Wireless Power Outlet Control for Standby Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Households face increasing energy costs due to standby power consumption from devices left plugged in, despite existing solutions being limited in functionality and user control.
Innovation Solution
A system for electric outlets that includes a power control device with sensors to measure current and detect proximity, allowing for automated power control and data collection for energy usage profiling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If devices are left plugged in for convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but energy consumption increases due to standby power
Solution Approach 1:
The smart outlet system automatically monitors device power consumption and autonomously disconnects devices in standby mode without requiring user intervention. The system uses current sensors to detect device states and relay switches to automatically cut power, enabling the system to serve itself in managing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors current draw through electric current sensors and provides feedback to the control logic. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect when devices enter standby mode and trigger automatic power disconnection, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to real-time power consumption data.
2Loss of energy
If smart outlets with automated shutdown are used, then energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single outlet device: power delivery, current sensing, wireless communication, and automated control. By integrating these functions into one unit, the system reduces the need for separate monitoring devices and simplifies installation while maintaining advanced energy management capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart outlet is designed to work with multiple types of electronic devices simultaneously, providing universal compatibility. The single outlet can manage different device profiles, support various communication protocols, and adapt to different power consumption patterns, making it a multi-functional solution that replaces multiple specialized devices.
3Loss of energy
If data collection and profiling systems are implemented, then energy optimization is improved, but loss of information privacy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system processes and analyzes power consumption data locally at the outlet level rather than centralized cloud processing. Each outlet maintains local knowledge of connected devices and their power patterns, enabling energy optimization decisions to be made locally while minimizing the transmission and storage of sensitive user information elsewhere in the network.
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 system effectively reduces standby power consumption by automatically turning off devices when not in use, provides detailed energy usage profiles for user optimization, and offers scalable implementation for both households and larger buildings.
Implementation Method 1
an electric current sensor configured to measure current passing through an electric outlet
Implementation Method 2
a proximity sensor configured to detect a distance of an object relative to the electric outlet
Implementation Method 3
a relay switch that can open or close to stop or conduct current through a circuit in the electric outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A power control device is contained within a housing and has an electric current sensor configured to measure current passing through an electric outlet during a time period, a proximity sensor configured to detect a distance of an object relative to the electric outlet during the time period, a relay switch that can open or close to stop or conduct current through a circuit in the electric outlet in response to a command, and a wireless network interface in communication with the electric current sensor and the proximity sensor, the wireless network interface configured to transmit and receive data from the current sensor and the proximity sensor, to transmit commands to the relay switch, transmit the data to a computing device, and receive commands from the computing device.