Power Drop Assembly

Abstract

A power drop assembly is disclosed which, in general, includes a power cord housing, a reel, a power cord, a female power outlet, an electrical input, switching circuitry, and a controller. The reel is positioned within the power cord housing. The reel is rotatably connected to the power cord housing. The power cord is mechanically attached to the reel. The female power outlet is mechanically and electrically attached to the power cord. The switching circuitry is electrically connected to the electrical input. The switching circuitry selectively, electrically connects the electrical input and the power cord. The switching circuitry is electrically connected to the power cord. The controller is communicatively connected to the switching circuitry for controlling the switching circuitry.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of smart home devices, and more specifically to smart power devices.

BACKGROUND

Garages, workshops, warehouses, and the like, are common areas where tools, such as power tools are used. Tools are often electrically powered. Whether wired or wireless, electrical tools need to be connected to electrical power for some interval at time. In workspaces, it is often convenient to have power in spaces that are not necessarily nearby a wall mounted outlet. For these applications, drop down power receptacles (that are attached to an overhead outlet, for example) may be particularly beneficial.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An invention has been developed in response to present state of the art and, in particular, in response to problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available systems and methods. Accordingly, a power drop assembly has been developed. Features and advantages of different embodiments of the invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

A power drop assembly is disclosed which, in general, includes a power cord housing, a reel, a power cord, a female power outlet, an electrical input, switching circuitry, and a controller. The reel is positioned within the power cord housing. The reel is rotatably connected to the power cord housing. The power cord is mechanically attached to the reel. The female power outlet is mechanically and electrically attached to the power cord. The switching circuitry is electrically connected to the electrical input. The switching circuitry selectively, electrically connects the electrical input and the power cord. The switching circuitry is electrically connected to the power cord. The controller is communicatively connected to the switching circuitry for controlling the switching circuitry.

The power drop assembly may further include power throttling circuitry electrically connected to the power cord. The power throttling circuitry may allow variable amounts of power to be consumed via the power cord. The switching circuitry may include electrical usage circuitry for monitoring electrical usage of the power cord. The electrical input may include a power rail input. The electrical input may include a male power input. The electrical input may include a female power output.

The power drop assembly may further include a wireless transceiver communicatively connected to the controller. The power drop assembly may further include a motor mechanically attached to the reel. The motor may also be mechanically attached to the power cord housing.

The power drop assembly may further include a spring mechanically attached to the reel. The spring may also be mechanically attached to the power cord housing. The power drop assembly may further include a damper mechanically attached to the reel. The damper may also be mechanically attached to the power cord housing. The power drop assembly may further include a tilt lock mechanism mechanically attached to the reel. The tilt lock mechanism may also be mechanically attached to the power cord housing. The power drop assembly may further include a velocity lock mechanism mechanically attached to the reel. The velocity lock mechanism may also be mechanically attached to the power cord housing. The power drop assembly may further include a hose reel stopper mechanically attached to the power cord.

The power drop assembly may further include multiple female power outlets mechanically and electrically attached to the power cord. At least one of the multiple female power outlets may include a light attached to the at least one of the multiple female power outlets. The light may also be electrically connected to the power cord. At least one of the multiple female power outlets may include a sprinkler system attached to the at least one of the multiple female power outlets. The sprinkler system may also be electrically connect to the power cord.

The switching circuitry may include a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker may be a relay electrically connected to the controller. The power cord housing may include mounting brackets mechanically attached to a top portion of the power cord housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of the invention briefly described above is made below by reference to specific embodiments. Several embodiments are depicted in drawings included with this application, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a front cut-away view of a power drop assembly;

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with power throttling circuitry;

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with electrical usage circuitry;

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with a power rail input;

FIG. 5 depicts a side cut-away view of a power drop assembly;

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 5 with a spring;

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 6 with a lock mechanism;

FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with a light;

FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 8 with a sprinkler; and

FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with a circuit breaker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of the claimed invention is provided below by example, with reference to embodiments in the appended figures. Those of skill in the art will recognize that components of the invention as described by example in the figures below could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the detailed description of the embodiments in the figures is merely representative of embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed.

Numbering corresponding to the appended figures is provided, wherein like numbering corresponds to like embodiments. Each pair of ending numerals, of numbering corresponding to components of figures, indicates an example embodiment of a corresponding component. It should be understood that while each pair of ending numerals corresponds to a component of the invention, components belonging to separate figures may have differing configurations or functionality.

It may be desirable to control electrical current and power to tools and other equipment. A smart power delivery assembly is described herein. The assembly may be designed to interconnect, via power or communication, to other smart home devices. The assembly may provide power based on a programmable schedule of events for providing power. The assembly may provide power consumption feedback of devices powered via the assembly. The assembly may include a circuit breaker to prevent overloading of the assembly and/or devices connected to the assembly.

FIG. 1 depicts a front cut-away view of a power drop assembly. Power drop assembly 100 includes power cord housing 102, reel 104, power cord 106, female power outlet 108, electrical input 110, switching circuitry 112, and controller 114. Reel 104 is positioned within and rotatably connected to power cord housing 102. Power cord 106 is mechanically attached to reel 104. Female power outlet 108 is mechanically and electrically attached to power cord 106. Switching circuitry 112 is electrically connected to electrical input 110. Switching circuitry 112 selectively, electrically connects electrical input 110 and power cord 106. Switching circuitry 112 is also electrically connected to power cord 106. Controller 114 is communicatively connected to switching circuitry 112 for controlling switching circuitry 112.

Electrical input 110 may be electrically connected to switching circuitry 112 wirelessly or via wiring 116. Electrical input 110 and switching circuitry 112 may each include wireless power transfer coils for inductive coupling of electrical input 110 and switching circuitry 112.

Power cord 106 may be electrically connected to switching circuitry 112 via wiring 118. Switching circuitry 112 may be communicatively connected to controller 114 wirelessly or via wire 120. Wiring 118 may be connected with power cord 106 via a rotating electrical connector.

Electrical input 110 may be electrically connected to a power source such as a power outlet. Instructions may be sent from controller 114 to switching circuitry 112. Switching circuitry 112 may subsequently allow or disallow electrical current to flow through electrical input 110 to power cord 106. An electrical device may be electrically connected to female power outlet 108. While switching circuitry 112 allows current flow through power cord 106, the electrical device may draw power from power cord 106 through female power outlet 108.

Controller 114 may include calendar instructions to send instructions to switching circuitry 112, to either allow or disallow current flow through power cord 106, according to hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly calendar instructions. For example, controller 114 may include calendar instructions which cause controller 114 to send instructions to switching circuitry 112 such that switching circuitry 112 allows current flow through power cord 106 during a first set of hours of day. Controller 114 may also include calendar instructions which cause controller 114 to send instructions to switching circuitry 112 such that switching circuitry 112 disallows current flow through power cord 106 during a second set of hours of day.

Reel 104 may be rotatably connected to power cord housing 102 with any of a variety of means, including ball bearing(s), roller bearing(s), or journal bearing(s).

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with power throttling circuitry. Power drop assembly 200 may further include power throttling circuitry 220. Power throttling circuitry 220 may be electrically connected to power cord 206. Power throttling circuitry 220 may allow variable amounts of power to be consumed via power cord 206. For example, current passing through power throttling circuitry 220 may begin to exceed a preset current threshold. Power throttling circuitry 220 may limit current passing through power throttling circuitry 220 to below or at the preset current threshold.

Controller 214 may be communicatively connected to power throttling circuitry. For example, controller 214 may send instructions to power throttling circuitry 220 and power throttling circuitry 220 may limit an amount of current flow across power throttling circuitry 220 in accordance with the instructions sent by controller 214. Controller 214 may receive current flow data from power throttling circuitry 220. Controller 214 may instruct power throttling circuitry 220 to limit current flow based on any of a number of criteria, including time of day, time of week, time of month, or time of year.

Electrical input 210 may include male power input 222. Male power input 222 may include power input cord 224. Electrical input 210 may include female power output 226. Female power output 226 may allow for multiple of power drop assembly 200 to be electrically connected in a daisy chain, where a daisy chain is an electrical connection scheme in which multiple devices are electrically connected together in sequence or in a ring.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with electrical usage circuitry. Switching circuitry 312 of power drop assembly 300 may include electrical usage circuitry 328 for monitoring electrical usage of power cord 306. Power drop assembly 300 may further include wireless transceiver 330. Wireless transceiver 330 may be communicatively connected to controller 314.

Electrical usage circuitry 328 may collect electrical usage data corresponding to current through, electrical impedance of, phase shift of electrical current through, and potential difference across switching circuitry 312. Electrical usage circuitry 328 may subsequently send the electrical usage data to controller 314. Controller 314 may store the electrical usage data. Controller 314 may send the electrical usage data to a peripheral device of a user via wireless transceiver 330. The user may subsequently access the electrical usage data via the peripheral device. The mentioned peripheral device may be any of a variety of devices, including a smart phone, a tablet, or a laptop. Electrical usage data may include a timestamp from a time when it is collected by electrical usage circuitry 328 or from a time when it is received by controller 314.

In some embodiments, the electrical usage data may be analyzed to identify patterns and usage characteristics. The identified patterns and usage characteristics may be compared and analyzed with respect to other data (e.g., proximity sensor data, schedule data, etc.) to determine predicted usage schedules. These predicted usage schedules may enable “smart” operation where the power drop assembly 300 learns and anticipates needs. This learning behavior may be optimized for reducing power consumption, for optimizing battery performance (of powered devices, for example), for providing access control, and the like. In some embodiments, long term electrical usage data may be used to determine maintenance and replacement notifications for particular powered devices.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with a power rail input. Electrical input 410 of power drop assembly 400 may include power rail input 432. Power cord housing 402 may include mounting brackets 434 mechanically attached to a top portion of power cord housing 402. Power rail input 432 may receive electrical current via a powered rail. Power rail input 432 may receive power using any of a variety of means, including wireless power transfer or wired power transfer.

Mounting brackets 434 may include apertures 436 which may be used to mount to a bracket attached to a support structure. For example, a rail may be attached to a ceiling of a room. Mounting brackets 434 may be fixed to the rail using pins attached to the rail and inserted into apertures 436. Furthermore, the pins may be electrically connected to a power source via the rail. The power source may transfer electrical current to power rail input 432 via said pins.

FIG. 5 depicts a side cut-away view of a power drop assembly. Power drop assembly 500 may include motor 538 mechanically attached to reel 504 and mechanically attached to power cord housing 502. Motor 538 may turn reel 504 such that power cord 506 coils or uncoils around reel 504; subsequently, female power outlet 508 may raise or lower, respectively.

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 5 with a spring. Power drop assembly 600 may include spring 640 mechanically attached to reel 604. Spring 640 may also be mechanically attached to power cord housing 602. Spring 640 may store mechanical energy as power cord 606 is uncoiled from reel 604, angularly displacing reel 604. Spring 640 may be a rotational spring.

For example, female power outlet 608 may be pulled with a force away from power cord housing 602. Power cord 606 may subsequently be pulled in a direction corresponding to the force such that power cord 606 is uncoiled from reel 604. Spring 640 may store energy and induce a tension in power cord 606 as a function of angular displacement of reel 604. If the force is released, then the tension in power cord 606 and the energy stored in spring 640 may cause reel 604 to angularly displace and power cord 606 to re-coil about reel 604. Spring 640 may store energy as a linear or non-linear function of angular displacement of reel 604.

Power drop assembly 600 may further include damper 642 mechanically attached to reel 604. Damper 642 may be mechanically attached to power cord housing 602. Damper 642 may be a rotational damper. Damper 642 may dissipate energy and induce a tension in power cord 606 as a function of angular velocity of reel 604. For example, female power outlet 608 may be pulled with a force away from power cord housing 602. Power cord 606 may subsequently be pulled in a direction corresponding to the force such that power cord 606 is uncoiled from reel 604. Spring 640 may store energy and induce a tension in power cord 606 as a function of angular displacement of reel 604. Damper 642 may dissipate energy and induce a tension in power cord 606 as a function of angular velocity of reel 604. If the force is released, then the tension in power cord 606 and the energy stored in spring 640 may cause reel 604 to angularly displace and power cord 606 to recoil about reel 604. Subsequently, damper 642 may dissipate energy as a function of angular velocity of reel 604 and damper 642 may cause power cord 606 to coil about reel 604 with decreased angular velocity.

Damper 642 may actuate when reel 604 is rotated in a first direction, and damper 642 may not actuate when reel 604 is rotated in a second direction. The first direction may be rotationally opposite the second direction. For example power cord 606 may be uncoiled from reel 604, which may cause reel 604 to be rotated in the first direction. Subsequently, while power cord 606 is uncoiled from reel 604, damper 642 may not actuate.

Power drop assembly 600 may further include hose reel stopper 644 mechanically attached to power cord 606. Power cord 606 may pass through aperture 646 in power cord housing 602. Hose reel stopper 644 may prevent power cord 606 from coiling about reel 604 by having geometry which cannot pass through aperture 646 of power cord housing 602. Hose reel stopper 644 may have geometry which is spherical having a diameter of a greater magnitude than a width, length, or thickness belonging to aperture 646. Hose reel stopper 644 may be adjustable to be moved to different locations along power cord 606.

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 6 with a lock mechanism. Power drop assembly 700 may include tilt lock mechanism 748 mechanically attached to reel 704. Tilt lock mechanism 748 may also be mechanically attached to power cord housing 702. Tilt lock mechanism 748 may engage or disengage to, respectively, disallow or allow reel 704 to angularly displace. Tilt lock mechanism 748 may engage or disengage based upon translational acceleration of reel 704 with respect to power cord housing 702. For example, a force may be used to pull power cord 706 such that power cord 706 is at an angle, with a magnitude greater than a preset angle value, with respect to vertical (where vertical may mean a direction oriented with acceleration due to gravity). The force on power cord 706 may cause reel 704 to accelerate along a horizontal direction (where horizontal direction may mean a direction perpendicular to vertical), engaging tilt lock mechanism 748. If the force is removed, tilt lock mechanism 748 may remain engaged until power cord 706 is uncoiled by an amount from reel 704. Spring 740 may coil power cord 706 in absence of the force, while tilt lock mechanism 748 is disengaged.

Power drop assembly 700 may include velocity lock mechanism 750 mechanically attached to reel 704. Velocity lock mechanism 750 may also be mechanically attached to power cord housing 702. Velocity lock mechanism 750 may engage or disengage to, respectively, disallow or allow reel 704 to angularly displace. Velocity lock mechanism 750 may engage or disengage based upon translational velocity of reel 704 with respect to power cord housing 702. For example, a force may be used to pull power cord 706. The force on power cord 706 may cause reel 704 to have an angular velocity above a preset angular velocity threshold, causing velocity lock mechanism 750 to engage. If the force is removed, velocity lock mechanism 750 may remain engaged until power cord 706 is uncoiled by an amount from reel 704. Spring 740 may coil power cord 706 in absence of the force, while velocity lock mechanism 750 is disengaged.

FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with a light. Power drop assembly 800 may include multiple female power outlets 852 mechanically and electrically attached to power cord 806. At least one of multiple female power outlets 852 may include light 854 attached to the at least one of multiple female power outlets 852. Light 854 may be electrically connected to power cord 806. Light 854 may be any of a variety of lights, including a light emitting diode (LED), an incandescent light, an arc light, or a laser light.

Switching circuitry 812 may selectably electrically connect each of multiple female power outlets 852 via power cord 806 and electrical input 810. Controller 814 may instruct switching circuitry 812 to allow electrical current from electrical input 810 to flow to all of multiple female power outlets 852. Controller 814 may instruct switching circuitry 812 to allow electrical current from electrical input 810 to flow to one, multiple, or none of multiple female power outlets 852. For example, Controller 814 may instruct switching circuitry 812 to allow electrical current from electrical input 810 to flow to the at least one of multiple female power outlets 852, and subsequently to light 854, while disallowing electrical current from electrical input 810 to flow to any other of multiple power outlets 852.

FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 8 with a sprinkler. Power drop assembly 900 may include multiple female power outlets 952. At least one of multiple female power outlets 952 may include sprinkler system 956 attached to the at least one of multiple female power outlets 952. Sprinkler system 956 may also be electrically connected to power cord 906.

Sprinkler system 956 may include water supply line 958 and sprinkler 960. Sprinkler 960 may be fluidly connected with water supply line 958 such that sprinkler 960 may draw water from water supply line 958 and sprinkle said water. Sprinkler system 956 may actuate to sprinkle water when the at least one of multiple female power outlets 952 receives current flow or a electrical potential difference from electrical input 910 via switching circuitry 912 and power cord 906.

FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment similar to FIG. 1 with a circuit breaker. Switching circuitry 1012 of power drop assembly 1000 may include circuit breaker 1062. Circuit breaker 1062 may connect electrical input 1010 to power cord 1006. Circuit breaker 1062 may disallow electrical current to flow from electrical input 1010 to power cord 1006 if a magnitude of electrical current flowing through circuit breaker 1062 is greater than a preset current flow threshold. Circuit breaker 1062 may be reset manually or via switching circuitry 1012. For example, a magnitude of electrical current flowing through circuit breaker 1062 may be greater than the preset electrical current flow threshold. Circuit breaker 1062 may disallow current to flow from electrical input 1010 to power cord 1006. Switching circuitry 1012 may subsequently send circuit breaker state data to controller 1014. Controller 1014 may process the circuit breaker state data. Controller 1014 may alert a user that circuit breaker 1062 has disallowed current flow from electrical input 1010 to power cord 1006. Controller 1014 may receive instructions from the user. Controller 1014 may send restart instructions to circuit breaker 1062. Circuit breaker 1062 may subsequently allow electrical current to flow from electrical input 1010 to power cord 1006.

Circuit breaker 1062 may be a relay electrically connected to controller 1014 via wiring 1064. Controller 1014 may apply an electrical current and/or an electrical potential difference across wiring 1064 such that circuit breaker 1062 disallows or allows electrical current to flow from electrical input 1010 to power cord 1006.

Claims

1. A power drop assembly comprising: a power cord housing;a reel positioned within and rotatably connected to the power cord housing;a power cord mechanically attached to the reel;a female power outlet mechanically and electrically attached to the power cord;an electrical input;switching circuitry electrically connected to the electrical input and electrically connected to the power cord, wherein the switching circuitry selectively, electrically connects the electrical input and the power cord; anda controller communicatively connected to the switching circuitry for controlling the switching circuitry.

2. The power drop assembly of claim 1, further comprising power throttling circuitry electrically connected to the power cord, wherein the power throttling circuitry allows variable amounts of power to be consumed via the power cord.

3. The power drop assembly of claim 1, wherein the switching circuitry comprises electrical usage circuitry for monitoring electrical usage of the power cord.

4. The power drop assembly of claim 3, wherein the electrical input comprises a power rail input.

5. The power drop assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical input comprises a male power input.

6. The power drop assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical input comprises a female power output.

7. The power drop assembly of claim 1, further comprising a wireless transceiver communicatively connected to the controller.

8. The power drop assembly of claim 1, further comprising a motor mechanically attached to the reel and mechanically attached to the power cord housing.

9. The power drop assembly of claim 1, further comprising a spring mechanically attached to the reel and mechanically attached to the power cord housing.

10. The power drop assembly of claim 9, further comprising a damper mechanically attached to the reel and mechanically attached to the power cord housing.

11. The power drop assembly of claim 9, further comprising a tilt lock mechanism mechanically attached to the reel and mechanically attached to the power cord housing.

12. The power drop assembly of claim 9, further comprising a velocity lock mechanism mechanically attached to the reel and mechanically attached to the power cord housing.

13. The power drop assembly of claim 9, further comprising a hose reel stopper mechanically attached to the power cord.

14. The power drop assembly of claim 1, further comprising multiple female power outlets mechanically and electrically attached to the power cord.

15. The power drop assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of the multiple female power outlets comprises a light attached to the at least one of the multiple female power outlets and electrically connected to the power cord.

16. The power drop assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of the multiple female power outlets comprises a sprinkler system attached to the at least one of the multiple female power outlets and electrically connected to the power cord.

17. The power drop assembly of claim 1, wherein the switching circuitry comprises a circuit breaker.

18. The power drop assembly of claim 17, wherein the circuit breaker is a relay electrically connected to the controller.

19. The power drop assembly of claim 1, wherein the power cord housing comprises mounting brackets mechanically attached to a top portion of the power cord housing.

20. The power drop assembly of claim 3, wherein the controller controls the switching circuitry based on the electrical usage of the power cord.