FR3080497A1 - MULTIPRISE FOR AUDIOVISUAL EQUIPMENT HIGH LOYALTY - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a power supply device for an audiovisual system comprising an indicative marking, for at least one electric power distribution cable, of an interconnection position of said at least one electric power distribution cable to the within an interconnection element for the neutral wires and / or within said interconnection element for the phase wires, with respect to the electrical cable connecting to said source of electrical power.

Description

Description

Title of the invention: Power strip for high-fidelity audiovisual equipment.

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to the field of electrical equipment for audiovisual systems.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a connection mode reducing the level of imperfections of the electric current at the input of electrical equipment for audiovisual systems.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND [0003] The electronic equipment of audiovisual systems of the “HiFi” and “Home-cinema” type in Anglo-Saxon terminology, are very sensitive to imperfections which affect the electric current which supplies them. These imperfections generate in this equipment a degradation of the signal / noise ratio of the sound and the image that they diffuse.

The equipment concerned is, for example: CD / DVD players, preamplifiers and audio-video amplifiers, self-powered subwoofers, and certain types of televisions (televisions with plasma or LED technology, for example).

Among the possible imperfections are, for example: fluctuations in the electrical supply voltage, disturbances caused by electric and / or magnetic fields (generally referred to below as "electromagnetic fields"), mechanical vibrations wires on the contacts, losses from electrical contacts and connections, and any other source of loss or instability.

In fact, at the user's home, the electrical supply wires for audiovisual systems interact electromagnetically with one another, are sensitive to the electromagnetic waves of communications systems (for example, mobile telephony, WiFi or other), or by systems electromechanical devices such as for example refrigerators, and washing machines. Computers also generate significant disruptions in the electrical current of a home network.

On the other hand, successive contacts in an electrical circuit cause instabilities and losses of current, all the more important as the quality of the contacts is low (poor tightening, low contact surface, medium quality materials, links interconnection of medium quality ...) However, as indicated above, the image and sound quality of a HiFi / Home-cinema system are all the more natural, dynamic, alive, as the electric current which feeds it is devoid of these imperfections.

[0009] To reduce these imperfections, there are specific power cables and multiple sockets.

These cables and multiple sockets act essentially thanks to the presence of a protection against electromagnetic disturbances (via a shield, a drain to evacuate electromagnetic disturbances, a winding of the wires ...) as well as by a high quality of the conductivity and contacts on the electrical path from the wall socket to the input sockets of the HiFi / Home-cinema system equipment. Used in place of cables and power strips of common household quality, they reduce, compared to the latter, the imperfections cited above at the input of said equipment and allow a better signal / noise ratio audio and video.

It is therefore not a question of improving the potential performance of said equipment, but of enabling it to express its potential to the best of its ability, by improving the signal / noise ratio.

[0012] Thus, there is a need for an electrical connection system for an audiovisual system making it possible to improve the quality of the sound and the image delivered.

The present invention falls within this context, A problem with current solutions is that the multiple sockets and the cables are made of separate elements: the cables are connected to the multiple sockets but are not integral with them (to sometimes the exception of the power cable of the power strip.) This creates constraints in terms of possible modes of making connections between the useful parts of the cables (internal electrical wires and shielding), from the wall outlet to the HiFi / Home-cinema system input sockets.

The present invention provides new and more efficient connection methods for the target, via a device integrally integrating the cables and the power strip.

These new modes reduce the levels of disturbance and imperfections of the electric current which supplies the equipment of the HiFi / Home-cinema system, and thus improve the quality of the image and the sound.

Summary of the invention [0017] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a power supply device for an audiovisual system comprising:

- a housing,

an electrical cable for connection to a source of electrical power, said cable being integral with said housing and said cable comprising a neutral wire, a phase wire and a ground wire,

a plurality of electric cables for distributing electric power to equipment of said system, each cable being integral with said housing and each cable comprising a neutral wire, a phase wire and a ground wire,

- three interconnection elements of said electrical connection and distribution cables for the neutral, phase and earth wires respectively, each interconnection element comprising a series of connectors electrically connected to each other, and

an indicative marking, for at least one electric cable for distributing electric power, of an interconnection position of said at least one electric cable for distributing electric power within said interconnection element for neutral wires and / or at within said interconnection element for the phase wires, with respect to the electric cable for connection to said source of electric power.

The embodiments of the invention thus make it possible to bring together the interconnection elements of an audiovisual system in a single device thereby reducing disturbances. In addition, the device makes it possible to optimize connections.

According to embodiments, said electrical cable for connection to said source of electrical power shares a connector of said interconnection element for neutral wires and / or of said interconnection element for phase wires, with at least one electrical cable for electrical power distribution.

According to embodiments, the electrical power distribution cables are arranged in the housing according to their connection position within said interconnection element for neutral wires and / or said interconnection element for wires phase, relative to the connector of the electrical cable for connection to said source of electrical power.

According to embodiments:

at least one electrical cable for distributing electrical power also comprises a drain wire and

- the ground wire of the electric cable for connection to said electrical power source shares a connector of said interconnection element for the ground wires with said drain wire.

For example again:

at least one electrical cable for distributing electrical power also comprises a drain wire,

- said drain wire is connected to said interconnection element for earth wires, and

- no earth wire of the power distribution cable shares its connector within said interconnection element for the earth wires with said drain wire.

According to embodiments, the electrical cable for connection to said source of electrical power further comprises a drain wire electrically connected to the ground wire of the electrical cable for connection to said source of electrical power.

According to embodiments, said housing comprises an electromagnetic shielding.

According to embodiments, the ground wire of the electric cable for connection to said source of electric power is connected to said shield.

The device can also include:

a fourth interconnection element for drain wires, different from said three interconnection elements for neutral, phase and earth wires, said fourth interconnection element comprising a series of connectors electrically connected to each other, and in which :

the ground wire of the electric cable for connection to said source of electric power is connected to a connector of said fourth interconnection element for drain wires, and

- At least one electrical power distribution cable further comprises a drain wire connected to a connector of said fourth interconnection element for drain wires.

According to embodiments, at least one of said electrical cable for connection to an electrical power source and the electrical power distribution cables comprises an electromagnetic shielding.

According to embodiments, in each of said electric cables for the distribution of electric power and the electric cable for connection to said source of electric power, the neutral, phase and earth wires are braided.

According to embodiments, in each of the cables, the neutral wire and the phase wire are wound around the ground wire, in opposite directions.

Brief Description of the Drawings Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the present detailed description which follows, by way of nonlimiting example, and of the appended figures among which:

Fig.l [fig.l] illustrates an audiovisual system according to the prior art,

Fig.2 [sch.2] schematically represents a device according to embodiments,

Fig.3 [sch.3] schematically represents a device according to embodiments,

Fig.4 [fig.4] illustrates a variant of the embodiment of figure 2,

Fig.5 [fig.5] shows a variant of the device of Figure 3,

Fig. 6 [FIG. 6] illustrates another embodiment,

Fig.7 [00.7] [fig.7] shows a variant of the device of Figure 6.

Fig. 8 [fig.8] represents another variant of the device of FIG. 6.

Description of the embodiments An advantage of the embodiments of the invention is to avoid the user having to obtain, in addition to the audiovisual equipment which he wishes to use, a multitude of cables and other power strips which are source of electrical disturbances to its system and which penalize its performance. Usually, the user must connect his equipment to the household outlet with a power strip, a power cable to connect it to the wall outlet (in some cases, it is supplied integral with the power strip) and minimum, one cable to go from the power strip to the source (for example CD or DVD / BR player), as well as a second cable to go to the amplifier.

In a conventional system, there are many interfering sources of disturbance: between the power outlet and a first end of the electrical cable of the power strip, between the second end of this cable and the internal interconnection element of the outputs of the power strip, between each of these outputs and the first ends of the electrical cables of each equipment and finally between the second ends of these cables and the respective equipment.

Figure 1 illustrates a conventional audiovisual system. The system comprises a television 100, a CD / DVD player 101 for playing multimedia content, a sound amplifier 102, as well as a subwoofer 103. This system therefore comprises four audiovisual devices which receive their electrical power to operate from the user's electrical installation. Thus, each device 100,101,102,103, has a respective electrical outlet 104,105,106,107. Generally, the user has a power source 108, typically a power outlet. To connect all of the devices 100 to 103 to the power source, it is possible to use a power strip 109 which will make the electrical interconnection of the devices and the interface with the power source. Thus, the power strip has a connection socket 110 to the mains and electrical sockets 111,112,113,114 for the connection of sockets 104,105,106,107 respectively. In this example, the sockets 104, 105, 106, 107 and 110 are male sockets and the sockets 111, 112, 113, 114 are female sockets. The power source also includes a female electrical outlet 115 for connecting the outlet 110.

Typically, the electrical sockets 104,105,106,107 are connected to the devices 100,101,102,103 by cables 116,117,118,119 by interconnections 120,121,122,123 (for example an interconnection of male / female sockets).

In the system described with reference to Figure 1, many sources of current disturbances exist. These sources of disturbance greatly penalize the performance of the audiovisual devices in the system.

Each interconnection between male and female sockets can cause disturbances (these are interconnections 115 / 110,104 / 111,105 / 112,106 / 113,107 / 114 and also interconnections 120,121,122,123).

In addition, the internal connections to the power strip 109 can add disturbances.

The embodiments of the invention reduce and simplify the connections and provide a reduction in electromagnetic disturbances.

A first simplification lies in the fact that the equipment cables, instead of being connected to a power strip, are integrated into a device.

Figure 2 schematically shows a device according to embodiments.

The device 200 includes a housing 201 and electrical cables 202, 203, 204. The cable 202 is provided for connection to a source of electrical power. For example, an outlet from a household electrical network. For example, the cable 202 is provided with a male plug at its end (not shown) for connection to a female plug of this domestic electrical network.

Cables 203, 204 are power distribution cables for powering devices of a multimedia system. For example, these cables are provided with female sockets at their ends (not shown) for connection to male sockets of these devices.

Each electrical cable comprises at least three phase and earth neutral electrical wires. Thus the cable 202 comprises a neutral wire N 205, a phase wire P 206 and a ground wire T 207. The cable 203 comprises a neutral wire 208, a phase wire 209 and a ground wire 210. The cable 204 comprises a neutral wire 211, a phase wire 212 and a ground wire 213.

The wires inside each electric cable are for example braided. In these embodiments, the neutral and phase wires can be wrapped around the ground wire in opposite directions along the axis defined by the ground wire.

For better protection against disturbances, one or more cables may include a shield, such as for example a lattice of conductive wires surrounding the cable.

Inside the housing 201 are arranged interconnection elements of the electric cables 214, 215, 216.

Each interconnection element has connectors 217, 218, 219.

Each interconnection element is dedicated to connecting wires of cables 202, 203, 204 of the same type. Thus, for example, the interconnection element 214 connects the neutral wires to each other, the interconnection element 215 connects the phase wires, the interconnection element 216 connects the ground wires to each other.

In the example of Figure 2, each interconnection element has a dedicated connector for each cable. Thus, the interconnection element 216 for the earth comprises a connector 217 for the earth wire 207 of the cable 202, a connector 218 for the earth wire 210 of the cable 203 and a connector 219 for the earth wire 213 of the cable 204.

The various connections are shown in bold lines.

According to embodiments, the cable 203 includes a marking 220. This mark allows the user to identify the interconnection position of the cable 203 in the interconnection elements with respect to the cable 202 for connection to the power source. . Thus, in this example, the user can know that the cable 203 is closer to the cable 202 than the cable 204 in terms of interconnection in the interconnection elements 214, 215, 216. It is possible to see in FIG. 2, that the ground wire of cable 203 is connected to connector 218 adjacent to connector 217 to which is connected the ground wire of cable 202. The ground wire of cable 204 is itself connected to connector 216 which is separated from connector 217 by connector 218.

In other words, the cable 203 is electrically closer to the cable 202 than the cable 204.

The same applies for the other interconnection elements.

The inventor was able to observe that, in fact, it is preferable for the user to connect the device of his multimedia system requiring the least power to the power distribution cable closest to the cable for connection to the source. power. This allows better power to said system and both the sound and video quality are improved.

The marking allows the user to know this position to optimize his electrical connections.

In addition, the inventor was able to determine that the connection mode of the neutral, phase and earth wires of the device drastically reduces the disturbances of the electric current compared to the use of a conventional power strip.

Of course, the embodiments are not limited to a number of two electric power distribution cables. Nor are they limited to direct marking of the cable. For example, the marking can be carried by the housing (see Figure 5 for example) or both the housing and the cables.

In addition, the inventor was able to observe that if the power distribution cable closest to the cable for connection to the power source, is connected to the interconnection elements in the same connectors as the distribution cable power (in other words, if said two cables share the same connectors) then this embodiment further reduces the imperfections of the current supplied by said distribution cable.

Figure 3 illustrates a device with three power distribution cables. For the sake of clarity, it will not be described in its entirety, its structure being very similar to that of the device in FIG. 2.

This device 300 comprises a housing 301, a cable for connection to an electrical power source 302 and three electrical power distribution cables 303, 304, 305. The housing comprises three interconnection elements 306, 307, 308 for the neutral, phase and earth wires respectively.

The device comprising a total of four cables, each interconnection element has four connectors. For example, the interconnection element 308 has connectors 309, 310, 311, 312 connected to the ground wires 313, 314, 315, 316 of the cables 302, 303, 304, 305 respectively.

This device has the same advantages as that presented with reference to Figure 2. It also allows the power supply of three devices instead of two. The marking 317, like the marking 220, makes it possible to locate the electric power distribution cable closest to the cable for connection to the electric power source (here the cable 303).

In the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3, the cable for connection to the power source and the power distribution cables are positioned on either side of the housing. Of course, the embodiments are not limited to this arrangement.

FIG. 4 illustrates a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

In this variant, the device 400 comprises a cable for connection to the power source 401, which is located on the same face of the housing 402 as the power distribution cables 403, 404.

For the sake of brevity, all the elements of the device 400 are not described since they are similar to those of the device in FIG. 2.

It is nevertheless useful to note that although the power distribution cable 402 is closer to the cable for connection to the electric power source 401 at the housing than the cable 403, it is indeed the cable 403 which has the marking 404 making it possible to identify its greatest proximity in terms of connection in the interconnection elements.

FIG. 5 represents a variant of the device in FIG. 3. In this variant, the cables do not bear any marking.

It is the housing 500 which carries a marking 501 representing the order of connection of the electrical distribution cables 502, 503, 504 in the interconnection elements 505, 506, 507, relative to the cable for connection to the power source 508.

The marking 501 is a right triangle with the short side at the cable 504 and the acute angle at the cable 502.

The right triangle shows that the cable 502 is electrically closer to the cable 508 than the cable 503 which itself is closer than the cable 504.

In addition, "PMAX" and "PMIN" marks indicate to the user how to power his multimedia devices in order of power.

As indicated above, in order to have better power supply to his system, the user can connect the device requiring the least power to the cable 502 (closest electrically to the cable 508), the device requiring the more power to the cable 504 (the less electrically closer to the cable 508), the cable 503 being used for an intermediate power device.

The marking 501 allows optimal connection of the devices of the audiovisual system.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment with an interconnection of the cables making it possible to further reduce the electromagnetic disturbances.

For the sake of clarity and conciseness, all the interconnections are not shown. Only the interconnections making it possible to understand this embodiment are shown. It is nevertheless possible to understand the complete wiring from the description above of the other embodiments.

The device 600 comprises a housing 601, a cable for connection to a power source 602, and two power distribution cables 603 and 604.

In this embodiment, each cable, in addition to comprising neutral wires N, phase P and earth T, comprises a drain wire D.

Thus, the cable 602 has a neutral wire 605 phase 606 and earth 607, and has a drain wire 608. The cable 603 has a neutral wire 609, phase 610 and earth 611 and has a wire drain 612. The cable 604 comprises a neutral wire 613 phase 614 and earth 615 and comprises a drain wire 616.

The housing has three interconnection elements 617, 618, 619 for respectively connecting the neutral, phase and earth wires.

Each interconnection element has three connectors. Each connector receives a wire of the type for which it is intended. For example, the ground interconnection element 619 has three connectors 620, 621, 622. Each connector receives a ground wire from an electrical cable. The connector 620 is connected to the ground wire 608, the connector 621 is connected to the ground wire 611, the connector 622 is connected to the ground wire 615. Similarly, the neutral wires are connected to respective connectors of the element d interconnection of neutral 617 and the phase wires are connected to respective connectors of the phase interconnection element 618.

In this embodiment, all the drain wires 612 and 616 of the distribution cables are connected to the connector 620 which already already receives the ground wire 607 from the cable for connection to the power source 602.

The drain wire 608 of the cable for connection to a power source 602 is not connected to the connector 620. It is connected to the ground wire 607 at the end of the cable 602 opposite the housing, on the connection side. the source of electrical power (for example, the user's electrical outlet).

This embodiment makes it possible to further reduce the electromagnetic disturbances.

In this embodiment also, the device comprises a marking 623 to designate the cable 603, the closest electrically to the cable for connection to the source of electrical power.

FIG. 7 represents a variant of the device in FIG. 6.

In this variant, the cables of the device 700 also include drain wires.

The elements common with Figure 6 are not shown for the sake of clarity and conciseness.

In this variant, the housing further comprises an electromagnetic shield 701. This shield consists for example of a Faraday cage.

This electromagnetic shield is electrically connected to the ground wire 702 of the cable 703 by a connection 704. For example, in Figure 7, it is an electrical weld.

Instead of welding, it is possible for example to put a drain wire connected to the shield 701 and connected in the interconnection element 706.

Since all the drain wires of the distribution cables are electrically connected to each other by the connector 705 of the earth interconnection element 706, it is also possible to connect the electromagnetic shielding to the other drain wires 707 , 708. It is also possible to connect the screen to several or even all the drain wires at the same time.

This embodiment makes it possible to further reduce the electromagnetic disturbances.

FIG. 8 represents another variant of the device in FIG. 6.

In this variant, the cables of the device 800 also include drain wires.

The elements common with Figure 6 are not shown for the sake of clarity and conciseness.

In this variant, the housing further comprises an electromagnetic shield 801. This shield consists, for example, of a Faraday cage.

This electromagnetic shield is electrically connected to the ground wire 802 of the cable 803 by a connection 804. For example it is an electrical weld.

In this embodiment, in addition to comprising interconnection elements 805, 806, 807, for the neutral, phase and earth wires, respectively, the device comprises an interconnection element 808 for interconnecting the wires drain D. This interconnection element comprises connectors 809, 810, 811. The connector 809 is connected to the ground wire 802 of the cable 803. The connector 810 is connected to the drain wire 812 of the power distribution cable 813. The connector 811 is connected to the drain wire 814 of the power distribution cable 815.

Since all the drain wires of the distribution cables are electrically connected to each other by the drain interconnection element 808, it is also possible to connect the electromagnetic shielding to the other drain wires 812, 814. It it is also possible to connect the screen to several or even all the drain wires at the same time.

The embodiments and their variants described above make it possible to eliminate as much as possible the connections by connector on the current path from the mains outlet to each device. The sound and image produced by these devices is therefore of better quality.

[0110] In addition, this makes it possible to avoid compatibility problems between the equipment coming from different manufacturers. In fact, the choices of materials and structure of the cabling can differ from one manufacturer to another and this sometimes leads to disturbances. In particular, mechanical play may exist due to the different tolerances between the manufacturer of a male connector and the manufacturer of a female connector (these differences in tolerances can also exist when the manufacturer is the same). This mechanical play can cause non-optimal electrical contact and vibrations which can result in a disturbance of the audio-visual signal finally returned to the user.

The present invention has been described and illustrated in the present detailed description with reference to the attached figures. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented. Other variants, embodiments and combinations of characteristics can be deduced and implemented by a person skilled in the art on reading this description and the appended figures.

To meet specific needs, a person competent in the field of the invention may apply modifications or adaptations.

[0113] In the claims, the term "comprise" does not exclude other elements or other steps. The indefinite article "one" does not exclude the plural. The various features presented and / or claimed can be advantageously combined. Their presence in the description or in different dependent claims does not exclude the possibility of combining them. The reference signs should not be understood as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims (1)

claims [Claim 1] Power supply device for audiovisual system (200) comprising: - a housing (201), an electrical cable for connection to an electrical power source (202), said cable being integral with said housing and said cable comprising a neutral wire (205), a phase wire (206) and a ground wire (207), - A plurality of electrical cables for distributing electrical power to equipment of said system (203, 204), each cable being integral with said housing and each cable comprising a neutral wire (208, 211), a phase wire (209, 212) and a ground wire (210, 213), - three interconnection elements of said electrical connection and distribution cables for the neutral (214), phase (215) and earth (216) wires respectively, each interconnection element comprising a series of connectors (217, 218, 219) electrically connected to each other, and a marking (220) indicative, for at least one electric cable for distributing electric power, of an interconnection position of said at least one electric cable for distributing electric power within said interconnection element for neutral wires and / or within said interconnection element for the phase wires, with respect to the electric cable for connection to said source of electric power. [Claim 2] Device according to claim 1, in which said electrical cable for connection to said source of electrical power shares a connector of said interconnection element for neutral wires and / or of said interconnection element for phase wires, with at least one cable. electric power distribution. [Claim 3] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the electric power distribution cables are arranged in the housing as a function of their connection position within said interconnection element for neutral wires and / or said interconnection element for the phase wires, with respect to the connector of the electric cable for connection to said source of electric power. [Claim 4] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which: - at least one electrical cable for distributing electrical power further comprises a drain wire (612, 616), and - the earth wire of the electric cable for connection to said source of electrical power shares a connector of said interconnection element for the ground wires with said drain wire. [Claim 5] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which: - at least one electrical cable for distributing electrical power also comprises a drain wire (612, 616), - said drain wire is connected to said interconnection element for earth wires, and - no earth wire of the power distribution cable shares its connector within said interconnection element for the earth wires with said drain wire. [Claim 6] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the electrical cable for connection to said electrical power source further comprises a drain wire (608) electrically connected to the ground wire of the electrical cable for connection to said electrical power source . [Claim 7] The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said housing includes an electromagnetic shield (701). [Claim 8] Device according to claim 7, in which the ground wire of the electric cable for connection to said source of electric power is connected to said screen. [Claim 9] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - a fourth interconnection element for drain wires (808), different from said three interconnection elements for neutral, phase and earth wires, said fourth interconnection element comprising a series of connectors (809, 810, 811 ) electrically connected to each other, and in which: the ground wire (802) of the electric cable for connection to said source of electric power is connected to a connector of said fourth interconnection element for drain wires, and - at least one electrical power distribution cable further comprises a drain wire (812, 814) connected to a connector of said fourth interconnection element for drain wires. [Claim 10] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one of said electric cable for connection to an electric power source and the electric cables for the distribution of power includes electromagnetic shielding.