Switch-Box

Abstract

Switch box (1) for uninterruptible power supply in crisis areas, wherein the switch box (1) has at least one connection (2) to a primary power source, a connection (3) for at least one secondary power source, at least one electrical plug connection (4) for supplying terminal devices with electrical power, a load protection switch (5) for securing the switch box (1), and a control unit which switches the power supply of the terminal devices to the at least one secondary power source in the event of a failure of the primary power source, characterized in that the switch box (1) can also be operated by fossil fuels, chemical accumulators and / or solar energy for power supply by the secondary power source.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a switch box for uninterruptible power supply in crisis areas. Such switch boxes typically have a connection to a primary power source, a connection for at least one secondary power source, and at least one electrical connector for supplying power to end devices. Furthermore, such electrical devices generally include circuit breakers for protecting the switch box and a control unit that switches the power supply to the end devices to the at least one secondary power source in the event of a primary power source failure.

[0002] Such switch boxes are well-known. For example, GB 2593048 describes an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) circuit for hazardous environments. This UPS system has an IP56 protection rating, appropriate for its location, and the batteries used in the circuit are replaceable. US 7781913 proposes a UPS circuit with a solar panel as backup power. IN201405863 discloses combining a UPS circuit with lighting for the UPS system. EP3480914 describes a UPS system where the energy storage unit, serving as the UPS's secondary power source, can be multi-part, and the different components of the secondary power source can be based on different technologies (e.g., different battery types).

[0003] A disadvantage of the switch boxes known so far is that the secondary power source is usually integrated into the switch box, making it less flexible in its application. Even if the secondary power source is designed to be replaceable, it is generally replaced with a power source of the same type.

[0004] The object of the present invention was therefore to provide a switch-box that can be operated by a plurality of secondary power sources, wherein these secondary power sources are not part of the switch-box.

[0005] The problem is solved by a switch box with the features of claim 1.

[0006] The switch box according to the invention for uninterruptible power supply in crisis areas has at least one connection to a primary power source, one connection for at least one secondary power source, and at least one electrical connector for supplying end devices with electrical power. Furthermore, the switch box has a load protection switch for protecting the switch box and a control unit that, in the event of a failure of the primary power source, switches the power supply to the end devices to the at least one secondary power source. The control unit can preferably also control the secondary power source and initiate the power supply. The switch box according to the invention can use fossil fuels, chemical accumulators, and / or solar energy as secondary power sources.Consequently, the switch-box according to the invention is suitable for operation with fossil fuels, chemical accumulators and / or solar energy as a secondary power source. Preferably, the switch-box can be operated by all of the aforementioned secondary power sources.

[0007] This allows for the advantageous provision of a power supply switch box that can be adapted to the specific conditions on site (for example, the secondary power sources available locally). Particularly in disaster relief, the provision of a universally applicable switch box can be beneficial due to the varying operational conditions on site.

[0008] In one embodiment, the load protection switch has a 6-amp fuse, or the load protection switch itself is a 6-amp fuse, and preferably a power source with an energy capacity in the range of 100 to 800 Wh, preferably 150 to 600 Wh, preferably 200 to 400 Wh, is selected as the secondary power source. The relatively low amperage ensures that only devices with low power consumption (maximum 1000 to 1380 watts) can be connected. Such devices would be, for example, lighting systems for illuminating a single tent. Due to the fuse used in combination with a low-capacity secondary power source, the switch box is specifically designed for applications with occasional, short-term interruptions of the primary power source.For this specific application, smaller secondary power sources (lower capacities) must be used, which can be quickly recharged without the constant charging and discharging cycles reducing the number of charge cycles or the capacity of the secondary power source. To prevent damage to this special box from excessive loads, it is protected against overload by an appropriate fuse.

[0009] In one embodiment, the switch-box includes a rectifier for converting alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) and / or an inverter for converting DC to AC. In a preferred embodiment, the secondary power source can be charged by the primary power source of the switch-box. A rectifier that converts AC to DC allows a battery to be charged as a secondary power source within the switch-box by the primary power source when the primary power source is in operation. In one embodiment, the switch-box includes at least one indicator device for displaying the power source used for the terminal devices during operation (primary power source, secondary power source supplying power). Preferably, the switch-box includes a control indicator that displays the charge status of the at least one secondary power source and / or its remaining operating time.Preferably, the display also indicates how long it will take to charge the battery to 100%. An integrated DC-to-AC inverter allows the switch box to be operated with secondary power sources that only supply DC and do not themselves have an inverter. This makes the switch box more adaptable to different secondary power sources.

[0010] In another embodiment, the switch box features connectors that meet at least protection class IP68 according to DIN EN 60529. Preferably, all connectors meet protection class IP68 according to DIN EN 60529. The IP68 protection class allows the connectors to withstand weather conditions during outdoor use, such as immersion at considerable depths, high-pressure water jets, or aggressive cleaning agents. This makes the switch box particularly suitable for use in crisis areas with often difficult hygienic conditions and challenging weather conditions.

[0011] In another embodiment of the switch box, the control unit is housed in an enclosure with at least an IP58 protection rating according to DIN EN 60529. This provides the control unit with a high level of protection against the ingress of foreign objects and ensures reliable waterproofing. This also makes the switch box particularly suitable for use in crisis areas. In a further embodiment of the switch box, the control unit is housed in an enclosure with at least an IP68 protection rating according to DIN EN 60529.

[0012] Preferably, the switch-box can be powered by a secondary power source, which may be a power bank, a solar panel, and / or one or more batteries. The switch-box can therefore be adapted to multiple secondary power sources and is advantageously not limited to a single type. It is also advantageous that the switch-box itself does not have a secondary power source, so that the switch-box does not need to be disposed of if the secondary power source fails. Especially in crisis zones, there can be very different options for recharging secondary power sources, depending on the specific situation. With a switch-box that has a fixed secondary power source, the switch-box is limited to a deployment location where recharging is possible.

[0013] In one embodiment of the switch-box, the switch-box can be connected to a plurality of secondary power sources, which differ in type. For example, the switch-box can be simultaneously connected to both a battery pack and a solar panel as secondary power sources. In this embodiment, the switch-box preferably has further control mechanisms by which the operation of the different secondary power sources can be controlled. For example, such a control mechanism can be used to specify a priority for which secondary power source should preferably be used. Furthermore, the control mechanism can continuously check whether the selected secondary power source still has sufficient power available and switch from the first secondary power source to the second secondary power source (or vice versa) in a timely manner.In such a switch box, the various secondary power sources can preferably charge each other.

[0014] In one embodiment, the switch box can be operated with a secondary power source, which is / are one or more AGM batteries, GEL batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and / or lithium iron phosphate batteries. These battery types are readily available, globally distributed, and also offer a high number of charge cycles without significant capacity loss.

[0015] In one embodiment, the switch box can be operated with diesel and / or gasoline generators as a secondary power source for emergency power systems.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the switch box can be operated with both the aforementioned batteries and the aforementioned emergency power systems.

[0017] The invention is described below with reference to a single figure, which, however, only represents one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 switch box with corresponding connectors

[0018] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a photograph of an embodiment of a switch box 1. The switch box 1 has three connectors 4, which are protected against liquids, dirt, and mechanical stress by corresponding caps. End devices can be connected to the connectors. In addition to the connectors 4, the switch box 1 also has a load protection switch 5, which includes a 6-amp fuse. Two connectors with cables form a connection 2 for a primary power source and a connection 3 for a secondary power source. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] GB 2593048

[0002] US 7781913

[0002] EP 3480914

[0002]

Claims

[1] Switch-box (1) for uninterruptible power supply in crisis areas, wherein the switch-box (1) has at least one connection (2) to a primary power source, one connection (3) for at least one secondary power source, at least one electrical connector (4) for supplying electrical power to terminal devices, a load protection switch (5) for protecting the switch-box (1), and a control unit which, in the event of a failure of the primary power source, switches the power supply to the terminal devices to the at least one secondary power source, characterized by , that the switch-box (1) can also be powered by fossil fuels, chemical accumulators and / or solar energy via the secondary power source. [2] Switch-box (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the load protection switch (5) has a 6 Ampere fuse and / or the switch box (1) has a rectifier for converting alternating current to direct current and / or an inverter for converting direct current to alternating current. [3] Switch-box (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that all electrical connectors (4) have at least protection class IP68 according to DIN EN 60529. [4] Switch-box (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the control unit is provided in an enclosure with a protection class of at least IP58 according to DIN EN 60529. [5] Switch-box (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the switch box (1) can be used with a secondary power source which is a power bank, a solar panel and / or one or more batteries. [6] Switch-box (1) according to claim 5, characterized by, that for the switch box (1) as a secondary power source, one or more AGM batteries, GEL batteries, lithium-ion and / or lithium iron phosphate batteries can be used. [7] Switch-box (1) according to claim 1, wherein diesel and / or gasoline generators can be used as backup power systems for the switch-box as a secondary power source. [8] Switch-box (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the switch box (1) has at least two display devices for indicating the power sources used for the terminal devices during operation. [9] Switch-box (1) according to claim 1, wherein the switch-box (1) has a control indicator that can display the charging status of the at least one secondary power source. [10] Switch-box (1) according to claim 1, wherein the secondary power source can be charged via the switch-box (1) by the primary power source.

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