Mobile power distributor

Abstract

Mobile power distributor comprising at least one module (1) in which at least one electrical functional element (4) is arranged, wherein the module (1) can be plugged into other modules (1) and the power distributor is designed without a housing.

Description

[0001] Mobile power distribution units are well known. They are primarily used to distribute power to consumers temporarily connected to the power distribution units. One area of application is mobile power distribution units, which are required in event technology, e.g., at concerts, large events, trade fairs, etc. These units require power for the lighting and sound systems. At the same time, they are only a temporary device and should therefore preferably be flexible and easy to handle.

[0002] Such power distribution units are typically designed as distribution cabinets. They have a robust metal housing, at least one power inlet, often in the form of a CEE cable, and several sockets, such as CEE sockets, connected to the at least one power inlet via a distributor inside the housing. The power distribution units can be equipped with an electricity meter to record the electricity consumed.

[0003] One problem with conventional mobile power distribution units is that they usually don't provide the required connections. This means that, for example, several smaller sub-distribution units must be added. This leads to increased effort in setting up the power supply. Furthermore, the overall layout is lost, which can lead to connection errors. In the worst case, this can lead to technical problems and accidents.

[0004] The invention aims to remedy this situation. The invention is based on the object of creating a mobile power distributor that provides connection options tailored to the respective needs. According to the invention, this object is achieved with the features of claim 1.

[0005] The invention creates a mobile power distributor that provides connection options tailored to specific needs. The power distributor uses many common components that can be combined with one another. This reduces the number of required components and improves compactness.

[0006] A feed-in base is advantageously provided. The feed-in base provides power access. The feed-in base is pluggably connected to the modules.

[0007] A cover plate is preferably provided. The cover plate is also pluggable and connected to the modules and protects the power distribution unit from moisture and foreign objects. The cover plate also ensures that contact with live parts is prevented.

[0008] According to the invention, the modules are made of solid rubber. The modules are therefore protected against water penetration, which is particularly important for outdoor use, for example, on construction sites or at open-air concerts. Furthermore, the solid rubber construction provides impact protection.

[0009] Further developments and refinements of the invention are specified in the remaining subclaims. An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and described in detail below. They show: Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a power distributor according to the invention with modules, feed-in base and end cover; Fig. 2 the view of a contact strip; Fig. 3 the side view of a contact strip in the form of a pin part; Fig. 4 the side view of a contact strip in the form of a socket part.

[0010] The mobile power distributor selected as an exemplary embodiment comprises three modules 1. In the exemplary embodiment, in addition to the modules 1, a feed-in base 2 and a cover plate 3 are provided. In a modification of the exemplary embodiment, the power distributor according to the invention can also comprise more or fewer modules 1, depending on the prevailing operating conditions. The modules 1 have a substantially cuboid shape.

[0011] The modules 1 can be plugged together. For this purpose, the modules 1 each have contact strips 5. The contact strips 5 are designed as a pin part 51 on the one hand and a socket part 52 on the other. The pin part 51 is arranged on the underside of the respective module 1, and the socket part 52 is arranged on the top of the respective module 1.

[0012] The feed-in base 2 and the end cover 3 are also pluggably connected to the modules 1. For this purpose, the feed-in base 2 is provided with a socket part 52 on its (top) side facing away from the floor. The end cover 3, on the other hand, is provided with a pin part 51 on its (bottom) side facing the floor.

[0013] The pin parts 51 and the socket parts 52 are equipped with a number of plug-in locations or devices which, on the one hand, enable the electrical connection of the contact strips 5 to one another and, on the other hand, enable the connection to electrical functional elements 4 which are arranged in the modules 1.

[0014] The electrical functional elements 4 can be conventional functional elements arranged in switch cabinets, e.g. CEE sockets, device sockets, earthed sockets, etc. In addition, consumption meters, fuses, etc. can also be installed.

[0015] The power distributor according to the invention is designed without a housing. This means that the modules 1 are not installed in a housing, e.g., made of metal, that surrounds all the modules, but rather the modules are connected to one another without a surrounding housing. Consequently, a fundamentally unlimited number of modules can be connected to one another. The previously known limitation of the number of modules in power distributors by the number of slots provided for the modules in the housing of the known power distributors is therefore no longer applicable.

[0016] When installed, the modules are arranged vertically one above the other. Contact between the modules 1 is established via contact strips 5 located on the top and bottom of the modules 1 in the form of pins 51 and sockets 52. This represents a mechanical connection between the modules 1. The feed-in base 2 and the end cover 3 are also mechanically connected to the modules 1 by contact strips 5. For reliable fastening, snap-in connections are used in the illustrated example. Alternatively, clamp-type snap fasteners can also be used.

[0017] The modules 1 are made of solid rubber. They are impact-resistant and water-resistant, making them particularly suitable for use on construction sites, in event technology, trade fair construction, etc. In the example shown, the feed-in base 2 and the end cover 3 are also made of solid rubber.

[0018] The feed base 2 has feet 21 on its underside to ensure reliable stability. For applications higher than those shown in the drawing, the feet can be wider to reduce the risk of tipping over.

[0019] The feed-in base 2 is provided with a power connection (not shown). This can be, for example, a CEE socket. Other connection types are of course possible. In a modification of the exemplary embodiment, the feed-in base 2 can also have a permanently wired connection cable, with a CEE plug located at the end facing away from the feed-in base 2.

[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the feed-in base 2 is equipped with an integrated contactor. The feed-in base 2 can also be equipped with a consumption meter, fuses, or the like. In this case, there is no need to provide these functional elements in one or more of the modules 1.

[0021] The end cover 3 has a handle 31 on its upper side to simplify handling. The pin part 51 arranged on the end cover 3 is designed such that the voltage of the power distributor can only be switched on if the end cover 3 and the adjacent module 1 are mechanically reliably connected to each other. This provides additional safety against accidents.

[0022] The power distributor according to the invention provides a significant improvement in adapting the connection options to the respective requirements. Due to the housing-free design, there is essentially no limitation on the number of connection options; rather, any number of modules 1 can be installed together. The contact strips 5 in the form of pin parts 51 and socket parts 52 installed on all components of the power distributor ensure the necessary compatibility. Furthermore, the inventive design enables tool-free assembly and disassembly of the power distributor.

[0023] Due to the existing compatibility, a wide variety of electrical functional elements 4 can be installed in the power distributor. This enables optimal adaptation to the respective purpose and location. Furthermore, it is possible to adapt the power distributor in the event of changing requirements at the site, be it by exchanging one module for another or by adding another module. This can be done easily by loosening a mechanical connection and inserting another module. Preferably, the end cover is removed and the additional module inserted. The modules or the end cover and the adjacent module can then be reconnected.

Claims

[1] Mobile power distributor comprising at least one module (1) in which at least one electrical functional element (4) is arranged, wherein the module (1) can be plugged into other modules (1) and the power distributor is designed without a housing. [2] Power distributor according to claim 1, characterized by that a feed-in base (2) is provided. [3] Power distributor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a cover plate (3) is provided. [4] Power distributor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the modules (1) are made of solid rubber. [5] Power distributor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one contact strip (5) is arranged on the modules (1), the feed-in base (2) and the end cover (3). [6] Power distributor according to claim 5, characterized by that the contact strips (5) are designed as pin parts (51) or socket parts (52).

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