Abstract:
The power consumption detecting device is without external power supply. It installed on the electric equipment. This self-powered detecting device comprises at least one thermoelectric element, a processor and a wireless transmitter. As the electric equipment working, the temperature difference on the surface of the electric equipment drives the thermoelectric element to perform a voltage signal. Therefore, a self-powered thermoelectric detecting device will decrease standby power demand. The amplitude of voltage signal is proportion to the temperature difference. In the same time, the power generated by thermoelectric element may be another power source of the wireless transmitter and the chip or processor, so the supply of exterior power is no needed. The wireless transmitter transmits a signal, which is according to the power consumption of electric equipment or electric appliance, to the control center.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of Taiwan application Serial No. 99141798, filed Dec. 1, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The disclosed embodiments relate in general to a power consumption detecting device and a power consumption detecting method thereof, and more particularly to a self-powered power consumption detecting device and a power consumption detecting method thereof. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The basic unit of power grid ranges from a household, a building, a community to a power grid of the state. The supply and demand of power varied according to the different conditions of environment. Thus, a power plant needs to generate backup power to assure the sufficient power. 
         [0006]    However, the backup power, which is normally 16%-20% over actual requirement, is indeed an extra load of the power plant. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The disclosure is directed to a self-powered power consumption detecting device and a related detecting method. A power consumption value of the power consumption element is obtained for the control of power supply, so that the power plant generates a corresponding power, and the backup power requires of the power plant is reduced. 
         [0008]    According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a power consumption detecting device is provided. The power consumption detecting device comprises a thermoelectric sensing element, a processor and a wireless transmitter. The thermoelectric sensing element generates a voltage signal by the temperature difference between the surface of the electric equipment and atmosphere during the operation of the electric equipment, and the thermoelectric sensing element is powered by the temperature difference without external power supply. The processor used for obtaining the value of power consumption of the electric equipment, and the value of power consumption is proportion to the voltage signal which generated by the thermoelectric detecting device. The wireless transmitter transmitting a power consumption signal to an electric control center. 
         [0009]    According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a power consumption detecting method. The power consumption detecting method comprises the following steps. A working power of an electric equipment is detected, wherein a thermoelectric sensing element is driven to output a voltage signal by the temperature difference generated on the surface of the electric equipment when the electric equipment works. A power consumption value of the electric equipment according to the voltage signal is obtained and an electricity consumption signal is accordingly outputted, wherein the electricity consumption signal contains the information of the power consumption value of the electric equipment. A power is used to transmit the electricity consumption signal by a wireless transmitter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of an electricity consumption detecting system according to one embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a function block diagram of the electricity consumption detecting power consumption detecting device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a function block diagram of an electricity consumption detecting power consumption detecting device according to another embodiment of the disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a relationship diagram of the output voltage of thermoelectric sensing element of  FIG. 2  vs. the temperature difference generated on the surface of the electric equipment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic diagram of the thermoelectric sensing element of  FIG. 2  mounted in the electric equipment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  shows a schematic diagram of electrical connection between thermoelectric sensing element of  FIG. 5  and the wireless transmitter; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic diagram of several thermoelectric sensing elements connected in parallel according to an implementation of the disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic diagram of several thermoelectric sensing elements connected in serial according to another implementation of the disclosure; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  shows a flowchart of a power consumption detecting method according to one embodiment of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a schematic diagram of an electricity consumption detecting system according to one embodiment of the disclosure is shown. The electricity consumption detecting system  100  comprises several power consumption detecting devices  102  and an electricity consumption management device  104 . The power consumption detecting devices  102  are respectively installed on different electric equipments  106 . The electric equipments  106  are electronic devices powered by a power network, and examples of the electric equipments  106  include computers, home electrical appliances, air-conditioners, fridges, printers and copy machines. 
         [0021]    In general, when the electric equipment  106  works, the electric equipment  106  generates heat which causes temperature to rise, and the temperature of the electric equipment  106  is thus higher than the exterior temperature. The direction of temperature drop between the electric equipment  106  and the exterior is directed towards the exterior. 
         [0022]    In the present embodiment of the disclosure, each power consumption detecting device  102  detects a temperature difference caused by a corresponding electric equipment  106 , and accordingly generates an electricity consumption signal S 1  and a power E 1  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). The electricity consumption signal S 1  indicates the electricity consumption when the electric equipment  106  is in a working state. The power consumption detecting device  102  uses the self-generated power E 1  to transmit the electricity consumption signal S 1  to the electricity consumption management device  104 . 
         [0023]    The electricity consumption management device  104 , such as a server connected to a local power grid, comprises a communication module  110  and a power consumption data collector  112 . After the electricity consumption management device  104  receives the electricity consumption signals S 1  transmitted from the power consumption detecting devices  102 , the power consumption data collector  112  obtains an aggregate power consumption value by adding up the power consumption values (the electricity consumption of the local power grid) indicated by the electricity consumption signals S 1 , and the communication module  110  accordingly transmits a power demand signal S 2  to the power management system server  120 . The power demand signal S 2  contains the information of the aggregate power consumption value. The power management system server  120 , such as a primary server, summarizes the aggregate power consumption values transmitted from the electricity consumption management devices  104  of all local power grids to perform power monitor. Thus, through the use of the power consumption detecting device  102 , the power plant avoid generating excessive backup power, thus the waste of energy is reduced. 
         [0024]    In another implementation, the electricity consumption management device  104  or the power management system server  120  may also transmits a power demand signal S 2  to a power company, which then controls the power plant to generate a corresponding power. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a function block diagram of the electricity consumption detecting power consumption detecting device of  FIG. 1  is shown. The power consumption detecting device  102  comprises a thermoelectric sensing element  108 , a chip or processor  122  and a wireless transmitter  116 , wherein the chip or processor  122  is electrically connected to the thermoelectric sensing element  108  and the wireless transmitter  116 . The thermoelectric sensing element  108  is realized by such as a thermoelectric chip. When the electric equipment  106  works, the thermoelectric sensing element  108  is driven to output a voltage signal V 1  and a power E 1  by the temperature difference generated on the surface of the electric equipment  106 . The chip or processor  122  uses the power E 1 , obtains the power consumption value of the electric equipment  106  according to the voltage signal V 1 , and accordingly outputs the electricity consumption signal S 1 , wherein the electricity consumption signal S 1  contains the information of the power consumption value of the electric equipment  106 . The wireless transmitter  116  uses the power E 1  for transmitting the electricity consumption signal S 1 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a function block diagram of an electricity consumption detecting power consumption detecting device according to another embodiment of the disclosure is shown. The power consumption detecting device  202  further comprises an interior power supply system  224  for providing the power E 1 . Furthermore, the thermoelectric sensing element  108  of the power consumption detecting device  202  may be used as a sensor only, and the power E 1  needed by the chip or processor  122  and the wireless transmitter  116  is supplied by the interior power supply system  224  such as a battery. In other embodiment, the power E 1  may be provided by an exterior power supply system (not illustrated). 
         [0027]    The method for obtaining the power consumption value of the electric equipment  106  according to the voltage signal V 1  may be implemented in many different ways. For example, the correct power consumption value may be obtained by comparing the data of power consumption values of a database (not illustrated); the power consumption value corresponding to the electricity consumption signal S 1  may be obtained through calculation according to a calibration formula or a calibration curve. Wherein, the database, the calibration formula or the calibration curve is stored in the chip or processor  122  of the power consumption detecting device  102 . 
         [0028]    When the electric equipment  106  works in different states, the temperature difference generated on the surface of the electric equipment  106  varies accordingly and drives the thermoelectric sensing element  108  to generate different seeback voltages whose magnitudes are positively proportional to the temperature difference. Referring to  FIG. 4 , a relationship diagram of the output voltage of thermoelectric sensing element of  FIG. 2  vs. the temperature difference generated on the surface of the electric equipment of  FIG. 1  is shown. 
         [0029]    The thermoelectric sensing element  108  has a simple structure without any mechanical moving parts, and has a long lifetime and does not make noise when in a working state. The thermoelectric sensing element  108  may be manufactured by a thick film method, and may be directly formed on a high thermal conductive substrate. Examples of the thick film method include the electrochemical method, the centrifugal force solidification method, the liquid phase processing method and the Bridgman method. The thermoelectric sensing element  108  may be formed as nanowires so that the density of power output may be increased. The nanowires are directly formed in the base material to reduce contact resistance. The thermoelectric sensing element  108  formed in the form of nanowires may be directly attached on the surface of the electric equipment  106  for recycling the heat of the electric equipment  106  to generate power. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 5  shows a schematic diagram of the thermoelectric sensing element of  FIG. 2  mounted in the electric equipment.  FIG. 6  shows a schematic diagram of electrical connection between thermoelectric sensing element of  FIG. 5  and the wireless transmitter. The thermoelectric sensing element  108 , having a first side  108   a  and a second side  108   b  opposite to the first side  108   a , comprises a semiconductor structure layer  108   c , a first insulating thermal conductive plate  108 f and a second insulating thermal conductive plate  108   g . The semiconductor structure layer  108   c  is formed by several thermocouples composed of P-type semiconductor materials  108   d  and N-type semiconductor materials  108   e , wherein each thermocouple may generate a current through temperature difference. The semiconductor structure layer  108   c , the P-type semiconductor material  108   d  and the N-type semiconductor material  108   e  are located between the first insulating thermal conductive plate  108 f and the second insulating thermal conductive plate  108   g . The first side  108   a  of the thermoelectric sensing element  108  contacts the electric equipment  106 , and the second side  108   b  of the thermoelectric sensing element  108  faces the exterior. 
         [0031]    Besides, the power consumption detecting device  102  further comprises a heat sink  118  installed on the second side  108   b  of the thermoelectric sensing element  108  for dissipating the heat Q to the exterior so that significant temperature difference is generated between the first side  108   a  and the second side  108   b  of the thermoelectric sensing element  108 . The larger the temperature difference between the first side  108   a  and the second side  108   b  is, the larger the generated voltage will be. In other implementations, the power consumption detecting device  102  may do without the heat sink  118 . 
         [0032]    As indicated in  FIG. 6 , when the heat Q generated by the electric equipment  106  causes the temperature of the first side  108   a  to be higher than the temperature of the second side  108   b , a current C 1  is generated for connecting the thermoelectric element to the wireless transmitter  116 . Thus, the current C 1  forms a loop for providing the power to the wireless transmitter  116  to smoothly transmit the electricity consumption signal S 1 . 
         [0033]    Moreover, different currents and voltages may be outputted by connecting the thermoelectric sensing elements  108  in serial or parallel to comply with the input request of the wireless transmitter  116 . Let parallel connection be taken for example. Referring to  FIG. 7 , a schematic diagram of several thermoelectric sensing elements connected in parallel according to an implementation of the disclosure is shown. The P-type semiconductor materials  108   d  of the thermoelectric sensing element  108  are electrically connected to the P-type semiconductor materials  108   d ′ of the thermoelectric sensing element  108 ′, and the N-type semiconductor materials  108   e  of the thermoelectric sensing element  108  are electrically connected to the N-type semiconductor materials  108   e ′ of the thermoelectric sensing element  108 ′ to form a parallel-connection structure capable of outputting a larger current. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , a schematic diagram of several thermoelectric sensing elements connected in serial according to another implementation of the disclosure is shown. The N-type semiconductor materials  108   e  of the thermoelectric sensing element  108  are electrically connected to the P-type semiconductor materials  108   d ′ of the thermoelectric sensing element  108 ′ to form a serial-connection structure capable of outputting a larger voltage. 
         [0035]    Preferably but not restrictively, the thermoelectric sensing element  108  outputs at least 20 milli-watts per square cm (mW/cm 2 ) in an environment with 5° C. of temperature difference, wherein the area is the surface of the thermoelectric sensing element  108  contacting the electric equipment, and is the area of the first side  108   a  of the thermoelectric sensing element  108  in the present embodiment of the disclosure. Expected power output may be achieved through the selection of various types or functions of thermoelectric sensing elements  108 . For example, the larger the thermoelectric conversion coefficient of the thermoelectric sensing element  108  is or the thinner the thermoelectric sensing element  108  is, the larger the power output of the thermoelectric sensing element  108  will be. Preferably but not restrictively, the thickness of the thermoelectric sensing element  108  ranges between 0.35-0.75 mm. Or, the power output of the thermoelectric sensing element  108  may be increased by way of connecting several thermoelectric sensing elements  108  in serial or in parallel. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 9  and  FIGS. 1-2 .  FIG. 9  shows a flowchart of a power consumption detecting method according to one embodiment of the disclosure. 
         [0037]    Firstly, the method begins at step S 102 , a working power of the electric equipment  106  is detected, wherein when the electric equipment  106  works, thermoelectric sensing element  108  is driven to output a voltage signal V 1  and a power E 1  by the temperature difference generated on the surface of the electric equipment  106 . 
         [0038]    Next, the method proceeds to step S 104 , a power consumption value of the electric equipment  106  is obtained by the chip or processor  122  according to the voltage signal V 1  and the electricity consumption signal S 1  is outputted by the chip or processor accordingly, wherein the electricity consumption signal S 1  contains the information of the power consumption value of the electric equipment  106 . 
         [0039]    Then, the method proceeds to step S 106 , an electricity consumption signal S 1  is continually transmitted by the wireless transmitter  116  using the power E 1 . 
         [0040]    Since temperature difference occurs continuously, the thermoelectric sensing element  108  continually outputs the power E 1  and the electricity consumption signal S 1  to the wireless transmitter  116 , which is powered by the power W 1  to continually transmit the electricity consumption signal S 1  (step S 106 ). When the electricity consumption management device  104  does not receive the electricity consumption signal S 1 , this indicates that the electric equipment  106  is not in a working state (no power consumption occurs). Furthermore, no heat will be generated when the electric equipment  106  is not working. Therefore, the thermoelectric sensing element  108  and the power consumption detecting device  102  in step S 104  are in a suspending state. Since there is no need to provide stand-by power to the power consumption detecting device, the power supply of the power consumption detecting device  102  may thus be reduced. 
         [0041]    Then, the method proceeds to step S 108 , an aggregate power consumption value is obtained by adding up the power consumption values indicated by the received electricity consumption signals S 1  by the power consumption data collector  112  of the electricity consumption management device  104  by. 
         [0042]    Then, the method proceeds to step S 110 , a power demand signal S 2  is transmitted to the power company or the power management system server  120  by the communication module  110  of the electricity consumption management device  104 , wherein, the power demand signal S 2  contains the information of the aggregate power consumption value. 
         [0043]    Afterwards, the power management system server  120  performs power monitor after receiving the power demand signals S 2  transmitted from the electricity consumption management devices  104 , wherein, the electricity consumption management devices  104  may be connected to a single or multiple local power grids, and the power management system server  120  may be connected to the interior or the exterior of the power company. 
         [0044]    According to the power consumption detecting device, the electricity consumption management device, the electricity consumption detecting system and the related detecting method disclosed in the above embodiments of the disclosure, the power plant generates a power corresponding a power consumption value of the electric equipment so that the burden of the power plant is alleviated. Since the power consumption detecting device is self-powered, no exterior power is needed. 
         [0045]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.