KR102471831B1 - Smart socket apparatus for decreasing and real recovery standby power - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a smart outlet device for reducing standby power and restoring real power, and includes an outlet unit, a standby power cutoff unit that detects a standby power state of a load device connected to the outlet unit and controls standby power blocking, and the outlet unit standby power In the cut-off state, the regular power resetter periodically supplies power to the outlet unit to detect the operating state of the load device and controls the regular power return to automatically cancel the standby power cutoff, and according to the control of the standby power cutoff unit and a power supply unit that cuts off power supply to the outlet unit and supplies power to the outlet unit under the control of the regular power return unit.

Description

Standby power reduction and real recovery smart outlet device {SMART SOCKET APPARATUS FOR DECREASING AND REAL RECOVERY STANDBY POWER}

The present invention relates to a smart outlet technology for reducing standby power, and more particularly, in a standby power blocking state, power is periodically supplied to a load device, and operation of the load device is sensed to automatically cut off standby power without user manipulation. It relates to a standby power reduction and real recovery smart outlet device that improves user convenience by releasing the

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a technology that connects various objects to the Internet by embedding sensors and communication functions, and refers to a technology that connects various objects through wireless communication. Under the influence of the Internet of Things technology, objects can autonomously send and receive data without user intervention as long as the Internet environment is provided. Autonomous communication between devices using the Internet has become more seamless.

As the Internet of Things (IoT) technology develops, the construction of a smart home is becoming a reality. A smart home is a private home that supports automation of home appliances using IoT technology, and can remotely monitor and control home appliances using wireless communication such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Meanwhile, an outlet device is a device installed by being embedded in a wall of a building, and refers to a device for supplying power by inserting a plug of a home appliance. Recently, in order to build a smart home, an IoT-based smart outlet device that can be remotely monitored and controlled by a user using IoT technology has been developed.

For example, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2109801 (May 6, 2020) relates to a smart outlet device capable of managing power consumption of outlets individually or by group through a smartphone using the Internet of Things, at least one A group identification code is assigned to each of the at least one socket through a socket, a memory having a security area, and a smartphone, and stored in the security area, and the amount of power consumption for each of the at least one socket is measured, and the consumption per group identification code is determined. A socket control module that generates power information and provides it to the smartphone, and a user interface module that displays power consumption information for each group identification code and receives a reset of the power consumption information for each group identification code according to a user's input .

Recently, a standby power blocking smart outlet technology has been developed that can reduce standby power loss by cutting off the power supply to an unplugged outlet or an outlet into which a non-operating electronic device is plugged.

For example, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2018-0109308 (2018.10.08) relates to a smart outlet that blocks standby power, a voice recognition unit that performs voice recognition, a main power supply unit that supplies power, and at least one After a voice is recognized by an outlet unit having an outlet and the voice recognition unit, power is supplied to each of the at least one outlet for a preset time, and an electronic product plugged in within the preset time is turned on. When it is determined that, a smart circuit unit for supplying power to only the corresponding outlet even after the predetermined time has elapsed is included.

However, conventional smart outlets with a standby power blocking function can be used only through a reset switch implemented in hardware or software or by resupplying power to use again in a standby power state, causing inconvenience to users. For example, with the power plug plugged into a smart outlet, if you watch the TV “ON” through the remote control and end the viewing with “OFF”, you can cut off standby power to reduce power consumption, but you can watch TV again. When you want to do this, you need to remove the power plug from the outlet and reinsert it, or initialize the outlet through the reset switch, which is inconvenient and cumbersome.

Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2109801 (2020.05.06) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0109308 (2018.10.08)

An embodiment of the present invention reduces standby power with improved user convenience by periodically supplying power to a load device in a standby power blocking state, detecting an operation of the load device, and automatically canceling the standby power blocking state without a user's separate manipulation. and a real restoring smart outlet device.

An embodiment of the present invention supplies power to a load device at regular intervals when a plug is inserted into a smart outlet in a standby power cut off state, thereby minimizing the loss of standby power, recognizing a power switch input for use of the load device, and eliminating unnecessary operation. It is intended to provide a standby power reduction and real recovery smart outlet device capable of automatically switching to a constant power supply state.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when the standby power state of the load device is detected, the standby power mode is entered and alternating current (AC) power is periodically supplied to the load device at regular time intervals to maintain the power stage of the load device in a charged state. It detects the operation of the load device and automatically enters the power-up mode when the operation of the load device is detected, so the user has to manually release the standby power blocking state with the reset button or smart outlet to use the load device again. It is intended to provide a standby power reduction and real recovery smart outlet device that eliminates the hassle.

Among the embodiments, the standby power reduction and real restoration smart outlet device detects the standby power state of the outlet unit and the load device connected to the outlet unit and controls standby power cutoff, and the outlet unit blocks standby power state, a regular power return unit that periodically supplies power to the outlet unit to detect the operating state of the load device and controls the return of the regular power to automatically release the standby power cutoff; and the standby power cutoff unit controls the and a power supply unit that cuts off power supply to the outlet unit and supplies power to the outlet unit under the control of the regular power return unit.

The standby power cut-off unit senses the current flowing in the outlet unit, measures the amount of power consumed by the load device, recognizes the standby power state by comparing the measured amount of power consumption of the load device with a standby power threshold, and recognizes the outlet portion in the standby power state. It can be controlled to reduce standby power by cutting off the power supply.

The standby power cut-off unit calculates an average of current values flowing over a specific period of time through the following equation in the outlet unit, and obtains the average of the calculated current values as the amount of power consumed by the load device.

[mathematical expression]

Here, P _AV is the average current value, Xi is the measured current value, n is the number of measurements, and T corresponds to a specific time.

The constant power return unit periodically supplies power to the outlet unit to maintain a charged state for a predetermined time, measures a discharge current, compares the measured discharge current value with a preset value, recognizes the operating state of the load device, and recognizes the operating state of the load device. By supplying power to the outlet unit in the operating state of the load device, the standby power cutoff state may be automatically released and control may be performed to return to the regular power state.

The constant power return unit supplies alternating current (AC) power at regular intervals to charge the power terminal of the load device connected to the outlet unit, measures the current of the load device, and when the measured current value exceeds the preset value It can be recognized as an operating state of the load device.

The disclosed technology may have the following effects. However, it does not mean that a specific embodiment must include all of the following effects or only the following effects, so it should not be understood that the scope of rights of the disclosed technology is limited thereby.

The standby power reduction and real restoration smart outlet device according to an embodiment of the present invention periodically supplies power to a load device in a standby power cut off state, detects the operation of the load device, and automatically cuts off standby power without user manipulation. can be released to improve user convenience.

The standby power reduction and real restoration smart outlet device according to an embodiment of the present invention supplies power to the load device at regular intervals when a plug is inserted into the smart outlet in a standby power cut off state, thereby minimizing the loss of standby power while using the load device. Recognizes the power switch input for , and can automatically switch to the constant power supply state without unnecessary operation.

The standby power reduction and real recovery smart outlet device according to an embodiment of the present invention blocks power when the standby power state of a load device is detected to prevent consumption of standby power, and when power is cut off, AC power is supplied to the load It is supplied to the device to detect the operation of the load device, and when the operation of the load device is detected, power is automatically supplied, so the user has to manually release the standby power blocking state of the smart outlet, which is inconvenient and cumbersome to use the load device again. can alleviate boredom.

1 is a diagram illustrating a standby power reduction and real recovery smart outlet system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the standby power reduction and real recovery smart outlet device in FIG. 1 .
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a standby power cutoff mode of the standby power reduction and real recovery smart outlet device in FIG. 2 .
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an automatic release mode for blocking standby power of the standby power reduction and real restoration smart outlet device shown in FIG. 2 .

Since the description of the present invention is only an embodiment for structural or functional description, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the embodiments described in the text. That is, since the embodiment can be changed in various ways and can have various forms, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention includes equivalents capable of realizing the technical idea. In addition, since the object or effect presented in the present invention does not mean that a specific embodiment should include all of them or only such effects, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto.

Meanwhile, the meaning of terms described in this application should be understood as follows.

Terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish one component from another, and the scope of rights should not be limited by these terms. For example, a first element may be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a first element.

It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, it may be directly connected to the other element, but other elements may exist in the middle. On the other hand, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" to another element, it should be understood that no intervening elements exist. Meanwhile, other expressions describing the relationship between components, such as “between” and “immediately between” or “adjacent to” and “directly adjacent to” should be interpreted similarly.

Expressions in the singular number should be understood to include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, and terms such as “comprise” or “having” refer to an embodied feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or these. It should be understood that it is intended to indicate that a combination exists, and does not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

In each step, the identification code (eg, a, b, c, etc.) is used for convenience of explanation, and the identification code does not describe the order of each step, and each step clearly follows a specific order in context. Unless otherwise specified, it may occur in a different order than specified. That is, each step may occur in the same order as specified, may be performed substantially simultaneously, or may be performed in the reverse order.

The present invention can be implemented as computer readable code on a computer readable recording medium, and the computer readable recording medium includes all types of recording devices storing data that can be read by a computer system. . Examples of computer-readable recording media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, and optical data storage devices. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may be distributed to computer systems connected through a network, so that computer-readable codes may be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

All terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs, unless defined otherwise. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as consistent with meanings in the context of the related art, and cannot be interpreted as having ideal or excessively formal meanings unless explicitly defined in the present application.

1 is a diagram illustrating a standby power reduction and real recovery smart outlet system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the standby power reduction and real recovery smart outlet system 100 includes a load device 110, a smart outlet device 130, a smart home server 150, and a user terminal 170.

The smart outlet device 130 includes a plurality of smart outlets, and the load device 110 may be connected to the smart outlet. Here, the load device 110 may include general electronic products such as TVs, air conditioners, electric fans, vacuum cleaners, and lighting fixtures. The load device 110 is not limited to a specific product, and may target all devices that are plugged into an outlet and supplied with power to operate. A smart outlet is an adapter used by inserting a plug to receive electricity. Generally, Type-C and F-type Shuko outlets are used in Korea and the European Union.

The smart outlet device 130 detects the standby power state of the load device 110 plugged into the smart outlet, and cuts off the power when the load device 110 is not in use to save standby power so that standby power is not consumed. Standby power can be reduced by shutting off. The smart outlet device 130 may sense when the load device 110 is used again in a standby power cut off state and automatically release the standby power cut off to supply power.

The smart outlet device 130 can measure power consumption, connect to the smart home server 150 through a network, and manage power consumption of each smart outlet remotely from the outside through the user terminal 170. The smart outlet device 130 is connected to the user terminal 170 through various wireless networks such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to exchange data, in particular, IoT (Internet of Things) and IoST ( It can be connected to the user terminal 170 through a LoRa (Long Range) network suitable for Internet of Small Things (Internet of Small Things) device operation. Briefly about the LoRa network, LoRa is an abbreviation of Long-Range and corresponds to a low-power long-distance communication network capable of long-distance communication with relatively low power compared to existing smartphone communication networks such as 3G or LTE. ADR (Adaptive Data Rates) of the LoRa network operates in the transmission rate range of 0.3 Kbps to 50 Kbps according to the protocol, and is managed by the network server through a specific algorithm applied to each individual device.

While wireless communication such as Zigbee, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi generally operates in a short distance, the coverage of a LoRa network reaches up to 18 Km depending on the region. In addition, since LoRa operates in a narrow bandwidth and unlicensed frequency band (US 915 MHz, Europe 868 MHz), it can be less affected by interference compared to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

The smart home server 150 is a server that supports the standby power reduction and real restoration smart outlet system 100, and is connected to a smart outlet through the standby power reduction and real restoration smart outlet device 130 to manage power consumption. A variety of information can be stored.

For example, the smart home server 150 may store power consumption of each of a plurality of smart outlets and predict power consumption tomorrow, next month, or next year through machine learning based on the accumulated power consumption information.

The user terminal 170 may receive information related to power consumption and standby power amount from the standby power reduction and real restoration smart outlet device 130 and display the information through various interfaces, remotely reducing standby power and real restoration smart outlet It may correspond to a computing device providing an interface capable of controlling the device 130 . Here, the user terminal 170 may correspond to a laptop or computer as well as a mobile phone, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may correspond to various devices such as a tablet PC.

The user terminal 170 may be simultaneously connected to the standby power reduction and real restoration smart outlet device 130, and a plurality of standby power reduction and real restoration smart outlet devices 130 may be connected to the user terminal 170 at the same time, A plurality of user terminals 170 may be capable of various network configurations such as being simultaneously connected to a plurality of standby power reduction and real restoration smart outlet devices 130 .

In addition, the user terminal 170 is pre-registered in the memory having the security area of the standby power reduction and real restoration smart outlet device 130, and can be secured through authentication and access control using an ID and password (ID / PW) method have.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the standby power reduction and real recovery smart outlet device in FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIG. 2, the standby power reduction and real recovery smart outlet device 130 includes an outlet unit 210, a standby power cutoff unit 230, a regular power return unit 250, a power supply unit 270, and a control unit 290 ).

The outlet unit 210 may detect connection of a power plug drawn from the load device 110 . The outlet unit 210 is configured such that a plug can be plugged in and the state of plug insertion and removal can be sensed. In one embodiment, the outlet unit 210 may include an inlet for plug connection and a switch whose switching state is changed depending on whether or not the plug is connected to detect plug connection, but is not limited thereto. Here, the outlet unit 210 is electrically connected to the load device 110 in a plug-inserted state so that power can be supplied to the load device 110. When a user turns on the power switch of the load device 110, power is supplied to the load device 110 so that the load device 110 can operate normally. In using the load device 110 as described above, when the user turns off the power switch of the load device 110, the load device 110 is converted to a standby power use state.

The standby power cutoff unit 230 may block the supply of standby power to the load device 110 by determining the standby power state of the load device 110 . In one embodiment, the standby power blocking unit 230 measures the power consumption value of the load device 110 when the insertion of the power plug is detected in the outlet unit 210, and compares the measured power consumption value with the standby power threshold value. The standby power state of the load device 110 may be determined. The load device 110 in which the power plug is inserted into the outlet unit 210 consumes a certain amount of electricity in a state in which the power is turned off, which is referred to as standby power. The standby power cutoff unit 230 can determine the standby power state by measuring the amount of electricity consumed by the load device 110, and the outlet unit into which the load device 110 is plugged without removing the plug of the load device 110 ( Standby power of the load device 110 may be cut off by cutting off the power of 210 .

The standby power cutoff unit 230 may detect a current applied to the load device 110 through a current sensor to check the current amount of power of the load device 110 . The standby power cutoff unit 230 may obtain an average of current values sensed for a predetermined time by the current sensor and generate the current average value as the constant power value of the load device 110 . For example, the standby power blocking unit 230 may generate a constant power value through an average of current values flowing for 5 minutes or more.

In one embodiment, the standby power blocking unit 230 may cut off standby power by entering a standby power mode when power is consumed below a certain level through power measurement. Here, the standby power cutoff unit 230 recognizes as standby power when the constant power value goes below a preset standby power threshold, and operates the outlet unit 210 in a standby power cutoff mode to power the load device 110. make it blocked. Here, the standby power threshold may be set to 30% or less of regular power.

When the outlet unit 210 is in a standby power cutoff state and the plug is inserted, the regular power return unit 250 periodically supplies power to the outlet to check whether the load device 110 is operating and activates the power of the corresponding outlet. It can automatically return to the constant power outlet. In one embodiment, the regular power return unit 250 applies alternating current (AC) power, which is commercial power, to the power terminal of the load device 110 connected to the outlet at regular intervals in a standby power cut off state. At this time, the capacitor is DC-charged by the power applied at regular intervals to the power terminal of the load device 110 and the charged DC power is discharged. The constant power return unit 250 applies alternating current (AC) power, which is commercial power, to the power terminal of the load device 110 for a first time in a specific period to charge the load power terminal, and to charge the AC power terminal for a second time period. The power terminal of the load device 110 may be in a discharged state by blocking application of the load power terminal of the load device 110 to maintain a charged state of power in the load power terminal for a predetermined time. Accordingly, the power within the load device 110 is discharged, and the direct current (DC) power discharge at this time can be the minimum power for detecting the normal operation of the load device 110 when the standby power is cut off.

In the regular power return unit 250, when the user turns on the power switch to use the load device 110 in a standby power cutoff state, an instantaneous discharge current flows in the power line, and at this time, through a current sensor A large current value exceeding the set value is detected. Therefore, when the detected current value exceeds the set value, the regular power return unit 250 automatically returns to the regular power outlet by determining the operating state of the load device 110 and canceling the standby power cut-off mode of the outlet unit 210. Let it be. For example, when the user operates the remote control, the regular power return unit 250 enters a power-up mode and supplies power like regular power.

The power supply unit 270 may supply and cut off power to the outlet unit 210 according to the standby power cut-off mode and the regular power return mode. In one embodiment, the power supply unit 270 is set to a standby power cutoff mode when a standby power cutoff signal is applied from the standby power cutoff unit 230 to cut off power supply to the outlet unit 210 to automatically cut off standby power. have. Here, the power supply unit 270 is set to the regular power return mode when a regular power return signal is applied from the regular power return unit 250, and supplies power to the outlet unit 210 to automatically release the standby power blocking state. have.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a process of blocking standby power to an outlet of the smart outlet device for reducing standby power and restoring real power in FIG. 2 .

In FIG. 3 , the standby power reduction and real restoration smart outlet device 130 detects plug insertion and removal states in the outlet through the outlet unit 210 (step S310). When the load device 110 connected to the electrical plug is normally operated and enters a standby power state, the outlet unit 210 detects the state of insertion and removal of the plug into the corresponding outlet. In one embodiment, the outlet unit 210 may detect insertion and removal of the plug through a change in the state of the switch depending on whether or not the plug inserted into the inlet is connected.

Standby power reduction and real restoration The smart outlet device 130 measures the load power value through the standby power cutoff unit 230 when the standby power state and the plug is inserted into the outlet (step S320). The standby power cutoff unit 230 may measure the current load power by detecting the current flowing at the inlet end of the outlet through the current sensor. In one embodiment, the standby power cutoff unit 230 may measure the current load power amount by obtaining an average of the current values flowing at the inlet end of the outlet for a specific period of time or longer, and at this time, the average current value may be obtained according to the following equation .

[mathematical expression]

Here, P _AV means the current load power amount as an average of current values, Xi is the measured current value, n is the number of measurements, and T corresponds to a specific time.

The standby power reduction and real recovery smart outlet device 130 compares and analyzes the amount of load power measured through the standby power cutoff unit 230 and the set standby power threshold (step S330). The standby power blocking unit 230 recognizes a standby power state by comparing the measured load power amount and the standby power threshold. For example, when the amount of power consumed by the load device is greater than or equal to the standby power threshold value, the load device is recognized as a constant power state in normal use, and when the amount of power consumed by the load device is less than or equal to the standby power threshold value, it is recognized as a standby power state.

Standby power reduction and real recovery When the smart outlet device 130 is recognized as a standby power state, the power supplied to the corresponding outlet of the outlet unit 210 through the power supply unit 270 is cut off (step S340). Accordingly, energy consumption may be reduced by blocking standby power supplied to the unused load device 110 .

4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of restoring constant power to an outlet of the standby power reduction and real restoration smart outlet device in FIG. 2 .

In FIG. 4 , the standby power reduction and real restoration smart outlet device 130 detects a plug insertion state into a standby power blocking outlet through the outlet unit 210 (step S410).

Standby power reduction and real recovery smart outlet device 130 periodically supplies power to the corresponding outlet through the constant power return unit 250 when the plug is inserted into the standby power blocking outlet (step S420). The constant power return unit 250 supplies alternating current (AC) power to the power terminal of the load device 110 at regular time intervals to charge the capacitor of the load power terminal and periodically maintain the charged state for a predetermined period of time. have. For example, 110V or 220V commercial power, AC power, is applied to the outlet at specific intervals to maintain the power terminal of the load device 110 plugged into the corresponding outlet in a charged state.

The standby power reduction and real recovery smart outlet device 130 recognizes the operating state of the load device 110 by detecting the current flowing through the smart outlet through the regular power return unit 250 (step S430). In the standby power cut off state, when the user turns on the power switch to use the load device 110, an instantaneous discharge current flows due to the DC power charged in the condenser of the load power terminal. At this time, the current It is possible to recognize whether the load device 110 is operating through value measurement. The constant power return unit 250 compares and analyzes the measured discharge current value with a preset value, and recognizes the operating state of the load device 110 when the measured discharge current value exceeds the preset value.

When the standby power reduction and real recovery smart outlet device 130 is recognized as a load device operating state, power is supplied to the corresponding outlet of the outlet unit 210 through the power supply unit 270 (step S440). Accordingly, when normal power is supplied according to the reuse of the load device 110 after the standby power cutoff operation, there is no need to unplug and replug the plug or initialize it by operating a separate reset switch, automatically canceling the standby power cutoff and returning to the normal power state. This can give you convenience of use.

Although the above has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present application, those skilled in the art will variously modify the present invention within the scope not departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention described in the claims below. And it will be understood that it can be changed.

100: Standby power reduction and real recovery smart outlet system
110: load device
130: Smart outlet device for reducing standby power and restoring real
150: smart home server
170: user terminal
210: outlet part
230: standby power blocking unit
250: regular power return unit
270: power supply
290: control unit

Claims (5)

outlet part;
a standby power blocking unit that detects a standby power state of a load device connected to the outlet unit and controls standby power blocking;
a regular power return unit that periodically supplies power to the outlet unit when the outlet unit is in a standby power cutoff state, detects an operating state of the load device, and controls regular power return to automatically release standby power cutoff; and
A power supply unit for shutting off the supply of power to the outlet unit under the control of the standby power cutoff unit and supplying power to the outlet unit under the control of the regular power return unit;
The standby power blocker
The amount of power consumed by the load device is measured by obtaining an average of current values flowing at the inlet end of the outlet unit for a specific period of time, and the measured amount of power consumed by the load device is compared with a standby power threshold set to 30% or less of the regular power to measure the load device. When the amount of power consumed is less than the standby power threshold, it is recognized as a standby power state and controlled to reduce standby power by cutting off the power supply to the outlet in the standby power state. At this time, the specific time is 5 minutes, and the following equation Obtaining the average of the current values through
[mathematical expression]

(Here, P _AV is the average current value, Xi is the measured current value, n is the number of measurements, and T corresponds to a specific time.)
The constant power return unit
AC power, which is commercial power, is applied to the power terminal of the load device connected to the outlet unit for a first time in a specific period to charge the load power terminal, and AC power for a second time The power terminal of the load device is in a discharge state by blocking the application of the load power terminal of the load device to maintain the capacitor of the power terminal of the load device in a DC charging state for a certain period of time, and in the standby power cutoff state, the user The discharge current measured by measuring the discharge current flowing in the power line by the direct current (DC) power charged in the outlet of the power terminal of the load device at the moment when the power switch including the operation of the remote control of the load device is “ON” value and the preset value are compared, and if the discharge current value measured as a result of the comparison exceeds the preset value, it is recognized as the operating state of the load device, and power is supplied to the outlet unit in the load device operating state to block standby power. Standby power reduction and real restoration smart outlet device, characterized in that for automatically releasing and controlling to return to the regular power state.
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