Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a power system, in particular to a power management system used to divide power source into multiple ratings, with hierarchical power switches and sockets to be applied in regional hierarchical management. 
         [0003]    2. Related Art 
         [0004]    Along with the increasing scarcity of natural resources in the world, how to reduce energy consumption, has become a primary issue around the world. The goal of reducing consumption of resources has to be met under the premise of energy-saving. A number of load devices have been developed along with advances in technology, such as TV, video player, data processors, displays and a number of electrical appliances, etc. These different types of load devices are utilized in residential and commercial buildings and supplied from the electrical outlets. However, the load devices consume small amounts of electricity when not in use. Over the years, a lot of power resources are wasted. That does not conform to energy conservation and environmental protection requirements. Furthermore, while the load device is connected to the electric power system for a long time, it may be apt to cause fire risks to threat to property and human life. 
         [0005]    The above-mentioned risks may be reduced by disconnecting the load devices and the electrical outlets. However, it is not convenient to take off the plug for non-using load devices (turn off the power switch). Also, the location of the electrical outlets may not be easy to reach to unplug. Therefore, it is not practicable. Furthermore, the conductive material of the plug and the socket usually is copper coated with zinc or tin to prevent oxidation. Although it can achieve the purpose of saving-energy by taking off the plug, this action would seriously cause the coated layer on the socket and plug wear resulting in increase of resistance and temperature. Inside the socket, the copper leads on both sides may become loose caused by repeat plug-unplug resulting in poor contact, causing sparks. Also, it is easy to accumulate in the dust collection outside the socket causing a short circuit. The method still has shortcomings. Therefore, an improved power system with energy conservation and the security of electricity supply is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a power management system and hierarchical power switches and sockets thereof to improve the security and stability of the electric power system, and to achieve the effect of the energy conservation. 
         [0007]    In order to achieve the objectives mentioned above, there is provided in accordance with the present invention: 
         [0008]    A power management system, comprising: 
         [0009]    at least one hierarchical power switch, dividing a power source of one area into a plurality of service ratings to control the power source; 
         [0010]    a plurality of supply lines, corresponding to the service ratings to transmit the power source; and 
         [0011]    a plurality of hierarchical sockets, connecting to the supply lines respectively, wherein the hierarchical sockets are provided to select by an user to supply a load device based on the service ratings. 
         [0012]    The hierarchical power switch is controlled to open/close from a rear end. 
         [0013]    The load device is AC-using (alternating current) load device. 
         [0014]    At least one control switch is disposed between the hierarchical power switch and the hierarchical sockets. 
         [0015]    A hierarchical socket, comprising: 
         [0016]    a plurality of connecting portions, connecting to a plurality of supply lines to receive a plurality of power sources; 
         [0017]    at least one switch element, connecting to the connecting portions, the switch element providing to select a service rating by an user to output the power source based on the selected service rating; and 
         [0018]    at least one socket unit, connected to a load device and supplying the power source to the load device based on the selected service rating. 
         [0019]    The hierarchical socket further comprises a signal transmit/receive module and a control module, the signal transmit/receive module adapted to receive a rear end control signal and connected to the control module, wherein the control module controls a supply state of the hierarchical socket. 
         [0020]    The load device is AC-using (alternating current) load device. 
         [0021]    A hierarchical socket, comprising: 
         [0022]    a plurality of connecting portions, connecting to a plurality of supply lines to receive a plurality of power sources; and 
         [0023]    at least one socket unit, connected to a load device and having a plurality of terminals adapted to supply the power sources to the load device. 
         [0024]    The socket unit is connected to a extension module, the extension module comprising: 
         [0025]    a multiple pin plug, connected to the socket unit to receive the power sources; and 
         [0026]    at least one extension socket, adapted to connect to a load device and supply the power sources to the load device. 
         [0027]    A hierarchical power switch, comprising: 
         [0028]    a distribution module, adapted to divide an AC power source into a plurality of service ratings; and 
         [0029]    at least one switch, connected to the distribution module to control the power source based on the service ratings. 
         [0030]    The hierarchical power switch further comprises a signal transmit/receive module and a control module, the signal transmit/receive module adapted to receive a rear end control signal and connected to the control module, wherein the control module controls a supply state of the power switch. 
         [0031]    The hierarchical power switch further comprises a protection module, adapted to cut off the power source based on the service ratings when the supply state is overload. 
         [0032]    A power management system, comprising: 
         [0033]    at least one hierarchical power switch, generating a control signal to control an area and divide a power source of the area into a plurality of service ratings to control the power source; 
         [0034]    a plurality of supply lines, corresponding to the service ratings to transmit the power source; and 
         [0035]    a plurality of hierarchical sockets, connecting to the supply lines respectively, comprising: 
         [0036]    at least one switch element, connecting to the supply lines and including a control module, the control module receiving the control signal to open/close the power source, the switch element providing to select a service rating by an user to output the power source based on the selected service rating; and 
         [0037]    at least one socket unit, connected to a load device and supplying the power source to the load device based on the selected service rating. 
         [0038]    The hierarchical power switch is controlled to open/close from a rear end. 
         [0039]    The invention divides power source of one area into multiple ratings, and to layup supply lines and set the hierarchical power switches and the control switch based on this rating, thus to control the supply state of each service rating in the area by the using of the hierarchical power switches and the control switch, and then form hierarchical management mechanism to achieve the effect of the energy conservation, improve the security of the electric power system at the same time. The hierarchical power sockets are set on the ends of the supply lines, and the load device can be provided to select the connection the supply line in different service rating to achieve the energy conservation of hierarchical power management. 
         [0040]    Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0041]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
           [0042]      FIG. 1  illustrates the first embodiment of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 2A  illustrates the first embodiment of the hierarchical power switch of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 2B  illustrates the second embodiment of the hierarchical power switch of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0045]      FIG. 2C  illustrates the third embodiment of the hierarchical power switch of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0046]      FIG. 2D  illustrates the fourth embodiment of the hierarchical power switch of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 3A  illustrates the first embodiment of the hierarchical socket of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 3B  illustrates the second embodiment of the hierarchical socket of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0049]      FIG. 3C  illustrates the third embodiment of the hierarchical socket of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0050]      FIG. 3D  illustrates the example of the distribution module of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0051]      FIG. 4  illustrates the example of the control switch of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0052]      FIG. 5A  illustrates practice of the first embodiment of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0053]      FIG. 5B  illustrates the first embodiment of the extension module of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0054]      FIG. 5C  illustrates the second embodiment of the extension module of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0055]      FIG. 5D  illustrates the third embodiment of the extension module of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0056]      FIG. 6  illustrates practice of the second embodiment of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0057]      FIG. 7  illustrates the second embodiment of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0058]      FIG. 8  illustrates the fifth embodiment of the hierarchical power switch of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0059]      FIG. 9  illustrates the fourth embodiment of the hierarchical socket of the power management system according to the present invention. 
           [0060]      FIG. 10  illustrates practice of the third embodiment of the power management system according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0061]    Please see  FIG. 1 , it illustrates the first embodiment of the power management system according to the present invention. 
         [0062]    The power management system according to the invention, is mainly used to divide AC (alternating current) utility power source into multiple ratings. The power management system includes hierarchical power switches  10 A,  10 B, a control switch  11 , and hierarchical power sockets  20 A- 20 C. The hierarchical power switches  10 A,  10 B are used to divide AC (alternating current) utility power source into multiple service ratings. The supply lines AC 1 -AC 3  are used to transmit the power source corresponding to the service ratings, or controlled by the control switch  11 , to the hierarchical power sockets  20 A- 20 C. The output power of the hierarchical power sockets  20 A- 20 C may also be controlled based on the service rating. The hierarchical power sockets  20 A- 20 C are provided to select one of the service ratings by an user and output the power based on the selected service rating to at least one load device. As shown in  FIG. 1 , there have three service rating, two hierarchical power switches  10 A,  10 B, and three hierarchical power sockets  20 A- 20 C. The description proposed herein is just a preferable example for the purpose of illustrations only, not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, so it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications could be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The numbers of the service rating, the hierarchical power switches, and the hierarchical power sockets may be modified by the user to accomplish the power management system of this invention. The control switch  11  is provided to easily control the service ratings for the user. 
         [0063]      FIG. 2A  illustrates the first embodiment of the hierarchical power switch of the power management system according to the present invention. 
         [0064]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , the hierarchical power switch  10  includes a distribution module  101 . When the AC power source is inputted through two transmission lines, one transmission line may serve as a common line AC 0  and another transmission line is connected to the distribution module  101 . The distribution module  101  may divide the power source into multiple service rating power, as shown in  FIG. 2A  is three service ratings. At least one switch is connected to the distribution module  101  to control the power source based on the service ratings. The three service rating power are transmitted by the first supply line AC 1 , the second supply line AC 2  and the third supply line AC 3 , to transmit the corresponding service rating power to the corresponding control switches and sockets. 
         [0065]      FIG. 2B  illustrates the second embodiment of the hierarchical power switch of the power management system according to the present invention. 
         [0066]    As shown in  FIG. 2B , the hierarchical power switch  10  includes a protection module  100  and a distribution module  101 . The protection module  100  is adapted to cut off the supplied power source when the power supply system is overload. When the AC power source is inputted through two transmission lines, one transmission line may serve as a common line AC 0  and another transmission line is connected to the distribution module  101 . The distribution module  101  may divide the power source into multiple service rating power, as shown in  FIG. 2B  is three service ratings. The three service rating power are transmitted by the first supply line AC 1 , the second supply line AC 2  and the third supply line AC 3 , to transmit the corresponding service rating power to the corresponding control switches and sockets. 
         [0067]    With the same spirit, the hierarchical power switch according to the present invention may have following embodiment.  FIG. 2C  illustrates the third embodiment of the hierarchical power switch of the power management system according to the present invention. 
         [0068]    As shown in  FIG. 2C , the hierarchical power switch  10  includes a protection module  100  and a distribution module  101 . The hierarchical power switch  10  further includes a control module  102  and a signal transmit/receive module  103 . The signal transmit/receive module  103  is used to receive a control signal and transmits the control signal to the control module  102  to control a supply state of the hierarchical power switch  10 . The control signal may be wired or wireless transmitted from a rear end. 
         [0069]    The above mentioned protection module  100 , the distribution module  101 , the control module  102  and a signal transmit/receive module  103  are modularized to add or replace easily in the power management system for users.  FIG. 2D  illustrates the fourth embodiment of the hierarchical power switch of the power management system according to the present invention. 
         [0070]      FIG. 3A  illustrates the first embodiment of the hierarchical socket of the power management system according to the present invention. 
         [0071]    As shown in  FIG. 3A , the hierarchical socket  20  includes at least one switch elements  21 A- 21 C and at least one socket units  22 A- 22 C. AS shown, there have three switch elements and three socket units in this embodiment. The switch elements  21 A- 21 C have multiple input and output terminals to connect the supply lines AC 1 -AC 3  with different service ratings. The socket units  22 A- 22 C are plug-able for the load device and receive the power source from the supply lines AC 1 -AC 3  to supply the load device. The first supply line AC 1 , the second supply line AC 2  and the third supply line AC 3  transmit the corresponding service rating power to the switch elements  21 A- 21 C. The switch elements  21 A- 21 C provide to select the service ratings by users to output the power source based on the selected service rating to the socket units  22 A- 22 C. As shown in  FIG. 3A , each switch elements  21 A- 21 C connects to one corresponding socket units  22 A- 22 C respectively. All the socket units  22 A- 22 C are connected to the common line AC 0 , and the outputted power from the socket units  22 A- 22 C depends on the switch elements  21 A- 21 C. Therefore, the socket units  22 A- 22 C of this invention can provide different power based on the selected service rating, which are different from the conventional socket unit. 
         [0072]    To make the power management system of the invention be more perfect, the power management system may further include a control module  102  and a signal transmit/receive module  103 . The signal transmit/receive module  103  is used to receive a control signal and transmits the control signal to the control module  102  to control a supply state of the hierarchical power switch  10 . The control signal may be wired or wireless transmitted from a rear end. For example, when an user approaches the power management system of the invention, the carried controller will emit a control signal to activate a specific service rating power in this area to supply power. When the user leaves this area, the hierarchical socket  20  is closed due to the interruption of the control signal. Therefore, a non-manual power control mechanism is formed. The above mentioned embodiment is shown in  FIG. 3B , which illustrates the second embodiment of the hierarchical socket of the power management system according to the present invention. 
         [0073]    Except to the two above-mentioned embodiments, the invention provides a simplified hierarchical socket of the power management system, which is easier to produce and use.  FIG. 3C  illustrates the third embodiment of the hierarchical socket of the power management system according to the present invention. 
         [0074]    As shown in  FIG. 3C , the hierarchical socket  20  includes at least one socket unit  22 . As shown, there are two socket units  22 . The left socket unit  22  provides three service ratings supply lines, and the right socket unit  22  provides two service ratings supply lines. The socket unit  22  may connect to different service ratings supply lines to form a combo socket structure. The different load devices may acquire different service ratings power source, depended on the plugged locations by users. When the first supply line AC 1  and the second supply line AC 2  provide different service ratings power through the socket unit  22 , the user may select different service ratings power by the socket unit  22 . For example, when the plug of the load device is plugged into upper portion, the load device is connected to the common line AC 0  and the second supply line AC 2 . When the plug of the load device is plugged into middle portion, the load device is connected to the common line AC 0  and the first supply line AC 1 . When the plug of the load device is plugged into lower portion, the load device is connected to the common line AC 0  and the third supply line AC 3 . To ensure all the supply lines AC 1 -AC 3  may form a loop, the common line AC 0  is bypassed inside the hierarchical socket  20 . The selected service ratings power source is depended on the plugged locations by users. Therefore, in this embodiment, the switch element is omitted to reduce the cost and failure. Also, this socket can provide to select by users the supply power in different service rating, which is different from the conventional sockets. 
         [0075]    The switch element  21  may provide the users to elect the supply power in different service rating. Due to the fact that many devices may be installed without using power sockets, the switch element  21  may be embedded in the wall as a wallplate to control the supply power in different service rating directly. The above mentioned embodiment is shown in  FIG. 3D , which illustrates the example of the distribution module of the power management system according to the present invention. 
         [0076]    The control switch  11  shown in  FIG. 1  may be disposed on any locations which is easy to use for users. The control switch  11  includes multiple switches corresponding to each service ratings. As shown in  FIG. 4 , which illustrates the example of the control switch of the power management system according to the present invention. 
         [0077]      FIG. 5A  illustrates practice of the first embodiment of the power management system according to the present invention. 
         [0078]    The common line AC 0  is the basic element to form the loop power system. Therefore, the following description and drawings does not repeat to describe. AS shown, there have three supply lines AC 1 -AC 3 , a control switch  11  and three hierarchical power sockets  20 A- 20 C in this embodiment. For example, three supply power in different service rating are provided, which supply to the control switch  11  through the first supply line AC 1 , high level, the second supply line AC 2 , median level, and the third supply line AC 3 , low level. Then the three supply power in different service rating are transmitted to the power sockets  20 A- 20 C. When the load device is connected to the power sockets  20 A- 20 C by users, one of the supply lines AC 1 -AC 3  is set to be used based on the power consumption characteristics and the using frequency. 
         [0079]    In this embodiment, the power socket  20 A is connected to the communication device  30 , such as a local phone. The power socket  20 B is connected to the multimedia device  40 , such as a TV device. The power socket  20 C is connected to the rectification device  50 , such as a transformer. The communication device  30  is an important device to contact in one area, which may include a local phone, a facsimile machine, or a recorder, etc. Therefore, the power socket  20 A may be set in high level and be supplied by the first supply line AC 1 . The multimedia device  40  may include TV devices, media players or etc. The user may usually use the device. Therefore, the power socket  20 B may be set in median level and be supplied by the second supply line AC 2 . The rectification device  50  may include a transformer, a charger, and etc. The user uses these devices only when the corresponding equipment has to be charged. However, the user usually let the rectification device  50  to plug into the socket. Therefore, the power socket  20 C may be set in low level and be supplied by the second supply line AC 3 . 
         [0080]    As shown in  FIG. 5A , the power socket  20 A is also connected to the light device  60 , such as room lights. The the power socket  20 B is also connected to the refrigerator  70 . The light device  60  includes various kinds of lights inside the house, and have to be usually operated when the user stays in house. Therefore, it has to be set in median level. If it has been considered convenient to operate for user, the light device  60  is controlled by a single switch element  21 . The switch element  21  is embedded in the wall as a wallplate. The user may uses the switch element  21  to select and set the different service ratings power to supply the light device  60 . For example, the ceiling lamp for illumination may be set in median level due to usually use. The halogen lamp for ambiance may be set in low level due to less use. 
         [0081]    The refrigerator  70  is used to to supply cold air to keep food fresh. It has to be set in high level. The hierarchical power sockets of the invention may be used to manage power system. The socket connected to the light device  60  is set to be supplied through the second supply line AC 2 . The power socket  20 C may provide both high level power through the first supply line AC  1  and median level power through the second supply line AC 2  to supply the corresponding load devices. The socket connected to the refrigerator  70  is set to be supplied through the first supply line AC 1 . The power socket  20 C may provide both high level power through the first supply line AC  1  and low level power through the third supply line AC 3  to supply the corresponding load devices. 
         [0082]    The user may control the supply state of each service rating in the area by using of the control switch  11 . For example, the first supply line AC 1 , high level, is set to continuous supply. Therefore, when the user leaves this area, the communication device  30  and the refrigerator  70  can still work. The second supply line AC 1  is median level. When the user enters this area, the second supply line AC 1  is opened to supply power. The multimedia device  40  and the light device  60  are used only when the user is at this area. Therefore, when the user leaves this area, the second supply line AC 2 , median level, is closed to cut off supply power by the control switch  11 . All power sockets connected to the second supply line AC 2  stop supplying power in this area. The rectification device  50  connected to the third supply line AC 3 , low level, is rarely used. So, the third supply line AC 3  is set to turn off. The user may turn on when needed by the control switch  11  to save energy. 
         [0083]      FIG. 5B  illustrates the first embodiment of the extension module of the power management system according to the present invention. 
         [0084]    If the position of the power socket  20 C is not well to be used, the extension module  80  would be used to supply and manage power. The power socket  20 C is shown in  FIG. 3C . The plug of the extension module  80  is plugged into the power socket  20 C. Therefore, the power with different service ratings may be used through the extension module  80 . The extension module  80  includes a multiple pin plug and at least one extension socket. The extension sockets provides to select different service rating power, which are different from the conventional extended line. 
         [0085]      FIG. 5C  illustrates the second embodiment of the extension module of the power management system according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the extension module  80  may provide more than two service rating power. On the other hand, the extension module  80  may include switch element  21  or the control module and the signal transmit/receive module to be used more easily.  FIG. 5D  illustrates the third embodiment of the extension module of the power management system according to the present invention. 
         [0086]      FIG. 6  illustrates practice of the second embodiment of the power management system according to the present invention. 
         [0087]    In this embodiment, the power management system of the invention is applied in a house. The alternating current utility power AC is transmitted into the lower right area. The utility power AC is divided into multiple ratings through the hierarchical power switch  10 A. As shown, the utility power AC is divided into three service ratings. Then, the service ratings power are supplied through the corresponding supply lines to form the basic structure of the power management system. The user may dispose the hierarchical power switches  10 A- 10 C, the control switch  11 , and the power sockets  20 A- 20 H as needed to control the load devices in the house for every areas. For example, in the lower right area, the hierarchical power switch  10 A is connected to the power socket  20 A. The power socket  20 A is used to be connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which needs to be continuously supplied. The control switch  11  controls the supply state in the lower left area. The power socket  20 B is used to be connected to the light device of this area. Therefore, the power socket  20 B may be set in high level. The other power sockets  20 C,  20 D are provided to the user to set the level as needed. The hierarchical power switch  10 B controls the supply state in the upper right area. Excepting to control the power sockets  20 E,  20 F, the hierarchical power switch  10 B may also control the hierarchical power switch  10 C in the upper left area. The hierarchical power switch  10 C is used to control the power sockets  20 G,  20 H. Therefore, the tree management structure of the power system is formed in the house. 
         [0088]    Except for the above mentioned structure, the hierarchical power switch  10 A may further include a control element and a transmit/receive element to receive the control signal to control the supply state from the wireless communication device  31  by the user outside this area, or through the network, or the power line. For example, the rolling door of the house may connect to the median level service rating power. When the user leaves the house, the median level service rating power is cut off. The other one cannot burst into the house. When the user come back, the median level service rating power is turned on through the rear end control. Then, the rolling door would be operated to open. Therefore, the security of residence and the protection of life and property of the user are enhanced. 
         [0089]      FIG. 7  illustrates the second embodiment of the power management system according to the present invention. 
         [0090]    The power management system of the invention divides the alternating current utility power AC into multiple ratings. The power management system includes the hierarchical power switches  10 A- 10 C and the power sockets  20 A- 20 C. The hierarchical power switches  10 A- 10 C may transmit several control signals with service ratings according to the user&#39;s control to the power sockets  20 A- 20 C. The output power of the power sockets  20 A- 20 C is controlled based on the service ratings. The power sockets  20 A- 20 C divide the utility power AC into multiple ratings to be provided for the user to select. Then, the power sockets  20 A- 20 C would output the selected service rating power to supply the load device. As shown, there are three hierarchical power switches  10 A- 10 C and three power sockets  20 A- 20 C. The description proposed herein is just a preferable example for the purpose of illustrations only, not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, so it should be understood that other equivalents and modifications could be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The numbers of the service rating, and the power sockets may be modified by the user to accomplish the power management system of this invention. 
         [0091]      FIG. 8  illustrates the fifth embodiment of the hierarchical power switch of the power management system according to the present invention. 
         [0092]    As shown, the hierarchical power switch  10  includes a transmit module  104 . The alternating current utility power AC is transmitted through two supply lines. One of the supply line may serve as the common line AC 0  for the different service ratings. Another supply line AC 1  may form a loop with the common line AC 0 . The transmit module  104  is connected to both supply lines and connected to the following power sockets. The transmit module  104  may transmit the different service rating control signal according to the user&#39;s need to control the power sockets. 
         [0093]      FIG. 9  illustrates the fourth embodiment of the hierarchical socket of the power management system according to the present invention. 
         [0094]    As shown, the hierarchical power switch  10  includes a distribution module  101 , a control module  102 , at least one switch elements  21 A- 21 C, and at least one socket units  22 A- 22 C. The alternating current utility power AC is transmitted through two supply lines to the switch elements  21 A- 21 C. The switch elements  21 A- 21 C divide the utility power AC into multiple ratings to be provided for the user to select. The socket units  22 A- 22 C are plug-able for the load device and receive the power source from the switch elements  21 A- 21 C to supply the load device. The switch elements  21 A- 21 C provide the multiple service ratings for the user to select and to supply power to the load device based on the select service rating from the socket units  22 A- 22 C. As shown, each switch element corresponds to one socket unit. The supplied power from the socket unit is determined by the corresponding switch element. The switch elements  21 A- 21 C include a control module to receive the control signal from the transmit module to control the outputted power of the socket units  22 A- 22 C. Therefore, the socket units  22 A- 22 C of the power sockets provides to select different service rating power, which are different from the conventional power socket. 
         [0095]      FIG. 10  illustrates practice of the third embodiment of the power management system according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the power management system of the invention is applied in a house. The alternating current utility power AC is transmitted into the lower right area. The utility power AC is divided into multiple ratings through the hierarchical power switch  10 A. As shown, the utility power AC is divided into three service ratings. Then, the service ratings power are supplied through the corresponding supply lines to form the basic structure of the power management system. The user may dispose the hierarchical power switches  10 A- 10 D, the control switch  11 , and the power sockets  20 A- 20 H as needed to control the load devices in the house for every areas. For example, in the lower right area, the hierarchical power switch  10 A is connected to the power socket  20 A. The power socket  20 A is used to connect an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), which needs to be continuously supplied. The hierarchical power switch  10 D controls the supply state in the lower left area. The power socket  20 B is used to connect the light device of this area. Therefore, the power socket  20 B may be set in high level. The other power sockets  20 C,  20 D are provided to the user to set the level as needed. The hierarchical power switch  10 B controls the supply state in the upper right area. Excepting to control the power sockets  20 E,  20 F, the hierarchical power switch  10 B may also control the hierarchical power switch  10 C in the upper left area. The hierarchical power switch  10 C is used to control the power sockets  20 G,  20 H. Therefore, the tree management structure of the power system is formed in the house. 
         [0096]    When the user would like to turn off low level power in the upper left area, the user may operate the hierarchical power switch  10 C only. The hierarchical power switch  10 C will generate a control signal, turn off the low level power, to the supply line. When the power sockets  20 G,  20 H receive the control signal from the supply line, the low level power switches will be turned off to save energy. The shown structure is similar to the structure shown in  FIG. 6 . However, the hierarchical power switches  10 A- 10 D only manage power without distributing. The power source distribution is performed by the power sockets  20 A- 20 H. Therefore, the number of power lines may be reduced to achieve hierarchical power management. 
         [0097]    The protection modules may be included in the hierarchical power switches, or the signal transmit/receive modules may be included in the hierarchical power sockets, to form a non-manual power control mechanism. These modules have been already represented in  FIGS. 2B ,  2 D and  3 B and explained using these figures, thus avoiding the need to repeat description. 
         [0098]    The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: 4