Intelligent Power Cord with Sensor-Based Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
In work areas, such as offices and hospitality spaces, there is a challenge in reducing unnecessary energy consumption, particularly from appliances and devices that continue to draw power even when not in use, leading to significant energy wastage.
Innovation Solution
An electrical power cord with built-in sensors and a switching circuit that selectively de-energizes the power output based on criteria like time-of-day, motion detection, and power consumption thresholds, ensuring energy is only used during active occupancy or usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If appliances and devices remain continuously powered to ensure immediate availability and functionality, then user convenience and responsiveness are improved, but energy consumption increases significantly during periods of non-use
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of occupancy or device usage status before power is actually needed. Sensors detect motion or device activity in advance, and the controller pre-positions the power state accordingly, ensuring immediate availability when needed while avoiding continuous power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors occupancy sensors, motion detectors, and device usage status to receive real-time feedback about actual power needs. This feedback loop allows the controller to dynamically adjust power delivery, maintaining availability when devices are in use while automatically cutting power during non-use periods.
2Extent of automation
If motion sensors and control circuits are added to the power cord, then energy consumption control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power cord is designed to perform multiple functions: it not only transmits power but also integrates occupancy sensing, motion detection, and automated control capabilities. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise be separate systems into a single integrated device, managing complexity through consolidation rather than addition.
Solution Approach 2:
The power cord system is designed to autonomously monitor its own usage conditions through integrated sensors and automatically control power delivery without external intervention. The controller self-adjusts power states based on sensor input, eliminating the need for manual user control and reducing the complexity of user interaction while maintaining high automation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical power cord includes intelligent switching capability. An electrical power input receives electrical power from a power source, and selectively conveys that power to an electrical power output only when certain occupancy or power usage criteria are met. The electrical power output conveys electrical power to an electrical consumer when a switch disposed along the power cord is closed. The switch is actuated in response to a signal received from a sensor, such as an occupancy sensor or a power consumption sensor, and breaks continuity along the power cord when signals received from the sensor indicate that the occupancy or power usage criteria are not being met, which criteria may be customized for a particular application. The electrical power cord is operable to automatically reduce or substantially eliminate power consumption at its power output end.