Electrical apparatus having status indicating means

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] An electrical power distribution device such as a junction box or the like includes a status indicator that also serves not only to indicate the status of energization of a connector mounted in a first housing opening, but also to illuminate a translucent indicia-bearing plate mounted in second housing opening. The housing contains a chamber in which are mounted a light emitting diode that is energized simultaneously with the connector, and a light transmitting member that directs the light produced by the LED toward the second housing opening.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] It is well known in the prior art to provide status indicating means on electrical power distribution devices such as junction boxes, switchgear, relays, actuators, sensors and the like, particularly when the devices are part of a system having remotely located components, such as, for example, the automated electrical distribution and temperature control systems for large office buildings. In the SAI-type electrical power distribution devices, light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been used to indicate optically the state of energization of the devices, sometimes with the use of characterizing colors, such as red, yellow or green.

[0005] In addition to the known status indicating means, it has proven desirable to also specifically identify the various devices in some manner, such as by a name plate or other indicia-bearing means. In order to facilitate the reading of the indicia, in accordance with the present invention it is proposed to illuminate an indicia-bearing translucent plate with a portion of the light energy that is developed by the status indicating means. Thus, not only is the indicia-bearing plate illuminated, but also a portion of the generated light (possibly of a given characterizing color such as red, yellow or green), is directly observed as a status indicator.

[0006] Accordingly, a primary of the present invention is to provide an electrical power distribution device in which a light source is energized simultaneously with the electrical connector, and a first portion of the generated light is used to illuminate an indicia-bearing plate, and a second portion is used to indicate the status of the device.

[0007] According to a more specific object of the invention, the power distribution device includes a housing formed of insulating material and containing a chamber in which is mounted a light emitting means that is simultaneously energized with a connector mounted within a housing wall opening. Light conducting means transmit this generated light toward a second housing opening that partially receives a translucent indicia-bearing plate that is illuminated by the transmitted light energy. The remaining portion of the second housing opening provides access for the direct viewing of the light conducting member within the chamber, thereby to indicate the status of the connector.

[0008] According to a further object of the invention, the housing include a removable bottom wall that carries the light source and contact leads of the connector. In the preferred embodiment, this bottom wall comprises a printed circuit board having a conductor that connects the light source for simultaneous energization with the connector contacts.

[0012] Referring first more particularly to FIG. 1a, the electrical power distribution apparatus of the present invention is illustrated in connection with a junction box 1 having a female plug connector 2 provided with status indicator means 3. As shown in FIG. 1b, the housing 1 contains a central chamber 3, and includes a top wall 1a, a plurality of side walls 1b, and a removable bottom wall 1c that is connected with the side walls 1b by a snap fit connection or the like. The top wall 1a contains a first opening 10 in which is mounted the female plug connector 2. The top wall 1a also contains a second opening 12 that is partially filled by a translucent indicia-bearing plate 8. The remaining portion of the second opening 12 is adapted to receive a transparent protective plate 14, as will be described below.

[0013] The bottom wall 1c contains a plurality of openings that receive the contact leads 2a of the plug connector 2, which contacts are connected with a voltage source 16 via conductor means containing a switch 18. Also mounted on the housing bottom wall 1c is a light source 4 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a light emitting diode (LED) 5 that is connected with the contacts 2a by means of a conductor 20. In the preferred embodiment, the bottom wall 1c comprises a printed circuit upon which the light emitting diode is mounted, and the conductor 20 comprises a printed circuit conductor leading to the contact leads 2a of the connector 2.

[0014] Mounted in the chamber 3 in the opening 12 above the light source 4 is a light conducting member 6, which in the illustrated embodiment comprises a planar rectangular member having an upper edge a first part 7a of which extends beneath the translucent indicia-bearing plate 8. The remaining upper part 7b of the light conducting member 6 extends beneath the remaining portion of the second opening 12 within which the transparent plate 14 is mounted.

[0015] In operation, assume that the switch 18 is closed to energize the contact leads 2a of the plug connector 2 from the voltage source 16. Simultaneously, the light emitting diode 5 is energized via the conductor 20 on the printed circuit board that defines the bottom wall 1c of the junction box housing 1. Light energy from the LED 5 is transmitted by the light conducting member 6 upwardly toward the second opening 12. A first portion of the generated light is transmitted by the edge portion 7a to illuminate the indicia-bearing plate 8, and a second portion of the transmitted light extends from the edge portion 7b via the remaining portion of the second opening 12. Thus, the first portion of the emitted light from the light source 4 illuminates the translucent indicia-bearing plate 8, and a second portioned of the emitted light may be viewed directly from the edge 7b of the light conducting member 6 via the remaining portion of the second opening 12. If desired, the light conducting 6, the translucent plate 8, and/or the transparent plate 14 may be provided with means producing a distinctive color, such as red, yellow, or green.

[0016] If the transparent plate 14 were to be omitted, the status light would be viewed directly from the edge part 7b of the light conducting member 6 via the opening defined by the remaining portion of the second opening 12.

[0017] While in accordance with the provisions of the Patent Statutes the preferred forms and embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made without deviating from the invention described above.