Abstract:
A power control apparatus, for directing an electrical power from a power source to a selected electrical appliance, includes a switch box having a plurality of activating switches and a main switch for controlling the flow of power to the switches, a unit for supplying power connected directly to the switch box and to the main switch without any intervening electrical outlets, and a plurality of conductor lines, each connected individually within the switch box to a respective one of the plurality of the switches and extending from the switch box, the ends of the conductor lines having connecting holes for a direct connection to the electrical appliances without any intervening switches, the switches and conductor lines being integrally formed with the switch box.

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of application 09/255,133, filed on Feb. 19, 1999, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a power control apparatus, and in particular to an improved power control apparatus which is capable of minimizing power consumption and a harmful electrical wave and continuously maintaining a currently set state of each switch before the state of a switch is changed. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     Generally, a power control apparatus is installed on a wall of a house or is displayed on a floor of the house. A plug of a certain electrical appliance is connected with a port of the power control apparatus for thereby effectively controlling the power of an electrical appliance. 
     However, in the case that the number of connection ports of the power control apparatus (wall outlet) is small compared to the number of electrical appliances, or in the case that the electrical appliance is remote from the power control apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, a multi-port power control apparatus is generally used. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, when a plug  10  is connected with a wall outlet, power is applied to each port  20  of the power control apparatus for thereby providing the power to a selected electrical appliance. 
     In case that the electrical appliance is not used, when the plug is connected with the port  20  of the power control apparatus, the power is continuously applied to the electrical appliance for thereby resulting in power consumption. In this case, a harmful electrical wave may be generated thereby causing a malfunction of the electrical appliance. 
     In addition, in order to remove the power remaining on a conductor line, each plug is disconnected from the outlet thereby causing inconvenience. 
     In the above case, a switch  30  is installed for turning on/off the power at one time. When the electrical appliance is not to be used, the switch  30  is turned off thereby discconnecting the power. Therefore, it is not necessary to disconnect the plug of the electrical appliance from the port  20  of the power control apparatus. 
     At this time, when the switch  30  is turned off, a plurality of ports  20  of the power control apparatus are disconnected, so that all appliances connected with the power control apparatus are disconnected from the power. In addition, in the case that the switch  30  is turned on, the power is supplied to the appliances which are currently used. However, in this case, the power is supplied to the appliances which are not used. Therefore, power consumption is increased, and the harmful electrical waves are generated. 
     In addition, in order to use the multiple-port power control apparatus, the plug is externally installed at the electrical appliance, so that an outer appearance of the product is bad. In addition, a foreign material such as a metal piece may be accidentally inserted into the power control apparatus thereby causing a short circuit. 
     The set state may be changed by a external cause after the switch  20  is turned on/off. 
     Namely, since the switch is externally formed, if a person unintentionally touches the switch, the switch may be turned on/off thereby causing an error. 
     For example, when a user uses the computer, the user may unintentionally touched the switch thereby turning off the computer, so that data is lost. 
     As another example, in the case that a worker may unintentionally touch the switch and turn off the switch at a work place such as a factory or a construction site, the set switch may be changed thereby causing an undesirable accident. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a power control apparatus which is capable of separately supplying power to a corresponding one of the multiple ports of the power control apparatus. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a power control apparatus in which a plurality of ports of the power control apparatus are spaced-apart at a regular interval using an extended conductor line. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a power control apparatus which is capable of stably maintaining a set state of a corresponding switch. 
     To achieve the above objects, there is provided a power control apparatus for directing an electrical power from a power source to a selected electrical appliance which includes a switch box including a plurality of activating switches for supplying power to a selected electrical and including a main switch the controlling the flow of power to the switches, a unit for supplying power connected directly to the switch box and to the main switch without any intervening electrical outlets, and a plurality of conductor lines, each connected individually within the switch box to a respective one of the plurality of the switches and extending from the switch box, the ends of the conductor lines having connecting holes for a direct connection to the electrical appliance without any intervening switches, the switches and conductor lines being integrally formed with the switch box. 
     A plurality of outlets is formed in the switch box, each connected individually to a respective one of the plurality of the switches within the switch box, each outlet being connectable directly to a selected one of the electrical appliances without any intervening switches, the switches and conductor lines being integrally formed with the switch box. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a conventional power control apparatus; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an outer appearance of a power control apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an inner circuit construction according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a power control apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a power control apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the third embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating another example of the third embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a power control apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  10 — 10  of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating another example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating another example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference in FIGS. 2 and 3. 
     FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an outer appearance of the first embodiment of the present invention in which a switch unit  110  formed of a plurality of switches is installed to respectively correspond with one of the ports of the port unit  120  based on a one-to-one match. 
     When a plug of a power supply line  100  is inserted into an outlet, when one of the switch unit  110  corresponding to one of the ports of the port unit  120  is turned on, the power is supplied to only one port of the port unit  120  corresponding to the turned-on switch. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, one terminal of the switches  111 ,  112 ,  113  and  114  of the switch unit  110  is parallel connected with the power AC, and the other terminal of each of the switches  111 ,  112 ,  113  and  114  is connected with one terminal of the ports  121 ,  122 ,  123  and  124  of the port unit  120  based on a serial connection, and the other terminal of each of the ports  121 ,  122 ,  123  and  124  is connected with the ground (negative terminal). 
     When the user separately turns on the switch  111  of the switch unit  110 , the power is supplied to the port  121  of the port unit  120  which is connected in series. 
     At this time, even when the plug which is not currently used is inserted into one of the ports  122 ,  123  and  124 , since the switches  112 ,  113  and  114  are turned off, the power supply is disconnected, so that it is possible to prevent a power consumption due to the remaining current. 
     When the user turns on the switch corresponding to the port into which the plug of the electrical appliance is inserted, the power AC is applied to the port, so that it is possible to use the electrical appliance. 
     Therefore, only the switch corresponding to the port is turned on, and the power AC is supplied and the power is disconnected from the other ports. 
     There is further provided a main switch  130  which is capable of turning on/off the port unit  120  at one time formed of a plurality of ports. 
     In addition, the main switch  130  is provided in series between the power AC and the switch unit  110 . Therefore, even when the switches  111 ,  112 ,  113  and  114  of the switch unit  110  are turned on, the power is not supplied to the port unit  120  by turning off the main switch  130 . 
     For example, in a state that a plurality of the plugs of the electrical appliances are inserted into the port unit  120  formed of a plurality of ports  121 ,  122 ,  123  and  124 , when the switches  111 ,  112 ,  113  and  114  of the switch unit  110  are turned on, only the main switch  130  is turned for supplying the ports  121 ,  122 ,  123  and  124 . Therefore, it is possible to integrally control the system. 
     In the case that the power is not concurrently applied to the port unit  120 , it is possible to disconnect the power at one time by turning off the main switch  130 . 
     The switches  111 ,  112 ,  113  and  114  of the switch unit  110  and the main switch  130  may be formed of a multiple-port switch for effectively disconnecting the remaining current due to the negative current. 
     FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the power control apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown therein, there are provided a switch box  210  integrally formed with a switch unit  220  formed of a plurality of switches for separating the power supplied from the power supply line  200  and separately supplying the power to a plug unit  260  formed of a plurality of plugs, an extended line  250  for supplying the power supplied from the switch box  210  to the plug unit  260 , and the plug unit  260  for supplying the power connected by the extended line  250  to each electrical appliance. 
     In addition, there is provided a main switch  230  for disconnecting the power applied to the switch unit  220  through the power supply line  200 . 
     A timer may be provided for turning on and off the switch unit  220  or the main switch  230  based on a set time. 
     The second embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 
     As shown therein, in the power control apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, the power supply line  200  having a plug connection port is parallel connected with the switch unit  220  formed of a plurality of switches of the switch box  210 , and the switch unit  220  is connected with the plug unit  260  formed of a plurality of plugs spaced apart from the switch box  210  by the extended lines  250 , so that the power is applied to the plug unit  260  by a switching operation of the switch unit  220 . A main switch  230  is installed at the switch box  210  for connecting and disconnecting the power applied to the switch unit  220  through the power supply line  200 . 
     Therefore, when the plug is inserted into the outlet installed on the wall or the floor, the main switch  230  of the switch box  210  is turned on, and then the switch of the plug unit  260  is turned on, so that the power is supplied to a corresponding outlet. 
     The above-described switches are paired with the plugs, and the main switch  230  and the switch unit  220  are formed of a bi-polar switch capable of connecting and disconnecting the positive and negative poles. In another embodiment of the present invention, the main switch  230  and the switch unit  220  may be formed of a uni-polar switch capable of connecting and disconnecting one of the positive and negative poles. The extended line  250  has a defined length. 
     FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the circuitry of the power control apparatus according to the present invention. 
     As shown therein, one terminal of the main switch  230  of the switch box  210  is connected with the power AC in series, and the other end of the main switch  230  is parallel connected with one terminal of each of the switches  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224  and  225  of the switch unit  220  of the switch box  210 . 
     The other end of each of the switches  221 ,  222 ,  223 ,  224  and  225  is connected in series with one terminal of each of the plugs  261 ,  262 ,  263 ,  264  and  265  of the plug unit  260 , and the other end of each of the same is connected with the ground through the extended line  250 . 
     The other terminal of each of the plugs  261 ,  262 ,  263 ,  264  and  265  is connected with a corresponding one of a plurality of negative switches  221 ′,  222 ′,  224 ′, and  225 ′, and the negative switches are connected with the negative switches of the main switch  230  and the negative power. 
     The operation will be explained. The user places the switch box  210  on the desk, and then the plug unit  260  is placed under the desk based on the extended line  250 . 
     In this state, the switches  221  and  221 ′ corresponding to the plug (for example, the plug  261 ) connected with the electrical appliance is turned on, and the power is applied to the plug  261  connected through the extended line  250 . 
     At this time, even when the electrical appliance is connected with the plugs  262 ,  263 ,  264  and  265 , since the switch  222 ,  223 ,  224 ,  225  and  222 ′,  223 ′,  224 ′,  225 ′ are disconnected, the power supply is completely disconnected, so that the power consumption and electrical wave discharge are prevented. 
     Namely, in the present invention, at least one switch among the main switch  230  and the switches of the switch unit  220  or the main switch  230  only is turned on/off by a timer switch  240 . When the time set by a counter  241  of the timer switch  240  is elapsed, the switches  242  and  242 ′ are turned on or off, so that the power supplied to the plug  266  through the extended line  250  is disconnected. 
     In addition, the power of the switch unit  220  is turned on or off at the time when the set time is elapsed in the case that the timer switch is adapted to the main switch. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment of the present invention, the power control apparatus includes a plurality of switches  300  for connecting or disconnecting the power to the ports  320 . The switches  300  are separated from each other by a barrier formed between the neighboring switches. 
     The construction of the third embodiment of the present invention will be explained. 
     As shown in FIG. 6, the number of the switches  300  installed at a plane lower than the installation heights of the port  320  of the housing H correspond to the number of the ports  320 . 
     In addition, the switches  300  are separated from each other by the neighboring switches and the barriers  310 . 
     Namely, in this embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent any changes of the set state due to an erroneous operation of the switch when turning on or off the neighboring switches. The height of each barrier is higher than that of the switches  300 . Since the switches  300  are separated by the barriers  310 , it is possible to prevent any erroneous operation of the switches  300 . 
     For example, a user may touch the turned-on switch by a part of his body or clothes thereby turning off the switch, so that a corresponding electrical system is disconnected from the power supply. 
     A cover  330  is hingedly fixed at an upper portion or a side portion of the housing H by hinges  331  and  332  for protecting the switches  300 . 
     Therefore, the switches  300  are separated from the outside, so that it is possible to implement a reliability of the set state by protecting any changes of the set state of the switches  300 . 
     In the case that the entire space between the barriers  310  is not covered, and the cover  330  covers only the upper portion, the cover  330  is slightly opened, so that it is possible to change the on/off state of the switches  300 . 
     FIG. 7 is a view illustrating another example of the third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the switches  400  are not covered by one cover. Namely, each of the switches  400  separated by the barriers  410  includes a cover  430 . Therefore, the covers  430  are hingedly fixed at the upper portion of the barriers  410  using the hinges  431  and  432 . 
     Namely, a corresponding switch cover is opened for changing the set state of the switch. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to safely maintain a set state of the switch. 
     FIG. 8 is a view illustrating another example of the third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the barrier  510  is formed so that the switches  500  are not separated. The switches are installed at the edge portions so that an external force is prevented. 
     At this time, the front portion which is opened to the outside and the upper portion are protected by the cover  540 , and the switches  500  are separated from each other, so that it is possible to implement a stable on/off state of the switch. 
     FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown therein, the power control apparatus includes a plurality of switches  610  for connecting or disconnecting the power to a plurality of ports  620 . 
     The switches  610  are installed at a groove  600  having a certain depth at the housing H. 
     The groove  600  has at least one slanted surface. 
     The construction of the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG.  9 . 
     A groove  600  is formed at the housing H for installing the switches  610  therein, and the switches  610  are installed to correspond with the ports  620 . 
     In addition, the groove  600  is formed to have the same height as the switches  610  or to have a certain depth deeper than the heights of the switches  610 . 
     FIG. 10 is a view taken along the line  10 — 10  of FIG.  9 . As shown therein, the switches  610  are installed at the groove  600  formed at the housing H. At least one surface of the groove  600  has a slanted surface. In the drawing, two side surfaces are slanted. 
     The slanted portion  601  is formed for easily changing the on/off state of the switch  610 . 
     Namely, each side surface or at least one side surface of the groove  600  is slanted for implementing an easier on/off operation of the switch  610 . 
     FIG. 11 is a view illustrating another example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The power control apparatus according to the present invention includes a switch box H having a plurality of switches  710 , and a plurality of plugs  730  spaced-apart at regular intervals by the extended line  740  from the switch box H. 
     Each switch  710  is installed at a groove formed at the switch box. In addition, the groove has at least one slanted surface. 
     The switch box H includes switches  710  for supplying power to the plugs  730 . The plugs  730  are uniformly spaced and are connected with the lines  740 . The switches  710  are installed at grooves  700  formed at the switch box H, and the grooves  700  have at least one slanted portion  720 . At least one surface of the groove  700  is formed to have a slope for implementing an easier on/off operation of the switch  710 . 
     FIG. 12 is another example of the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown therein, in order to prevent any changes of the set state of the switch  810  installed at the groove  800 , a slide cover  820  is installed at the upper portion thereof. In addition, a hiding portion  830  is formed at a portion in which the groove  800  is not formed for hiding the cover  820  at the upper portion of the housing H. 
     In addition, the cover  820  slides along the guide  831  formed at the hiding portion  830 . The hiding portion  830  and the guide  831  do not protrude from the upper portion of the housing H and are hidden in the side portion of the groove  800 . 
     FIG. 13 is a view illustrating another example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The power control apparatus according to the present invention includes a switch box H having a plurality of switches  910  and a plurality of plus  930  extended by the lines  940  and spaced-apart at a regular distance. The switches  910  are installed at grooves  900  having one side of a defined depth and an open side at the switch box H. Each side surface of the groove  900  includes a slanted portion. 
     The switch box H includes a plurality of switches for supplying the power to the plugs  930 . The plugs  930  are spaced-apart at a regular distance, so that the power is supplied to the plugs  930  based on the on/off operations of the switches  910 . 
     The switches  910  are installed at the groove  900  formed at the switch box H. The upper and front portions of the groove  900  are opened, so that a user uses fingers to easily turn on/off the switches  910 . 
     In addition, each groove  900  has a certain height higher than that of the switch  910 , and a side portion of the groove  900  has a slanted portion, so that a user can easily use fingers to turn on/off the switches. 
     The present invention has the following advantages. 
     First, a plurality of switches are installed at the power control apparatus which has a plurality of integrated plugs, so that it is possible to separately and selectively supply the power to a corresponding plug, whereby power consumption and electrical waves are minimized. 
     Second, the plugs are extended at a certain distance from the switches using lines, so that the power line of the electrical appliance is hidden. Only the switches are exposed to the outside. Therefore, a good outer appearance is obtained. In addition, the plugs of the power control apparatus are out of the reach of the children, so that it is possible to prevent any electrical accident. 
     Third, in the case that the user does not wish to change the set states of the switches, namely, in the case that the on/off states of the switches are not changed, the stable set states of the switches are obtained, so that it is possible to implement a reliability of the set states of the switches.