Title of Invention

REMOTE CONTROLLED MODULAR ELECTRICAL SWITCH

Abstract This invention relates to a remote control operated modular switching system. More particularly it relates to a remote control operated switching system to control the electrical appliances remotely while keeping an option of being operated manually or mechanically by conventional "ON" and "OFF" switching method by the same switching system. Further it relates to a remote control operated switching system to protect the electrical/ electronic appliances from the initial current in-rush, which results when power is first applied to a load having a low starting impedance.
Full Text FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970 (39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION See Section 10, and rule 13)
1. TITLE OF INVENTION
REMOTE CONTROLLED MODULAR ELECTRICAL SWITCH
2. APPLICANT(S)
a) Name : ARUN SHEKHAR SHETTY b) Nationality : INDIAN National
c) Address : A-10, SHANTINEER BUILDING,
NEAR JAIN TEMPLE J.B. NAGAR, ANDHERI (E), MUMBAI - 400 059 MAHARASHTRA
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed : -

Remote Control Operated Modular Switching System
Field of the Invention:
This invention relates to a remote control operated modular switching system. More particularly it relates to a remote control operated switching system to control the electrical appliances remotely while keeping an option of being operated manually or mechanically by conventional "ON" and "OFF" switching method by the same switching system. Further it relates to a remote control operated switching system to protect the electrical/electronic appliances from the initial current inrush, which results when power is first applied to a load having a low starting impedance.
Prior Art:
This is an era of the automation, and the people want everything to be controlled automatically by the remote controller. They need all the controls on their fingertip to control all electrical/electronic appliances. Current electrical switching system has only two positions "ON" and "OFF" and one need to go near the switch to operate the electrical /electronic appliances.
Currently many Remote controlled systems to control electrical appliances are available in market. They are not very popular because of their complexity to install and incase of any problem need an expert to fix it. Some needs even major wiring changes to install them in place of existing switchboard. Also these systems are not economical and easy to maintain. No redundancy to each electrical /electronics load, incase of any failure within the system.
Switching on equipments at full blast causes a high peak surge or inrush current. Inrush current is the initial surge of current that results when power is first applied to a load having a low starting impedance, such as discharged capacitor, a cold lamp filament or a stopped motor, etc. This inrush current can be up to 20 times greater than the operating or steady state current. The inrush current is substantially reduced after 10ms, but it can take up to 30-40 cycles until the current is down at a normal level.
Transformers can produce extremely high inrush current in the first half cycle when turn on. Inductive load draws a very heavy current at turn on until the magnetic flux has stabilized. When power supplies are first turned on, they present high initial currents as a result of filter capacitor impedance. These large filter capacitors act like a short circuit, producing an immediate inrush surge current with fast rise time. The peak inrush current is several orders of magnitude greater than the circuit's steady state current. This power surge current can seriously damage other
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components such as welding switch contacts or lead to blown fuses or tripped breakers. Also heavy inrush current reduces the life of the electrical or electronic appliances. Therefore, there is a need of a protective switching system, which can protect the electrical/electronic appliances from initial inrush current.
Hence there is a need of a remote control operated switching system which will address and overcome all the problems of the remote control operated systems of the prior art and at the same time will take care for the protection of the electrical/electronic appliances from initial in-rush current.
Objective of the Invention:
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a switching system, which will obviate the entire problems discussed above in the prior art.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a switching system operated by the remote control unit or remote controller.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide switching system, which will provide comfort to the user while operating any electrical appliances.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a Remote control operated modular switching system to provide flexibility in selection of modules, as per user's requirements, by subdividing entire system into several modules.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an option of operating each electrical/electronics appliances remotely and an alternate option of operating them manually or locally and both options are redundant to each other.
Yet another objective of present invention is to minimize the inrush current while turning on the electrical/electronics appliances, to increases the life of the appliances.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to subdivide entire switching system into different modules for easy and economical replacement of failed module.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide enough scope for expandability to accommodate other safety options like gas detection, smoke detection, motion detection etc.
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Accordingly there is provided a remote control operated modular switching system comprises:
at least one switch module, said switch module consists of three position switch having ON, OFF & REMOTE positions, an electronic switching device for controlling current through any electrical/electronics appliances, and an opt isolator for the purpose of electrical isolation of electronic switching device, said electronic switching device is connected to three position switch through opt isolator; wherein said switch module get controlled remotely when said three position switch is kept in REMOTE position otherwise it works as a conventional ON/OFF switch being operated manually or mechanically when three position switch is not kept in REMOTE position;
a controller module for controlling said switch module, said controller module consists of processor unit for providing control signals to said switch module, remote control receiver unit for collecting the signal from remote controller, zero crossing detector to provide AC power reference for determining the time delay required for turning on the electrical load to be operated by switch module, display unit to show the current operations of processor unit and communication ports to send and receive data from external computer, said remote controller receiver unit communication ports, display unit & zero crossing detector unit are connected to said processor unit;
remote control unit with plurality of keys to be pressed for providing the commands to the said controller module, using the media of wire or wireless, in accordance with the application to be carried out by said switch module;
interconnection board to provide interconnections between said controller module, switch module and the electrical wiring required for the entire system.; and
housing for accommodating said switch module, controller module, interconnection board and power socket, said housing is a box type construction having said interconnection board inside, and plurality of grooves at the front to accommodate said switch modules, controller modules, and power sockets.
According to another embodiment of the invention electronic switching device of the remote control operated modular switching system is controlled by the controller module, to operate electrical/electronic appliances and such electronic switching device may be TRIAC or SCR (Silicon Controlled Rectifier).
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According to another embodiment of the invention remote control unit of remote control operated modular switching system is infrared remote controller or radio frequency remote controller and remote control receiver unit is infrared sensor.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention processor unit of the controller module
may be microprocessor or microcontroller or programmable logic array or programmable gate
array.
According to another embodiment of the invention controller module of the remote control
operated modular switching system is provided with the firmware/software to execute the function
as required by said remote control operated modular switching system and this firmware/software
can be upgraded or modified as the requirement.
According to another embodiment of the invention controller module of the remote control operated modular switching system is provided with a soft start function to increases power through electrical/electronics appliances gradually over a period of time, to reduce inrush current and to increase life of electrical/electrical appliances.
According to one embodiment of the invention remote control operated modular switching system of the present invention optionally comprises safety module for performing the functions of smoke detection, gas detection and motion detection and one groove is provided on the housing for accommodating the safety module. The interconnection board provides interconnectivity of the safety module with rest of the modules of the system.
According to one embodiment of the invention switch module, controller module and safety module of the remote control operated modular switching system are press fitted in the slots available for the respective module on the housing from the front side so that in case of failure of any module, same can be replaced easily without disturbing the rest of modules.
According to one embodiment of the invention the controller module can communicate to external computers or external remote controllers to send and receive data using wire or wireless media.
According to further object of the invention the remote control operated modular switching system consists of plurality of switch modules and a controller module controls all switch modules at the same time.
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Brief description of the Drawing:
Fig 1: Shows the remote control operated modular switching system according to present
invention.
Fig 2a: Shows side view of the Switch module, and an electrical load connected to it.
Fig 2b: Shows block diagram of Switch module, with controller module and electrical load connected to it,
Fig 3: Shows the diagram of Interconnection board.
Fig 4: Shows the block diagram of the remote control operated modular switching system.
Fig 5a: Shows the waveform diagram of voltage across electrical load (Electrical/electronic appliances) and control signal.
Fig 5b: Shows the typical waveform diagram of voltage across electrical appliance while switching
ON electrical/electronics appliances while using remote control operated modular switching
system.
Detailed description of the invention:
The above, and the other objective, features & advantages of invention will become apparent from following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Remote control operated modular switching system herein after also referred as a "system" in the description. Meaning of the reference numerals used in the figures is as follow:
1 - Controller module
2 - Switch module
3 - Interconnection board
4 - Power socket
5 - Three position switch
6 - Safety module.
7 - Control signal connector
8 - Power connector
9 - Electrical Load (Any Electrical/Electronic Appliances)
10 - AC Power
11 - Electronic switching device
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12 - Optoisolator/Optocoupler
13 - Controller module connector
14 - Controller module slot
15 - Interconnection tracks
16 - Switch module connectors
17 - Switch module slots.
18 - Remote control receiver unit
19 - Processor unit.
20 - Zero crossing detector unit.
21 - Output ports
22 - Control signal
23 - Housing
24 - Key's
25 - Remote control unit
26 - Display unit
27 - Resultant voltage waveform
28 - Communication ports
29 - Soft start period.
Referring to figure 1, it shows the front view of remote control operated modular switching system according to present invention. The housing (23) is a box type construction can be opened from front side or the backside. Housing (23) consists of plurality of slots for accommodating the controller module (1), at least one switch module (2), safety module (6) and power sockets (4). The size of the slots is kept in such a way that controller module (1), switch module (2), power sockets (4) and safety modules (6) can be easily press fitted on the housing (23) from the front side. The advantage of the press fitting modular units on housing (23) is that whenever any particular module is not working user need not to change the entire system, he can easily replace the non-working module. Remote control unit (25) is being used to operate system remotely. Now we will see each unit in greater details with the help of the figures.
As shown in figure 2b, switch module (2) of the present invention consists of three position switch (5), electronic switching device (11), optoisolator (12), power connector (8) and control signal connector (7). Three position switch (5) having three positions referred as ON, OFF & REMOTE positions. As shown in figure 2a and Figure 2b any electrical load (9) and AC power (10) connected externally to switch module (2) using Power connector (8). The electrical load (9) connected to switch module (2) of present invention will be operated remotely when user keeps the three
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position switch (5) on REMOTE position. Control signal (22) from control signal connector (7) turns ON or OFF electronic switching device (11). Current flows through electrical load (9) when electronic switching device (11) is ON and no current flows when electronic switching device (11) is OFF when three position switch (5) is placed in REMOTE position. Also there is an option that user can switch ON or OFF electrical load (9) manually or mechanically by conventional "ON" and "OFF" switching method if he doesn't keep the three position switch (5) in REMOTE position. An Optoisolator (12) isolates the electronic switching device (11) from the controller module (1) electrically. Function of Optoisolator is to pass on control signal (22) from control module (1) to electronic switching device (11) optically but not electrically. Optoisolator (12) prevents any electrical damage to control module (1) incase of electronic switching device (11) failure. An electronic switching device may be TRIAC or SCR.
Now referring to figure 4, shows the block diagram of remote control operated modular switching system according to present invention. The system consists of a controller module (1) for controlling switch modules (2). If it consists of plurality of switch modules (2), then all of them controlled at the same time by the controller module (1). Controller module (1) consists of processor unit (19), zero crossing detector unit (20), display unit (26), communication ports (28), output ports (21) and remote control receiver unit (18). Remote control receiver unit (18) receives signal from remote control unit (25) and sends data to processor unit (19). Data is processed in processor unit (19) and provides control signals (22) to each switch module (2) through output ports (21). Zero crossing detector unit (20) provides A C power reference to the processor unit (19) for determining the time delay required for turning on the electrical load (9) to be operated by switch module (2). Display unit (26) shows the current operation and status of processor unit (19). Processor unit (19) can communicates to safety module (6), external computer or external remote controller using communication ports (28). The processor unit may be microprocessor, programmable logic array, programmable gate or the like. Also the controller module is provided with the firmware/software to execute the function as required by the remote control operated modular switching system and this firmware/software can be upgraded or modified at any time as the need.
Figure 3 shows the Interconnection board (3), which is fitted inside the housing (23). In interconnection board (3), control module (1) plugs into the provided controller module slot (14), switch modules (2) plugs into switch module slots (17) respectively. The control module (1) makes required contact with controller module connector (13), and switch modules (2) makes required contact with switch module connector (16) respectively moment they plugged into housing (23) and interconnection board (3). The interconnection tracks (15) in the interconnection board (3) makes required electrical connection between switch modules (2) and controller module (1).
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Interconnection boards (3) board can connect safety module (6) to controller module (1) and also provides other electrical wiring requirements for the entire system.
The remote control unit (25) used in the present invention is infrared remote controller or radio frequency remote controller. Remote control unit (25) consists of plurality of keys (24) which are to be pressed for sending the command to the controller module (1) in accordance with the application to be carried out by the said switch module (2).
Now we will see the working of the entire system in details. User can select the key (24) on the remote control unit (25) as per the application need to be run by the switch module (2). The signal from the remote control unit (25) is colleted by the remote control receiver unit (18) of the controller module (1), demodulated and given to processor unit (19). Processor unit (19) gets the AC power zero crossing signal from the zero crossing detectors unit (20). Then as per the signals obtained by the processor unit (19), it produces the control signal (22) from one of the output port (21) and this control signal (22) is given to switch module (2). Switch module (2) receives this control signal (22) and couples optically to electronic switching device (11). Control signal (22) from control module (1) turns ON or OFF electronic switching device (11) inside switch module (2).
Current through electrical load (9) and electronic switching device (2) is controlled by controller module (1) when three position switch (5) is placed in REMOTE position. User can switch ON or OFF electrical load (9), and also he can control the current flowing through it. For example user can switch ON or OFF any electrical and electronic appliances, increase or decrease brightness of the lights, increase or decrease speed of the fans, motor speed etc as per his need using remote control unit (25).
In the system of present invention, when user keeps the three position switch (5) on REMOTE position, then only switch module (2) is operated by remote control unit (25). Only in REMOTE position controller module (1), electronic switching device (11) and remote control unit (25) comes into action, otherwise switch module (2) works just like a normal electrical ON-OFF switch.
In this system of present invention current through electrical load (9), increases or decreases gradually when being operated by remote control unit (25). Controller module (1) increases or decreases current through electrical load (9), by controlling the switching timing of electronic switching device (11). Figure 5a shows the resultant voltage waveform (27) across electrical load (9), and control signal (22) from control module (1). By means of phase control, the electronic switching device (11) is held in an OFF condition for a portion of each positive and negative cycle, and then is triggered to ON condition at a time in the half cycle determined by the controller module (1).
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In conventional mechanical switching, while switching ON electrical or electronics appliances, current reaches to peak within few milliseconds and results current inrush as described in prior art Figure 5b, shows the resultant waveform (27) of AC voltage across electrical load (9), and control signal (22) from controller module (1) during soft start period (29). Here power to electrical load (9) increases gradually during power up and reaches to peak over a period of time. Control signal (22) from controller module (1), increase power gradually by controlling switching of electronic switching device (11). In other words, a phase angle controlled soft start will not supply a pure sine wave to the load during the soft start period (29). A phase angle controlled soft start spreads the initial surge of current over many periods, thus reducing the stress and also prevents the occurrence of enormous saturation current. Soft start period (29) for electrical load (9) is set to 1800 milliseconds as shown in figure 5(b) but this period can be altered to any time duration.
Advantages of the remote controlled modular switching system of the present invention:
1. This switching system provides the great contentment to user especially the handicapped user as the electrical load is controlled by the remote controller, user need not to go near the switch board.
2. It increases the life of the electrical/electronic appliances due to minimized initial inrush current.
3. It is modular, flexible and very easy to install because of minimum wiring requirement.
4. It is not only comfortable to operate electrical/electronic appliances using remote controller also system is redundant because there is an option of manual operation of electrical electronic appliances incase of remote operation failure.
5. It provides extra safety to the user when electrical/electronic appliances are being operated remotely.
Industrial Application:
The switching system of the present invention is a replacement for conventional electrical switching system. This system provides various control options to the user. This system can be used at home, in offices and industries.
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The present invention is not limited to above described embodiments, and various changes may be made, if desired, without departing from the essence or spirit of the invention which can be read from the claims and the entire specification. All these changes are also intended to be within technical scope of the present invention.
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I Claim:
1. Remote control operated modular switching system comprises:
at least one switch module, said switch module consists of three position switch having ON, OFF & REMOTE positions, an electronic switching device for controlling current through any electrical/electronics appliances, and an optoisolator for the purpose of electrical isolation of electronic switching device, said electronic switching device is connected to three position switch through optoisolator; wherein said switch module get controlled remotely when said three position switch is kept in REMOTE position otherwise it works as a conventional ON/OFF switch being operated manually or mechanically when three position switch is not kept in REMOTE position;
a controller module for controlling said switch module, said controller module consists of processor unit for providing control signals to said switch module, remote control receiver unit for collecting the signal from remote controller, zero crossing detector to provide AC power reference for determining the time delay required for turning on the electrical load to be operated by switch module, display unit to show the current operations of processor unit and communication ports to send and receive data from external computer, said remote controller receiver unit communication ports, display unit & zero crossing detector unit are connected to said processor unit;
remote control unit with plurality of keys to be pressed for providing the commands to the said controller module, using the media of wire or wireless, in accordance with the application to be carried out by said switch module;
interconnection board to provide interconnections between said controller module, switch module and the electrical wiring required for the entire system.; and
housing for accommodating said switch module, controller module, interconnection board and power socket, said housing is a box type construction having said interconnection board inside, and plurality of grooves at the front to accommodate said switch modules, controller modules, and power sockets.
2. Remote control operated modular switching system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
electronic switching device is TRIAC or SCR.
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3. Remote control operated modular switching system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
controller module is provided with the firmware/software to execute the function as required by said remote control operated modular switching system and this firmware/software can be upgraded or modified as the requirement.
4. Remote control operated modular switching system as claimed in any of the preceding
claims wherein said controller module is provided with a function in its firmware/software to control switching or firing angle of electronics switching device to increase or decrease power gradually through electrical/electronic appliances over a period of time, whenever they are being operated by remote controller.
5. Remote control operated modular switching system as claimed in any of the preceding
claims wherein controller module is provided with a soft start period function to increases power through electrical/electronics appliances gradually over a period of time, to reduce inrush current and to increase life of electrical/electrical appliances.
6. Remote control operated modular switching system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said soft start period can be altered to any duration of time as per the requirement.
7. Remote control operated modular switching system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said remote control unit is infrared remote controller or radio frequency remote controller.
8. Remote control operated modular switching system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
remote control receiver unit is infrared sensor or radio frequency receiver.
9. Remote control operated modular switching system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
processor unit is a microprocessor or microcontroller or programmable logic array or programmable gate array.
10. Remote control operated modular switching system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said switch module, controller module and safety module are press fitted in the slots available for the respective module on the housing from the front side so that in case of failure of any module, same can be replaced easily without disturbing rest of the modules.
11. Remote control operated modular switching system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said controller module can communicate to external computers or external
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12. Remote control operated modular switching system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said switching system consists of plurality of switch modules and all switch modules are controlled by a controller module at same time.
13. Remote control operated modular switching system claimed in any preceding claim wherein said switch module provided with electrical isolator to protect controller module from AC voltage incase of electronic switching device failure.
14. Remote control operated modular switching system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said switching system provides an option of operating each electricaVelectronics appliances remotely and an alternate option of operating them manually or locally and both options are redundant to each other.
15. Remote control operated modular switching system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said system optionally comprises safety module for performing the functions of smoke detection, gas detection and motion detection.
16. Remote control operated modular switching system as claimed in claim 15 wherein interconnection board provides interconnectivity of said safety module with rest of the modules of the system.
17. Remote control operated modular switching system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said housing and interconnection board dimensions can be altered to accommodate any number or switch module, controller module, and power sockets.
18. Remote control operated modular switching system as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said housing and said interconnection board design can be modified to accommodate any modules with additional features and this additional module can communicate to controller module.
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19. Remote control operated modular switching system as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of September, 2006.


Documents:

1494-mum-2006-claims(granted)-(20-09-2006).doc

1494-mum-2006-claims(granted)-(20-09-2006).pdf

1494-mum-2006-claims.doc

1494-mum-2006-claims.pdf

1494-mum-2006-correspondance-received.pdf

1494-mum-2006-correspondence(05-09-2007).pdf

1494-mum-2006-correspondence(ipo)-(03-06-2008).pdf

1494-mum-2006-description (complete).pdf

1494-mum-2006-drawing(20-09-2006).pdf

1494-mum-2006-form 1(20-09-2006).pdf

1494-mum-2006-form 18(20-09-2006).pdf

1494-mum-2006-form 2(granted)-(20-09-2006).doc

1494-mum-2006-form 2(granted)-(20-09-2006).pdf

1494-mum-2006-form 3(20-09-2006).pdf

1494-mum-2006-form-1.pdf

1494-mum-2006-form-2.doc

1494-mum-2006-form-2.pdf

1494-mum-2006-form-26.pdf

1494-mum-2006-form-3.pdf

1494-mum-2006-form-drawings.pdf

1494-mum-2006-power of attorney(20-09-2006).pdf

abstract1.jpg


Patent Number 220738
Indian Patent Application Number 1494/MUM/2006
PG Journal Number 33/2008
Publication Date 15-Aug-2008
Grant Date 03-Jun-2008
Date of Filing 20-Sep-2006
Name of Patentee ARUN SHEKHAR SHETTY
Applicant Address A-10, SHANTINEER BLDG., NEAR JAIN TEMPLE, J.B. NAGAR, ANDHERI, MUMBAI-400 059
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 ARUN SHEKHAR SHETTY A-10, SHANTINEER BLDG., NEAR JAIN TEMPLE, J.B. NAGAR, ANDHERI, MUMBAI-400 059
PCT International Classification Number H01H71/00, H01H 9/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA