Abstract:
An external AC power adapter is provided in a compact form factor that utilizes an AC plug that swivels about the body of the adapter and that includes prongs (i.e., electrical contacts or terminals) which can fold into the body for transport or storage. The swiveling AC plug enables the body of the AC power adapter to be rotatably oriented in a user-selectable manner in order to fit in tight spaces when plugged in to maximize the utilization of available outlets. The foldable prongs help to minimize the overall size of the AC power adapter for easy portability and storage. When folded, the prongs are protected against damage and are prevented from damaging or scratching other articles when the AC power adapter is packed in a bag or suitcase during travel.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Many consumer products and portable electronic devices need to convert an AC (alternating current) power input provided by electrical mains or power lines in a home or office into a DC (direct current) power output that is required to operate the device&#39;s circuitry or, in the case of portable electronic devices, charge an internal rechargeable battery. An external AC power adapter is often used for such a purpose which is typically configured to house the AC energized components in a secure manner to safeguard against injury that may result from inadvertent user contact. 
         [0002]    In addition to performing its primary function of converting an AC input into a DC output having characteristics suitable for the device&#39;s circuitry or battery, an external AC power adaptor enables the electronic device to be made smaller and lighter because the size and weight of the AC power adapter circuitry, along with its housing or other safety features, is located outside of the device. 
         [0003]    With the widespread popularity of electronic devices, users are increasingly incorporating multiple devices into their lifestyles. In the case of portable electronic devices that utilize rechargeable batteries, users often find themselves needing to recharge the batteries every day. This can result in a situation where multiple AC adapters must share the same power strip or wall outlet. As the AC adapters can be bulky in size, they often compete for space and can end up crowding any open outlet and thus prevent other adapters from being plugged in. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an AC power adapter form factor that can be used with crowded outlets and in small spaces. 
         [0004]    AC adapters are also desired that can better meet the needs of international travelers. In this situation, travelers must cope with power outlet configurations that vary throughout the world. 
         [0005]    This Background is provided to introduce a brief context for the Summary and Detailed Description that follow. This Background is not intended to be an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter nor be viewed as limiting the claimed subject matter to implementations that solve any or all of the disadvantages or problems presented above. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    An AC power adapter is provided in a compact form factor that utilizes an AC plug that swivels about the body of the adapter and that includes prongs (i.e., electrical contacts or terminals) which can fold into the body for transport or storage. The swiveling AC plug enables the body of the AC power adapter to be rotatably oriented in a user-selectable manner in order to fit in tight spaces when plugged in to maximize the utilization of available outlets. The foldable prongs help to minimize the overall size of the AC power adapter for easy portability and storage. When folded, the prongs are protected against damage and are prevented from damaging or scratching other articles when the AC power adapter is packed in a bag or suitcase during travel. 
         [0007]    In various illustrative examples, the AC power adapter is configured with worldwide voltage handling capability along with a user-detachable and interchangeable face plate that incorporates the swiveling AC plug with folding prongs. International travelers can readily swap face plates having different plug types without tools so that the AC power adapter with an appropriate prong arrangement can be plugged into a local outlet. Utilization of the detachable and interchangeable face plate can also improve manufacturing and distribution efficiency for AC power adapters that are sold on a multi-region or worldwide basis. A commonly-utilizable AC power adapter body design may be manufactured for all markets while being easily configurable to meet the needs of a given region by the addition of a region-specific faceplate/AC plug to the commonly-utilizable body. 
         [0008]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of a conventional AC power adapter; 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  is an enlarged pictorial view of an AC power adapter that uses an alternative polarized plug configuration; 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  shows a conventional duplex AC receptacle that is configured to accept a polarized plug; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a pictorial view of a group of AC power adapters being used with a multiple-outlet power strip; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a pictorial view of an illustrative AC power adapter that has a swiveling plug with foldable prongs where the prongs are extended; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a pictorial view of the present AC power adapter where the prongs are rotated 90 degrees from the position shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a pictorial view of the present AC power adapter showing an optionally-utilizable configuration where the plug may swivel in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a pictorial view of the present AC power adapter where the prongs are folded into the body of the adapter for storage or transport; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the present AC power adapter where the prongs are extended; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the present AC power adapter where the prongs are extended and rotated; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the present AC power adapter where the prongs are folded into the body of the adapter; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a pictorial view of a first configuration for a port in the present AC power adapter body that receives a detachable DC power cable; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a pictorial view of a second configuration for a port in the present AC power adapter body that receives a detachable DC power cable; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  shows an illustrative arrangement in which three of the present AC power adapters are plugged into a multiple-outlet power strip; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  shows an illustrative arrangement in which an example of the present AC power adapter is plugged into a wall outlet and is charging a personal media player through a DC charging or synchronization cable; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  shows an illustrative arrangement in which an example of the present AC power adapter is plugged into a multiple-outlet power strip along with several conventional AC power adapters, and the AC power adapter is powering a personal media player that is inserted into a dock; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the present AC power adapter including phantom views of an AC-DC power conversion circuit that is disposed in the body of the adapter, and the swiveling plug with foldable prongs that is disposed in a detachable faceplate of the adapter; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the present AC power adapter with the prongs in the extended position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  shows the actuation of a button to release the detachable faceplate from the body of the AC power adapter; 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  shows details of the interior of the body and the back face of the detachable faceplate; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 18  shows two illustrative examples of interchangeable detachable faceplates, where the first example having a European Type C, 2-pin round prongs, and the second example is a North American/Japanese Type A, 2-pin flat-bladed prongs. 
       
    
    
       [0030]    Like reference numerals indicate like elements in the drawings. Elements are not drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]      FIG. 1  is a pictorial view of a conventional AC power adapter  100  that is representative of existing adapters that are commonly used to power electronic devices that use DC power to run their circuitry or to charge an internal battery. The AC power adapter receives AC power from an AC outlet (i.e., receptacle) through a pair of prongs  105  and outputs DC power by way of a wire  112 . A connector such as a friction-fit plug  120  interfaces with a mating jack in the electronic device to receive the DC power. 
         [0032]    A power conversion circuit is contained within the body  125  of the AC power adapter that performs the AC to DC power conversion. The power conversion circuit commonly is configured with worldwide power conversion capability so that it outputs an intended (i.e., designed-for) nominal DC power with variable input AC power. For example, the AC power adapter  100  may be configured to be usable with the two basic standards for AC line voltage: the North American standard of 110-120 V at 60 Hz, and the European standard of 220-250 V at 50 Hz. 
         [0033]    The prongs  105  are male electrical connectors that interface mechanically and electrically with corresponding mating female connectors in an AC outlet. Prongs are also commonly referred to as pins, contacts, or terminals. In this example, the prongs  105  interface with respective live (i.e., “hot”) and neutral connectors in the AC outlet using an unpolarized plug configuration where both prongs  105  are the same width (from top to bottom in  FIG. 1 ). This allows the AC power adapter  100  to be plugged into the AC outlet in one direction or rotated  180  degrees and plugged in in the opposite direction, as either prong  105  may interface with either the hot or neutral contact. 
         [0034]    The prongs  105  here comprise two flat parallel blades that are configured in compliance with NEMA 1-15 (National Electrical Manufacturers Association), CSA-C22.2 No. 42 (Canadian Standards Association), and JIS C 8303 (Japanese Industrial Standard). Prongs  105  are also referred to as a Type A connector or plug. In alternative embodiments, other prong and plug arrangements, for example the Type C Europlug, may also be utilized as described below in the text accompanying  FIG. 18 . 
         [0035]    The AC power adapter body  125  is typically configured as a sealed resilient assembly to protect the energized power conversion circuitry. The body  125  also isolates such components as energized components from children, pets, and the like that may unknowingly attempt to access the components. The prongs  105  are commonly configured to project from the body  125  so that the AC power “plug” functionality is integrated within the body  125 . While a separate plug may be utilized, which is typically coupled with a wire carrying AC power to the body configured as “brick”, an integrated plug and body configuration is commonly used to minimize cost of the AC power adapter. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1A  shows an enlarged detail view of an alternatively-utilized polarized plug configuration in an AC power adapter  127  where one of the prongs  132  is wider (from top to bottom in  FIG. 1A ) than the other prong  130 . The wider prong  132  is sized to interface with the neutral contact that is accessible through a bigger opening in a conventional AC outlet, while the narrower prong  130  interfaces with the hot contact that is accessible through a smaller opening in the outlet. A conventional duplex outlet  150  is shown in  FIG. 1B , where the neutral and hot contacts are respectively indicated by reference numerals  156  and  159 . A polarized plug can only engage with an outlet in one orientation (i.e., the prongs cannot be plugged in in a reverse manner so that the live prong is inserted into the neutral contact and vice versa). Polarized plug configurations are used with some electronic device designs, for example, those that incorporate switches that are intended to disconnect the hot side of the AC circuit. In this case, the polarized plug ensures that the live and neutral contacts are connected as intended to the live and neutral conductors in the device. 
         [0037]    While AC power adapters with integrated plug and body are satisfactory in many situations, one significant drawback is that they tend to be bulky so that it can be difficult to find space around an AC outlet to plug them in. For example,  FIG. 2  is a pictorial view of a group of AC power adapters  100   1, 2, 3  being used with a multiple-outlet power strip  214 . The power strip  214  in this example has six outlets (where a representative outlet is indicated by reference numeral  223 . While the outlet configuration may vary, it is common to use an outlet spacing (nominally 1-½ inches) that is similar to that found in standard duplex wall outlets that conform, for example with NEMA 5-15. Power strip  214  includes a power cord  225  having a plug that plugs into an AC power source such as a wall outlet. Power strip  214  may also include an on-off switch or circuit breaker (also not shown). 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the AC power adapters  100  are big enough in size so that each obstructs an adjacent outlet on the power strip  214  when plugged in. In other words, an AC power adapter  100  takes up more than one outlet “space” that is available on the power strip  214  (where the power strip has six “spaces” that correspond to the six outlets  223 ). Thus, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the six available outlets  223  can provide AC power to only three adapters  100 . It is further noted that the AC power adapter  100   3  is shown as being inserted in a reverse orientation as adapters  100   1  and  100   2 . As described above, the AC power adapter  100   3  would not be able to be plugged in in such a reverse orientation if it uses a polarized plug configuration as shown in  FIG. 1A . 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a pictorial view is provided of an illustrative AC power adapter  300  that has a swiveling plug  302  with foldable prongs  305 . The prongs  305  in this example are Type A flat-bladed prongs in an unpolarized plug configuration that are usable with outlets in North American, Japan, portions of southeast Asia, and portions of South America, for example. However, the present arrangement is not limited to unpolarized plug configurations. In alternative implementations, it may be desirable to utilize a polarized plug where one prong is wider than the other to interface with a polarized outlet in a given orientation. 
         [0040]    The swiveling plug  302  is configured to be rotatably coupled to the AC power adapter  300  so that the user may variably orient the adapter with respect to the prongs  305 , and accordingly, with respect to an outlet to which the AC adapter  300  is plugged in. In this example, the plug  302  is arranged to swivel approximately 90 degrees as shown in  FIG. 3A . The user may simply grasp the extended prongs  305  and rotate the plug  302  into a desired orientation with respect to the AC adapter  300 . 
         [0041]    The swiveling feature enables the long axis of the AC power adapter  300  to be oriented either in parallel or orthogonally with the long axis of a wall outlet or power strip, for example, as shown in  FIGS. 11 ,  12 , and  13 . The ability to take on variable orientations, in combination with a compact overall size, enables the AC power adapter  300  with the swiveling plug  302  to plug into outlets where conditions are crowded by other adapters or plugs for other equipment. Rather than obstruct adjacent outlets, the AC power adapter  300  occupies only a single “space” on a wall outlet or power strip which maximizes the utilization of available outlets. 
         [0042]    In alternative implementations, the swiveling plug  302  may be arranged to swivel beyond 90 degrees. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the plug  302  is configured to rotate a full 360 degrees in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The rotation may also be continuous, just as a bicycle wheel can continuously spin on its axle. In some cases, the rotation can be infinitely variable where sufficient friction exists between the plug  302  and the adapter  300  to hold it in whichever angular rotational position is chosen by the user. In other examples, it may be desirable to include indexed positions of rotation where the plug  302  “snaps” or locks into one of several preset angular orientations as it is swiveled by the user, for example, 0, 45, 90, 135, 180 degrees, etc. It is as possible in some cases to constrain the rotation to other fixed ranges (e.g., 0-45, or 0-180 degrees, for example). Whether the swiveling of the plug  302  is constrained, and the type (i.e., indexed, infinitely variable), amount and direction of rotation provided in a given AC power adapter design will typically be selected as a matter of design choice to meet the requirements of a particular implementation. 
         [0043]    Another significant feature is the ability of the prongs  305  to be folded into the AC power adapter  300  for storage or when transported. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the prongs may be folded into a recess  312  by pivoting orthogonally to the axis of rotation of the plug  302 . The recess  312  is sized and shaped, in this example, to allow the trailing edges of the prongs  305  to be flush (or, in alternative configurations to be recessed) with the front face of the AC power adapter  300  when folded. Alternative arrangements for recess  312  could include, for example, individual slots for each prong  305 . 
         [0044]    When folded into the recess  312 , the prongs  305  are protected against damage and are prevented from damaging or scratching other articles when the AC power adapter  300  is packed in a bag or suitcase, for example, during travel. (It is noted at this point that the designations of “front,” “top,” “bottom,” “back” and similar terms are applied to the AC power adapter when oriented so that the line of sight of a viewer is parallel to the prongs  305  when extended. Accordingly, in the isometric views of  FIG. 3 ,  4 , and  5 , front, top and left side faces of the AC power adapter  300  are visible). 
         [0045]    The foldable prongs  305  are configured to pivot back and forth about a hinge having an axis that is orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the plug  302  in response to force applied by a user&#39;s fingers. Accordingly the recess  312  is further shaped to enable a user to insert a finger into the recess to pull the prongs  305  up into their extended position. Similarly, the user can swivel the plug  302  into a desired orientation by grasping the prongs  305  and rotating them and the plug  302  with respect to the body of the adapter  300 . An alternative way to rotate the plug is for the user to extend the prongs  305 , plug the AC power adapter  300  into an outlet, and then rotate the body of the adapter about the fixed prongs  305  into the desired orientation. While the foldable prongs will typically be desired for most implementations of the present AC power adapter, it is possible in alternative implementations to use fixedly positioned prongs that are not arranged to be foldable. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8  show respective front views of the AC power adapter  300  when the prongs  305  are extended, extended and rotated 90 degrees, and folded. 
         [0047]    In this illustrative example, the AC power adapter  300  is arranged to use a detachable DC power cable. In many implementations, the DC power cord also serves double duty as a data cable to enable electronic devices such as personal media players to operatively communicate with other devices like personal computers (“PCs”), for example, to synchronize data and/or share media content like music, video, and pictures. However, in other implementations it may be desirable to forgo the data-carry capability and utilize a cable that only provides DC power. In addition, it may be desirable to use a fixed (i.e., non-detachable) cable configuration in some applications. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , a synchronization (“sync”) cable  905  uses a standardized USB (Universal Serial Bus) plug  909  that interfaces with a corresponding USB port  912  that is disposed in the body  918  of the AC power adapter  300  along its bottom face. The sync cable  905  here has multiple conductors that function to carry data signals as well as DC power. In alternative implementations, the plug  909  and port  912  may be arranged using other standard protocols such as IEEE-1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), or a proprietary (i.e., non-standardized) plug/port pair combination may be utilized. 
         [0049]      FIG. 10  shows an alternative implementation where a USB port  1012  is disposed in the body  1018  of the AC power adapter  300  along the back face. As noted above, other connector types may be used. It is also emphasized that the location of the sync cable port may be positioned in other locations on the AC power adapter  300  as may be required to meet the needs of a particular application. 
         [0050]    As noted above, the swiveling plug  302  enables the AC power adapter  300  to fit compactly into available spaces and take up less room than conventional adapters.  FIG. 11  shows an illustrative arrangement in which three of the present AC power adapters  300   1 ,  300   2 , and  300   3  are plugged into a multiple-outlet power strip  214 . As shown, adapters  300   1 , and  300   2  are in a rotated configuration where the plug  302  is swiveled 90 degrees so that the long axis of the adapter is orthogonal to the long axis of the power strip  214 . Adapter  300   3  has its long axis parallel to the long axis of the power strip  214  and utilizes a USB port  912  that is located on the adapter&#39;s bottom face. Adapters  300   1  and  300   2  employ the alternative arrangement where the USB port  1012  for the sync cable  905  is located on the adapter&#39;s back face. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the three adapters  300  take up three spaces on the power strip  214  without blocking access to the remaining spaces on the strip. 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the end of the sync cable  905  opposite the USB plug  909  includes a device connector  1211  or plug that interfaces with an electronic device. In this example, the device is a representative personal media player  1215 , such as an MP3 player (Moving Pictures Expert Group, MPEG-1, audio layer  3 ). Typically, the device connector  1211  is device-specific or proprietary (as compared with a universal connector such as the USB plug), and is configured to supply DC power and data signals to the appropriate mating connector in the device when the sync cable  905  is connected between the personal media player  1215  and another device such as a PC. Or, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the device connector  1211  provides just DC power when the sync cable  905  is coupled to the AC power adapter  300   1  which is shown plugged into a duplex wall outlet  1225 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 12  also highlights another feature provided by the present AC power adapter with swiveling plug. By enabling the AC power adapter  300  to be selectively oriented by the user, the plug  909  and sync cable  905  may be positioned to minimize strain on the cable and its connectors. As strain on electrical connectors can commonly cause conductors to become dislodged over time, it often is a source of intermittent or complete connection failure. By being able to plug the AC adapter into an outlet in a way that strain is reduced, connector and cable reliability is improved and user expectations regarding device performance are better met. 
         [0053]      FIG. 13  shows the AC power adapter  300   3  plugged into the power strip  214  (which is also shown in  FIG. 2 ) using the space left between two conventional adapters  100   1  and  100   2 . In this example, the AC power adapter  300   3  is coupled to a dock  1305  with the sync cable  905 . The personal media player  1215  is inserted into the dock  1305  which includes a port that is similar to that disposed on the bottom of the personal media player  1215  for receiving the device connector  1211  end of the sync cable  905 . 
         [0054]    Another device connector (not shown) is also located at the bottom of a well  1310  in the dock  1305  to interface with a mating connector in the personal media player  1215 . The dock  1305  may generally be used to position the docked personal media player  1215  so that the player&#39;s display may be readily seen and the controls conveniently accessed by a user. While the dock  1305  may be used when the personal media player  1215  is being charged by the AC power adapter  300   3 , another common use of the dock is to conveniently position the personal media player  1215  when it is being synchronized with a PC  1326 . In this case, the USB plug  909  of the sync cable is plugged into an available USB port  1330  on the PC  1326  as indicated by the dashed line  1336 . 
         [0055]      FIGS. 14 and 15  show additional details of the present AC power adapter  300 . In particular,  FIG. 14  shows a side view of the adapter  300  including phantom views of an AC-DC power conversion circuit  1402  that is disposed in the body  918  of the adapter  300 , and the swiveling plug  302  with prongs  305  in their folded position that is disposed in a detachable faceplate  1410  of the adapter  300 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 15  shows a side view of the AC power adapter  300  with the prongs in the extended position. In this example, the location of the USB port  912  is located along its bottom face and is coupled to the AC-DC power conversion circuit  1502  along its short side, as shown. 
         [0057]    The AC-DC power conversion circuits  1402  and  1502  may comprise one or more circuits as may be required to convert AC power received from the prongs  305  when plugged in an AC source to DC power according to specifications (e.g., voltage and amperage) that are required to meet the given design parameters for a particular application. In this regard, the AC-DC power conversion circuits  1402  and  1502  may be arranged conventionally according to known principles. Note that the connection between the prongs  305  and AC-DC power conversion circuits  1402  and  1502  is not shown for sake of clarity of illustration in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . 
         [0058]    The body  918  and detachable faceplate  1410  will typically be formed from a resilient material such as polymer using a molding process. As both the body  918  and detachable faceplate  1410  contain energized components when the AC power adapter  300  is plugged in and functioning, they are generally configured to be capable of withstanding a variety of physical stresses, including drops, impacts, spills, and so forth. In addition, in some situations the adapter  300  will be placed on the floor, or behind furniture, etc., under uncontrolled and unobserved conditions, the AC-DC power conversion circuit (e.g.,  1402 ,  1502 ) will be substantially sealed and encased in the resilient body  918  to prevent inadvertent contact with any energized component or circuitry. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 16-18  show another feature of the present AC power adapter  300  in which a plurality of different detachable faceplates, each with a different plug type, are arranged to be interchangeable. This feature enables a faceplate to be removed and swapped with one that includes a plug type that is appropriate for the local conditions. For example, a traveler from the United States bringing the personal media player  1215  shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13  to Europe can swap a faceplate having a Type A plug with a faceplate having a Type C plug (popularly known as the Europlug) when arriving at the destination to charge the personal media player  1215 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 16  shows that the detachable faceplate  1410  may be released from the body  918  by user actuation of a mechanical release button  1607  as indicated by the arrow in the drawing. In this example, the release button  1607  is located on the front of the faceplate below the recess  312 , and is normally biased against a spring or similar mechanism so that a positive force from the user is required on the button to release the detachable faceplate  1410 . The detachable faceplate  1410  will thus not release from the body  918  during normal handling and use of the AC power adapter  300 . However, the release mechanism will typically be configured so that an end-user may swap the faceplates by hand without the use of tools in the field. 
         [0061]    Installation of a faceplate normally requires the faceplate  1410  be aligned with the body  918  and then pressed into place, typically with light finger pressure until it locks into place. Tactile feedback and an audible click will ordinarily indicate to the user that the faceplate is properly installed. In some cases, keyways, bosses, or guides may be utilized to facilitate the appropriate registration and alignment of the respective components, and/or to ensure that the faceplate  1410  can only be installed one way with the desired orientation to the body  918 . 
         [0062]    It is emphasized that the use of a release button on the front face of the faceplate is illustrative and that other configurations and means for enabling the faceplate to be removably attachable to the body  918  may be utilized. In alternative arrangements, it may be desirable to forgo the removable attachability feature, or to limit the interchangeability to factory or distribution environments only, for example, so that the faceplates are not ordinarily interchangeable in the field. 
         [0063]      FIG. 17  shows details of the interior of the body  918  of the AC power adapter  300  and back face of the detachable faceplate  1410 . AC power is transferred between respective mating connectors disposed in the interior of the body  918  and back face of the detachable faceplate  1410 . As shown, male pin connectors  1710  engage into corresponding and mating female socket connectors  1720  when the faceplate  1410  is installed onto the body  918 . 
         [0064]    The female socket connectors  1720  are typically configured so that the conductive elements are recessed within the resilient polymer body of the faceplate in a similar manner as the conductors are recessed in a standard wall outlet. This ensures that energized elements are isolated and will not be inadvertently touched by a user in the event that the body  918  becomes detached from the faceplate  1410  while the prongs  305  remained plugged into an AC outlet, or a user plugs only the prongs in the faceplate itself  1410  (without a coupled body  918 ) into the outlet. 
         [0065]    A variety of interchangeable and detachable faceplates having different plug configurations may be implemented and utilized.  FIG. 18  shows two such faceplates—the detachable faceplate  1410  having a Type A plug with flat-bladed prongs  305 , and a detachable faceplate  1810  having a Type C Europlug with round 4 mm pins as described in European Standard EN 50075, as indicated by reference numeral  1805  in  FIG. 18 . 
         [0066]    Other plug types with two prongs usable with the present arrangement could include, for example, Type D, Type F, and Type I plugs. Faceplates with plugs utilizing three prong plugs such as Type J and may also be implemented in some cases, although foldable three-prong arrangements (in cases where the three-prongs are not substantially or approximately co-planar such as Type G, Type H, and Type K plugs) will not typically be as desirable as their two-prong counterparts because of the size of the faceplate would necessarily be increased to accommodate the folding feature. However, such three-prong plugs may still be arranged to swivel and thus enable the benefits thereto. 
         [0067]    In addition to providing an easily user-configurable AC power adapter that can be used to power and charge devices used by international travelers, the manufacturing, inventorying, and distribution for the present AC power adapter may be made more efficient or simplified through utilization of the interchangeable detachable faceplates. Manufacturing dynamics and economics are improved because the body  918  of the AC power adapter, which contains the higher value power conversion circuit  1402  (with International power-handling capability), is commonly utilized by all adapters intended for sale in worldwide markets. Region-specific faceplates with AC plug types that match the configuration of local outlets can be manufactured, inventoried, assembled to AC power adapter bodies, and distributed according to demand for that particular product. This advantageously reduces the number of different variations in AC power adapters that are produced to address worldwide markets. 
         [0068]    Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.