Remote Control of AC Appliances Without Wiring Modifications
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Summary
Problems
Current home automation systems face challenges in verifying the on-off status of AC powered appliances remotely, require expensive and complex wiring setups, and are costly to customize and maintain, limiting their widespread adoption due to the need for neutral wires and safety certifications.
Innovation solutions
The integration of add-on devices with relays and AC current sensors into standard electrical switches and outlets, allowing for remote operation and status verification through IR or RF communication, without direct exposure to live AC power lines, enabling low-cost, mass-produced solutions that are compatible with existing infrastructure.
TRIZ Analysis
Specific contradictions:
General conflict description:
Principle concept:
If home automation systems use custom designed AC electrical switches and outlets with direct exposure to live AC power lines, then reliable remote control and status monitoring is achieved, but the cost of testing, approval and certification increases significantly
Why choose this principle:
The patent introduces an intermediary device that couples to the appliance through the existing two-wire switch circuit without direct exposure to live AC power lines. This intermediary contains the relay and status sensing components, isolating them from direct AC line exposure while still enabling reliable remote control and status monitoring functions.
Principle concept:
If home automation systems use custom designed AC electrical switches and outlets with direct exposure to live AC power lines, then reliable remote control and status monitoring is achieved, but the cost of testing, approval and certification increases significantly
Why choose this principle:
The system is segmented into separate functional components: the existing manual switch, the add-on intermediary device with relay and sensor, and the remote control interface. This segmentation allows the critical components to avoid direct AC exposure while maintaining system functionality.
Application Domain
Data Source
AI summary:
The integration of add-on devices with relays and AC current sensors into standard electrical switches and outlets, allowing for remote operation and status verification through IR or RF communication, without direct exposure to live AC power lines, enabling low-cost, mass-produced solutions that are compatible with existing infrastructure.
Abstract
A method for adding and connecting a remotely an AC current sesnor to an AC outlet for integrating said AC appliance into an home automation network, and said AC current sensor is similar to a shape and a size of an AC otlet fit for installation into a standard electrical box.