Electric outlet remote control and power protection circuit

[0002] The present invention relates to electric outlets, and more particularly, to an electric outlet remote control and power protection circuit.

[0003] Regular home or office electric apparatus may be directly connected to the electric sockets of wall outlets or through electric extension cables. For a safety use of an electric apparatus, fuseless circuit breaker means may be installed. However, the fuseless circuit breaker may do no work upon an overcurrent if the cable to the load does not match the specification of the fuseless current breaker. Any minor specification error between the fuseless circuit breaker and the electric cable may cause a short circuit upon an overload before breaking of the circuit breaker. Because regular electric wall outlets do not have voltage and current indications, the user may misuse an electric wall outlet, causing a catastrophe.

[0004] Further, regular electric apparatus commonly have the remote control function. For controlling different electric apparatus, different remote controllers shall be used. It is inconvenient to control a number of electric apparatus with a number of remote controllers.

[0005] The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a remote control and power protection circuit, which enables the user to selectively control on/off status of the electric sockets of an electric outlet. It is another object of the present invention to provide a remote control and power protection circuit, which automatically cuts off power supply from the electric outlet under control upon an overload. The remote control and power protection circuit is installed in an electric outlet, and adapted to control the operation of each electric socket of the electric outlet by means of a remote controller and to automatically trip off the circuit upon an overcurrent or overvoltage. The remote control and power protection circuit includes a CPU having voltage/current detector and amplifier circuit means and voltage/current judging circuit means adapted to detect the voltage/current value of inputted power supply, and to drive a red LCD to flash and a buzzer to buzz when inputted current value approaches the rated value, and to drive an overload switch element to trip off power supply upon an overcurrent or overvoltage. The invention achieves the following advantages:

[0006] 1. It detects and displays voltage value and the value of current in consumption, and gives a signal upon an overload.

[0007] 2. It displays power consumption and also detects the circuit status of the electric outlet without load, and gives a signal upon an electric leakage.

[0008] 3. It automatically trips off the circuit upon an overload or short-circuit.

[0009] 4. It enables the user to selectively turn on/off the electric sockets of the electric outlet by means of a remote controller, preventing unnecessary power loss.

[0010] 5. It enables the electric sockets of the electric outlet to be selectively turned on/off at the respective set time.

[0011] 6. It enables the electric sockets of the electric outlet to be selectively switched off when receiving no load.

[0012] 7. It enables the user to use one single remote controller to control two or more electric outlets.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a remote control and power protection circuit according to the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the CPU for the remote control and power protection circuit according to the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the operation of the voltage detector according to the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the buzzer activated, the R-LED flashed according to the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an overcurrent trip-off action of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a plain view of an electric wall outlet constructed according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG.7 is an elevational view of the electric outlet of an electric extension cable constructed according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of an alternate form of the present invention.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 6, and 7, a remote control and power protection circuit is installed in an electric wall outlet or extension cable and controlled by a commercially available remote controller to control the operation of the electric sockets 4 of the electric wall outlet or the electric sockets 61 of the electric outlet 6 of the electric extension cable. The remote control and power protection circuit comprises a CPU 5 having a data memory 512 adapted to store the module codes of the electric sockets 4 or 61, and an output control 3 for output of control signal to control the operation of the electric sockets 4 or 61. Because every electric socket 4 or 61 has a respective module code, the user can operate the remote controller to selectively turn one/off the electric sockets 4 or 61. For example, the user can operate the remote controller to turn on the first, the third and the fifth sockets, leaving the second, the fourth and the sixth sockets turned off. The CPU 5 comprises a sequential operation/coding encoding memory unit 51. LED indicator lights 17 are respectively connected to the electric sockets 4 or 61. When one electric socket 4 is electrically connected, the respective LED indicator light 17 is off. On the contrary, when one electric socket 4 is electrically disconnected, the respective LED indicator light 17 is on. Matrix buttons 2 are provided for input of binary codes 00˜65, total 66 sets of codes. Inputted codes are stored in the data memory 512.

[0022] In case two or more electric outlets are used, the remote control and power protection circuit will reset the R-LED and then enter the stand-by mode after connection of the power module to power supply. When using the remote controller, the user can operate the matrix buttons 2 to change the binary code. For example, the user can press button “1” to turn on R-LED, and then release button “1” and press button “2” to turn off R-LED, and then release button “2” and press the switching button to turn on G-LED, so as to complete the new setting. Alternatively, the user can use the remote controller to directly input the module code “12”.

[0023] When using the remote controller, the remote controller is aimed at the remote control and power protection circuit in the electric wall outlet or the electric outlet of the electric extension cable. When automatically searching the code, press the set button and hold it in the depressed position. At this time, the indicator light of the remote controller is turned off for 1.5 seconds and then turned on for another 1.5 seconds. When released the set button after the indicator light of the remote controller has been turned on, the remote controller immediately enters the scanning mode to output a searching signal to the remote control and power protection circuit in the electric wall outlet or the electric outlet of the electric extension cable. Upon receipt of the signal from the remote controller, the signal is amplified by a receiving amplifier 14, and then sent to the data memory 512 of the sequential operation/coding encoding memory unit 51 for comparison with the storage data of module codes, enabling the matched module code to be fetched. If the R-LED 17 of one electric socket 4 or 61 is turned off or a beep sound is produced, it means that the frequency matches. At this time, the user can lock the signal by pressing either button of the remote controller. When locked, the signal is fetched from the data memory 512 and then sent to a LED/LCD driver 513, causing it to turn on/off the assigned electric sockets 4 or 61.

[0024] After locking, the number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 on the remote controller correspond to the respective electric sockets 4 or 61, i.e., every individual electric socket 4 or 61 corresponds to a respective number and is controlled by the output control 3 or 31.

[0025] When operating the remote controller, the output signal of the remote controller is amplified by the receiving amplifier 14, and then sent to the data memory 512 of the sequential operation/coding encoding memory unit 51 for comparison with the storage data of module codes, enabling the matched module code to be fetched and sent to the output control 3 or 31, causing the output control 3 or 31 to control G pole of Q3 or Q6 and to further electrically connect A˜K. Thus, the two opposite contacts of the corresponding electric socket 4 or 61 are electrically connected. The sequential operation/coding encoding memory unit 51 further comprises a timer 511 for controlling on/off status of the assigned electric socket 4 or 61 at a predetermined time.

[0026] Normally, one terminal of AC power supply passes through one contact of the electric socket 4 or 61, the other terminal of AC power supply passes through an overload switch element 16 and the thyristor at contact A of Q4 or Q6 to the other contact of the electric socket 4 or 61.

[0027] Further, by means of the voltage detection amplifier 56, current detection amplifier 57, and voltage/current judging circuit 53 of the CPU 5, the CPU 5 monitors the safety value of voltage and current. When electric current surpasses the rated value, the CPU 5 drives the red LED 17 to flash and the buzzer 18 to buzz, and simultaneously drives the overload switch element 16 to switch off the circuit. The CPU 5 drives the overload switch element 16 to switch on the circuit a predetermined length of time after off state.

[0028] At the initial stage after connection of the power generating circuit 1 to AC power supply, the CPU 5 obtains the necessary working voltage to start the oscillation generator 13. At this time, 5V High voltage is inputted into the IN terminal of the CPU 5, causing the CPU 5 to perform reset action. When reset, the CPU 5 starts running the program from the address 0000H, and therefore the circuit enters the stand-by mode.

[0029] The functions of the remote control and power protection circuit are outlined hereinafter:

[0030] 1. Voltage Indication

[0031] When the socket 4 or 61 receives no load, the voltage detector 12 detects the voltage signal, enabling the detected voltage signal to be amplified by the voltage amplifier 56 and then sent through an integrating circuit 55 of the CPU 5 to a comparator 52 for comparison with a reference voltage set through a voltage setting circuit 191. If the detected voltage does not surpass the reference voltage, the voltage value is 110V. IF the detected voltage surpasses the reference voltage, the voltage value is 220V. The detected voltage is converted into digital signal by an A/D converter 54, and then judged by a voltage/current judging circuit 53. The judging result causes the LED/LCD driver 513 to turn on R-LED 17 when the detected voltage is 110V, or G-LED 17 when the detected voltage is 220V (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0032] 2. Current Indication

[0033] When the socket 4 or 61 receives the load, the current detector 11 detects the signal, enabling the detected signal to be amplified by the current amplifier 57 and then sent through the integrating circuit 55 of the CPU 5 to the A/D converter 54 for conversion into a corresponding digital signal and simultaneously to the comparator 52 for comparison. The comparison result is judged by the voltage/current judging circuit 53. The voltage/current judging circuit 53 drives the LED/LCD driver 513 to turn on the G-LED 17, and the LCD 15 shows current amount of 001 or 003 . . . (see FIGS. 2 and 4).

[0034] 3. Overcurrent L/H Safety Setting (Alarm Buzzer)

[0035] When the socket 4 or 61 receives the load, the overcurrent setting circuit 193 detects the current signal for comparison with a preset safety current value (the reference value). At this time, the integrating circuit 55 drops the integrated level below the set level due to increasing of electric current. This signal is then sent to the A/D converter 54 as well as the comparator 52. The compared signal outputted from the comparator 52 is combined with the output signal from the A/D converter 54. The combined signal is then sent to the overcurrent setting circuit 193 for judging. If the current value of the current value of the combined signal reaches 90% of the rated current value, the overcurrent setting circuit 193 drives the buzzer driver 514 to activate the buzzer 18, causing the buzzer 18 to output a first stage alarm where the buzzer 18 buzzes three times each time lasting 30 seconds (the alarm mode can be set as desired). When the current value of the combined signal reaches 90% of the rated current value, the buzzer buzzes three times at a relatively higher frequency, and the LED/LCD driver 513 drives the R-LED 17 to flash. The alarm interval is 3˜5 seconds after each 30-second alarm buzzing. For example, Q4 of the output control circuit 3 (31) controls the supply of power supply to the socket 4 or 61. When the electric current at the socket 4 or 61 reaches 100% of the a rated value, the CPU 5 outputs a control signal through its PC0 pin to Q4 and Q5, causing Q4 and Q5 to switch off power supply from the socket 4 or 61 (see FIGS. 2 and 4).

[0036] 4. Overcurrent Trip-off Safety Setting (Alarm Buzzer)

[0037] When the socket 4 or 61 receives the load, the overcurrent trip-off circuit 19 detects the signal and sends the detected signal to the voltage/current judging circuit 53 for overcurrent safety value judgment. If the current value of the detected signal surpasses 100% of the rated current value and the condition lasted over 3 minutes, the trip-off output driver 58 immediately drives the switch element 16 to switch off power supply (see FIGS. 2 and 5). If the electric apparatus of the load is short-circuited, the trip-off output driver 58 automatically drives the switch element 16 to switch off power supply.

[0038] It is to be understood that the drawings are designed for purposes of illustration only, and are not intended for use as a definition of the limits and scope of the invention disclosed.