Partition device capable of receiving power

Abstract

A partition device capable of receiving power from an external power supply unit includes a panel assembly and a power coupling mechanism. The panel assembly includes an electric panel unit. The power coupling mechanism is for coupling electrically the panel assembly to the external power supply unit and includes first and second conducting units coupled electrically to the external power supply unit and the electric panel unit, respectively. The first and second conducting units are capable of establishing contact with each other so as to make electrical connection between the external power supply unit and the electric panel unit.

1 . A partition device for receiving power from an external power supply unit, comprising:
 a panel assembly including a first electric panel unit and having a first power terminal connected electrically to said first electric panel unit; and   a power coupling mechanism for coupling electrically said panel assembly to the external power supply unit, said power coupling mechanism including first and second conducting units, one of said first and second conducting units to be coupled electrically to the external power supply unit, the other one of said first and second conducting units being mounted to said first electric panel unit and being coupled electrically to said first power terminal;   wherein one of said first and second conducting units includes a hollow retaining member and a conductor assembly, said conductor assembly including a conducting pin having an outer end and an inner end opposite to said outer end and connected to a respective one of said first power terminal and the external power supply unit, said conducting pin being movably retained in said retaining member and being movable between a projecting position, where said outer end projects outwardly of said retaining member, and a retracting position, where said outer end is retracted inwardly of said retaining member, said conductor assembly further including a biasing component for biasing said conducting pin to the projecting position;   wherein the other one of said first and second conducting units is configured to establish contact with and retain said conducting pin at the retracted position so as to make electrical connection between the external power supply unit and said first power terminal.   
     
     
         2 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first electric panel unit is one of an electrochromic glass panel and a light emitting diode (LED) glass panel. 
     
     
         3 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein: said panel assembly further has a second power terminal;
 said power coupling mechanism further including third and fourth conducting units, one of said third and fourth conducting units to be coupled electrically to the external power supply unit, the other one of said third and fourth conducting units being mounted to said panel assembly and being coupled electrically to said second power terminal;   wherein one of said third and fourth conducting units has a same configuration as one of said first and second conducting units;   wherein the other one of said third and fourth conducting units has a same configuration as the other one of said first and second conducting units;   wherein said third and fourth conducting units are configured to establish contact with each other so as to make electrical connection between the external power supply unit and said second power terminal.   
     
     
         4 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said panel assembly further includes a second electric panel unit connected electrically to said second power terminal, the other one of said third and fourth conducting units being mounted to said second electric panel unit. 
     
     
         5 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said panel assembly includes a plurality of electric panel units, said electric panel units including at least said first and second electric panel units,
 said power coupling mechanism further including a fifth conducting unit mounted on said first electric panel unit for connecting electrically said first electric panel unit to an adjacent one of said electric panel units of said panel assembly, and a sixth conducting unit mounted on said second electric panel unit for connecting electrically said second electric panel unit to an adjacent one of said electric panel units of said panel assembly.   
     
     
         6 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein at least one of said fifth and sixth conducting units has a same configuration as one of said first and second conducting units. 
     
     
         7 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein both of said fifth and sixth conducting units are configured with said hollow retaining member and said conductor assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said outer end of said conducting pin of said conductor assembly of one of said fifth and sixth conducting units has a convex surface, and said outer end of said conducting pin of said conductor assembly of the other one of said fifth and sixth conducting units has a concave surface corresponding to said convex surface for abutting engagement therewith. 
     
     
         9 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein adjacent ones of said electric panel units are hinged together. 
     
     
         10 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the other one of said third and fourth conducting units is mounted to said first electric panel unit. 
     
     
         11 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said panel assembly includes a plurality of electric panel units, said electric panel units including said first electric panel unit,
 said power coupling mechanism further including a fifth conducting unit mounted on said first electric panel unit for connecting electrically said first power terminal to an adjacent one of said electric panel units, and a sixth conducting unit mounted on said first electric panel unit for connecting electrically said second power terminal to said adjacent one of said electric panel units.   
     
     
         12 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein at least one of said fifth and sixth conducting units has a same configuration as one of said first and second conducting units. 
     
     
         13 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein both of said fifth and sixth conducting units are configured with said hollow retaining member and said conductor assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said first electric panel unit and said adjacent one of said electric panel units are hinged together. 
     
     
         15 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said retaining member is formed with a receiving space through which said conducting pin extends, and said biasing component is a spring sleeved on said conducting pin in said receiving space and having opposite ends acting on said conducting pin and said retaining member, respectively. 
     
     
         16 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said first electric panel unit includes a panel frame and an electric panel member mounted to said panel frame, and said retaining member is fixed to said panel frame. 
     
     
         17 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first electric panel unit is movable between an inoperative position, where said first and second conducting units are spaced apart, and an operative position, where said first and second conducting units are in contact with each other. 
     
     
         18 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the other one of said first and second conducting units includes a base plate and a conducting member passing through said base plate, said conducting member having a disk-shaped contact plate disposed on a side of said base plate proximate to the one of said first and second conducting units for abutting against said outer end of said conducting pin, and a conducting rod extending from said conducting plate passing through and mounted on said base plate, and coupled to a respective one of said first power terminal and the external power supply unit. 
     
     
         19 . The partition device as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the other one of said first and second conducting units further includes a locking member screwed to said conducting rod and abutting against said base plate.