DC power distribution system

Abstract

A direct-current distribution system (100) comprises a panel (1), a power source (3), and a connector (2). The panel (1) has a pair of planar conductors (11, 12) arranged with a space therebetween in one direction, and a plurality of mounting portions (14) penetrating the pair of conductors (11, 12) in the one direction. The power source (3) supplies direct-current power to the pair of conductors (11, 12). The connector (2) is provided on a load (4), has a pair of electrodes (23, 24), and can be mounted to any mounting portion (14) among the plurality of mounting portions (14). The connector (2) supplies the direct-current power outputted by the power source (3) to the load (4) via the pair of electrodes (23, 24) and the pair of conductors (11, 12) while mounted to the mounting portion (14).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a DC power distribution system for supplying DC power. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting system. In this lighting system, a first power supply line and a second power supply line made of conductive wire are installed on the ceiling at a distance from each other and cross each other vertically. Lighting fixtures are installed between the first and second power supply lines, and the power supply terminals of the lighting fixtures are connected to the respective power supply lines, and the lighting fixtures are turned on by the voltage applied between the power supply lines. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-008430 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a DC power distribution system that can easily improve the degree of freedom in the mounting position of a load. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A DC power distribution system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a panel, a power supply, and a connector. The panel has a pair of planar conductors spaced apart in one direction and a plurality of mounting portions penetrating the pair of conductors in the one direction. The power supply supplies DC power to the pair of conductors. The connector is provided on a load, has a pair of electrodes, and is attachable to any of the plurality of mounting portions. When attached to the mounting portion, the connector supplies the DC power output by the power supply to the load via the pair of electrodes and the pair of conductors. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The DC power distribution system of the present invention has an advantage in that it is easy to improve the degree of freedom in the mounting position of the load. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a DC power distribution system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a method for attaching the connector according to the first embodiment to a panel. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a DC power distribution system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between a power source and a plurality of surrounding panels in a DC power distribution system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing output characteristics of a power supply in a DC power distribution system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a connector according to a first modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a connector according to a second modification. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a DC power distribution system according to a third modification. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a power supply in a DC power distribution system according to a fourth modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, step order, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0009] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, a DC power distribution system 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the DC power distribution system 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the DC power distribution system 100 includes a panel 1, a power source 3, and a connector 2.

[0011] 1, the DC power distribution system 100 includes one panel 1, one power source 3, and one connector 2, but is not limited to this. For example, the DC power distribution system 100 may include a plurality of panels 1, a plurality of power sources 3, and a plurality of connectors 2. The following description focuses on one panel 1, one power source 3, and one connector 2.

[0012] The panel 1 is generally plate-shaped and is arranged on the ceiling of a facility. For example, the panel 1 is arranged as part of the ceiling by replacing part of the components that make up the ceiling of the facility. Also, for example, the panel 1 is arranged on the ceiling by being suspended from the ceiling of the facility. Note that the panel 1 is not limited to being arranged on the ceiling of the facility, and may also be arranged as part of the floor, wall, fixtures, etc. The panel 1 has a pair of conductors 11, 12, an insulator 13, and a plurality of mounting portions 14.

[0013] The pair of conductors 11, 12 are made of a conductive material. The pair of conductors 11, 12 are planar (specifically, planar when viewed from one direction) and are arranged side by side with a gap in one direction. In the first embodiment, the "one direction" corresponds to the thickness direction of the panel 1, which is the vertical direction. Hereinafter, one of the pair of conductors 11, 12 will also be referred to as the first conductor 11, and the other conductor will also be referred to as the second conductor 12. The first conductor 11 is electrically connected to one electrode (here, the positive electrode) of a pair of electrodes on the output side of the power source 3. The second conductor 12 is electrically connected to the other electrode (here, the negative electrode) of the pair of electrodes on the output side of the power source 3.

[0014] The insulator 13 is made of an insulating material. The insulator 13 is planar (specifically, planar in a plan view from one direction) and is disposed so as to be located between the pair of conductors 11 and 12 in one direction. The insulator 13 electrically insulates the pair of conductors 11 and 12 from each other. In the first embodiment, the first conductor 11 is disposed on a first surface (the upper surface in FIG. 1) in the thickness direction (i.e., in one direction) of the insulator 13, and the second conductor 12 is disposed on a second surface (the lower surface in FIG. 1). Note that the second conductor 12 may be disposed on the first surface of the insulator 13, and the first conductor 11 may be disposed on the second surface.

[0015] The mounting portion 14 is configured with a hole that penetrates the pair of conductors 11, 12 in one direction. In the first embodiment, the mounting portion 14 is configured with a hole that is rectangular in plan view from one direction. The shape of the hole that constitutes the mounting portion 14 in plan view is not limited to rectangular, and may be other shapes, such as circular. In the first embodiment, the insulator 13 is disposed between the pair of conductors 11, 12, and therefore the mounting portion 14 is configured with a hole that penetrates the pair of conductors 11, 12 and the insulator 13 in one direction.

[0016] In the first embodiment, the multiple mounting portions 14 are arranged in a grid pattern when viewed from one direction. Therefore, the panel 1 is configured in a mesh pattern when viewed from one direction. It is sufficient that the panel 1 includes multiple mounting portions 14. Therefore, the arrangement of the multiple mounting portions 14 is not limited to the above arrangement, and other arrangements are also possible.

[0017] The power supply 3 supplies DC power to the pair of conductors 11, 12. In the first embodiment, the power supply 3 has a power converter equipped with an AC / DC converter circuit. The power supply 3 converts AC power output from a power grid into DC power and outputs the converted DC power to the pair of conductors 11, 12. Note that in the first embodiment, the power supply 3 may be any power source that outputs DC power, such as a distributed power source such as a solar cell or a storage battery, or a combination of these power sources and a power converter (for example, a power converter equipped with a DC / DC converter circuit).

[0018] The power supply 3 has a pair of electrodes on the output side, and may be disposed in any manner relative to the panel 1 as long as the pair of electrodes is electrically connected to the pair of conductors 11, 12. For example, the power supply 3 may be disposed at any one of the four corners of the panel 1 when viewed from a plane in one direction.

[0019] The power supply 3 also has a control unit 31. The control unit 31 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor or a dedicated circuit. The functions of the control unit 31 are realized by hardware such as a microcomputer or processor constituting the control unit 31 executing a computer program (software) stored in memory. The control unit 31 controls the power converter in accordance with, for example, a command value from an external controller or a command value stored in advance in memory, so that the output power (or output voltage) of the power supply 3 matches the command value.

[0020] The connector 2 is provided on the load 4 and has a pair of electrodes 23, 24 (see FIG. 2). The connector 2 is configured to be attachable to any one of a plurality of attachment portions 14. When attached to the attachment portion 14, the connector 2 supplies DC power output by the power source 3 to the load 4 via the pair of electrodes 23, 24 and the pair of conductors 11, 12.

[0021] The connector 2 may be configured integrally with the load 4 and may be in a form that cannot be removed from the load 4, or may be in a form that can be attached to and detached from the load 4. In the latter case, the connector 2 can be attached to any load 4 as long as the load 4 has a structure that allows the connector 2 to be attached. In addition, in the latter case, the connector 2 and the load 4 are electrically connected to each other using, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connector 2 has a main body 21 and a fixing portion 22. Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of a method of attaching the connector 2 according to the first embodiment to a panel 1. (a) of Figure 2 shows a state in which the main body 21 of the connector 2 is inserted into the attachment portion 14. (b) of Figure 2 shows a state in which the main body 21 of the connector 2 is inserted into the attachment portion 14 and then rotated clockwise by 90 degrees around an axis in one direction. (c) of Figure 2 shows a state in which the connector 2 is attached to the attachment portion 14.

[0023] The main body 21 is configured to be insertable into the mounting portion 14. In the first embodiment, the main body 21 is rectangular parallelepiped, and both of its width and depth dimensions are smaller than the width and depth dimensions of the hole that forms the mounting portion 14. Note that the shape of the main body 21 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped, and it may be any other shape as long as it has dimensions that allow it to be inserted into the mounting portion 14.

[0024] The fixing portion 22 is a portion for clamping the pair of conductors 11, 12 in one direction when the main body 21 is inserted into the mounting portion 14, thereby bringing the pair of electrodes 23, 24 into contact with the pair of conductors 11, 12, respectively, and fixing them.

[0025] Specifically, the fixing portion 22 has a pair of protrusions 221, 222. Hereinafter, the protrusion 221 located at the top in one direction of the pair of protrusions 221, 222 will be referred to as the first protrusion 221, and the protrusion 222 located at the bottom in one direction will be referred to as the second protrusion 222. Both the first protrusion 221 and the second protrusion 222 protrude from the side surface of the main body 21. In a plan view from one direction, the first protrusion 221 (or the second protrusion 222) and the main body 21 have dimensions that allow them to pass through the mounting portion 14 when their longitudinal directions are aligned with the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion 14 (see FIG. 2(a)). On the other hand, in a plan view from one direction, the first protrusion 221 (or the second protrusion 222) and the main body 21 have dimensions that prevent them from passing through the mounting portion 14 when their longitudinal directions intersect with the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion 14 (see FIG. 2(b)).

[0026] At least one of first protrusion 221 and second protrusion 222 is configured to be able to slide and move in one direction. In the first embodiment, first protrusion 221 is configured to slide and move by sliding a lever (not shown) provided on main body 21 in one direction. In addition, first protrusion 221 is biased by a spring (not shown) in a direction that narrows the gap between first protrusion 221 and second protrusion 222.

[0027] The first protrusion 221 is provided with one electrode 23 (hereinafter also referred to as the "first electrode 23") of the pair of electrodes 23, 24. Specifically, the first electrode 23 is attached to a surface of the first protrusion 221 (the lower surface in FIG. 2A) that faces the first conductor 11 when the main body 21 is inserted into the attachment portion 14. The second protrusion 222 is provided with the other electrode 24 (hereinafter also referred to as the "second electrode 24") of the pair of electrodes 23, 24. Specifically, the second electrode 24 is attached to a surface of the second protrusion 222 (the upper surface in FIG. 2A) that faces the second conductor 12 when the main body 21 is inserted into the attachment portion 14.

[0028] The pair of electrodes 23, 24 are electrically connected to the load 4 via wiring passing through the fixing part 22 and the inside of the main body 21. Therefore, by electrically connecting the pair of electrodes 23, 24 to the pair of conductors 11, 12 of the panel 1, power is supplied from the power source 3 to the load 4 via the pair of conductors 11, 12 and the pair of electrodes 23, 24.

[0029] Here, a method of attaching the connector 2 to the mounting portion 14 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. First, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the user inserts the connector 2 into the mounting portion 14 with the longitudinal direction of the first protrusion 221 (or the second protrusion 222) and the main body 21 aligned with the longitudinal direction of the mounting portion 14. At this time, the user inserts the connector 2 into the mounting portion 14 while maintaining the first protrusion 221 in an upwardly moved state by operating a lever provided on the connector 2. Then, the user inserts the connector 2 into the mounting portion 14 until the pair of conductors 11, 12 is fitted between the first protrusion 221 and the second protrusion 222.

[0030] Next, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the user rotates the connector 2 by a predetermined angle (here, 90 degrees) around an axis in one direction. In the example shown in FIG. 2(b), the connector 2 is rotated clockwise, but the connector 2 may also be rotated counterclockwise. The predetermined angle is not limited to 90 degrees, and may be any angle that prevents the first protrusion 221 (or the second protrusion 222) and the main body 21 of the connector 2 from passing through the attachment portion 14 after rotation.

[0031] Thereafter, the user releases the lever attached to the connector 2. Then, as shown in FIG. 2(c), the first protrusion 221, which had been moving upward against the elastic force of the spring, moves toward the second protrusion 222 in an attempt to return to its original position due to the elastic force of the spring. As a result, the first protrusion 221 and the second protrusion 222 sandwich the pair of conductors 11, 12 and the insulator 13, thereby fixing the connector 2 to the mounting portion 14. In this way, by rotating around an axis in one direction, the fixing portion 22 is movable between a first position (see FIG. 2(a)) where it is movable inside the mounting portion 14 in one direction, and a second position (see FIG. 2(c)) where it is fixed to the pair of conductors 11, 12 by sandwiching the pair of conductors 11, 12.

[0032] The load 4 is electrically connected to the pair of conductors 11, 12 of the panel 1 via the connector 2, and is driven by receiving power supplied from the power source 3. In the first embodiment, the load 4 is a lighting fixture, but it may also be, for example, a speaker, a camera, a sensor, or a USB PD (Power Delivery). In other words, the load 4 may be a device other than a lighting fixture as long as it is driven by receiving power. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the load 4 electrically connected to the pair of conductors 11, 12 is a lighting fixture, and is of one type. However, the load 4 electrically connected to the pair of conductors 11, 12 may be of multiple types. For example, a lighting fixture, a speaker, a camera, a sensor, and a USB PD may be connected to the pair of conductors 11, 12.

[0033] [advantage] The advantages of the DC power distribution system 100 according to the first embodiment will be described below, along with a comparison with a DC power distribution system of a comparative example. The DC power distribution system of the comparative example is a system that uses a linear duct rail as a power supply line. In the DC power distribution system of the comparative example, DC power is supplied to a load by attaching the load to the duct rail.

[0034] However, in the DC power distribution system of the comparative example, the duct rail serving as the power supply path is linear, which limits the installation position of the load to a straight line and limits flexibility. Furthermore, in the DC power distribution system of the comparative example, even if the load is located close to the power source, depending on the wiring conditions of the duct rail serving as the power supply path, the DC power may be supplied from the power source to the load over a distance longer than the distance between the power source and the load. Furthermore, in the DC power distribution system of the comparative example, when multiple duct rails are connected, poor contact between the conductor of one of the duct rails and the load or a break in the conductor may cause all of the duct rails to become unusable.

[0035] In contrast to this, in the DC power distribution system 100 according to the first embodiment, the panel 1, which is the power supply path, is planar, and therefore the connector 2 and the load 4 can be freely attached to any location where the attachment portion 14 is provided on the panel 1. In other words, the DC power distribution system 100 according to the first embodiment has the advantage that it is easier to improve the degree of freedom in the attachment position of the load 4 compared to the DC power distribution system of the comparative example.

[0036] Furthermore, in the DC power distribution system 100 according to the first embodiment, the pair of planar conductors 11 and 12 form the power supply path. This has the advantage that a situation does not occur in which DC power is supplied from the power source 3 to the load 4 over a distance longer than the distance between the power source 3 and the load 4, as in the DC power distribution system of the comparative example.

[0037] Moreover, in the DC power distribution system 100 according to the first embodiment, the pair of planar conductors 11, 12 constitute the power supply path, which has the advantage that poor contact is unlikely to occur between the pair of conductors 11, 12 and the pair of electrodes 23, 24 of the connector 2. Furthermore, in the DC power distribution system 100 according to the first embodiment, even if any part of the pair of conductors 11, 12 is broken or otherwise disconnected, the panel 1 can be used except for that part.

[0038] (Embodiment 2) A DC power distribution system 100A according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the DC power distribution system 100A according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the DC power distribution system 100A according to the second embodiment differs from the DC power distribution system 100 according to the first embodiment in that the DC power distribution system 100A according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of panels 1, and a power supply 3 is disposed at each of the four corners of each of the plurality of panels 1. In other words, focusing on one panel 1 out of the plurality of panels 1, a plurality of power supplies 3 are electrically connected to a pair of conductors 11, 12 of the panel 1.

[0039] Specifically, in each of the multiple power sources 3, the pair of electrodes 23, 24 of the power source 3 is electrically connected to the pair of conductors 11, 12 of each of the multiple panels 1 surrounding the power source 3. In other words, each of the multiple power sources 3 is electrically connected to the pair of conductors 11, 12 of the main panel 1A, which is the panel 1 that serves as the main power source 3A, and to the pair of conductors 11, 12 of the sub-panel 1B, which is the panel 1 that does not serve as the main power source 3A.

[0040] Here, when focusing on one panel 1, the main power source 3A is the power source 3 that supplies power to that panel 1 among the multiple power sources 3 electrically connected to the pair of conductors 11, 12 of that panel 1. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the power source 3 surrounded by a circular frame is the main power source 3A for the panel 1 surrounded by a rectangular frame. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 3, when viewed from the power source 3 surrounded by a circular frame, of the four panels 1 surrounding that power source 3, the panel 1 surrounded by a rectangular frame is the main panel 1A, and the remaining three panels 1 are sub-panels 1B.

[0041] Further, between each of the plurality of power sources 3 and the pair of conductors 11, 12 of the sub-panel 1B, a diode D1 is provided, the anode of which is electrically connected to the power source 3 and the cathode of which is electrically connected to the pair of conductors 11, 12 of the sub-panel 1B. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the connection relationship between the power source 3 and the plurality of surrounding panels 1 in a DC power distribution system 100A according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the diode D1 is not provided in the power supply path between the power source 3 and the main panel 1A (see FIG. 3). On the other hand, the power supply path between the power source 3 and the sub-panel 1B (see FIG. 3) is provided with a diode D1, the anode of which is electrically connected to the power source 3 and the cathode of which is electrically connected to the pair of conductors 11, 12 of the sub-panel 1B.

[0042] Furthermore, in the DC power distribution system 100A according to the second embodiment, each of the multiple power sources 3 is controlled by the control unit 31 so as to have the output characteristics shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the output characteristics of the power source 3 in the DC power distribution system 100A according to the second embodiment. In Fig. 5, the vertical axis represents the output voltage of the power source 3, and the horizontal axis represents the power supplied by the power source 3. Also in Fig. 5, the solid line represents the output characteristics of the main power source 3A when the focus is on one panel 1, and the dashed-dotted line represents the output characteristics of a secondary power source 3B other than the main power source 3A. Note that the difference between the output voltage shown by the solid line and the output voltage shown by the dashed-dotted line is the voltage drop across the diode D1.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, the output voltage of the power supply 3 is controlled by the control unit 31 to be a constant voltage until the power supply of the power supply 3 reaches a predetermined value (here, 50% when the rated output is 100%). On the other hand, when the power supply of the power supply 3 exceeds the predetermined value, the output voltage of the power supply 3 is controlled by the control unit 31 to gradually decrease as the power supply increases. In other words, in the DC power distribution system 100A according to the second embodiment, each of the multiple power supplies 3 has a control unit 31 that controls the output voltage to decrease when the power supply exceeds a predetermined value. The control unit 31 monitors the power supply of the power supply 3 based on, for example, a measurement result of the current flowing through the pair of conductors 11, 12 of the main panel 1A by a current sensor (not shown).

[0044] The operation of the DC power distribution system 100A according to the second embodiment will be described below. The following will focus on one panel 1, and one of the four power sources 3 at the four corners of the panel 1 will be referred to as a main power source 3A, and the remaining three power sources 3 will be referred to as sub-power sources 3B. The following will also be described assuming that the power supplied by the other power sources 3 has not reached a predetermined value.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5, the output voltage of the main power supply 3A exceeds the output voltage of the other power supplies 3 until the power supplied by the main power supply 3A reaches threshold P1. In this state, the main power supply 3A supplies power solely to the corresponding panel 1. However, as the number of loads 4 attached to the panel 1 increases, the power supplied by the main power supply 3A increases, and when the power supplied by the main power supply 3A reaches threshold P1, the output voltage of the main power supply 3A falls below the output voltage of the secondary power supply 3B. Then, the potential of the secondary power supply 3B becomes higher than the potential of the panel 1, and power begins to be supplied from the secondary power supply 3B to the panel 1 via diode D1.

[0046] As described above, in the DC power distribution system 100A according to the second embodiment, when the supply power of the main power source 3A supplying power to the panel 1 becomes greater than the threshold value P1, each of the multiple power sources 3 functions as an auxiliary power source that supplies power to the panel 1. Therefore, in the DC power distribution system 100A according to the second embodiment, the multiple power sources 3 supply power to the panel 1 while complementing each other, which has the advantage of enabling a stable supply of power to the load 4 electrically connected to the panel 1.

[0047] (Variation) Although the first and second embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described first and second embodiments. Modifications of the first and second embodiments will be listed below.

[0048] (First Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the panel 1 includes the insulator 13 sandwiched between the pair of conductors 11 and 12, but this is not limiting. For example, the panel 1 does not need to include the insulator 13. In this case, the pair of conductors 11 and 12 only need to be spaced apart enough to ensure electrical insulation.

[0049] In this case, the connector may have a configuration that replaces the insulator 13. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a connector 2A according to a first modified example. As shown in FIG. 6, the connector 2A according to the first modified example further includes an insulating portion 25. The insulating portion 25 is made of an insulating material and protrudes from the side surface of the main body 21 so as to be positioned in one direction between the pair of protrusions 221, 222. As shown in FIG. 6, when the main body 21 is inserted into the mounting portion 14, in other words, when the pair of electrodes 23, 24 are in contact with the pair of conductors 11, 12, the insulating portion 25 is inserted between the pair of conductors 11, 12 to electrically insulate the pair of conductors 11, 12.

[0050] This has the advantage that, when the connector 2A is attached to the attachment portion 14, the insulating portion 25 can prevent a short circuit between the pair of conductors 11, 12. In other words, even if the panel 1 does not have the insulator 13, the connector 2A has the advantage of making it easier to ensure electrical insulation between the pair of conductors 11, 12.

[0051] (Second Modification) In the first and second embodiments, the connector may further include a cutout portion. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a connector 2B according to a second modification. As shown in FIG. 7, the connector 2B according to the second modification includes an insulating portion 25, similar to the connector 2A according to the first modification. In the connector 2B according to the second modification, the lower surface of the first protrusion 221 and the upper surface of the insulating portion 25, which face each other, are inclined so that the distance between them decreases toward the main body 21. Similarly, the lower surface of the insulating portion 25 and the upper surface of the second protrusion 222, which face each other, are inclined so that the distance between them decreases toward the main body 21. Furthermore, the pair of protrusions 221, 222 are both formed of a material harder than the pair of conductors 11, 12. The lower surface of the first protrusion 221 and the upper surface of the second protrusion 222 form a cutout portion 26. In other words, the fixing portion 22 has the cutout portion 26.

[0052] When the connector 2B according to the second modification is rotated a predetermined angle while inserted into the mounting portion 14, the lower surface of the first protrusion 221 moves while contacting the first conductor 11, and the upper surface of the second protrusion 222 moves while contacting the second conductor 12. As a result, the surface of the first conductor 11 is scraped away by friction with the lower surface of the first protrusion 221. In addition, the surface of the second conductor 12 is scraped away by friction with the upper surface of the second protrusion 222.

[0053] As described above, in connector 2B according to the second modification, fixing portion 22 has scraping portions 26 that scrape the pair of conductors 11, 12 by friction as it moves from the first position to the second position. Therefore, in the second modification, scraping portions 26 scrape the surfaces of pair of conductors 11, 12, which has the advantage of making it easier to prevent the surfaces of pair of conductors 11, 12 from oxidizing and making poor contact between pair of conductors 11, 12 and pair of electrodes 23, 24 less likely to occur.

[0054] (Third Modification) In the above-described first and second embodiments, the connector 2 is configured to be attached to the panel 1 by rotating the connector 2 around an axis in one direction with the fixing portion 22 inserted into the mounting portion 14, but this is not limiting. For example, the connector may be configured to be attached to the panel without being rotated.

[0055] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a DC power distribution system 100B according to a third modification. Fig. 8 shows a plan view of the mounting portion 14A and the connector 2C as seen from one direction. As shown in Fig. 8, the mounting portion 14A is configured as an inverted L-shaped hole as seen from one direction. Specifically, the mounting portion 14A is configured by connecting a rectangular first hole 141 and a rectangular second hole 142 having a shorter longitudinal side than the first hole 141 as seen from one direction.

[0056] In connector 2C, when viewed from a plane in one direction, the first protrusion 221 (or the second protrusion 222) and the main body 21 have dimensions that allow them to pass through the first hole 141 of the mounting part 14A (see FIG. 8(a)). On the other hand, in connector 2C, when viewed from a plane in one direction, only the first protrusion 221 (or the second protrusion 222) has dimensions that allow them to pass through the second hole 142 of the mounting part 14A (see FIG. 8(b)).

[0057] Here, a method of attaching the connector 2C to the mounting portion 14A will be described with reference to FIG. 8. Note that the operation of the lever provided on the connector 2C is the same as in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here. First, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the user inserts the connector 2C into the first mounting hole 141 of the mounting portion 14A with the longitudinal direction of the first protrusion 221 (or the second protrusion 222) and the main body 21 aligned with the longitudinal direction of the first mounting hole 141 of the mounting portion 14A. Then, the user inserts the connector 2C into the first mounting hole 141 of the mounting portion 14A until the pair of conductors 11, 12 is fitted between the first protrusion 221 and the second protrusion 222.

[0058] 8(b), the user slides the connector 2C from the first mounting hole 141 toward the second mounting hole 142. This causes the main body 21 of the connector 2C to be inserted into the second mounting hole 142. In this state, similar to the first embodiment, the first protrusion 221 and the second protrusion 222 sandwich the pair of conductors 11, 12 and the insulator 13, thereby fixing the connector 2C to the mounting portion 14A.

[0059] (Fourth Modification) In the second embodiment, the diode D1 is used to supply power to the panel 1 from a power source 3 other than the main power source 3A, but this is not limiting. For example, each of the multiple power sources 3 may be configured to communicate with the other power source 3 different from itself, and upon receiving information indicating that the power supplied by the other power source 3 has exceeded a threshold, supply power to the panel 1 (main panel 1A) to which the other power source 3 is supplying power as the main power source 3A.

[0060] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a power source 3 in a DC power distribution system 100C according to a fourth modification. The DC power distribution system 100C according to the fourth modification differs from the DC power distribution system 100A according to the second embodiment in that, instead of including multiple diodes D1, each of the multiple power sources 3 has a communication unit 32 that communicates with another power source 3 different from itself. Furthermore, in the DC power distribution system 100C according to the fourth modification, each of the multiple power sources 3 does not have the output characteristics (see FIG. 5) as in the second embodiment. The following description focuses on one power source 3 of the multiple power sources 3. This power source 3 functions as a secondary power source 3B when the other power sources 3 function as a main power source 3A.

[0061] The communication unit 32 communicates with the communication unit 32 of another power source 3 by, for example, power line communication (PLC). Note that the communication unit 32 may communicate with the communication unit 32 of another power source 3 by wired communication other than PLC, or may communicate with the communication unit 32 of another power source 3 by wireless communication.

[0062] The communication unit 32 acquires information about the power supplied by the other power source 3, in other words, information about the power supplied by the other power source 3 as the main power source 3A. The communication unit 32 acquires information about the power supplied by the other power source 3, for example, by acquiring a measurement result of the current flowing through a pair of conductors 11, 12 of the panel 1 (main panel 1A) to which the other power source 3 supplies power as the main power source 3A.

[0063] When the supply power of the other power source 3 (main power source 3A) acquired by the communication unit 32 reaches the threshold P1, the control unit 31 controls the output voltage of the power source 3 (subsidiary power source 3B) to be greater than the output voltage of the other power source 3 (main power source 3A). As a result, power begins to be supplied from the power source 3 (subsidiary power source 3B) to the panel 1 (main panel 1A).

[0064] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention.

[0065] (summary) As described above, the DC power distribution systems 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C according to the first aspect include a panel 1, a power supply 3, and connectors 2, 2A, 2B, and 2C. The panel 1 includes a pair of planar conductors 11 and 12 spaced apart in one direction, and a plurality of mounting portions 14 and 14A that penetrate the pair of conductors 11 and 12 in one direction. The power supply 3 supplies DC power to the pair of conductors 11 and 12. The connectors 2, 2A, 2B, and 2C are provided on the load 4, have a pair of electrodes 23 and 24, and are attachable to any of the plurality of mounting portions 14 and 14A. When attached to the mounting portions 14 and 14A, the connectors 2, 2A, 2B, and 2C supply DC power output from the power supply 3 to the load 4 via the pair of electrodes 23 and 24 and the pair of conductors 11 and 12.

[0066] This has the advantage that the degree of freedom in the mounting position of the load 4 can be easily improved.

[0067] In the DC power distribution systems 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C according to the second aspect, the connectors 2, 2A, 2B, and 2C in the first aspect have a main body 21 that can be inserted into the mounting portion 14, 14A, and a fixing portion 22. With the main body 21 inserted into the mounting portion 14, 14A, the fixing portion 22 sandwiches the pair of conductors 11, 12 in one direction, thereby bringing the pair of electrodes 23, 24 into contact with and fixing the pair of conductors 11, 12.

[0068] This has the advantage that the fixing of the connectors 2, 2A, 2B, 2C to the mounting portions 14, 14A and the electrical connection of the pair of conductors 11, 12 and the pair of electrodes 23, 24 can be performed all at once.

[0069] Moreover, the DC power distribution systems 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C according to the third aspect are the same as those according to the first or second aspect, and further include a planar insulator 13. The insulator 13 is located between the pair of conductors 11 and 12 in one direction, and electrically insulates the pair of conductors 11 and 12 from each other.

[0070] This has the advantage that the insulator 13 can prevent a short circuit between the pair of conductors 11 and 12 when the connectors 2, 2B, and 2C are attached to the attachment portions 14 and 14A.

[0071] In the DC power distribution systems 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C according to the fourth aspect, the connector 2A in the second aspect further includes an insulating portion 25. The insulating portion 25 is inserted between the pair of conductors 11 and 12 to electrically insulate the pair of conductors 11 and 12 when the pair of electrodes 23 and 24 are in contact with the pair of conductors 11 and 12.

[0072] This has the advantage that the insulating portion 25 can prevent a short circuit between the pair of conductors 11, 12 when the connector 2A is attached to the attachment portions 14, 14A.

[0073] In the DC power distribution systems 100, 100A, and 100C according to the fifth aspect, in the second aspect, the fixing portion 22 is movable between a first position and a second position by rotating around an axis in one direction. The first position is a position where the fixing portion 22 is movable in one direction inside the mounting portion 14. The second position is a position where the fixing portion 22 is fixed to the pair of conductors 11 and 12 by sandwiching the pair of conductors 11 and 12.

[0074] This has the advantage that simply by rotating the connectors 2, 2A, 2B, it is possible to switch between a state in which the connectors 2, 2A, 2B can be inserted into the mounting portion 14 and a state in which the connectors 2, 2A, 2B can be fixed to the mounting portion 14, making it easy to attach the connectors 2, 2A, 2B to the mounting portion 14.

[0075] In addition, in the DC power distribution systems 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C according to the sixth aspect, the fixing portion 22 in the fifth aspect has a scraping portion 26 that scrapes the pair of conductors 11, 12 by friction as the fixing portion 22 moves from the first position to the second position.

[0076] This has the advantage that by using the scraping portion 26 to scrape the surfaces of the pair of conductors 11, 12, it becomes easier to prevent the surfaces of the pair of conductors 11, 12 from oxidizing, and poor contact between the pair of conductors 11, 12 and the pair of electrodes 23, 24 is less likely to occur.

[0077] In addition, in DC power distribution systems 100A, 100C according to a seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, a plurality of power sources 3 are electrically connected to a pair of conductors 11, 12 of a panel 1. Each of the plurality of power sources 3 supplies power to the panel 1 when the supply power of a main power source 3A supplying power to the panel 1 becomes greater than a threshold P1.

[0078] This has the advantage that, since the plurality of power sources 3 mutually complement each other when supplying power to the panel 1, power can be stably supplied to the load 4 electrically connected to the panel 1.

[0079] In a DC power distribution system 100A according to an eighth aspect, in the seventh aspect, each of the plurality of power sources 3 has a control unit 31 that controls the output voltage to decrease when the supplied power exceeds a predetermined value. Each of the plurality of power sources 3 is electrically connected to a pair of conductors 11, 12 of a main panel 1A, which is a panel 1 that serves as the main power source 3A, and to a pair of conductors 11, 12 of a sub-panel 1B, which is a panel 1 that does not serve as the main power source 3A. A diode D1 is provided between each of the plurality of power sources 3 and the pair of conductors 11, 12 of the sub-panel 1B, with the anode electrically connected to the power source 3 and the cathode electrically connected to the pair of conductors 11, 12 of the sub-panel 1B.

[0080] This has the advantage that a configuration can be realized in which a plurality of power sources 3 supply power to the panel 1 while complementing each other, with a simple configuration in which the diode D1 is provided in the power supply path.

[0081] In addition, in a DC power distribution system 100C according to a ninth aspect, in the seventh aspect, each of the plurality of power sources 3 has a communication unit 32 that communicates with other power sources 3 different from itself. The communication unit 32 acquires information related to the power supplied by the main power source 3A.

[0082] This has the advantage that each of the multiple power sources 3 grasps the power supply of the main power source 3A via the communication unit 32, thereby realizing a configuration in which the multiple power sources 3 supply power to the panel 1 while complementing each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 100, 100A, 100B, 100C DC power distribution system 1 panel 11 First conductor (conductor) 12 Second conductor (conductor) 13 Insulators 14,14A Mounting part 1A Main Panel 1B Sub-panel 2, 2A, 2B, 2C connectors 21 Main Unit 22 Fixed part 221 1st protrusion 222 Second protrusion 23 1st electrode (electrode) 24 Second electrode (electrode) 25 Insulation section 26 Shaving section 3 Power supply 31 Control Unit 32 Communications Department 3A main power 4. Load D1 Diode P1 threshold

Claims

1. a panel having a pair of planar conductors arranged at an interval in one direction and a plurality of mounting portions penetrating the pair of conductors in the one direction; a power source that supplies DC power to the pair of conductors; a connector provided to the load, having a pair of electrodes, and attachable to any one of the plurality of attachment portions; The connector supplies the DC power output from the power source to the load via the pair of electrodes and the pair of conductors when attached to the attachment portion. DC power distribution system.

2. The connector comprises: a main body that can be inserted into the mounting portion; and a fixing portion that, when the main body is inserted into the mounting portion, sandwiches the pair of conductors in the one direction, thereby bringing the pair of electrodes into contact with the pair of conductors and fixing them. The DC power distribution system according to claim 1 .

3. The antenna further includes a planar insulator positioned between the pair of conductors in the one direction and electrically insulating the pair of conductors.

3. The DC power distribution system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The connector further includes an insulating portion that is inserted between the pair of conductors to electrically insulate the pair of conductors when the pair of electrodes are in contact with the pair of conductors. The DC power distribution system according to claim 2 .

5. The fixing portion is movable between a first position where it is movable in the one direction inside the mounting portion by rotating around an axis in the one direction, and a second position where it is fixed to the pair of conductors by sandwiching the pair of conductors. The DC power distribution system according to claim 2 .

6. the fixing portion has a scraping portion that scrapes the pair of conductors by friction as the fixing portion moves from the first position to the second position.

6. The DC power distribution system according to claim 5.

7. a plurality of the power sources are electrically connected to the pair of conductors of the panel; each of the plurality of power sources supplies power to the panel when the supply power of the main power source supplying power to the panel becomes greater than a threshold value; 3. The DC power distribution system according to claim 1 or 2.

8. Each of the plurality of power sources has a control unit that controls the output voltage to decrease when the supplied power exceeds a predetermined value, each of the plurality of power sources is electrically connected to the pair of conductors of the main panel, which is the panel that serves as the main power source, and the pair of conductors of the sub-panel, which is the panel that does not serve as the main power source; a diode is provided between each of the plurality of power sources and the pair of conductors of the sub-panel, the anode of the diode being electrically connected to the power source and the cathode of the diode being electrically connected to the pair of conductors of the sub-panel; 8. The DC power distribution system according to claim 7.

9. each of the plurality of power sources has a communication unit that communicates with other power sources different from itself; the communication unit acquires information about the power supplied by the main power supply.

8. The DC power distribution system according to claim 7.

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