AU2019100699A4

AU2019100699A4 - Power Supply Unit

Info

Publication number: AU2019100699A4
Application number: AU2019100699A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Matthew Keys
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-06-28
Filing date: 2019-06-26
Publication date: 2019-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2027-06-26

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a power supply device for supplying power from a remote power source comprising: a body configured to house a plurality of circuits therein; an inlet mounted to said housing to facilitate connection of the plurality of circuits to the remote power source; a plurality of sockets mounted on said body to facilitate connection of a plurality of different electrical elements to a predetermined circuit; and a plurality of switches mounted on said body to facilitate activation of a circuit with the power source so as to supply power to a predetermined electrical element via the associated socket. 2o 4-47

Description

POWER SUPPLY UNIT

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to multi-purpose power supply unit, and in particular to a multi-purpose power supply unit for receiving 12 volt battery supply input and having multiple output accessories for supplying power to a variety of different appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Most vehicles employ a 12 volt battery to supply power to the various electrical components required to operate the vehicle. Due to the constant presence of the 12 volt battery there may also be a variety of other components that could be connected to the vehicle battery to supply power for operation. For many tradesmen, the ability to access the vehicle battery to provide power to their tools and other required devices is important as they may be at a remote site where there is no other form of power available to them.

[0003] For camper trailers, caravans and boats all of which are generally towed by vehicles and which may have their own source of 12 volt battery, there may often be a need to access the 12 volt battery to provide power to operate a variety of different elements. In this regard, for camper trailers there may be a need to use the 12V battery to operate external and internal lights, as well as to operate fridges and other related products which require a constant source of power.

[0004] Whilst a variety of different types of junction boxes have been proposed to facilitate connections between electric devices and the power source, most such junction devices are cumbersome to use and difficult to install on a vehicle or boat/caravan/camper trailer in a convenient and reliable manner.

[0005] Thus, there is a need to provide an improved power box that can be readily mounted to a vehicle, such as an automobile or towed vehicle, to accommodate a wide variety of connections and which is easy to install and use.

[0006] The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the above prior art discussion does not relate to what is

2019100699 26 Jun 2019 commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION [0007] The invention according to one or more aspects is as defined in the independent claims. Some optional and/or preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided a power supply device for supplying power from a remote power source comprising:

a body configured to house a plurality of circuits therein;

an inlet mounted to said housing to facilitate connection of the plurality of circuits to the remote power source;

a plurality of sockets mounted on said body to facilitate connection of a plurality of different electrical elements to a predetermined circuit; and a plurality of switches mounted on said body to facilitate activation of a circuit with the power source so as to supply power to a predetermined electrical element via the associated socket.

[0009] In an embodiment, the remote power source is a battery. In another embodiment, the battery is a 12 volt battery.

[0010] The plurality of switches may be mounted on a panel that is attached to an opening in the body within which the circuits are housed. The panel may be hingedly mounted to the opening in the body to facilitate access to the opening. The body may comprise a lock for locking the panel in the closed position to prevent access to the opening

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of an power supply device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the body of the power supply device of Fig. 1.

2019100699 26 Jun 2019

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.

[0013] The device of the present invention will be described below in relation to its application for use as a power supply terminal for a variety of different electrical components requiring power from a remotely located power source. Whilst the present invention will be described below in relation to providing a powered interface between an electrical component(s) and a 12 volt car battery, it will be appreciated that the power source could be any type of battery and still fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0014] Referring to Fig. 1, an interface unit/power supply device 10 is depicted in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The interface unit 10 is in the form of a substantially square or rectangular box having a main body 15 (see Fig. 2) having a base 13, a pair of opposing side walls 12 and a pair of opposing end walls 14. A front panel 20 is mounted to the open surface of the box, such that it can be moved between an open position where access to the inside of the main body 15 is possible, and a closed position, as is depicted in Fig. 1. The front panel 20 may be mounted to the upper opening of the main body 15 by way of a hinge (not shown) such that the front panel can be simply moved between the open and closed position as required.

[0015] The interface unit 10 of Fig. 1 is configured to be mounted to a wall of the vehicle, camper trailer, ute canopy, caravan, and the like in a substantially permanent manner. A plurality of bolt holes are provided in the unit 10 to enable the unit 10 to be installed in a variety of different orientations and positions. When mounted, the interface unit is substantially vertically orientated with the opposing side walls 12 extending along a substantially vertical plane and the opposing end walls 14 extending substantially orthogonally with respect thereto that plane. In this position, two power studs 16 project from the end wall 14 of the underside of the unit 10, as shown. The power and earth cables associated with the vehicle battery are then connected to the appropriate power stud 16 and a fuse is created between the two power studs with a supplied wiring kit.

2019100699 26 Jun 2019 [0016] A panel 17 is mounted within a recess 18 formed in the side wall 12 of the main body 15. The panel 17 has a plurality of outlet sockets 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 formed on an outer side thereof. The outlet sockets 30 - 34 may comprise any one or more of an Anderson plug, cigarette sockets, auxiliary sockets, USB sockets, fridge sockets. Each of the outlet sockets 30 - 34 are internally wired through required relays and fuses with 15 amp circuit protection on 240 volt power output.

[0017] The outer surface of the front panel 20 also has a number of switches, sockets, and gauges 40 - 49 provided thereon.

[0018] Socket 42 represents a solar panel input socket that is pre-wired through a provided solar regulator and which is controllable by way of a solar panel regulator screen 40. Such an arrangement enables a solar power source to be simply integrated into the power system of the present invention for simple use. It will be appreciated that the unit 10 may be provided with a 240 volt 15amp charging input to trickle charge the vehicle battery overnight as required.

[0019] Auxiliary sockets 41 are also provided to enable direct connection of electric appliances. In this regard, the unit 10 is provided with a 240 vault range up to 6000 Watt pure sine wave output power through an internally mounted inverter controlled by inverter switch 49. The inverter (not shown) is internally mounted within the main body, together with 12 volt relays, 12 volt circuit fuses and all associated wiring. Accessory socket 44 and USB socket 45 enable controlled electronic devices to be easily plugged into the system to access power.

[0020] Interior lighting systems associated with caravans and camper trailers can be simply controlled by switch 16 once they are connected to the unit 10. Similarly, switch 47 enables an external or working lighting system to be controlled by the unit 10 and switch 44 enables a fridge or similar device to be connected to the unit and controlled by the unit. For safety, a circuit breaker 43 is also provided to protect the system from overload.

[0021] The interior of the main body 15 is configured to house a variety of pre-wired internal circuits associated with the relevant switches and sockets. Appropriate relays and fuses with 15 amp circuit protection on 240 volt power input are also provided for same use of the accessories.

[0022] By providing a front panel 20 that can be readily opened to access the pre-wired internal circuits, alterations and revisions of the unit can be readily conducted as different

2019100699 26 Jun 2019 accessories are required by the user. To ensure that the internal circuits are protected from unwanted meddling, a lock 50 may be provided on the front panel 20 to ensure that only authorised individuals are able to access the internal circuits of the unit 10.

[0023] It will be appreciated that the device of the present invention provides a permanent mounted power box for camper trailers, utes, caravans, boats and other 12 volt vehicles that is both simple to use and easy to install. The device can be simply adapted to accommodate different appliances and tools, depending upon the requirements of the user and can function to facilitate trickle charging of the battery when not in use. The unit can be mounted to best facilitate use and access of the system and provides a single point of power control.

[0024] Throughout the specification and claims the word “comprise” and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word “comprise” and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

[0025] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A power supply device for supplying power from a remote power source comprising:

a body configured to house a plurality of circuits therein;

2. A power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the remote power source is a battery

3. A power supply device according to claim 2, wherein the battery is a 12 volt battery.

4. A power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of switches are mounted on a panel that is attached to an opening in the body within which the circuits are housed.

5. A power supply device according to claim 4, wherein the panel is hingedly mounted to the opening in the body to facilitate access to the opening.

6. A power supply device according to claim 5, wherein the body comprises a lock for locking the panel in the closed position to prevent access to the opening.