Rule-Based Smart Power Strip for Outlet Energy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power strips lack the capability to control power distribution to secondary outlets based on predefined rules or user preferences, energy demands, and smart grid information.
Innovation Solution
A smart power strip equipped with a controller that regulates electricity distribution to its outlets based on a set of rules, including electricity rate information, user preferences, energy demands, and smart grid data, and can be programmable for user-defined settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a smart power strip with rule-based control is implemented, then energy management capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power strip integrates multiple functions including power distribution, rule-based control, communication with smart grid, and user interface capabilities into a single device. The controller serves as a universal component that handles both power management and communication tasks, allowing the device to adapt to various energy management scenarios without requiring separate specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is nested within the power strip housing, and the communication module is integrated within the controller structure. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional layers to be contained within each other, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining advanced energy management capabilities through hierarchical organization of components.
2Loss of energy
If real-time rule-based control is implemented, then energy cost reduction is improved, but processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads rule sets and energy management parameters into the controller's memory before operation begins. By preparing control logic in advance and storing it locally, the controller can execute real-time decisions without requiring continuous complex processing, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining responsive control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller autonomously evaluates incoming data against stored rules and automatically executes control decisions without requiring external processing assistance. This self-service capability allows the power strip to reduce energy costs through real-time control while minimizing the processing power needed, as the device handles its own decision-making locally.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication protocols are supported, then smart grid integration is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller acts as an intermediary layer between the power strip and various smart grid communication protocols. Rather than implementing multiple protocol handlers directly in the power strip, the controller mediates communication by translating between different protocols and the internal control system, thereby improving smart grid integration while containing communication complexity within a single manageable component.
Data Source
AI summary
A power strip includes a controller that controls the transfer of electricity to one or more outlet electrical connectors based at least in part on a set of rules and certain status information. Some embodiments provide for apparatuses and methods of controlling the transfer of electricity to one or more outlet electrical connectors of a power strip based on various status information, such as cost, personal preferences, time information, power consumption.