Remote Switch Control Device Using Power Line Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing switching systems for remotely controlling electrical appliances require multiple wires and unlimited local access to a power supply, making them cumbersome and difficult to install, especially in spaces with limited access to power lines.

Innovation Solution

A switching system utilizing a break-before-make electromechanical switch and a remote switch control device that operates on a single power line, allowing for activation and deactivation of electrical appliances with reduced wire usage and no need for additional power lines, using a shaping circuit and detection circuit to manage power interruptions and communicate through the power line.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a wireless controlled switching system is used, then local access to power supply is unlimited, but additional cables are required for wired control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless controlVSAvoidadditional cables
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the power supply line and control signal transmission into a single wire system. The switching control device communicates with the electrical appliance through the existing power line, eliminating the need for separate control cables while maintaining wired control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The power line serves multiple functions: it provides both power supply to the electrical appliance and carries control signals for switching operations. This multi-functional use of the single wire reduces the quantity of cables required in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a wired-controlled switching system is used, then control stability is improved, but additional cables are required for control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol stabilityVSAvoidadditional cables
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The control signals are merged into the existing power line transmission. The switching control device modulates the power line to carry control information, achieving stable wired control without requiring additional control cables separate from the power supply line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If a single line power control system is used, then wire requirements are reduced, but power disturbances affect system reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire requirementsVSAvoidpower disturbance resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates a detection circuit that monitors power line conditions and a shaping circuit that prepares control signals in advance. These circuits compensate for power disturbances by detecting anomalies and adjusting control signal timing, ensuring reliable operation despite variations in power line quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection circuit continuously monitors the power line status and provides feedback to the switching control device. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to power disturbances by adjusting control signal generation, maintaining reliability despite using a single wire for both power and control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3257130B1Switching system for activating and deactivating of an electrical appliance
Publication Date: 2020.12.16 ESMART TECH SA
  • EP3257130B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP3257130B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3257130B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention concerns a switching system (6) for activating and deactivating of an electrical appliance (100) comprising a remote switch control device (9) that comprises a first terminal (90) electrically connected to a first power line (8), a second terminal (91) electrically connected to a second power line (7), and a third terminal (92) connectable to an electrical 5 terminal of the electrical appliance. The remote switch control device (9) is configured to modify the electrical connection between the first and the third terminal (90, 92) in response to a detection of an attenuation of an electrical parameter between the first and second terminals (90,91) caused by a electromechanical switch (1) configured to be manually actionable by 10 a user. The invention further concerns the remote switch control device (9) and a method for installing a switching system using the remote switch control device (9) and the electromechanical switch.