Abstract:
A keyed power source connector and keyed device connector that are backwards compatible, ensuring that the power rated device connectors can only mate with power source connectors power rated at or above the device connector power rating. One connector is formed as a plug, and the other connector is formed as a socket. The connectors have are shaped having a profile that is a function of the respective connector power rating. A keyed portion of the power source connector plug will physically interfere with and not be receivable within a device connector socket when the device connector power rating exceeds the power source connector power rating. This connector system ensures target portable electronic devices coupled to the device connector can not draw power exceeding the rating of the power source connector.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/642,273 entitled “POWER CONVERTER HAVING POWER RATING FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES” filed Dec. 19, 2006, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/790,877 entitled “Keyed Universal Power Tip and Power Source Connectors” filed Mar. 2, 2004, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,885. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally related to electrical connectors, and more particularly to electrical connectors suitable for use with portable electronic devices having varying power requirements, including laptop computers, PDA&#39;s, mobile phones, MP3 players, digital cameras, and portable DVD players. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the consumer electronics market there are categories of portable electronic devices ranging from Cellular Telephones, to Personal Digital Assistants (PDA&#39;s), to Smart Phones, to Digital Cameras, to Portable DVD Players. Each device has specific power requirements from its&#39; internal battery, or to be powered and/or charge this battery from an external power source, such as an AC wall receptacle or a DC power source. 
     Universal power converters are now available in the market, including those offered by Mobility Electronics Inc. of Scottsdale Ariz., the Applicant of the present invention. Interchangeable device tips are provided, these tips being compatible with different portable electronic devices, and are adapted to receive power from a common power converter. 
     Since the power requirement can vary greatly for each device, it is desirable in the universal power supply market to have a methodology of categorizing the power requirements into a series of power supplies. Each power supply can service the specific power range of the electronic device which is targeted. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention achieves technical advantages as an electrical connector, a set of connectors, and a connector&#39; system whereby device connectors are backward compatible with power source connectors such that the device connectors can only be coupled to a power source connector rated at or above the power rating of the power source connector. For instance, a 35 Watt rated device connector can only be coupled with a power source connector rated at 35 Watts and above. Similarly, a 15 Watt device connector can only be coupled to power source connectors rated at 15 Watts and above. The portable electronic device to be powered from drawing power in excess of the power source connector and associated cabling. 
     In one preferred embodiment, a set of device connectors are provided having conductors terminating at a device connector interface, this interface having a peripheral contoured body portion having a profile being a function of the device connector power rating. A mating power source connector, which may include a cable providing power thereto, has an interface also having a peripheral contoured body portion having a profile being a function of the power source connector power rating. Advantageously, the peripheral contoured body portions of these connectors are configured to mate with each other only when the power rating of the device connector meets or exceeds the power rating of the power source connector. The peripheral contoured body portions are preferable configured as a plug and socket arrangement, each socket having a predetermined power rating can only receive a plug having a compatible power rating. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a power connection system comprises a first connector and a second connector. The first connector has a corresponding power rating and a first interface having a first shaped body that is adapted to couple to a power source connector. The second connector comprising a second interface adapted to couple to the power source connector, wherein the second interface has a second shaped body and a second power rating; wherein the first shaped body and the second shaped body are shaped as a function of the first power rating and the second power rating. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a power connection system comprises a plurality of power connectors, such that each of the plurality of power connectors comprises a unique interface adapted to couple to a power source. Moreover, each of the unique interfaces has a shaped body that is shaped as a function of a power rating. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a power connection system, comprises a first plug and a second plug. The first plug has a first power rating and a first interface with a first shaped body that is adapted to couple to a power source socket. The second plug has a power rating and a second interface with a second shaped body adapted to couple to the power source socket. The first shaped body and the second shaped body are shaped as a function of the first power rating and the second power rating. 
     Advantageously, the power supplies can be developed for a specific power range, wherein device connectors mate to target portable electronic devices and to power source connectors and cables meeting or exceeding the power rating of these target portable electronic devices. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a set of device connectors and power source connectors each keyed to provide backward compatibility of the power source connectors with the device connectors; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a 0-5 Watt rated power source connector keyed such that only device connectors rated at 5 Watts and below are adapted to electrically and physically connect thereto; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a 0-5 Watt rated device connector adapted to receive only a power source connector rated at 5 Watts and above; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a 0-15 Watt rated power source connector keyed to be received in device connectors rated at 15 Watts and below; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a 0-15 Watt rated device connector keyed to receive power source connectors rated at 15 Watt&#39;s and above; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a 0-25 Watt rated power source connector keyed to be received in device connectors rated at 25 Watts and below; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a 0-25 Watt rated device connector keyed to receive only power source connectors rated at 25 Watts and above; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a 0-35 Watt rated power source connector keyed to be received in device connectors rated at 35 Watts and below; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a 0-35 Watt rated device connector keyed to receive power source connectors rated at 35 Watts and above; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective cutaway view of the 0-5 Watt rated device connector securingly receiving the 35 Watt rated power source connector, illustrating a lower power rated device connector engaging a higher power rated source connector; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective cutaway view of the 0-25 Watt rated device connector securingly receiving the 35 Watt rated power source connector, illustrating a lower power rated device connector engaging a higher power rated source connector; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective cutaway view of the 0-15 Watt rated device connector theoretically being received within the 5 Watt rated power source connector, which is not possible due to the interference of the power source connector key portion  41  with the device connector key portion  23 ; and 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective cutaway view of the 0-25 Watt rated device connector theoretically receiving a 5 Watt rated power connector, which is not possible due to the interference of the power source connector key portion  41  with the device connector key portion  25 . 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a device connector fully assembled in a housing; 
         FIG. 15  is an end perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an end view of the device connector and of connector  100 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevational view of the connector of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 18  is an end view of the connector of  FIG. 14  illustrating the portable electronic device connector; 
         FIG. 19  is a top view of the connector of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a bottom view of the connector of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 21  is an electrical schematic of one embodiment of the connector shown in  FIG. 14  illustrating the p-out of the device connector  14  and the portable electronic device connector  110 , along with design parameters for one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is an end view of the pin-out of the connector shown in  FIG. 21 ; and 
         FIG. 23  is an end view of the connector of  21  showing the p-out of the portable electronic device connector. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is generally shown at Keyed connector system  10  comprising a set of device connectors generally shown at  12  and a set of power source connectors generally shown at  30 . By way of example, but without limitation to this preferred embodiment, the device connectors are shown to have a connector interface configured as a receptacle, and the power source connectors are configured as plugs. Of course, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the device connector interfaces could comprise of plugs, and the power source connectors could comprise of receptacles if desired. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the set of device connectors  12  is seen to comprise of separate and distinct device connectors  14  each having a peripheral contoured body portion  16  encompassing the terminating ends of a plurality of electrical conductors, shown as male pins  18 . Four (4) different device connectors are shown at  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26 , having respective power ratings of 0-5 Watts, 0-15 Watts, 0-25 Watts, and 0-35 Watts. Each device connector also has a target device connector adapted to mate with target portable electronic devices. 
     Similarly, the set of power source connectors  30  comprise individual power source connectors  32  each having a peripheral contoured body portion  34  encompassing a respective terminating end of plurality of electrical conductors, shown as female pins  36 . In a preferred embodiment, the individual power source connectors  32  are shown as connectors  40 ,  42 ,  44 , and  46 , and having respective power ratings of 0-5 Watts, 0-15 Watts, 0-25 Watts, and 0-35 Watts. As visually depicted in  FIG. 1 , the 0-5 Watt rated power source connector  40  comprises a plug adapted to be received in only 0-5 Watt rated device connector  20 , wherein the peripheral contoured body profile  16  of receptacle  20  is adapted to receive the peripheral contoured body profile  34  of plug  40 . The 0-15 Watt rated power source connector  42 , however, has a body profile  34  adapted to be received in both of receptacle connectors  20  and  22  since the power connector  42  is at least as great as the device connector power rating, and thus, can safely be mated with device connectors  20  and  22 . 
     Likewise, power source connector  44  is rated at 25 Watts, and thus, has a body profile  34  adapted to be coupled to and received within receptacle  20 ,  22  and  24 . Since power source connector  44  is rated at 25 Watts, the device connectors  14  rated at 25 Watts and below, namely, connectors  20 ,  22  and  24 , are adapted to receive and be safely electrically coupled to power source connector  44 . 
     The highest power rated power source connector depicted in this embodiment is power source connector  46 , which has a body profile contour  34  adapted to be received within each of the device connectors  20 ,  22 ,  24  and  26  as each of these device connectors are rated at 35 Watts or below, which is at or below the power rating of the power source connector  46 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown that the device connector peripheral contoured body portions  16  are all keyed along the right side thereof, with 5 Watt rated device connector  20  having the largest keyed opening defined by key portion  41  configured as a lobe along the right side thereof such that it can receive all the power source connecters  40 ,  42 ,  44  and  46 , as will be shown in more detail shortly. 
     Looking at 0-15 Watt rated device connector  22 , for instance, it can be appreciated that the key portion  23  of the body profile  16  is lower than key portion  21  of device connector  20 . This key portion  23  is mechanically configured to receive corresponding key portion  42  of connector  43 , key portion  45  of connector  44 , and key portion  47  of connector  46 , but is not adapted to receive the key portion  41  of connector  40  since power source connector  43  is rated lower than the device connector  22 . 
     It can be further appreciated that an additional peripheral contoured body key portion of device connector  26  is shown at  29  for the 35 Watt rated device connector  26 . Likewise, a second peripheral contoured body key portion  49  of profile  34  is provided for the 35 Watt rated power source connector  46 . The 35 Watt device connector  26  and power source connector  46  have these additional keyed portions  29  and  49  to ensure that the 35 Watt device connector  26  can only mate to the 35 Watt rated power source connector  46 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a perspective view of the 5 Watt rated device connector  40  configured as a plug. The peripheral contoured body portion  34  includes the body key portion  41  and an alignment tab  50  providing the keying so as to only be connectable to device connector  20 , as previously described. Power source connector  40  is further seen to include a cable portion  56  including a plurality of connectors, each connector coupled to and terminating at one of the female interface pins  36  adapted to receive power from a power source, such as a power converter (not shown). An elongated projection  57 , shown as a tab, extending laterally across an upper portion of the connector body  58  is adapted to be releasingly secured within one of the device connectors, such as device connector  20 , whereby a corresponding body slot  31  flexibly receives the upwardly corresponding projection  57 . A similar projection tab  57  extends from the opposing surface of body  58  (not shown) which is releasingly securable within the opposing slot  31  shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The peripheral contoured body portion  16  of device connector  20  has a slot  51  adapted to securingly receive the corresponding tab  50  of the power source connector received therein, and also a keyed portion  53  adapted to receive all of the power source connectors having a power rating greater than the 5 Watt power rating of device connector  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a perspective view of the power source connector  42  having a power rating of 0-15 Watts, having a keyed portion  62  and  64  configured to be received in only 5 Watt rated device connector  20  and 15 Watt rated connector  22 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the device connector  22  having a contoured peripheral body portion  16  including a keyed portion  66  and  68 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a perspective view of the 0-25 Watt power source connector  44  whereby the peripheral contoured body portion  34  has a keyed portion  72  and  74 . This power source connector can only be received in device connectors  20 ,  22  and  24 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a peripheral view of the 0-25 Watt rated device connector  24 , whereby the peripheral contoured body portion  16  has a keyed portion  76  and  78 . The 0-25 Watt rated device connector  24  is adapted to couple to only the power source connectors having a rating of at least 25 Watts, namely, the 0-25 Watt rated power source connector  44  and the 0-35 Watt power source connector  46 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there is shown a perspective view of the 0-35 Watt rated device connector  46 , whereby the peripheral contoured body portion  34  has a keyed portion  82  and  84 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , there is shown a perspective view of the 0-35 Watt device connector  26 , whereby the peripheral contoured body portion  16  has a keyed portion  86  and  88 . This 35 Watt rated device connector  26  is adapted only receive within the 0-35 Watt power source connector  46 , as connector  46  is rated to provide at least 35 Watts of power. 
     Advantageously, each of the power source connectors  40 ,  42 ,  44  and  46  are backward compatible such that the power source connectors  32  can only be received within device connectors  14  having a power rating no greater than a connecting power source connector. Advantageously, a target portable electronic device having a power rating, for example, of 25 Watts can only be connectable to a power source connector rated at least as high as 25 Watts so as to not draw more power than the rating of the power source connector  32 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , there is shown one example of the 0-5 Watt rated device connector  20  receiving a 35 Watt power rated source connector  46 . The respective keying of device connector  20  and power source connector  46  are shown to not provide an interference fit, and thus allow the secure reception of plug  46  into receptacle  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , there is shown an example of the 0-25 Watt rated device connector  24  receiving the 35 Watt rated power source connector  44 . Again, the respective key portions of plug  44  and receptacle  24  do not provide an interference fit, and thus allow the secure connection to each other. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , there is shown an illustration of the 0-15 Watt rated device connector  22  physically interfering with a 5 Watt rated power source connector  40 , the interference being shown at  90 . This, illustration shows the interference of key portion  41  of power source connector  40  with the key portion  23  of device connector  22 . Because of this interference, these two connectors can not mate, which advantageously ensures that a higher power rated device connector  14  can never be connected to a lower power rated power source connector  32 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , there is shown yet another illustrating whereby the 0-25 Watt rated device connector  24  would have an interference with the 5 Watt rated power connector  40 . Specifically, key portion  41  of power source connector  40  can not be received within the 25 Watt rated device connector  24  because device connector key portion  25  interferes with the key portion  41  of power source connector  40 , as shown. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , there is shown at  100  a tip connector including the 0-15 watt device connector  22  (see  FIG. 5 ) packaged in a housing  102 , and a portable electronic device connector  110 . The plurality of pins  18  are shown protruding from a socket  104  encompassed by the contoured peripheral body portion  16  including keyed portions  66  and  68 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , there is shown a perspective rearview of tip connector  100  depicting connector  110  adapted to connect to a portable electronic device to be powered. The shape and/or pin-out of each tip connector  100  will vary from device to device, depending on the interface requirement of such portable electronic device to be powered, and the power rating of the tip connector  100 . 
       FIG. 16  shows an end view of tip connector  100  further depicting the profile of the socket  104 , which as previously described, is adapted to receive the power source connector having, in this embodiment, a power rating of 15 watts and above. 
       FIG. 17  shows a side elevational view of tip connector  100 .  FIG. 18  shows an end view of connector  100  viewing the connector  110 .  FIG. 19  is a top view of connector  100 , and  FIG. 20  is a bottom view of connector  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 21 , there is shown an electrical schematic diagram of one embodiment of tip connector  100 , showing one possible pin-out assignment for each of the pins  18  and the pins of portable electronic device connector  110 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , a resistive device network is established between pins  1 ,  2  and  5  of connector  14  comprising resistors R 1  and R 2 . The values of the resistors R 1  and R 2  are selected to provide a desired output voltage and desired output current. Shown in this embodiment is an associated parts list, configured such that the output voltage is shown to be 5.21 volts +/−2.5%, output current 0.49 amps +/−5%, whereby resistors R 1  and R 2  are 1% 1/16 watt resistors, such that tip connector  100  is configured as a 8 watt power rated connector. Of course, for connectors adapted to power different portable electronic devices, the particular pin-out of connector  110  may vary, and the component values and design parameters are configured to meet the particular requirements of such intended portable electronic device to be powered. 
     Referring to  FIG. 22 , there is shown an end view of device connector  14  of the tip connector  100  shown in  FIG. 21 , and  FIG. 23  depicts the end view of portable electronic device connector  110  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 21 , showing the pin-outs of pins  1 - 4 . 
     Though the invention has been described with respect to a specific preferred embodiment, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present application. It is therefore the intention that the appended claims be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.