Wiring Device with Integrated Direct Current Output
AssigneeCooper Technologies Company
InventorsCarlos Eduardo Restrepo, Oscar Lewis Neundorfer, Rohit Sumerchand Dodal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides a wiring device with integrated DC output interfaces alongside AC output interfaces. The wiring device converts AC power received from the grid into DC power that can be used directly by DC loads. In certain example embodiments, the wiring device includes USB receptacles as the DC output interfaces. The wiring device also includes various power management enhancement features. Some such features include crimping and soldering electrical wires directly to the AC output contacts and a midframe for insulating certain components inside the wiring device from heat generated by other components.
Claims20
A wiring device with DC output, comprising:
- a housing comprising an AC opening and a DC opening;
- an AC power output interface disposed within the housing and aligned with the AC opening, wherein the AC power output interface is electrically coupled to a wire receiver, wherein the wire receiver is configured to receive and electrically couple with an electrical wire, and wherein the electrical wire provides AC power to the AC power output interface;
- a first printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within the housing and configured to electrically couple to the electrical wire, receive the AC power from the electrical wire, and convert the AC power into DC power;
- and
- a DC power output interface disposed within the housing and aligned with the DC opening, wherein the DC power output interface is electrically coupled to the first PCB and receives the DC power from the first PCB.
A wiring device with AC and DC output, comprising:
- a housing comprising an AC opening and a DC opening;
- an AC power output interface disposed within the housing and aligned with the AC opening, wherein the AC power output interface comprises a wire receiving end, the wire receiving end configured to electrically couple with an electrical wire, and wherein the electrical wire is configured to provide AC power to the AC power output interface;
- a first printed circuit board (PCB) configured to be electrically coupled to the electrical wire, receive the AC power, and convert the AC power into a DC power;
- a second PCB electrically coupled to and receiving DC power from the first PCB;
- and
- a DC power output interface disposed on the second PCB and aligned with the DC opening, wherein the DC power output interface receives DC power from the second PCB.
A wiring device with AC and DC output, comprising:
- a housing comprising an AC opening and a DC opening;
- an AC power output interface disposed within the housing and aligned with the AC opening, wherein the AC power output interface comprises a wire receiving portion, wherein the wire receiving portion is crimped, soldered, or crimped and soldered onto a conductor, wherein the conductor is configured to provide AC power to the AC power output interface;
- a first PCB electrically coupled to the conductor and configured to receive the AC power from the conductor, and convert the AC power into a DC power;
- a second PCB electrically coupled to, and configure to receive the DC power from, the first PCB;
- and
- a DC power output interface disposed on the second PCB and aligned with the DC opening, wherein the DC power output interface receives the DC power from the second PCB.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.