GB2488605A

GB2488605A - Wall mounted charging device

Info

Publication number: GB2488605A
Application number: GB201104051A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tomasz Barylski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-03-01
Filing date: 2011-03-10
Publication date: 2012-09-05
Also published as: GB201104051D0; GB201103506D0

Abstract

A face plate for attachment to a wall mounting box has an aperture 9 and a lead deployment mechanism 21 comprising a reel or roller 22 onto which is wound an electrical lead 11. One end of the electrical lead 11 connects to a power source via a mains transformer or ac-dc converter 19 and the other end passes through the aperture to the front of the face plate 1 where it is terminated by a plug such as a micro-USB plug 13. The reel 22 applies a tensioning force to the lead to urge it back onto the reel 22. A locking mechanism enables fixing the lead at a particular length. In another embodiment an independent mains socket 41â is provided on the face plate.

Description

Wall Mountable Apparatus This invention relates to a wall mountable apparatus for providing power to an electrical device, for example to provide a charging current.

It is known to provide wall mountable panels for connection to the electrical supply in a building. Typically, panels are mounted to a wall-mounting box or enclosure using screws or clips. Perhaps the most common example is a socket unit which, in the UK, comprises one or more three-pin sockets. More recently, wall panels have been provided which include sockets for delivering low power d.c. voltages to portable devices, for example having USB ports embedded in the face plate together with an appropriate ac-dc transformer mounted on the rear of the panel.

It is becoming the norm for modern electrical devices, particularly smaller portable ones, to be charged using so-called micro-USB cables. Such cables typically have a conventional USB plug at one end for connection to a mains plug converter or USB port of a computer (the power source -end) and a much smaller, flatter, micro-USB plug at the other end for connection to the device to be charged.

Given the prevalence of portable devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, tablets and e-readers, the user is required to carry around the appropriate lead or leads to ensure that their device(s) can be recharged if necessary. This can be a problem if the user is travelling, particularly overseas, as it requires additional luggage space and can easily be lost or mislaid. Further, the user must ensure they have the appropriate mains adaptor to ensure the charging lead can be plugged in at the source end if a computer is not available to provide the charging current.

According to a first aspect, there is provided apparatus for providing power to an electrical device, the apparatus comprising a panel for attachment to a wall or a mounting box within a wall, the panel having front and rear sides and an aperture passing through the panel between the sides, there being provided on the rear side an a.c. to d.c. converter for converting a mains current to a predetermined d.c.

current and a length of electrical lead, one end of which is connected to the d.c.

output of the converter and the other end of which passes through the aperture beyond the front side and is terminated by an electrical plug or socket for connection to an electrical device.

The system provides an all-in-one unit for mounting on a wall and which provides a lead specifically for providing a d.c. charging current to an electrical device, such as a mobile phone. The lead may be extended from the panel so that the device being charged can rest on a table or desk. The system can be provided in homes, hotels, hospitals etc. to provide an easy-to-use system for charging portable devices with no need for the user to carry about a separate charging lead.

The wall plate system is arranged for fixed placement on a wall, as opposed to a temporary plug-in arrangement. The system is preferably arranged to be mounted to a mounting box, either surface mounted or recessed within a wall, by screws or fixing clips.

The system can further comprise a lead retraction mechanism mounted on or adjacent the rear side of the panel onto which part of the lead is mounted, the mechanism being biased to apply a return force on the lead as it is deployed by user action.

The retraction mechanism is desirable from a safety point of view and avoids a trip hazard after the device being charged is disconnected. It is also desirable from an aesthetic viewpoint, particularly in public buildings and new build homes.

The lead retraction mechanism can comprise a roller which is rotatable in a first direction to permit passage of the lead over (or under) the roller as it is deployed by user action and biasing means urging the roller in a second direction so as to apply a tensioning force to the deployed lead to permit retraction.

The retraction mechanism is comparable to that used with vacuum cleaner leads, the construction and operation of which is well known.

The apparatus can further comprise a locking mechanism enabling selective fixing of the lead at a given deployed length against the return force applied by the retraction mechanism.

The locking mechanism can comprise a pair of jaws provided on or adjacent the front side of the panel.

Alternatively, the locking mechanism can comprise a geared lock.

The length of electrical lead may be at least 20 cm, or even as long as 50 cm or 1 metre. The lead may be terminated by a micro-USB plug.

According to a further aspect, there is provided a face plate for attachment to a wall mounting box, the plate having front and rear sides and an aperture between the sides, the rear side having mounted thereon a lead retraction mechanism comprising a reel or roller onto which is wound an electrical lead having one end for connection to a power source and another end passing through the aperture to the front side where it is terminated by an electrical plug or socket, wherein the reel or roller in use allows deployment of the lead through the aperture by user action against a tensioning force applied by the reel or roller which urges the lead back to the wound state.

The retraction mechanism mentioned above, and the part of the lead connected to it, may be enclosed, either fully or partially, within a chamber connected to the rear side of the plate or panel. This avoids the danger of a user tampering or accidentally making contact with the mechanism or that part of the lead which is mounted on the mechanism. The a.c. to d.c. converter may also be enclosed within the chamber, which has obvious safety advantages also.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of one face of a wall power supply unit; Figure 2 is a plan view of the opposite face of the unit shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side plan view of the unit shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic view of the unit shown in Figure 1 in operative use when being connected to an item of electrical equipment; Figure 5 is a front plan view of a modified form of power supply unit having a locking mechanism; Figure 6 is a schematic view of the locking mechanism in operative use; Figure 7 is a front plan view of a second embodiment of the wall power supply unit according to the invention, incorporating an additional mains socket; Figure 8 is a front plan view of a third embodiment of the wall power supply unit according to the invention, incorporating a detent locking mechanism and a push-button release mechanism; and Figure 9 is a side sectional view of the unit shown in Figure 8.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a wall power supply unit 1 is shown from respective front and rear sides 3, 5.

The unit 1 comprises a rectangular panel having a threaded hole 7 adjacent each lateral edge for receiving screws in order to secure the unit to a wall mounting box (not shown) which can be recessed within a wall or surface mounted. An aperture 9 is formed through the unit, between the front and rear sides 3, 5, through which passes an electrical lead 11 which is terminated at the front side by a micro-USB plug 13. On the rear side of the unit 1 is provided an enclosure or chamber 15 within which is mounted a mains transformer 19 or a.c. to d.c. converter and a deployment and retraction mechanism 21 (hereafter simply "retraction mechanism").

The mains transformer or converter 19 is electrically connected to a set of terminals 17 which, in use, will be connected to the mains supply delivered through cabling recessed in or mounted on a wall. The transformer or converter 19 is arranged to rectify the ac mains voltage (240v in the UK) and step it down to the required voltage, in this particular case 5v dc. The output from the transformer or converter 19 is connected to one end of the electrical lead 11.

The retraction mechanism 21 comprises a cylindrical reel 22 around which the majority of the lead 11 is wound, the exceptions being the part of the lead that is connected to the transformer output and the part that passes through the aperture 9 to the terminating plug 13 adjacent the front side 3. The reel 22 comprises a circumferential groove (not shown) within which the wound part of the lead 11 is held and therefore prevented from slipping sideways off the reel.

The reel 22 is mounted so as to rotate about a central axis X-X which is generally normal to that of the aperture 9. Thus, as indicated in Figure 3, the lead 11 is wound over the top part of the reel 22 before passing through the aperture to the plug 13. A biasing spring (not shown) urges the reel in the counter-clockwise direction, against the direction of deployment. This means that, when not in use, the lead 11 is automatically drawn backwards under tension so that only the plug 13 and a small amount of the lead directly adjacent the lead is visible from the front side 3. The plug 13 is larger than the diameter of the aperture 9 and so will not be drawn through to the backof the unit 1.

Overall, it will be appreciated that the retraction mechanism 21 is similar to that used in vacuum cleaners to retract the mains cable. Accordingly, a full description of the mechanism 21 is not considered necessary.

To mount the unit 1 to a wall mounting box, an electrician connects the live and neutral wires from the mains supply to appropriate ones of the terminals 17. If regulations require, an earth lead is connected to an earth terminal of the wall mounting box. The unit I is then secured to the mounting box using screws in the threaded holes 7.

Referring to Figure 4, in use, a user wishing to charge an electrical device 30 such as a mobile telephone or PDA selectively deploys the lead 11 by pulling on the plug 13 or its adjacent lead portion in a direction away from the front side 3. The lead 11 is deployed against the tension force provided by the biasing spring and is extended to the length required by the user, typically so that they may rest their device 30 on a table, desk or bedside cabinet. When the device 30 is disconnected, the biasing spring causes the reel 22 automatically to turn counter-clockwise thereby winding the lead 11 back to the fully-retracted position indicated in Figure 1.

The biasing spring may be arranged such that the weight of the electrical device 30, which is typically no less than 90 grams, brakes the retraction effect of the tensioning force. This is to prevent the electrical device being drawn back towards the unit 1 from where it is set down by the user. Thus, the tensioning force should be relatively light.

As an alternative to a lightly-biased spring, a locking mechanism may be provided which allows the user selectively, and temporarily, to fix the length of deployed cable against the tensioning force. Figures 5 and 6 show one option employing a pair of resilient jaws 25 defining a mouth portion 27 in-between; the distance between the jaws is slightly less than the diameter of the lead 11 thereby ensuring that the lead is held firm, or gripped, by the jaws. The manner of locking the lead 11 is indicated in Figure 6.

A further locking mechanism, not shown, may use a geared wheel system as is commonly known in the field of venetian blinds. Here, movement of the lead 11 in a particular direction, e.g. to one side of the aperture, causes the lead internally of the mechanism to engage a moveable gear wheel which wedges the lead fixed within the mechanism. The mechanism is released by repeating the action to release the wedging.

The overall length of the lead is a matter of preference. To be of any practical use, the length should be no less than 20 cm, which may be sufficient if the unit I is mounted close to a table or desk. However, lengths of no less than 50 cm will allow greater flexibility in terms of where the user can mount the unit I in relation to other outlets and furniture.

Instead of the unit I being rectangular when viewed from the front or back, it can be circular.

Referring to Figure 7, a second embodiment of the invention is shown comprising a unit 40 arranged with two outlets, namely the components of the micro-USB unit 1 referred to above and a conventional mains socket 41 on one side thereof, in this case a UK standard three-pin 240v a.c. socket.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, a third embodiment will now be described. In this case, a power supply unit 50 is constructed in the same way as that shown in Figures 1 to 3. In this case it also comprises a locking mechanism incorporating a detent system which engages with the roller 57 to permit rotation in the deployment direction, i.e. clockwise, but prevents or arrests rotation in the opposite direction, applied by the spring, thereby preventing automatic retraction. The detent is mechanically connected to a release button 55 accessible from the front side of the panel, manual operation of which by a user separates the detent from the roller 57 to enable retraction due to the tensioning force.

The locking mechanism in this case comprises a toothed wheel 60, the teeth of which engage with a set of teeth (not shown) on one side of the roller 57. A movable pawl is engaged with the toothed wheel 60 to permit rotation in the clockwise direction and arrest rotation in the opposite direction. Pushing of the button 55 is necessary to separate the pawl from the toothed wheel 60 thereby enabling automatic retraction.

A pair of guide rollers 52 are positioned to the rear side of the aperture 9 in order to correctly align the lead 11 over the main roller 57 as the lead is deployed and retracted. Each roller has a generally U or V -shaped groove when viewed transverse to the axis of rotation, the resulting channel or groove being shaped so as to retain the lead within the roller's outer walls, aiding alignment through the centre of the aperture. This prevents the lead 11 from dragging on the wall of the aperture 9 as it is deployed and retracted which might otherwise damage the insulation surrounding the lead.

Although two guide rollers 52 are shown in Figures 8 and 9, an alternative system might use only a single roller, namely the lower one. The use and arrangement of guide rollers 52 could be employed in the first and second embodiments also, previously described with reference to Figures 1 to 7.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus for providing power to an electrical device, the apparatus comprising a panel for attachment to a wall or a mounting box within a wall, the panel having front and rear sides and an aperture passing through the panel between the sides, there being provided on the rear side an a.c. to d.c. converter for converting a mains current to a predetermined d.c. current and a length of electrical lead, one end of which is connected to the d.c. output of the converter and the other end of which passes through the aperture for projecting beyond the front side and which is terminated by an electrical plug or socket for connection to an electrical device.
2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a lead retraction mechanism mounted on or adjacent the rear side of the panel onto which part of the lead is mounted, the mechanism being biased to apply a return force on the lead as it is deployed by user action.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the lead retraction mechanism comprises a roller which is rotatable in a first direction to permit passage of the lead over the roller as it is deployed by user action and biasing means urging the roller in a second direction so as to apply a tensioning force to the deployed lead to permit retraction.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising a locking mechanism enabling selective fixing of the lead at a given deployed length against the return force applied by the retraction mechanism.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a pair of jaws provided on or adjacent the front side of the panel.
6. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a geared lock.
7. Apparatus according to claim 4 when dependent on claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a mechanical detent system arranged in such a way as to permit rotation in the first direction and to resist or arrest rotation in the second direction by engaging part of the roller, the apparatus further comprising a release button or switch on or accessible from the front side of the panel and connected to the detent system such as to release the detent from the roller to permit rotation in the second direction.
8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the length of electrical lead is at least 20 cm.
9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the lead is terminated by a micro-USB plug.
10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising an independent mains socket accessible from the front side and having associated connection terminals mounted on or adjacent the rear side.
11. A face plate for attachment to a wall mounting box, the plate having front and rear sides and an aperture between the sides, the rear side having mounted thereon a lead deployment mechanism comprising a reel or roller onto which is wound an electrical lead having one end for connection to a power source and another end passing through the aperture to the front side where it is terminated by an electrical plug or socket, wherein the reel or roller in use allows selective deployment of the lead through the aperture by user action against a tensioning force applied by the reel or roller which urges the lead back to the wound state.
12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more guide rollers disposed adjacent the aperture, on or adjacent the rear side of the panel.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the or each roller has a generally U or V-shaped grooved surface within which the lead sits as it is deployed and retracted through the aperture.