Power Adapter with Removable Plugs

The present disclosure provides a power adapter including a body and a plug removably connected to the body. In one example, the plug has a second base defining a groove, a housing, and a prong rotatably mounted to the housing. In another example, the body has a tongue extending from a first base, which slides within the groove of the plug to prevent movement of the plug in a first direction. In one example, rotation of the prong actuates a pin held within the plug. For example, the pin recedes into the second base when the prong is in a first position and protrudes from the second base when the prong is in a second position. In one example, the pin prevents movement of the plug in a second direction, different from the first direction, when the prong is in the second position.

BACKGROUND

Power adapters, such as power adapters for electronic devices, enable a user to charge and/or power an electronic device via a power outlet (e.g., a wall outlet). For example, a user may plug the power adapter into the power outlet to transfer power from the outlet into the electronic device. In some examples, the power adapter may include a removable plug, which enables a user to change and/or modify the plug type. For example, a user may change and/or modify the plug type when traveling to accommodate different outlet configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

The disclosed technology is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. Other examples of the disclosed technology are possible, and examples described and/or illustrated here are capable of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected examples and are not intended to limit the scope of examples of the disclosure.

The reference numerals in the following description have been organized to aid the reader in quickly identifying the drawings where various components are first shown. In particular, the drawing in which an element first appears is typically indicated by the left-most digit(s) in the corresponding reference number. For example, an element identified by a “100” series reference numeral will likely first appear inFIG.1, an element identified by a “200” series reference numeral will likely first appear inFIG.2, and so on.

In some examples, the technology disclosed herein provides a power adapter including a body and a plug removably connected to the body. In one example, the plug has a second base defining a groove, a housing, and a prong rotatably mounted to the housing. In another example, the body has a tongue extending from a first base, which slides within the groove of the plug to prevent movement of the plug in a first direction. In one example, rotation of the prong actuates a pin held within the plug. For example, the pin recedes into the second base when the prong is in a first position and protrudes from the second base when the prong is in a second position. In one example, the pin prevents movement of the plug in a second direction, different from the first direction, when the prong is in the second position.

In some examples, the technology disclosed herein provides a power adapter including a body defining a notch. In one example, the notch has a first base defining an aperture. The power adapter may include a plug removable from the body, which includes a locking assembly. The locking assembly may include a rotatable shaft with a cam fixed to an end of the shaft. The shaft may further include a prong fixed to the shaft. In some examples, rotation of the prong generates corresponding rotation in the shaft. The locking assembly may further include a pin with a first end and a second end. The first end of the pin may be in contact with the cam and the second end of the pin may selectively engage the aperture in the notch to prevent movement of the plug in a second direction. In one example, the prong can be rotated between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the pin recedes into the locking assembly, and in the second position the pin protrudes into the aperture.

In some examples, the technology disclosed herein provides a method. The method can include securing a removable plug to a body of a power adapter. The method can include rotating a prong of the plug into a first position. In one example, rotation of the prong generates corresponding rotation in a shaft fixed to the prong to actuate a pin within the plug. The method can include aligning a tongue extending from a first base of the body with a groove defined by a second base of the plug. The method can include sliding the second base of the plug along the first base of the body until a second face of the plug abuts a first face of the body. The method can include rotating the prong of the plug into a second position. In one example, rotation of the prong into the second position actuates the pin to protrude through the second base of the plug and into an aperture within the first base of the body.

FIG.1illustrates an example of a power adapter100in a first position105. The power adapter100includes a body110and a removable plug115. The plug115may be used to plug the power adapter100into an outlet (e.g., wall outlet and/or other outlet) to charge an electronic device. Example electronic devices may include computers such as laptop, desktop, or all-in-one computers, tablets, mobile devices, laptops, radios, imaging devices such as printers or scanners, additive manufacturing machines such as3D printers, and/or any other device, which receives and/or is powered/charged by electricity. In one example, the power adapter100receives alternating current (AC) from the outlet and outputs direct current (DC) to the electronic device for charging and/or powering the device (e.g., via a rectifier within the power adapter). In other examples, the power adapter100receives DC from the outlet and outputs AC to the electronic device for charging and/or powering the device (e.g., via an inverter within the power adapter). In yet other examples, the power adapter100receives AC from the outlet and outputs AC to the electronic device for charging and/or powering the device. In another example, the power adapter100receives DC from the outlet and outputs DC to the electronic device for charging and/or powering the device.

In the first position105, a prong of the plug115is in a first (stowed) position, which unlocks relative movement between the body110and the plug115. For example, in the first (stowed) position, a first prong120and a second prong125are arranged within a slot130defined by a cover135of the plug115such that the first prong120and the second prong125do not protrude from the plug115. In one example, the plug115may be removed from the body110by a user when the power adapter100is in the first position105. To facilitate modularity of the power adapter100, the plug115may be modified, replaced, and/or exchanged by any number of different plug types. For example, the plug115may be a Type A, Type B, Type C, Type D, Type E, Type F, Type G, Type H, Type I, Type J, Type K, Type L, Type M, Type N, or Type O plug, and/or any combination thereof. In the illustrated example, the plug115is a Type A plug. To further facilitate modularity of the plug, the plug may include a different number of prongs, such as one, two, three, four, five, and/or any number of prongs of any shape and/or size corresponding to an outlet.

The body110of the power adapter100may be a variety of shapes and/or sizes based on an intended use of the power adapter100. For example, the body110may be rectangular, cubical, spherical, polygonal, and/or any other shape. In some examples, the power adapter100may be used with a variety of outlet voltages from 110 VAC-480 VAC based on the plug115used with the power adapter100.

FIG.2illustrates an example of the power adapter100in a second position205. In the second position205the first prong120and the second prong125are rotated away from the plug115, so that the first prong120and the second prong125protrude away (outward) from the plug115. In one example, the first prong120and the second prong125are rotated 45-135 degrees away from the plug115. In another example, the first prong120and the second prong125are rotated approximately 90 degrees. In the second position205, the first prong120and the second prong125may be perpendicular and/or substantially perpendicular to the plug115. In the second position205, the first prong120and the second prong125are in a second (deployed) position, which locks relative movement between the body110and the plug115. For example, the plug115locks to the body110to prevent accidental disconnection of the plug115from the body110when plugging and/or unplugging the power adapter100from an outlet.

With reference toFIGS.3-5, the body110includes a notch305, which receives the plug115. In one example, the notch305matches the shape and/or arrangement of the plug115to present a uniform and/or unbroken perimeter around the power adapter100. However, in other examples, the notch305may define other shapes, which may be different from a shape of the plug115. The notch305includes a first base310with a tongue315and an aperture. In one example, the notch305defines a first aperture320and a second aperture325corresponding to a first pin530and a second pin535of the plug115. The tongue315slides within and/or mate with a groove540of the plug115. In one example, the groove540of the plug115is formed within a second base525of a housing510of the plug115. The second base525contacts (e.g., slides across) the first base310of the notch305to mate the tongue315within the groove540. In one example, the tongue315forms an elongate “T” shape with a head405and a neck410. The head405slides within the groove540and contacts an interior surface of the second base525to prevent removal of the plug115from the body110in a first direction.

The notch305further includes a first face330defining a female receptacle335. The female receptacle335mates with a corresponding male connection340extending outward from a second face515of the housing510. The female receptacle335receives the male connection340to enable the flow of electricity from the outlet, through the prongs, and from the male connection340/female receptacle335into the body110, which provides electrical power to the electronic device via a cord, wire, magnetic, and/or wireless connection. To facilitate the transfer of electricity from the plug115to the body110, the male connection340includes a pin receptacle520, which receives an electrical pin415of the body110. In one example, the male connection340may include three (3) pin receptacles520, which receive three (3) electrical pins415of the body110. In other examples, more and/or fewer pin receptacles520and/or corresponding electrical pins415may be used.

As indicated by arrow345, the plug115may be removed from and/or inserted into the notch305. For example, a user may remove the plug115from the notch305by rotating the prongs120,125into the first position105and sliding the plug115away from the body110as shown by arrow345. Correspondingly, a user may insert the plug115into the notch305by aligning the groove540with the tongue315and sliding the second base525of the plug115along the first base310of the notch305until the second face515of the plug115contacts the first face330of the notch305. At this time, the plug115is in electrical connection with the body110via the female receptacle335and the male connection340. To secure the plug115to the body110, the prongs120,125can be rotated into the second position205to arrange the first pin530and the second pin535within the corresponding first aperture320and second aperture325.

FIGS.6and7show an example of a locking assembly600and a prong assembly700of the plug115. The locking assembly600includes a pedestal605extending away from the second face515of the housing510. The pedestal605supports the prong assembly700within the plug115. The prong assembly700includes a shaft625, which secures the prongs120,125to the shaft625via a second prong support710and a first prong support715. In one example, the prongs120,125are secured to the shaft625so that rotation of the prongs120,125generates corresponding rotation in the shaft625(e.g., 90 degree rotation of the prongs generates 90 degree rotation of the shaft) about an axis720. In one example, axis720extends through a center and/or midpoint of the shaft625and defines an axis of rotation for the shaft625. At both first and second ends of the shaft625is a cam. For example, the shaft625may include a first cam630and a second cam705, each corresponding to a pin (e.g., first pin530and second pin535, respectively). In one example, the first and second cams630,705each include a lobe (e.g., lobe905shown inFIG.9), which is radially offset from axis720. In other examples, the shaft625may include more and/or fewer cams, such as one, three, four, five, and/or any other number of cams.

In one example, a pair of towers615support the shaft625within the plug115. To prevent accidental rotation of the prongs, the pedestal605includes a retention support620, which mates with and/or grips a retention block635of the shaft625. In one example, the retention block635defines a rectangular and/or polygonal shape to prevent accidental (e.g., forceless and/or low force) rotation of the prongs120,125. In one example, the retention support620and the retention block635form a positive lock and/or snap-fit connection so that rotation of the prongs120,125by approximately 90 degrees locks the prongs into position. Thus, the prongs120,125can be locked into either the first position105and/or the second position205until a user applies a force to the prongs120,125to rotate and/or move the prongs into a different position.

To facilitate the transfer of electricity from the outlet, through the plug115, and into the electronic device, the pedestal605receives an electrical contact610, which may contact a second prong support710and/or a first prong support715of the prong assembly700. In one example, the pedestal605receives a pair of electrical contacts610. In other examples, the pedestal605receives a single electrical contact and/or more than a pair of electrical contacts, such as three, four, five, and/or more electrical contacts. In one example, the contacts610are made from a metal and/or metallic material sufficient to transfer electricity from the prongs120,125to the electronic device. In another example, the second prong support710and first prong support715selectively contact the electrical contacts610when the power adapter100is in the second position205. In other examples, the second prong support710and the first prong support715contact the electrical contacts610when the power adapter100is in both the first position105and the second position205. The first and second prong supports715,710may be made from a metal and/or metallic material sufficient to transfer electricity from the prongs120,125to the corresponding electrical contacts610.

FIGS.8and9show examples of the locking assembly600in the first position105. In the first position105, the shaft625is oriented such that the cams630,705position a first end805of the pins530,535relatively nearer to axis720than in the second position205(shown inFIG.11). For example, the first end805of the pins530,535contact a first side925of the cams630,705when in the first position105, which is positioned relatively nearer to axis720than a second side930of the cams630,705. Thus, a second end810of the pins530,535does not protrude from an opening830in the housing510of the plug115. Instead, the second end810of the pins is recessed within the opening830. In another example, the second end810of the pins is flush with the opening830.

A biasing element815circumferentially surrounds the pins530,535to bias the pins away from an exterior of the housing510(biasing direction shown by arrow910) and automatically retract the pins within the opening830when the power adapter100is in the first position105. In one example, the biasing element815is a spring. In other examples, the biasing element815may be rubber and/or another flexible material. The biasing element815is positioned between the housing510and a collar825located at the first end805of the pins530,535. The pins530,535and the biasing element815are held within a pin guide820extending vertically upward from the housing510. The pin guide820contains the pins530,535and biasing element815to prevent accidental misalignment and/or lateral deflection of the pins and/or biasing element815. As mentioned previously, in the first position105, the plug115is prevented from movement in the direction indicated by arrow915. For example, the plug115is prevented from movement in the direction indicated by arrow915via the connection between the tongue315and the groove540. However, the plug115is able to move in a direction indicated by arrow920. For example, a user may move the plug115in the direction indicated by arrow920to remove the plug115from the power adapter100and/or add the plug115to the power adapter100.

FIGS.10and11show examples of the locking assembly600in the second position205. In the second position205, the shaft625is oriented such that the cams630,705position the first end805of the pins530,535relatively farther from axis720than in the first position105(shown inFIG.9). For example, the first end805of the pins530,535contacts the second side930of the cams630,705when in the second position205, which is positioned relatively farther from axis720than the first side925of the cams630,705. In one example, during rotation of the shaft625, the lobe905of the cams630,705forces the pins530,535downwards in the direction shown by arrow1105against the biasing force of the biasing element815. In one example, the shaft625is rotated (e.g., via rotation of the prongs) until the first end805of the pins contacts the second side930of the cams630,705. With the first end805of the pins contacting the second side930of the cams630,705, the second end810of the pins530,535protrudes through the corresponding openings830of the housing510and into the corresponding apertures320,325in the first base310.

Once the pins530,535have engaged the apertures320,325in the first base310, the plug115is locked and/or prevented from movement in two different directions as indicated by arrow915and arrow920. For example, the plug115is prevented from movement in the direction indicated by arrow915via the connection between the tongue315and the groove540. Additionally, the plug115is prevented from movement in a second, different, direction indicated by arrow920via the interference between the pins530,535and the apertures320,325.

In another example, the plug115is prevented from movement in a third direction (different from both the first and second directions) via the connection between the electrical pins415and the pin receptacles520, and the interference between the pins530,535and the apertures320,325. In one example, the third direction is the Z direction (e.g., facing in/out of the paper).

FIG.12depicts a flowchart1200showing a process for securing the plug115within the notch305of the body110. At stage1205a user rotates the prongs120,125into the first position105to retract the pins530,535within the opening830of the plug115. As mentioned previously, retracting the pins530,535enables the second base525to slide across the first base310of the notch305. At stage1210the user begins to slide the plug115into the notch305formed in the body110. As the user slides the second base525along the first base310, the user aligns the groove540with the tongue315and the male connection340with the female receptacle335. At stage1215, the user continues to slide the plug115into the notch305until the male connection340is fully inserted into the female receptacle335and/or the second face515of the plug115contacts the first face330of the notch305. At stage1220the user rotates the prongs120,125from the first position105to the second position205. For example, the user rotates the prongs120,125approximately 90 degrees from the first position105to the second position205.

As mentioned previously, rotation of the prongs120,125generates corresponding rotation in the shaft625about axis720, which causes the lobe905of the cams630,705to push and/or displace the first end805of the pins530,535further from the axis720, which actuates the pins530,535against the biasing force of the biasing element815as indicated by arrow1105inFIG.11. Once the prongs120,125are in the second position205the pins530,535protrude through the openings830in the plug115and into the apertures320,325within the first base310. At this stage, the plug115is prevented from movement in two, different, directions as indicated by arrow915and arrow920inFIG.9. With the plug115locked into the body110, forming a unitary power adapter100, the user may plug the power adapter100into an outlet for use.

It should be noted that the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and the like as used in the description and/or the claims include the plural forms unless expressly discussed otherwise. For example, if the specification and/or claims refer to “a device” or “the device”, it includes one or more of such devices.