Wall Receptacle Current Sensing via Power-Line Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household and multi-tenant dwellings lack effective mechanisms to accurately monitor and quantify energy consumption from wall receptacles, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy costs.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a current sensing device with power-line communications circuitry into mountable wall receptacles, allowing for real-time monitoring and tracking of energy usage through power-lines, enabling communication between the receptacle and user devices for energy output monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional wall receptacles are used without monitoring capabilities, then device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but energy consumption monitoring precision is insufficient and measurement precision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single wall receptacle unit: power delivery through internal contacts, energy monitoring through integrated sensors, and communication through PLC circuitry. This merging approach enables precise energy monitoring while maintaining a unified, manageable device structure rather than requiring separate monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall receptacle is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing electrical power to devices, monitoring energy consumption in real-time, transmitting monitoring data via power-line communication, and enabling user control. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving precise monitoring without requiring multiple separate devices.
2Measurement precision
If individual energy trackers are connected to wall receptacles for monitoring, then energy measurement precision improves, but ease of operation deteriorates as the tracker must be connected while in use
Solution Approach 1:
The wall receptacle performs self-monitoring of energy consumption through integrated sensors and automatically transmits data via PLC communication. This eliminates the need for users to manually connect external trackers, as the system serves itself by continuously monitoring and reporting energy usage without user intervention or additional connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The power-line communication circuitry acts as an intermediary, using the existing power lines to transmit monitoring data from the receptacle to user devices. This eliminates the need for separate communication connections while maintaining continuous monitoring capability, thereby improving ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If energy meters are installed in centralized locations such as basements, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and accessibility deteriorate due to poor calibration and inconvenient location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy monitoring function from centralized meters and distributes it to individual wall receptacles. Each receptacle independently monitors its own energy consumption with integrated sensors, eliminating the need for centralized basement meters. This segmentation improves measurement precision by placing sensors at the point of consumption and eliminates calibration issues associated with remote centralized meters.
4Loss of information
If power-line communications circuitry is integrated into wall receptacles, then information transmission capability improves for monitoring purposes, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The PLC communication circuitry is merged with the existing power delivery infrastructure, using the same power lines for both energy transmission and data communication. This integration eliminates the need for separate communication wiring, thereby improving information transmission capability while avoiding the manufacturing complexity of adding entirely new communication infrastructure.
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
Enables precise energy monitoring and tracking, facilitating better energy management and cost control by providing users with accurate data on energy consumption, thereby reducing waste and expenses.
Implementation Method 1
The power-line communications circuitry is in electrical communication with at least the current sensor
Implementation Method 2
The current sensor is coupled to the internal contact such that it monitors an amount of energy provided to the internal contact for the accessory device
Data Source
AI summary
A mountable wall receptacle including one or more current sensors and power-line communications circuitry is described herein. In one exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, the mountable wall receptacle includes power-line communications circuitry, one or more current sensors, a power source, and one or more internal contacts. The wall receptacle is capable of monitoring and recording, using the current sensor(s), an amount of current or energy provided to an accessory device plugged into one or more outlets in communication with the one or more internal contacts. A user device is able to obtain the recorded amount of current or energy from various access points within a residence using one or more power lines located at the residence. The power lines enable the user device to communicate with the wall receptacle using the power-line communications circuitry therein.