US20160308374A1 | 2016-10-20 | |||
US20090177906A1 | 2009-07-09 | |||
US20160380476A1 | 2016-12-29 |
CLAIMS 1. A power distribution system for powering devices with a DC voltage requirement, comprising a distribution unit for converting mains input power to a plurality of SELV (Safety Extra Low Voltage) power circuits, and adaptors for converting the SELV power circuits to a DC voltage in accordance with the DC voltage requirements of the devices, wherein the DC voltage requirements for the devices is read from the devices. 2. A system as in claim 1 wherein the devices further comprise a DC current requirement and the SELV circuits comprise a circuit breaker with a settable trip current, and wherein the trip current of the circuit breakers is set in accordance with the current requirements which is read from the devices. 3. A system as in claim 1 , wherein the DC voltage requirement is stored in an electronic memory within the device. 4. A system as in claim 1 , wherein the DC voltage requirement is stored in an electronic memory within a power cable of the device. 5. A system as in claim 1 , wherein the SELV power circuits further comprise a wall plate and the adaptors are plugged into the wall plate. 6. A system as in claim 1 , wherein the adaptors are contained within the devices. 7. A system as in claim 1 further comprising a controller for controlling and monitoring the devices, wherein the controller is in communication with the devices via the SELV power circuits. 8. A system as in claim 7 wherein the controller is operated remotely. |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an intelligent power distribution system in which the distribution of power is Safe Extra Low Voltage (SELV) and voltage conversion to the required device voltage occurs at an intelligent outlet, or within the consuming device itself.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Power distribution systems have evolved as high voltage AC systems in order to minimise transmission losses with the voltage being easily stepped down to lower voltages, typically 250 Vac, for domestic and commercial end users.
[0003] When originally developed, such 250Vac systems were directly compatible with most electrical devices in use, such as light bulbs and appliance motors.
However, with the advent of the electronics age in which an ever increasing amount of devices operate at low DC voltages dedicated power supplies have been needed for each device to convert 250Vac to the required DC voltage.
[0004] The proliferation of small DC power supplies, many of which are only used sporadically, is inherently inefficient, both in terms of physical resources required and power conversion efficiency.
[0005] The object of this invention is to provide a more efficient power distribution system to alleviate the above problem, or at least provide the public with a useful alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In a first aspect the invention provides a power distribution system for powering devices with a DC voltage requirement, comprising a distribution unit for converting mains input power to a plurality of SELV (Safety Extra Low Voltage) power circuits, and adaptors for converting the SELV power circuits to a DC voltage in accordance with the DC voltage requirements of the devices, wherein the DC voltage requirements for the devices is read from the devices.
[0007] Preferably the devices further comprise a DC current requirement and the SELV circuits comprise a circuit breaker with a settable trip current, and wherein the trip current of the circuit breakers is set in accordance with the current requirements which is read from the devices.
[0008] The DC voltage requirement is stored in an electronic memory within the device or in an electronic memory within a power cable of the device.
[0009] Preferably the SELV power circuits further comprise a wall plate and the adaptors are plugged into the wall plate, alternatively the adaptors are contained within the devices.
[0010] The system may further comprise a controller for controlling and monitoring the devices, wherein the controller is in communication with the devices via the SELV power circuits. The controller may be operated remotely.
[0011] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.
[0013] Figure 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of a power distribution system according to the present invention.
[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic of a Power Distribution Unit of the power distribution system.
[0015] Figure 3 is a schematic of a Master Controller of the power distribution system.
[0016] Figure 4 is a schematic of a Room Controller of the power distribution system. [0017] Figures 5A is a schematic of an Intelligent Adaptor of the power distribution system used to power a device with a required DC operating voltage.
[0018] Figure 5B is a schematic of a device which converts SELV to the required DC operating voltage.
[0019] Figures 6A and 6B show a physical implementation of a Power Distribution Unit.
[0020] Figures 7A to 7C show a SELV (Direct) Outlet being fitted to a Wall Plate of the power distribution system.
[0021] Figures 8A to 8C show an Intelligent Adaptor fitted to a wall plate, single outlet power board and a four outlet power board.
[0022] Figure 9 shows the connector of an Intelligent Adaptor.
[0023] Figure 10 shows typical device power cables that are used in conjunction with an Intelligent Adaptor.
[0024] Figures 11 A to 11 D show the physical form of various system components, namely: a high power Intelligent Adaptor; an Intelligent Adaptor with USB connections; a Master Controller; and, a Room Controller.
[0025] Figure 12 shows an example usage of the system powering a lamp and a laptop computer.
[0026] Figure 13 shows an example usage of the system powering a toaster and a phone.
[0027] Figure 14 shows the use of an Intelligent Adaptor with a fixed base for hardwired lighting.
DRAWING COMPONENTS
[0028] The drawings include the following integers. power distribution system
mains power bulk SELV power
SELV feeds
regulated DC power
High Speed data
device communication signals
Renewable Power
HV selector
distribution unit
cabinet
SELV power supplies
HV bus bars
SELV bus bars
electronic circuit breakers controller
conventional circuit breakers hardwire base
SELV screw terminals
SELV connector
output connectors
output screw terminals wall plates
identification
escutcheon
recess
connector pins
intelligent adaptor - 150W outlet controller
SELV-DC converters output connectors
alternative input connector indicator LEDs
intelligent adaptor - 800W intelligent adaptor - 150 + USB profile
smart power plug 81 , 82, 83 smart power cables
84, 85, 86 i powered device connectors
90 SELV (direct) outlet plate
91 extension cable
92 SELV device cable
93 single outlet power board
94 four outlet power board
99 SELV plug
100 master controller
101 controller
102 touch display
103 zoned WiFi connectivity
104 internet gateway
105 power supply
120 room controller
121 controller
122 touch display
123 zoned WiFi connectivity
124 user interface buttons
25 power supply
200 powered devices
201 lamp
202 laptop
203 smartphone
204 toaster
205 LED ceiling lamp
210 SELV powered device
301 , 302 local network devices
310 internet
311 , 312 remote network devices
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the
accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.
[0030] The present invention provides a paradigm shift in power distribution for end user premises, moving away from 250Vac wiring and conversion to DC in each appliance to a low voltage (SELV) distribution system in which the desired DC voltage for each appliance is generated at the wall plate in response to reading the appliances power requirements. Provision is also made to feed SELV to devices for conversion to their required operating voltage(s)
[0031] An example power distribution system incorporating the invention is shown in schematic form as 20 in Figure 1. Incoming power, either 250Vac mains power 21 , or power 28 from a renewable source such as a solar panel array or battery, is first converted by a distribution unit 30 to bulk SELV power 22 of up to 48V AC to 57V DC and then fed through a series of electronic circuit breakers 35 to separate SELV feeds 23 which are distributed to hard wire bases 40 or wall plates 50 for conversion by intelligent adaptors 60 to regulated DC power 24 for use by various powered devices 200. The intelligent adaptors read a profile 70 from each powered device (or hard wire base) to determine what DC voltage to produce, and pass current requirements back through the SELV feeds allowing the electronic circuit breakers to be set to an appropriate trip level. In contrast with conventional power distribution systems, SELV power instead of 250Vac power is distributed through a premises, and conversion to the regulated DC voltage required by each powered device is done by an intelligent adaptor in response to the needs of each device, eliminating the need for individual power conversion circuitry for devices that are not connected to the system. Provision is also made to feed the SELV downstream further, by fitting the wall plates 50 with SELV (Pass through) outlets 90. Remote power boards 93 may then plug into the SELV outlets via extension cables 91 and be used to accommodate intelligent adaptors 60. Alternatively, SELV powered devices 210 which perform their own SELV to DC power conversion may be plugged into the SELV outlets via SELV device cables 92. Communication throughout the system is supported with data being superimposed on the SELV power signals, with the various power conversion modules adapted to pass through data.
[0032] An end user will physically engage with the system via wall plates 50 which replace conventional mains power outlets. Wall plates 50 can accept system specific devices such as a master controller 100 used to configure and control the system;
intelligent adaptors 60 which provide power DC to powered devices 200; and, SELV outlet plates 90 which accept extension cables 91 that can plug into intelligent adaptors 60 directly single outlet power boards 93 or multiple outlet power boards 94 which in turn accept intelligent adaptors 60 to provide DC power to powered devices 200. The SELV outlet plates may also accept plugs from SELV powered devices 210.
[0033] Each powered device 200 has a profile 70 which can be read by the intelligent adaptor 60 to which it is connected for determining DC voltage to supply and a current limit to impose. The profile includes device type, serial number and voltage and current requirements. Typically the profile will be stored in an EEPROM in the devices smart power plug 80, but may also be stored in a microcontroller or processor system. For the case of hard wired devices such as light fittings a profile is instead stored in the hard wire base 40. Wall plates 50 include unique identifications 51 to facilitate system mapping. For SELV powered devices 210 the profile is included in the device itself.
[0034] Details of a distribution unit 30 can be appreciated with the schematic of Figure 2 and physical representations of Figure 6A and 6B. The distribution unit 30 takes the form of a cabinet 31 which accepts multiple SELV power supplies 32 to allow for gradual expansion of the system. Input power from either a conventional mains 250Vac source 21 or a renewable source 28 is selected by HV selector 29 and fed via circuit breaker 37 to HV busbar 33 and then power supplies of 200W, 400W or 800W to convert HV to bulk SELV power 22 at 57V AC or 48V DC which is fed via SELV busbars 34 to electronic circuit breakers 35 and then to the SELV feeds 23 to individual hard wire bases 40 or wall plates 50. Alternative arrangements including multiple circuit breakers 37 and busbars 33 may be used depending on the total power requirements of the system. The electronic circuit breakers 35 eliminate the need for conventional frangible fuses and have their trip point set via a controller 36 in
accordance with the total downstream load. The controller determines the load from the profile information of each connected device via the intelligent adaptors 60 or directly from SELV powered devices 210. Conventional circuit breaker 37 isolates the SELV power supplies 32 from the HV input in fault conditions.
[0035] A master controller 100 is shown in further detail in the schematic of Figure 3 and physical representation shown in Figure 11 C. The master controller can be plugged into any wall plate 50 of the system (which is then obscured by the master controller) to allow a user to monitor and control the system, or be connected
elsewhere. The master controller comprises a controller 101 , touch display 102 for user interaction and optional zoned WiFi connectivity 103. An internet gateway 104 provides communication between the controller 101 , the outside world via the internet or WAN 310, local zoned WiFi 103 and other components in the system via signals coupled onto the SELV power feeds. The power distribution system 20 can operate without a master controller if needed. When plugged into a wall socket the master controller utilises the SELV feed 23 available at the wall plate 50 to power its own internal power supply 105 and relays its own profile information 70 as well as the unique identification 51 of the wall plate 50 to the distribution unit 30 so that the appropriate upstream electronic circuit breaker 35 can be set to an appropriate trip current. A variant of the master controller (not shown) may be hard wired into the system. Such a master controller has a different profile allowing it to operate without the identification 51 of a wall plate. A user may use the master controller to: monitor the power usage of any device powered by the system; control the power to any device, either on/off/standby or timed; or, reset any electronic circuit breaker 35 that may have tripped. The WiFi (or alternatively wired) connectivity allows the functionality of the master controller to be replicated either through a web browser or dedicated application on any local network devices 301 , 302 or any remote network devices 311 , 312 via the internet 310. An optional high speed data signal 25 is optionally coupled onto the SELV feed
[0036] A further controller is available in the form of a room controller 120 which is intended to control devices connected to the system in a specific room such as lights, ceiling fans and appliances connected via intelligent adaptors 60. A room controller is shown in physical form in Figure 11 D and schematic form in Figure 4. The room controller comprises a controller 121 , touch display 122, optional zoned WiFi connectivity 123 using HS data 25 and dedicated user interface buttons 124. Power for the room controller is derived from the SELV at the wall socket using a dedicated power supply 125. Again profile information 70 as well as the unique identification 51 of the wall plate 50 is provided to the distribution unit 30 so that the upstream electronic circuit breaker 35 can be set to an appropriate trip current. Typically a room controller would be wall mounted via a wall plate 50 in place of a conventional light switch wall plate. As per the master controller, a variant of the room controller (not shown) may be hard wired into the system with a different profile allowing it to operate without the identification 51 of a wall plate.
[0037] Control of the various components of the system and devices that are plugged into it is supported by providing a unique identification 51 to geographically map each power outlet of a wall plate 50, and unique device profiles 70 in the hard wire bases 40, intelligent adaptors 60, master controllers 100 and room controllers 120. The device profiles 70 identify the type of component and provide a unique
identification code for each individual component. This allows the system to be mapped so that the master controllers or room controllers (or even remote controlling devices) can be configured to control specific devices. During system configuration the various wall plates and hard wire bases are logically assigned to a room, allowing a room controller for instance to be configured to control just the devices in the same room as itself. The device profiles are typically stored in the power plug of the devices in an EEPROM, but may instead be installed in the device itself. This may again be in a dedicated EEPROM, or in some form of controller. In the case of a controller the signals used to communicate the profile data may also be used for general purpose communication, thus allowing for control or monitoring of the device itself.
[0038] Discussed briefly above are the communication paths within the system supported by the distribution wiring. In addition to carrying SELV power, the
distribution wiring is used for communication between the various components of the system such as intelligent adaptors plugged into wall plates or hard wired bases, a master controller and the controller of the distribution system. Preferably data is capacitively coupled onto the distribution wiring. As a master controller can be plugged into the system communication between any component in the system and the external world is also possible. With this communication pathway and the connection described above in relation to the profile data, the system facilitates not only control and monitoring of power functions, but also general control and monitoring of any connected devices. An optional High Speed (HS) data signal 25 may also be coupled onto the SELV power. The various power conversion devices within the system support bridging of the data between their inputs and outputs. Not shown are modems within the system for the various WiFi enabled components or the internet gateway.
[0039] A building utilising the system will be fitted with a series of wall plates 50 as shown in Figure 7A. The wall plate is in the form of an escutcheon 52 with a recess 53 to allow connectors 54 to be recessed and provide an interference fit for devices which are plugged in to secure them in. As discussed above, some device such as master controllers 100 and room controllers 120 can plug directly into a wall plate. The wall plate includes five connector pins 54 to carry two separate SELV feeds 23; 2 signals to carry wall plate identification 51 and a common ground connection As shown in Figure 8A an intelligent adaptor 60 will typically plug into a wall plate to provide the desired DC voltage to one or two powered devices 200. Alternatively an SELV outlet 90 can be fitted to a wall plate as shown in Figures 7B and 7C allowing one or two multi-core cables 91 to be fitted, which may connect to an intelligent adaptor 60 via a power board such as the single outlet power board 92 shown in Figure 8B or the four outlet power board 93 shown in Figure 8C. SELV powered devices 210 may also be plugged into the SELV outlets 90.
[0040] An intelligent adaptor 60 is represented schematically in Figure 5A, being plugged into a wall plate 50 and having powered devices 200 connected as loads. The intelligent controller provides two independent channels of regulated DC power 24 under control of the outlet controller 61 which would be typically implemented in a microcontroller. The outlet controller reads the profile 70 for each powered device from their smart power plugs 80 and correspondingly sets the voltage of the regulated DC power 24 produced from the SELV feeds 23 by the SELV-DC converters 62. The profile 70 from the appliances together with the geographical identifications 51 from the wall plate is relayed to the master controller 100 which in turn sets the current limits of the electronic circuit breakers 35 of the distribution unit 30. Communication with the master controller is via signals capacitively coupled onto the SELV feeds 23. The communication is bidirectional allowing control of the intelligent adaptor. Similarly the outlet controller 61 may be in communication with the powered devices 200 via device communication signals , allowing them to communicate with any of the devices in the system. Not shown is the optional high speed data signal which is coupled onto the SELV feeds 23 and passes through to the powered devices.
[0041] Figure 5B shows a schematic representation of a SELV powered device 210 plugged into a wall plate 50 via an SELV outlet 90 and SELV plug 99. As the name implies SELV powered devices consume SELV power to produce their required internal voltages and contain a micro-controller or other intelligent device to communicate profile data 70 and geographical information 51 from the wall plug back to the master controller so that the upstream electronic circuit breaker can be set appropriately.
[0042] An intelligent adaptor 60 is shown in its physical form in Figure 9 and is in essence a "black box" similar in appearance to conventional power adaptors.
Connections to a wall plate 50 are on the back of the intelligent adaptor and not visible. The bottom of the adaptor includes two output connectors 63 for connection to powered devices 200 via smart power cables such as those shown as 81 , 82 and 83 in Figure 10 which include a smart power plug 80 at a first end and conventional plugs 84, 85, 86 at a second end. The powered devices require no special features to be compatible with the system as long as they are connected via a suitable smart cable. The third connector 64 provides an alternative input connector for use with hard wire bases 40, discussed elsewhere. Indicator LEDs 65 provide a visual status of each of the power channels.
[0043] Intelligent adaptors are provided in several configurations; a 150W dual outlet adaptor 60 as seen in Figure 9; an 800W dual outlet adaptor 66 as seen in Figure 11A; and, a 150W dual outlet adaptor with integrated USB hub 67 as seen in Figure 11 B. Typical usage scenarios are shown in Figures 12 and 13, with a 150W adaptor 60 shown powering a lamp 201 and laptop 202, and an 800W adaptor 66 powering a smartphone 203 and a toaster 204.
[0044] For hardwired devices such as LED ceiling lamps 205 a hardwire base 40 is used in conjunction with an intelligent adaptor 60 as shown in Figures 14A and 14B. The SELV feed 23 is connected via SELV screw terminals 41 to a SELV connector 42 for providing power to the intelligent adaptor via its alternative input connector 64.
Profile data 70 stored in the hardwire base is fed to the intelligent adaptor via output connectors 43 which in turn receive regulated DC power 24 which is routed to the LED lamps via output screw terminals 44. A second set of SELV screw terminals 41 is wired in parallel with the first setoff SELV screw terminals to allow daisy chaining of further hardwire bases. Two LED lamps 205 are supported by each hardwire base.
[0045] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which provides a paradigm shift in power distribution for end user premises, moving away from 250Vac wiring and conversion to DC in each appliance to a low voltage distribution system (either AC or DC) in which the desired DC voltage for each appliance is generated in close proximity to the appliance via an intelligent adaptor at a wall plate or power board in response to reading the appliances power requirements from a dedicated profile. Alternatively SELV may be fed to the device itself for conversion to the required voltage level.
[0046] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.
[0047] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.
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