REMOTE DRIVER CONTROL CENTER

Abstract

An improved modular remote driver control center is provided.

Claims

1. An improved modular remote driver control center comprising: a. a case; b. a modular tray, removably mounted within the case; c. at least one snap in power supply holder mounted on a first surface of the tray; d. a power supply driver removably mounted in each snap in power supply holder; and e. a printed circuit board assembly disposed on a second surface of the modular tray opposite to the first surface; wherein f. the printed circuit board assembly includes a load in and a load out connector for each power supply removably mounted on the tray; and g. each load in and load out connector extends through a hole provided in the tray.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior remote driver control center of the Applicant's.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of a remote driver control center and a special Allen wrench required to manipulate the terminal blocks for wire insertion.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows the Allen wrench being used to depress one terminal of a terminal block for wire insertion or removal.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a remote driver control center according to the present patent document.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a remote driver control center according to the present patent document.

[0026] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the input power side of the normal power supplies of the remote driver controller illustrating that each power supply may be connected with a plug and socket connector to a load A, load B, or a load C circuit of the controller of the RDCC.

[0027] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the output power side of the normal power supplies of the remote driver controller illustrating that each power supply dimming input may be connected to a load A, load B, or load C dimming circuit of the RDCC controller using a standard plug and socket connector and that the DC output of each power supply is connected to a load specific connector.

[0028] FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of the tool-less in-line terminals used to replace the normal AC power distribution block 44 on the normal side of Applicant's first generation RDCC shown in FIGS. 1-3 in the RDCC according to the present embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged view of the emergency side of the RDCC of the present patent document, and more particularly showing the in-line splice connectors used to replace the emergency power distribution block 54 and emergency power LED light fixture distribution block 56 of Applicant's first generation RDCC.

[0030] FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the normal power side of the RDCC of the present patent document, and more particularly showing the in-line splice connectors used to replace the normal power LED light fixture distribution block 50 of Applicant's first generation RDCC.

[0031] FIG. 11 shows a snap-in power supply holder that may be used in an embodiment of an RDCC according to the present patent document to permit tool-less removal and replacement of power supply drivers in the field and without powering down the RDCC.

[0032] FIG. 12 illustrates a modular main tray that may be incorporated into an RDCC of the present patent document to permit easy removal and replacement of damaged housings and power supply drivers of the RDCC in the field.

[0033] FIG. 13 is a front plan view of an RDCC according the present patent document with its front cover removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] While it should be understood that the inventions described herein are described in connection with particular examples, the scope of the inventions are not limited to the specific examples. Rather, those skilled in the art will appreciate after reviewing the present disclosure that the following teachings can be used in a much wider variety of applications than the examples specifically mentioned herein.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 1-13 an RDCC with a standardized single manufacturing platform is provided. The RDCC according to the present patent document no longer requires specific manufacturing sequence prior to assembly of power supplies.

[0036] Modularity of power supplies eases burden of production oversight. Snap-in power supply mount (as best seen in FIG. 11) provides ease of production and field service, and a hot swappable system. As a result, there is no need to turn main power off for field service.

[0037] Load specific connectors at each power supply station (both on the normal and emergency power sides) provide ease of assignment during production, as well as in the field. Commonly available male/female (plug and socket) connectors provide ease of assembly and do not require any special tools, which is a distinct advantage in the field.

[0038] Load specific dimming wire connectors eliminates the need for cumbersome terminal block and prewiring decisions.

[0039] The arrangement also provides a single connection point for Light Engine connection.

[0040] In-Line splice connectors, such as the Wago 221-2411, are used to eliminate the need for AC input terminal blocks on both the normal and emergency inputs. These in-line splice connectors require no special tools during field electrical connection or factory assembly. These same splice connectors may also be used to replace all of the terminal blocks of the prior generation RDCC.

[0041] The double decker emergency side design of prior RDCCs is now single deck for easier to service and assembly.

[0042] A modular main tray (as best seen in FIG. 12) can be easily replaced if outer case is damaged or upgrade to future technology.

[0043] While various embodiments of an improved remote driver control center and its respective components have been presented in the foregoing disclosure, numerous modifications, alterations, alternate embodiments, and alternate materials may be contemplated by those skilled in the art and may be utilized in accomplishing the various aspects of the described inventions. Thus, it is to be clearly understood that the present description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation on the scope of any of the inventions that may be claimed.