Standby Power Cut-Off Circuit for Single-Signal Switch Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing standby power cut-off devices for IoT apparatuses risk multiple operations and energy waste due to low power factor and inefficient power management when commercial AC power is cut off, leading to potential malfunctions and unnecessary energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A standby power cut-off device with a manual switch, non-contact relay, low-power supply unit, microprocessor, control signal generator, capacitor, and resistor that safely turns on/off IoT devices without multiple operations, using periodic charging of an energy storage device like a super capacitor to minimize power usage and prevent energy waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a photo coupler is used to control power supply when a power switch is pressed, then the control unit can operate the relay to supply power, but the photo coupler repeats current flow on and off at 60 Hz when pressed for 1 second, causing the control unit to detect multiple control signals and perform multiple operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using a capacitor to store energy before the control signal is needed. When the power switch is pressed, the capacitor charges up and maintains voltage during the AC cycle, ensuring the control signal generator receives continuous power and generates a single clean control signal rather than multiple erratic signals. This preliminary energy storage prevents the multiple operation malfunction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a capacitor as an intermediary energy storage device between the power switch and the control signal generator. This capacitor acts as a buffer that smooths out the intermittent current flow from the AC-powered photo coupler, providing stable voltage to prevent multiple signal generation. The capacitor mediates between the imperfect photo coupler output and the control unit requirements.
2Productivity
If the control unit continuously receives power to operate normally without pressing the power switch, then the electrical apparatus can operate continuously, but standby power consumption becomes a big problem with very low power factor causing global demand for energy waste solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using an energy storage device (capacitor or super capacitor) to store power during active operation and discharge it during standby periods. This allows the control unit to operate intermittently rather than continuously, reducing standby power consumption while maintaining necessary functionality. The system periodically charges the energy storage device when power is available and uses stored energy when power is cut off.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the energy storage function from the continuous power supply system by introducing a separate capacitor or super capacitor component. This extracted energy storage mechanism allows the system to decouple continuous operation from continuous power consumption, enabling the control unit to function using stored energy during standby periods rather than requiring continuous AC power, thus solving the standby power waste problem.
3Ease of operation
If a manual switch directly controls AC power supply to the power supply unit and control unit, then the electrical apparatus can be turned on/off, but when turned off, power stored in energy storage device becomes network standby power for IoT apparatus causing energy waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the energy storage device to automatically power the network standby function without requiring continuous AC power or active control. When the main power is cut off by the manual switch, the stored energy in the capacitor or super capacitor automatically maintains the necessary standby power for IoT communications, eliminating the need for additional standby power consumption from the AC line while keeping the network functional.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution prevents energy waste by ensuring safe and efficient power management, minimizing both active and reactive power consumption during standby, and preventing malfunctions by ensuring uninterrupted current flow to the control signal generator, thus reducing heat and sparks.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact relay that supplies the commercial AC power to an output side when a current flows to an input side according to the operation of the manual switch
Implementation Method 2
a capacitor that is charged and then discharged according to the operation of the manual switch; even though not in a forward direction when the manual switch operates, a current flows uninterruptedly in the control signal generator due to a discharge of the capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a standby power cut-off device provided on a power line connected from a commercial alternating current (AC) power source to an inside of an electrical apparatus, the device including: a manual switch that supplies or cuts off power from the commercial AC power source; a non-contact relay that supplies the commercial AC power to an output side when a current flows to an input side according to the operation of the manual switch; a low-power supply unit that converts and supplies a voltage of the commercial AC power supplied by the non-contact relay; a microprocessor that receives power supplied by the low-power supply unit and controls the operation of the standby power cut-off device; a control signal generator that sends a control signal to the microprocessor when a current flows according to the operation of the manual switch; a capacitor that is charged and then discharged according to the operation of the manual switch; and a resistor that causes a charging voltage of the capacitor to be greater than an operating voltage of the control signal generator, wherein when the manual switch operates, that is, when turning on or off the electrical apparatus, a current flows uninterruptedly in the control signal generator due to a discharge of the capacitor so as to prevent a malfunction due to the multiple operation control of the microprocessor.