Description:FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to a field of switches. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a smart-switch device.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
Conventionally power intensive appliances like AC, geysers/water heaters, electrical ovens, motors are used for various power requirements like heating, cooling and pumping etc. and thus results in rise of electrical load. The appliances are generally inductive and capacitive which draws high inrush switching current thus affecting health of the appliance along with associated electrical circuit and a grid network. Also, in addition to the wastage of energy, degrading of appliances performance over the year causes overloading which are not detected by conventional Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) used, as MCB doesn’t have setting point according to rating of appliance or load. Thus, derating of appliance and network due to continuous operation with overload condition leads to failure.
Further, to overcome the drawbacks presently smart switches and intermediary contactors are installed for switching of the appliances. However, these conventional smart switches along with the intermediary contactors increases response time due to inbuilt delay of operation of the intermediary contactor. Due to presence of an additional hardware such as the intermediary contactors increases the cost and maintenance. Moreover, the user cannot avail the benefits of energy management & monitoring as power metering cannot be obtained as the smart switch is not controlling the primary electrical circuit.
There is, therefore, felt a need to develop a smart-switch device to alleviate the aforementioned disadvantages.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a smart-switch device.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a smart-switch device, which can be utilized for switching power appliances with minimum switching inrush current.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a smart-switch device, which provides overload protection.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a smart-switch device, which provides schedule timing for switching ON/OFF power appliances.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a smart-switch device, which can be controlled using a single application interface.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a smart-switch device, which is economical to use.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a smart-switch device. The device comprises a plurality of input terminals, at least one output terminal, a switching unit and a monitoring unit.
The input terminal is configured to receive alternate current (AC) supply from a main power source. The output terminal is coupled to a load and to provide AC supply received by the input terminals to the load. The switching unit is configured to allow and/or disallow the AC supply from the input terminals to the output terminal. The monitoring unit is coupled to the input terminals and the switching unit, the monitoring unit is configured to sense and analyse the AC supply for at least one predetermined condition and to actuate the switching unit to allow and/or disallow the AC supply to the load via output terminal(s) accordingly.
In an embodiment, the monitoring unit comprises a zero-crossing module and an actuation module. The zero-crossing module is configured to sense at least one parameter of the AC supply, to analyse the AC supply for checking a first predetermined condition, and to determine if the first predetermined condition is met, wherein the first predetermined condition corresponds to detection of a zero-crossing of sinusoidal waveform of the AC supply. The actuation module is coupled to the zero-crossing module and the switching unit, and the actuation module is configured to generate an actuation signal upon determination of the first predetermined condition.
The sensing module is connected between the output terminal and the switching unit, and the sensing module comprises at least one of a voltage sensor and/or a current sensor, the voltage sensor is configured to sense a voltage parameter of the AC supply and the current sensor is configured to sense a current parameter of the AC supply.
In an embodiment, the monitoring unit comprises a power measuring unit and is configured to receive the sensed voltage parameter and/or the sensed current parameter from the sensing unit and to compute an instantaneous power delivered to the load on real-time basis.
The monitoring unit is configured to actuate the switching unit to disallow AC supply from the input terminals to the output terminal based on a second predetermined condition, wherein the second predetermined condition corresponds to exceeding of an instantaneous power delivered to the load than a set threshold power limit.
The monitoring unit comprises a timer module configured to count timing pulses for a predetermined timing interval and to generate an actuation signal to actuate the switching unit based on a third predetermined condition, wherein the third predetermined condition corresponds to allow and/or disallow the AC supply to the load via output terminal(s) when the timer module has finished counting the timing pulses for the predetermined timing interval.
In an embodiment, the timer module is employed with an auto shutdown mode, a delay timer mode and an extension timer mode.
In an embodiment, the smart-switch device further comprises a wireless communication module configured to receive command signals relating to actuation of the smart-switch device from a user-device and to transmit smart-switch device information to the user-device.
The present disclosure also envisages a smart-switch system. The smart-switch system comprises a smart-switch device and a user-device. The smart-switch device connected between a main power source and a load and is configured to allow and/or disallow an alternate current (AC) supply from the main power source to the load. The user-device is deployed with an application interface and is communicatively coupled to the smart-switch device, wherein the user-device is configured to send command signals relating to actuation of the smart-switch device through the application interface and to receive smart-switch device information on the application interface from the smart-switch device.
In an embodiment, the user-device is configured to allow a user to set at least one of a threshold power limit and a predetermined timing interval of a timer module of the switch device through the deployed application interface. The user-device is configured to display instantaneous power delivered to the load on the deployed application interface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A smart-switch device of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a smart-switch device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING:
100 Smart-switch device
20 Input terminals
30 Output terminal
40 Switching unit
50 Monitoring unit
50a Zero-crossing module
50b Actuation module
50c Power measuring unit
60 Sensing module
70 Timer module
80 Wireless communication module
90 User-device
200 System
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The present disclosure envisages a smart-switch device (hereinafter referred to as device 100) and is now described with reference to Figure 1.
The device 100 comprises a plurality of input terminals 20, at least one output terminal 30, a switching unit 40 and a monitoring unit 50.
The input terminals 20 are configured to receive alternate current AC supply from a main power source. The output terminal 30 is coupled to a load. The output terminal 30 is configured to provide AC supply received from the input terminals 20 to the load. The switching unit 40 is configured to allow and/or disallow the AC supply from the input terminals 20 to the output terminal 30. In an embodiment, the switching unit 40 includes a relay switch. The monitoring unit 50 is coupled to the input terminals 20 and the switching unit 40. The monitoring unit 50 is configured to sense and analyze the AC supply for at least one predetermined condition. The monitoring unit 50 is configured to actuate the switching unit 40 to allow and/or disallow the AC supply to the load via the output terminal 30 accordingly.
The monitoring unit 50 comprises a zero-crossing module 50a and an actuation unit 50c. The zero-crossing module 50a is configured to sense the AC supply, to analyze the AC supply for determining if a first predetermined condition is met. In an embodiment, the first predetermined condition corresponds to detection of a zero-crossing of sinusoidal waveform of the sensed AC supply. The actuation module 50b is coupled to the zero-crossing module 50a and the switching unit 40. The actuation module 50b is configured to generate an actuation signal upon determination of the first predetermined condition.
In an embodiment, the device 100 comprises a sensing module 60. The sensing module 60 is connected between the input and /or output terminals (20, 30) and the switching unit 40. In a preferred embodiment, the sensing module 60 is connected between the input terminal 20 and the switching unit. The sensing module 60 comprises at least one of a voltage sensor and/or a current sensor. The voltage sensor is configured to sense a voltage parameter of the AC supply and the current sensor is configured to sense a current parameter of the AC supply.
In an embodiment, the monitoring unit 50 comprises a power measuring unit 50c. The power measuring unit 50c is configured to receive the sensed voltage parameter and/or the sensed current parameter from the sensing module 60 to compute an instantaneous power delivered to the load on real-time basis. The monitoring unit 50 is configured to actuate the switching unit 40 to disallow AC supply from the input terminals 20 to the output terminal 30 based on a second predetermined condition. The second predetermined condition corresponds to exceeding of an instantaneous power delivered to the load than a set threshold power limit. In an alternate embodiment, the second predetermined condition corresponds to exceeding of an instantaneous power delivered to the load than a overload power limit.

In an embodiment, the monitoring unit 50 comprises a timer module 70. The timer module 70 is a pulse timer module. The timer module 70 is configured to count timing pulses for a predetermined timing interval and to generate an actuation signal based on a third predetermined condition. The third predetermined condition corresponds to allow and/or disallow the AC supply to the load via output terminal 30 when the timer module 70 has finished counting the timing pulses for the predetermined timing interval.
In an embodiment, the device 100 comprises a wireless communication module 80. The wireless communication module 80 is configured to receive command signals relating to actuation of the switching unit 40 from a user-device 90 and to transmit device 100 information to the user-device 90.
The present disclosure further envisages a smart-switching system 200.
The smart switching system 200 comprises the smart-switch device 100 and the user-device 90.
The smart-switch device 100 is connected between the main power source and the load. The smart-switch device is configured to allow and/or disallow an alternate current (AC) supply from the main power source to the load. The user-device 90 is deployed with an application interface and is communicatively coupled to the smart-switch device 100. The user-device 90 is configured to send command signals relating to actuation of the smart-switch device through the application interface and is further configured to receive smart-switch device 100 information on the application interface from the smart-switch device 100.
In an embodiment, the user-device 90 is configured to allow a user to set at least one of a threshold power limit and a predetermined timing interval of a timer module 70 of the switch device 100 through the deployed application interface. The user-device 90 is configured to display instantaneous power delivered to the load on the deployed application interface.
The monitoring unit 50 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the monitoring unit 50 is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory. The memory may include any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like.
In an embodiment, the wireless communication module 80 is a Wi-Fi module.
In a working example, present loads i.e., appliances are majorly of two types- resistive type load or an inductive type load. The appliances such as a heater, incandescent bulb are purely resistive loads whereas the loads such as water motors, AC compressors, refrigerators are majorly inductive loads. Whenever we switch ON the main power source, there is no guarantee that the switch will be activated at which point of the sinusoidal waveform of the AC supply. Therefore, the load voltage can be from 0V to 340V peak for a 240V system when powered on. Many users face issue while selecting and installing automation solutions which are rated for high power applications as most of the switch devices are designed to automate low power appliances. In such a case, the users go ahead with in installing an interposing contactor with high current rating contacts in between the switch device designed for low power applications. The smart-switch device 100 is configured to be placed inside a power switchbox. The smart-switch device is deployed with zero crossing detection function which enables it to be utilized for switching power appliances with minimum switching inrush current. The zero-crossing detection enables the switching on of loads at the time instant at which the AC voltage sinusoidal waveform is close to or equal to zero volts(0V). This enables lower switching currents compared to a random switching. For example, switching of inductive load generally takes upto 6-8 times of the rated current if switching on of the load happens at peak of sinusoidal waveform of the AC supply. The high switching current also generates a lot of sparking among output terminals 30 of the switch device 100 and/or switching unit 40 resulting in heating and further damages the associated components. In contrast, if switching is ensured at zero crossing of the sinusoidal waveform of voltage, the magnitude of current waveform will be very minimum and hence the switching inrush current will be significantly reduced. The arching between electrical contacts will be very low, so there will less damage of the output terminals 30 of the switch device 100 and/or the switching unit 40 and electrical networks. This decrease in switching currents results in increased life of the smart-switch device 100 along with associated loads and electrical networks.
The smart-switch device 100 further allows the user to set threshold power limit in the user-device application interface according to rated power of the load and the load is turned OFF when actual instantaneous power become higher than set threshold power limit. In normal case, people use higher rated miniature circuit breaker (MCB) without any setpoint feature which is installed at load distribution board for overload and short circuit protection, but it doesn’t meet requirement of protecting appliance from overload as the load i.e., the appliance rated power is very lower than the MCB rating. The power measuring unit 50c of the smart-switch device 100 measures instantaneous power in wattage on real time basis generally in 1 second frequency and check with set threshold power limit set on the application interface. If actual power consumed by appliance cross the threshold power limit and/or overload power limit, the smart-switch device 100 will actuate the switching unit 40 to cut-off the AC supply to the appliance immediately, thus appliance is protected from overload and further the smart-switch device is configured to alert the user on his/her user-device application interface for need of maintenance.
Moreover, presently various home automation solutions are available in market to provide many features in terms of providing comfort and convenience like appliance scheduling, scene control, voice control, remote control etc. which are the major factors of increasing adoption of such solutions in the country. For example, a user can install a smart-switch device 100 for automating corridor lights and set the timer module 70 in the device to switch ON the lights at evening and switch it OFF at night. In this way, user automates the operation time of appliance along with preventing wastage of energy which may not be the case during manual operation. Advantageously, the timer module 70 is the pulse timer module, and does not get reset due to Wi-Fi interruptions or power supply failure. Normally timer needs Wi-Fi with internal connection to synchronize with internet clock to perform the timer operation. The timer module 70 does not require the internet clock support which requires the software support of timer logic.
In an embodiment, the timer module (70) is employed with an auto shutdown mode, a delay timer mode and an extension timer mode. If the user wants to keep appliance ON for a certain period, he / she needs to set either auto shutdown mode or delay timer mode on the user device application interface. The device 100 will be automatically switched ON/OFF after the set time duration.
For auto shutdown mode, the user needs to set the auto shutdown mode in the application interface for making the switch OFF after selecting duration once, and the connected load is powered ON. After the set time duration, the timer module 70 switches OFF the connected load automatically. For example, when the auto shutdown mode is set for 60 minutes, timer will count six pulses, after sixth pulse the device 100 will get switch OFF.
In case there is a power failure say in between of 60mins, the device 100 will operate in the extension timer mode, for example if there is power failure after 40 minutes, the device 100 memory will have information of 4 pulse counts only, but after power restoration the device 100 will get switched ON again to continue to provide power for balance 2 pulse counts (20 minutes). Thus, the timer module 70 extends the power ON duration for a period to compensate the lost time during the power failure.
For delay timer mode, the user needs to set the time duration in the application interface of the user-device for making the switch OFF after select duration. Once this timer module is set, the connected load gets switched ON immediately, the load remains in power ON condition until the set time period is elapsed.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a smart-switch device, which:
• can be utilized for switching power appliances with minimum switching inrush current;
• provides overload protection;
• provides schedule timing for switching ON/OFF power appliances;
• can be controlled using a single application interface; and
• is economical to use.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
, C , Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A smart-switch device (100) comprising:
• a plurality of input terminals (20) configured to receive alternate current (AC) supply from a main power source;
• at least one output terminal (30) coupled to a load and to provide AC supply received by the input terminals (20) to the load;
• a switching unit (40) configured to allow and/or disallow the AC supply from the input terminals (20) to the output terminal (30); and
• a monitoring unit (50) coupled to the input terminals (20) and the switching unit (40), the monitoring unit (50) is configured to sense and analyse the AC supply for at least one predetermined condition and to actuate the switching unit (40) to allow and/or disallow the AC supply to the load via the output terminal (30) accordingly.
2. The smart-switch device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit (50) comprises:
• a zero-crossing module (50a) configured to sense the AC supply, to analyse the AC supply for determining if a first predetermined condition is met, wherein the first predetermined condition corresponds to detection of a zero-crossing of sinusoidal waveform of the sensed AC supply; and
• an actuation module (50b) coupled to the zero-crossing module (50a) and the switching unit (40), and the actuation module (50b) is configured to generate an actuation signal upon determination of the first predetermined condition.
3. The smart-switch device (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a sensing module (60) connected between the input terminal and the switching unit, and the sensing module (60) comprises at least one of a voltage sensor and/or a current sensor, the voltage sensor is configured to sense a voltage parameter of the AC supply and the current sensor is configured to sense a current parameter of the AC supply.
4. The smart-switch device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit (50) comprises a power measuring unit (50c) configured to receive the sensed voltage parameter and/or the sensed current parameter from the sensing module (60) and to compute an instantaneous power delivered to the load on real-time basis.
5. The smart-switch device (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the monitoring unit (50) is configured to actuate the switching unit (40) to disallow AC supply from the input terminals (20) to the output terminal (30) based on a second predetermined condition, wherein the second predetermined condition corresponds to exceeding of an instantaneous power delivered to the load than a set threshold power limit.
6. The smart-switch device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit (50) comprises a timer module (70) configured to count timing pulses for a predetermined timing interval and to generate an actuation signal based on a third predetermined condition, wherein the third predetermined condition corresponds to allow and/or disallow the AC supply to the load via output terminal (30) when the timer module (70) has finished counting the timing pulses for the predetermined timing interval.
7. The smart-switch device (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the timer module (70) is employed with an auto shutdown mode, a delay timer mode and an extension timer mode.
8. The smart-switch device (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a wireless communication module (80) configured to receive command signals relating to actuation of the switching unit (40) from a user-device and to transmit smart-switch device information to the user-device.
9. A smart-switching system (200) comprising:
• a smart-switch device (100) connected between a main power source and a load, and configured to allow and/or disallow an alternate current (AC) supply from the main power source to the load; and
• a user-device (90) deployed with an application interface and is communicatively coupled to the smart-switch device (100), wherein the user-device (90) is configured to send command signals relating to actuation of the smart-switch device through the application interface and to receive smart-switch device information on the application interface from the smart-switch device (100).
10. The system (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the user-device (90) is configured to allow a user to set at least one of a threshold power limit and a predetermined timing interval of a timer module (70) of the switch device (100) through the deployed application interface.
11. The system (200) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the user-device (90) is configured to display instantaneous power delivered to the load on the deployed application interface.

Dated this 20th day of February, 2023

_______________________________
MOHAN RAJKUMAR DEWAN, IN/PA – 25
of R.K.DEWAN & CO.
Authorized Agent of Applicant
TO,
THE CONTROLLER OF PATENTS
THE PATENT OFFICE, AT MUMBAI