Smart Outlet Power Control for Vampire Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household and office electronic devices consume significant energy even when not in use, contributing to 'vampire energy' waste, which is difficult to mitigate through manual unplugging due to the numerous and often hard-to-reach locations of appliances.
Innovation Solution
An analytic-based system that identifies appliance types and usage patterns to selectively control power delivery to outlets, using a power model that powers outlets during expected use times and powers them off during unused periods, leveraging user presence data and energy usage history to optimize energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If manual unplugging is used to reduce vampire energy, then energy waste is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to numerous and hard-to-reach appliance locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables appliances to automatically manage their own power consumption by detecting usage status and automatically disconnecting power when not in use, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The appliance identifier module identifies connected devices, and the power model automatically controls power delivery based on detected usage patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of manually unplugging devices with an automated electronic control system. The power outlet automatically detects appliance status through appliance identifiers and uses power models to control power delivery electronically, substituting physical manual operations with automated electronic detection and control.
2Ease of operation
If continuous power is provided to all outlets, then ease of operation is maintained, but energy consumption increases due to vampire energy from unused devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts power delivery to outlets based on real-time appliance usage status. Instead of static continuous power supply, the power model continuously monitors appliance identifiers and automatically adjusts power states between connected and disconnected, optimizing energy consumption while maintaining accessibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic monitoring of appliance usage status through appliance identifiers and implements periodic power state adjustments. The power model continuously detects changes in appliance status and periodically switches power states, providing power only during periods when appliances are actually in use.
3Loss of energy
If automated power control is implemented, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to power models and monitoring systems
Solution Approach 1:
The power outlet system performs multiple functions: it identifies appliances through appliance identifiers, monitors usage status, stores power models for different appliance types, and automatically controls power delivery. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated outlet that handles identification, monitoring, and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes in appliance identifiers to determine appropriate power models and control strategies. By detecting changes in appliance identification parameters and usage status parameters, the system automatically selects and applies appropriate power models, managing complexity through parameter-based decision-making rather than hard-coded logic.
Data Source
AI summary
For analytic-based control of energy consumption, an appliance module receives an appliance identifier of an appliance connected to a power outlet, a selection module selects a power model for the power outlet based on the appliance identifier, the power model designating times that the power outlet is to be powered and times that the power outlet is to be unpowered, a usage module receives energy usage data for a power outlet, a presence module receives user presence data for a locale containing the power outlet, a update module modifies a power model for the power outlet based on the energy usage data and the user presence data, and a power control module selectively provides electrical power to the power outlet according to the power schedule.