WO2020136286A1

WO2020136286A1 - Portable power supply and/or data unit

Info

Publication number: WO2020136286A1
Application number: PCT/ES2018/070834
Authority: WO
Inventors: César Suescun Orrillo; Lakshman RAJ; Jonathan DAMIEN DELOY; Alfonso BELZUNCE GALBARRA
Original assignee: Schneider Electric España, S.A.
Priority date: 2018-12-27
Filing date: 2018-12-27
Publication date: 2020-07-02
Also published as: EP3903640A1; EP3903640A4

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable power supply and/or data unit for arranging on furniture (M), which comprises at least one electrical or data outlet (1) and a main body (2) for positioning the at least one outlet (1). The unit also comprises a complementary body (4) movably disposed with respect to the main body (2); movement means for moving the main body (2) and the complementary body (4) relative to one another; and securing means (9) disposed so as to removably establish a separation distance between the main body (2) and the complementary body (4). The main body (2) and the complementary body (4) are jointly movable and can be removably coupled to an item of furniture (M).

Description

DESCRIPTION

PORTABLE ELECTRICAL AND / OR DATA SUPPLY UNIT

Technical sector

The present invention is related to the industry dedicated to units that are used to provide electrical and / or data supply, and more specifically to the industry dedicated to these units being portable.

State of the art

At present, units configured as patch panels to provide one or more electrical and / or data connections are widely known, said units being arranged according to fixed locations, for example on walls, floors or tables.

Today the use of electronic devices that require power and / or data is growing steadily and existing units tend to fall short when it comes to supplying electronic devices that may become concentrated in a specific location.

Additionally, the aforementioned devices currently provide great flexibility when moving, mainly due to their decreasing weight and / or volume. This flexibility implies, in addition to the need to have a capacity to increase the number of electrical and / or data connections, also the need to have a capacity to establish such connections according to the variable location of use of those devices.

Conventionally, the solution employed is the arrangement of strips, or similar elements, which, connected to the fixed units, provide flexibility for the electronic devices to use said fixed units to be powered.

This solution, however, results in an annoying placement of the aforementioned known elements, for example, on a work table. Alternatively these strips or Similar can be arranged under the corresponding table, in a less annoying way, but in such a way that establishing the connection and disconnection is uncomfortable and difficult.

In view of the described disadvantage or limitation that presently existing solutions present, it is necessary a solution that provides comfort and flexibility when establishing connections for a power supply and / or data regarding number and location.

Object of the invention

In order to fulfill this objective and solve the technical problems discussed so far, in addition to providing additional advantages that may be derived later, the present invention provides a portable power and / or data supply unit for furniture arrangement.

The power supply unit comprises at least one power or data outlet and a main body for locating the at least one outlet.

The present feeding unit additionally comprises a complementary body displaceable with respect to the main body, the complementary body having an upper face and a lower face; displacement means to provide a displacement, preferably guided, of the main body and the complementary body to each other; and fixing means arranged to removably establish a separation distance between the main body and the complementary body.

In this way, the main body and the complementary body are jointly displaceable and available for coupling the unit in a furniture element in a removable manner.

The displacement means are configured such that the main body and the complementary body are displaced from each other according to a rectilinear path. Thus, they are adjusted to any thickness in the coupling, providing the same contact, and therefore, the same holding capacity.

The displacement means comprise a guide element with a fixed end fixedly attached to one of the bodies and with another free end attached to the other of the bodies with displacement capacity.

Accordingly, the guide element is preferably fixed to the complementary body. Also, preferably, the guide element is partially movable inside the main body.

The wiring extends through the displacement means to the complementary body, and more specifically through the guide element.

The fixing means are an elastically deformable element arranged to bring the complementary body and the main body closer to each other. The fixing means are preferably a tension spring.

The power unit may comprise wiring that extends from the main body and through the displacement means to the complementary body.

The complementary body preferably has a conduit on the underside to accommodate the wiring, the conduit having an open end. Accordingly, the duct can be longitudinally open for introduction and removal of the wiring.

The displacement means and the open end are arranged in the complementary body according to opposite ends.

The present unit may additionally comprise interlocking elements arranged to exert pressure, or compression, on the wiring so that it is prevented from varying the separation distance established therein. Preferably, the interlocking elements are located in the ductwork.

The present unit may additionally comprise a clamping element for wrapping and keeping the wiring collected. Accordingly, preferably the clamping element is arranged in correspondence with the underside of the complementary body.

Description of the figures Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a portable power supply and / or data unit object of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the portable power supply and / or data unit object of the invention.

Figure 3 shows a schematic sectional view of the portable power supply and / or data unit object of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a schematic top perspective view of the portable power supply and / or data unit object of the invention.

Figures 5 and 6 show schematic lower perspective views of the portable power supply and / or data unit object of the invention.

Figure 7 shows a schematic view of the portable power supply and / or data unit object of the invention with two parts decoupled from each other.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention relates to a portable electrical and / or data supply unit for disposal, for example, in furniture (M). The furniture (M), not the object of the present invention, is preferably selectable from tables, shelves, shelves, seat armrests and similar elements or parts.

The power and / or data supply unit comprises at least one power or data socket (1). This unit preferably comprises several of these intakes (1). Accordingly, according to an example, said unit comprises a socket (1) as a female plug, a socket (1) as a USB port, a socket (1) as a USB Type-C connector or any combination. between two or more of these. According to another example, said unit comprises one or more sockets (1) as network ports. The options of both examples are perfectly combinable in any way.

The electrical and / or data supply unit comprises a main body (2). The main body (2) is a part, preferably the only part, of the unit in which locate the electrical power and / or data sockets (1).

The electrical and / or data supply unit preferably comprises a wiring (3). The wiring (3), meanwhile, extends from the main body (2) and is configured to provide electrical and / or data power to the sockets (1). In this way, the wiring (3) has a male connector or plug at one end, so that it is connectable to an electrical power source, for example the domestic electrical network, and / or data, for example a "router" or a data storage unit. Accordingly, the cabling (3) can be composed of one cable or several cables, optionally two, one for power supply and the other for data.

The present unit additionally comprises a complementary body (4) and a displacement means. The complementary body (4) and the main body (2) are displaceable or distanceable from each other so that they are positionable according to different separation distances from each other. The displacement means are arranged joining said bodies (2, 4), which are appreciated for example in Figures 1, 4 and 7. In addition, the displacement means are configured to provide a guide in displacements between the main body ( 2) and the complementary body (4).

More specifically, the displacement means are configured for linear or rectilinear displacements of the complementary body (4) and the main body (2) with respect to each other.

Accordingly, the present unit is movable and available docked, for example on one edge of the table, on the armrest of the chair, etc. That is, the present unit is adaptable to different thicknesses or thicknesses of elements for its placement, providing contact through the complementary body (4) and the main body (2) in the same proportion regardless of the thickness of the elements, for example, of furniture (M).

The complementary body (4) has a support element (4 '), which is arranged on an upper face of the complementary body (4). Accordingly, said support element (4 ') is arranged to act as a contact element, for example, with the furniture (M) on the part of the complementary body (4). Preferably, the support element (4 ') is arranged adhered to said upper face to ensure its fixed arrangement. Likewise, said support element (4 ') comprises a non-slip material so that it contributes to a fixed arrangement in the corresponding furniture (M), thus avoiding slipping once the coupled unit is arranged.

Likewise, preferably, the main body (2) has a support part (2 ’) similar to the support element (4’) of the complementary body (4) to act with the same objective and perform the same functions. The support part (2 ’) is located on a lower face of the main body (2), this face of the main body (2) being arranged facing the upper face of the complementary body (4).

Preferably, the support part (2 ’) is arranged adhered to said lower face to ensure its fixed arrangement. Likewise, said support part (2 ’) comprises a non-slip material so that it contributes to a fixed arrangement in the corresponding furniture (M), thus avoiding slipping once the coupled unit is arranged.

The displacement means are therefore configured for linear or rectilinear displacements of the complementary body (4) and the main body (2) such that the support element (4 ') and the support part (2'), and / or the upper face of the complementary body (4) and the lower face of the main body (2), are displaceable with each other and at all times remain displacement according to a parallel arrangement with each other. This allows an equal contact through the support element (4 ’) and the support part (2’) in the corresponding element, regardless of its thickness.

Said displacement means comprise a guiding element (5) with a fixed end (5.1) fixedly attached preferably to the complementary body (4) and a free end (5.2) preferably movably or movably attached to the main body (2) . In this way, a volume of the main body (2) due, for example, to house the intakes (1), is usable to define a longitudinal path of the free end (5.2).

Thus, the main body (2) and the complementary body (4) are approximatable to each other until a contact between them, the free end (5.2) being movable by the main body (2). Furthermore, also in this way, the main body (2) and the complementary body (4) are removable from each other until a contact of the free end (5.2) in the main body (2) so that it is prevented from continuing to move externally with regarding said main body (2), that is, so that it is prevented from leaving said main body (2) by its lower face, the possibility of physically separating the main body (2) and the complementary body (4) from each other being canceled or blocked .

In this way, regarding this aspect, the complementary body (4) is free when it comes to being defined in terms of size and geometry. Additionally, this makes it possible to avoid the provision of the free end (5.2) protruding from the unit as an inconvenient and / or dangerous protrusion.

The guide element (5) has a longitudinal extension from the fixed end (5.1), so that it at least determines the separation distance established between the main body (2) and the complementary body (4), and therefore of a hole for fitting or coupling of the corresponding furniture (M).

Additionally, the displacement means comprise surfaces (6), of irregular geometry. These surfaces (6) are located both in the main body (2) and in the guide element (5), those of the main body (2) and those of the guide element (5) being complementary to each other to provide a guide.

The surfaces (6) are located on at least one lateral face, and preferably two, of the guide element (5), as shown in Figure 7, both being preferably opposite each other. In turn, the main body (2) has an insertion hole for the guide element (5) with at least one edge, and preferably two, for locating another of the surfaces (6). Said insertion hole for the guide element (5) is located on the locating face of the support part (2 '). Accordingly, said surfaces (6) are complementary to each other and are located in the present unit, and more specifically in the main body (2) and in the guide element (5), coincidentally to carry out the guide in linear or rectilinear displacements of the main body (2) and the complementary body (4) with respect to each other.

The wiring (3), which starts from the main body (2), extends to the complementary body (4) being arranged inside the displacement means, and more specifically, the guide element (5). The guide element (5), and optionally also the main body (2), has a longitudinal through opening (5.3) for the passage of the wiring from the electrical power and / or data sockets (1) to the control element. guided (5). In this way, the wiring (3) is hidden from view and free to establish unwanted hooks.

The wiring (3) is additionally arranged by the complementary body (4) so that it can appear on a lower face, opposite the upper face for locating the support element (4.1).

Said lower face of the complementary body (4) has a duct (7), as a recess, to house the wiring (3), which in turn has an open end (8). The canalization (7) is located on the underside of the complementary body (4). Also, the duct (7) is longitudinally open for the introduction and removal of the wiring (3). This pipeline (7) is represented and indicated in Figures 5 and 6.

Preferably, the open end (8) and the displacement means, and more specifically the guide element (5), are arranged in correspondence with, or according to, opposite ends or sides of the complementary body (4). This aspect is appreciable for example in Figures 1, 2 and 7.

Thus, the present unit makes it possible to arrange the wiring (3) that extends from the open end (8) attacked towards the furniture (M) of arrangement of the unit, contributing to its concealment or unnoticed passage, at the same time as hindering an unwanted and bumpy interaction with it.

The present unit additionally comprises fixing means (9), shown in Figure 3, arranged to removably establish the separation distance between the main body (2) and the complementary body (4). Furthermore, said fixing means (9) are configured to carry out said establishment automatically, that is, without requiring an additional actuation of any other element, part or component.

Preferably, the fixing means (9) are an elastically deformable element arranged generating a force that tends to bring the complementary body (4) and the main body (2) closer to each other. Accordingly, the fixing means (9) is a tension spring.

In this way, the main body (2) and the complementary body (4) are separable between yes by transmitting to them a separating force that overcomes the force of the fixing means (9). Once a distance has been reached that allows the furniture (M) or a portion of the furniture (M) to be received for arrangement between the main body (2) and the complementary body (4), according to, for example, the one shown in Figure 1, the present unit is placeable so that, by letting the fixing means (9) bring the said bodies (2, 4) closer together, it remains coupled to the furniture (M), as can be seen in figure 2.

In the described coupling arrangement, the unit is exerting a compression, through the aforementioned bodies (2, 4), on the furniture (M) as a result of the force exerted by the fixing means (9) so that it remains Stably and safely arranged according to the corresponding separation distance.

The present electrical and / or data supply unit comprises blocking means to prevent the separation distance established between the main body (2) and the complementary body (4) from being varied.

The locking means comprise locking elements (10) arranged to exert a pressure or compression on the wiring (3) so that it is prevented from varying the separation distance established between the main body (2) and the complementary body (4). Said interlocking elements (10) are located in the pipe (7). Accordingly, and preferably, said interlocking elements (10) are configured as ribs to partially interlock in the wiring (3), which is externally flexible.

Thus, when the separation distance between the main body (2) and the complementary body (4) is established, the portable power supply and / or data unit being coupled to the corresponding furniture (M), the wiring (3) is It can be housed in the pipeline (7) for its immobilization through the aforementioned interlocking elements (10).

In this way, with the power supply unit arranged in the corresponding furniture (M) and with a plug or male connector of an electrical or electronic device connected to one of the sockets (1), the locking means prevent a variation in the distance of separation between the main body (2) and the complementary body (4) defined by the furniture (M), for example, by disconnecting the male plug or connector from the corresponding socket (1).

That is to say, the locking means are configured in such a way that they prevent a displacement of the wiring (3) through the ductwork (7) by the tightening exercisable by the locking elements (10) in said wiring (3). Thus, an increase in the separation distance between said bodies (2, 4) is mainly prevented, but also a reduction in said separation distance.

The present unit additionally comprises a clamping element (11) to wrap and keep the wiring (3) collected. The clamping element (11) is arranged in correspondence with the underside of the complementary body (4). Said clamping element (11) is indicated for example in figure 5. Likewise, preferably the clamping element (11) is configured as a strip, tape or sheet, having properties that give it flexibility to be elastically deformed.

The clamping element (11) is preferably made of a material selected so that, according to the wiring (3), it has a coefficient of sliding friction between 0.3 and 0.8; more preferably between 0.4 and 0.7; and, even more preferably between 0.5 and 0.6.

The complementary body (4), on said lower face, preferably includes a fixing point (11.1) of a fixed end of the clamping element (11). Likewise, the complementary body (4) includes a pin (11.2) to insert a free end of the clamping element (11) and transmit a tension to said clamping element (11) so that it can perform a clamping, as for example in the wiring (3).

In this way, as part of the wiring (3) that appears or protrudes through the complementary body (4) housed in the ductwork (7) and the rest wrapped and kept collected by tightening, the present unit is very compact, minimizing the space that occupies when found unused.

Additionally, said traction to the clamping element (11) is achievable with the wiring (3) housed and retained in the duct (7) so as to contribute to maintaining the wiring (3) housed in said duct.

Claims

1.- Portable electrical and / or data supply unit for arrangement in furniture, comprising:

- at least one socket (1) for power or data; and

- a main body (2) for locating the at least one intake (1);

characterized by additionally comprising:

- a complementary body (4) displaceably with respect to the main body (2), the complementary body (4) having an upper face and a lower face;

- displacement means to provide a displacement of the main body (2) and the complementary body (4) with each other; and

- fixing means (9) arranged to removably establish a separation distance between the main body (2) and the complementary body (4);

such that the main body (2) and the complementary body (4) are jointly displaceable and available for a coupling of the unit in a furniture element (M) in a removable way.

2. Feeding unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the displacement means are configured so that the main body (2) and the complementary body (4) are displaceable according to a rectilinear path.

3. Feeding unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the displacement means comprise a guiding element (5) with a fixed end (5.1) fixedly attached to one of the bodies (2, 4) and with another free end (5.2) attached to the other of the bodies (4, 2) with displacement capacity.

4 - Supply unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the guiding element (5) is fixed to the complementary body (4).

5. Feeding unit according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the guiding element (5) is partially movable inside the main body (2).

6. Feeding unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing means (9) are an elastically deformable element arranged to bring the complementary body (4) and the main body (2) closer to each other.

7. Feeding unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing means (9) are a tension spring.

8. Power supply unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a wiring (3) that extends from the main body (2) and through the displacement means to the complementary body (4).

9. Power supply unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the complementary body (4) has a duct (7) on the underside to house the wiring (3), the duct (7) having an open end (8) .

10. Power supply unit according to claim 9, characterized in that the ductwork (7) is longitudinally open for the introduction and removal of the wiring (3).

11. Feeding unit according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the displacement means and the open end (8) are arranged in the complementary body (4) according to opposite ends.

12. Power supply unit according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that it additionally comprises interlocking elements (10) arranged to exert pressure on the wiring (3) so that it is prevented from varying the established separation distance.

13. Power supply unit according to claim 12, characterized in that the interlocking elements (10) are located in the ductwork (7).

14. Power supply unit according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that it additionally comprises a clamping element (11) to wrap and keep the wiring (3) collected.

15. Feeding unit according to claim 14, characterized in that the clamping element (11) is arranged in correspondence with the lower face of the complementary body (4).