Power distribution system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11450998-B2
Application number	US-202017126477-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 18, 2020
Priority date	Jun 11, 2018
Publication date	Sep 20, 2022
Grant date	Sep 20, 2022

Abstract

A power distribution system includes a track having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends. The track defines a channel extending along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of power cables is positioned within the channel. The power distribution system further includes an electrical hub having a body coupled to the second end of the track. A plurality of wafers is supported by the body and stacked on top of each other to define a set of terminals. The set of terminals is electrically connected to the plurality of power cables. A power receptacle is supported by the body and electrically connected to the plurality of wafers.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A power distribution system comprising:
a track having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends, the track defining a channel extending along the longitudinal axis;
a plurality of power cables positioned within the channel;
an electrical hub including
a body coupled to the second end of the track,
a plurality of wafers supported by the body and stacked on top of each other to define a set of terminals, the set of terminals electrically connected to the plurality of power cables, and
a power receptacle supported by the body and electrically connected to the plurality of wafers; and

a plug electrically connected to the plurality of power cables and having a plurality of projections and a plurality of contacts, each contact positioned within an associated projection of the plurality of projections, and wherein the plurality of projections is insertable into the set of terminals to electrically connect the plurality of contacts to the set of terminals.

2. The power distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wafers is stacked in a vertical direction.

3. The power distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wafers includes four wafers.

4. The power distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the set of terminals includes a ground terminal, a hot terminal, and a neutral terminal.

5. The power distribution system of claim 1 , wherein a monolithic electrode is positioned between each pair of adjacent wafers of the plurality of wafers.

6. The power distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical hub includes a housing coupled to the body, the housing enclosing the plurality of wafers and partially enclosing the power receptacle.

7. The power distribution system of claim 6 , wherein the housing includes a plurality of housing members, and wherein at least one of the housing members is formed from one piece and configured to seal the electrical hub.

8. The power distribution system of claim 6 , wherein the electrical hub is configured to be supported on a surface covered by a material, wherein a portion of the body is positioned within a cut out of the material, and wherein the cut out has a width smaller than a width of the housing such that the housing forms an overhang above the material.

9. The power distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical hub includes a plurality of power receptacles supported by the body.

10. The power distribution system of claim 9 , wherein the electrical hub includes three power receptacles each circumferentially spaced apart by 120 degrees.

11. The power distribution system of claim 1 , wherein the track is a first track and the set of terminals is a set of input terminals, wherein the plurality of wafers defines a set of output terminals, and further comprising:
a second track having a third end coupled to the body of the electrical hub, a fourth end opposite the third end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the third and fourth ends, the second track defining a channel; and
a second plurality of power cables positioned within the channel of the second track, the second plurality of power cables electrically connected to the set of output terminals.

12. The power distribution system of claim 11 , wherein the set of output terminals is a first set of output terminals, the plurality of wafers defines a second set of output terminals, and further comprising:
a third track having a fifth end coupled to the body of the electrical hub, a sixth end opposite the fifth end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the fifth and sixth ends, the third track defining a channel; and
a third plurality of power cables positioned within the channel of the third track, the third plurality of power cables electrically connected to the second set of output terminals.

13. The power distribution system of claim 12 , wherein the set of input terminals, the first set of output terminals, and the second set of output terminals are circumferentially spaced apart by 120 degrees.

14. The power distribution system of claim 1 , further comprising a connector assembly having the plug, a connector coupled to the second end of the track, and a flexible sleeve extending between the plug and the connector.

15. An electrical hub for use with a power distribution system, the power distribution system including a track and a plurality of power cables positioned within the track, the electrical hub comprising:
a body configured to couple to an end of the track of the power distribution system;
a plurality of wafers supported by the body and stacked on top of each other to define a set of terminals, the set of terminals configured to electrically connect to the plurality of power cables of the power distribution system;
a power receptacle supported by the body and electrically connected to the plurality of wafers; and
a housing coupled to the body, the housing enclosing the plurality of wafers and partially enclosing the power receptacle, wherein the electrical hub is configured to be supported on a surface covered by a material, wherein a portion of the body is positioned within a cut out of the material, and wherein the cut out has a width smaller than a width of the housing such that the housing forms an overhang above the material.

16. The electrical hub of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of wafers is stacked in a vertical direction.

17. The electrical hub of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of wafers includes four wafers.

18. The electrical hub of claim 15 , wherein a monolithic electrode is positioned between each pair of adjacent wafers of the plurality of wafers.

19. The electrical hub of claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of power receptacles supported by the body.

20. An electrical hub for use with a power distribution system, the power distribution system including a first track, a second track, a first plurality of power cables positioned within the first track, and a second plurality of power cables positioned within the second track, the electrical hub comprising:
a body configured to couple to an end of the first track of the power distribution system and to an end of the second track of the power distribution system;
a plurality of wafers supported by the body and stacked on top of each other to define a set of input terminals and a set of output terminals, the set of input terminals configured to electrically connect to the first plurality of power cables of the power distribution system to receive power from the first plurality of power cables, the set of output terminals configured to electrically connect to the second plurality of power cables of the power distribution system to distribute power to the second plurality of power cables;
a power receptacle supported by the body and electrically connected to the plurality of wafers; and
a housing coupled to the body, the housing enclosing the plurality of wafers and partially enclosing the power receptacle.

Assignees

• Miller Herman Inc
• Millerknoll Inc

Inventors

• Alexander Brian David
• Keyzer Peter James
• Roetman Jeffrey Dennis
• Riner Raymond Hugh
• Chapman Gordon Frank

Classifications

• H02G3/185

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• H02G3/10

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• H02G3/0493

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• H02G3/34

  using separate protective tubing · CPC title

• H01R31/065

  with built-in electric apparatus · CPC title