WO2009067737A1 - A device and method for reducing standby power consumption - Google Patents

A device and method for reducing standby power consumption Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009067737A1
WO2009067737A1 PCT/AU2008/001743 AU2008001743W WO2009067737A1 WO 2009067737 A1 WO2009067737 A1 WO 2009067737A1 AU 2008001743 W AU2008001743 W AU 2008001743W WO 2009067737 A1 WO2009067737 A1 WO 2009067737A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
power
mains power
mains
output
control
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2008/001743
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael Williams
Lisa Marie
Original Assignee
Michael Williams
Lisa Marie
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
Priority claimed from AU2007906468A external-priority patent/AU2007906468A0/en
Application filed by Michael Williams, Lisa Marie filed Critical Michael Williams
Publication of WO2009067737A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009067737A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/26—Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
    • G06F1/266—Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/26—Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
    • G06F1/32—Means for saving power
    • G06F1/3203—Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device and method for reducing standby power consumption and has particular application to electrical appliances such as home entertainment appliances when used in home automation systems.
  • the present invention provides a device for controlling the supply of mains power, the device including: a mains power input for connection to a mains power supply; a mains power output; a control interface for receiving control signals; and switching means for selectively allowing mains power to pass from the input to the output based on the control signals.
  • the control interface may be arranged to be hard wired to a control system.
  • the control interface may include an RS232 interface.
  • the switching means may include a relay.
  • the power to operate the relay may be derived from the control interface.
  • the device may be arranged to provide an output indicative of the state of the switching means. This enables two way communication between the device and a control system.
  • the device may be further arranged to periodically operate the switching means to allow mains power to pass from the input to the output. This ensures that devices which store internal preset information in memory do not lose these settings due to being isolated from mains power for an extended period of time.
  • the present invention provides a power socket including a device according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the present invention provides a powerboard including a device according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the present invention provides an electrical installation including a device according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the present invention provides a method of controlling the availability of power to an electrical appliance including the steps of: providing a device according to the first aspect of the invention; connecting the mains power input of the device to a mains power supply; deriving power for the electrical appliance from the mains power output of the device; and controlling the device to control the availability of mains power to the appliance.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a device for controlling the supply of mains power according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic view of a power socket including the device for controlling the supply of mains power according to figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 shows several of the power sockets of the type shown in figure 2 in use with an automation control system
  • Figure 4 is a schematic view of a power board including a device for controlling power according to figure 1 ;
  • Figure 5 is a schematic view of an electrical installation including a device for controlling power according to figure 1.
  • a device 10 for controlling the supply of mains power including a mains power input 12 for connection to a mains power supply and a mains power output 14.
  • Device 10 includes a control input for receiving control signals in the form of RS232 interface connection 16.
  • Switching means for selectively allowing mains power to pass from the input 12 to the output 14 is provided in the form of dual pole relay 18 which operates in response to control signals received at the RS232 interface 16.
  • Relay 18 switches the active and negative connections of the mains supply.
  • Relay 18 includes a signal output which is indicative of the position of the relay (ON or OFF). This signal output is connected to the RS232 interface to enable two way communication between a control system and device 10. That is to say, the state of the signal output is visible to the control system so that the control system is aware of the state of relay 18.
  • the power required to drive the relay is derived from the control system via the RS232 connection.
  • input 12 is connected to a mains power supply and output 14 provides power to an electrical appliance.
  • the supply of power to the electrical appliance may thus be controlled by operation of relay 18 which is controlled by way of signals on one or more of the connections of the RS232 interface.
  • relay 18 is controlled by way of signals on one or more of the connections of the RS232 interface.
  • an electrical appliance may be switched on or off by controlling the supply of mains power.
  • the electrical appliance does not utilise its own internal "Standby" function. Mains power is completely denied to the appliance and it consumes no power in the off state.
  • Some electrical appliances such as FM tuners or television sets with internal tuners store information such as preset frequencies or users changes to preset frequencies in a volatile memory which is powered by a capacitor or small internal rechargeable battery. If devices of this type are deprived of electricity for an extended period of time, which maybe of the order of about two weeks, then the settings may be lost when power is returned to the device as it reverts to its default settings.
  • the device 10 may further include an internal clock arrangement which periodically outputs its own control signal to operate the relay 18 to allows mains power to pass to the output for a short period of time to maintain charge in the electrical appliance to prevent it from losing settings information.
  • the internal clock can be configured to provide mains power for a period of 15 minutes every 48 hours.
  • the internal clock resets to zero. If the device 10 is put into the on condition then the clock is deactivated or ignored. If the clock has caused device 10 to go into the on state for the 15 minute period, and a user decides to turn on the device 10 during this period, then the clock is deactivated or ignored.
  • the internal clock may be powered from mains power, by drawing power from the control signal lines, or by way of a capacitor or rechargeable battery.
  • a power socket 20 is shown incorporating device 10.
  • Power socket 20 is arranged so that availability of power at the socket depends upon the state of the relay in device 10.
  • An RS232 connection is provided to the power socket as part of device 10 to allow connection to a control system. This connection may be hidden from view. Availability of power at the power socket 20 may thus controlled by way of the RS232 interface.
  • Control system 22 may thus control the on or off state of appliances (not shown) by controlling the availability of power at the power sockets 20 to which they are connected.
  • a powerboard 30 which includes a number of mains power sockets 32.
  • Powerboard 30 includes a device 10 as shown in figure 1.
  • Powerboard 30 is configured so that the availability of mains power at the sockets 32 is controlled by device 10. Powerboard 30 derives power from power socket 40 in the usual manner by way of mains cable 34. Power is always available from socket 40.
  • Socket 40 includes an RS232 through connection to pass control signals from control system 22 to powerboard 10.
  • Control system 22 is hard wired to socket 40 in a manner hidden from view.
  • the RS232 control signals are carried from socket 40 to device 10 by way of a control cable 36 having RJ45 type connectors at either end.
  • control system 22 may control the on or off state of all devices connected to powerboard 30 by controlling the availability of power at outlets 32. All outlets 32 on powerboard 30 are controlled in unison.
  • FIG. 5 an electrical installation is shown to illustrate how availability of power from an entire mains loop in a building may be controlled.
  • Mains power supply 50 is connected via device 10 to a mains power loop bearing several conventional power sockets 42.
  • power may be denied to all of power sockets 42 by way of control system 22 controlling device 10. All power sockets are controlled in unison.
  • the various power sockets 20, 40, 42 mentioned had capacity to receive a single electrical plug to power one appliance.
  • each of these power sockets could each have capacity to receive one or two or more mains power plugs.
  • the power to operate relay 18 was derived from the RS232 signal lines.
  • power to drive the relay could be derived from another source of power including mains power, or batteries. Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

Abstract

A device for controlling the supply of mains power is described, the device including: a mains power input for connection to a mains power supply; a mains power output; a control interface for receiving control signals; and switching means for selectively allowing mains power to pass from the input tothe output based on the control signals.

Description

A DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REDUCING STANDBY POWER
CONSUMPTION
Technical Field The present invention relates to a device and method for reducing standby power consumption and has particular application to electrical appliances such as home entertainment appliances when used in home automation systems.
Background to the Invention Many residences and commercial environments are fitted with automation systems which control devices including electrical appliances such as home entertainment systems including video screens, audio amplifiers and DVD players and the like. Examples of these automation systems include those known as C -Bus, AMX, Dynalite, Control4, and HAL. In these systems, devices are controlled by way of a hard wired RS232 interface connection. When the command to switch off a given device is issued, that device is switched into standby mode. However, even when in standby mode these devices can continue to consume considerable amounts of power. It is not unusual for an electrical appliance to consume as much as 10 Watts of power when in standby mode. In a home automation system, there may be several such devices. This unnecessary consumption of power is undesirable from a cost and environmental point of view.
Summary of the Invention
In a first aspect the present invention provides a device for controlling the supply of mains power, the device including: a mains power input for connection to a mains power supply; a mains power output; a control interface for receiving control signals; and switching means for selectively allowing mains power to pass from the input to the output based on the control signals.
The control interface may be arranged to be hard wired to a control system. The control interface may include an RS232 interface.
The switching means may include a relay.
The power to operate the relay may be derived from the control interface. The device may be arranged to provide an output indicative of the state of the switching means. This enables two way communication between the device and a control system.
The device may be further arranged to periodically operate the switching means to allow mains power to pass from the input to the output. This ensures that devices which store internal preset information in memory do not lose these settings due to being isolated from mains power for an extended period of time.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a power socket including a device according to the first aspect of the invention.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a powerboard including a device according to the first aspect of the invention.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides an electrical installation including a device according to the first aspect of the invention. In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling the availability of power to an electrical appliance including the steps of: providing a device according to the first aspect of the invention; connecting the mains power input of the device to a mains power supply; deriving power for the electrical appliance from the mains power output of the device; and controlling the device to control the availability of mains power to the appliance.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a device for controlling the supply of mains power according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic view of a power socket including the device for controlling the supply of mains power according to figure 1 ;
Figure 3 shows several of the power sockets of the type shown in figure 2 in use with an automation control system;
Figure 4 is a schematic view of a power board including a device for controlling power according to figure 1 ; and
Figure 5 is a schematic view of an electrical installation including a device for controlling power according to figure 1.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Referring to figure 1, a device 10 for controlling the supply of mains power is shown including a mains power input 12 for connection to a mains power supply and a mains power output 14. Device 10 includes a control input for receiving control signals in the form of RS232 interface connection 16. Switching means for selectively allowing mains power to pass from the input 12 to the output 14 is provided in the form of dual pole relay 18 which operates in response to control signals received at the RS232 interface 16. Relay 18 switches the active and negative connections of the mains supply.
Relay 18 includes a signal output which is indicative of the position of the relay (ON or OFF). This signal output is connected to the RS232 interface to enable two way communication between a control system and device 10. That is to say, the state of the signal output is visible to the control system so that the control system is aware of the state of relay 18.
In the embodiment shown, the power required to drive the relay is derived from the control system via the RS232 connection.
In operation, input 12 is connected to a mains power supply and output 14 provides power to an electrical appliance. The supply of power to the electrical appliance may thus be controlled by operation of relay 18 which is controlled by way of signals on one or more of the connections of the RS232 interface. In this way, an electrical appliance may be switched on or off by controlling the supply of mains power. Thus, the electrical appliance does not utilise its own internal "Standby" function. Mains power is completely denied to the appliance and it consumes no power in the off state.
Some electrical appliances such as FM tuners or television sets with internal tuners store information such as preset frequencies or users changes to preset frequencies in a volatile memory which is powered by a capacitor or small internal rechargeable battery. If devices of this type are deprived of electricity for an extended period of time, which maybe of the order of about two weeks, then the settings may be lost when power is returned to the device as it reverts to its default settings. In order to guard against this situation the device 10 may further include an internal clock arrangement which periodically outputs its own control signal to operate the relay 18 to allows mains power to pass to the output for a short period of time to maintain charge in the electrical appliance to prevent it from losing settings information. For instance, the internal clock can be configured to provide mains power for a period of 15 minutes every 48 hours.
Each time the device 10 is turned off, the internal clock resets to zero. If the device 10 is put into the on condition then the clock is deactivated or ignored. If the clock has caused device 10 to go into the on state for the 15 minute period, and a user decides to turn on the device 10 during this period, then the clock is deactivated or ignored.
The internal clock may be powered from mains power, by drawing power from the control signal lines, or by way of a capacitor or rechargeable battery.
Referring to figure 2, a power socket 20 is shown incorporating device 10.
Power socket 20 is arranged so that availability of power at the socket depends upon the state of the relay in device 10. An RS232 connection is provided to the power socket as part of device 10 to allow connection to a control system. This connection may be hidden from view. Availability of power at the power socket 20 may thus controlled by way of the RS232 interface.
Referring to figure 3, several power sockets 20 are shown, two of which are shown connected to an automation control system 22. Control system 22 may thus control the on or off state of appliances (not shown) by controlling the availability of power at the power sockets 20 to which they are connected.
Referring to figure 4, a powerboard 30 is shown which includes a number of mains power sockets 32. Powerboard 30 includes a device 10 as shown in figure 1.
Powerboard 30 is configured so that the availability of mains power at the sockets 32 is controlled by device 10. Powerboard 30 derives power from power socket 40 in the usual manner by way of mains cable 34. Power is always available from socket 40.
Socket 40 includes an RS232 through connection to pass control signals from control system 22 to powerboard 10. Control system 22 is hard wired to socket 40 in a manner hidden from view. The RS232 control signals are carried from socket 40 to device 10 by way of a control cable 36 having RJ45 type connectors at either end. Thus, control system 22 may control the on or off state of all devices connected to powerboard 30 by controlling the availability of power at outlets 32. All outlets 32 on powerboard 30 are controlled in unison.
Referring to figure 5, an electrical installation is shown to illustrate how availability of power from an entire mains loop in a building may be controlled. Mains power supply 50 is connected via device 10 to a mains power loop bearing several conventional power sockets 42. In this configuration, power may be denied to all of power sockets 42 by way of control system 22 controlling device 10. All power sockets are controlled in unison. In the embodiments described above, the various power sockets 20, 40, 42 mentioned had capacity to receive a single electrical plug to power one appliance.
Similarly, each of these power sockets could each have capacity to receive one or two or more mains power plugs.
In the embodiments described above, the power to operate relay 18 was derived from the RS232 signal lines. Alternatively, power to drive the relay could be derived from another source of power including mains power, or batteries. Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.
Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for controlling the supply of mains power, the device including: a mains power input for connection to a mains power supply; a mains power output; a control interface for receiving control signals; and switching means for selectively allowing mains power to pass from the input to the output based on the control signals.
2. The control interface may be arranged to be hard wired to a control system.
3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the control interface includes an RS232 interface.
4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the switching means includes a relay.
5. A device according to claim 4 wherein power to operate the relay is derived from the control interface.
6. A device according to any preceding claim further arranged to provide an output which is indicative of the state of the switching means.
7. A device according to any preceding claim which is arranged to periodically operate the switching means to allow mains power to pass from the input to the output.
8. A power socket including a device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
9. A power board including a device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
10. An electrical installation including a device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
11. A method of controlling the availability of power to an electrical appliance including the steps of: providing a device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; connecting the mains power input of the device to a mains power supply; deriving power for the electrical appliance from the mains power output of the device; and controlling the device to control the availability of mains power to the appliance.
PCT/AU2008/001743 2007-11-27 2008-11-26 A device and method for reducing standby power consumption WO2009067737A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2007906468 2007-11-27
AU2007906468A AU2007906468A0 (en) 2007-11-27 A Device and Method for Reducing Standby Power Consumption

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009067737A1 true WO2009067737A1 (en) 2009-06-04

Family

ID=40677934

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2008/001743 WO2009067737A1 (en) 2007-11-27 2008-11-26 A device and method for reducing standby power consumption

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2009067737A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013042100A1 (en) * 2011-09-24 2013-03-28 Kool Koncepts Limited Energy management system
US11604863B2 (en) 2019-09-30 2023-03-14 Gentex Corporation Alignment system

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2001052478A2 (en) * 2000-01-07 2001-07-19 Invensys Controls Plc Building control
US6292233B1 (en) * 1998-12-31 2001-09-18 Stmicroelectronics S.R.L. Device controller with low power standby mode
WO2003048911A2 (en) * 2001-12-07 2003-06-12 Peter Robertson Sensing socket assembly
US6741442B1 (en) * 2000-10-13 2004-05-25 American Power Conversion Corporation Intelligent power distribution system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6292233B1 (en) * 1998-12-31 2001-09-18 Stmicroelectronics S.R.L. Device controller with low power standby mode
WO2001052478A2 (en) * 2000-01-07 2001-07-19 Invensys Controls Plc Building control
US6741442B1 (en) * 2000-10-13 2004-05-25 American Power Conversion Corporation Intelligent power distribution system
WO2003048911A2 (en) * 2001-12-07 2003-06-12 Peter Robertson Sensing socket assembly

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013042100A1 (en) * 2011-09-24 2013-03-28 Kool Koncepts Limited Energy management system
US11604863B2 (en) 2019-09-30 2023-03-14 Gentex Corporation Alignment system

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
GB2427514A (en) Power distribution socket assembly with standby sockets
EP2051379B1 (en) Intelligent home automation system providing power saving In standby mode
US11612045B2 (en) Systems and methods to allow for a smart device
EP2156525B1 (en) Electrical supply devices
JP3126130U (en) Power saving AV system and power control system
CN210273593U (en) High-power supply circuit with low standby power consumption and LED display control system
CN103947224A (en) Method and apparatus for configuration and control of mixer for audio system using wireless docking system
US8352761B2 (en) Controlling a power state of a device
JP2002304238A (en) Data interface-controlled multiple plugs
CN216210615U (en) Intelligent switch circuit, intelligent switch and double-control switch system
KR101077016B1 (en) Power saving multi-tab and control system thereof
US11245285B2 (en) Faceplate switch
JP6628495B2 (en) Charging system
WO2009067737A1 (en) A device and method for reducing standby power consumption
US9006926B2 (en) Systems and methods for controlled startup of electrical devices loading a power line
CN110518673B (en) Wireless earphone charging circuit, wireless earphone and wireless earphone charging method
KR20090071456A (en) Standby power control system using a home-network
CN204156968U (en) A kind of sound control circuit, sound equipment and television acoustics system
WO2012156712A2 (en) Optimising use of energy
GB2468270A (en) Remote-controlled mains socket
WO2008101720A1 (en) An electrical socket assembly
CN204538486U (en) The wire structures of distribution box and circuit
CN209282881U (en) A kind of multi-functional recharging base
CN215498275U (en) Chip structure and KNX bus power supply circuit
TWI712263B (en) Participating entity for a digital communication system and associated communication system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 08853203

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

32PN Ep: public notification in the ep bulletin as address of the adressee cannot be established

Free format text: NOTING OF LOSS OF RIGHTS EPO FORM 1205A DATED 16.08.2010.

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 08853203

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1