TWI559639B - Floor wiring appliance - Google Patents

Description

Floor wiring device

The present invention relates to a wiring harness for a floor.

A floor wiring device is fastened to the floor. The floor system is placed on a floor under the floor, such as a floor. The wiring space is formed between the floor and the underfloor floor substrate (for example, refer to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2012-228097).

A typical floor wiring appliance includes: an AC power outlet; a lower floor box that receives a plug that is coupled to the socket; and a floor panel that snaps to an upper portion of the underfloor box portion. The floor panel comprises a frame and a cover. The frame includes a split ring that defines an opening. The cover closes the opening. A hinge connects the cover to the frame. The cover pivots about the pivot of the hinge between its position to close the opening of the floor panel and its position to open the opening of the floor panel. In order to assist the plug into the socket, the front side of the socket faces in an upward direction.

In the conventional floor wiring harness, water falling from the gap between the frame and the cover may enter the socket hole in the front surface of the socket. When the socket contains a slanted front, water easily enters the socket hole. Water entering the socket hole may cause rust and corrosion of the conductive portion in the socket, which adversely affects the insulation property. Also, water entering the socket hole may cause electric shock or leakage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a floor wiring appliance that restricts water from entering the socket.

One embodiment of the present invention is a wiring harness for a floor, comprising an underfloor box portion that is embedded in the floor. A socket is attached to the underfloor box portion. The socket receives a plug in a removable manner. A floor panel covers the socket. The floor panel comprises a frame and a cover. The frame includes a split ring defining an opening. The cover is coupled to the frame by a hinge to pivot about a pivot of the hinge between a position at which the cover closes the opening and a position at which the cover opens the opening. The socket is spaced apart from the pivot in a vertical direction and spaced apart from the split ring and away from the opening in a horizontal direction.

This configuration restricts water from entering the socket of the floor wiring harness.

Other embodiments and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and appended claims.

One embodiment of the floor wiring harness 10 will now be described with reference to Figs.

A floor wiring harness 10 is fastened to a floor which is configured to form a wiring space above the floor underfloor of a floor. The floor wiring harness 10 is constructed to be connected to a cable laid in the wiring space.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the floor wiring device 10 includes a top plate 11, a wiring device module 21, and a floor panel 31. The floor wiring harness 10 may include a partition 41.

For example, the top plate 11 is stamped from a thin metal plate to have the shape of a quadrilateral frame. The corner of the top plate 11 includes a socket 11a. A screw 27 is inserted through each of the insertion holes 11a to snap the wiring harness module 21 to the top plate 11. Further, the top plate 11 includes a screw hole 11b adjacent to each of the insertion holes 11a. The screw 35 is screwed to the screw hole 11b to fix the floor panel 31 to the top panel 11.

The wiring appliance module 21 includes an AC power socket 24, a metal fastening joint 25, and a metal cable snap joint 26. For example, the AC power outlet 24 is an AC 100 V outlet. Further, the socket 24 has a front surface 24a including a socket hole and a back surface including a terminal. A socket module can be formed by more than one socket 24. The metal fastening joint 25 can be formed separately as an underfloor box portion or in cooperation with the partition plate 41 to form an underfloor box portion.

For example, the AC power outlet 24 is a large square boss type interchangeable wiring device as specified by the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS). In the illustrated example, the AC power outlet 24 is a two pole grounded outlet.

For example, the metal snap joint 25 is formed by stamping a metal plate. The metal snap joint 25 has an appliance holder 25b that includes a window portion 25a that exposes the front side 24a of each AC power outlet 24. The appliance holder 25b can be tilted such that the front side 24a of the AC power outlet 24 faces in an obliquely upward direction. The inclined front surface 24a of the AC power outlet 24 facilitates the insertion of the plug.

As shown in Fig. 2, an abutment piece 25c abutting against the lower surface of the plate protrudes from, for example, the intermediate portion of the upper edge of the appliance holder 25b.

Further, the snap fastener piece 25d protrudes from both end portions of the upper edge of the appliance holder 25b in a direction opposite to the contact piece 25c. A restricting piece 25e protrudes obliquely upward from the upper edge of the appliance holder 25 at a position adjacent to each of the socket holes. The restricting piece 25e is for preventing one terminal of the plug from being inserted into the socket hole and the other terminal of the plug not being inserted into the socket hole.

The cymbal tab 25f protrudes from the lower edge of the appliance holder 25b to buckle the partition 41. The cymbal tab 25f protrudes in the same direction as the cymbal tab 25d.

The wiring tool module 21 and the top plate 11 are disposed on the opposite side of the floor to fix the wiring tool module 21 to the floor. For example, the screw 27 is inserted through the insertion hole 11a of the top plate 11 and is screwed to the screw hole of the fastening piece 25d to snap the top plate 11 to the wiring harness module 21. When the floor system is disposed between the top panel 11 and the wiring harness module 21, the screws 27 are tightened to securely fasten the floor between the top panel 11 and the abutment piece 25c, and the wiring harness module 21 is fixed to the floor.

The cable snap joint 26 is screwed to the snap tab 25f of the metal snap joint 25. The trailing edge of the cable snap connector 26 includes a receptacle 26a. The jack 26a assists in the attachment of the cable tie to the cable snap joint 26. Cable ties are used to tie cables laid in the wiring space below the floor. The cable is connected to a terminal (not shown) in the back of the AC power outlet 24. The cable snap connector 26 reduces the tension applied from the cable to the terminals of the AC power outlet 24.

In the present embodiment, the partition 41 is coupled to the two metal snap joints 25. One of the metal snap fittings 25 supports the wiring harness module 21, which includes an AC power outlet 24. Another metal snap joint 25 may support, for example, a photovoltaic socket. A photovoltaic socket can be a communication socket, such as a LAN cable socket or a telephone module socket.

For example, the spacer 41 is formed by bending a metal plate into a substantially U-shaped configuration. The partition 41 has a center piece 41a which includes a socket 41b at a position corresponding to the screw hole of the snap piece 25f. The screw 41c is inserted through the insertion hole 41b and is screwed to the screw hole of the fastening piece 25f to buckle the partition 41 to the metal fastening joint 25. The partition 41 cooperates with the two metal snap joints 25 to form a receiving compartment (underfloor box portion) that houses a portion of the cable and/or joint that is connected to the wiring harness module 21 or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the floor panel 31 includes a frame 32 and a cover 33. The frame 32 molded from aluminum is quadrangular and has four sides of substantially equal length. The frame 32 includes an outer ring 32a, and an inner ring, or split ring 32b, which defines a quadrangular opening Ld (see FIG. 4) in the center of the frame 32. As shown in FIG. 4, the front surface of each AC power outlet 24 is spaced apart from the split ring 32b and is disposed away from the opening Ld in the horizontal direction, that is, toward the right of the split ring 32b. The frame 32 covers the AC power outlet 24 when the floor wiring harness 10 is viewed from above.

The frame 32 includes a seat 32c that protrudes in an inner direction from at least a portion (e.g., three sides) of the split ring 32b. When the cover 33 is closed, a portion of the cover 33 is placed over the support 32c. The holder 32c includes a socket 32d at a position corresponding to the screw hole 11b of the top plate 11, and the screw 35 is inserted through the insertion hole 32d. The cover is supported by the hinges 37 and pivots about the frame 32. The hinge 37 includes a pivot parallel to the side of the split ring 32b that does not include the support 32c. The hinge 37 is provided at a position spaced apart from the socket 24 in the vertical direction (refer to the broken line of FIG. 4).

The cover 33 includes a cover 33a and a cable insertion door 33c. For example, the cover plate 33a is a quadrangular plate molded of aluminum. The cover plate 33a includes a slot 33b for inserting a cable (not shown) connected to the wiring harness module 21. The cable insertion door 33c is pivotally fastened to the cover plate 33a. The cable insertion door 33c of the closing groove 33b is an elongated quadrangular plate which is, for example, molded of aluminum. The plurality of legs (two in the present embodiment) protrude from the lower surface of the cable insertion door 33c in the lower direction. The sleeve 33e is held between the leg portions 33d to protect the cable (not shown) inserted through the slot 33b of the cover plate 33a when the cable insertion door 33c is opened.

The floor wiring harness 10 of the present embodiment includes an AC power outlet 24. This allows the user to use the AC power outlet 24 by opening the split ring 32b by the pivot cover 33. When the lid 33 is opened, the water moves toward the hinge 37 of the lid 33. The pivot (the hinge 37) of the cover 33 does not overlap the AC power outlet 24 in the vertical direction. Therefore, water does not fall above the AC power outlet 24. Further, the front surface 24a of the AC power outlet 24 is spaced apart from the split ring 32b and is away from the opening Ld in the horizontal direction. Therefore, water does not fall directly into the AC power outlet 24.

This embodiment has the advantages described below.

The front surface 24a of each AC power outlet 24 is located at a position separated from the hinge 37 in the vertical direction and spaced apart from the split ring 32 and away from the opening Ld in the horizontal direction, wherein the hinge 37 is the pivot of the cover 33 . The frame 32 of the floor panel 31 masks the front side 24a of the AC power outlet 24. This restricts water from entering the socket hole. Also, as the cover 33 pivots, the water moves toward the hinge 37 and restricts water from entering the socket aperture. This limits rust or corrosion of the conductive portion of the AC power outlet 24, which may adversely affect the insulation properties.

This embodiment can be modified as described below.

Instead of or in addition to the one or more AC power outlets, the wiring appliance module 21 can include more than one weak electrical outlet. A photovoltaic socket can be a communication socket, such as a LAN cable socket or a telephone module socket. In this case, the same advantages as the above embodiment will be obtained.

The floor panel 31 of the embodiment includes a frame 32 and a cover 33. The frame 32 can include a top plate 11. In this example, it is preferable that the socket 24 is separated from the opening of the top plate 11 in the horizontal direction.

The above description is illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above examples (or one or more embodiments thereof) can be used in combination with one another. Other embodiments may be used, for example, by those skilled in the art after reviewing the above description. Also, in the above description, various features may be combined to simplify the disclosure. This should not be construed as an unapplied disclosure feature that is indispensable for any patent application. Rather, the inventive subject matter may have less than all of the technical features of the specific disclosed embodiments. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the scope of the appended claims and all equivalents thereof.

10‧‧‧Floor wiring devices
11‧‧‧ top board
11a‧‧‧ jack
11b‧‧‧ screw hole
21‧‧‧Wiring appliance module
24‧‧‧ socket
24a‧‧‧ positive
25‧‧‧Metal snap joint
25a‧‧‧Window
25b‧‧‧ Appliance holding parts
25c‧‧‧ Abutment
25d‧‧‧拴 buckle
25e‧‧‧Limited
25f‧‧‧拴 buckle
26‧‧‧ cable snap connector
26a‧‧‧ jack
27‧‧‧ screws
31‧‧‧ floor panels
32‧‧‧Frame
32a‧‧‧Outer Ring
32b‧‧‧ Inner Ring (opening ring)
32c‧‧‧Support
32d‧‧‧ jack
33‧‧‧ Cover
33a‧‧‧ cover
33b‧‧‧ slot
33c‧‧‧ cable insertion door
33d‧‧‧foot
33e‧‧‧ casing
35‧‧‧ screws
37‧‧‧ hinge
41‧‧‧Baffle
41a‧‧‧Central Pieces
41b‧‧‧ jack
41c‧‧‧screw

The invention, as well as the objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description of the preferred embodiments,

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a wiring harness for a floor;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the floor wiring device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the floor wiring device shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is a side view showing the floor wiring device shown in Fig. 1.

10‧‧‧Floor wiring devices

11‧‧‧ top board

24‧‧‧ socket

24a‧‧‧ positive

25‧‧‧Metal snap joint

25c‧‧‧ Abutment

25e‧‧‧Limited

26‧‧‧ cable snap connector

31‧‧‧ floor panels

41‧‧‧Baffle

Claims (1)

A floor wiring device comprising: a floor lower box portion embedded in the floor; a socket fixed to the floor lower box portion, wherein the socket receives a plug in a removable manner; and a floor panel, Covering the socket, wherein the floor panel comprises a frame and a cover, the frame includes a split ring defining an opening, and the cover is coupled to the frame by a hinge to close the opening at the cover a pivotal pivot about the hinge and a position at which the cover opens the opening; wherein the receptacle is spaced apart from the pivot in a vertical direction and spaced apart from the split ring and away from the horizontal The opening, the frame includes: an inner ring defining the opening; and an outer ring, the socket including an inclined front surface facing an obliquely upward direction and including a plurality of socket holes, and the socket includes the socket holes The slanted front is completely below the frame between the outer ring and the inner ring.