Abstract:
A power control system is provided that includes a receptacle and a module. The receptacle is hard-wired to a power distribution system, such as conventional 120 VAC. The module can be removable inserted into the receptacle and can provide desired functionality, such as power deliver, wireless communication and actuation. By providing a receptacle that accepts multiple modules that each can have different functionality and by allowing a user to readily remove replace modules in the receptacle, a useful and flexible control system can be set up.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Appln. No. 62/114,654, filed Feb. 11, 2015. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to the field of electrical power distribution, more specifically to the modular control of power distribution. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Power receptacles are ubiquitous, and other than variations to account for voltage and country standards, are used throughout the world. A typical installation will involve running wires to a receptacle that is mounted in the wall. A switch or power outlet (or sometimes a combination of both) will be connected to the wires in the receptacle and the switch/power outlet used to provide power to other fixtures and/or systems that are plugged into or electrically connected to the receptacle. 
     While the above configuration is effective (as can be appreciated by its widespread use), the internet of things (IoT) will enable many devices throughout a room to be connected to a hub that is not necessarily a simple switch but instead may include intelligence to allow the devices to operate more efficiently and/or effectively. These devices may rapidly evolve over a period of several years, creating the need to update the power supply and/or control systems. For example, a device may initially be controlled by a proprietary protocol but with advances in standard protocols the need for the proprietary protocol may go away, causing the end user to desire a new method of controlling the device. While consumers are perfectly capable of replacing portable devices and devices that are coupled to the electrical system, it is more problematic to change the electrical distribution. 
     Typically someone that has suitable training (e.g., an electrician) is required to change out a receptacle. This can involve shutting off the power, replacing the switch/power outlet, and then turning the power back on. Due to the skill involved in setting up and altering electrical distribution (along with the substantial dangers that can result if the project is done incorrectly), the individuals that can perform such activities tend to be expensive to hire. Certain individuals would therefore appreciate a method of altering switches and power outlets that is more flexible and simple to perform. 
     SUMMARY 
     A power control system is disclosed that includes a receptacle that can be mounted in a room. The receptacle is connected to incoming wires that provide electrical power to the receptacle. The receptacle in turn includes outgoing wires that are intended to control devices. The receptacle includes one or more module sockets. Each module socket can include two opposing rails that that are configured to guide and orient an inserted module. The module socket further can further include two retaining notches positioned on the opposing rails. At a bottom of the module socket there is a power terminals that are touch-safe. When a module is inserted into the module socket the module has contacts that are directed toward the power terminals. The module includes releasable latches that engages the retaining notches when the contacts are connected to the power terminals. The modules can have various functions, depending on the intended uses. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view features of an embodiment of a receptacle being connected to a box. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a receptacle and a box. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a receptacle connected to wires. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective exploded view of a receptacle. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a receptacle. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a receptacle loaded with modules. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6  with additional details being called out. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of a user inserting a module into a receptacle. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a receptacle that can mount in a box. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a receptacle and a box. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective enlarged view of the receptacle depicted in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a back plate. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a schematic representation of power terminals and contacts configured to mate together. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a schematic representation of an embodiment of a module circuitry. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description that follows describes exemplary embodiments and is not intended to be limited to the expressly disclosed combination(s). Therefore, unless otherwise noted, features disclosed herein may be combined together to form additional combinations that were not otherwise shown for purposes of brevity. 
     The power control system integrates connectors &amp; terminals, printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies, molded components and fixtures, Universal Serial Bus (USB) technology and eventually capacitive switch technology, into a new interconnect system, and is intended to interact with a variety of types and standards of outlet modules. As can be appreciated, once the receptacle is installed the power control system does not require any tools or expertise to switch out modules. 
     As can be appreciated from  FIGS. 1-12 , various configurations of power control systems are possible. In general, a box  10 ,  10 ′ is provided and a receptacle  20 ,  20 ′ having a recess  21  is mounted thereto via fasteners  22 . The box  10  includes wires  15  that are connected to wire terminals  32 . The wire terminals  32  can be poke-in connectors or screw-type connectors. Generally speaking, poke-in wires are more suitable for use with solid wires while screw-type connectors tend to work better with stranded wires. The wire terminals  32  are mounted on a back plate  30  that can be a PCB or a substrate that supports a PCB (or similar elements). The back plate  30  connects the wire terminals  32  to power connectors  60  and the back plate  30  may include circuitry  35  that allows for desired conditioning and modification of the power provided to the power connectors  60 . The power connector  60  can extend into the recess  21  of the receptacle  20  or it can be configured to be substantially flush with a bottom wall  43  of a module socket  40 . Either way the power connector  60  should have power terminals  64  inside a housing  62  that are configured so that the power terminals  64  are touch-safe. This means that the power connector  60  should meet applicable creepage and clearance requirements. In one embodiment the power terminals  64  can be protected by a removable shroud that is translated out of the way when a module is inserted. In another embodiment the power terminals  64  can be recessed slightly behind the housing  62  so as to decrease the chance of an accidental contact with something inserted into the receptacle  20 . Alternatively the power terminals  64  can just be configured so that a human finger cannot touch them and a cover can be placed over the power terminals  64  when a module  50  is not inserted into the receptacle  20 . It should be noted that these creepage and clearance requirements can change depending on the country the product is being used in and therefore the design of the power connector  60  may need to be modified depending on local requirements. 
     The power connector  60  is positioned in the recess  21  which defines the module socket  40  that can be defined by two opposing rails  41 . The rails  41 , as depicted, are defined by a shoulder  42  surrounded by two grooves  44 . As depicted, each rail  41  includes retaining notch  46  positioned near the front face  47  and may include a latch recess  48  to allow a latch  54  on the a module  50  to be configured so as to allow the module  50  to be mounted more flush with the receptacle  20 . The retaining notch  46  allows the module  50 , upon insertion, to be carefully aligned with the corresponding power connector  60  and once fully inserted, the latch  54  engages the retaining notches  46  in a releasable manner so that the inserted module  50  is securely fastened to the corresponding receptacle  20 . It should be noted that the rail  41  could also be defined by one or more grooves rather than the shoulder  42 . 
     The module  50  includes a housing  52  that supports two or more contacts  57  and may include an optional shroud  55  that helps protect the contacts  57  during handling. The depicted module  50  also includes projections  56  that are configured to engage the grooves  44  and thus the module  50  is securely held in place by the latch  54 , which preferably is provided on two opposing ends of the housing  52 . 
     The housing  52  may support an input node  55  (which can be a switch or sensor) that can be actuated by the user or the environment and includes module circuitry  59  that allows the module  50  to be connected to a network (not shown) and to respond to input provided by the input node  55 . As can be appreciated, a simple version of the input node  55  could be a simple on/off switch. A more complex version of the input node  55  could include a sensor or camera that allows for recognition/detection of patterns or environment conditions. As is known, a wide range of sensor technology exists (including chemical, thermal, sound, etc.) and this technology is regularly being updated and thus it is possible that new sensor technology may result in the desire to replace a module  50 . For example, a Carbon Monoxide (CO) GO sensor with a back-up battery could be provided and once the sensor and/or back battery had reached a certain age/functionality the module  50  could be replaced. 
     The module circuitry  59  can include one or more of each of a controller  72  (which could be general purpose processor or a more limited circuit), a memory  74  (which can be one or an array of memory types), a power conversion circuit  76 , and a communication system  78  (which could include one or more antennas and compatible transceivers) that can communicate with each other so that the module  50  can perform the desired tasks. As can be appreciated, if the user adds external components to the environment that are desired to be controlled by the module  50  (or to control the module  50 ) then the module  50  can either be programmed to provide the additional functionality (either directly or via an application that communicates with the module  50  remotely) or replaced with a new module  50  that has the desired functionality. To allow for direct programming, the module  50  could, for example but without limitation, include a connector that allows for external devices to directly reprogram the module  50 . 
     As can be appreciated, the module  50  can be configured to wirelessly communicate and thus can wirelessly control external devices. As there are line outputs, the module  50  can also be configured to control those line outputs. The module  50  can also be configured to provide power in a predetermined arrangement (e.g., a powered USB port). In addition, the module  50  can also be configured to provide a more conventional outlet. In each case, due to the ability to include communication and controls and other intelligence in the module  50  via the module circuitry  59  (and potentially via a link to a remote server), the power/control provided by the module  50  can be configured in a desired manner. For example, a standard power outlet can be set up to turn on and off at desired times or in response to a signal received from another module  50  in the receptacle  20  or from a remote device. Other power shaping functions (such as smoothing, converting, isolating and limiting) in a power delivery module are also possible. Thus a wide range of use cases are possible. 
     It should also be noted that a more simplified receptacle  20  is also contemplated. Such a receptacle  20  might have power coming into each of the module sockets  40  (thus it would be a simple power distribution set-up) and each module  40  would simply receive power (which could be 120 VAC) via engagement with the power connector  60  and convert/use the power in an appropriate manner. For example, one module  50  could be configured to provide wireless power, another module  50  could be configured to power a speaker or act as a speaker, etc. The primarily limits on the capabilities of the modules  50  are thus space and thermal constraints. 
     In general it is expected to be desirable for the modules  50  to be capable of wireless communication. While not required, wireless communication allows for a wide range of potential uses and therefore is desirable to maximize the flexibility and control possible in the system. In an embodiment each module  50  can include, as part of the module circuitry  59 , a transceiver configured to send and receive wireless signals via an antenna in a desired communication protocol. 
     As is known, a wide range of communication protocols exist. On one end of the protocol spectrum there are short range protocols such as Bluetooth that offers short range communication (and potential security due to the limited range). In the middle of the protocol spectrum there exist local area network (LAN) protocols such as ZigBee that offer low power consumption over a LAN and Wi-Fi that offer higher performance at higher power over a LAN. On the far end of the protocol spectrum there are wide area network (WAN) protocols, such as those offered by cellular companies, that offer varying rates of performance and range (2G protocols tend to have longer range but low performance, 4G and upcoming 5G protocols have higher performance but tend to have higher power requirements and shorter range). Thus, a wide range of protocols exist, some of which are standard-based and some of which are proprietary, and each protocol is intended for a particular (or set of) use case(s) and each protocol offers benefits in capabilities and power use. The modules  50  can take advantage of any desirable protocol by including the appropriate transceiver and antenna system. The ability to include the desired communication configuration in the module circuitry  59  allows each module to be designed to select the appropriate wireless configuration for the intended application and enables a wider range of controls. It should be noted that due to regular advancements in technology, new protocols are regularly being developed and the new developments may create a need to replace an existing module  50  with a new module  50  that has an upgraded communication system. In addition, a LAN can be set up to communicate with remote devices via an interface with a WAN (such as the Internet). As these wireless systems and levels of communication are available commercially and the requirements for implementing such systems are known, no further details regarding the wireless communication configuration will be provided herein. 
     As can be appreciated from the Figs., in an embodiment the receptacle can have three modules  50  inserted in three module sockets  40 . Each such module  50  can be configured to be in wireless communication with the other modules  50  in the receptacle  20 , with an external device (which could be a module  50  in a different receptacle  20  or a device that is not in a receptacle  20 ), a remote server via a WAN, or some combination thereof. While each module  50  can be configured for wireless communication, each module  50  can also provide a different function. The functions could include, without limitation, one or more of the following: actuation, environment sensing, power delivery, communication, external notification (which could be audio and/or visual) and system controls. As can be appreciated, therefore, what was a simple on-off switch can become part of an interconnected network that offers readily customizable functionality. 
     In an embodiment a system of modules  50  can be provided that includes an interface with an external server. This interface could relay through a local WiFi system and out through the Internet. The external server can provide control algorithms and enable communication with devices around the world. Alternatively, the system of modules  50  can include an smart module that includes the desired functionality/control without the need to communicate with an external server. The use of an external server is expected to offer certain functionality that is difficult to implement locally but a locally locked system may offer greater security. The system of modules  50  can thus be set up to provide the desired functionality depending on how the system is desired to be used. 
     The disclosure provided herein describes features in terms of preferred and exemplary embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this disclosure.