US20190006064A1 - Power Drop Assembly - Google Patents

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

RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/526,523, filed Jun. 29, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
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 toFIG. 1 with power throttling circuitry;
• FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1 with electrical usage circuitry;
• FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 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 toFIG. 5 with a spring;
• FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 6 with a lock mechanism;
• FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1 with a light;
• FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 8 with a sprinkler; and
• FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 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 assembly100 includespower cord housing102,reel104,power cord106,female power outlet108,electrical input110, switchingcircuitry112, andcontroller114.Reel104 is positioned within and rotatably connected topower cord housing102.Power cord106 is mechanically attached to reel104.Female power outlet108 is mechanically and electrically attached topower cord106.Switching circuitry112 is electrically connected toelectrical input110.Switching circuitry112 selectively, electrically connectselectrical input110 andpower cord106.Switching circuitry112 is also electrically connected topower cord106.Controller114 is communicatively connected to switchingcircuitry112 for controllingswitching circuitry112.
• Electrical input110 may be electrically connected to switchingcircuitry112 wirelessly or viawiring116.Electrical input110 and switchingcircuitry112 may each include wireless power transfer coils for inductive coupling ofelectrical input110 and switchingcircuitry112.
• Power cord106 may be electrically connected to switchingcircuitry112 viawiring118.Switching circuitry112 may be communicatively connected tocontroller114 wirelessly or viawire120. Wiring118 may be connected withpower cord106 via a rotating electrical connector.
• Electrical input110 may be electrically connected to a power source such as a power outlet. Instructions may be sent fromcontroller114 to switchingcircuitry112.Switching circuitry112 may subsequently allow or disallow electrical current to flow throughelectrical input110 topower cord106. An electrical device may be electrically connected tofemale power outlet108. While switchingcircuitry112 allows current flow throughpower cord106, the electrical device may draw power frompower cord106 throughfemale power outlet108.
• Controller114 may include calendar instructions to send instructions to switchingcircuitry112, to either allow or disallow current flow throughpower cord106, according to hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly calendar instructions. For example,controller114 may include calendar instructions which causecontroller114 to send instructions to switchingcircuitry112 such that switchingcircuitry112 allows current flow throughpower cord106 during a first set of hours of day.Controller114 may also include calendar instructions which causecontroller114 to send instructions to switchingcircuitry112 such that switchingcircuitry112 disallows current flow throughpower cord106 during a second set of hours of day.
• Reel104 may be rotatably connected topower cord housing102 with any of a variety of means, including ball bearing(s), roller bearing(s), or journal bearing(s).
• FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1 with power throttling circuitry.Power drop assembly200 may further includepower throttling circuitry220.Power throttling circuitry220 may be electrically connected topower cord206.Power throttling circuitry220 may allow variable amounts of power to be consumed viapower cord206. For example, current passing throughpower throttling circuitry220 may begin to exceed a preset current threshold.Power throttling circuitry220 may limit current passing throughpower throttling circuitry220 to below or at the preset current threshold.
• Controller214 may be communicatively connected to power throttling circuitry. For example,controller214 may send instructions topower throttling circuitry220 andpower throttling circuitry220 may limit an amount of current flow acrosspower throttling circuitry220 in accordance with the instructions sent bycontroller214.Controller214 may receive current flow data frompower throttling circuitry220.Controller214 may instructpower throttling circuitry220 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 input210 may includemale power input222.Male power input222 may includepower input cord224.Electrical input210 may includefemale power output226.Female power output226 may allow for multiple ofpower drop assembly200 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 toFIG. 1 with electrical usage circuitry.Switching circuitry312 ofpower drop assembly300 may includeelectrical usage circuitry328 for monitoring electrical usage ofpower cord306.Power drop assembly300 may further includewireless transceiver330.Wireless transceiver330 may be communicatively connected tocontroller314.
• Electrical usage circuitry328 may collect electrical usage data corresponding to current through, electrical impedance of, phase shift of electrical current through, and potential difference across switchingcircuitry312.Electrical usage circuitry328 may subsequently send the electrical usage data tocontroller314.Controller314 may store the electrical usage data.Controller314 may send the electrical usage data to a peripheral device of a user viawireless transceiver330. 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 byelectrical usage circuitry328 or from a time when it is received bycontroller314.
• 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 thepower drop assembly300 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 toFIG. 1 with a power rail input.Electrical input410 ofpower drop assembly400 may includepower rail input432.Power cord housing402 may include mountingbrackets434 mechanically attached to a top portion ofpower cord housing402.Power rail input432 may receive electrical current via a powered rail.Power rail input432 may receive power using any of a variety of means, including wireless power transfer or wired power transfer.
• Mountingbrackets434 may includeapertures436 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. Mountingbrackets434 may be fixed to the rail using pins attached to the rail and inserted intoapertures436. Furthermore, the pins may be electrically connected to a power source via the rail. The power source may transfer electrical current topower rail input432 via said pins.
• FIG. 5 depicts a side cut-away view of a power drop assembly.Power drop assembly500 may includemotor538 mechanically attached to reel504 and mechanically attached topower cord housing502.Motor538 may turn reel504 such thatpower cord506 coils or uncoils aroundreel504; subsequently,female power outlet508 may raise or lower, respectively.
• FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 5 with a spring.Power drop assembly600 may includespring640 mechanically attached to reel604.Spring640 may also be mechanically attached topower cord housing602.Spring640 may store mechanical energy aspower cord606 is uncoiled fromreel604, angularly displacingreel604.Spring640 may be a rotational spring.
• For example,female power outlet608 may be pulled with a force away frompower cord housing602.Power cord606 may subsequently be pulled in a direction corresponding to the force such thatpower cord606 is uncoiled fromreel604.Spring640 may store energy and induce a tension inpower cord606 as a function of angular displacement ofreel604. If the force is released, then the tension inpower cord606 and the energy stored inspring640 may causereel604 to angularly displace andpower cord606 to re-coil aboutreel604.Spring640 may store energy as a linear or non-linear function of angular displacement ofreel604.
• Power drop assembly600 may further includedamper642 mechanically attached to reel604.Damper642 may be mechanically attached topower cord housing602.Damper642 may be a rotational damper.Damper642 may dissipate energy and induce a tension inpower cord606 as a function of angular velocity ofreel604. For example,female power outlet608 may be pulled with a force away frompower cord housing602.Power cord606 may subsequently be pulled in a direction corresponding to the force such thatpower cord606 is uncoiled fromreel604.Spring640 may store energy and induce a tension inpower cord606 as a function of angular displacement ofreel604.Damper642 may dissipate energy and induce a tension inpower cord606 as a function of angular velocity ofreel604. If the force is released, then the tension inpower cord606 and the energy stored inspring640 may causereel604 to angularly displace andpower cord606 to recoil aboutreel604. Subsequently,damper642 may dissipate energy as a function of angular velocity ofreel604 anddamper642 may causepower cord606 to coil aboutreel604 with decreased angular velocity.
• Damper642 may actuate whenreel604 is rotated in a first direction, anddamper642 may not actuate whenreel604 is rotated in a second direction. The first direction may be rotationally opposite the second direction. Forexample power cord606 may be uncoiled fromreel604, which may causereel604 to be rotated in the first direction. Subsequently, whilepower cord606 is uncoiled fromreel604,damper642 may not actuate.
• Power drop assembly600 may further includehose reel stopper644 mechanically attached topower cord606.Power cord606 may pass throughaperture646 inpower cord housing602.Hose reel stopper644 may preventpower cord606 from coiling aboutreel604 by having geometry which cannot pass throughaperture646 ofpower cord housing602.Hose reel stopper644 may have geometry which is spherical having a diameter of a greater magnitude than a width, length, or thickness belonging toaperture646.Hose reel stopper644 may be adjustable to be moved to different locations alongpower cord606.
• FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 6 with a lock mechanism.Power drop assembly700 may includetilt lock mechanism748 mechanically attached to reel704.Tilt lock mechanism748 may also be mechanically attached topower cord housing702.Tilt lock mechanism748 may engage or disengage to, respectively, disallow or allowreel704 to angularly displace.Tilt lock mechanism748 may engage or disengage based upon translational acceleration ofreel704 with respect topower cord housing702. For example, a force may be used to pullpower cord706 such thatpower cord706 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 onpower cord706 may causereel704 to accelerate along a horizontal direction (where horizontal direction may mean a direction perpendicular to vertical), engagingtilt lock mechanism748. If the force is removed,tilt lock mechanism748 may remain engaged untilpower cord706 is uncoiled by an amount fromreel704.Spring740 maycoil power cord706 in absence of the force, whiletilt lock mechanism748 is disengaged.
• Power drop assembly700 may includevelocity lock mechanism750 mechanically attached to reel704.Velocity lock mechanism750 may also be mechanically attached topower cord housing702.Velocity lock mechanism750 may engage or disengage to, respectively, disallow or allowreel704 to angularly displace.Velocity lock mechanism750 may engage or disengage based upon translational velocity ofreel704 with respect topower cord housing702. For example, a force may be used to pullpower cord706. The force onpower cord706 may causereel704 to have an angular velocity above a preset angular velocity threshold, causingvelocity lock mechanism750 to engage. If the force is removed,velocity lock mechanism750 may remain engaged untilpower cord706 is uncoiled by an amount fromreel704.Spring740 maycoil power cord706 in absence of the force, whilevelocity lock mechanism750 is disengaged.
• FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1 with a light.Power drop assembly800 may include multiplefemale power outlets852 mechanically and electrically attached topower cord806. At least one of multiplefemale power outlets852 may include light854 attached to the at least one of multiplefemale power outlets852.Light854 may be electrically connected topower cord806.Light854 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 circuitry812 may selectably electrically connect each of multiplefemale power outlets852 viapower cord806 andelectrical input810.Controller814 may instruct switchingcircuitry812 to allow electrical current fromelectrical input810 to flow to all of multiplefemale power outlets852.Controller814 may instruct switchingcircuitry812 to allow electrical current fromelectrical input810 to flow to one, multiple, or none of multiplefemale power outlets852. For example,Controller814 may instruct switchingcircuitry812 to allow electrical current fromelectrical input810 to flow to the at least one of multiplefemale power outlets852, and subsequently to light854, while disallowing electrical current fromelectrical input810 to flow to any other ofmultiple power outlets852.
• FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 8 with a sprinkler.Power drop assembly900 may include multiplefemale power outlets952. At least one of multiplefemale power outlets952 may includesprinkler system956 attached to the at least one of multiplefemale power outlets952.Sprinkler system956 may also be electrically connected topower cord906.
• Sprinkler system956 may includewater supply line958 andsprinkler960.Sprinkler960 may be fluidly connected withwater supply line958 such thatsprinkler960 may draw water fromwater supply line958 and sprinkle said water.Sprinkler system956 may actuate to sprinkle water when the at least one of multiplefemale power outlets952 receives current flow or a electrical potential difference fromelectrical input910 via switchingcircuitry912 andpower cord906.
• FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment similar toFIG. 1 with a circuit breaker.Switching circuitry1012 ofpower drop assembly1000 may includecircuit breaker1062.Circuit breaker1062 may connectelectrical input1010 topower cord1006.Circuit breaker1062 may disallow electrical current to flow fromelectrical input1010 topower cord1006 if a magnitude of electrical current flowing throughcircuit breaker1062 is greater than a preset current flow threshold.Circuit breaker1062 may be reset manually or via switchingcircuitry1012. For example, a magnitude of electrical current flowing throughcircuit breaker1062 may be greater than the preset electrical current flow threshold.Circuit breaker1062 may disallow current to flow fromelectrical input1010 topower cord1006.Switching circuitry1012 may subsequently send circuit breaker state data tocontroller1014.Controller1014 may process the circuit breaker state data.Controller1014 may alert a user thatcircuit breaker1062 has disallowed current flow fromelectrical input1010 topower cord1006.Controller1014 may receive instructions from the user.Controller1014 may send restart instructions tocircuit breaker1062.Circuit breaker1062 may subsequently allow electrical current to flow fromelectrical input1010 topower cord1006.
• Circuit breaker1062 may be a relay electrically connected tocontroller1014 viawiring1064.Controller1014 may apply an electrical current and/or an electrical potential difference acrosswiring1064 such thatcircuit breaker1062 disallows or allows electrical current to flow fromelectrical input1010 topower cord1006.

Claims (20)

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; and

a controller communicatively connected to the switching circuitry for controlling the switching circuitry.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11. The power drop assembly ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 9, further comprising a hose reel stopper mechanically attached to the power cord.

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

15. The power drop assembly ofclaim 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 ofclaim 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 ofclaim 1, wherein the switching circuitry comprises a circuit breaker.

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

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

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