WIRELESS CONNECTOR NODE AND SYSTEM

• US 20140265634A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: WEBER, Ronald Martin, JACKSON, Stephen Mark
• Granted Patent: US 9,449,499 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/117
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/70 with built-in switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/18 via data-bus transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/183 using digital addressable lighting interface [DALI] communication protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/185 via power line carrier transmission

Abstract

A connectorized wireless node used to distribute power and control devices in a system. The connectorized wireless node includes a housing, power control circuitry and wireless control circuitry. The power control circuitry is provided in the housing and distributes power to the devices. The wireless control circuitry is provided in the housing and receives wireless signals which contain control information. The wireless control circuitry cooperates with the power control circuitry to control the devices within a system.

Claims

1. A connector used to distribute power, the connector comprising:

an antenna for receiving wireless signals which contain control information;

a controller to process the control information;

one or more electrical switching devices controlled by the controller, the one or more electrical switching devices controlling the power distribution to a device electrically connected thereto.

2. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein mating projections are provided on the connector, the mating projections cooperate with mating connectors of a wiring system to allow the connector to be plugged into the wiring system.

3. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein control information received by the connector is generated by sensors which included in a wiring system.

4. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the connector has a housing with side walls, end walls, a bottom wall and a top wall, the top wall is removably attached to the side walls and end walls to expose the controller and the one or more electrical switching devices provided in the recess.

5. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the controller stores information related to its unique installation of the connector.

6. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein a microcontroller is provided to control devices electrically connected to the connector.

7. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein a digital addressable lighting interface is provided to control devices electrically connected to the connector.

8. A connectorized wireless node used to distribute power and control devices in a power distribution system, the connectorized wireless node comprising:

a housing;

power control circuitry provided in the housing, the power control circuitry distributes power to the devices;

wireless control circuitry provided in the housing, the wireless control circuitry receives wireless signals which contain control information, the wireless control circuitry cooperating with the power control circuitry to control the devices.

9. The connectorized wireless node as recited in claim 8, wherein one or more electrical switching devices are provided to control the power distribution to a device electrically connected thereto, the one or more relays controlled by the wireless control circuitry.

10. The connectorized wireless node as recited in claim 8, wherein the wireless control circuitry includes an antenna for receiving wireless signals which contain control information.

11. The connectorized wireless node as recited in claim 8, wherein the wireless control circuitry includes a RF signal generator, the RF signal generator sends wireless signals which contains information.

12. The connectorized wireless node as recited in claim 8, wherein the wireless control circuitry stores information related to its unique installation of the connector.

13. The connectorized wireless node as recited in claim 8, wherein the connectorized wireless node has a housing with side walls, end walls, a bottom wall and a top wall, the top wall is removably attached to the side walls and end walls to expose a recess, the wireless control circuitry and the power control circuitry provided in the recess.

14. The connectorized wireless node as recited in claim 13, wherein mating projections are provided on the connectorized wireless node, the mating projections cooperate with mating connectors of a wiring system to allow the connectorized wireless node to be plugged into the wiring system.

15. A power distribution system comprising:

a power distribution panel;

wires extending from the power distribution panel to provide power to various devices;

connectors for distributing the power, each connector comprising;

an antenna for receiving wireless signals which contain control information;

a controller to process the control information;

one or more electrical switching devices controlled by the controller, the one or more electrical switching devices controlling the power distribution to a device electrically connected thereto.

16. The power distribution system as recited in claim 15, wherein at least one sensor is electrically connected to a respective connector.

17. The power distribution system as recited in claim 15, wherein the connector receives a radio signal containing control information which is used to control one or more electrical switching devices of the connector and the power distribution within the system.

18. The power distribution system as recited in claim 15, wherein the connectors include one or more splitter, the one or more splitter controlling one or more devices electrically connected to the power distribution system.

19. The power distribution system as recited in claim 15, wherein a network controller is provided to send wireless signals to the connectors.

20. The power distribution system as recited in claim 19, wherein the connector has a RF signal generator, the RF signal generator sends wireless signals to the network controller.