WO2011033321A2

WO2011033321A2 - Electrical connector

Info

Publication number: WO2011033321A2
Application number: PCT/GB2010/051638
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pawel Jan Danek
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-07-31
Filing date: 2010-09-30
Publication date: 2011-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 2012-01-31
Also published as: WO2011033321A3

Abstract

An electrical connector (10) comprises a socket for receiving an electrical device, the socket having first conductive contact (22) and second conductive contact (24) adapted to connect neutral and switched live electrical supplies respectively, and connection means (26) adapted to receive a constant live electrical supply for powering a further electrical device, the further electrical device being mounted to the electrical connector (10).

Description

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR

The present invention relates to an electrical connector. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In a room space, wiring is usually provided on the ceiling to provide live, neutral and switched live electrical supplies for powering lighting. The electrical supply to a light bulb is controlled by a light switch. Two conductive contacts are provided on a light bulb socket of a light fitting and a light bulb is fitted into the socket. When the light switch is switched on, the neutral and switched live electrical supplies provide power to the light bulb. When the light switch is switched off, power is cut off to the switched live electrical supply and therefore also to the light bulb. As well as light fittings, a room space may need other devices, such as a smoke alarm, that requires a constant supply of power. However, once the wiring of the room space is completed it can be onerous and costly to rewire to provide electricity from the mains for devices subsequently required to be installed. There are, currently on the market, battery powered smoke alarms that bypass the need to connect to the mains. However batteries of such a device require replacement from time to time. A low level battery power warming alarm can also be annoying, to the extent that it is known for some people to remove the batteries. There is therefore a risk of not maintaining the device properly because of the inconvenience involved. Furthermore, a battery operated smoke alarm can be difficult to install for someone with limited DIY knowledge and a hardwired alarm requires professional fitting. For some people it may be aesthetically unpleasing to have too many devices fixed to the walls or ceiling of the room space. Also, once fixed, re-positioning of a device may cause damage to the walls and ceilings.

It is an object of the invention to provide an electrical connector, for example, for receiving a light fitting, which substantially mitigates or reduces these problems. STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided an electrical connector comprising a socket for receiving an electrical device, the socket having first and second conductive contacts adapted to connect neutral and switched live electrical supplies respectively, and connection means adapted to receive a constant live electrical supply for powering a further electrical device, the further electrical device being mounted to the electrical connector. The electrical connector enables a constant supply and a switchable supply of power to be provided utilising existing lighting cabling. The electrical connector can provide switchable power to a conventional light fitting, such as a light bulb, which can be switched on and off with a switch, and constant power to another electrical device. The connection means of the electrical connector may be a third conductive contact adapted to connect a constant live electrical supply and may be disposed within the socket.

The first and second conductive contacts of the electrical connector are two pins and may be sprung.

The third conductive contact of the electrical connector may be a pin, a socket or a pad, and it may be sprung. It may be positioned between the first and second conductive contacts, and/or at the centre of the socket. An internal wall of the socket may also form the third conductive contact of the electrical connector or a fourth conductive contact. The different possible orientations of the third conductive contact allow a variety of electrical devices to be mounted to the electrical connector.

A plurality of contacts adapted to connect a constant live electrical feed may be provided, thus enabling more than one electrical device to be mounted to the electrical connector.

The socket of the electrical connector may be a bayonet type or a screw type socket. The socket may be any other type of suitable socket. The electrical connector may also further comprise a fitting receivable by the electrical connector, the fitting having first and second contacts connectable with the first and second contacts of the electrical connector, a third contact connectable with the third conductive contact of the electrical connector, an electrical device carried by the fitting and connected to the first and third contacts for receiving a constant supply of power, and a further socket for receiving a light bulb, the further socket having further first and second conductive contacts adapted to connect neutral and switched live electrical supplies respectively.

The fitting allows both the electrical device and a light bulb to be operated simultaneously from the same building wiring. Furthermore the light bulb can still be switched on or off using the light switch whilst the electrical device is provided with a constant supply of power.

The electrical device of the fitting may be a fire or smoke alarm. The feature of supplying constant power is particularly beneficial in this case as it allows the alarm to be switched on permanently and to adhere to building regulations. Installation of such a fitting is also relatively easy compared to installation of a conventional hardwired ceiling mounted fire or smoke alarm. Once the fitting is installed and is in working order, there is minimal maintenance because there are no batteries to replace.

As well as a fire or smoke alarm, the electrical device may include a plurality of battery powered LEDs to provide means of emergency lighting when there is a loss of mains power supply. A battery charger connected to the constant power supply may be provided for charging the batteries. The electrical device may also include a WI-FI booster to amplify wireless network signals. It may include a wireless door bell, where the device will produce an audio alert upon activation of a bell switch, for example, a push button, at the door. The electrical device may also be a baby monitor that can record and transmit sounds and images to allow parents or carers to monitor the baby remotely. A light detector may also be included in the electrical device to monitor light levels in the room space, to switch the lighting on when the room is dark and to switch the lighting off when the room has natural light. Another electrical device which may be included is a movement sensor and alert device, such as a burglar alarm, which can be active even when the lighting is switched off. When an intruder enters the room space the device detects the movements and activates the alarm which can deter the intruder and/or notifies a user. The fitting is especially advantageous in the example of the electrical device being a baby monitor or a burglar alarm as it is discretely accommodated onto a lighting fitting and is inconspicuous. The fitting may also be dismounted from the electrical connector and be re-positioned onto another with ease and requires minimum installation effort.

The first and second conductive contacts of the fitting may be sockets or pads (female contacts), and the third conductive contact may be a pin (male contacts).

Typically, a light bulb may be received in the further socket of the fitting. This provides lighting means to the room space as well as providing constant power to the electrical device carried by the fitting.

An electrical system may be provided with a ceiling rose, an electrical connector as previously described, and cable means connecting the ceiling rose to the electrical connector.

The further electrical device of the fitting may be an emergency lighting device. The emergency lighting device may include a plurality of LEDs, a battery, a battery charger, detection means for detecting loss of the constant live electrical supply, and switch means for illuminating the LEDs in response to the loss of the constant live electrical supply.

The electrical connector may be a pendant or it may be adapted for direct ceiling or wall mounting. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of an electrical connector; Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of a ceiling rose;

Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a socket of the electrical connector of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a schematic plan view of the socket of the electrical connector of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a schematic side view of a fitting receivable by the electrical connector;

Figure 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional side view of the fitting receivable by the electrical connector of Figure 5, the electrical device of the fitting being a fire or smoke alarm; Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of an electrical connector, the electrical device being an emergency lighting device in form of a plurality of LEDs; and

Figure 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of an electrical connector including a ceiling rose, the electrical connector, and cable means connecting the ceiling rose to the electrical connector. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a first embodiment of electrical connector is indicated generally at 10. The electrical connector 10 is substantially formed as a pendant light fitting, which is supported from a cable 12, which is in turn supported from a ceiling rose 14 as shown in Figure 2. The electrical connector 10 differs from existing light pendants, primarily in that it provides at least a third electrical connection for supplying a constant or continuous live power supply to a device connected to the electrical connector 10.

The electrical connector 10 includes a substantially conventional plastics housing 16 and an internal metal support structure 18. A contact support block 20 is mounted across the metal support structure 18 and carries first, second and third conductive contacts 22, 24, 26. Each conductive contact comprises an upper part 22a, 24a, 26a formed as a terminal block for receiving a wire and a contact portion 22b, 24b, 26b for making a connection with an electrical device, such as a light bulb. The terminals 22a, 24a, 26a are connected to the contacts by springs 22c, 24c, 26c respectively, which also serve to bias the contacts into contact with contacts of the electrical device. In the arrangement shown in Figure 1, the contacts 22b, 24b are conventional male or pin contacts and the contact 26b is a concave contact or socket, for receiving a pin of an electrical device. The third conductive contact is positioned substantially midway between the first and second conductive contacts 22, 24. A fourth terminal block 28 is connected to the metal support structure 18 of the electrical connector 10 and can optionally be used, for example, to receive an earth cable or further live supply, as desired. The electrical connector 10 is depicted as a bayonet type connector, but equally could be a screw type connector known as an Edison screw connector. The cable 12 is a multi-core cable, in this case, a four core cable. The first conductive contact 22 is connected to a neutral supply wire 30, the second conductive contact 24 is connected to a switched live supply wire 32, the third conductive contact 26 is connected to a constant live supply wire 34 and the fourth terminal 28 which is connected to the metal support structure 18 is connected to either an earth cable or further live supply wire 36. Referring now in particular to Figure 2, the ceiling rose 14 is substantially conventional in that it includes three terminal blocks 38, 40, 42 for connection to incoming cables. The ceiling rose 14 also includes an earth terminal block 44 and a spare terminal block 46. A first three core cable 48 is a power cable which is connected to the neutral terminal block 38, the live terminal block 40 and the earth terminal block 44. A second three core cable 50 is connected across the live terminal block 40, the switched live terminal block 42 and is also connected to the earth terminal block 44. The other end of the cable 50 is connected to a switch which controls the live feed to the switched live terminal block 42 in conventional manner. The four core cable 12 is connected with the wire 30 connected to the neutral terminal block 38, the wire 32 connected to the switched live terminal block 42, the wire 34 connected to the constantly live terminal block 40 and the wire 36 connected to the spare terminal 46. Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, if desired, a fourth conductive contact 52 can be provided on the support block 20 and may be positioned substantially anywhere convenient in the end of the electrical connector. In the arrangements shown in Figures 3 and 4, the fourth conductive contact 52 is disposed radially between the first and second conductive contacts 22, 24. It will be appreciated that the conductive contacts can either be provided as pins, sockets or any other type as desired.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, an electrical fitting for connection with the electrical connector 10 is indicated generally at 54. The fitting 54 includes an upper part 56 for connection with the conductive contacts 22, 24, 26, a lower portion 58 including a further socket for connection with a light bulb and an intermediary portion 60 including a fire or smoke alarm. Bayonet pins 62 are provided on the upper portion 56, although it will be appreciated that the fitting could equally be a screw thread depending on the fitting type of the electrical connector 10. Referring in particular to Figure 6, there are three contacts 57, 59, 61 which connect to the respective contacts 22, 24, 26 of the electrical connector 10. The contact 57 is a pad which connects with the neutral pin 22, the contact 59 is a pin which connects with the socket 26 for transferring a continuously live feed and the contact 61 is a pad which connects with the switched live pin 24. The contact 61 is connected directly to a sprung pin contact 62 of the lower socket 58. The neutral and permanently live contacts 57, 59 are connected to a fire or smoke alarm 64 disposed in the intermediary portion 60. A neutral connection is made from the alarm 64 to the neutral sprung pin contact 70 of the lower socket 58. In this way, the fire or smoke alarm 64 is provided with a constant power supply which meets, for example, current building regulations in the United Kingdom. The fire or smoke alarm 64 may be interconnected with other fire or smoke alarms within a dwelling, in order that all of the alarms may be switch on simultaneously on detection of a fire. This extra connection may be made through the bayonet pins 62 which connect to the metal support structure of the electrical connector. This connection can be connected back to the ceiling rose by means of the terminal block 28 which is connected to the metal support structure 18. It will be appreciated that the bayonet connection at the bottom of the electrical fitting 54 could equally be made by means of a screw fitting. Although the electrical fitting 54 has been described incorporating a fire or smoke alarm, it could equally be provided with another type of intermediary electrical device requiring a permanent or continuous live feed. For example, the intermediary portion 60 may include a plurality of emergency lights such as LEDs, a WI-FI booster, a wireless doorbell, a baby monitor, a light detector, or a movement sensor and alarm. It will be appreciated that although the electrical fitting 54 is intended to be used with the electrical connector 10, that in view of the conventional layout of the switched live and neutral contacts of the electrical connector, that the electrical connector can also be used with a conventional bulb. Referring now to Figure 7, an alternative embodiment of electrical connector is indicated generally at 72. The electrical connector 72 takes the general form of a light rose for connection to the ceiling. The electrical connector 72 includes a conventional bayonet or screw socket 74 for receiving a light bulb, but also includes a plurality of emergency LEDs 76 provided around the periphery of the socket 74. As in a conventional ceiling rose, the ceiling rose is provided with a neutral live and switched live supply and the switched live and neutral supplies are provided to the socket 74. A battery, battery charger detection means for detecting a loss of electrical supply and a switch means for illumination the LEDs is disposed within the electrical connector 72 and the battery charger is powered by means of the constant electrical supply. In the event that the constant electrical supply is interrupted, then this loss of power is detected and the LEDs are illuminated and powered from the battery. The battery is maintained in a topped up charge condition by means of the battery charger which takes its power from the constant live supply.

A further embodiment of the electrical connector is indicated generally at 78 in Figure 8 and is similar to the electrical connector 72 shown in Figure 7, save that the connector is provided as a pendant. It will be appreciated that the hardwired versions of the electrical connector 72, 78 shown in Figures 7 and 8 can also be provided with other devices, such as fire or smoke alarms, WI-FI boosters, wireless doorbells, baby monitors, light detectors, movement sensors and alarms and substantially any other electrical fitting which requires a permanent live supply and can be suspended, for example, from the ceiling.

The invention is particularly advantageous, because it utilises the existing wiring of domestic and commercial installations and can be retrofitted with ease. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the electrical fitting can be utilised as well as a light bulb and can be changed for a different device simply by disconnecting the fitting 54 from the electrical connector 10. It is envisaged that the invention will bring increased functionality to the home, and will also provide enhanced safety features, for example smoke alarms and fire alarms, which are hardwired without the need for remedial works to the wiring of a building. It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing within the scope of the invention. For example, the elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some or all of the illustrative embodiments within the scope of the claims. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments may be omitted, at least in part, and/or combined, at least in part, with one or more of the other elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments within the scope of the claims.

Claims

An electrical connector comprising a socket for receiving an electrical device, the socket having first and second conductive contacts adapted to connect neutral and switched live electrical supplies respectively, and connection means adapted to receive a constant live electrical supply for powering a further electrical device, the further electrical device being mounted to the electrical connector.

An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 , in which the connection means is a third conductive contact adapted to connect a constant live electrical supply.

An electrical connector as claimed in claim 2, in which the third conductive contact is disposed within the socket.

An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the first and second conductive contacts are two pins.

An electrical connector as claimed in claims 1 to 4, in which the first and second conductive contacts are sprung.

An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, in which the third conductive contact is a pin.

An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, in which the third conductive contact is a socket or a pad.

An electrical connector as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, in which the third conductive contact is sprung.

An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, in which the third conductive contact is positioned between the first and second conductive contacts.

10. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9, in which the third conductive contact is positioned at the centre of the socket.

11. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 10, in which an internal wall of the socket forms the third conductive contact.

12. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 11, in which a plurality of contacts adapted to connect a constant live electrical feed are provided.

13. An electrical connector as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the socket is a bayonet type socket.

14. An electrical connector as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the socket a screw type socket.

15. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 14, further comprising a fitting receivable by the electrical connector, the fitting having first and second contacts connectable with the first and second contacts of the electrical connector, a third contact connectable with the third conductive contact of the electrical connector, an electrical device carried by the fitting and connected to the first and third contacts for receiving a constant supply of power, and a further socket for receiving a light bulb, the further socket having further first and second conductive contacts adapted to connect neutral and switched live electrical supplies respectively.

16. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 15, in which the electrical device includes a fire or smoke alarm.

17. An electrical connector as claimed in claims 15, in which the electrical device includes a plurality of LEDs.

18. An electrical connector as claimed in claims 15, in which the electrical device includes a WI-FI booster.

19. An electrical connector as claimed in claims 15, in which the electrical device includes a wireless door bell.

20. An electrical connector as claimed in claims 15, in which the electrical device includes a baby monitor.

21. An electrical connector as claimed in claims 15, in which the electrical device includes a light detector.

22. An electrical connector as claimed in claims 15, in which the electrical device includes a movement sensor and alert device.

23. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claim 15 to 22, in which the first and second conductive contacts of the fitting are sockets or pads.

24. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claim 15 to 23, in which the third conductive contact is a pin.

25. An electrical connector as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 24, in which a light bulb can be received in the further socket of the fitting.

26. An electrical system comprising a ceiling rose, an electrical connector as claimed in any preceding claim, and cable means connecting the ceiling rose to the electrical connector.

27. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, in which the further electrical device is an emergency lighting device.

28. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 27, in which the emergency light device includes a plurality of LEDs, a battery, a battery charger, detection means for detecting loss of the constant live electrical supply, and switch means for illuminating the LEDs in response to the loss of the constant live electrical supply.

29. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 27 or claim 28, in which the electrical connector is a pendant.

30. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 27 or claim 28, in which the electrical connector is adapted for direct ceiling or wall mounting.

31. An electrical connector substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.