Smart Client-Server Power Control for Standby Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power control systems for reducing standby power consumption in electric products are limited by their need for repetitive user intervention and lack of systematic research on configuring operation modes for intelligent remote standby power control, especially when products are not connected to the same multi-socket.
Innovation Solution
A smart client-server power control apparatus with a micro processing unit, communication unit, detection unit, and control unit that utilizes low power consuming power line or wireless communication protocols to manage standby power, enabling remote control and minimizing standby power consumption by automatically activating or deactivating jacks based on detected power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If users manually turn power on/off for each electric product to reduce standby power consumption, then standby power consumption is reduced, but user operation time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables electric products to automatically control their own power state through the master-electric product detecting standby status and autonomously deactivating client electric products via power line communication, eliminating the need for manual user intervention while maintaining low standby power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The master-electric product detects the standby status of client electric products through power line communication and provides feedback control signals to deactivate them automatically, creating a closed-loop system that reduces standby power without requiring continuous user input
2Ease of operation
If a multi-socket system is used for centralized power control, then power management is simplified, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power line communication infrastructure serves multiple functions: it provides both power transmission and data communication for status detection and control commands, allowing a single system to handle both power distribution and intelligent control without requiring separate dedicated communication hardware at each socket
3Extent of automation
If all electric products are connected to the same multi-socket, then centralized control is achieved, but adaptability to different product locations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power control into a master-electric product that initiates standby detection and client electric products that respond to control signals, allowing distributed products throughout the building to be managed autonomously without requiring physical proximity or centralized socket connection
Data Source
AI summary
A smart client-server power control apparatus is disclosed, which comprises: a micro process unit, for signal and operation control; a communication unit, capable of receiving commands from a user for enabling the user to direct electric products connected to a server jack or/and client jacks of the smart client-server power control apparatus to enter/exit a stand-by mode; a detection unit, capable of detecting the power consumption of a first electric product connected to the server jack while informing the micro process unit to perform a stand-by process as soon as the detected power consumption is lower than a specific rated value; and a control unit, for executing the activating/deactivating of the server jack and client jacks according to signals received from the micro process unit.