This application is a 371 U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2007/008937, filed Oct. 15, 2007. This application claims the benefit of Foreign Patent Application No. DE 20 2006 015 827 8, filed Oct. 16, 2006. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.
The invention relates to a power rail system according to the preamble of claim 1.
In order to supply power to loads in casings and cabinets in the information technology field, use is generally made of socket strips or socket boards. Said socket strips are frequently provided with fastening devices enabling them to be fixed in or on such casings and cabinets. However, the nature of the sockets is predetermined in the case of such socket strips, so that a further socket strip must be installed for loads requiring a different socket type.
A comparable system is known for 19″ server cabinets, where there is a base structure fitted vertically in the server cabinet. At fixed intervals said base structure has connections for terminals to which random socket strips can be plugged. This permits a replacement of a single socket strip. The power lines are provided in said base structure.
A disadvantage of this construction is that as a result of the connection devices at fixed, predetermined intervals, the socket strips can only be fitted in specific, predetermined positions.
An aim is therefore to keep cabling effort to a minimum, i.e. to use cables of minimum length, so that it is desirable to make the sockets available as close as possible to the corresponding loads.
The object of the invention is therefore to provide a power rail system for supplying loads, in which the distribution devices can be positioned as close as possible to the load and which can be easily extended and adapted.
According to the invention this object is achieved by a power rail system having the features of claim 1.
Thus, the power-conducting base structure has essentially over the entire length power lines constructed as first contact devices and at least one module for the power distribution and/or power supply has second contact devices for contacting with the first contact devices of the base structure. Contacting also takes place at a random point on or with the base structure.
Further advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims, description and drawings and their explanation.
It is a fundamental concept of the invention when designing the power rail system to ensure that on positioning the modules for power distribution and/or power supply purposes a high degree of freedom remains available. This is achieved according to the invention in that the power-conducting base structure has contact devices over its entire length. These contact devices can e.g. be constructed as power rails. The power distribution modules have a further, second contact device in order to contact the power rails. Contacting brings about a power-transmitting connection between the base structure and the modules. As the power rails run continuously over the entire length of the base structure in the form of a contact device, it is possible to connect the power distribution modules to the base structure at a random location. Thus, the power distribution modules can be fitted as close as possible to the given loads.
Another advantage is the possibility of the simultaneous use of different power distribution modules. The different modules can e.g. have different plug-in locations for the loads or, as a function of the design, can also offer different voltages or can be differently protected by means of fuses.
The power distribution modules can have a random construction. However, preferably their design is based on the connection possibilities or prior requirements of the loads. Thus, it is e.g. possible to provide the power distribution modules in the form of terminal strips for open cabling. It is also advantageous to implement said modules in the form of socket strips. This facilitates the connection of loads. Through the use of individual modules it is possible to implement several modules with a different socket arrangement adapted to the given loads. Thus, also other specific plug types or different national and/or standard-specific socket systems can be used.
In a preferred further development, the base structure has data lines in addition to the power lines. Said data lines are constructed as further, third contact devices. It is advantageous if at least one module has a further contact device for connection to the third contact devices.
This permits a data transfer via the data lines.
In principle, communication via the data lines can be controlled from any random location. Thus, a corresponding communication device can e.g. be provided directly on the power-conducting base structure. Another advantageous possibility is to provide a further module as a communication module and which has at least contact devices for contacting data lines. This module should also be designed for transmitting and/or receiving information on said data lines.
When using an additional module for data communication, the basic version can be provided without the additional data distribution devices and can then be subsequently upgraded if such a further functionality is needed.
It is advantageous in this connection if at least the power distribution /or power supply module also has devices for transmitting and/or receiving information on the data lines. This makes it possible for the communication module or some other communication device to receive data from the power supply and/or power distribution modules. This e.g. permits a simple monitoring or control of the total power supplied or of the individual modules.
It is also possible to implement further monitoring mechanisms via such a functionality. For example the communication module can be designed in such a way that the position of the individual distribution modules can be determined through corresponding algorithms. If the communication module also has an interface to the network or to management and operating systems, said information can be used or polled for maintaining or for the present use conditions. Therefore in situ maintenance is no longer necessary. Further possibilities are constituted by a planned disconnection of individual sockets or loads.
The communication module can advantageously be designed in such a way that the power or voltage measurement can be broken down to individual modules or sockets or individually determined for the same. The protection of the individual modules or socket strips can also be indicated or monitored by the communication module.
To improve module contact with the base structure, it is advantageous for the modules to have prong- or tongs-like coupling elements for engaging with said base structure and are preferably fitted to the marginal area of the modules in each case.
It has also proved advantageous for reliable contacting for the first and/or third contact devices to be constructed as female contact devices and the second and/or fourth contact devices as matching, male contact devices. This firstly leads to the advantage that the power lines and contact devices, which are implemented in the form of female devices, are positioned in protected manner on the base structure and an undesired contacting is prevented. The projecting, prong- or tongs-like coupling elements provided on the modules serve to protect the male, projecting contact devices, so that the latter cannot be bent or damaged.
Fundamentally the contact devices can be constructed in male/female or female/male manner and preference is given to a construction with contact protection.
In a further advantageous embodiment the modules are equipped with at least one locking device, which is preferably fitted in the end area of the given module. Such a locking device is used for the additional fastening of the modules to the base structure, so that undesired slipping or removal is prevented.
Apart from the possibility of remote diagnosis via the communication module, which is advantageously designed for communication with control and/or monitoring systems, it is also possible to provide additional display devices for outputting information to the individual modules. It is e.g. possible to provide LEDs with different colours in order to indicate the occupancy status of the individual sockets on a distribution module. It is also possible to have LCD monitors or multisegment displays for the modules in order to display information on the present power load, the connected loads or error messages.
Similarly indication displays can be provided at random locations of the base structure or adaptable with modules.
This facilitates the in situ monitoring, so that with such a maintenance procedure there is no need for a long and detailed diagnosis and checking test for establishing functionality. The display devices can additionally have input devices in order to hit or poll any error analyses or specific outputs.
In an advantageous embodiment the end pieces of the base structures have the possibility of attaching a further power-conducting base structure. This enables the inventive power rail system to be easily extended, so that it can be adapted to a larger number of loads without having to carry out significant modifications in the overall system.
As the electronic subassemblies and loads are being placed ever closer together in electronic casings and cabinets, electronic cabinets or 19″ server cabinets for short, the power demand for such a cabinet is also increasing. Also for this reason the power rail system is designed in an advantageous embodiment for the transmission and conducting of several current phases. The base structure then has at least one power line per phase.
Through the possibility of only contacting specific power lines, the power modules are in a position to offer different phases or also several phases for the loads to be connected. It is also possible for different power distribution modules to use different phases, in order to e.g. uniformly distribute the load over all the phases.
The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter relative to embodiments and attached diagrammatic drawings, wherein show:
In another design it can be appropriate to integrate the communication module into the supply module, e.g. in that it is provided on a plug-in board in said supply module.
According to
The socket strips 17, 18, 19 have in addition for each circuit a display device 13. The latter can e.g. display if the load connected to said socket is receiving power or whether a problem or fault has occurred. A power supply module 3 is fitted to the left-hand end of base structure 2. Said power supply module 3 has three display devices 13, which are used for displaying the three available phases. If a fault has occurred and a phase can no longer provide the desired power, this can be displayed by the corresponding display device 13.
In a simplified form the display device only displays “malfunction” or “function”.
Operating devices for the locking devices are provided in the end regions of socket strips 17, 18, 19.
The base structure 2 shown in
The exact construction of the base structure 2 and the fitting of a module 3, 4 or 5 to said base structure 2 will be described relative to
The base structure 2 shown in
On fitting a module 4 it is not always necessary for all five power lines 14 to be contacted by module 4. If a module is only operated in single phase form, i.e. only one phase is available for the load, it is e.g. sufficient to have contacting only with power lines 21, 24 and 25.
In order to achieve a good contact between base structure 2 and module 4 in its lateral regions the latter is equipped with projecting coupling elements 26 which, when said module 4 is mounted on the base structure or telescoped therewith, engage in corresponding counterparts 27 on the base structure. As the coupling elements 26 are provided in the lower module areas, it is also possible to provide modules which are wider than the base structure 2. This permits the use of electronic subassemblies with particularly wide plugs.
In order to make difficult an undesired release of a module 3, 4, 5 fitted to a base structure 2, a locking device 16 is additionally provided on said modules 3, 4, 5. As shown in
The design of the power lines 14 and data lines 15 is such that they are not exposed on base structure 2. This prevents an undesired contacting or short-circuiting between the individual lines 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 14 and 15.
The contact devices can e.g. be constructed as blade contacts and with a corresponding base plate. A design with spring contacts is also possible. Other contact devices bringing about a positive and/or non-positive connection also are usable.
Thus, the power bar system according to the invention provides a simple, flexible concept for making more flexible the power supply in electronic cabinets.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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20 2006 015 827 U | Oct 2006 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP2007/008937 | 10/15/2007 | WO | 00 | 3/24/2009 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO2008/046577 | 4/24/2008 | WO | A |
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