Cellar wine rack power supply

Abstract

Cellar, inside which a wine cabinet is arranged, the front of the cabinet is provided with a door, the internal space of the cabinet is provided with multiple sliding wine racks, each wine rack can move between two positions, respectively, to expand outside the internal space and to retract into the internal space. Each wine rack is equipped with a plurality of bottle positions for placing a plurality of wine bottles, an electronic detection device for detecting whether a wine bottle exists in each bottle position, and an electronic display device for displaying the occupancy of each bottle position. The power supply of the electronic detection device and the electronic display device is a single centralized power supply from the wine cabinet and supplying power to two vertical conductors placed in the wall of the wine cabinet, each wine rack is electrically connected to a first connecting device that connects the flexible connecting cable to the vertical conductor. The first connecting device is arranged on the surface of the inner wall, in the same horizontal plane as the wine rack, the flexible connecting cable has sufficient length to ensure connection when the wine rack is expanded, and each wine rack is provided with a resilient device that can permanently keep the flexible connecting cable taut regardless of the position of the wine rack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally relates to wine cellars comprising wine cabinets equipped with bottle storage devices and temperature and humidity control. Bottles stored in such cabinets are kept under specific conditions, allowing for optimal preservation of each wine awaiting tasting. They replace and / or improve upon wine cellars used in the past, particularly providing significantly superior storage environment control for the basements of previously simple dwellings. These wine cabinets, preferably placed in light-proof rooms, can also utilize existing technologies to create and finely manage environments conducive to bottle storage. This invention also relates to a so-called connected cellar, which benefits from numerous technological advancements for the convenience of its owner. Background Technology

[0002] The wine cabinet has a door at the front leading to the storage space, where bottles are stored horizontally in a traditional manner. To minimize cost and space constraints, the plan is to store as many bottles as possible within the majority of the cabinet's internal volume. Within this volume, the bottles are arranged in rows on multi-tiered shelves, which must provide storage and independent access for the maximum number of bottles. For this purpose, each shelf is equipped with slots to receive multiple bottles arranged end-to-end. This multi-tiered storage method ensures both the horizontal positioning of the bottles and air circulation, resulting in a more even distribution of temperature and humidity.

[0003] The requirement to optimize the number of bottles stored obviously cannot conflict with the need for convenient and independent retrieval of each bottle; therefore, the wine racks are designed to slide. Each rack can move between two positions, extending out of the cabinet to retrieve the selected bottle and retracting back into the cabinet.

[0004] The wine cellar of this invention is equipped with electronic devices for displaying and detecting individual bottle positions, indicating which positions contain bottles and which are empty. Therefore, each wine rack must be electrically powered to operate the advanced display and detection functions of the main components. The wine cellar is powered by a single power connection, reaching a predetermined location within the wine rack, and then its electrical characteristics (current, voltage, etc.) are converted to provide the strong signals required for the operation of the various components of each wine rack. In this respect, sliding the wine racks would cause mobility issues for the power supply unit, but this must not compromise the quality of the connection.

[0005] While an "octopus-shaped" wiring system could be used, centrally connecting power to each wine rack via flexible conductor cables, this solution has several drawbacks. Providing a separate cable for each rack in this configuration means multiple cables of varying lengths within the wine cabinet. Combining all these lengths would be unsightly, costly, and their presence would prove problematic, as their spread could obstruct rack movement. Bundled construction, to avoid disorganization within the wine cabinet, typically reduces flexibility and increases the risk of users struggling to operate the racks, especially when they are pushed back into the interior. Furthermore, the specific environment of a wine cellar presents limitations in installing cables near the evaporator of the refrigeration circuit.

[0006] Finally, if the cables remain separate, and if they hang in the interior space near the wine rack, they may be more prone to breaking or premature tearing. It's worth noting that the wine rack connection cables with the longest power ends concentrate all of these disadvantages to some extent. While the risk of cables tangling with the wine rack or getting caught on bottles or other obstructions always exists, it is clearly more pronounced with longer cables. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention overcomes these multiple limitations and problems by proposing an optimized power supply solution, particularly unified cabling, regardless of the position of the wine racks within the wine cellar. The solution also optimizes the standardized length of the connecting cables and allows for very precise control over their positioning relative to the powered wine racks, regardless of the racks' position relative to the wine cabinet. Finally, the power cords are no longer visible to the user; they are managed by the system to ensure they remain neatly organized at all times, independent of the movement of the wine racks.

[0008] Therefore, according to the present invention, the power supply for the electronic detection device and the electronic display device comes from a single centralized power supply in the wine cabinet, and supplies power to two vertical conductors placed on the inner wall of the wine cabinet. Each wine rack is electrically connected to a first connecting device that connects the flexible connecting cable to the vertical conductor via a flexible connecting cable. The first connecting device is disposed on the inner wall surface at the same horizontal plane as the wine rack. Furthermore, the flexible connecting cable has sufficient length to ensure connection when the wine rack is unfolded, and each wine rack is provided with an elastic device to permanently keep the flexible connecting cable taut regardless of the position of the wine rack.

[0009] In other words, the solution proposed in this invention manages the movement of the same flexible connecting cables, performing this management so that they are continuously and permanently controlled, regardless of how the wine rack is moved. Due to the dual distribution of power, these individual flexible connecting cables, each of minimum length, are first vertical and then horizontal, and after calibration, supply power only to one wine rack located on a first connection device where the flexible connecting cables are vertically distributed with the power. This first connection device is actually distributed along one of the side walls of the wine cabinet.

[0010] According to one possibility, the elastic device can consist of an elongated elastic retractor having an end ring through which a flexible connecting cable passes. The flexible connecting cable is divided at an angle into a first portion from a first connecting device to the end ring of the elastic retractor and a second portion from the end ring to the connection point of the flexible connecting cable with the wine rack. The two portions together form a flexible connecting cable that maintains the connection when the wine rack is unfolded. The elastic retractor is fixed to the wine rack by an end opposite to the end ring.

[0011] When the wine rack unfolds, the elasticity of the retractor increases due to the pull of the flexible connecting cable at the end loop and the increased angle formed by part of the flexible connecting cable. Conversely, when the wine rack is fully retracted, this angle is very small, and the two parts become almost parallel, with one part essentially in contact with the wine rack. Since the first connecting device is located at the same height as the wine rack and the retractor is fixed to the wine rack, these parts are actually located within the space covered by the movement of the wine rack, or more precisely, within the space surrounding the horizontal wine rack between the lower and upper planes.

[0012] Preferably, the first connecting device for connecting the flexible connecting cable to the vertical conductor is located on the same horizontal plane as the vertical conductor, near a corner edge of the wine cabinet, which separates the bottom wall and side wall opposite the wine cabinet door, and the elastic tightener is fixed to the rear transverse member of the wine rack, which faces the bottom wall, near the diagonal edge.

[0013] In this configuration, the flexible connecting cable becomes invisible when the wine rack retracts because the elastic tension provided by the elastic retractor prevents it from sagging, and because it is located within the horizontal spatial footprint of the wine rack as it moves, with a portion of it located at the rear of the wine rack.

[0014] More preferably, the vertical conductor is a conductive strip placed within the side wall of the wine rack. This power supply via the conductivity of the metal strip molded into the wall greatly simplifies the power distribution of the wine rack. Each wine rack thus benefits from a continuous power supply, for example, 5V and 3A, suitable for the electronic equipment within each rack, which will be described in more detail below.

[0015] At one end of the flexible connecting cable, a first connecting device for connecting the flexible connecting cable to a vertical conductor includes, for example, a conductive screw passing through a first eyelet installed at the end of the conductor. The conductive screw protrudes from an outer casing at the first free end of the flexible connecting cable and passes through the wall of the wine cabinet along the direction of the vertical conductor with threaded holes, where it is screwed in.

[0016] According to one possible configuration of the invention, the first connection device of the flexible connection cable includes an insulating cover that covers the first eyelet and provides a fixing system for the end of the flexible connection cable, the insulating cover being fixed to the inner surface of the cabinet wall by conductive screws.

[0017] Therefore, the flexible connecting cable is secured to the insulating cover, which prevents any accidental pulling at the same level as the first eyelet for electrical connection. The solution used allows for the mechanical securing of the insulating cover and the first eyelet by conductive elements, thereby enabling the second electrical connection function. According to one possible configuration, the system for securing the flexible connecting cable to the insulating cover includes an internal protrusion of the insulating cover, including stirrups forming a resilient hanging clip on the outside of the flexible connecting cable sheath, surrounding the wires constituting the flexible connecting cable.

[0018] The flexible connecting cable is also secured to the wine rack via a second connecting device disposed on the horizontal plane of the transverse member supporting the elastic tensioner. The second connecting device on the wine rack includes, for example, a clamp fixed to the wine rack and capable of elastically clamping a second annular module mounted on the outer sheath of the flexible connecting cable. Again, this aims to avoid modifying the connection organization between the flexible connecting cable and the wine rack, which is important in the implemented mechanical logic to ensure the permanent tension of the flexible connecting cable.

[0019] In practice, flexible connecting cables may only be provided to connect the cellar power supply to the back of each wine rack, without powering the electronic functions provided on the rack. In this case, the flexible connecting cable must be slightly longer than the distance between the unfolded wine rack and the vertical conductor. According to the invention, the flexible connecting cable can then be equipped with a connector located at the second free end and near the second annular module, which mates with a connector fixed to the wine rack near the fixing clip.

[0020] Other objects and advantages of the invention will be shown in the following description of embodiments, which are given by way of indicative and non-limiting example only. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Referring to the accompanying drawings will be particularly helpful in understanding this description, in which: Figure 1 This is an exploded top view of the wine rack of the present invention, which magnifies the components that allow tension management of the flexible connecting cable.

[0022] Figure 2 This shows a front view of the flexible connection cable.

[0023] Figure 3 Top view used to illustrate the tension management function of flexible connection cables.

[0024] Figure 4 Showing a top view of the inside of the insulating cover.

[0025] Figure 5 Showing a top view of part of the side wall, where the insulating cover is located in the rear extension of the wine rack slide rail.

[0026] Figure 6 Show the same view from the opposite side, that is, from the side wall. Detailed Implementation

[0027] refer to Figure 1 The wine rack 1 typically includes two longitudinal members 2 and 3, two transverse members 4 and 5, and a central rod 6, shaped to hold wine bottles. The longitudinal members 2 and 3 are equipped with tracks 7 and 8, which are screwed to the side wall of the wine cellar cabinet (not shown) and can slide within grooves. The longitudinal member 2 also includes an internal connecting cable 9 equipped with a first connector 10a, a second connector 10b, and a third connector 10c, which can distribute continuous voltage and current to the internal circuitry providing the aforementioned electronic functions. These voltage / current signals are supplied by the wine cellar cabinet power supply. Figure 2 The flexible connecting cable 20 shown is provided to the wine rack 1.

[0028] Therefore, the first connector 10a powers the strip 11 with LEDs 12 via a printed circuit that manages it. The LEDs 12 indicate the placement of bottles on the central bar 6. The strip 11 with LEDs 12 is mounted on the front horizontal member 5 located at the front of the wine rack 1, so that the front horizontal member 5 is close to the cabinet door and visible to the user. The second connector 10b also powers the printed circuit located on the central bar 6, which manages the detector 13 that detects the presence of bottles. The third connector 10c can connect to... Figure 2 The connector 21 of the flexible connecting cable 20 is connected to the centralized power supply of the wine cellar in this invention via the third connector 10c.

[0029] Therefore, the rear lateral member 4 is the rear lateral member of the wine rack, and is thus located on the bottom wall of the wine cabinet and away from the cabinet door. The rear lateral member 4 includes two special components: an elastic tensioner 41 and a fixing clip 42 for the flexible connecting cable 20, which are capable of managing the flexible connecting cable 20 relative to the wine rack 1. Figure 1 The rest of the figure is enlarged in scale.

[0030] The elastic tensioner 41 is fixed near one end of the rear transverse member 4 by a screw passing through the second eyelet 43. The fixing clip 42 is also fixed near the other end of the rear transverse member 4 by a screw. Similarly, the two fixing points are preferably located on the same surface of the rear transverse member 4. The elastic tensioner 41 is essentially an elastic band, with its movable ends sequentially fixed on the plane of the second eyelet 43. The end of the elastic tensioner 41 without the second eyelet 43 has an end ring 44, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the flexible connecting cable 20 slides within the end ring 44. The retraction force applied to the flexible connecting cable 20 by the elastic retractor 41 is exerted precisely at this end ring 44. The elastic retractor 41 may be characterized, for example, as being composed of 50% polyester and 50% latex.

[0031] The outer sheath of the flexible connecting cable 20 has a second annular module 22 near its end connector 21, which is used to elastically clamp into the retaining clip 42 when the connector 21 is connected to the third connector 10c. This retaining clip secures the flexible connecting cable 20 to the rear transverse member 4 of the wine rack 1, a position chosen for the normal operation of the mechanical system, and further prevents any tearing that could damage the connector 21 or even the third connector 10c. Figure 3 As shown, the second annular module 22 on the outer sheath of the flexible connecting cable 20 in the retaining clip 42 is connected to the retaining clip on the lower side of the rear transverse member 4, which is not visible in the figure. The figure shows a top view from the top of the wine rack 1. Similarly, the elastic tightener 41, which is fixed to the other end of the rear transverse member 4 through the second eyelet 43, is also not visible.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, at the other end of the flexible connecting cable 20, the outer casing is interrupted to lead out a separate conductor 23, on which a first eyelet 24 is soldered. The first eyelet 24 can be secured to a vertical conductor, for example, on the side wall of a wine cabinet, by tightening the corresponding end of the flexible connecting cable 20. This securing method is achieved through an insulating cover 30 (see...). Figure 4 This is achieved by fixing the flexible connecting cable 20 to the wall with the same screws. The inner surface of the insulating cover 30 has a protrusion, which is a clip for fixing the first annular module 25. The first annular module 25 is located at the other movable end of the flexible connecting cable 20, thereby preventing any improper pulling or pressure from damaging the flexible connecting cable 20 or cutting off the electrical connection.

[0033] More precisely, within its limited internal volume, the insulating cover 30 has a stirrup 31 in which the first annular module 25 is clamped and thus securely attached. A groove 36 formed on one edge of the insulating cover 30 allows the flexible connecting cable 20 to pass over the first annular module 25 without obstructing the fixing of the insulating cover 30 to the wine cabinet wall. The insulating cover 30 also includes two holes 34, 35 for conductive screws to pass through and be fixed to the wall, the outer circumference of which is a truncated sleeve 32, 33, a portion of the inner peripheral wall of which is missing. This missing upper wall in this location allows the first eyelets 24 to be inserted perpendicularly to their axes into the truncated sleeves 32, 33, so that they are substantially coaxial with the truncated sleeves 32, 33, that is, coaxial with the fixing screw. A notch 37 is also provided for this purpose, the thickness of which is the same as the thickness of the first eyelets 24, so that when the first eyelets 24 are inserted, they cannot move from the center position of the truncated sleeves 32, 33. This ensures the connection with the screw that passes through it.

[0034] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The location and manner in which these insulating covers 30 are installed in the wine cellar of the present invention are shown. Therefore, they are installed on the extension of the slide of the wine rack 1, that is, on the continuation of the track 7, which is slidably mounted in the slider 50 fixed to the side wall. In this case, the insulating covers 30 are placed at the rear of the slide, near the edge of the corner between the side wall and the bottom wall of the wine cabinet, opposite the main entrance. Figure 5 The positions of holes 34 and 35 are shown in more detail for inserting conductive screw 38 (see [reference]). Figure 6 ), and fix the insulating cover 30 to the wall.

[0035] As in Figure 6 As can be seen, the flexible connecting cable 20 extends to the end of the insulating cover 30 and enters the interior space of the insulating cover 30 through a circular slot 36. The first annular module 25 on the outer sheath of the flexible connecting cable 20 is clamped in the stirrup 31, thus eliminating any risk of tearing. The first eyelet 24 at the end of the conductor 23 is inserted into the cut 37 (see...). Figure 4 Therefore, it is located at the center of the truncated sleeves 32 and 33, and the conductive screw 38 is fixed to the vertical conductor.

[0036] Operating method reference Figure 3It is easy to understand as follows: When the wine rack 1 is pulled outward, the flexible connecting cable 20 is stretched, the value of angle α increases, and the length of the elastic tensioner 41 in the direction of movement of the wine rack 1 increases. Therefore, the flexible connecting cable 20 provides the total length for the wine rack 1 to be pulled out to the exit stop, that is, fully extended. Once the wine rack 1 retracts into the wine cabinet volume, the elastic tensioner 41 applies a retraction force at the bend of the flexible connecting cable 20, angle α decreases, and the portion of the flexible connecting cable 20 located between the elastic tensioner 41 and the rear transverse member 4 is close to the rear transverse member. When the wine rack 1 is fully retracted, the two portions of the flexible connecting cable 20 on either side of the end ring 44 of the elastic tensioner 41 are practically parallel, almost in contact with the rear transverse member 4, and completely invisible to the user.

[0037] This solution ensures optimal power management for multiple multi-tiered wine racks 1 without hindering their movement.

[0038] The examples given above with reference to the accompanying drawings are not all or limited examples of the present invention. The present invention particularly includes variations in the form of the elastic tightener 41 and the fixing clip 42, as well as combined variations of the elastic tightener 41.

Claims

1. A wine cellar comprising a wine cabinet, the front of which has a door, and the interior space of which has multiple sliding wine racks (1), each of which can move between two positions, extending out of the interior space and retracting back into the interior space; each of which is equipped with a bottle slot for placing multiple wine bottles, an electronic detection device (13) for detecting whether a wine bottle is present in each slot, and an electronic display device (12) for displaying the occupancy status of each bottle slot, characterized in that, The power supply for the electronic detection device (13) and the electronic display device (12) is a single centralized power supply from the wine cabinet and supplies power to two vertical conductors placed inside the wine cabinet wall. Each wine rack (1) is electrically connected to a first connecting device that connects the flexible connecting cable (20) to the vertical conductor via a flexible connecting cable (20). The first connecting device is located on the inner wall surface at the same level as the wine rack (1). The flexible connecting cable (20) has sufficient length to ensure connection when the wine rack (1) is unfolded. Each wine rack (1) is provided with an elastic device that keeps the flexible connecting cable (20) permanently taut regardless of the position of the wine rack (1). The elastic device consists of an elongated elastic retractor (41) having an end ring (44) through which the flexible connecting cable (20) passes. The flexible connecting cable (20) is divided at an angle into a first part from the first connecting device to the end ring (44) of the elastic retractor (41) and a second part from the end ring (44) to the connection point of the flexible connecting cable (20) with the wine rack (1). The two parts together form a flexible connecting cable (20) so that the connection can be maintained when the wine rack (1) is unfolded. The elastic retractor (41) is fixed to the wine rack (1) by the end opposite to the end ring (44).

2. The wine cellar according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first connecting device for connecting the flexible connecting cable (20) to the vertical conductor is disposed on the same horizontal plane of the vertical conductor, near a corner edge of the wine cabinet, the corner edge separating the bottom wall and side wall opposite the wine cabinet door, the elastic tightener (41) being fixed on the rear transverse member (4) of the wine rack (1), the rear transverse member (4) facing the bottom wall, near the diagonal edge.

3. The wine cellar according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The vertical conductor is a conductive strip placed inside the side wall of the wine cabinet.

4. The wine cellar according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first connecting device for connecting the flexible connecting cable (20) to the vertical conductor includes a conductive screw (38) passing through a first eyelet (24) installed at the end of the conductor (23), the conductive screw (38) protruding from the outer casing at the first free end of the flexible connecting cable (20), the conductive screw (38) passing through the wall of the wine cabinet along the direction of the vertical conductor with threaded holes, and being screwed into it.

5. The wine cellar according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first connection device of the flexible connection cable (20) includes an insulating cover (30) covering the first eyelet (24) and providing a fixing system for the end of the flexible connection cable (20), the insulating cover (30) being fixed to the inner surface of the cabinet wall by conductive screws (38).

6. The wine cellar according to claim 5, characterized in that, The system for securing the flexible connecting cable (20) to the insulating cover includes an internal protrusion of the insulating cover (30) including stirrups (31) forming a resilient clip of a first annular module (25) on the outside of the cover of the flexible connecting cable (20) surrounding the wires forming the flexible connecting cable (20).

7. The wine cellar according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The flexible connecting cable (20) is fixed to the wine rack (1) by a second connecting device, which is disposed on the horizontal surface of the rear transverse member (4) supporting the elastic tightener (41).

8. The wine cellar according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second connecting device connected to the wine rack (1) includes a fixing clip (42) fixed on the wine rack (1), and the fixing clip (42) is capable of elastically clamping a second annular module (22) mounted on the outer cover of the flexible connecting cable (20).

9. The wine cellar according to claim 8, characterized in that, The flexible connecting cable (20) is provided with a connector (21) located at the second free end and close to the second annular module (22), which cooperates with a third connector (10c) fixed on the wine rack (1) and near the fixing clip (42).

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