Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
  • H02J13/00—Circuit arrangements for providing remote monitoring or remote control of equipment in a power distribution network
  • H02J13/13—Circuit arrangements for providing remote monitoring or remote control of equipment in a power distribution network characterised by the transmission of data to equipment in the power network
  • H02J13/1311—Circuit arrangements for providing remote monitoring or remote control of equipment in a power distribution network characterised by the transmission of data to equipment in the power network using the power network as support for the transmission
  • H02J13/1313—Circuit arrangements for providing remote monitoring or remote control of equipment in a power distribution network characterised by the transmission of data to equipment in the power network using the power network as support for the transmission using pulsed signals
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
  • H02J13/00—Circuit arrangements for providing remote monitoring or remote control of equipment in a power distribution network
  • H02J13/13—Circuit arrangements for providing remote monitoring or remote control of equipment in a power distribution network characterised by the transmission of data to equipment in the power network
  • H02J13/1327—Circuit arrangements for providing remote monitoring or remote control of equipment in a power distribution network characterised by the transmission of data to equipment in the power network using optical means
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
  • H02J13/00—Circuit arrangements for providing remote monitoring or remote control of equipment in a power distribution network
  • H02J13/14—Circuit arrangements for providing remote monitoring or remote control of equipment in a power distribution network the power network being locally controlled, e.g. home energy management systems [HEMS]
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02J—ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
  • H02J13/00—Circuit arrangements for providing remote monitoring or remote control of equipment in a power distribution network
  • H02J13/18—Circuit arrangements for providing remote monitoring or remote control of equipment in a power distribution network characterised by the remotely-controlled equipment, e.g. converters or transformers
  • H02J13/34—Circuit arrangements for providing remote monitoring or remote control of equipment in a power distribution network characterised by the remotely-controlled equipment, e.g. converters or transformers the equipment being switches, relays or circuit breakers
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H2300/00—Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H
  • H01H2300/054—Application timeslot: duration of actuation or delay between or combination of subsequent actuations determines selected function
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
  • H01H9/16—Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off"
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
  • H01H9/16—Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off"
  • H01H9/161—Indicators for switching condition, e.g. "on" or "off" comprising light emitting elements
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
  • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
  • Y04S40/00—Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them
  • Y04S40/12—Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them characterised by data transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated electrical equipment
  • Y04S40/121—Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them characterised by data transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated electrical equipment using the power network as support for the transmission

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a low-voltage control circuit for controlling vaiious types of high-voltage electric devices, and a method to control said devices, preferably by a single push-button switch.
• an electronic assembly cumpi ising an electronic regulator which regulates the flow of current to the device and a micro-controller or the like which controls said electronic legulator.
• An electronic switch is used to operate said electric device by applying control signals to said cro-controller.
• the low-voltage control circuit according to the present invention has the lollowing advantages over the above-mentioned and other known circuit control devices: 1.
• the control circuit according to the present invention does not involve a mechanical switch connected directly to the high-voltage electric line. Therefore, operation of the control circuit does not generate a spark, so the danger of ignition or flame is avoided. Thus, the said control circuit is safe and suitable for places prone to ignition.
• 2.7 he low-voltage switch according to the invention is connected to the electronic assembly via a pair of wires in which the voltage is low.
• the low-voltage switch is mounted in the wall at an ordinary convenient height, and all the high-voltage components are mounted at a higher level of the wall, near the ceiling, beyond arm's reach.
• control circuits cannot be used to operate various types of electric lights. Dimmer switches usually cannot be connected to neon lamps, since their OFF position is not able to totally prevent the flow of current to the lamp, and the current leakage cause the neon to light weakly even at OFF position.
• the control circuit according to the invention is able to operate any known type of lamps, including incandescent lamp, neon lamp, PL lamp, caspide lamp etc.
• control circuit according to the invention can be used, by using several switches connected in parallel, to operate a light from a plurality of stations.
• control circuits can be connected together to operate a light, some of them designated to function as master switch and the other as slave switch.
• control circuit according to the invention is user friendly since it generates acknowledge and alert signals.
• the control circuit according to the invention extends the life-time of the connected lamp, compared to conventional control circuits. It reduces overload current of the lamps in the first period of switching ON, by glide regulating of the lamp conduction angle.
• the dimming and programmable timing functions provide power saving. Additional power saving is provided by the option where switching the light on for indefinite time requires a long pressing while a short pressing switches the light on for only a preset time. That cause the user to use the indefinite time mode only when it is really required.
• a device according to the invention is suitable for religious Jews which do not turn on any electric device during Sabbath.
• the use of the device according to the invention is permitted, since periodical interruptions of the low voltage input circuits, provides time periods when re-switching of the said input circuits is possible without current flow.
• the switch is used to operate such appliances light by applying control signals to a micro-controller through a push-button switch.
• the signals can be, for example, a short pressing, a long pressing (e.g.: 3-6 seconds) or successive pressing. According to these signals, and according to a pre- configuration of the circuit, the micro-controller enters the desired mode of operation.
• the micro-controller controls an electronic legulator which regulates the flow of current to the appliance.
• the control circuit according to the present invention has a basic configuration that can be pre-configured to other applications by the setting position of internal jumpers during installation of the unit.
• the control circuit can be pre-configured to have a timer function.
• the same single push-button switch which selects the mode of operation and operate the appliance, used also to program the micro- contiolier, to determine the delay period.
• an electronic assembly for controlling various electrical devices and appliances and also indoor and outdoor lights, comprising an electronic regulator which regulates the flow of AC current to a device and a micro-controller or the like which controls said electronic regulator. At least one electronic push-button switch is used to operate said electric device by applying control signals to the micro-controller.
• the control circuit is pre-configured to serve as a simple ON/OFF switch: A first pressing of the switch turns the light on. The next pressing turns the light off.
• control circuit is pre-configured to serve as a timer switch or ON/OFF switch, according to the user selection: A short first pressing turns the light on for a pre-determined time period, or until the next pressing if pressed during this time period. A long first pressing of the switch turns the light on for an indefinite time period - until the next pressing that turns the light off.
• Long pressing means - pressing for a few seconds, normally 3 to 6 seconds. An acknowledge signal would indicate that the pressing was recognized as a long one.
• the acknowledge signal can be a visual signal such as a short blinking of the high-voltage light, a progressive change of the light's intensity, a short blinking of a LED mounted on the switch panel, etc.
• the acknowledge signal can also be an audible signal.
• an alert signal is generated a short while before the light turns off.
• the alert is to indicate that the light will be turned off at the end of the time period if the switch is not re- actuated.
• This signal type can be one of the above-mentioned signals.
• the pre-determined lighting time period is user programmable. The programming is initiated by a short AC power interruption (done by the user with the external switch). Then comes a pre-determined time period for programming. In this period, pressing the switch over a pre-determined long time (for example 10 sec.) generates an acknowledge signal and initiates a programming mode.
• time of pressing the switch is translated by micro-controller to a new pre-determined lighting time period.
• a signal in the form of a LED blinking makes it possible to count overall time (for example: 1 blink expresses 1 minute of the lighting time period).
• the overall time period programmed in this programming mode is kept in memory until the next programming.
• control circuit is pre-configured to serve as a timer switch, which maintains power connection to lights for a preset time period.
• a first pressing of the switch turns the light on for a pre-determined time period, while at the end of this period the light automatically goes off. Any pressing during this time period, causes the light to stay ON for said time period starting from that moment of the latter pressing.
• An alert signal is generated a short time before the light turns off.
• This configuration can be used in places such as stairwells, where operation of a light for a pre-determined time period is required, and needs to be switched on from plurality of points.
• control circuit which is configured as a fourth embodiment, that has also the function of turning the light on for an indefinite time period, by a long pressing.
• the control circuit is pre-configured to serve as a dimmer circuit to control the brightness of the lights, where a first pressing of the switch turns the light on, a long pressing cause progressive change of brightness, and a next short pressing turns the light off.
• control circuit is pre-configured to be used as a Sabbath switch This embodiment is suitable for religious Jews who do not turn on any electric device during Sabbath
• the low voltage switch is periodically interrupted to provide time periods when le-switching of the said input circuits is possible when there is no current flow.
• a signal such as a LED, is used to indicate the interruption periods.
• the control circuit also includes an indicator, to indicate in darkness the location of the switch
• the contiol circuit also includes other indication means to indicate the present mode of operation
• the control circuit also includes indication means to indicate whether electricity is being supplied to the switch.
• the control circuit also includes sensing means, to control turning a light on and off according to the presence of moving objects or according to the surroundings light intensity
• the switch of the invention may be also a remote control switch
• the invention has been described with reference to an electric light as the controlled load, it is also within the scope of the invention to arrange the assembly in order to control any other load.
• Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an installation of a control circuit of the invention
• Figure 2 is an electric diagram of a control circuit.
• control circuit housed in a standard box which fits to the opening of the standard wall-connection-box is mounted in the wall in its upper part (1 ).
• the circuit connecting between a high-voltage AC line (2) and a lamp (3).
• a switch in a standard wall switch-box (4) is connected to the control circuit via pair of wires carrying low-voltage (5).
• the electronic and electrical operation is illustrated in Figure 2.
• the control circuit is based on a micro-controller (10) and contains a triac (11 ) to control the current flow to the lamp.
• the control circuit can be pre-configured to the desired application by selecting position of internal jumpers (12).
• the signals from the switch (4), or from several switches, are detected by the micro-controller at its input terminals (13).
• the micro-controller In response to these signals and according to the pre-configuration of the circuit, the micro-controller generates pulses to permit current flow to the lamp.
• the pulses are sent to the triac (1 1 ) from the micro-controller output (14) through a low-voltage transformer having a primary side and a secondary side (15). This triac connecting the lamp (3) to the AC line and is controlled by the signals from the micro-controller.
• the pulses signals trigger the triac into conduction during a part of any half cycle of AC power, and upon receiving the pulses signal, power is delivered to the lamp.
• the control circuit doesn't require low-voltage source. It derives all of its power from the high-voltage source.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Power Engineering (AREA)
• Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=11068340

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (6)

Family Cites Families (2)

• 1995
  • 1995-12-20 IL IL11646795A patent/IL116467A0/xx unknown
• 1996
  • 1996-12-19 AU AU10712/97A patent/AU1071297A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1996-12-19 WO PCT/IL1996/000186 patent/WO1997022956A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1996-12-19 EP EP96940713A patent/EP0868709A4/de not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (6)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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