Method of distributing electrical power to electrical outlets in a transport vehicle and an associated computer program

A method of distributing electric current from a power source to a plurality of electrical outlets in a transport vehicle, the method being implemented by a distribution system that comprises a central source of electric power and at least one set of distribution units, referred to as a column, comprising a plurality of local distribution units that are connected to each other and to the power source by a power line;

• each distribution unit being equipped with a control module and a plurality of electrical outlets capable of transmitting a distribution request to the control module when electronic devices are connected to electrical outlets among said plurality of electrical outlets;
• wherein the method comprises, for the plurality of electrical outlets of at least one distribution unit, the steps of:
• a) reception of a distribution request, said distribution request being transferred from an electrical outlet, called waiting electrical outlet to a control module, upon connection of an electronic device to said electrical outlet;
• b) supplying of electric current to said waiting electrical outlet, the step of supplying having a beginning;
• c) determining an instantaneous electric current intensity supplied to all the electrical outlets already connected to an electronic device;
• d) comparing the instantaneous electric current intensity determined in step c) to a threshold referred to as a maximum threshold (SMoutlets, SMcol);
• e) if the instantaneous electric current intensity determined in step c) is greater than said maximum threshold (SMoutlets, SMcol),
• for each electrical outlet of the at least one distribution unit,
• computing a cumulative intensity of electric current supplied to each electrical outlet since the beginning of the step of supplying current to that electrical outlet;
• selecting the electrical outlet that has supplied a highest cumulative intensity of electric current among the electrical outlets of said at least one distribution unit;
• and
• terminating the supply of current to said selected electrical outlet,
• said method being implemented in a distribution system having a plurality of columns, each column comprising a plurality of distribution units connected to each other and to the power source by a power line;
• the method further comprising the following steps:
• determining the instantaneous current intensity supplied to the electrical outlets of the distribution units of each column;
• comparing the determined instantaneous current intensity to a predetermined percentage, A, of a column maximum threshold (SMcol);
• calculating a new maximum threshold (NSMcolE) specific to each column, in which the instantaneous current intensity of current delivered to the electrical outlets of the distribution units is less than said predetermined percentage, A, of said maximum threshold (SMcol);
• said columns being referred to as columns with a surplus;
• and
• calculating a new maximum threshold (NSMcolD) defined for all of the columns, in which the instantaneous current intensity of current delivered to the electrical outlets of the distribution units is greater than said predetermined percentage, A, of said maximum threshold (SMcol), said columns being referred to as columns with a deficit;
• implementing steps a) to e) of the distribution method, using said new maximum threshold (NSMcolE) specific to each column with a surplus, on the distribution units of each column with a surplus, and using said new maximum threshold (NSMcolD) defined for all of the columns with a deficit, on the distribution units of the columns with a deficit.