Distributed safety power utilization system
By using a distributed safe electricity system, sensors and microcontroller units are used for real-time monitoring and intelligent power outages, solving the problem that traditional circuit systems cannot achieve real-time monitoring and precise control, thus improving the safety and reliability of household electricity.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520411695.6
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-03-11
AI Technical Summary
Traditional circuit systems struggle to achieve real-time monitoring and precise control of electrical appliances, leading to fire hazards, and users forgetting to turn off the power to appliances may cause safety issues.
Design a distributed safe power system that employs a microcontroller unit, sensor unit, and switch unit. Real-time monitoring is achieved through current, voltage, and temperature sensors, and intelligent control and power outage management are performed using the microcontroller unit, which includes relays and circuit breakers, to realize hierarchical protection and remote monitoring.
It enables real-time monitoring and management of household electricity consumption, improves electrical safety, provides remote control functionality, and avoids fire hazards and the problem of forgetting to turn off appliances.
Smart Images
Figure CN223770557U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of power technology, specifically to a distributed safe power consumption system. Background Technology
[0002] Whether in homes, offices, or factories, electrical safety has always been a topic of long-term concern. Especially with the increasing variety and quantity of electrical appliances, electrical safety issues are becoming increasingly prominent.
[0003] Traditional circuit systems typically protect equipment using only circuit breakers or fuses, making real-time monitoring and precise control of electrical appliances difficult. In cases of overload, overheating, or leakage, conventional protection measures are often delayed or lack precise power-off functionality, leading to potential fire hazards. Furthermore, because circuit breakers are shared, equipment that shouldn't be powered off may also be disconnected. In addition, users often forget to turn off electrical appliances, which can also cause safety issues.
[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a control system that can monitor electrical appliances in real time, manage them intelligently, and cut off power safely to ensure the safety and reliability of household electricity use. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to overcome the defects in the existing technology and provide a distributed safe power system that has the basic functions of real-time monitoring and management of electrical equipment in each room / zone to ensure electrical safety, while also realizing remote monitoring and control.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model designs a distributed safe power consumption system. The power consumption system includes at least one safety module or several cascaded safety modules. Each safety module includes a microcontroller unit, several sensor units, and several switch units. The sensor units and switch units are all electrically connected to the microcontroller unit at their respective levels. The switch units are connected to the terminal load or user equipment for power supply, and their on / off state is controlled by the microcontroller unit at their respective levels. The switch units are connected to the switch units corresponding to the upper-level safety modules. This can be a situation where one upper-level switch unit corresponds to multiple switch units of several lower-level safety modules, or several upper-level switch units control different groups of switch units in the lower-level modules respectively. The microcontroller unit collects detection information from the sensor units at its respective level, controls the on / off state of the switch units at its respective level, receives user query information (for monitoring information) and / or switch commands sent by an external computer or other intelligent device or the microcontroller unit of the upper-level safety module, and returns relevant information. It also receives and forwards user query information and / or switch commands from the microcontroller unit of the lower-level safety module.
[0007] The sensor unit includes at least one of a current sensor, a voltage sensor, a temperature sensor, and a power sensor.
[0008] The switching unit includes relays and / or circuit breakers, and is equipped with an external control device for switching on and off. The circuit breaking threshold of the switching unit set by the microcontroller is generally lower than the current threshold of the switching unit's own automatic circuit breaking, that is, there is a last safety guarantee when the microcontroller fails. The first-level safety module includes a main switch unit and several sub-switches. The power supply of the sub-switches is controlled by the main switch unit, and at the same time, it supplies power to the switch units of the lower-level safety modules, or the loads or user equipment of this level. A lower-level switch unit, a load, or a set of user equipment supplies power to only one switch unit connected to it. The power supply interconnection method of the switch units includes any combination of layered, modular, cross-layer, and cross-module connection methods.
[0009] Furthermore, the cascaded safety module collects monitoring information from the lower-level safety modules through its own microcontroller unit, and periodically sends the monitoring information of its own level and its subordinate lower-level safety modules to the upper-level safety module microcontroller unit. The monitoring information is accompanied by the identification of the safety module and its corresponding switch unit, so that users can easily identify or obtain the power consumption information of the load or the lower-level switch unit under each independent switch unit.
[0010] Furthermore, the sensor unit is mounted on the switching unit or user equipment.
[0011] Furthermore, the sensor unit is embedded within the switch unit, and is designed as an integrated unit with the switch unit structure.
[0012] Furthermore, the power system also includes a smart terminal (such as a mobile phone) monitoring unit. The smart terminal monitoring unit is electrically connected to the microcontroller unit and is set in the first-level safety module or each safety module. It automatically monitors the distance between the smart terminal and the power equipment. If the distance exceeds a set threshold, it automatically detects whether the power equipment that should be turned off has been turned off. If it has not been turned off, it sends a reminder message to the user.
[0013] Furthermore, the power supply system is a single safety module.
[0014] Furthermore, the power system has a two-level structure, with the first level including a safety module and the second level including several safety modules.
[0015] Furthermore, the power supply connection method of the switching unit includes a series connection method among some switching units within the same module, that is, there are local main switching units and sub-switching units within the module.
[0016] Furthermore, the switching unit on / off control method includes a general threshold control method, which is the traditional control method of cutting off the power supply when the current exceeds a set threshold; or a comprehensive threshold control method, which determines whether an alarm prompts manual intervention or directly cuts off the power supply (with simultaneous alarm) by jointly analyzing the changes and trends of current, voltage, and temperature.
[0017] The advantages and beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This utility model addresses the common electrical safety management needs of homes, apartment buildings, offices, factories, etc. (except for special needs with dedicated intelligent safety designs), particularly the electrical management of multiple rooms within a home. It designs a safe electrical system based on distributed control nodes. By setting independent control nodes in each room or factory area, and at least one primary control node, the system monitors and manages the electrical equipment in each room / area in real time, ensuring electrical safety while also enabling remote monitoring and control. The system uses several types of sensors, including current sensors, temperature sensors, voltage sensors, and power sensors, for data acquisition, and works with microcontrollers and relays for intelligent control. This system not only improves daily electrical safety but also provides new technical paths and conceptual methods for the future development of smart home devices. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of the distributed safe power system of this utility model.
[0019] In the picture:
[0020] Connection lines: Thick solid lines indicate electrical power supply connections between switch units; thin solid lines indicate electrical connections between units within a module and electrical connections between modules.
[0021] Number: m represents the total number of safety modules in the system, i, j, k represent the total number of sensor units in different modules, a, b, c represent the total number of switch units in different modules, and in the double natural number identifier, the first natural number is the module number and the second natural number is the unit number of the same type in this module. Detailed Implementation
[0022] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model.
[0023] Example 1:
[0024] like Figure 1As shown, a distributed safe power system includes at least one safety module or several cascaded safety modules. Each safety module includes a microcontroller unit, several sensor units, and several switch units. The sensor units and switch units are electrically connected to the corresponding microcontroller unit. The switch units are connected to the power supply of the terminal load or user equipment, providing power to the load or user equipment. (Since sensors, microcontrollers, and the electrical control parts of switch units are generally powered by low-voltage electricity, although they may be converted from high-voltage electricity, to avoid ambiguity, unless otherwise specified, "power supply" in this invention generally refers to high-voltage electricity, primarily power supply to the load or user equipment, and the high-voltage electricity directly affected by the switching unit's connection or disconnection). Its on / off state is controlled by the corresponding microcontroller unit. The switch units are connected to the switch units corresponding to the higher-level safety modules. This can be a higher-level switch unit corresponding to multiple switch units of adjacent lower-level safety modules, or several higher-level switch units controlling different groups of switch units in the lower-level modules. In total, the number of higher-level switching units is greater than the total number of switching units in all lower-level modules. A lower-level switching unit is controlled by the power supply of only one higher-level switching unit, while a higher-level switching unit can control multiple lower-level switching units. It should be noted that the power supply connection and the electrical signal connection are different. The microcontroller unit collects information from each sensor through the electrical signal connection and controls the switching on and off. The object controlled by the switching on and off is the power supply of the load or user equipment or the power supply of the lower-level switching units. The microcontroller unit collects detection information from the sensor units at its level, controls the switching on and off of the switching units at its level, receives user query information (for monitoring information) and / or switching commands sent by external computers or other intelligent devices or the microcontroller unit of the higher-level security module, and returns relevant information. It also receives and forwards user query information and / or switching commands from the microcontroller unit of the lower-level security module. Information transmission and reception are realized through the communication unit, which is generally located in the microcontroller unit and supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or 4G / 5G, etc., to realize data acquisition, processing and transmission, which is the existing technology.
[0025] The sensor unit includes at least one of a current sensor, a voltage sensor, a temperature sensor, and a power sensor. It is commonly used to include at least one current sensor. The sensor unit is installed in the switch unit or user equipment, usually inside the switch unit or user equipment, but can also be installed outside the switch unit or user equipment. It is used to detect the power consumption, line temperature, and voltage changes in each room (i.e., the upper-level switch unit, corresponding to all switch units in a lower-level room), a single user equipment, a group of user equipment, a switch unit, or a group of switch units. The sensor detection information is accompanied by the identifier of the detected object and the detection time identifier, so users can easily obtain the power consumption and temperature changes of the object of interest.
[0026] The switching unit includes a relay and / or a circuit breaker (air switch), and is equipped with an external control device for power-off operation when the system detects an abnormality. Its switching is controlled by the microcontroller unit at this level, and can also be controlled by the switch's own limit shutdown mechanism (such as automatic circuit breaking when the current is too high). In this case, the circuit breaking threshold set by the microcontroller unit for the switching unit is generally less than the current threshold for automatic circuit breaking of the switching unit itself, that is, there is a last safety guarantee when the microcontroller fails. The first-level safety module includes a main switch unit and several branch switch units. The power supply of the branch switch units is controlled by the main switch unit at the entrance, and at the same time, it supplies power to the switch units connected to the lower-level safety module, or the load or user equipment at this level. A lower-level switch unit or a load or a set of user equipment supplies power to only one switch unit connected to it (for the need for dual-control switches in the home, such as two switches in different locations that can control a certain light switch, we still refer to this group of switches as a switch unit). Specifically, this can be achieved by improving the connectors of traditional direct-connected loads or electrical equipment, adding a controllable switch and a set of corresponding sensors to each or each group of connectors, thereby providing the hardware foundation for the implementation of each functional module or functional unit of the system.
[0027] This system typically deploys a security module per room or independent zone (such as a functional area of a factory; for brevity, this application generally uses "room" to represent this area). Each room / zone can function as an independent control node, responsible for real-time monitoring of the power consumption in its assigned room. In addition to monitoring the power consumption of its own load, user equipment, or switch unit, the microcontroller unit of the higher-level security module can control the microcontroller units of all lower-level security modules without affecting the connection method of a switch unit of the higher-level security module controlling different switch units in several different rooms / zones (i.e., the cross-layer and / or cross-module connection method of switch units, as shown in the diagram, which represents a cross-module link). For example, the main lighting switch can simultaneously control the lighting power consumption of different rooms.
[0028] The electrical connections of the safety modules can essentially be categorized as the mutual electrical connections of the corresponding microcontrollers, generally strictly hierarchical connections, not crossing layers or modules. However, the power supply interconnection methods of the switching units include any combination of hierarchical, modular, cross-layer, and cross-module connections. That is, each upper-level switching unit can individually control the power supply to all switching units of an adjacent lower-level module, which is a conventional hierarchical or modular power supply connection; alternatively, one upper-level switching unit can control different switching units of multiple adjacent lower-level modules, as shown in the attached diagram. Figure 1 The connection method shown is a cross-module power supply connection; it is also possible for one upper-level switch unit to simultaneously control the power supply connection of different switch units of several adjacent lower-level modules as well as several switch units in its subsequent layers.
[0029] The hierarchical system architecture enables multi-level protection. The system prioritizes detecting abnormalities in the equipment or switching units in the branch circuits. When a single equipment or branch circuit malfunctions, the branch circuit is disconnected first. If the problem is not resolved or the fault affects the main circuit, the system will quickly disconnect the upstream switching unit or the main circuit to ensure the safety of the entire household power supply system.
[0030] The primary safety module microcontroller unit is used to centrally manage the control nodes in each room, record and analyze the power consumption of each node, and perform overall remote monitoring and operation. Users can view and control the system status through smart devices such as PCs, mobile phones, and tablets. Sometimes, the primary safety module microcontroller unit is also called the central control unit or centralized control unit. Its centralized data acquisition and processing functions are relatively powerful, while the lower-level microcontroller units mainly collect and forward information (including control commands). This is just a difference in functional division; the system composition is essentially the same.
[0031] Preferably, the cascaded safety module collects monitoring information from the lower-level safety module through its own microcontroller unit, and periodically sends the monitoring information of its own level and its subordinate lower-level safety modules to the upper-level safety module microcontroller unit. The monitoring information is accompanied by the identification of the safety module and its corresponding switch unit, so that users can easily identify or obtain the power consumption information of the load or the lower-level switch unit under each independent switch unit.
[0032] This embodiment sets up a distributed safe power system with a total of 5 safety modules across 2 levels (some modules or units in the figure are represented by ellipses). This can serve as a common structural pattern for household distributed safe power systems. A main safety module (Level 1) is installed at the entrance of the house, and each of the four rooms has a Level 2 safety module. The switching units of the Level 1 safety modules have both hardware automatic power-off and software power-off functions (i.e., power-off controlled by a microcontroller unit). The switching units of the Level 2 safety modules only have software power-off functionality (i.e., power-off controlled by a microcontroller unit). Each switching unit is electrically connected to the microcontroller unit of its module, and each switching unit is equipped with temperature, voltage, and current detection sensors. Therefore, all user equipment connected to the switching units is under the unified monitoring of this system. The system has both automatic safety monitoring functions and remote query and control functions for intelligent devices. Its overall safety, operability, and user-friendliness are very significant. In particular, by analyzing the long-term power consumption of electrical equipment, it can obtain information on changes in equipment performance, providing information support for timely repair, maintenance, or replacement, and avoiding the impact of sudden failures on normal life and overall electrical safety (such as fire hazards caused by short circuits).
[0033] Preferably, the sensor unit is installed in the switch unit or user equipment. In this embodiment, the sensor unit is embedded in the switch unit and is integrated with the switch unit structure.
[0034] Preferably, the power supply connection method of the switching unit includes a series connection of some switching units within the same module, that is, there are local main switching units and sub-switching units within the module.
[0035] Preferably, the switching unit on / off control method includes a general threshold control method or a comprehensive threshold control method, both of which belong to transient analysis and judgment methods. The general threshold control method is the traditional control method that cuts off the power supply when the current exceeds a set threshold. The comprehensive threshold control method, through joint analysis of several related factors among the changes and trends of current, voltage, and temperature, determines whether an alarm prompts manual intervention or direct power cut-off (with simultaneous alarm) is required. This allows for earlier and more accurate control or alarm detection of potential hazards, avoiding the impact of large current shutdown on equipment or the power grid. The comprehensive threshold control method includes, for example, a current-voltage comprehensive threshold control method.
[0036] Let the first current threshold I be... 1max (Equivalent to the self-excited oscillation threshold), second current threshold I 2max (Equivalent to an alarm threshold, reminding the user to check and handle the issue), Third current threshold I 3max (Equivalent to automatic partial power-off threshold), where current refers to effective current; the current threshold I for automatic power-off in the switching unit hardware. 0max (This value is a fixed value for the electrical switch and is related to the hardware characteristics of the equipment), then I 1max 2max 3max 0max ;
[0037] First pulse voltage threshold V 1max (Equivalent to the self-excited oscillation threshold);
[0038] When the measured voltage V>=V 1max And the measured current I>=I 1max When the above conditions are met, the system will alarm; if the above conditions are met, it means that there may be self-excited oscillation in this circuit, and the alarm will be triggered first, requiring inspection or power-off inspection; if the source of the pulsation is in other circuits, the voltage of this circuit may be abnormal, but the current is generally not abnormal, so this circuit will not alarm; this method can identify circuit pulses or self-excited oscillations earlier, take timely measures to avoid unnecessary losses and impacts, or prepare for power-off in advance.
[0039] If there is no voltage detection, proceed directly to the following current determination;
[0040] When the measured current I>=I 2max The system will alarm at that time;
[0041] When the measured current I>=I 3max When this happens, the system will automatically cut off the power or cut off the power supply and simultaneously sound an alarm.
[0042] When there is no voltage detection value, only the second current threshold I is used. 2max and the third current threshold I 3max Analyzing and judging is a simplified method, and it is still superior to the traditional method of directly cutting off power when a single current threshold is reached. It allows users some time to process the problem independently, while direct power cutting off can sometimes cause adverse effects or losses.
[0043] All threshold settings must be determined based on the actual performance of the load and switching unit hardware. Each level of safety module can have its own control method and threshold settings for each switching unit or load. For the current control threshold in hierarchical control, the control threshold of the upper-level safety module is greater than the threshold of the lower-level safety module. Generally, it should be greater than the "maximum threshold + normal operating total current" in the corresponding group of switching units of the lower-level safety module.
[0044] When the system is used for the first time or the load is connected for the first time, the system automatically collects several relevant data such as normal operating current, voltage, power, and temperature of the relevant electrical equipment or switching unit. When necessary, it can also collect several relevant data such as current, voltage, power, and temperature of the load in standby mode, monitor the changes in standby power consumption, and thus help to judge the performance changes of the electrical equipment. At the same time, it analyzes the standby power consumption to provide users with more information on the performance of the electrical equipment.
[0045] Based on the rated current I0 and rated voltage V0 of the monitored load or user equipment, this embodiment sets I... 1max =1.3I0, I 2max =1.5I0, I 3max =2I0,V 1max =1.2V0.
[0046] Note that different units and different devices may have different thresholds; even for the same device and the same unit, the thresholds may differ at different times. The control methods described above, based on current and voltage, can also be adapted to control methods based on power and temperature.
[0047] Example 2:
[0048] The difference from Embodiment 1 is that the power system described in this embodiment also includes a smart terminal (such as a mobile phone) monitoring unit (not shown in the figure). This smart terminal monitoring unit is electrically connected to the microcontroller unit and is located within the first-level safety module or each safety module. Generally, at least one smart terminal monitoring unit is set up in the first-level safety module, and other safety modules can be configured as needed. Complete distributed power safety monitoring typically involves one smart monitoring unit in each safety module, enabling independent monitoring. The smart monitoring unit automatically monitors the distance between the smart terminal and the power equipment. If the distance exceeds a set threshold (200m in this embodiment), it automatically detects whether the power equipment that should be turned off has been turned off. If not, it sends a reminder message to the user, who can then remotely disconnect the power via the smart terminal to ensure energy saving and power safety. Of course, the power equipment can also be set to an automatic power-off mode, meaning it automatically disconnects without user confirmation, but generally, user confirmation is required to avoid accidental power disconnection. The specific mode can be set by the user. Specific distance monitoring methods include using mobile phone location information. Users can simultaneously view and control the overall status of the power system using this smart terminal monitoring unit.
[0049] Example 3:
[0050] The difference from Embodiment 1 is that this embodiment has only one room, so only a distributed safe power system consisting of a primary safety module is set up. One microcontroller unit controls one main switch unit and five group switch units. The group switch units are connected to different loads respectively. The power supply connection is controlled by the main switch. The main switch unit and the five group switch units are all electrically connected to the microcontroller unit. The other sensor units are set up in the same way as in Embodiment 1.
[0051] Example 4:
[0052] The difference from Embodiment 1 is that this embodiment only sets one current sensor in each switching unit. When the measured current I>=I 2max The system alarms when the measured current I >= I0. 3max When this occurs, the system will alarm and automatically cut off the power. If, based on the actual load situation, the system simultaneously collects monitoring information such as current, voltage, and temperature emitted by intelligent electrical devices, then safety alarms and controls can be performed using the corresponding general threshold control method or comprehensive threshold control method, depending on the type of information received.
[0053] Example 5:
[0054] The difference from Embodiment 1 is that this embodiment includes a current sensor and a temperature sensor in each switching unit, and employs a general threshold control method or a comprehensive threshold control method for safety alarm and control. Considering that real-time pulse voltage detection is not easy, this embodiment is a more practical implementation method in current engineering, namely, achieving safety control of the power system through the detection and analysis of current and temperature, and it is also a simplified system.
[0055] Example 6:
[0056] The difference from Example 1 is that this example does not use a temperature sensor, but only uses a current and voltage combined threshold control method, making the system relatively simpler.
[0057] The above description is only a relatively systematic and comprehensive embodiment of a distributed safe power system of this utility model. In fact, there are many preferred solutions for the hierarchical number and distribution of safety modules, the connection method of the switching units between each level, and the configuration and layout of each unit inside the module. These combinations or preferred solutions should also be considered within the protection scope of this utility model, and will not be listed one by one here.
Claims
1. A distributed power security system, characterized by, The power utilization system comprises at least one safety module or several safety modules in hierarchical cascade, the safety module comprises a micro control unit, several sensor units and several switch units, the sensor units and switch units are electrically connected with the micro control unit of the present stage; the switch units are connected with terminal loads or user equipment for power supply, and the switch units are connected with the switch units of the superior safety module for power supply; The sensor units comprise at least one of at least one of a current sensor, a voltage sensor, a temperature sensor and a power sensor; The switch units comprise relays and / or circuit breakers, and are provided with devices for externally controlling on-off; the first stage safety module comprises one household main switch unit and several branch switch units, the branch switch units are connected with the household main switch unit for power supply, and are connected with the switch units of the lower stage safety module or the loads or user equipment of the present stage for power supply, one lower stage switch unit or one load or one set of user equipment is connected with only one switch unit for power supply, and the power supply interconnection mode of the switch units comprises any combination connection mode of hierarchical, modular, cross-layer and cross-module.
2. The distributed power security system of claim 1, wherein, The sensor units are installed on the switch units or user equipment.
3. The distributed power security system of claim 2, wherein, The sensor units are in-embeddedly installed in the switch units and are integrally designed with the switch units.
4. The distributed power security system of claim 1, wherein, The power utilization system further comprises an intelligent terminal monitoring unit, the intelligent terminal monitoring unit is electrically connected with the micro control unit, and at least one intelligent terminal monitoring unit is arranged in the first stage safety module.
5. The distributed power security system of claim 1, wherein, The power utilization system is a single safety module.
6. The distributed power security system of claim 1, wherein, The power utilization system is a two-stage structure, the first stage comprises one safety module, and the second stage comprises several safety modules.
7. The distributed power security system of claim 1, wherein, The power supply connection mode of the switch units comprises a mode that the switch units in the present module are connected in series with each other, that is, there are local main switch units and branch switch units in the module.