POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

In general terms, this invention relates to power supply systems. One preferred embodiment of the invention relates to an electrical power distribution system. Other preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to plug-in outlets for use with that power distribution system.

Background to the Invention

Whilst technology has advanced apace, it is generally true to say that domestic power distribution systems have changed little since the widespread introduction of electricity to homes.

Improvements have been made to the interface (commonly known as a consumer unit) between a home's electrical circuits and the mains electrical supply to the property, but the electrical circuits for homes have changed little. These circuits are typically arranged as ring mains where copper cables extend from the consumer unit to one or more socket outlets and back to the consumer unit to form the ring.

A perennial problem, as we use more and more electrical equipment, is that there are often not enough socket outlets in the ring main to enable all items of electrical equipment to be plugged in at once. This is particularly prevalent in the lounge or study where computer or audio visual equipment typically requires a large number of outlets. To avoid this problem it is common to plug so-called strip extension cables into some or all of the socket outlets to increase the number ^? of outlets available. These extension cables form a trip hazard, and can be dangerous if they are electrically overloaded.

An associated problem with this distribution system is that it is typically not an easy task to move sockets if the owner should decide, for example, to change the furniture layout in a room. For example, if the socket outlets are buried in the wall, creating new socket outlets necessitates the cutting of cavities in the wall, and the chasing of channels for wiring.

Another problem associated with the provision of many items of electrical equipment is that it is commonplace for many of these items to be left on standby when they are not in use. Whilst standby modes do tend to use less electricity than when the device in question is in use, devices that are on standby do still consume an appreciable amount of electricity and as this adds to one's carbon footprint it would be advantageous if a means could be provided to facilitate the decoupling of electrical devices from the mains power supply.

The present invention has been devised with the foregoing problems in mind.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention there is provided an electrical distribution system comprising: a housing that is configured for fixing to a support surface (such as a wall), the housing comprising a back housing portion for attachment to said support surface and a fascia for attachment to said back housing portion, said back housing portion and fascia co-operating to define a void within the housing in which a plurality of conductive tracks are provided and to define a slot into which a power connector, plug can be inserted, the connector plug carrying a plurality of contacts that are each configured and arranged to capable of making electrical contact with a specific one of the plurality of conductive tracks located within the housing when the connector plug has been inserted into the housing via said slot.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a connector plug comprising generally planar card-like connecting portion, and a plurality of electrical contacts mounted on a sprung plate that is located in said connecting portion. The connector plug may be utilised with the aforementioned distribution system.

Other features, advantages and embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various aspects of the teachings of the present invention, and arrangements embodying those teachings, will hereafter be described by way of illustrative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic elevation of an electrical distribution system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line A — A of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an illustrative exploded perspective view of several electrical distribution systems configured as a skirting board;

Figs. 3a and 3b are enlarged portions of the arrangement shown in Fig. 3;

Figs 4a and 4b are, respectively, rear and front views of a connector for use with the system of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5 is an illustrative representation of a plurality of connectors of the type depicted in Fig. 4;

Figs 6a and 6b are illustrative representations of other types of connectors for use with the system of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 7 is an illustrative exploded perspective view of several electrical distribution systems configured as a skirting board, the systems being in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line B — B of Fig. 7, and Fig. 8a is an enlarged view of a part of the system shown in Fig. 8;

Figs. 9a and 9b are, respectively, front and rear elevations of a connector for use with the second embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 10 is an illustrative cross-sectional view along the line C — C through the connector of Fig. 9a; and

Fig. 11 is a schematic representation of the internals of an illustrative connector plug.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The teachings of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to a domestic electrical distribution system, but it should be remembered that this embodiment is merely illustrative and that the system could equally be employed in a commercial setting. Particular reference will also be made to an embodiment of the teachings of the invention in a skirting board, but it should again be remembered that this embodiment is merely illustrative and that the teachings of the invention could readily be embodied, for example, at worktop height in a kitchen, workshop or studio. A final point of note is that whilst the following description refers to three-phase cabling and three conductive tracks (live, neutral and earth), it will of course be appreciated that other countries may have alternative arrangements, and as such that the following description should not be read as being limited only to a three-phase supply of the type used in the UK.

In very general terms, a preferred embodiment of the teachings of the invention relates to a domestic electrical distribution system whereby the electrical mains is integrated into a slotted skirting board and slim card-like connectors can be slotted in at selected locations along the skirting board, thereby negating the need for ugly extension leads and socket multipliers and freeing up choice over equipment location.

This embodiment of the system offers an alternative to traditional techniques where mains cables are embedded into the walls of a building during the build or conversion, and can also incorporate a variety of switching technology to avoid or at least reduce standby power wastage. In a particularly preferred arrangement, the system may be rated at 24Ov ac or 12v dc, thereby enabling it to be directly compatible with low voltage ecological power solutions such as photo-voltaic panels and wind

turbines.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 3, 3a and 3b, in the preferred arrangement the system 1 is supplied in kit form. The kit includes a back housing portion 3 which is formed to have three slots 5 in which the three-phase conductors (not shown) locate. The back housing portion 3 may be configured to be fixed directly to an interior wall or other support surface, or in other arrangements the back housing portion 3 may be fixed to another item or items (such as a bracket or such like) that is directly fixed to the wall or other support surface.

Power, for example from a consumer unit (not shown), is fed to the system 1 by a live inlet that is fed in through the back housing portion 3, and wired-in to a junction box 7 (best shown in Fig. 3a). In a particularly preferred arrangement, each discrete section of power distribution system is preferably protected with a residual current detection device.

To form a continuous run, discrete sections of electrical distribution system may be coupled together by means of internal 9 and external 11 corner- and straight-butting connectors (not shown) that provide for electrical continuity between adjacent sections. For stand-alone systems end caps are provided. In a preferred configuration, the internal connectors carry a plurality of conductors that electrically couple like conductors in adjacent sections of distribution system, as well as being configured to physically interconnect those adjacent sections. In this configuration, whilst the external connectors do have some structural properties, they function more to improve the aesthetic appeal of the system as a whole.

An inner plate 13 is fixed over the exposed conductors in the slots 5 to conceal and protect the live parts. As can be seen from Figs. 2 and 3, the inner plate 13 is generally L-shaped so that, when fixed over the live parts a gap exists between the inner plate 13 and conductor slots 5.

A fascia 15 may then be fixed over the inner plate 13. The fascia 15 can have any of a variety of finishes, may be supplied in various lengths from 500mm to 4m (and preferably can be cut-down to provide shorter lengths if required), and may be installed in a variety of configurations.

As is best shown in Fig. 2, the fascia 15 and the back housing portion 3 cooperate to define a slot 17 that runs along the top of the power distribution system. A rubber lip 19 (best shown in Fig. 3b) locates in a groove in the back housing portion 3, and the lip is configured to flex to allow connector plugs to be inserted. By providing a rubber lip 19 and carefully designing the width of the slot and profile of the tracks, we have provided that it is extremely difficult (if not impossible) to place any foreign objects

into the slot and create a circuit.

As best shown in Fig. 3, the fascia 15 and back plate 3 cooperate to define a void 21 that can be used for the routing of cables (such as speaker cables or CAT5 cables) other than power cables.

The system is configured and arranged so that is can be provided around every wall as in typical skirting installations, as stand-alone strips for fixing at workbench level in a kitchen (for example), along the back or underside of desks for workstations and computer desks, or in studios where many items of electrical equipment are often required.

Referring now to Figs 4a and 4b of the accompanying drawings, the connector plugs 23 for use with the system 1 are relatively inconspicuous and are designed to be fitted onto the power cables of each piece of equipment in place of existing plugs (such as the three pin plugs used in the UK). The plugs slot into the skirting through the rubber Hp 19 that protects the slot 17. The connector plugs 23 include a plurality of contacts 25 (in this instance three contacts) that are mounted on a sprung chassis (not shown). When the connector plugs are inserted into the slot 17, the rubber lip 19 flexes back and as the plug is guided into the slot the contacts 25 on the sprung chassis retract into the body of the connector plug 23 so they do not wipe over any live conductors as the plugs are inserted. When the plug is fully inserted the contacts latch into the slots 5 and into contact with the conducting tracks contained therein.

In a particularly preferred arrangement the connector plugs can be configured to offer a variety of switching solutions that avoid standby modes and parasitic wastage.

For example, the connector plugs may comprise a switch that is configured to respond to a signal form a remote commander to decouple the equipment attached to the connector from the power supply. In one envisaged implementation an infra-red enabled connector plug would be sold with a cable that includes a special termination which plugs in to the side of the connector plug and has at its other end an IR eye which is placed in view of the remote control signal. When a button of the remote control is selected and operated the connector plug toggles between power-on and power-off modes of operation. For example, on a first press of the button the connector plug may turn off the power supply to the equipment that it is connected to, and any attached peripherals. When the same button is pressed for a second time, the power may be switched back on.

In another configuration, the connector plug may be controlled by means of a cable with a USB plug at one end and in this arrangement the connector plug is designed to work with computers, switching off peripherals once the computer is

switched off. An extra button from the USB cable switches the power supply back on.

In another configuration the connector plug may be arranged to detect when the load voltage drops to a level which is consistent with a standby mode, and after a short delay, automatically switch off the supply. A power button on the connector plug switches the supply back on.

The connector plugs are coupled to electrical equipment via a cable that is coupled to the rear of the connector plug by means, in one preferred implementation, of a rotatable coupling which enables the cable to rotate through 180 degrees relative to the connector plug. An advantage of this arrangement is that the cable can run directly upwards or along the top of the skirting to the left or the right of the plug. Another advantage is that the connector plugs can be fitted together neatly in a chain.

In a particularly preferred arrangement a switch 27 on one side of the connector play has the inverse profile of a socket 29 on the other side of the plug (which socket enables, as aforementioned, the coupling of an IR eye (for example) to the connector plug. In this arrangement, the connector plugs can be connected together in a chain as shown in Fig. 5. With the connector plugs coupled in this way, a connector plug on an end of the chain forms a master control that functions to control the supply of power to all those connector plugs that are connected to it, and hence may be operated to switch off all peripherals once the master is switched off.

It is recognised that replacement of all conventional plugs with connector plugs as described herein will require a reasonable amount of work, and for those persons not prepared or able to undertake this work we have proposed to provide adaptor plugs 31 - two illustrative examples of which are shown in Figs 6a and 6b. These adaptor plugs 31 interface with the distribution system in the manner aforementioned and include a bulkier head portion 33 that is provided with a socket 35 into which a regular 3 pin plug may be plugged. These adaptors may have a socket 37 for coupling to an IR eye and/or USB switching accessories, and as such they may have the same power saving capabilities as the connector plugs previously described. In a particularly preferred arrangement, each of the sockets on the 4 gang adaptor shown in Fig. 6b may be rotatable to more easily accommodate bulky transformers and to enable the cables to be routed in any direction from the adaptor.

Referring now to Fig. 7, there is depicted an electrical distribution system 39 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As will be appreciated from the following description, the system 39 of this embodiment is generally similar in function to that of the previous embodiment, but slightly different in form.

As with the previous embodiment, the system 39 includes a housing 41 that

comprises a back housing portion 43 and a fascia 45 that can be fixed thereto. The fascia 45 includes a transversely extending rib that abuts against the back housing portion 43 when the fascia is coupled thereto and thereby defines an upper void 47 and a lower void 49. As before, the lower void 49 may be used for hiding speaker cabling, CAT5 cabling, and such like.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 8a, the back housing portion 43 has formed therein first and second generally L-shaped channels 51, 53 in each of which a generally U- shaped conductor 55, 57 is provided. As shown, the U-shaped conductors are slightly opened (so that the arms of the U are not parallel), and the effect of this is that the free arm of each U shaped conductor projects slightly into the upper void 49 and can deflect towards the other arm of the U shaped conductor (by virtue of the inherent resilience of the conductor) when a plug connector is inserted into the housing.

The back housing portion 43 also includes a laterally extending groove 59 with which a complementary locking projection of a connector plug (which projection is later described in detail) can cooperate to retain an inserted connector plug in the housing of the distribution system.

As with the first embodiment, an inner plate 61 is provided within the upper void 49, and the upper void opens in a generally upward direction to form a lateral slot 63 that that runs along the length of the housing. A deflectable barrier 65, for example of rubber, provides protection against inadvertent ingress of detritus to the upper void 49 whilst allowing connector plugs to be inserted into the housing.

A particular difference between the system of this embodiment and that of the first embodiment is that in this embodiment the inner plate is provided with a generally L- shaped channel 67 (similar to back housing portion channels 51 & 53) in which a generally U-shaped conductor 69 (similar to conductors 55 & 57) is provided. As with the other conductors, the free arm of u-shaped conductor 69 can deflect towards the other arm of the conductor when a plug connector is inserted into the housing.

In a particularly preferred arrangement, conductor 55 is coupled to Earth, one of conductors 57 and 69 (preferably conductor 57) is coupled to neutral and the other (preferably conductor 69) is coupled to Live.

Referring now to Figs. 9a, 9b and 10, there is depicted a schematic representation of an illustrative connector plug 71 for use with the embodiment depicted in Figs. 7, 8 and 8a.

The connector plug 71 comprises a card-like planar section 73 that extends from a larger box-like section 75. The planar section 73 has a front surface 77 that faces towards the fascia of the housing in use and a rear surface 79 that faces towards the

back housing portion in use. The front surface carries a first contact 81 that is configured to electrically couple to conductor 69. The rear surface carries a second contact 83 that is configured to electrically couple to conductor 55, and a third contact 85 that is configured to electrically couple to conductor 57.

A locking projection 87, in this instance in the form of a rib, is biased to project from the rear surface 79 of the planar section 73. The locking projection is received within groove 59 when the connector plug is plugged into the housing.

A cable 89 extends from the rear surface 79 of the planar section to an item of equipment (not shown) that is to draw power from the electrical distribution system. As shown schematically in Fig. 11, cable 89 is electrically coupled to each of the aforementioned contacts and it is envisaged that the connector plug may be at least partly disassembled by a user to facilitate the connection of the cable to the contacts. In another envisaged arrangement, the cable may be permanently coupled to the connector plug. In yet another envisaged arrangement, the connector plug could be sold with items of electrical equipment (in a similar way that moulded plugs are currently sold with items of electrical equipment).

The box-like section 75 carries a switch 91 that is coupled to a rod 93. The switch 91 is moveable between a first position where the rod does not interfere with the aforementioned locking projection 87, and a second position where the rod prevents the locking projection from moving back into the connector plug (for example to release connector plug from the housing). In one envisaged implementation the rod can simply move between the locking projection and the internal surface of the connector plug from which it is biased to prevent the locking projection from being pushed back into the connector plug.

The advantage of this arrangement is that the switch can be operated, once a plug has been inserted into the housing, to prevent the removal of the plug from the housing until the switch has operated to permit the locking projection to retract.

In a particularly preferred implementation operating the switch to prevent retraction of the locking projection may simultaneously break the live and/or neutral circuits, and the advantage of such an arrangement is that it would then not be possible to insert or remove a connector plug with a connected appliance in a "switched on" condition where it can draw power from the electrical distribution system.

As with the previous embodiment, the connector plug of this embodiment may be configured as a standby saver using any of the aforementioned techniques. In another envisaged arrangement the connector plug may be configured to be compatible with the "Home Easy" range of products (see www. homeeasv.eu) that are available, in the UK,

from B & Q.

It will be appreciated that whilst various aspects and embodiments of the present invention have heretofore been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular arrangements set out herein and instead extends to encompass all arrangements, and modifications and alterations thereto, which fall within the scope of the appended claims. For example, it will be apparent that the locking projection could readily be configured to extend from the front surface of the connector plug if desired. It will also be apparent that whilst the embodiments described herein employ three sets of conductive tracks (for the United Kingdom), less than three sets of tracks may be provided as necessary for the particular country in which the system is to be used.

It should also be noted that whilst the accompanying claims set out particular combinations of features described herein, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular combinations hereafter claimed, but instead extends to encompass any combination of features herein disclosed (irrespective of whether or not those features are disclosed with respect to the same embodiment).