An electrical connection kit and assembly for connecting a cooker to a mains power supply and a method of installing the same

Abstract

An electrical connection assembly (figure 5, 200) suitable for connecting a cooker to a mains power supply is disclosed. The electrical connection assembly comprises a safety housing 10 attached to a

Description

27 08 25 An Electrical Connection Kit and Assembly for Connecting a Cooker to a Mains Power Supply and a Method of Installing the Same Technical Field 5 The present disclosure relates to a cooker connection kit, assembly and method, particularly, but not exclusively, to a cooker connection kit with the connecting elements located on a removable cover to enable to user to connect up the cooker before replacing the removable cover onto a wall-mounted cooker connection unit. 10 Background Current trends in cooker technology have resulted in cookers with high power ratings (> 3 kW) that require their own isolated high current circuit within the house. In addition 15 to this, the same issue arises with many European cookers that are designed to run on 16 Amp plugs rather than the 13 Amp plugs that are standard in the UK. When connecting up a cooker to an isolated high current circuit, the cooker is usually hardwired into the wall-mounted connection unit. This means the cooker is provided with sufficient power over a long period of time, ensuring that no household circuit is overloaded. 20 Current products on the market require the user to hardwire the cooker directly into a wall-mounted connection unit. This wall-mounted connection unit will usually be located close to the cooker and is often in difficult locations to access. In addition to this, it is also recommended that the cable connecting the cooker to the wall-mounted connection unit is 25 as short as possible to reduce the effect of voltage drop. Because of this, it can often be very difficult to hardwire a cooker into the wall-mounted connection unit, resulting in possible safety concerns if the cooker has not been correctly connected. Furthermore, these access concerns are further augmented for people with limited mobility. 30 There is therefore a requirement for a product and method that can improve the ease at which a cooker can be connected up to the mains power supply. It is the aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages with the prior art. 27 08 25 Summary There is provided an electrical connection assembly as claimed in claim 1. 5 Optionally, the electrical connection assembly may comprise a removable front plug that is mechanically fastenable to the at least one of the back socket and the safety housing using one or more screws. Optionally, the electrical connection assembly may further comprise a removable front plug 10 that comprises a plurality of terminals, the plurality of terminals configured to electrically connect to one of a live wire, a neutral wire, and an earth wire of the cooker. Optionally, the electrical connection assembly may further comprise a back socket that comprises a plurality of terminals, the plurality of terminals configured to electrically 15 connect to one of a live wire, a neutral wire, and an earth wire of the mains power supply. Optionally, the electrical connection assembly may further comprise a removable front plug that is configured to electrically engage with the back socket using a plurality of male connectors and a plurality of female connectors, the plurality of male connectors located on 2 0 the removable front plug and the plurality of female connectors located on the back socket, and wherein each of the plurality of male connectors are configured to electrically connect to one of the plurality of terminals of the removable front plug, and wherein each of the plurality of female connectors are configured to electrically connect to one of the plurality of terminals of the back socket. 25 Optionally, the electrical connection assembly may further comprise a safety housing and a removable front plug that define an outer boundary, and wherein all the electrical components of the back socket and front plug are contained within that outer boundary once front plug has been connected with the back socket. 30 Optionally, the electrical connection assembly may further comprise a back socket that comprises a frame and a mains power supply connection unit, and wherein the mains 27 08 25 power supply connection unit is configured to be attachable to the frame, the frame being attachable to the safety housing. Optionally, the electrical connection assembly may further comprise a safety housing that 5 comprises an aperture, the aperture providing an entry point into the safety housing, and wherein the entry point allows passage of the mains power supply cables. There is further provided a method as claimed in claim 10 of using the electrical connection assembly. 10 Brief Description of Drawings Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams, in which: - 15 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a partially assembled electrical connection kit for connecting a cooker to a mains power supply; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the electrical connection kit of Figure 1 show from a 20 different orientation; Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a removable front plug and a back socket of the electrical connection kit of Figure 1; 2 5 Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a removable front plug and a back socket of the electrical connection kit of Figure 1 shown from a different orientation; Figure 5 is a perspective side view of an electrical connection assembly formed from the electrical connection kit of Figure 1; and 30 Figure 6 is a flow chart outlining a method of assembling the electrical connection kit of Figure 1. 27 08 25 Detailed Description A number of different embodiments of the disclosure are described subsequently. In order to minimise repetition, similar features of the different embodiments are numbered with a 5 common two-digit reference numeral and are differentiated by a third digit placed before the two common digits. Such features are structured similarly, operate similarly, and / or have similar functions unless otherwise indicated. To place embodiments in a suitable context, reference will firstly be made to Figure 1 which 10 shows a perspective view of a partially assembled electrical connection kit 5 for connecting a cooker (not shown) to a mains power supply 100. The electrical connection kit 5 comprises a safety housing 10 that may be fixed onto a backing wall (not shown). The safety housing 10 comprises a cavity 60 that is surrounded by four sides 15 that protrude outwardly from the backing wall. The housing 10 may already be installed in the backing 15 wall. As shown in Figure 1, the electrical connection kit 5 further comprises a back socket 20 that is electrically connected to a mains power supply 100. The back socket 20 comprises a 20 frame 70 that is configured to be fixable onto the safety housing 10. The frame allows the back socket 20 to be fixed within with cavity 60 of the safety housing 10. The back socket 20 further comprises a mains power connection unit 80 configured to relay an electrical connection between the mains power supply 100 and a cooker (not shown) such that the cooker is connected to the mains power supply 100. The mains power connection unit 80 25 is fixed onto the frame 70 such that a portion of the back socket 20 is housed within the cavity 60 of the safety housing 10. The electrical connection kit further comprises a removable front plug 3 0 that is electrically connected to a cooker power cable 190. The removable front plug 30 comprises a safety 30 cover 40. The safety cover 40 is configured to fix onto the safety housing 10 when assembling the electrical connection kit 10, such that the electrical components of the 27 08 25 electrical connection kit 10 are enclosed within a boundary created by the safety housing 10 and safety cover 40. The back socket 20 further comprises screws 90a, 90b that run through the frame 70. The 5 screws 90a, 90b are configured to screw into two threaded holes 50a, 50b attached to the sides 15 of the safety housing 10. When screwed in, the screws 90a, 90b hold the back socket 20 within the safety housing 10. In an alternative embodiment, when screwed in, the screws 90a, 90b hold the back socket 20 partially within the safety housing 10. 10 Turning now to Figure 2, there is shown a perspective view of the electrical connection kit 5 of Figure 1. The safety housing 10 comprises a wall-facing side 16 that is flush with the backing wall (not shown) once it has been fixed to it. The safety housing 10 further comprises screw holes 120a, 120b on its wall-facing side 16. The screw holes 120a, 120b provide a channel in which to screw the safety housing 10 onto the backing wall. 15 The safety housing 10 further comprises an aperture 110 on one of its sides 15. The aperture 110 provides a channel for the mains power supply 100 to connect to the back socket 20 when the back socket 20 has been fixed within the cavity 60 of the safety housing 10. 20 Turning now to Figure 3, there is shown an enlarged perspective view of the removable front plug 30 and the back socket 20 of the electrical connection kit 5. The removable front plug 30 comprises a cooker connection unit 130 fixed onto an inner surface 35 of the safety cover 40 of the removable front plug 30. The cooker connection unit 130 is electrically 25 connected to the cooker power cable 190 using a plurality of terminals 150a, 150b, 150c. Terminal 150a is configured to electrically connect to a neutral wire 155a (shown in Figure 2) of the cooker power cable 190. Terminal 150b is configured to electrically connect to an earth wire 155b (shown in Figure 2) of the cooker power cable 190. Terminal 150c is configured to electrically connect to a live wire 155c (shown in Figure 2) of the cooker 30 power cable 190. 27 08 25 The cooker connection unit 130 further comprises a plurality of male connectors 140a, 140b, 140c. Male connector 140a is electrically connected within the cooker connection unit 130 to terminal 150a. Male connector 140b is electrically connected within the cooker connection unit 130 to terminal 150b. Male connector 140c is electrically connected within 5 the cooker connection unit 130 to terminal 150c. Each of the plurality of male connectors 140a, 140b, 140c is configured to electrically connect to a plurality of female connectors 170a, 170b, 170c (shown in Figure 4) on the back socket 20. The back socket further comprises a plurality of terminals 180a, 180b, 180c. 10 Female connector 170a (shown in Figure 4) is electrically connected within the mains connection unit 80 to terminal 180a. Female connector 170b (shown in Figure 4) is electrically connected within the mains connection unit 80 to terminal 180b. Female connector 170c (shown in Figure 4) is electrically connected within the mains connection unit 80 to terminal 180c. 15 Terminal 180a is configured to electrically connect to a neutral wire 185a of the mains power supply 100. Terminal 180b is configured to electrically connect to an earth wire 185b of the mains power supply 100. Terminal 180c is configured to electrically connect to a live wire 185c of the mains power supply 100. 20 In an alternative embodiment, when the removable front plug 30 is engaged with at least one of the back socket 20 and the safety housing 10, the removable front plug 30 is electrically engaged to the mains power supply 100. 25 Turning now to Figure 4, there is shown an enlarged perspective view of the removable front plug 30 and the back socket 20 of the electrical connection kit 10. The mains power connection unit 80 ofthe back socket 20 comprises the plurality of female connectors 150a, 150b, 150c. The plurality of male connectors 140a, 140b, 140c electrically engage with the plurality of female connectors 170a, 170b, 170c through physical insertion. The connection 30 between the male connectors 140a, 140b, 140c and the female connectors 170a, 170b, 170c allows for passage of electrical power from the mains power supply to the cooker. 27 08 25 The safety cover 40 of the removable front plug 30 comprises a plurality of screws 90c, 90d configured to engage with the frame 70 of the back socket 20. The frame 70 comprises a plurality of safety cover screw holes 160a, 160b. During assembly, the screws 90c, 90d are screwed into the safety cover screw holes 160a, 160b on the frame 70. Screwing the 5 removable front plug 30 onto the back socket 20 fixes the electrical connection kit 5 closed, keeping the flow of power to the cooker constant. Turning now to Figure 5, there is shown a perspective side view of an electrical connection assembly 200 formed from the electrical connection kit 5. The electrical connection 10 assembly 200 comprises the safety housing 10, the back socket 20, and the removable front plug 30 fixedly connected to each other using the plurality of screws 90a, 90b, 90c, 90d. The electrical connection assembly 200 further comprises the mains power supply 100 electrically connected to the back socket 20 via the aperture 110 in the safety housing. 15 Furthermore, the electrical connection assembly 200 also further comprises a cooker power cable 190 electrically connected to the removable front plug 30. Turning now to Figure 6, there is shown a flow chart outlining a method of assembling the electrical connection kit 5 into the electrical connection assembly 200. In Step 600 the user 20 feeds the mains power supply cable 100 through the aperture 110 on the side of the safety housing 10. The user may then connect the neutral wire 185a, the earth wire 185b, and the live wire 185c to their respective terminals 180a, 180b, 180c on the mains power connection unit 80 of the back socket 20. 25 In Step 602 the user may fixedly attach the safety housing 10 onto the backing wall. The user may attach the safety housing 10 using a plurality of screws that are screwed into the backing wall via the screw holes 120a, 120b provided on the wall-facing side 16 of the safety housing 10. 30 In Step 604 the user may assemble the back socket 20 into the safety housing 10. The back socket 20 may be fixed to the safety housing 10 by screwing in screws 90a, 90b into the threaded holes 50a, 50b on the safety housing 10. 27 08 25 In Step 606 the user may electrically connect the cooker power cable 190 to the removable front plug 30. The user may then connect the neutral wire 155a, the earth wire 155b, and the live wire 155c to their respective terminals 150a, 150b, 150c on the cooker connection 5 unit 130 of the removable front plug 30. In Step 608 the user may electrically engage the removable front plug 30 with the back socket 20. This is done by physically engaging the male connectors 140a, 140b, 140c on the removable front plug 30 with the female connectors 170a, 170b, 170c on the back socket 10 20. In Step 610 the user may mechanically fasten the removable front plug 30 to one or more of the back socket 20 and safety housing 10 by screwing the plurality of screws 90c, 90d into their respective safety cover screw holes 160a, 160b. 15 Although particular embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed herein in detail, this has been done by way of example and for the purposes of illustration only. The aforementioned embodiments are not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the invention. 20 It is contemplated by the inventors that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An electrical connection kit for connecting a cooker to a mains power supply, the electrical connection kit comprising: a safety housing attachable to a backing wall; a back socket engageable within the safety housing, the back socket configured to be electrically connectable to the mains power supply; and aremovable front plug engageable with at least one of the back socket and the safety housing, the removable front plug configured to be electrically connectable to the cooker, wherein the removable front plug is configured to electrically engage with the back socket such that the cooker is electrically connected to the mains power supply, and wherein the removable front plug is mechanically fastenable to the at least one of the back socket and the safety housing such that the electrical connection between the mains power supply and the cooker is secured.

2. An electrical connection kit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the removable front plug is mechanically fastenable to the at least one of the back socket and the safety housing using One Or more Screws.

3. An electrical connection kit as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the removable front plug comprises a plurality of terminals, the plurality of terminals configured to electrically connect to one of a live wire, a neutral wire, and an earth wire of the oven.

4. An electrical connection Kit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the back socket comprises a plurality of terminals, the plurality of terminals configured to electrically connect to one of a live wire, a neutral wire, and an earth wire of the mains power supply.

5. An electrical connection kit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the removable front plug is configured to electrically engage with the back socket using a plurality of male connectors and a plurality of female connectors, the plurality of male connectors located on the removable front plug and the plurality of female connectors located on the back socket, and wherein each of the plurality of male connectors are configured to electrically connect to one of the plurality of terminals of the removable front plug, and wherein each of the plurality of female connectors are configured to electrically connect to one of the plurality of terminals of the back socket.

6. An electrical connection kit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the safety housing and the removable front plug define an outer boundary, and wherein all the electrical components of the electrical connection kit are contained within that outer boundary once the electrical connection kit has been assembled.

7. An electrical connection Kit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the back socket comprises a frame and a mains power supply connection unit, and wherein the mains power supply connection unit is configured to be attachable to the frame, the frame being attachable to the safety housing.

8. An electrical connection kit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the safety housing comprises an aperture, the aperture providing an entry point into the safety housing and wherein the entry point allows passage of the mains power supply cables.

9. An electrical connection assembly for connecting a cooker to a mains power supply, the electrical connection assembly comprising: a safety housing attached to a backing wall; a back socket engaged within the safety housing, the back socket being electrically connected to the mains power supply; and a removable front plug engaged with at least one of the back socket and the safety housing, the removable front plug being electrically connected to the cooker, wherein the removable front plug is electrically engaged with the back socket such that the cooker is electrically connected to the mains power supply, and wherein the removable front plug is mechanically fastened to the at least one of the back socket and the safety housing such that the electrical connection between the mains power supply and the cooker is secured.

10. A method of electrically connecting a cooker to a mains power supply, the method comprising: assembling a back socket onto a safety housing; fixing the safety housing and the back socket onto a backing wall; electrically connecting the back socket to the mains power supply; electrically connecting the cooker to a removable front plug; electrically engaging the removable front plug with the back socket; and mechanically fastening the removable front plug to the at least one of the back socket and the safety housing, wherein the final assembly is an electrical connection unit for connecting a cooker to the mains power supply.

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