Abstract:
The invention concerns an electrical module suitable for operating while optionally being connected to at least one other electrical module of the same type, the electrical module comprising a housing on which are arranged first connection means suitable for connecting the electrical module to an external power source and second connection means allowing the electrical module to exchange first data with the outside, the electrical module further comprising linking means suitable for connecting the electrical module to another electrical module of the same type in order to transmit linking data and/or a linking power supply thereto.

Description:
[0001]    The invention relates to an electrical module adapted to operate while optionally connected to at least one other electrical module of the same type. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Certain home electrical installations require a plurality of pieces of electrical equipment or modules to be connected together. Such installations include a “multimedia installation” e.g. combining an Internet gateway, a TV decoder, a video game console, etc. It is also possible to mention a “Hi-Fi” audio installation, e.g. combining an amplifier, a CD deck, a tuner, etc. 
         [0003]    Numerous electric cables are used in installations of this type for connecting each electrical module to a mains electricity outlet, for connecting one or more electrical modules to the Internet, for connecting the modules to one another so as to enable data to be exchanged between the modules, etc. 
         [0004]    Using these numerous cables raises certain problems. The cables make the electrical installation unattractive in appearance, and they sometimes require complex operations to be initiated in order to hide them. Such an electrical installation also requires a certain number of mains electricity outlets to be available in the proximity of the installation, or else the use of an additional power strip in order to connect each electrical module to mains. Finally, connecting the various electrical modules to one another is relatively complex and can present difficulties for an inexperienced user. 
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    An object of the invention is to provide an electrical module adapted for being integrated in an electrical installation of the kind mentioned above and that in use enables the number of cables and mains electricity outlets needed to operate the installation to be reduced, and that simplifies connecting modules within the installation. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In order to achieve this object, there is provided an electrical module adapted to operate while optionally connected to at least one other electrical module of the same type. The electrical module comprises a box having arranged thereon first connection means suitable for connecting the electrical module to an external power supply, and second link means enabling the electrical module to exchange first data externally. The electrical module also includes connection means that are fastened to the box and that are adapted to connect the electrical module to another electrical module of the same type in order to convey thereto link data and/or a link power supply. 
         [0007]    When a plurality of electrical modules of the invention are connected together within a single electrical installation, they are connected to one another via the connection means. Thus, it suffices for a single electrical module to be connected to a mains electricity outlet to enable all of the modules to be powered, the electrical module that is connected to the mains outlet supplying the link power supply to the other electrical modules via the link means in order to power them. Likewise, the electrical modules can exchange link data with one another via the link means. This greatly reduces the number of electrical power supply and data transmission cables that are needed in the installation, thereby improving the appearance of the installation. The number of mains electricity outlets that are needed is also reduced. In addition, connecting electrical modules within the installation consists merely in connecting a standard power supply cable to one electrical module and connecting the other electrical modules to one another via the link means, thereby greatly simplifying connection operations and reducing any risk of connection error. 
         [0008]    The invention can be better understood in the light of the following description of a particular, non-limiting embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of three electrical modules of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows the link means of the electrical module of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a first electrical connector of the electrical module of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a second electrical connector of the link means of the electrical module of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5 a    shows a female plug of a female electrical connector of the electrical module of the invention in a first embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5 b    shows a male plug of link means complementary to the female plug shown in  FIG. 5   a;    
           [0016]      FIG. 6 a    shows a female plug of a female electrical connector of the electrical module of the invention in a second embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6 b    shows a male plug of link means complementary to the female plug shown in  FIG. 6   a;    
           [0018]      FIG. 7 a    shows a female plug of a female electrical connector of the electrical module of the invention in a third embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7 b    shows a male plug of link means complementary to the female plug shown in  FIG. 7   a;    
           [0020]      FIG. 8 a    shows a female plug of a female electrical connector of the electrical module of the invention in a fourth embodiment; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 8 b    shows a male plug of link means complementary to the female plug shown in  FIG. 8   a.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the invention is illustrated by a home electrical installation  1  comprising first, second, and third electrical modules  2   a,    2   b,  and  2   c  of the invention. In the context of a multimedia installation, it can comprise, by way of example: a home Internet gateway; a television decoder; and a video game console; said multimedia installation then also including a TV set (not shown) connected to the above-mentioned electrical modules. 
         [0023]    Each of the electrical modules  2  is adapted to operate by being connected or not connected to another electrical module of the same type. The term “same type” is used to mean that the electrical modules possess compatible electrical interfaces and are adapted to co-operate so that together they perform at least one particular function. Thus, once more in the context of a multimedia installation, the video game console can operate independently but it can also be connected to the home gateway in order to receive data from the Internet, e.g. for interacting with other players. 
         [0024]    Each electrical module  2  comprises a box  3  containing at least one electrical card  4  adapted to perform functions specific to the electrical module  2  and possibly particular functions resulting from co-operation between modules, if any. 
         [0025]    First connection means  5  and second connection means  6  combined in a single first electrical connector  7 , specifically a female connector, and link means  8  are arranged on each box  3 . 
         [0026]    The first connection means  5  are for connecting the electrical module to a power supply that is external to the module in question. The term “external power supply” is used interchangeably to cover a power supply coming from a mains electricity outlet and a power supply coming from another electrical module  2 . 
         [0027]    The second connection means  6  enable the electrical module  3  to exchange first data externally relative to the electrical module  3 . The term “externally relative to the electrical module” is used herein to mean that first data is exchanged with any piece of equipment or with some other electrical module  2 . 
         [0028]    The link means  8  comprise an arm  9  that can be seen more clearly in  FIG. 2 , which itself has a first end  10  fastened to the box  3 , a body  11 , a second end  12  having a male second electrical connector  13  complementary to the first electrical connector  7 , and a grip zone  17  situated on the second end  12 . Electric cables  14  connecting the first end  10  with the second electrical connector  13  pass inside the body  11  of the arm  9 . 
         [0029]    The first electrical connector  7  and the arm  9  of the electrical modules  3  are thus used firstly to provide a power supply for the three electrical modules  2  of the home electrical installation, and secondly to exchange link data between the three electrical modules  2 . 
         [0030]    There follows a description in greater detail of how the first electrical module  2   a,  the second electrical module  2   b,  and the third electrical module  2   c  are electrically connected together. 
         [0031]    The first electrical module  2   a  is connected via the first connection means  5  of the first electrical connector  7  of the first electrical module  2   a  and via a standard power supply cable  15  to a mains electricity outlet  16 . The electrical card  4  of the first electrical module  2   a  has a power supply circuit that is thus powered by the voltage from the mains electricity outlet  16 . The power supply circuit of the electrical card  4  of the first electrical module  2   a  provides one or more power supplies for the remainder of the electrical card  4  and also a link power supply to the second module  2   b  via the arm  9  of the first electrical module  2   a,  said link power supply being adapted to power the electrical card  4  of the second electrical module  2   b.    
         [0032]    Furthermore, the electrical card  4  of the electrical module  2   a  and the electrical card  4  of the electrical module  2   b  exchange link data via the arm  9  of the first electrical module  2   a.  The second electrical connector  13  of the arm  9  of the first electrical module  2   a  is connected for this purpose to the first electrical connector  7  of the second electrical module  2   b.    
         [0033]    The second electrical module  2   b  is thus powered by the first electrical module  2   a,  and it is adapted to exchange link data with the first electrical module  2   a.    
         [0034]    The second electrical module  2   b  is also connected to the third electrical module  2   c.  The electrical card  4  of the second electrical module  2   b  provides a link power supply to the third electrical module  2   c  via the arm  9  of the second electrical module  2   b.  The electrical card  4  of the second electrical module  2   b  and the electrical card  4  of the third electrical module  2   c  also exchange link data via the arm  9  of the second electrical module  2   b.  The second electrical connector  13  of the arm  9  of the second electrical module  2   b  is connected for this purpose to the first electrical connector  7  of the third electrical module  2   c.    
         [0035]    The third electrical module  2   c  is thus powered by the second electrical module  2   b,  and it is adapted to exchange link data with the second electrical module  2   b.    
         [0036]    Thus, the link data exchanged between the first electrical module  2   a  and the third electrical module  2   c  transits via the second electrical module  2   b.    
         [0037]    It should thus be observed that the arms  9  of the first electrical module  2   a  and of the second electrical module  2   b  are respectively connected to the second electrical module  2   b  and to the third electrical module  2   c,  whereas the arm  9  of the third electrical module  2   c  is not used. The term “connection position” is used to designate the position occupied by the arms  9  of the electrical modules  2   a  and  2   b,  which are connected to another electrical module, and the term “rest position” is used to designate the position occupied by the arm  9  of the third module  2   c,  which is not connected to another electrical module. 
         [0038]    Each box  3  of an electrical module  2  has a dummy female electrical connector  20  complementary to the second electrical connector  13  and adapted to receive the second electrical connector  13  when the arm is positioned in its rest position. The first end  10  of the arm  9  is pivotally mounted on the box  3  so that a user can selectively position the arm  9  in the connection position or in the rest position by taking hold of the grip zone  17  by hand and pivoting the arm. 
         [0039]    The arm  9  has a length that is determined as a function of the height of the modules  2  but that is sufficient to make it possible to interconnect electrically the two modules. 
         [0040]    In this example the arm  9  is secured to the box  3  of the electrical module  2  and cannot be removed. Alternatively, provision could be made for an arm  9  that is releasably fastened to the box  3  so as to be separable from the box  3  and possibly mounted on some other electrical module  2 . 
         [0041]    There follows a description in greater detail of the first electrical connector  7  of an electrical module  2  and the second electrical connector  13  of an arm  9 , with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0042]    The first electrical connector  7  is a female connector combining the first connection means  5  suitable for conveying a power supply, and the second connection means  6  suitable for conveying digital data. The second electrical connector  13  is a male connector complementary to the first connector and it has third connection means  21  complementary to the first connection means  5  and fourth connection means  22  complementary to the second connection means  6  of the electrical module  2 . 
         [0043]    The electrical connector  13  is oriented relative to the arm  9  as a function of the angle made by the arm  9  when it is interconnecting two modules  2 . 
         [0044]    The first connection means  5  of the first connector  7  comprise a standard female electrical power supply connector of type C7 complying with the IEC 60320-1 standard. The third connection means  21  of the second electrical connector  13  thus comprise a standard male electrical power supply connector of type C7 in compliance with the IEC 60320-1 standard. Thus, an electrical module  2  can equally well be powered from a mains electricity outlet via an electric cable having a male electrical connector at its free end in compliance with the above-mentioned standards, as shown for the first electrical module  2   a,  or by another electrical module, as shown for the second and third electrical modules  2   b  and  2   c.    
         [0045]    Advantageously, the second connection means  6  of the first electrical connector  7  comprise a non-standard female electrical connector  23  having mechanical safety means  24  so as to be capable of being connected solely to an arm  9  of another electrical module. The first data exchanged externally by each electrical module via the arm  9  is constituted solely by link data coming from another module. 
         [0046]    The female electrical connector  23  of the second connection means comprise a female plug  30  defining a connection housing  25  within which contacts are arranged in compliance with the HDMI standard. 
         [0047]    The mechanical safety means are adapted to prevent a standard HDMI male connector connecting with the female electrical connector  23 . Thus, a user cannot in error connect a standard HDMI connector coming from equipment of some other type (e.g. a camcorder) to the female electrical connector  23  of an electrical module  2 . 
         [0048]    With reference to  FIG. 5   a,  the mechanical safety means  24  are defined by an inside shape of the connection housing  25 , which inside shape presents at least one spline  26  situated on at least one inside surface of the connection housing. Specifically, the inside shape of the connection housing  25  presents a first spline  26  situated at the center of a top inside face  27  of the connection housing and a second spline  26  situated at the center of a bottom inside face  29  of the connection housing  25 . 
         [0049]    When the female electrical connector  23  includes the mechanical safety means  24  of the first embodiment, the fourth connection means  22  include a male plug  31 , shown in  FIG. 5 b    that is complementary to the female plug in question, i.e. a male plug having contacts arranged in compliance with the HDMI standard, and with an outside shape that presents two slots  32  complementary to the splines  26  of the connection housing  25  of the female plug  30  of the female electrical connector  23 . 
         [0050]    In the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 6   a,  the mechanical safety means  24  are defined by an inside shape of the connection housing  25  that is defined by two side walls  37 , each provided with a spline of square or rectangular section  38  extending in a direction for inserting the male plug of the corresponding male electrical connector into the housing. The male plug  40  of the fourth connection means  22  then includes complementary slots  41  of square or rectangular section arranged to receive the splines  38 . 
         [0051]    In a third embodiment, shown in  FIG. 7   a,  the connection housing  25  is defined by two side walls  43 , each of which has a slot of triangular section  44  formed therein. The male plug  45  of the fourth connection means then has complementary splines  46  of triangular section. 
         [0052]    In a fourth embodiment, shown in  FIG. 8   a,  the mechanical safety means  24  comprise at least one protuberance  48  projecting from a front face  49  of the female plug  30  in order to extend parallel to the direction for engaging the male plug  50  in the female plug  30 . Specifically, the female plug  30  has two protuberances  48  situated on either side of the connection housing  25 . The male plug  50  of the fourth connection means  22  then has two reception housings  51  complementary to the protuberances  48 . These protuberances  48  are of a length that is sufficient to enable no more than partial insertion of a standard HDMI male plug into the female plug of the female electrical connector, while preventing any electrical connection between the contacts of those two plugs. 
         [0053]    The invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described above, but on the contrary covers any variant coming within the ambit of the invention as defined by the claims. 
         [0054]    The box of the electrical module may naturally include other connection means enabling the electrical module to be connected to an external power supply or to some other equipment. In particular, the box may include a standard additional connector arranged on the box and enabling the electrical module to exchange second data externally, said additional connector being, for example, a standard connector giving access to the Internet via a standard cable. 
         [0055]    The second connection means may be of standards other than the HDMI standard, and for example they may be of the USB, Firewire, etc. standards. 
         [0056]    The arm may be telescopic and the connection means  21  and  22  may be mounted on swivel supports. 
         [0057]    The link data may be sent by the electrical module  2   a  for the attention of the electrical module  2   c,  in which case it merely transits via the electrical module  2   b,  or it may be sent by the electrical module  2   b  for the attention of the electrical module  2   c.