Patent ID: 12224536

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to understand the inventive concepts described below to their fullest extent, set forth below is a discussion of the state of the art and certain longstanding problems pertaining to industrial power distribution units (PDUs), followed by descriptions of exemplary inventive embodiments of PDU devices, systems and methods addressing longstanding problems in the art.

In general, an industrial PDU typically includes an elongated chassis with a large number of power outlets (e.g., 36 outlets) arranged along an axial length of the chassis, in combination with sophisticated power monitoring and power management components. The PDU may define a portion of a rather complex redundant power system in certain applications. For example, in a data center application, two power input paths may connect to respective sets of main power panels, transfer switches, backup generators, power panels, Maintenance Bypass Panels (MBP), uninterruptible power supplies, and branch protection circuit breakers feeding electrical power to the respective PDUs that in turn feed electrical power to information technology (IT) equipment and achieve multiple and redundant power supply operation of the IT equipment via the PDUs provided.

Each PDU in the data center application may be provided with “intelligent” features such as power metering, power control, environmental sensing, etc. of the PDU in use. A management module, sometimes referred to as a network management module, is therefore typically provided in the PDU that includes a simple computer or controller in communication with a network interface to realize bi-directional communication with a remote computer or computing network for purposes of monitoring and managing the power system in the data center. A number of different communication ports may be provided in a network interface including a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, an Ethernet port, Rs485 ports, and sensor ports that may in turn interface with compatible cables and mating connectors in a known manner.

The management module in a conventional PDU may include a display that is local to the management module to show data and setup information at the PDU to the end user or installer, as well as responsible persons for overseeing the data center. The display in the management module may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) display screen, a light emitting diode (LED) display screen, and LCD/LED display screen, an organic light emitting diode (oLED) display screen, or another known type of display screen. The local display may be a single color display or multiple color display, may be provided with or without backlighting, and may be factory set to show critical power and setup information to the end user, installer or overseer as well as to display desired data and information after setup.

By virtue of the features described above, industrial PDUs are relatively large, sophisticated devices and therefore relatively expensive devices possessing vast functionality that so-called “power strip” devices cannot and will not provide. Power-strips are instead multi-outlet devices which, by design, are smaller, lighter, portable, and relatively inexpensive for powering non-critical electrical components for general business or residential use that do not require the power monitoring, power management, and data communication capabilities of an industrial PDU.

The various power outlets provided in a PDU may distribute electrical power from a common power supply input to a respective electrical component, electrical device, electrical appliance or electrical equipment via removable power cords. Each power cord has a plug connector on one end that interfaces with one of the outlets on the PDU and a second end that connects to the electrical device, electrical appliance or electrical equipment. Such PDUs and power cords are prolifically used for respective power connection to IT components and equipment arranged on the server rack in a computer data center.

A number of different types of plug connectors exist for power cords in the computer data center equipment realm. The plug connectors typically include terminals located inside an open-ended housing that may in turn be received over an outlet in a PDU in a safe and effective manner. The terminals of the plug connector pass through apertures in the outlet of the PDU and are received in mating terminals of the outlet to establish the desired electrical connection to the PDU while the housing of the plug connector extends over and receives the exterior surface of the PDU outlet. As such, conventional plug connectors and PDU outlets each have mating housing features and mating terminal features.

In contrast to a PDU, a conventional power strip device is designed for use with a standard plug having terminals projecting from an exterior of the plug housing that are mated with plug-in connection to internal terminals of an outlet, without positive engagement of the plug connector housing to any housing feature of the socket. The outlets in the power strip receive the terminals of a plug but the plug connector housing itself is not received in the outlets to establish the desired electrical connection. The power strip device that is generally designed for residential or business use is designed to operate with respect to standard plugs having standard terminals that are in turn universally used with a standard wall outlet in a modern residence or commercial building.

For instance, in the United States the standard wall outlet is a NEMA 5-15R, 15A outlet. The standard plug in the United States is either a NEMA 1-15P plug or a NEMA 5-15P plug. NEMA 1-15P and NEMA 5-15P plugs each include parallel and straight terminal blades, while the NEMA 5-15 plug further includes a terminal ground pin. The NEMA 1-15P and NEMA 5-15P plugs are commonly referred to in layman terms as a “two prong” plug or a “three prong” plug that are prolifically found in power cords and extension cords of a typical consumer electrical device or appliance. In general, any power cord including the standard plug can be plugged into the standard wall outlet and can alternatively be plugged in to the power strip device, whereas the plug connectors of certain types of data center equipment are entirely incompatible with the standard wall outlet due to the terminals being interior to the plug housing and due to interfering features of the plug connector housing and the standard wall outlet, and for the same reasons are incompatible with the standard outlets in a power strip device. From this perspective, and unlike the power strip device, the industrial PDU requires special purpose outlets rather than standard outlets in order to make the needed connections to IT equipment or other devices via power cords having special purpose plug connectors with incompatible housing and terminal features to the standard outlet design.

Different types of special purpose plug connectors are likewise known that include different plug connector housing shapes and different orientations of terminals inside the plug connector housing. Accordingly, different types of special outlets are known for PDUs that are specifically configured to connect to different types of special purpose connector plugs via compatible outlet shapes and terminal apertures with one of the different types of plug connectors available. Such different types of special purpose outlets have been used in conventional PDUs to connect with specific plug connector types in a one-to-one correlation. That is, each of the different types of special purpose outlets is generally configured to specifically connect to a different one of the particular and different types of plug connectors available. In other words, a plurality of different outlets have conventionally been provided in a PDU to correspondingly mate with different types of plug connectors, wherein a first type of outlet is provided to mate with a first type of plug connector, a second type of outlet is provided to mate with a second type of plug connector, etc.

Providing such different types of special purpose outlets in a conventional PDU to mate with different plug connector types is undesirable from the manufacturing perspective. Increasing the number of outlets in the PDU to provide a greater variety of power outlets having specific configuration to mate with power cords having different plug connector types requires a larger PDU and therefore increased material costs and assembly costs in the manufacturing of a PDU. While this may be acceptable to customers that can use the outlets provided in about the same number, in other cases such a PDU would be a poor fit for a customer that has no need for the number of combination outlets provided in the PDU. A possible solution would be to offer a number of stock keeping units (SKUs) of PDUs having different numbers of combination outlets, but increasing SKUs complicates the supply chain and requires additional costs to maintain an adequate inventory of PDUs to meet the needs of different customers.

Alternatively, customized PDU manufacturing is possible to meet the needs of customers specifically. Such customization of PDUs is undesirable in some aspects from each of the manufacturer's perspective and customer perspective. While customization of PDUs can be accommodated with some appeal to certain customers, it increases manufacturing costs and corresponding purchase prices. Different PDUs having the various different types of power outlets in different numbers for individual installations also entails a relatively complicated order process and opportunity for human error and mistake in the ordering and in the execution of the order by the manufacturer. Manufacturing delay and delivery delay for customized PDUs may also result in uneven timing of orders and inefficiencies of manufacturing customized PDUs.

From the purchaser's perspective, customization of PDUs can nonetheless undesirably result in a sub-optimal number of outlets for connection to the specific types of plug connectors for a particular end use either because the purchaser miscalculated the number of desired outlets of each type that is actually needed or because the needs changed due to unanticipated changes in the components being connected to the PDU or to unexpected types of power cords provided or on hand to make the desired connections. Considering that the connected plugs and IT equipment receiving power from the PDU may change over time in a data center, an otherwise acceptable PDU at the time of initial purchase and installation could suddenly become obsolete as the need to connect to different types of plug connectors changes.

Recently, PDUs have been introduced that include so-called combination outlets that are designed to facilitate electrical connections to different types of special purpose plug connectors in the same outlet. That is, by virtue of such combination outlets, different types of plug connectors having different plug housings and/or different terminal configurations can be interchangeably connected to the same outlet. This provides desired flexibility to make connections to various different types of plug connectors in a smaller number of outlets to reduce the size and expense of a PDU while affording greater flexibility from the installation perspective. Known combination outlets, however, can nonetheless be impractical in some aspects, undesirably limited in some aspects, undesirably complicated and expensive to manufacture, and/or subject to certain reliability issues in use. Improvements are accordingly desired.

Practical, simple, reliable and more economically manufactured combination outlet assemblies and power distribution units including combination outlet assemblies are described hereinbelow that address the shortcomings above. Method aspects will be in part apparent and in part explicitly discussed from the following description. While combination outlet assemblies and industrial PDUs including the same are described in the exemplary context of power distribution in computer data centers and data center equipment including IT equipment, such description is exemplary only and the embodiments of the invention are not necessarily limited thereto. Rather, the benefits of the inventive embodiments of combination outlet assemblies and PDUs accrue more generally to any end use or application presenting similar problems and in which at least some of the same benefits may be realized via the inventive concepts described herein.

Referring now toFIGS.1-13, a combination outlet assembly100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in various views. The combination outlet assembly100has a compact package size including dual power outlets that are designed for interchangeable use with different special purpose plug connectors in a reduced amount of space and at an economical manufacturing cost relative to more complicated conventional combination assemblies having more than two outlets (e.g. four, six, eight, etc.) in a larger package size. The dual outlets in the assembly100are different and distinguishable from one another to accept different plug connectors in a different manner as described in detail further below. The combination outlet assembly100may be ganged together with other combination outlet assemblies100for installation to a PDU as also described below to economically provide a PDU having any desired number of combination outlets using a small number of modular component parts.

The combination outlet assembly100includes a housing102that in an exemplary embodiment is a single piece integrally formed housing including the features shown and described below. Specifically, in a contemplated embodiment the housing102may be formed and fabricated in a single piece construction via a molded, heavy duty plastic material. As compared to combination outlets including multiple piece housings that must be separately manufactured and subsequently assembled to one another, the single piece housing is advantageous from the manufacturing perspective to lower costs, while also avoiding reliability issues of separately fabricated housing parts detaching from one another in use and handling when attached to a PDU.

In the example embodiment shown the single piece housing102is defined by a pair of longitudinal side walls104,106having respective first and second end edges, a pair of end walls108,110extending orthogonally to the pair of longitudinal side walls104,106and respectively interconnecting the first and second edges of the pair of longitudinal side walls104,106. A bottom wall112interconnects the pair of longitudinal side walls104,106and the pair of end walls108,110. The side walls104,106, end walls108,110and bottom wall112define a generally rectangular or box-like housing. As shown inFIG.2, the longitudinal side walls104,106have an axial length dimension L extending in a direction perpendicular to the end walls108,110that is about twice as long as a width dimension W extending in direction perpendicular to the longitudinal side walls104,106.

As shown inFIGS.1,2,7and8, at the respective end edges thereof the longitudinal wall104further includes integrally formed vertically extending projections111extending parallel to a height dimension H of the housing102. The longitudinal wall106includes integrally formed vertically extending grooves or slots113extending parallel to the height dimension H of the housing102. As shown inFIG.2, the projections111include hooks at the distal ends thereof. The projections111and slots113serve as ganging features wherein when two housings102are arranged side-by-side they may be positively interlocked to one another with a dovetail engagement of the projections111and grooves113as shown inFIGS.14and15. While exemplary locations, orientations and geometry of ganging features are shown in the form of the projections111and slots113, other locations, orientations and geometry is possible in alternative embodiments.

As shown inFIGS.1,2,3,5,11and13afirst outlet core114is integrally formed in the housing102at an interior location to the walls104,106,108and110of the housing102. The first outlet core114extends upwardly from the bottom wall112. A second outlet core116is also integrally formed in the housing102at an interior location to the walls104,106,108and110of the housing102. The second outlet core116extends upwardly from the bottom wall112in spaced relation from the first outlet core114along the length dimension L of the housing102. An interior dividing wall118is formed in the housing102and extends between the outlet cores114and116. In the example shown, the dividing wall118extends perpendicularly to the pair of longitudinal side walls104,106and separates distinct regions on either side thereof wherein the core outlets114,116reside. In other contemplated embodiments, however, the dividing wall118could be considered optional and need not be included while still realizing at least some of the benefits of the present invention.

In the illustrated example, the dividing wall118is slightly off-centered in the lengthwise dimension L of the single piece integrally formed housing102. That is, the dividing wall118is slightly closer to one of the pair of end walls108,110than to the other as shown in the top view ofFIG.2. Also, the outlet core114is slightly off-centered in the widthwise dimension W while the outlet core116is centered in the widthwise dimension W. That is, the outlet core114is positioned slightly closer to the longitudinal side wall106than to the side wall104of the housing102while the outlet core116is approximately equidistant from the longitudinal wall104and the longitudinal wall106. The off-centered outlet core114in the widthwise direction accommodates fastener openings119alongside the outlet core114and the longitudinal side wall104. The fastener openings119allow the housing102to be fastened to a support structure such as a chassis of a PDU using known fasteners such as screws that are received in the fastener openings119from above the housing102. Coupled with the interlocking ganging features described above, the fasteners securely fix the combination outlet assembly100in place. In another embodiment, fastener openings may be located at an alternative location and/or the outlet core114could be centered and aligned with the outlet core116if desired.

As shown inFIGS.2,3and5, the first and second outlet cores114,116respectively have a common outer shape and profile including a short end vertical wall120extending parallel to the dividing wall118, a pair of vertical walls122,124respectively extending at an obtuse but opposite angle to one another from the end wall120on either respective side of the vertical wall120. As such, the slope of the angled walls122,124is inverted on each side of the end wall120. The outer shape and profile also includes a pair of side vertical walls126,128extending parallel to the longitudinal side walls104,106from the end of each angled wall122,124, and a long end wall130extending parallel to the short end wall120and interconnecting the ends of the parallel side walls126,128. A rounded internal groove132is also integrally formed in the long wall130in a central portion thereof that extends with concave curvature toward the short end wall120. The vertical walls120,122,124,126,128and130of the outlet cores114,116arranged as shown and described may be recognized as having the shape and profile of an IEC C13 inlet/receptacle familiar to those in the art. In combination with the groove132the outlet cores114,116may be recognized as having the shape and profile of an IEC C15 inlet/receptacle also familiar to those in the art. While both the outlet cores114,116have the same outer shape and profile in the illustrated embodiment, in another embodiment the outlet cores114,116may be differently shaped and have a different profile from one another.

In the example shown, the outer shape and profile of the first and second outlet cores114,116further extend as mirror images of one another in the lengthwise dimension L. In other words, and as shown in top view inFIG.2the outer shape and profile of the outlet core114is oriented in an inverted or upside down position (i.e., in a 180° orientation relative to the core outlet core116) in the lengthwise dimension L. In the inverted arrangement, the short end wall120of each outlet core114,116respectively faces the dividing wall and the long end walls130face the respective end walls108,110of the housing102. The outlet cores114,116extend on opposing sides of the dividing wall118and the outlet core114extends slightly offset from the outlet core116in the widthwise dimension W. As a result, the outlet core114is shifted slightly to the left inFIG.2relative to the outlet core116and imparting an asymmetry in the housing102via slight staggering of the inverted outlet cores114,116. In other words, the inverted outlet cores114,116are slightly misaligned with respect to an axial centerline of the housing102in the lengthwise direction. In another embodiment, however, the outlet cores114,116need not necessarily be inverted or misaligned.

As shown inFIGS.3and5, a respective receptacle space134,136surrounds each of the first and second outlet core114,116in the single piece integrally formed housing102via interior walls therein that are spaced from the outer shape and profile of each outlet core114,116. In the example shown, the space134that surrounds the outlet core114is shaped to complement the outer shape and profile of the outlet core114. That is, the internal walls of the housing102surrounding the outlet core114include respective walls arranged complementary to but spaced from the outer walls120,122,124,126,128and130of the outlet core114. The space134is defined by an inner boundary corresponding to the outer perimeter of the outer walls120,122,124,126,128and130of the outlet core114and an outer boundary having a larger perimeter but matching the shape of the inner boundary. The peripheral space134extends between the inner and outer boundaries to surround the entire circumferential perimeter of the outlet core114.

Unlike the space134, the space136that surrounds the outlet core116does not match the outer shape and profile of the outlet core116. While the outlet core116has six walls120,122,124,126,128and130as shown, the housing internal walls surrounding the outlet core116include only four walls defining a generally rounded rectangular shape. As such, the space136has an inner boundary corresponding to the outer perimeter of the walls120,122,124,126,128and130of the outlet core116and an outer boundary that is nearly square. The outer boundary of the space136is therefore both larger than the inner boundary and differently shaped from the inner boundary. The area of the space136on the bottom wall112of the housing is considerably larger than the area of the space134as shown.

The receptacle space134surrounding the first outlet core114is compatible with a first power cord200(FIG.4) having a first plug connector housing202that is complementary in outer shape and profile to the outlet core114. The first plug connector housing202may accordingly be received over the outlet core114within the space134provided. The first plug connector housing202also includes three terminal blades204that extend in spaced apart but parallel planes inside the plug connector housing202. The three terminal blades204correspond to a line terminal, a neutral terminal, and a ground terminal connecting to respective conductors in cable206of the power cord200. The terminal and housing configuration of the plug of the power cord200shown inFIG.4may be recognized as an IEC C14 plug connector. When engaged, the terminals204in the plug connector housing202pass through rectangular apertures140(FIG.3) in the outlet core114where they engage respective terminals150,152,154(FIGS.3and13) that are located inside the outlet core114beneath the apertures140.

As shown inFIG.5, the space136surrounding the outlet core116in the housing102, being both larger and differently shaped than the space134surrounding the outlet core114, is compatible with the first plug connector housing202of the power cord200(FIG.4) that is complementary in outer shape and profile to the outlet core116, and further is compatible with a second plug connector housing222of a second power cord220shown inFIG.6. The plug connector housing222includes four walls arranged in a generally square shape and terminals224inside the four walls. The four walls of the plug connector housing222may be received over the outlet core116within the space136provided.

The second plug connector housing222also includes three terminal blades224, two of which extend in a generally coplanar relationship and third extending in a spaced apart but parallel plane to the other two of the terminal blades224. As such, each of the terminal blades224of the plug connector housing222inside the plug connector housing222extend at a 90° angle relative to the terminals204of the plug connector housing202of the power cord200(FIG.4). Therefore, as shown inFIG.4the blade terminals204in the plug connector housing202extend at a common and generally vertical orientation, whereas the terminals224in the plug connector222as shown inFIG.6extend at a common and generally horizontal orientation. In alternative embodiments, one or more of the blade terminals in each plug connector housing may be oriented differently to another one of the blade terminals. By virtue of the different housing structure and/or the different terminal orientation such plug connectors are deemed to of different type in the context of the present invention.

The three terminal blades224in the plug connector housing222correspond to a line terminal, a neutral terminal, and a ground terminal connecting to respective conductors in cable226of the power cord220. The terminal and housing configuration of the power cord plug shown inFIG.6may be recognized as an IEC C20 plug connector. When the power cord220is engaged to the outlet core116, the terminals224in the plug connector housing222pass through respective horizontal portions of T-shaped apertures160(FIG.5) in the outlet core116where they engage respective terminals150,152,154(FIGS.5and13) that are located inside the outlet core116beneath the apertures160. When the power cord200is engaged to the outlet core116, the terminals204in the plug connector housing202pass through respective vertical portions of T-shaped apertures160in the outlet core116where they engage respective terminals150,152,154(FIGS.5and13) that are located inside the outlet core116. Therefore, by virtue of the outer shape and profile of the outlet core216, the surrounding space136, and the T-shaped apertures160in the core outlet core116both of the plug connector housing202and terminals204and the plug connector housing222and the terminals224may be interchangeably accepted by the outlet core116and engaged to the terminals150,152,154therein, whereas the outlet core114will accept the plug connector housing202and terminals204but reject the plug connector housing222and the terminals224due to interfering portions of the housing of the power cord220.

In the illustrated embodiments, the outlet cores114,116are respectively provided with the same sets of terminals150,152,154. It is recognized, however, that the sets of terminals need not be the same in the outlet cores114,116in another embodiment. Specifically, the outlet core114may be provided with simpler shaped terminals than those shown inFIG.13since the outlet core114includes the rectangular apertures140that would operate to reject a plug having incompatible terminals with the apertures140. In other words, the terminals150,152,154that are configured to accept terminals of a plug in respectively different orientations are not required in the outlet core114because the apertures140will only accept plug terminals having a corresponding orientation. The benefits of the terminals150,152,154to accept different plug types in the outlet core166is only realized in the outlet core116having the T-shaped apertures160. While exemplary terminals150,152,154are shown and described having capability to accept different plug types, other terminal configurations are possible and may be adopted in further and/or alternative embodiments.

It is also recognized that by virtue of the grooves132in each outlet core114,116, each of the outlet cores may also accept an IEC C16 plug that is similar to housing202of the power cord200and has similar terminals to the terminals204, but further includes an internal protrusion that fits into the groove132in each outlet core. The outlet core114may therefore accept a CI6 plug and a C14 plug but reject a C20 plug, while the outlet core116may accept a C14 plug, a C16 plug and a C20 plug. As such, the outlet core114may accept two different types of plugs while the outlet core116may accept three different types of plugs. The combination outlet assembly including only two outlet cores114,116may therefore accept six combinations of mating plugs of different types. While exemplary plug types are described and illustrated having different housing structure and/or different terminal structure, such plug types are exemplary only and alternative types of plugs having plug connector housings of alternative geometry are possible having the same or different terminal structure of the IEC plug connectors described above in further and/or alternative embodiments.

As shown inFIG.5, a pair of spaced apart projections170,172extend upwardly from the bottom wall112of the housing102in the space136surrounding the outlet core. The pair of projections170,172are located on the bottom wall112in spaced relation from the angled vertical walls122,124of the outlet core116at a distance to respectively engage a portion of an exterior surface of the plug connector housing202(FIG.4) when mated to the outlet core116or alternatively to engage an interior surface of the plug connector housing222(FIG.6) when mated to the outlet core116. In the example shown, the projection170is angularly oriented relative to the projection172on the bottom floor at about a 90° angle to contact and support adjacent portions of the plug connector housing202or222that is mated to the outlet core116. The projections170and172that engage the plug connector housing202or222when received help to grip and hold the plug connector housing202or222in place and resist any tendency that otherwise may exist for the plug connector housing to disengage from the outlet core116. The plug connector housing202in the complementary space134surrounding the outlet core114is less subject to being dislodged in a similar manner, although similar protrusions to the projections170,172could be employed in the space134as well if desired. The projections170,172are easily formed on the bottom wall112of the housing102with little additional material and negligible effect on the manufacturing cost of the housing102. The projections170,172are therefore more economical plug connector housings than much more elaborate housing features that utilize significantly greater amounts of housing material or require assembly of separately fabricated pieces to implement.

While an exemplary location and geometry has been described and illustrated for the projections170,172the projections may be located elsewhere and may have different geometry in another embodiment. Also, a greater or fewer number of projections of the same or different shape and geometry may be utilized for similar purposes to the projections170,172and to realize the benefits thereof to varying degrees.

As shown inFIGS.1,2,5,7,8and11, to further ensure that a mated plug reliably stays connected to the outlet core116, the end wall108of the single piece integrally formed housing102includes a deflectable latch portion180. The deflectable latch portion180is attached to the housing102at a lower end thereof, but otherwise is separated from the end wall108of the housing102on the vertical sides thereof, and an angled finger grip extends away from the space136on the distal upper end of the deflectable latch portion180. The latch portion180is formed with a latch opening182that accepts a latch protrusion (not shown) provided on a power cord in the plug connector housing202or222. The associated plug and latch protrusion can therefore be positively locked or latched in place in the desired orientation relative to the outlet core116.

A resilient spring element184(FIGS.11and12) is separately provided from the housing102and may be fabricated from metal in a contemplated embodiment. The spring element184in the example shown includes a relatively wide base portion186in the widthwise dimension of the housing102that is inserted in a slot in the housing end wall108beneath the deflectable latch portion180. The base portion186includes inwardly facing deflectable fingers in central portion thereof, and a relatively thin angled section188extending upwardly from an edge of the base portion186. The upstanding angled section188abuts the deflectable latch portion180when assembled to the housing102. The angled section188of the spring element184acts upon the deflectable latch portion180to apply an inwardly directed mechanical bias force to hold the deflectable latch portion180in a locked or latched position extending generally vertically and flush with the remainder of the end wall108of the housing102. As a mating plug is inserted into the outlet core116the latch protrusion thereof will deflect the latch portion180outwardly until the latch protrusion can be received in the latch opening182. When desired, a user may grasp or depress the upper end of the latch portion180and manually deflect it outwardly to release a latch protrusion and remove a connected plug from the outlet core116when desired. The lock protrusion in the power cord need not move relative to the power cord in order to engage or disengage the deflectable latch portion180.

A similar opening to the latch opening182is provided in the end wall110of the housing102in the example shown, but the end wall110in the illustrated embodiment does not include a deflectable latch portion to assist with locking and unlocking of a power cord. The end wall110can still interface with a lock protrusion of a power cord, but requires a lock protrusion in the power cord that can be selectively positioned relative to the power cord housing to secure and release the lock protrusion with the lock opening in the end wall110. The deflectable and non-deflectable latch openings in the housing102on the end walls108,110provides additional flexibility in the combination outlet assembly to be used with different types of latch protrusions on power cords.

Instead of providing different latching features on each side of the housing102, in further embodiments both of the housing end walls108,110may be provided with a deflectable latch portion or a non-deflectable latch opening if desired. While the deflectable and non-deflectable latch features are illustrated on the end walls106,108of the housing, in another embodiment the deflectable latch portion and the non-deflectable latch opening could be located on the longitudinal side walls104,106. Of course, in some embodiments wherein latching of power cords is not desired or needed, the latch features described could be omitted in the housing construction.

The combination outlet assembly100further includes, as shown inFIGS.7,10and13, conductor bus elements190,192,194interconnecting the respective terminals150,152,154associated with each of the outlet core114and the outlet core116on an exterior of the bottom wall112. Each of the three conductor bus elements190,192,194completes a circuit path of different axial length between respective pairs of the terminals150,152,154. The circuit path in each conductor bus element190,192,194connecting the terminals150,152,154is generally planar with a number of bends or angled transitions in each element190,192,194.

In the illustrated embodiment, the conductor bus element190is an asymmetrical J-shaped element having a long leg and a short leg extending parallel thereto and a perpendicular leg interconnecting ends of the long and short legs. The opposing ends of the conductor bus element190include sections of enlarged areas to complete mechanical and electrical connection to the terminals154. The conductor bus element192in the example shown is a generally symmetrical element having opposing parallel legs offset from one another with an angled section in between, and out of plane tabs at the distal ends thereof for connection to the terminals152. The conductor bus element194in the example shown is an asymmetrical element having an open rectangular shape with parallel distal ends for connection to the terminals150. Each conductor bus element190,192,194also includes out of plane fastener tabs to fix the elements190,192,194in the desired orientation in the assembly and to complete electrical connection to corresponding bus structure in the chassis of a PDU. The conductor bus elements190,192,194and sets of terminals in each outlet core114,116are mechanically and electrically connected to corresponding bus conductors in the PDU to complete respective line connections, neutral connections, and ground connections for power distribution to the power outlets provided in the PDU.

As best shown inFIG.10, the conductor bus element192is nested partly between portions of the conductor bus element194and partly in the conductor bus element190. That is, portions of the conductor bus elements190and194surround the conductor bus element in a relatively compact arrangement. The bottom wall112of the housing102is formed with separating wall sections to prevent electrical shorting between the conductor bus elements190,192,194. The geometry and arrangement of the conductor bus elements190,192,194is exemplary only and alternative geometry and arrangement of conductor bus elements190,192,194may be employed in other embodiments.

In certain contemplated embodiments, the conductor bus elements190,192,194may be omitted in favor of connecting wires to establish electrical connections to external circuitry through the terminals150,152,154or in favor of a circuit board including circuitry to which the terminals150,152,154may be connected in a PDU. Variations and adaptations are possible in this regard to make the electrical connections in the combination outlet assembly100to line, neutral and ground circuits in a power system whether through a PDU or as a stand-alone outlet device mounted to another support structure (e.g., a wall, a cabinet, or other support structure).

Also in certain contemplated embodiments, less than the three conductor bus elements190,192,194shown may be provided. For example, only two the conductor bus elements shown may be provided to respectively interconnect the neutral terminal and the ground terminal of each outlet core114,116, while the line connections may be made separately to each line terminal in the outlet cores114,116to desirably facilitate switched outlet capability in the outlets provided. As such, and because the line terminals in each outlet core114,116are not connected by a conductor bus in such an embodiment, they may be selectively turned on or off from via connection or disconnection to the same or different power inputs as desired. For example, the line terminals in each outlet core114,116may be connected to a circuit board and controls to selectively energize or de-energize the outlets either independently or in combination in a known manner. Alternatively, switching elements may be provided that are not implemented through a circuit board if desired.

In the illustrated example wherein all three of the conductor bus elements190,192,194are provided, however, the outlets are connected to the same power input and desired power metering is facilitated in a simpler manner at reduced cost albeit with more basic functionality than the aforementioned switched power arrangement involving only two of the three conductor bus elements described.

As shown inFIGS.14-16, a number of combination outlet assemblies100may be attached to a PDU300. The PDU300includes an elongated chassis302having an opening304to receive the combination outlet assemblies100in a side-by-side manner with the housings102ganged together. In the example ofFIG.14showing a small portion of the power distribution unit300, the opening304is large enough to receive three combination outlet assemblies100with the housings102ganged together. The end walls108,110of the housings102when attached extend parallel to the longitudinal walls of the PDU300in the axial lengthwise dimension of the PDU300while the longitudinal side walls104,106extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the PDU300. The inverted outlet cores114,116in each housing102extend across the widthwise dimension of the PDU chassis.

Groups of three ganged combination outlet assemblies100are shown inFIG.15in spaced apart locations in the chassis302along the axial length of the PDU300. In FIG.16three groups of ganged combination outlet assemblies100are shown in the PDU300on opposing sides of a management module306and communication interface308including various different types of communication ports and sensor ports such as those described above. A power cord310is provided at one end of the PDU to establish an input power connection to the PDU300, with the outlets in the combination outlet assemblies100distributing power to electrical devices and equipment connected to the power outlets in the PDU300.

The six groups of three combination outlets100in the PDU300shown inFIG.16corresponds to a total of eighteen combination outlet assemblies100and thirty six total outlets (eighteen outlets having the outlet core114and eighteen outlets having the outlet core116) in the exemplary PDU300. Since each combination outlet assembly100can accommodate six combinations of different plug types, the PDU300having the eighteen outlets can collectively facilitate one hundred and eight combinations) of different plug types (eighteen outlets times six combinations each) in a relatively compact package size. As such, the PDU300is less likely to disappoint purchasers that find the number of outlets to be too limited for the intended application, and also less likely to become obsolete due to changing needs over time. Further, the flexibility of the outlets provided to interchangeably connect to different power cord plug connectors accommodates changing needs or uncertainty in needs in particular PDU installations as well as more capably accommodates changing needs over time.

The management module306in the PDU300may include a display presenting power information and setup information to a PDU installer or data center overseer. The PDU300may include switches, sensors and other components to provide desired power management and metering functionality that can be accessed locally on the PDU via the management module306or communicated to or made accessible from the network interface308. While the PDU shows an exemplary arrangement of outlets via the combination outlet assemblies100provided relative to the management module308, other arrangements are possible in another embodiment. Also, while the PDU includes only combination outlets via the combination outlet assembly100, still other types of outlets could be provided in addition to the combination outlets in the combination outlet assembly100. Varying numbers of combination outlet assemblies100may be provided in different embodiments.

The combination outlet assembly100including the single piece housing102including the features described avoids more complicated multi-piece housing components to provide a combination outlet. Specifically, separately provided adapter pieces fitted to the outlet cores to configure them to accept or reject certain types of plug connectors are obviated by the single piece construction described and illustrated herein. As such adapter pieces are eliminated, any possibility for them to be lost or mislaid, or inadvertently broken or detached is avoided together with reliability issues or negative experiences by purchasers and installers who are frustrated by such issues.

The combination outlet assembly100including single piece housings102can provided in a modular form and easily be ganged together to scale a PDU to have as many combination outlets desired in an economical manner that generally avoids customization including custom fabricated housings and the like to provide different numbers of power outlets. Considerable variation in PDUs is therefore possible while using a small number of component parts to provide the combination outlet assembly100. Of course, while the single piece housing102in the combination outlet described has considerable benefits, in alternative embodiments the housing102may be fabricated from more than one housing piece if desired while still realizing some of the other benefits described. Additionally, combination outlets having more than two outlets are possible in alternative embodiments having single piece or multi-piece housing constructions. Variations and adaptations are possible in this regard.

FIGS.17-19illustrate an alternative power cord latch or locking assembly400that may be utilized with a combination outlet assembly100to reliably retain a power cord thereto. Unlike the lock or latching features described above in relation to deflectable and non-deflectable portions of the housing sidewalls in the combination outlet assembly100, the power cord latch or locking assembly400may be utilized with a power cord402that does not include a lock protrusion at all. The power cord402may include any of the plug connector types described above without a lock protrusion, and therefore may be a more economical power cord.

The latch or locking assembly400includes a receptacle insert404and a power cord clamp406. The insert404includes a planar rim408having a center opening therein with complementary shape to the outer shape and profile of the outlet cores114,116in the combination outlet assembly100. As such, the rim408may be inserted into the receptacle space134or136and be fitted around the outlet core114or116adjacent the bottom wall112. The rim408may abut the protrusions170,172in the bottom wall112of the housing102and therefore be gripped and retained in place in the housing102once installed.

A thin and rectangular locking tab410extends upwardly and generally perpendicularly from the rim408, and the locking tab410includes a lock protrusion412that may be received in the lock opening of the housing end wall108or110described above. The thin locking tab410extends along the interior wall of the outlet core114or116without obstructing a power cord plug connector in the receptacle space134or136. An elongated tether element414extends upwardly from the locking tab410and exterior to the receptacle space134,136. The tether element414includes a series of latch grooves416that may be gripped in an interlocking fashion to the power cord clamp406.

As shown inFIG.19, the power cord clamp406includes a rectangular collar420and a deflectable latch element422interior to the collar420. The collar420may receive the tether element414and the latch element422may be lockingly engaged to one of the latch grooves416at the desired elevation. The clamp406further includes a support424and a round power cord grip426having a central opening428through which a portion of the power cord402may be passed. The power cord grip426is deflectable to restrict the size of the opening428, and further includes a series of locking protrusions in the form of outwardly extending teeth430on a distal end thereof. When the distal end of the power cord grip426is deflected, it may be received in a latch housing432extending from the support424and lockingly engaged to a tooth436of a finger tab438.

In use, with the latch element422of the clamp406engaged to the tether element414and with a portion of the power cord402in the clamp opening428the distal end of the power cord grip426can be deflected and received in the latch housing432by a desired amount to engage the tooth436of the finger tab438to one of the teeth430on the power cord grip426. As the power cord grip426is deflected, the opening428is decreased and clamps the portion of the power cord402therein. If desired the distal end of the power cord grip426can be passed entirely though the latch housing432via an opening434to restrict the opening428even further. The opening434can be adjusted in size as needed to be clamped around a portion of the power cord plug housing or around a portion of the power cord cable. The locking insert404and the clamp406when engaged therefore provide positive locking of a power cord that does not include a lock protrusion while still preventing the power cord from dislodging.

When desired, the finger tab438of the clamp406can be used to deflect the locking tooth436outwardly in order to release the distal end of the power cord grip426to enlarge the opening428to the degree required to remove the power cord402. The power cord402can therefore be removed while the power cord clamp406remains attached to the tether element414of the insert404and while the insert404remains in place in the housing102. The adjustable power cord clamp406can be universally used with power cord having plugs of different types. While exemplary shapes and geometries of locking insert404and power cord grip426are shown and described, alternative geometry could be utilized in other embodiments to realize otherwise similar locking features. The insert404and clamp406may be fabricated from plastic materials in contemplated embodiments at relatively low cost. The insert404and clamp406provide event further flexibility to the combination outlet assembly100to be used with power cords having integral locking features and power cords without integral locking features while ensuring that connections to the power outlets are reliably secured maintained.

While the latch or locking assembly400with the receptacle insert404and power cord clamp406is described in combination with the combination outlet assembly100, it is recognized that that latch or locking assembly400does not require the combination outlet assembly100and instead can be used apart from the combination outlet assembly100if desired. As such, the latch or locking assembly400may be used with power outlets other than those specifically described herein, whether or not configured as combination outlets that may be interchangeably connected to different power cords having different plug connector types. The rim408of the insert can be shaped to complement alternative outlet shapes to the outlet cores114,116and different versions of inserts having different rims408can be provided to provide similar locking benefits to various different types of outlets to provide power cord locking features to power cord features that do not have integral locking features.

The benefits of the inventive concepts herein are now believed to have been amply illustrated in relation to the exemplary embodiments disclosed.

An embodiment of a combination outlet assembly has been disclosed including a single piece integrally formed housing. The housing includes a pair of longitudinal side walls having respective first and second ends, a pair of end walls extending orthogonally to the pair of longitudinal side walls and respective interconnecting the first and second edges of the pair of longitudinal side walls, a bottom wall interconnecting the pair of longitudinal side walls and the pair of end walls, a first outlet core extending upwardly from the bottom wall, and a second outlet core extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The first and second outlet cores respectively have a similar outer shape and profile but differently shaped sets of three terminal apertures, and three terminals associated with each respective set of three terminal apertures in the first outlet core and the second outlet core.

Optionally, the single piece integrally formed housing may further include a dividing wall extending between the first and second outlet cores. The dividing wall may be off-centered in the single piece integrally formed housing. The outer shape and profile of the first and second outlet cores may respectively extend as mirror images of one another on opposing sides of the dividing wall, and the first outlet core may be misaligned with the second outlet core.

As further options, at least two conductor bus elements may extend on an exterior of the bottom wall, the at least two conductor bus elements interconnecting respective first and second terminals associated with the first outlet core and the second outlet core. The at least two conductor bus elements may complete a circuit path of different axial length between respective ones of the first and second terminals associated with the first outlet core and the second outlet core. The at least two conductor bus elements may include three conductor bus elements, and a portion of one of the conductor bus elements may be nested between portions of the other conductor bus elements.

As additional options, a respective space surrounds each of the first and second outlet core in the single piece integrally formed housing, with the respective space that surrounds the first outlet core being shaped to complement the outer shape and profile and the respective space that surrounds the second outlet core being shaped to mismatch the outer shape and profile. The respective space surrounding the first outlet core may accept a first housing of a first plug connector type but reject a second housing of a second plug connector type, wherein the second housing of the second plug connector type is differently shaped from the first housing of the first plug connector type, and wherein the respective space surrounding the second outlet core may accept the first housing of the first connector type and also accept the second housing of the second connector type. The first plug connector type may include three terminal blades extending at a common first angular orientation inside the first housing, and the second plug connector type may include three terminal blades extending at a second angular orientation that is 90° from the first angular orientation. The shaped sets of three terminal apertures of the second outlet core may accept each of the three terminal blades of the first plug connector type and also may accept each of the three terminal blades of the second plug connector type. A pair of spaced apart projections may extend upwardly in the bottom wall in the space surrounding the second outlet core, with the pair of projections located on the bottom wall to engage an exterior surface of the first housing of the first plug connector type and also to engage an interior surface of the second housing of the second plug connector type. The first one of the pair of spaced apart projections may be angularly oriented relative to the second one of the pair of spaced apart projections on the bottom floor. The first one of the pair of spaced apart projections may be angularly oriented about 90° relative to the second one of the pair of spaced apart projections on the bottom floor.

Also optionally, one of the pair of end walls of the single piece integrally formed housing may include a deflectable latch portion including a latch opening. A spring may element acting upon the deflectable latch portion. Furthermore, one of the pair of end walls include may include a latch opening, and the combination outlet assembly may further include a separately fabricated latch insert having a latch protrusion configured to be received in the latch opening. The insert may further include an elongated a tether section including a series of latch grooves, and a power cord clamp may be attached to the tether section via one of the series of latch grooves, with the power cord clamp including a power cord grip including an opening being adjustably secured around a portion of a power cord.

The combination outlet assembly may optionally be provided in combination with a power distribution unit having a chassis and a management module, and the combination outlet assembly may be fastened to the chassis. A plurality of combination outlet assemblies may be ganged side-by-side in the power distribution unit.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.