“Compact Distribution Board”.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates in general to distribution board. The present invention more particularly relates to compact distribution board used to mount 5 modular switchgear devices such as MCB, Isolator having both conventional size, and compact din-rail mountable switch-plate size versions, and is surface mounted as well as flush-mounted, even in thin wall.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR ART 10
[002] A power distribution board forms the centralized point in modern housing, from where the supply to all downstream circuits is controlled. As people have become more conscious, they wish to economize the utilization of space at their homes. Furthermore as electricity becomes within reach of all households, even 15 small houses and rooms where space is a major constraint, smaller DBs are becoming the preferred option.
[003] Prior-art distribution boards have a larger size. This is owing to the fact, they use conventional MCBs which possess larger height and length. Another reason is 20 because of their neutral link and din-bar design. Not only larger size, but they also generally have a larger number of components, which in turn requires more manufacturing time. Both these factors also contribute to their higher cost, which sometimes renders it too expensive for a section of public.
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[004] Now, reference may be made to the following patents:
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[005] Publication No. KR101236917 (B1) relates to a prefabricated compact standard distribution board to improve assemblability using a clip terminal. This includes base blocks supporting a main bus bar. A cover for the main bus bar includes contact holes for exposing the main bus bar. Quarter bus bars perpendicularly intersect the main bus bar. A clip terminal electrically contacts a 5 divergence bus bar to the main bus bar. A protection cover connects the first and the second bus lines support stand, and the cover for the main bus bar.
[006] Publication No. JP2015162953 (A) is directed to a compact power distribution board having a power conversion function. A power 10 distribution board includes: a unit which is provided with one power conversion device, for controlling to intercept and connect power wiring using a semiconductor element, wherein there is one power plug receiver for connecting to a load, and a connector for connecting a base part for receiving power supplied from a primary side; and a base part connected to the unit through the connector, for supplying the 15 unit with power input from the primary side. On detecting an overcurrent which flows between the power supply and the load, the unit holds the semiconductor element in an interception state to intercept the overcurrent which flows to a load side.
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[007] Publication No. JPH10336807 (A) pertains to a distribution board rendered compact by connecting or distribution method among components inside the distribution board. Double buses are mounted to a bus case via insulators. They are extended in a horizontal direction and shunt pieces are provided between the buses. Therefore, a current inside a distribution board is shunt from the buses to 25 breakers via connecting pieces and buses.
[008] Publication No. JPH10155212 (A) is provided to facilitate the connecting work of a grounding line, furthermore to make a distribution board compact, and to
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facilitate the maintenance and inspection works, by including at least one terminal without a screw at a grounding relay terminal, and providing a plurality of terminals which are electrically connected to each other. A grounding relay terminal, which connects the grounding line accommodated in a distribution board together with the electric wire for connection to each branching breaker, is attached to the terminal 5 attaching panel of the distribution board.
[009] Patent No. US9,236,790 makes a disclosure regarding a power distribution device including a direct current power source DC/DC converter connected to a direct current power source, and an AC/DC converter connected to an alternating 10 current power source. The direct current power source DC/DC converter and the AC/DC converter are accommodated in a single container from which a DC load supply line is led out.
[0010] Reference may be made to the article entitled “Micro & Mini compact 15 distribution boards” by Eaton which describes distribution board series with or without a window, with or without connection terminals and in addition to a top-hung window for optional retrofitting and with 2 to 6 module units.
[0011] The disadvantage with conventional prior-art distribution boxes are that, they 20 occupy more space as they use conventional MCBs which have larger length and height and also due to their internal design. This makes them unnecessarily bulky for those applications where user’s electrical safety requirement could have been met from a smaller MCB as well. Their depth is greater hence they can be flush-mounted in standard sized walls only. In certain households, where wall-thickness is small/ 25 non-standard, the user is compelled to go for surface mounted distribution boards in comparison to flush-mounted distribution board, which often causes interference in installed locations. Moreover such prior-art distribution boardsneed more material, whether they are made of sheet-metal or plastic, which adds to their cost.
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[0012] Thus the prior art distribution board are bulkier, heavier and costlier, which cause hindrance in many installed locations and could not be mounted in flush-manner in walls having smaller thickness. Also in prior art distribution board the neutral link and din-bar assembly design is different requiring more number of 5 components/ more space.
[0013] They are only suitable for conventional circuit-breakers having larger height. A compact sized circuit-breaker, due to its smaller height, cannot reach the slot on DB cover, and would not be operable from outside. 10
[0014] Thus there exists a need to develop a system which gives the user flexibility of mounting in restricted space, and which can be used to mount switchgear devices such as MCB, Isolator of both conventional sizes and compact din-rail mountable switch-plate size versions.
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[0015] In view of the above prior arts issues, present invention has been devised to provide compact distribution board with smallheight and depth that is used to mount both conventional MCB and compact MCB. Further, it can be surface mounted as well as flush-mounted, even in thin walls. The distribution board is also flushed in walls having smaller thickness. 20
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[0016] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a compact distribution board. 25
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact distribution board which can be mounted on the wall by both surface-mounting and flush-mounting.
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[0018] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a compact distribution board which does not cause interference with mounted location.
[0019] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a compact 5 distribution board which can be used to mount modular switchgear devices such as MCB, isolator having both conventional size, and compact din-rail mountable switch-plate size versions.
[0020] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a compact 10 distribution board which can be mounted in a flush manner on even thin walls or non-standard walls, due to its compactness (smaller width).
[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact distribution board with great installation flexibility to the user. 15
[0022] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a compact distribution board which is cost effective and occupies less space.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
According to this invention, there is provided a compact distribution board comprising a base covered by means of a cover, wherein said base supports compact MCBs as well as conventional MCBs together with neutral link and din-bar, in which 25 the neutral link is mounted on supporting means integrated to the wall of said distribution board and the din-rail with a plurality of din rail stoppers is placed on the base of the distribution board.
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[0023] The proposed distribution board has compact size, which is achieved by employing compact MCBs and optimizations in neutral link and din-bar placement. The said distribution board can be made up of sheet metal or engineering plastic material such as Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polyvinyl chloride, 5 PolyCarbonate, PolyPropelene, Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), Polyamide or any other such kind.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
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[0024] Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments of invention and wherein:
Figure 1 shows: Compact distribution board of the present invention. 15
Figure 2 shows: Internal view of compact distribution board according to the present invention.
Figure 3 shows: Distribution board base mold in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 4 shows: Installation of neutral link on projections integrated in side 20 wall of distribution board according to the present invention.
Figure 5 shows: Compact distribution board with snap-fittable dust cover according to the present invention
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO 25 THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
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[0025] The present invention makes a disclosure in respect of a compact distribution board. The distribution board has been devised to be compact as well as slim. It can be mounted on the wall by both ways of surface-mounting and flush-mounting.
[0026] Now, reference may be made to fig. 1 and 2 illustrating compact distribution 5 board of proposed application, which can be employed to mount modular switchgear devices such as MCB, Isolator having both conventional size, and compact din-rail mountable switch-plate size. However, it is ideal for compact circuit-breakers as described in patent application no. 201611031669 dt. 16.09.2016. Hence, the compact circuit-breaker is not required to be described in detail. The compact 10 distribution board includes two parts, namely a base 1 and a cover 2. The base is adjoined to the wall and the cover provides a cover to the devices mounted on the base.
[0027] The distribution board possesses compact size, which is accomplished by 15 means of compact-MCBs (1') in conjunction with design optimization in neutral link (2') and din-bar placement as in fig. 2 indicating earth link (E) as well.
[0028] Now, reference may be made to fig. 3, in which a top-hat type din-rail (3') is positioned on the base of the distribution board. 20
[0029] The din-rail can be integrated to the distribution board base, which does away with holder of the din rail. Thus, it avoids need of separate component to act as din rail holder. It can be made of sheet metal or engineering plastic material such as Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polyvinyl chloride, PolyCarbonate, 25 PolyPropelene, Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), Polyamide without limiting ambit of the invention to the same.
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[0030] In addition to the above, a plurality of din rail stoppers (4') are provided on the din-rail so as to locate the MCB in its right position, such that MCB top surface is suitably guided into the slot in the cover (2).
[0031] Further, the provision for the neutral link (2') is made in order to supply 5 neutral connection to downstream circuits. The supporting means for holding the neutral link are integrated in the walls (W) of DB. They can be made in the same mold of DB base. In an exemplary embodiment as shown in figure 3& 4, neutral link supports (P1, P2) are located in the side face of distribution board. The neutral link (2') is supported on one side by a projected part (P1) in distribution board corner, and 10 on other side it can be screwed onto another projected part which can be called as supporting structure (P2) integrated with the distribution board base as shown in figure 4.
[0032] In order to prevent entry of dust in the distribution board from back side, two dust covers (5') can be provided, which are snap-fitted into the recess in back surface 15 of distribution board as shown in figure 5. Thus, the dust cover constitutes an optional feature, which is preferably provided in plastic distribution board.
[0033] Due to compact MCB and the optimization in din-rail placement, distribution board is achieved with reduced depth. Further, owing to positioning of neutral link 20 on the side wall projections as well as compact MCB, distribution board with reduced height is obtained.
[0034] Thus, the present invention is associated with lesser number of components and smaller design of distribution board, which gives rise to significant reduction in cost. Reduction in the width of distribution board has another advantage that in case 25 it is flush-mounted, the distance to which a distribution board has to be flushed into
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the wall can be reduced. This makes it possible to install such distribution boards in walls having thickness lesser than standard walls. Even if it is surface mounted, it eliminates the hindrance. Thus the small size of distribution board is due to the implementation of compact circuit-breakers, optimized placement of neutral link and din-bar etc. 5
[0035] The said distribution board can be made up of sheet metal or engineering plastic material such as Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polyvinyl chloride, PolyCarbonate, PolyPropelene, Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), Polyamide without restricting scope of the invention to the same. Thus, other materials readily 10 apparent to a person skilled in the art are understood to be within purview of invention. The manufacturing of distribution board requires lesser number of steps.
[0036] Now, the advantageous features of the invention can be listed hereinbelow:-
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- Mounting flexibility i.e. flexible in mounting.
- Mounting of the distribution board on wall-surface occupying very less space that it causes least hindrance to the user.
- Mounting of compact distribution board in a flush manner on even thin walls or non-standard walls owing to smaller width thereof. 20
- Cost effective and light in weight.
- Facilitates manufacturing.
[0037] The distribution board is ideal solution for din-rail mounted compact circuit-breakers. 25
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[0038] It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications, adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the following claims:-

WE CLAIM:
1. A compact distribution board comprising a base covered by means of a cover, wherein said base supports MCBs together with neutral link and din-bar, in which the neutral link is mounted on supporting means integrated to the wall of 5 said distribution board and the din-rail with a plurality of stoppers is placed on the base of the distribution board.
2. The compact distribution board as claimed in claim 1 wherein the din-rail such as top hat type din-rail can be integrated to said base. 10
3. The compact distribution board as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said multitude of din-rail stoppers integral to the din rail assist in locating the MCB such that the MCB top surface is guided into the slot of the cover.
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4. The compact distribution board as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the neutral link is mounted on a projected part on both sides which is integral to the respective wall of the distribution board.
5. The compact distribution board as claimed in any of the preceding claims 20 wherein the distribution board and the din-rail can be made of sheet metal or engineering plastic material such as Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Polyvinyl chloride, PolyCarbonate, PolyPropelene, Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), Polyamide.
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6. The compact distribution board as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein multiple dust covers are optionally provided, which are snap-fitted into the recess in back surface of the distribution board.
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7. The compact distribution board as claimed in claim 6 wherein the dust cover is preferably provided in plastic distribution board.
8. The compact distribution board as claimed in any of the preceding claims which 5 can be implemented to mount modular switchgear devices such as MCB, Isolator having both conventional size, and compact din-rail mountable switch-plate size versions.
9. The compact distribution board as claimed in any of the preceding claims is 10 associated with the advantageous features such as herein described.