Related applications

The present application claims priority of Chinese patent application CN 201910950573.3 filed on October 8, 2019 the whole content of which is hereby incorporated for reference.

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of power transmission and distribution technology, and in particular to a waterproof rail-type power supply system and power supply rack.

Prior Art

Rail type power supply systems are often used in shelves, display cabinets and other applications. Such a power supply system is configured to enable adjusting the length of power supply wire according to the size of the use position. It is neat and has a beautiful appearance and is very convenient to use.

However, an existing rail-type power supply system does not have a waterproof design, so that it can only be used in dry environments, and its application scope is limited. At the same time, short circuits caused by moisture in the power supply system can easily occur, which will cause damage to the connected lamps and other electrical equipment, and even cause the risk of electric shock.

Summary of Invention

In view of the above, the present invention provides a waterproof power supply system to solve the above technical problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a waterproof power supply system, comprising a power supply track having two conductive strips on its top surface extending along its length and in parallel with each other, a power supply plug disposed on the power supply track, comprising two conductive terminals, each offset from said conductive strip, and an external connector, electrically connected to the power supply plug. The surface of the conductive strip is each covered with a flexible waterproof layer, and the free end of the conductive terminal is sharp enough to pierce the flexible waterproof layer to enable an electric connection between the respective conductive terminal and the associated conductive strip.

According to a further embodiment, the flexible waterproof layer may be formed as a sealing sleeve over the conductive strip, configured to encase or surround the conductive strip.

According to a further embodiment, the flexible waterproof layer may be formed as a sealing sleeve or layer covering the exposed surface of the conductive strip.

According to a further embodiment, the power supply plug is at least partially covered by a covering layer or rubber cover, wherein the free end of the conductive terminal is each exposed to the rubber cover.

According to a further embodiment, the rubber cover is provided with a sealing ring that at least partially encloses the conductive terminal exposed beyond the rubber cover, wherein the free end of the sealing ring abuts against the surface of the power supply track while the respective conductive terminal is in contact with the associated conductive strip.

According to a further embodiment, the sealing ring comprises at least two layers from the inside to the outside and a spacing is provided between each layer.

According to a further embodiment, the conductive strip is made of an iron-based material, and the power supply plug is provided with a magnetic post, wherein the magnetic post and the conductive strip are attracted to each other due to magnetic forces, for fixing the power supply plug while the conductive terminals are in contact with the associated conductive strips.

According to a further embodiment, the magnetic post is associated to (or part of) a group of at least two conductive terminals, wherein at least one magnetic post is provided on both sides of each conductive terminal if viewed in a length direction of the conductive strip. According to a further embodiment, the power supply plug further comprises a framework (a stiffening skeleton) located inside the covering layer, wherein the conductive terminals are disposed on the framework.

According to a further embodiment, the framework is provided with an anti-reversal insert protruding from the rubber cover, and the power supply track is provided with an anti-reversal groove for accommodating the anti-reversal insert therein. Thus, the power supply plug can be connected to the conductive strips only with a predetermined polarity defined by cooperation of the anti-reversal groove with the anti-reversal insert.

According to a further embodiment, the conductive terminals are spring-loaded pins disposed on the framework. The conductive terminals are thus resiliently biased against the conductive strips.

A power supply rack according to the present invention comprises a back plate, a laminate or shelf and a self support arm, and further comprises a waterproof power supply system as described above, wherein the power supply track is disposed on the back plate.

According to a further embodiment, the back plate comprises a post, wherein the post is equipped with a jack along its length, the shelf support arm is provided with a plug or inserting block matching with the jack at its base, the power supply track is disposed on the post and located on one side of the jack, the power supply plug is fixed at the base of the shelf support arm, the plug or inserting block is inserted into the jack, for fixing the shelf support arm while the conductive terminals pierce the flexible waterproof layer and are in contact with the associated conductive strips.

Technical effect of the invention

The waterproof rail-type power supply system and power supply rack of the present invention can also be used in humid environment by providing the flexible waterproof layer on the power supply track, so as to expand the application range of the rail-type power supply system. The relatively sharp power supply terminals, in particular their tapered profile at the free ends thereof, minimize the damage to the flexible waterproof layer as far as possible, and ensure the waterproof effect of the power supply track.

OVERVIEW ON DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the three-dimensional structure of the waterproof pickup system of a first embodiment according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the waterproof power supply system of the first embodiment according to the present invention (before installation);

Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the waterproof power supply system of the first embodiment according to the present invention (after installation);

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the power supply plug of the first embodiment according to the present invention;

Fig. 5 is a schematic exploded view of the power supply plug of the first embodiment according to the present invention;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the power supply track of the first embodiment according to the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the three-dimensional structure of a power supply shelf of the first embodiment according to the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a schematic exploded view showing the structure of the power supply shelf of the first embodiment according to the present invention;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged schematic cross-section of the power supply track of a second embodiment according to the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the three-dimensional structure of the power supply shelf of a third embodiment according to the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a schematic exploded view showing the structure of the power supply shelf of the third embodiment according to the present invention; and Fig. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part A of Fig. 10.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals designate the same or equivalent elements or groups of elements. Detailed Description of Embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the description of embodiments herein is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

Embodiment 1

As shown in Figs. 1 to 8, the waterproof power supply system according to the first embodiment comprises a power supply track 100, a power supply plug 200 and an external connector 300. The top surface of the power supply track 100 is provided with two conductive strips 101 extending along its length and arranged side by side. The power supply plug 200 is disposed on the power supply track 100 and includes two conductive terminals 201 that are each in contact with the associated conductive strip 101. An external connector 300 is electrically connected to the power supply plug 200.

The above structure is the main component of a power supply system generally known from the prior art, wherein the power supply plug 200 is electrically connected to the power supply track 100 by an appropriate coupling technique, which may be e.g. sliding fit, a fixed connection, a detachable (releasable) connection, etc., to keep the conductive terminals 201 in electrical connection with the associated conductive strips 101 to achieve a power supply, and then the external connector 300 is connected to supply electric power to the electrical appliances. This kind of power supply system generally can be used in a shelf power supply system but, of course, may also be used in other technical fields, where a multipoint power supply is required. The external connector 300 may be a wire connected to a plug, or a conductive rod integrated with the power supply plug 200, and the other end of the conductive rod has a plug connector.

In order to achieve a waterproof effect, in this embodiment the surface of the conductive strip 101 is covered with a flexible waterproof layer 102, and the free ends of the conductive terminals 201 are sharp enough to pierce the flexible waterproof layer 102. In other words, the conductive terminals 201 each have front ends of a smaller area than the rest of the conductive terminals 201 to thereby increase the pressure per unit area and enable a piercing of the flexible waterproof layer 102 to get in contact with the associated conductive strips 101 for electrical connection. E.g. the front ends of the conductive terminals 201 may be tapered, as shown in Fig. 2. In this manner, the flexible waterproof layer 102 can protect the conductive strip 101 from water or moisture, and when it is necessary to pick up electric power, the power supply plug 200 is simply put on the power supply track 100 to cause the free ends of the conductive terminals 201 to pierce the flexible waterproof layers 102 to get in contact with the associated conductive strips 101 to establish an electrical connection. On the other hand, when the power supply position needs to be changed, the pickup position of the power supply plug 200 simply needs to be adjusted along the power supply track 100. Since the free ends of the conductive terminals 201 are relatively sharp, the gap or hole temporarily generated in the flexible waterproof layer 102 by the sharp free ends of the conductive terminals 201 is relatively tiny and will be closed by the flexible waterproof layer 102 again once the power supply plug 200 is removed or its position along the power supply track 100 is adjusted. Therefore, the flexible waterproof layer 102 remains in a condition with good sealing characteristics even after the flexible waterproof layer 102 has been pierced by the sharp or tapered front ends of the conductive terminals repeatedly. For this purpose, the afore mentioned tapered shape of the conductive terminals 201 may be a needle-like, sheet-shaped or conforming to another narrowed or tapered structure. The flexible waterproof layer 102 may be formed of silicone or any other soft polymeric material, as long as the flexible waterproof layer 102 according to the present invention is water resistant and flexible enough.

In this embodiment, the flexible waterproof layer 102 is each formed as a sealing layer covering the exposed surface of the conductive strip 101, and the sealing layer is coated with liquid silicone and then the sealing or waterproof effect is accomplished by UV-curing.

In order to improve the waterproof effect of the whole system, in this embodiment, the power supply plug 200 is at least partially covered with a rubber cover layer 202 (hereinafter rubber cover). The free end of the conductive terminal 201 is exposed to the rubber cover 202. The whole power supply plug 200 can be coated with glue, which may have a better sealing and waterproof effect against water. It can also be used to seal the connection gap, which can save material. In this embodiment, the whole of the power supply plug 200 is provided with a rubber cover 202. The rubber cover 202 is provided with a sealing ring 2021 that at least partially encloses the conductive terminals 201 exposed outside the rubber cover 202. The free end face of the sealing ring 2021 fits against the surface of the power supply track 100 when the conductive terminal 201 is in contact with the associated conductive strip 101. Furthermore, preferably the sealing ring 2021 may fit or adhere against the surface of the flexible waterproof layer 102 on the conductive strip 101.

In order to facilitate installation, the power supply track 100 may be provided with mounting slots 104 for mounting or accommodating the conductive strips 101, and the conductive strips 101 preferably are sheet-shaped to enable a larger contact surface to ensure a good contact effect. The conductive strip 101 may also be of cylindrical, prismatic or any other shape.

In order to improve the sealing effect, the sealing ring 2021 may comprise at least two layers from the inside to the outside and a space may be provided between the two layers.

The connection mode of the power supply plug 200 and the power supply track 100 according to this embodiment is specific, and can be used to achieve a fixed snap connection. In order to facilitate assembly and disassembly, in this embodiment the conductive strips 101 are each made of iron-based materials, and the power supply plug 200 is provided with magnetic posts 203, so that the magnetic post 203 and the conductive strip 101 are attracted to each other by magnetic forces to achieve a fixation of the power supply plug 200 while the conductive terminals 201 and conductive strips 101 are in electric contact.

In order to further improve the sealing effect, the magnetic posts 203 may be arranged in groups, each group including at least two magnetic posts 203, associated to a respective conductive terminal 201. In particular, each conductive terminal 201 may be provided with at least one magnetic post 203 on both sides if viewed in the length direction of the conductive strip 101. In this embodiment, the magnetic post 203 is provided with a group of two conductive terminals 201 corresponding to each conductive terminal 201, and one conductive terminal 201 is respectively provided on both sides in the length direction of the conductive strip 101. The above arrangement can make the electric connection of the conductive terminal 201 more stable and improve the sealing effect of the sealing ring 2021. The power supply plug 200 may further include a stiffening skeleton or framework 204 in the rubber cover 202, wherein the conductive terminal 201 is each disposed on the framework 204. In the embodiment, the external connector 300 includes an output wire 301, which is more flexible to use. The connection positions of the framework 204, the output wire 301 and the conductive terminal 201 are enclosed in the rubber cover 202, which can prevent external moisture from entering the power supply plug 200 and improve the overall waterproof effect.

Fixing holes 205 are formed in the framework 204, in which a respective magnetic post 203 is accommodated and fixed, and each magnetic post 203 protrudes out of the rubber cover 202 outside and is attracted by the associated conductive strip 101 to be fixed. The above connection method is very simple in structure and very convenient in operation.

In order to prevent a reverse installation with wrong electric connections (wrong polarity), this embodiment is provided with an anti-reversal structure. More specifically, the framework 204 is provided with an anti -reversal insert 2041 protruding from the rubber cover 202, and the power supply track 100 is provided with an anti -reversal groove or slot 103 for accommodating the anti -reversal insert 2041.

In order to further improve the stability of the contact, the conductive terminal 201 in this embodiment may be a spring-loaded pin or a pin resiliently biased on the framework 204, e.g. by means of a spring. The pins may include a spring 2011 electrically connected to the external connector 300 and a pin 2012 that abuts against the spring 2011 and is thereby resiliently biased.

A powered shelf according to this embodiment includes a back plate, at least one shelf or laminate (not shown in the drawings), at least one shelf support arm 500, and a waterproof power supply system as described above, wherein the power supply track 100 is disposed on the back plate.

The back plate includes at least one column 401. In the shelf, the back plate can be omitted sometimes, and only the column 401 for mechanical support is provided. The column 401 is provided with a jack 402 along its length, and the root or base of the shelf support arm 500 is provided with a plug 501 cooperating (mating) with the jack 402. The power supply track 100 can be set on the body of the back plate or on the column 401. In this embodiment, depending on the location of the shelf and the lighting 600 installed on the shelf, the power supply plug 200 is placed at an appropriate location, and then the output wire 301 is guided along the shelf support arm 500 to the lighting 600 to thereby implement electric power supply.

Embodiment 2

As shown in Fig. 9, the structure of this embodiment is the same as in Embodiment 1 except that the flexible waterproof layer 102 is different. More specifically, the flexible waterproof layer 102 is formed as a sealing sleeve disposed outside the conductive strip 101 and preferably completely surrounding or encasing the conductive strip 101. The sealing sleeve 102 may be a silicone sleeve. In this embodiment, the conductive strip 101 is also a sheet.

Tests showed that the flexible waterproof layer 102 of Embodiment 2 provides a better waterproof effect than the flexible waterproof layer 102 of Embodiment 1 after the same number of installation punctures (10) has been made.

Embodiment 3

As shown in Figs. 10 to 12, the power supply rack of this embodiment comprises a back plate, a laminate or shelf, a shelf support arm 500, and a waterproof power supply system as described above, wherein the power supply track 100 is provided on the back plate.

In this embodiment, the waterproof power supply system also comprises a power supply track 100, a power supply plug 200 and an external connector 300. The top surface of the power supply track 100 is provided with two conductive strips 101 that extend along its length and are arranged in parallel. The power supply plug 200 is arranged on the power supply track 100, including two conductive terminals 201 that are each in contact with the associated conductive strip 101. The external connector 300 is electrically connected with the power supply plug 200.

In this embodiment, the external connector 300 is a conductive rod integrated into the power supply plug 200, wherein the other end of the conductive rod is provided with a plug connector, and the conductive rod is fixed on the inner side of the shelf support arm 500. The back plate comprises a column 401, and a jack 402 is arranged along the length of the column 401. The base of the support arm 500 of the shelf is provided with an inserting block 501 which matches with the jack 402. In this manner a commonly known display cabinet structure is provided where the inserting block 501 cooperates with the jack 402 to accomplish the fixation of the shelf or laminate, which will not be described here in more detail. The power supply track 100 is arranged on the column 401 and on one side of the jack 402, the power supply plug 200 is fixed at the base of the shelf support arm 500, and the inserting block 501 is inserted into the jack 402 to realize the fixation of the shelf support arm 500. At the same time, the respective conductive terminal 201 pierces the flexible waterproof layer 102 and is in contact with the associated conductive strip 101. In this embodiment, when the inserting block 501 is inserted into the jack 402 to realize the fixation of the shelf, the power supply plug 200 is arranged on the power supply track 100, while the flexible respective waterproof layer 102 at the free end of the conductive terminal 201 is offset against the conductive strop 101, so as to realize the electrical connection.

In order to improve the waterproof effect of the whole system, the power supply plug 200 is at least partially covered with a rubber coating or cover 202, and the free end of the conductive terminal 201 is exposed to the rubber cover 202. The power supply plug 200 can be coated with glue, which results in a better sealing and waterproof effect. Such a coating can also be used to seal the connection gap, which can save materials. In the present embodiment, the outer circumference of the conductive terminal 201 is provided with a rubber coating 202 formed as an encapsulation layer.

The rubber cover 202 includes a sealing ring 2021 which at least partially encloses the conductive terminal 201 exposed outside the rubber cover 202. The sealing ring 2021 can be respectively arranged corresponding to each conductive terminal 201, or can be arranged as a whole at the periphery of both conductive terminals 201. In this embodiment, the sealing ring 2021 is arranged at the periphery of the two conductive terminals 201, and the free end face of the sealing ring 2021 butts with the conductive strip 101 at the conductive terminal 201. It fits with the surface of the power supply track 100. In this embodiment, the rubber cover 202 only includes the sealing ring 2021, i.e. the rubber coating 202 itself is the sealing ring 2021.

In order to facilitate installation, the power supply track 100 is provided with a mounting slot (groove) 104 for mounting the conductive strip 101. In this embodiment, the conductive strip 101 is cylindrical in shape, smaller in size and more convenient for invisibility. Correspondingly, the bottom of the mounting groove 104 has a corresponding cylindrical profile suited for accommodating the conductive strip 101, and the upper part is formed as a V-shaped groove for setting the flexible waterproof layer 102. In this embodiment, the flexible waterproof layer 102 is a sealing layer covering the exposed surface of the conductive strip 101, and the sealing layer is coated with liquid silica gel and then set by UV curing.

In order to improve the contact stability, in this embodiment, the conductive terminal 201 is a pin resiliently biased, e.g. by a spring, and supported on the framework 204. The spring- loaded pin includes a spring 2011 electrically connected with the external connector 300 and a pin 2012 butting against the spring 2011.

After removal of or readjusting the position of the power supply plug the small holes or gaps generated in the flexible waterproof layer are automatically closed again and sealed against intrusion of moisture or water to the underneath conductive strip due to the elastomeric characteristics of the material of the flexible waterproof layer. The dimensions and shape of the tapered front end of the spring-loaded conductive terminals are adapted to the elastomeric characteristics of the material of the flexible waterproof layer to ensure this self-healing effect of the flexible waterproof layer repeatedly.

As will become apparent to the person skilled in the art when studying the above disclosure a power supply system according to the present invention is waterproof or at least sufficiently resistant to moisture and humidity so that it can be used even in a rather humid or even wet environment.

The above is to serve only for a better embodiment of the present invention, and shall not be construed to delimit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modification, equivalent replacement or improvement within the spirit of the invention as outlined above shall be covered by the scope of protection of the appended claims of the present invention.