Abstract:
A device integrating a digital switch and a hand switch, which includes one hand switch having a primary terminal being fixed at one side, and a secondary terminal and a third terminal being fixed at another side respectively, thereat, either the said secondary terminal or said third terminal is able to be connected with the said primary terminal via specifiable switching operations; one automatic switch having a fourth terminal being fixed at one side, and a fifth terminal and a sixth terminal being fixed at another side respectively, whereat, either the said fifth terminal or said sixth terminal is able to be connected with the said fourth terminal via specifiable switching operations; and wherein, upon the occurrence of a malfunction in the automatic switch, the device is allowable to turn on or off manually.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a kind of device integrating a digital switch and a hand switch, and more specifically it relates to a device for integrating a digital switch with a hand switch in such a way that it can still be controlled manually by a user upon the occurrence of any malfunction or non-availability of its automatic switching function. 
         [0003]    2. The Prior Art 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing a known device integrating a digital switch and a hand switch, in which, it comprises the control unit  11 , electrical appliance  12  and hand switch  13 . In the structure of a known device integrating both digital switch and hand switch, thereat, the hand switch  13  is indirectly linked to the electrical appliance  12  via control unit  11 . And control unit  11  can detect the operational status of hand switch  13  by measuring either its electrical voltage or current. Therefore, when a user is turning on a hand switch  13 , the control unit  11  can detect an operating signal from the hand switch  13  immediately and then it will energize the electrical appliance  12  via a component such as relay etc. The control unit  11  has various transmission interfaces, e.g. network transmission interface etc., so that a user can easily control the control unit  11  directly via another device such as computer etc. to operate the said electrical appliance  12  without using the hand switch  13  at all. Certainly, it is allowable to connect the control unit  11  with a sensing unit to operate the said electrical appliance  12  directly according to the sensing signal receiving from the said sensing unit and hence achieving the goal of intelligent appliance control. 
         [0005]    Though the known device integrating both digital switch and hand switch can provide both the provide manual control and automatic control functions, however, since the hand switch can only control/operate the electrical appliance indirectly through the control unit, therefore, upon the occurrence of a malfunction in the said control unit, both the manual control and automatic control functions will fail synchronously and hence it will be impossible to switch on the said electrical appliance at all. 
         [0006]    The disadvantages of the known technique are as follows: 
         [0007]    1. The known device for integrating the digital switch and hand switch, wherein, its manual control function will fail synchronously while automatic control function is unworkable so that it is impossible to switch on relevant electrical appliance at all; and 
         [0008]    2. The known device for integrating the digital switch and hand switch, wherein, its switching functions will become completely unworkable once the automatic control function fails, ad under this circumstance, a user will not be able to operate relevant electrical appliance after its operational functions have been recovered which makes the user feel very inconvenient. 
         [0009]    Thus, how to improve above-mentioned disadvantages of the known device so that a user still can operate relevant electrical appliance normally upon the occurrence of a malfunction in the automatic control function has become a great concern to the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The purpose of present invention lies in providing an novel and advanced integration device of digital switch and hand switch, which adopts two sets of single-pole double-throw switches that can be cascaded together; and wherein, one switch is able to provide a manual control function and another switch can be operated through a control unit to provide an automatic control function; and thereat, because the single-pole double-throw switch will contact with any one of the terminals positioned on the other side of said switch all the time, therefore, all functions of the hand switch will still be operated normally without being affected by the defective automatic control switch even though there is a malfunction of either the automatic control switch or control unit. 
         [0011]    In order to fulfill the above-mentioned purpose, hence, the present invention presents a kind of device integrating a digital switch and a hand switch, which comprises: 
         [0012]    One hand switch, wherein, there is a primary terminal being fixed at the primary side of the said hand switch, and in addition, a secondary terminal and a third terminal is being fixed at the secondary side of the said hand switch respectively, thereat, either the said secondary terminal or said third terminal is able to be connected with the said primary terminal via specifiable switching operations; 
         [0013]    One automatic switch, wherein, there is a fourth terminal being fixed at the primary side of the said automatic switch, and moreover, a fifth terminal and a sixth terminal is being fixed at the secondary side of the said automatic switch respectively, whereat, either the said fifth terminal or said sixth terminal is able to be connected with the said fourth terminal via specifiable switching operations; 
         [0014]    Wherein, upon the occurrence of a malfunction in the said automatic switch which makes the said fourth terminal unable to be switched out of the said fifth terminal, and under this circumstance, it is allowable to connect the said primary terminal with the said secondary terminal to energize a direct link between the said primary terminal and the said fourth terminal, or instead, it is allowable to connect the said primary terminal to the said third terminal to disenergize a direct link between the said primary terminal and the said fourth terminal accordingly via the operation of the said hand switch; furthermore, during the occurrence of a malfunction in the said automatic switch which makes the said fourth terminal unable to be switched out of the said sixth terminal, and under this circumstance, it is allowable to connect the said primary terminal to the said third terminal to energize a direct link between the said primary terminal and the said fourth terminal, or instead, it is allowable to connect the said primary terminal with the said secondary terminal to disenergize a direct link between the said primary terminal and the said fourth terminal accordingly via the operation of the said hand switch thereto. 
         [0015]    A device integrating both the digital switch and hand switch as defined in preceding paragraph, in which, the said hand switch and the said automatic switch is actually a kind of single-pole double-throw switch. 
         [0016]    A device integrating both the digital switch and hand switch as defined in preceding paragraph, wherein, the said automatic switch is actually a relay. 
         [0017]    A device integrating both the digital switch and hand switch as defined in preceding paragraph, in which, it even includes one control unit, and thereat, its automatic control function is performed by the said control unit, moreover, the said control unit is able to receive a signal and then respond to the instruction in accordance with such signal by shifting the connectivity among the said fourth terminal, the said the fifth terminal and the said sixth terminal of the said automatic switch. 
         [0018]    A device integrating both the digital switch and hand switch as defined in preceding paragraph, wherein, the said control unit is able to receive such signal via a transmission interface, such as network etc. 
         [0019]    A device integrating a digital switch and a hand switch as claimed in preceding paragraph, wherein, it further comprises one detecting unit, and thereat, the said detecting unit is able to detect the connectivity among the said primary terminal, the said secondary terminal and the said third terminal of the said hand switch, and meanwhile it will deliver the primary detection result back to the said control unit accordingly. 
         [0020]    A device integrating both the digital switch and hand switch as defined in preceding paragraph, wherein, it is available to cascade an electrical appliance to the said primary terminal as well as the said fourth terminal, and thereat, the said detecting unit is parallel to the said electrical appliance, and in addition, it is able to detect the connectivity among the said primary terminal, the said secondary terminal and the said third terminal of the said hand switch by measuring the electrical voltage difference between both ends of the said electrical appliance thereto. 
         [0021]    A device integrating a digital switch and a hand switch as defined in preceding paragraph, in which, the said detecting unit is being cascaded at a position locating between the said primary terminal and the said fourth terminal, and moreover, it is able to detect the connectivity among the said primary terminal, the said secondary terminal and the said third terminal of the said hand switch by measuring the amount of electrical current passing through these terminals thereof. 
         [0022]    A device integrating a digital switch and a hand switch as defined in preceding paragraph, wherein, it is available to cascade an electrical appliance at a position locating between the said primary terminal and the said fourth terminal, and thereby it will be able to operate/control the said hand switch or the said automatic switch accordingly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing a known device integrating a digital switch and a hand switch; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, in which, the operational status of hand switch is being detected by measuring its electrical voltage; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view showing another preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, in which, the operational status of hand switch is being detected by measuring the amount of its electrical current; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view showing another preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, in which, it has been equipped with a plurality of hand switches thereof. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0028]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , it is a schematic view showing a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, in which, the operational status of hand switch is being detected by measuring its electrical voltage, and wherein, it comprises the sensing unit  21 , computer  22 , control unit  23 , detecting unit  24 , automatic switch  25 , terminals  251 ,  252 ,  253 ,  261 ,  262 , and  263 , the hand switch  26 , electrical appliance  27  and power supply  28 . There is a terminal  261  being fixed at the primary side of the hand switch  26 , and in addition, there are terminals  262  and  263  being fixed at the secondary side of the said hand switch respectively, and moreover, there is a terminal  251  being fixed at the primary side of the automatic switch  25 , and also a terminal  252  and terminal  253  are being fixed at the secondary side of the said automatic switch  25  respectively. Whereat, terminal  252  and terminal  253  are being linked with terminal  262  and terminal  263  respectively. Being linked to the automatic switch  25 , the control unit  23  is able to turn on or turn off the said automatic switch  25 . The electrical appliance  27 , for instance the electric lights or home appliances etc., and the power supply  28  are being cascaded at a position locating between terminal  251  and terminal  261 . Wherein, a kind of single-pole double-throw switch can be used as either the automatic switch  25  or the hand switch  26 , and a relay can be used as an automatic switch  25 . 
         [0029]    Terminal  261  fixed on the hand switch  26  will maintain a continuous connection with either terminal  262  or terminal  263 , and under this circumstance, when a user turn on the hand switch  26  with his (her) hand, the terminal  261  will then be shifted to another terminal, e.g. terminal  263  (or terminal  262 ), from the original terminal, e.g. terminal  262  (or terminal  263 ). Similarly, the terminal  251  fixed on the automatic switch  25  will maintain a continuous connection with either terminal  252  or terminal  253 , and under this circumstance, when the control unit  23  is switching on the automatic switch  25 , the terminal  251  will then be shifted to another terminal, e.g. terminal  253  (or terminal  252 ), from the original terminal, e.g. terminal  252  (or terminal  253 ). 
         [0030]    Supposedly, at present, the terminal  261  is being connected to terminal  262  on the said hand switch  26 , and by the time while control unit  23  would like to turn on the said electrical appliance  27 , it will have to connect the terminal  251  with terminal  252 ; whereas, if the terminal  261  is being connected to terminal  263  on the said hand switch  26 , and by the time while control unit  23  would like to turn on the electrical appliance  27 , it will have to connect the terminal  251  with terminal  253  instead. Whereby, to operate the overall system correctly, it is very important for the control unit  23  to find out the actual connection status of terminal  261  fixed on the said hand switch  26 . For this particular problem, it can be easily resolved while control unit  23  is able to utilize the function provided by the detecting unit  24 . Whereat, the said detecting unit  24  is being cascaded to both ends of the said electrical appliance  27 , and whereby, the detecting unit  24  is able to determine the actual connection status at the terminal  261  fixed on the hand switch  26  by measuring the electrical voltage at each end of the said electrical appliance  27 , and then it will deliver the detection result back to the said control unit  23 . Whereby, the control unit  23  will react upon receiving relevant detection results. 
         [0031]    Upon the occurrence of a malfunction in the automatic switch  25  which makes the terminal  251  unable to be switched out of the terminal  252 , and under this circumstance, it is allowable to connect terminal  261  with terminal  262  fixed on the said hand switch  26  to turn on the electrical appliance  27 , or instead, it is allowable to connect terminal  261  with terminal  263  to turn off the said electrical appliance  27 ; furthermore, during the occurrence of a malfunction in the automatic switch  25  which makes the terminal  251  unable to be switched out of terminal  253 , and under this circumstance, it is allowable to connect terminal  261  with terminal  263  fixed on the said hand switch  26  to turn on the electrical appliance  27 , or instead, it is allowable to connect terminal  261  with terminal  262  to turn off the said electrical appliance  27 . Thus, a user can still control/operate relevant electrical appliance  27  via the said hand switch  26  even though the occurrence of any malfunction or non-availability of the said automatic switching  25 . 
         [0032]    On the other hand, the user can easily control the control unit  23  directly via another device such as computer  22  etc. to operate the said electrical appliance  27 . Whereby, the said computer  22  can utilize any available transmission interface, e.g. WLAN or internet etc., to communicate with the control unit  23  directly. Additionally, the said control unit  23  is able to be connected with a sensing unit  21  to detect ambient conditions, including brightness, temperature or humidity etc., and meanwhile, it is able to control/operate the electrical appliance  27  by responding to the detection results received from the said sensing unit  21 , for instance, to turn on the electric lights automatically while the brightness is low or switching on the air conditioner while the temperature is high. 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , it is a schematic view showing another preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, in which, the operational status of hand switch is being detected by measuring the amount of its electrical current, and wherein, it comprises the sensing unit  21 , computer  22 , control unit  23 , automatic switch  25 , terminals  251 ,  252 ,  253 ,  261 ,  262 , and  263 , the hand switch  26 , electrical appliance  27 , power supply  28  and detecting unit  29 . Whereby, the detecting unit  29  can also be cascaded into the automatic switch  25 , hand switch  26 , electrical appliance  27  as well as power supply  28 , and moreover, it is able to determine the actual operational status of the hand switch  26  by measuring the amount of loop current. 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , it is a schematic view showing another preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, in which, it has been equipped with a plurality of hand switches thereof. And wherein, it comprises the sensing unit  21 , computer  22 , control unit  23 , digital switch  25 , terminals  251 ,  252 ,  253 ,  261 ,  262 , and  263 , the hand switch  26 , electrical appliance  27 , power supply  28 , detecting unit  29  as well as the four-way hand switch  210 . Whereby, if one would like to set up a plurality of hand switches, it is allowable to cascade a plurality of four-way hand switches  210  into a position locating between the said digital switch  25  and the said hand switch and under this circumstance the said digital switch  25  will be able to link with the said hand switch  26  indirectly via the said a plurality of four-way hand switches  210 . Whereby, the said four-way hand switches  210  has two types of shifting mode, and thereby, suppose that Mode  1  is being selected, the terminals of the said four-way hand switch  210  will be connected parallelly (i.e. two upper terminals can be conducted to each other, and two lower terminals can be conducted to each other as well), and if Mode  2  is being selected, then terminals of the said four-way hand switch  210  will be cross-connected (i.e. the top left terminal can be conducted to the bottom right terminal, and instead, the top right terminal can be conducted to the bottom left terminal), and in this way it will be satisfy the requirement for setting up a plurality of hand switches simply by cascading a four-way hand switches  210  into a position locating between the said digital switch  25  and the said hand switch  26 . 
         [0035]    The advantages of present invention are as follows: 
         [0036]    1. The device integrating a digital switch and a hand switch provided by the present invention in such way that a user can still control/operate relevant electrical appliance correctly via the hand switch upon the occurrence of any malfunction or non-availability of its automatic switching function; and 
         [0037]    2. The device integrating a digital switch and a hand switch provided by the present invention in such a way that a user will never have to wait for the maintenance anymore, because he or she can still control/operate relevant electrical appliance correctly via the hand switch function thereof. 
         [0038]    From the foregoing description, the novel and advanced device integrating both the digital switch and hand switch in accordance with the present invention can still control/operate relevant electrical appliances correctly via its hand operational function during the occurrence of a malfunction in automatic control function, whereas, all modifications and changes including various applications, different designs for relevant switches, or even different transmission interfaces designed for the control unit etc., any similar structure consisting of two sets of single-pole double-throw switches or single-pole multiple-throw switches may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention at all. 
         [0039]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment that can be achieved easily by a skillful person familiar with this particular technology thereof, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims.