High-Voltage Outlet Splitting With Dynamic Load Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Residential houses in North America typically have a single high-power circuit for appliances like clothes dryers, making it difficult to share this outlet with an electric vehicle (EV) charger without invasive and expensive installations.
Innovation Solution
A power management device that plugs into a high-power outlet, allowing multiple appliances to connect, using sensors and a controller to monitor and control current distribution based on factors like time of day, priority, and user preferences, ensuring efficient and safe power allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single high-power outlet is shared among multiple appliances, then power utilization efficiency is improved, but the risk of overloading and safety hazards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts power distribution to multiple appliances based on real-time monitoring of power consumption, appliance priority settings, and available capacity. The controller continuously evaluates the power draw from each outlet and adjusts allocation accordingly, transforming a static single-outlet system into a dynamic multi-appliance power management system that optimizes utilization while preventing overloading.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by monitoring power consumption at each outlet through sensors and using this information to adjust power distribution decisions. The controller receives feedback on current draw, appliance status, and power availability, then modifies allocation in real-time to maintain safe operating limits while maximizing power utilization efficiency.
2Power
If an additional high-power circuit is installed for EV charging, then power availability for EV charging is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables a single high-power outlet to serve multiple functions and multiple appliances simultaneously, including EV charging, clothes drying, and other high-power loads. By implementing intelligent power splitting and allocation, the existing outlet becomes a universal power source that can accommodate EV charging without requiring a separate dedicated circuit, thereby avoiding additional installation complexity and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The power management device acts as an intermediary between the single high-power outlet and multiple appliances. This intermediary device intelligently distributes power to connected appliances based on their needs, priority settings, and available capacity, enabling EV charging through the shared outlet without direct modification to the electrical infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple appliances are connected to a single outlet, then adaptability is improved, but the difficulty of monitoring and controlling power distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power distribution control into individual manageable units, with each outlet equipped with its own sensor and control logic. The controller divides the total available power capacity among multiple outlets based on appliance priority, current consumption, and power availability. This segmentation approach allows the system to handle multiple appliances with different power requirements while maintaining simplified individual control for each outlet.
Solution Approach 2:
Each appliance connected to the outlets can be configured with priority levels and power requirements, allowing them to effectively advocate for their own power needs. The controller automatically monitors and responds to power requests from each appliance based on their configured parameters, enabling the system to self-regulate power distribution without complex external intervention or manual control.
Data Source
AI summary
A power management device for intelligently splitting and controlling a high power outlet is described. The device includes a housing, power input, outlets, power sensor, and a controller. The housing has an internal compartment configured to hold components of the device and an exterior surface. The device has a plurality of outlets on the exterior surface of the housing. Each outlet is configured to connect to an appliance. Each outlet has a power sensor configured to sense current draw and/or power use at the outlet. The controller of the device is contained within the internal compartment of the housing and monitors the usage of each outlet via readings from the power sensors. The controller determines, based on the monitored usage and appliance parameters, one or more outlets to provide current to, and causes current to be provided to the determined outlet(s).