by leaking from the gap of the outlet.

A relay 118 is provided on the front side of the measurement unit substrate 104, and a measurement unit 136 is provided on the back side of the measurement unit substrate 104. Further, a composite component 134 that penetrates the measurement unit substrate 104 is fixed to the measurement unit substrate 104.
The relay 118 is a switch for turning ON / OFF the current supplied to the second outlet 110, and cuts off the current (that is, power) supplied to the second outlet 110 in accordance with a control signal from the outside. . Since the relay 118 largely protrudes from the measurement unit board 104, the relay 118 is disposed between the first outlet 106 and the second outlet 110 in the space between the outlet board 100 and the measurement unit board 104.

  The combined component 134 is a component having both a function as a structural material and a power distribution function. The united part 134 of this example has a measurement function for measuring current in addition to a function as a structural material and a power distribution function. That is, the united part 134 functions as a support between the first outlet 108 and the second outlet 110 and the measurement unit board 104, so that a space between the outlet board 100 and the measurement unit board 104 is provided. Secure. In addition, the combined part 134 serves as a current path between the first outlet 108 and the second outlet 110 and the measuring unit 136. Furthermore, the current flowing through the combined component 134 is measured by a Hall element or the like provided inside the combined component 134, and the measurement result is output to the measuring unit 136.

On the front side of the control board 102, a communication module 112 and board-to-board connecting parts 126 and 140 are provided. The control board 102 and the measurement unit board 104 are electrically connected by the inter-board connection component 140.
A control unit 132 and a power supply circuit 138 are provided on the back side of the control board 102. A buffer material 128 is provided on the back side of the control board 102. The buffer material 128 also has a function as an insulator.

  The control unit 132 controls the entire embedded outlet 1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a method for manufacturing the embedded outlet 1. Note that the embedded outlet 1 in this figure is partly different from that illustrated in FIGS.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the plugs of the outlets 108 and 110 and the decorative panel 106 are almost the same as existing positions, configurations, and fixing methods.
A control module that matches the volume of the existing housing is assembled, and a main line (AC) that is structurally robust and meets the power specifications is inserted, so that it is fixed structurally and electrically.
In addition, you may add a support stand etc. as a fixing method separately.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a method of installing the embedded outlet 1. Note that the embedded outlet 1 in this figure is partly different from that illustrated in FIGS.
The integrated embedded outlet 1 is fixed by being fitted into an existing wall-embedded panel and functions as it is. The power line in the wall is connected in advance with a crimp terminal. Wiring can be done by the method used in conventional electrical work.
A film or the like that helps insulation or dust prevention may be provided between the substrate and the housing.

[appearance]
Next, the external appearance of the embedded outlet 1 will be described. The embedded outlet 1 of the above embodiment is embedded in the wall with only the decorative panel exposed, like a conventional embedded outlet that does not have a power management function.
However, when it is difficult to pack all functions due to function addition or specification change, an embedded outlet 12 having a slightly increased thickness may be used as illustrated in FIG. In the embedded outlet 12 in this case, an apron unit 150 is provided between the decorative panel 106 and the wall surface. The apron unit 150 is a member constituting the outer periphery of the embedded outlet 12 protruding from the wall surface. For example, an antenna for supporting wireless communication is installed on the inner wall surface of the apron unit 150. This produces the advantage that the antenna pole is not exposed.

  Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, two outlets 108 and 110 and a user interface unit 152 may be provided for the embedded outlet 14 having a size of four ports (four outlets). The embedded outlet 14 is designed to secure a small amount of space for routing a line other than the power source (for example, a TV antenna, a telephone line, a LAN cable, etc.) to a new house. The user interface unit 152 includes, for example, all or part of a display unit, an operation unit, and a communication function, and receives an operation (ON / OFF instruction) for the relay 118, displays a state, and the like.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the embedded outlet 16 may be configured by an outlet body 160 and a control device 170. That is, the functional configuration of the embedded outlet 1 is shared by the outlet body 160 and the control device 170, and the outlet body 160 and the control device 170 are connected to each other via a flexible line.
As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the separate embedded outlet 16 can be equipped with large components that are indispensable to comply with higher standards such as 200V and 20A or more. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, in the outlet main body 160, in order to monitor more outlets (in this example, four outlets) than two outlets, the number of measurement outlets is increased, and furthermore, all outlets are used. A plurality of relays may be provided so as to cut off the current, and the control board may be allocated to the control device 170A and the control device 170B.

  The separation type embedded outlet 16 illustrated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 develops a function that is not restricted by the volume restriction or adopts a low-priced part for a building whose wall surface is a free space. This can be expected to reduce the introduction cost. Examples of functions to be added include wired LAN support and ceiling support (standardized lighting fixture mounting parts). In addition, there is an application product such as a fully buried type such as the back of an existing switch that has no outlet and manages only the current in the power distribution path.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the embedded outlet 1.
As illustrated in FIG. 11, the power distribution mechanism 500 distributes power by connecting a power supply of AC 100 V (15 A) with a crimp terminal or the like. The wire (external connection 120) constituting the power distribution mechanism 500 is thick, and the requirement for insulation is severe. The power distribution mechanism 500 of the present example is configured to allow wiring work that conforms to a conventional standard product and to facilitate connection.
The protection circuit 502 is a safety mechanism circuit such as protection of the microcomputer circuit, lightning protection, or noise prevention. Each element is large because it is an AC100V line.
The primary power source 504 converts an AC power source into a microcomputer driving voltage (DC). In order to supply the relay drive circuit, it is necessary to supply more power than the conventional circuit with only measurement display. A withstand voltage design that secures an insulation distance according to the voltage is required.
The control unit power supply 506 is a power supply for measuring a weak signal. Since it is also used for communication, noise countermeasures are required. The control unit power supply 506 requires a clock function and a rechargeable battery for power measurement and network compatibility. Furthermore, the volume is large because insulation from the AC side is essential.
The central control unit 508 is an analog / digital circuit including a microcomputer, A / D conversion, integrated power multiplier, and communication control, and is provided inside the control unit 132.

The communication unit power supply 510 is a power supply for the communication module 112 and requires high voltage insulation particularly in the case of a wired line.
The communication unit 512 selects and mounts a wireless communication module that has been certified for wireless standards or a wired communication module that is signal-insulated. A separation mechanism that can be selected and connected is required. Wired wiring also has terminals that can be easily connected to external communication lines.
The display unit 514 is realized on the display unit substrate 116, and displays the device status using an LED or the like. Connections require connectors and structural materials, and volume is required for function.
The power measuring units 516 and 522 are realized by the combined component 134 and the measuring unit 136, and detect and measure the high power of AC passing through the combined component 134. Both mechanism and wiring require capacity. Further, since the united part 134 also serves as a structure, it is necessary to provide a mechanism that simplifies wiring. Since weak signals are handled, internal noise countermeasures are also essential.

The relay power supply 518 is a contact driving circuit that turns on / off a large-capacity relay (relay 118) that opens and closes the outlet circuit (second outlet 110). Own power consumption is large.
The open / close relay 520 is a large-capacity relay 118 that opens and closes a passing AC with an arbitrary setting.
The first outlet 108 and the second outlet 110 are AC power outlets placed under measurement and monitoring, and adopt standard parts. Although the parts are industry standard products, they are especially large parts because they have completed various functions such as insulation.

1, 12, 14, 16 Embedded outlet 100 Outlet board 102 Control board 104 Measurement board 108,110 Outlet 118 Relay 134 Combined parts 150 Apron part 152 User interface part 160 Outlet body 170 Control device

Claims (1)

At least the outlet body provided with an outlet,
A control device configured to control power supply via the outlet, and configured with a housing different from the outlet body.
The control device is an outlet with a power management function, which is connected to the outlet body through a flexible line.

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