Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Switching systems – Switch actuation
Patent
1985-05-14
1987-05-26
Shoop, Jr., William M.
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Switching systems
Switch actuation
307139, 364141, 364143, H01H 4304
Patent
active
046688781
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The subject matter of the invention is a microprocessor controlled timer, which is continously programmed in real time by actuation of a manual power switch (stand-by mode) and which on request can replace the function of the manual power switch (simulation mode).
RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation of the Swiss Application No. 5 141/83-3, filed Sept. 22, 1983 and entitled "Relais /e/ lectrique /a/ s/e/ quence temporelle cyclique autoprogrammable".
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to power switches with built-in programmable timers of the type which has its most important commercial application as a control for energizing and de-energizing of electrical appliances used in homes and offices, which emit acoustic or luminous energy, thus simulating the presence of persons, when these are in fact absent. A deterrent effect is thus achieved on intruders, although certain aspects of the invention have a more general application. In such a commercial application, the present invention will form an electric power switch, of the type to be connected in series with a power cord of the appliance and incorporated in the housing of the appliance itself or in its miniaturized version just connected as a mobile switch at the two ends of the power cord carrying the power from the plug to the appliance.
The utilization of mechanical and electromechanical timers for similar purposes is known since long time. These devices have small dimensions and are easily programmed by users without any technical knowledge. Their main drawback lies in the limited amount of on/off sequences which can be programmed during a cycle, which usually covers a time period of a day or a multiple thereof. So it is difficult to have more than 100 on/off sequences per cycle, and the minimum delay between two adjacent sequences is also limited by the precision, with which mechanical markers can be machined and visually seen as distinct. A further drawback of these type of timers lies in their limited lifelength, due to wear of mobile mechanical parts.
Consequently in the last ten years novel fully electronic means of enacting the timer function have been devised, allowing for a very large number of on/off sequences per cycle and remotely controlling a large number of appliances with different of/off sequences for each appliance. In their known form, these devices consist of a central control console, with a built in microprocessor timer and a input keyboard, and of a certain number of peripheral remotely controlled switches, which control energization of the appliances. Unfortunately these devices are not easily programmed by unskilled persons and even the skilled ones need often a well written manual, their installation costs are quite high and they take up a sizable volume.
The object of the present invention is to realize an electric power switch with built-in electronic timer, whose use is straightforward when the user wants it to act as a simulator during his absence, whose dimensions are compatible with the space available in appliances, and having an extremly high number of on/off sequences during any given cycle. Furthermore the lifelength of the electric power switch according to the invention is not limited by wear of mechanical rotating or moving parts and the installation on existing appliances or other electrical apparatus can be handled by any person familiar with electrical power connection practice. A further object of this invention is to provide an electric power switch, which can even compensate for inadvertent oblivion by the user, when leaving without requesting the electric power switch to enter into the simulation mode, which is appropriate during his absence.
To achieve these aims, the electric power switch according to the invention is housed in a container B (FIG. 1), having suitable input and output connections for the power cord and being activated by the user thru manual pression on a suitable knob, toggle or button I, which is well visible for the
REFERENCES:
patent: 4293915 (1981-10-01), Carpenter et al.
Ro Bentsu
Shoop Jr. William M.
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