WO2008101720A1 - Réglette de prises électriques - Google Patents

Réglette de prises électriques Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008101720A1
WO2008101720A1 PCT/EP2008/001432 EP2008001432W WO2008101720A1 WO 2008101720 A1 WO2008101720 A1 WO 2008101720A1 EP 2008001432 W EP2008001432 W EP 2008001432W WO 2008101720 A1 WO2008101720 A1 WO 2008101720A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
socket
electrical
assembly according
socket assembly
signal
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2008/001432
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Tony Mooney
Original Assignee
Theoneswitch Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Theoneswitch Ltd filed Critical Theoneswitch Ltd
Priority to GB0914342A priority Critical patent/GB2459597A/en
Publication of WO2008101720A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008101720A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/70—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
    • H01R25/003—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/665—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R27/00—Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
    • H01R27/02—Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts

Definitions

  • the present invention is concerned with an electrical socket assembly, and in particular an assembly which i$ adapted to electrically isolate devices connected thereto, in order to reduce standby power consumption.
  • the present invention therefore provides an electrical socket assembly comprising a first socket and a second socket; control circuitry adapted to sense a signal at the second socket; and means for reversibly electrically isolating the first socket, wherein the isolating means is operable by the control circuitry on sensing of the signal.
  • control circuitry is adapted to sense a signal in the form of a voltage change.
  • the second socket is configured for connection with, and receipt of the signal from, a signal carrier.
  • the second socket is configured for connection with a plug having multiple pins defining a plurality of data carrying channels, the control circuitry being adapted to sense, as the signal, a change in voltage on one of the pins.
  • the second socket is configured for connection with, and receipt of the signal from, an A/V cable
  • the assembly comprises a plurality of the first sockets, the isolating means being operable to electrically isolate at least one of the first sockets.
  • the isolating means comprises a switch.
  • the second socket is configured for connection with a SCART, HDMI or USB Plug-
  • the assembly comprises a third socket in electrical communication with the second socket such as to allow the electrical socket assembly to be electrically connected, in parallel, to a signal carrier connecting a pair of electrical devices.
  • the third socket is configured for connection with a SCART, HDMI or USB Plug-
  • At least one of the first sockets is not electrically isolatable by the isolating means.
  • the assembly comprises a main housing within which at least the second socket is located; and means for the electrical connection of the or each first socket with an external electrical supply.
  • the assembly comprises at least one auxiliary housing within which at least one of the first sockets and the isolating means is located; and means for communicating from the main housing to the auxiliary housing in order to actuate the isolating means.
  • the communication means utilises wireless communication.
  • A/V is intended to mean audio visual, in particular in connection with cabling for signal communication between devices such as televisions, dvd players, surround sound systems and the like, such A/V cabling being in the form of, for example, a SCART or HDMI lead, or any other functional equivalent.
  • signal carrier is intended to mean a line of electronic communication, such as cable, between electrical devices such as televisions, dvd players, computers or the like which enable communication and the transmission of information between the devices.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an electrical socket assembly according to the invention
  • Figure 2 illustrates an electrical circuit of one a number of possible electronic configurations for the internal workings of the assembly illustrated in figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 illustrates the assembly of Figure 1 accompanied by an auxiliary socket assembly which is wirelessly controlled by the electrical socket assembly.
  • an electrical socket assembly which functions much like a conventional multi-gang adapter or socket set into which numerous electrical or electronic devices can be plugged for mains supply, but which unlike conventional adapters is operable to completely cut the supply of electricity to one or more of these devices when not in use in order to prevent the devices from being left in stand-by mode, during which time power is normally unnecessarily consumed.
  • the assembly 10 comprises a main housing 12 which will preferably be moulded from plastic or the like, which housing 12 defines a plurality of first or plug sockets 14.
  • Each of the sockets 14 is of the "3 -prong" standard, although it will be appreciated that any other configuration may be employed to accommodate plugs of a different configuration. It will also be appreciated that the number of the sockets 14 may be varied as required or desired.
  • the assembly 10 further comprises a cable 16 and conventional plug 18, in order to allow the assembly 10 to be plugged, and therefore electrically connected, into a mains supply.
  • the assembly 10 could be provided as a conventional wall mounted socket arrangement to be directly wired into the mains, having for example a back box containing all of the components hereinafter described, and a mains terminal in order to allow connection of a mains supply. A front face to be secured to the back box would then define each of the sockets 14.
  • the assembly 10 further comprises a second socket 20 formed in the housing 12, and configured for connection with a signal carrier such as a cable, in particular an AJV type cable whose plug the second socket 20 is adapted to receive.
  • a signal carrier such as a cable, in particular an AJV type cable whose plug the second socket 20 is adapted to receive.
  • the second socket 20 is adapted to receive a conventional SCART plug.
  • the assembly 10 may further comprises a third socket 22, preferably adjacent to the second socket 20, the third socket 22 also being adapted, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, to receive a SCART plug (not shown).
  • the first and second sockets 20, 22 could be adapted to receive any other plug or the like, for example a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) plug or a universal serial bus (USB) plug.
  • the sockets 20, 22 may be configured for connection with any other multi-pin data carrying type plug. Indeed in the embodiment illustrated an alternative second socket 20' is provided, which is adapted to receive a USB plug therein, thereby allowing the assembly 10 to be operated with electrical devices which have a USB port, for example a PC/laptop or the like.
  • the assembly 10 is initially plugged into a mains supply via the plug 18, or as described above may be hard wired into the mains, for example when the assembly is provided in the form of a wall mounted socket set.
  • This supplies, in conventional fashion, electricity to each of the first sockets 14.
  • a number of electronic devices such as a television, dvd player, satellite receiver, etc, may then be plugged into the assembly 10 via each of the first sockets 14. In this way all of the electrical devices are being powered via a single source of mains power.
  • One of these electronic devices is chosen to be main or control device as described hereinafter in detail.
  • the control device preferably includes a spare SCART or other data or A/V output, although this is not essential, as will become apparent from the following description of the operation of the assembly 10.
  • a SCART lead is connected from the control device to the second socket 20.
  • a SCART lead can be connected from the single SCART output of the control device, to the second socket 20 and a second SCART lead then connected from the third socket 22 back to the television or other electronic device to which the control device is normally SCART connected.
  • This therefore allows the socket assembly 10 to be connected, in parallel, to the cable connection between the control device and a device connected thereto, for example a television.
  • the assembly 10 can therefore detect and use a signal sent between these devices in order to effect operation of the assembly 10.
  • the pair of SCART sockets 20, 22 are arranged to pass A/V signals unchanged, which allows "daisy chaining" through the socket assembly 10. It will also be appreciated that the control device, if provided with a USB port, could be connected via a USB cable, to the alternative second socket 20'. Similarly the assembly 10 may be configured such that the second and third sockets 20, 22 are adapted to receive a HDMI plug therein.
  • the control device In order for the assembly 10 to function it is necessary for the control device to be permanently connected to the mains supply.
  • the control device in this case the satellite box, is plugged directly into the mains, or if only a single mains socket is available at a particular location and occupied by the plug 18, into one of the first sockets 14 which is designated on the assembly 10 as a permanently live socket.
  • the assembly 10 may be manufactured with or without such a permanently live socket. However, if manufactured without a permanently live socket, it will always be necessary to have a separate mains connection for the control device.
  • first sockets 14 are each adapted to be switched between a live state and an electrically isolated state.
  • live state the first sockets 14 are electrically connected to the mains supply, once the assembly 10 is plugged in via the plug 18, or hard wired to the mains.
  • This switching or toggling between the live and isolated states is implemented by control circuitry within the assembly 10, as described below, and in response to the signal change which occurs in the SCART/HDMI/USB or other output of the above mentioned electronic devices such as satellite boxes, dvd players, etc when switched off or into standby mode.
  • the control device in this case the satellite box
  • a corresponding signal is outputted via the SCART/HDMI/USB output, which is thus received at the assembly 10 via the second socket 20.
  • This signal is used to switch the condition of each of the first sockets 14 from live to electrically isolated and back again when the control device is switched back from standby mode to full power.
  • any additional electronic devices plugged into the assembly 10 will be immediately switched fully off and when the control device is switched out of standby the additional devices will be reconnected to the mains supply.
  • control circuitry which is one of numerous possible electronic solutions for the internal workings of the assembly 10.
  • Isolating means in the form of a switch 24 is provided internally of the assembly 10 which is operable to isolate a mains supply 26 from the first sockets 14, as described in detail below.
  • the mains 26 is supplied by the plug 18 illustrated in figure 1 , although as described above the assembly 10, when in the form of a wall mounted socket assembly, would be hard wired to the mains 26.
  • the mains supply from the plug 18 is split in two in order to provide a secondary mains supply 28. This is passed through a step-down transformer 30, and onto a bridge rectifier 32 in order to convert the mains A/C into D/C. This D/C is applied across a solenoid 34 when a signal from the second socket 20 is received, as described below.
  • the output from two of the pins (not shown) of the SCART lead/plug are electrically connected, via the second socket 20, into the control circuitry illustrated.
  • the first pin (not shown) is electrically connected at a first input 38 which is connected to common earth.
  • the second pin (not shown) is electrically connected at a second input 40 which is connected with the non-inverting terminal of an operational amplifier (op-amp) 42.
  • the reference voltage of the op-amp 42 may be controlled/set by a variable resistor 44.
  • the non-inverting voltage is now higher than the reference voltage at the inverting terminal of the op-amp 42. This causes the output of the op-amp to go 'high', which in turn allows the threshold voltage of the transistor 36 to be met. This allows current to flow between the collector and emitter of the transistor 36 which in turn energizes the solenoid 34. This then causes the switch 24 contacts to energize the mains circuit 26.
  • the switched sockets 14 will now be energized. When the designated control box is placed back into standby the voltage at the second input 40 goes 'low' as a result of the change in voltage of the SCART pins.
  • the inverting voltage which is controlled by the variable resistor 44, is now higher than the non-inverting voltage.
  • the signal detected by the control circuitry, and therefore used to operate the assembly 10 is in the form of a voltage change which occurs at one or more pins of a SCART/HDMI or other output of a device, in this case the control device, when that device is switched into standby.
  • a SCART output the voltage at one of the pins changes from 6V to IV when the associated electrical device is switched into standby.
  • the control device is taken out of standby the voltage at said pin will revert from IV to 6V, and again this voltage change is used as the signal to toggle the switch 24 back to the live position in which each of the first sockets 14 are electrically connected to the mains supply 26 or, more particularly, to the plug 18.
  • the assembly 10 may be arranged with the housing 12 forming a main housing 12 comprising at least the second socket 20 and associated control circuitry for detecting the above described voltage based signal at the second socket 20.
  • the main housing 12 also has a number of the first sockets 14, although it will be appreciated that these could be omitted.
  • the assembly 10 further comprises an auxiliary housing 50 which is completely separate from the main housing 12, and as described above with reference to the housing 12, could be provided with a plug to allow mains connection, or may be in the form of a wall mounted socket set to be hard wired to the mains.
  • the auxiliary housing 50 comprises at least one, and preferably a plurality of the first sockets 14 therein.
  • the auxiliary housing 50 also contains the isolating means or switch (not shown) operable to isolate the first sockets 14 from the mains. However, as the voltage based signal responsible for effecting toggling of the switch is detected at the main housing 12, the assembly 10 is also provided with means for communicating from the main housing 12 to the isolating means in the auxiliary housing 50.
  • the communication means is preferably in the form of a wireless transmitter/receiver arrangement (not shown), for example using BluetoothTM or similar radio frequency based communication. This type of wireless communication is well known, and no further technical description is deemed necessary. It will however be appreciated that the auxiliary housing 50 could be hard wired to the main housing 12, although such an arrangement is less preferred.
  • the control device such as a satellite receiver or the like is connected to the second socket 20, and a number of additional electrical devices such as a dvd player and surround sound system are plugged into the auxiliary housing 50 via a respective plug P as shown.
  • the control circuitry within the main housing 12 will detect the voltage change at the second socket 20, and will activate the communication means in order to send a suitable, and preferably wireless, signal to the isolating means in the auxiliary housing 50.
  • This signal is detected and the isolating means is toggled in order to electrically isolate each of the first sockets 14 of the auxiliary housing 50, thereby powering off each of the electrical devices plugged into the auxiliary housing 50.
  • the communication means sends another signal to the isolating means, which toggles back into the live position.
  • auxiliary housing 50 As the auxiliary housing 50 is separate from the main housing 12 it may be placed in a different location, and therefore be used to power off electrical devices in remote locations.
  • the auxiliary housing 50 could be located in a different room of a house, and on a different floor of the house or other building.
  • more than one auxiliary housing 50 could be used in combination with the single main housing 12, in order to enable a large number of remote electrical devices to be switched on/off.
  • Wireless communication between the main and auxiliary housings 12, 40 can occur, providing they operate on the same channel/frequency within any given space.
  • a channel selector switch (not shown) may be used in order to provide a number of frequencies/codes to allow independent control of the auxiliary housings 40 in different given spaces without interfering with each other.
  • the assembly 10, including the main housing 12 and auxiliary housing 50 could be incorporated during the building of a house or the like, for example during the first or second fix stages, allowing a whole range of electrical devices to be controlled.
  • the socket assembly 10 when configured as a wall mounted socket assembly, could be fitted instead.
  • One or more of the main housings 12 could be fitted to act as the control or master, and any number of the auxiliary housing 50 could be fitted around the building, to be controlled by one or more of the main housings 12.
  • the main and auxiliary housings 12, 40 could, as described above, communicate wirelessly in order to power on/off the devices plugged into same, although as they are being installed during the construction of the building, as opposed to being retro-fitted, it is of course envisaged that the housings 12, 40 could be hard wired to one another. Such an arrangement will then ensure that once a master or control device such as a satellite box or home computer is switched into standby, all other devices which are connected to the assembly 10 can if desired be powered down, thereby resulting in a significant power saving.
  • a master or control device such as a satellite box or home computer
  • the socket assembly 10 of the present invention therefore provides a simple yet highly effective means of simultaneously powering off/on a large number of electrical devices via a single control or master device, thereby ensuring that once this single device has been turned off, all other electrical devices connected into the assembly 10 will be powered down in order to essentially eliminate the use of standby power.
  • This arrangement thus saves a user of the socket assembly 10 significant time and effort, as once one device is switch off, all devices are simultaneously switched off.
  • the user for example before leaving home or going to bed for the night does not have to go from room to room ensuring that all electrical devices are unplugged. If it is nevertheless desired to leave some electrical appliances mains connected, the auxiliary housing 50 to which they are connected may be set to a different communication channel.

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  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur une réglette de prises électriques qui permet à un certain nombre de dispositifs électriques d'être la raccordés au réseau, et qui permet d'isoler électriquement ces dispositifs lorsqu'un dispositif de commande, par exemple un récepteur satellite ou analogue, est commuté en mode veille, suite à la détection d'un signal produit par le dispositif de commande en réponse à la commutation en mode veille, et utilisant ce signal pour isoler électriquement une ou plusieurs des prises de la réglette.
PCT/EP2008/001432 2007-02-23 2008-02-22 Réglette de prises électriques WO2008101720A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0914342A GB2459597A (en) 2007-02-23 2008-02-22 An electrical socket assembly

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0703515.7 2007-02-23
GBGB0703515.7A GB0703515D0 (en) 2007-02-23 2007-02-23 An electrical socket assembly

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008101720A1 true WO2008101720A1 (fr) 2008-08-28

Family

ID=37945597

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2008/001432 WO2008101720A1 (fr) 2007-02-23 2008-02-22 Réglette de prises électriques

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (2) GB0703515D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2008101720A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106024448A (zh) * 2016-07-11 2016-10-12 龙胜电器有限公司 一种联体开关
EP3180822A1 (fr) * 2014-08-14 2017-06-21 LOGICDATA Electronic & Software Entwicklungs GmbH Prise électrique multiple et système de table à positionnement électrique

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020106910A1 (en) * 2001-02-05 2002-08-08 Yi-Ho Chin Controllable power-economizing extension sockets
WO2004019474A1 (fr) * 2002-08-15 2004-03-04 Leoni Kabel Gmbh & Co Kg Fiche de connexion au secteur
EP1562267A1 (fr) * 2004-02-06 2005-08-10 Centritech Limited Une barre d'alimentation électrique
DE202006016089U1 (de) * 2006-10-20 2007-02-22 Omega Technology Of Taiwan Inc., Tu-Cheng Steckdosensteuerungsvorrichtung mit USB-Steuerung(en)

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020106910A1 (en) * 2001-02-05 2002-08-08 Yi-Ho Chin Controllable power-economizing extension sockets
WO2004019474A1 (fr) * 2002-08-15 2004-03-04 Leoni Kabel Gmbh & Co Kg Fiche de connexion au secteur
EP1562267A1 (fr) * 2004-02-06 2005-08-10 Centritech Limited Une barre d'alimentation électrique
DE202006016089U1 (de) * 2006-10-20 2007-02-22 Omega Technology Of Taiwan Inc., Tu-Cheng Steckdosensteuerungsvorrichtung mit USB-Steuerung(en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3180822A1 (fr) * 2014-08-14 2017-06-21 LOGICDATA Electronic & Software Entwicklungs GmbH Prise électrique multiple et système de table à positionnement électrique
EP3180822B1 (fr) * 2014-08-14 2021-10-06 LOGICDATA Electronic & Software Entwicklungs GmbH Système de table à positionnement électrique
CN106024448A (zh) * 2016-07-11 2016-10-12 龙胜电器有限公司 一种联体开关

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0914342D0 (en) 2009-09-30
GB0703515D0 (en) 2007-04-04
GB2459597A (en) 2009-11-04

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