# US 9,438,014 B2 · Electric power distribution unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,438,014 B2 - Document ID: US9438014B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/712,990 - Filed: 2015-05-15 - Published: 2015-09-03 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-06 - Assignees: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Timothy Brian Billman; Scott Anthony Faulkner; Shane Wiest - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9438014B2 ## CPC - H02B 7/00: Enclosed substations, e.g. compact substations - H01R 9/2458: {Electrical interconnections between terminal blocks} - H01R 9/2675: {Electrical interconnections between two blocks, e.g. by means of busbars} - H01R 13/18: with the spring member surrounding the socket - H01R 13/514: composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them - H01R 13/627: Snap or like fastening - H01R 31/02: Intermediate parts for distributing energy to two or more circuits in parallel, e.g. splitter (with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/92) - H01R 31/06: Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter (with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94) - H01R 31/08: Short-circuiting members for bridging contacts in a counterpart - H01R 31/085: {Short circuiting bus-strips} - H02G 5/02: Open installations - H02G 5/025: {Supporting structures} - H02B: BOARDS, SUBSTATIONS OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLY OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES ## Abstract A modular electric power distribution system transmits power between a power source and control modules for power consumers. The system includes a power distribution unit mounted on each module and bridge assemblies which connect adjacent distribution units. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electric power distribution unit comprising: an insulating housing having a row of spaced plate recesses on one side of the housing and a row of spaced openings on another side of the housing, each plate recess including a wall having a first height and extending around a periphery of the plate recess; and a plurality of metal power distribution members in the housing, each power distribution member comprising: a metal plate having opposed contact surfaces, a contact, and a central portion between the metal plate and the contact, each metal plate extending into one of the spaced plate recesses wherein each metal plate has a second height less than the first height, whereby a contact member inserted into the plate recess establishes electrical connections with both opposed contact surfaces on the metal plate, each contact associated with an opening, said metal plates parallel to each other and spaced regularly along said row of recesses, said contacts spaced regularly along said row of openings; a first spacing between adjacent metal plates different than a second spacing between adjacent contacts. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electric power distribution unit as in claim 1 wherein the central portion of each power distribution member includes a lateral offset step. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electric power distribution unit as in claim 2 wherein the spacing between adjacent contacts is greater than the spacing between adjacent plates. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The electric power distribution unit as in claim 2 wherein the spacing between adjacent plates is greater than the spacing between adjacent contacts. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The electric power distribution unit as in claim 4 including inner and outer power distribution members. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The electric power distribution unit as in claim 4 wherein each plate comprises means located inside the housing for forming electrical connections with two power distribution contacts. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The electric power distibution unit as in claim 4 wherein each power distribution member is formed from a single uniform thickness metal part. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The electric power distribution unit as in claim 7 wherein each contact member comprises a pin contact, said pin contacts on a side of said housing opposite from said one side of the housing having the row of spaced plate recesses. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The electric power distribution unit as in claim 4 wherein said housing comprises two molded plastic housing members, said members comprising a plurality of separate member recesses extending between said plate recesses on said one side of the housing and said openings on an opposite side of the housing, each metal power distribution member in one member recess only. ### Claim 10 An electric power distribution unit comprising: an insulating housing having a row of spaced plate recesses on one side of the housing and a row of spaced contact openings on the opposite side of the housing, each plate recess including a wall having a first height and extending around a periphery of the plate recess; and a plurality of one-piece uniform thickness metal power distribution members in the housing, each power distribution member comprising: a flat contact plate with contact surfaces on opposed plate sides, a central plate offset laterally from the flat plate, and a lateral shift step between such contact and central plates, and a pin contact on the central plate, the pin contact facing away from the contact plate; each contact plate extending into one of the spaced plate recesses wherein each contact plate has a second height less than the first height, whereby a contact member inserted into the recess establishes electrical connections with both opposed contact surfaces on the plate, each contact associated with a contact opening, said contact plates parallel to each other and spaced regularly along said row of recesses, said contacts spaced regularly along said row of openings; a first spacing between adjacent contact plates different than a second spacing between adjacent contacts. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The electric power distribution unit as in claim 10 wherein the spacing between adjacent contacts is greater than the spacing between adjacent contact plates. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The electric power distribution unit as in claim 10 wherein the spacing between adjacent contact plates is greater than the spacing between adjacent contacts. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The electric power distribution unit as in claim 12 including inner and outer power distribution members. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The electric power distribution unit as in claim 12 wherein each plate comprises means located inside the housing for forming electrical connections with two power distribution members. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The electric power distribution unit as in claim 12 wherein said housing comprises two molded plastic housing members, said members comprising a plurality of separate interior member recesses extending between said plate recesses on said one side of the housing and said openings on the opposite side of the housing, each metal power distribution member in one member recess only.