Patent Application
20100150040
1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a power saving device and, in particular, to a wirelessly controlled idle power consumption detector for electronic products so that the idle power consumption detector automatically and completely shuts down the power supply to the electronic product when it is idle, rendering zero idle power consumption. Since the power is automatically shuts down, the invention reduces the danger of fire.
2. Related Art
Home electronic products are usually idle most of the time. These idle electronic products consume energy all the time, called idle power consumption. Such idle power consumption increases the monthly utility cost. Moreover, such power waste directly increases the unnecessary carbon production and exacerbates global warming.
Suppose billions of home electronics worldwide can be completely turned off automatically by some power consumption detector when they are not in use so that their idle power consumption is zero. Then the saved energy can greatly alleviates the global warming effect.
In view of the foregoing, it is an objective of the invention to provide a wirelessly controlled idle power consumption management device for electronic products that automatically shuts down the electrical power of idle electronic devices, thereby diminishing idle power consumption and saving energy.
To achieve the above-mentioned objective, the disclosed wirelessly controlled idle power consumption management device comprises at least a wireless detector and a wireless remote control. Each of the wireless detectors has an AC plug and at least one power outlet for other electronics in the exterior and at least one microcontroller, at least one RF module and at least one electrical current detector in the interior. The wireless remote control also has at least one microcontroller and at least one RF module inside. When the wireless remote control and at least one wireless detector join together, the wireless remote control can simultaneously start several wireless detectors, making them detect whether an electronic product is in use or in an idle state. In the former case, the electrical power supply is maintained. In the latter case, the power supply to the electronic product is shut down after a certain time, reducing the idle power consumption thereof to zero.
The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below illustration only, and thus is not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
The present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same references relate to the same elements.
Basically, the wireless detector 1 in
Inside the wireless detector 1, there are at least one microcontroller (MCU), at least one RF module using Zigbee or some other wireless communication protocol for wireless data transmission, and at least one electrical current detector. The Zigbee or some other wireless communication protocol has the feature of being suitable for short-distance (within 50 meters) communications, consuming little power, and having a simple structure.
Outside the wireless detector 1, there are at least a connect key 13, an idle power preset key 14, a manual ON key 15, and a signal indicator (an LED) 16. For the first time, the connect 13 and the connect key 21 of the remote control 2 have to be simultaneously pressed for several seconds to join. In the meantime, the signal indicator 16 flashes to indicate that a joining-is undergoing. After the joining is done, the wireless detector 1 is controlled by the wireless remote control 2. The operating method of the idle power preset key 14 is as follows. After an electronic product is plugged into the power outlet 12 of the wireless detector, one first does not use the electronic product (e.g., do not turn on a TV first). Instead, the user first presses the manual ON key and then the idle power preset key 14 for several seconds. In the meantime, the signal indicator 16 flashes to indicate a setting is undergoing. After the setting, once the TV is turned off, the wireless detector automatically turns off the power supply to the TV after a predetermined time, achieving the goal of saving energy. The manual ON key 15 is provided for the convenience of the user to start a particular wireless detector 1 without using the wireless remote control 2.
Each of the above-mentioned power socket bases can be equipped with a wireless detector. Each wireless detector has an independent identification (ID) so that individual wireless detectors can be accurately controlled without being interfered by other wireless remote controls or RF waves.
The interior of the wireless remote control 2 in
The exterior of the wireless remote control 2 has at least a connect key 21 an ON key 22, and a signal indicator (an LED) 23. In particular, the connect key 21 and the connect key 13 of the wireless detector have to be pressed for several seconds to join for the first time of use. In the meantime, the signal indicator 23 flashes to indicate that a joining is undergoing. After the joining is done, the wireless remote control 2 can control the wireless detector 1.
The ON key 22 is used to start the joined wireless detector 1. Once the ON key is pressed, all the wireless detectors 1 within the range of the wireless remote control 2 are started and the power to the electronic products are turned on. In this case, the wireless detector 1 has determined the idle power consumption parameters for the electronic products. Although individual wireless detectors 1 are turned on, each of them determines whether the corresponding electronic product is in use or in the idle state. In the former case, the power supply is continued. In the latter case, the power supply to the electronic product is automatically turned off, rendering zero idle power consumption for those electronic products.
The above-mentioned wireless remote control can be joined by several wireless detectors. They can all be turned on simultaneously.
Please refer to
Home electronics are idle for most of the time. This is a waste of energy and increases the utility cost. To reduce energy waste, a conventional method is to unplug electronic products. However, sometimes the power outlet is located at some inconvenient place or corner so that unplugging is not easy. The combination of wireless detectors and wireless remote control can readily turn on or off the power of electronic products automatically. Besides, as the wireless detector can automatically monitor the usage state of an electronic product, it is convenient in management for the user. Moreover, the power outlets can be accurately controlled. Therefore, the invention can achieve the goals of automatic management and saving power. At the same time, the number of plugging and unplugging times can be reduced to elongate the lifetime of power outlets.
Here an example is provided to illustrate how the invention saves energy. A rough estimate of idle power consumption of home electronics is as follows:
Therefore, the daily idle power consumption totals: (20×19)+(5×21)+(45×21)+(5×23)+(5×22)+(2×20)+(10×12)+(5×22)+(3×12)+(5×22)+(5×22)=2181 W (2.181 KW). The monthly idle power consumption is 2181×30=65430 W (65.430 KW)=65.43 units of electrical power. The yearly idle power consumption is 6543×12=785160 W (785.160 KW)=785.160 units of electrical power.
Suppose each unit of electrical power is NT$3.465, the idle power consumption each year costs 785.16×3.465=NT$2720.58.
According to a formula of Taiwan Power Company (TPC), the wasted electrical power produces 500.728 kg of carbon dioxide.
Extrapolating the above calculation, the idle power consumption from a million families is 78,516,000 KW each year, producing 500,727.938 tons of carbon dioxide.
All these numbers indicate that when most idle power consumption in worldwide families is effectively reduced, the utility costs can be saved. More importantly, the global warming problem can be alleviated.
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover all modifications that fall within the true scope of the invention.
