Modules for interconnection of sensors, actuators and application devices

• US 20070161270A1
• Filed: 11/06/2006
• Published: 07/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Herman Miller Incorporated
• Inventors: Long, James, Insalaco, Robert
• Application Number:
  US11/593,363
• Publication Number:
  US 20070161270A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/120
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6633 with inductive component, e.g. transformer
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/16 Rails or bus-bars provided with a plurality of discrete connecting locations for counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/161 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0437 Channels
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0493 Service poles
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/34 using separate protective tubing
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/381 in ceilings
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/388 in modular walls, e.g. wall panels

Abstract

Connector modules (1000, 1200, 1200′) connect into an electrical network (530) and also connect to sensors (1310) and controlled application devices (1390). In one embodiment, low voltage DC power is provided by the connector module (1200) to an occupancy sensor (1310), and the sensor (1310) transmits state signals back to the network (530) through the connector module (1200), for controlling the application devices (1390).

Claims

1. In a distributed network for use within an interior environment for selectively energizing a plurality of controlled application devices, said distributed network comprising:

power distribution means electrically connected to a source of electrical power, for distributing said electric power throughout said network, said power distribution means comprising a plurality of connector modules electrically connectible to said source of electrical power through said power distribution means, and locatable at desired positions on said network;

communication distribution means for distributing communication signals on said network;

a first sensor capable of detecting a change in said interior environment, having at least first and second states, and electrically connected to a first one of said connector modules;

designation means for a user to designate said first sensor and a first set of said plurality of controlled application devices, said first set comprising one or more of said plurality of controlled application devices;

implementing means for executing a control relationship between said first sensor and said first set of controlled application devices, in response to said designation by said user;

said first connector module comprising means for supplying electrical power to said first sensor from said source of electrical power, and means responsive to electrical state signals received from said first sensor and indicative of said first sensor being in a particular state;

said distributed network further comprises means responsive to said state signals being received by said first connector module from said first sensor, for selectively controlling application of electrical signals to said first set of controlled application devices; and

said first sensor is electrically field wired to said first connector module.

2. A distributed network in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said first sensor and said first connector module comprise means for connecting said first sensor and said first connector module together so as to facilitate movement as a single unit.

3. A distributed network in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said first sensor and said first connector module are relocatable as a single unit to desired positions on said network.

4. A distributed network in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that:

said designation means comprises means for redesignating, after relocation, said first sensor with either said first set of said plurality of said controlled application devices, or a second set of said plurality of controlled application devices, said second set comprising one or more of said plurality of controlled application devices; and

said implementing means comprises means for reestablishing, after relocation, a controlled relationship between said relocated first sensor and said first set of controlled application devices or said second set of control application devices.

5. A distributed network in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that:

said power distribution means further comprises at least one modular section connected to said source of electrical power, and a set of modular plugs positioned at selected and spaced apart locations on said modular section; and

said first connector module is electrically connectable to individual ones of said plurality of modular plugs.

6. A distributed network in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said first connector module comprises means for permitting electrical and mechanical disconnection of said first connector module from said first sensor, and electrical and mechanical interconnection to a second sensor in the field, while still meeting all requirements of UL Standard 183.

7. An electrical distribution system for use within an interior environment for energizing a plurality of application devices, said electrical distribution system comprising power distribution means electrically connected to a source of electrical power, for distributing said electrical power within a spatial area of said interior environment, said power distribution means comprising:

at least one modular section connected to said source of electrical power, for providing access to said electrical power by said application devices;

a plurality of modular plugs mounted to said modular section and connected to said source of electrical power, said plurality of modular plugs individually positioned at selected and spaced apart locations within said spatial area;

a first connector module electrically connectable to individual ones of said plurality of modular plugs, and further electrically connectable to at least a first one of said plurality of application devices, so as to provide for an electrical connection between one of said modular plugs and said first one of said application devices, said first connector module comprising;

connector means for electrically and mechanically connecting said first connector module to said one of said modular plugs;

transformer means responsive to electrical power applied to said transformer means from said source of electrical power, for transforming said source of electrical power to low voltage DC power; and

a connector board having a first set of terminals connected to said low voltage power, said connector board accessible for field wiring;

mechanical means for mechanically connecting, in the field, said first connector module to said first application device;

a plurality of wires connected to said first application device and connectable, in the field, to said terminals of said connector board, so as to apply said low voltage power to said first application device;

said first application device comprising a sensor, responsive to changes in the environment of said spatial area for generating control signals; and

at least one wire connected to said sensor and selectively connectable, in the field, to said connector board so as to apply said control signals to said first connector module.

8. In a distributed network for use within an interior environment for distributing electrical power and for transmitting and receiving communication signals from application devices electrically connected to said network and physically located throughout said network, said distributed network comprising a plurality of connector modules for electrically connecting said application devices to said network and to a source of electrical power, at least a first one of said connector modules comprising:

a printed circuit board assembly;

cover means for physically covering certain electrical components of said printed circuit board assembly; and

a wiring compartment accessible to a user for field wiring and electrical connection of at least one of said application devices to electrical contacts coupled to said printed circuit board assembly.

9. A electrical distribution network in accordance with claim 8 characterized in that said wiring compartment, said electrical contacts and said printed circuit board assembly are sized and configured so that only said electrical contacts are accessible by a user within said wiring compartment, while remaining electrical components coupled to said printed circuit board assembly are inaccessible from said wiring compartment.

10. An electrical distribution system in accordance with claim 9 characterized in that said wiring compartment comprises an interior wiring closet formed as a spatial area within a front housing cover of said cover means and a rear housing cover of said cover means.

11. An electrical distribution system for distribution within an interior environment and for energizing a plurality of application devices from said electrical distribution system, said electrical distribution system comprising power distribution means electrically connected to a source of electrical power, for distributing said electrical power within a spatial area of said interior environment, said power distribution means comprising:

connector module means for electrically connecting one or more of said application devices to said source of electrical power;

said connector module means comprises a series of electrical power contacts electrically connectable to said source of electrical power; and

said connector module means further comprises a printed circuit board assembly and a plastic holder, said plastic holder being coupled onto said printed circuit board assembly, and said electrical power contacts being molded into said plastic holder.

12. An electrical distribution system in accordance with claim 11 characterized in that said electrical power contacts are wave soldered to said printed circuit board assembly.

13. An electrical distribution system in accordance with claim 11 characterized in that said plastic holder is snap fitted onto said printed circuit board assembly.

14. An electrical distribution system in accordance with claim 11 characterized in that said power distribution means further comprises at least one modular section connectable to said source of electrical power, for providing access to said electrical power by said application devices at selected and spaced apart positions within said spatial area.

15. An electrical distribution system in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that said connector module means comprises a plurality of connector modules electrically connectable to said at least one modular section at said selected and spaced apart positions.

16. An electrical distribution system in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that said at least one modular section comprises a plurality of modular plugs connected to said source of electrical power and connectable to individual ones of said plurality of connector modules.

17. An electrical distribution system in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that said electrical power contacts are connectable to said source of electrical power, so that a user may select among a plurality of available AC power circuits.

18. An electrical distribution system for use within an infrastructure for energizing a plurality of application devices from a source of electrical power, said system comprising power distribution means electrically connected to said source of electrical power, for distributing said electrical power within a spatial area of said infrastructure, said power distribution means comprises:

connector module means electrically connectable to said source of electrical power, and locatable within such spatial area so as to be selectively connectable with one or more of said application devices to be energized;

said connector module means comprises at least one connector module having a terminal set connectable to said source of electrical power, and a housing for said terminal set; and

said housing for said terminal set is formed as one or more components integral with one or more housing cover components of said connector module.