Abstract:
A power adapter includes an adapter base defining a plug member channel immediately adjacent a first channel wall and a second channel wall that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first channel wall. A power member connector extends into the first channel wall such that no part of the power member connector protrudes into the defined plug member channel. A ground member connector is located on the second channel wall and spaced apart from the power member channel. A plug member includes a plug base having a first plug wall and a second plug wall that is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first plug wall. A power member is located on the first plug wall and a ground member is located on the second plug wall. The plug member is operable to be inserted into the plug member channel such that the power member enters the power member channel and electrically couples to the power member connector and the ground member engages the ground member connector.

Description:
The present application is a Continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/333,832, filed on Dec. 12, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to a power adapter for an information handling system. 
     As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option is an information handling system (IHS). An IHS generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements may vary between different applications, IHSs may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in IHSs allow for IHSs to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, IHSs may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
     IHSs such as, for example, portable IHSs, desktop IHSs, and/or a variety of other IHSs known in the art, use power adapters in order to convert alternating current (AC) power to direct current (DC) power for use in powering the IHS. In some of these power adapters, the DC ground contact can become elevated in voltage from the earth and this can cause some customers to feel a tingle sensation when touching the notebook. Although this tingle sensation poses no safety hazard, it raises significant customer satisfaction issues. 
     Conventionally, this problem is addressed by adding a 3-wire AC connection that includes an earth ground to the adapter. However, such connections must be approved by regulatory agencies, and due to safety concerns tend to result in a relatively large power adapters. Because it is sometimes desirable for the power adapters to be as small as possible, these 3-wire connections are often not included on the power adapters used with small form factor systems, resulting in the customer satisfaction issues discussed above. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved power adapter absent the disadvantages discussed above. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, a power adapter, includes an adapter base defining a plug member channel immediately adjacent a first channel wall and a second channel wall that is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first channel wall, a power member connector that extends into the first channel wall such that no part of the power member connector protrudes into the defined plug member channel, a ground member connector located on the second channel wall and spaced apart from the power member channel; and a plug member including a plug base having a first plug wall and a second plug wall that is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first plug wall, wherein a power member is located on the first plug wall and a ground member is located on the second plug wall, and wherein the plug member is operable to be inserted into the plug member channel such that the power member enters the power member channel and electrically couples to the power member connector and the ground member engages the ground member connector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of an IHS. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an adapter base. 
         FIG. 2   b  is an exploded view illustrating an embodiment of the adapter base of  FIG. 2   a.    
         FIG. 2   c  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a cover portion of the adapter base of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b.    
         FIG. 2   d  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a housing portion of the adapter base of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b.    
         FIG. 2   e  is an exploded view illustrating an embodiment of a power transmitting portion of the adapter base of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b.    
         FIG. 2   f  is an perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the assembled power transmitting portion of  FIG. 2   e.    
         FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a plug member used with the adapter base of  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ,  2   e  and  2   f.    
         FIG. 3   b  is an exploded view illustrating an embodiment of the plug member of  FIG. 3   a.    
         FIG. 3   c  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the plug member of  FIG. 3   a.    
         FIG. 3   d  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the plug member of  FIG. 3   a.    
         FIG. 4   a  is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for powering an IHS. 
         FIG. 4   b  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the plug member of  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c  and  3   d  being coupled to the adapter base of  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ,  2   e  and  2   f.    
         FIG. 4   c  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the plug member of  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c  and  3   d  coupled to the adapter base of  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ,  2   e  and  2   f.    
         FIG. 4   d  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the plug member and the adapter base of  FIG. 4   c  coupling an IHS to a power source. 
         FIG. 5   a  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a plug member. 
         FIG. 5   b  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the plug member of  FIG. 5   a  coupled to the adapter base of  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ,  2   e  and  2   f.    
         FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a plug member. 
         FIG. 6   b  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the plug member of  FIG. 6   a  coupled to the adapter base of  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ,  2   e  and  2   f.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For purposes of this disclosure, an IHS may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an IHS may be a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a network server or storage device, a switch router or other network communication device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The IHS may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components of the IHS may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The IHS may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. 
     In one embodiment, IHS  100 ,  FIG. 1 , includes a processor  102 , which is connected to a bus  104 . Bus  104  serves as a connection between processor  102  and other components of IHS  100 . An input device  106  is coupled to processor  102  to provide input to processor  102 . Examples of input devices may include keyboards, touchscreens, pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs, and trackpads, and/or a variety of other input devices known in the art. Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device  108 , which is coupled to processor  102 . Examples of mass storage devices may include hard discs, optical disks, magneto-optical discs, solid-state storage devices, and/or a variety other mass storage devices known in the art. IHS  100  further includes a display  110 , which is coupled to processor  102  by a video controller  112 . A system memory  114  is coupled to processor  102  to provide the processor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by processor  102 . Examples of system memory may include random access memory (RAM) devices such as dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), solid state memory devices, and/or a variety of other memory devices known in the art. In an embodiment, a chassis  116  houses some or all of the components of IHS  100 . It should be understood that other buses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above and processor  102  to facilitate interconnection between the components and the processor  102 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ,  2   e  and  2   f , a power adapter  200  is illustrated. The power adapter  200  includes an adapter base  202  having a top surface  204 , a bottom surface  206  located opposite the top surface  204 , a front surface  208  extending between the top surface  204  and the bottom surface  206 , a rear surface  210  that is located opposite the front surface  208  and extends between the top surface  204  and the bottom surface  206 , and a pair of opposing side surfaces  212  and  214  that extend between the top surface  204 , the bottom surface  206 , the front surface  208 , and the rear surface  210 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  2   c , the adapter base  202  includes a cover portion  216  that includes the top surface  204  and a cover portion bottom surface  216   a  that is located opposite the top surface  204 . A plug member access  216   b  is defined by the cover portion  216  and extends into the cover portion  216  from a side of the cover portion  216   a . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  2   d , the adapter base  202  also includes a housing portion  218  that includes the bottom surface  206 , the front surface  208 , the rear surface  210 , and the side surfaces  212  and  214 . The housing portion  218  defines a housing  218   a  located between the bottom surface  206 , the front surface  208 , the rear surface  210 , and the side surfaces  212  and  214 . The housing portion  218  also defines a plug member channel  218   b  between a plurality of channel features  218   c ,  218   d ,  218   e  and  218   f . The plug member channel  218   b  extends into the housing  218   a  on the housing portion  218  and includes a plug member entrance  219  located adjacent the front surface  208  of the housing portion  218 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   e  and  2   f , the adapter base  202  also includes a power transmitting portion  220  that includes a support member  220   a , a power member connector base  220   b , a ground member connector base  220   c , and a cord coupler  220   d . The support member  220   a  defines a support member channel  220   aa  that extends into the support member  220   a  from a side of the support member  220   a . The power member connector base  220   b  houses a power member connector  220   ba . In the illustrated embodiment, the power member connector  220   ba  is a two-pin power member connector. The ground member connector base  220   c  includes a ground member connector  220   ca  extending from opposing ends of the ground member connector base  220   c . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2   e  and  2   f , upon assembly, the power transmitting portion  220  includes the power member connector base  220   b  coupled to the support member  220   a  and located in the support member channel  220   aa , the ground member connector base  220   c  coupled to the power member connector base  220   b  such that the ground member connectors  220   ca  extend on either side of the support member channel  220   aa , the cord coupler  220   d  coupled to the support member  220   a  along an edge of the support member  220   a , and a coupling  222  that couples the power member connectors  220   ba  and/or the ground member connectors  220   ca  to the cord coupler  220   d . In an embodiment, the coupler  222  includes a double insulated wire that traverses from an AC to DC side of the adapter to connect the earth ground to the negative DC terminal of the adapters DC out connector. In an embodiment, this ground may be designated a functional safety ground that does not need to be designed to carry large currents for safety certification. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , upon assembly, the adapter base  202  includes the power transmitting portion  220  located in the housing  218   a  and between the housing portion  218  and the cover portion  216 . With the adapter base  202  assembled, the plug member channel  218   b  is defined by the adapter base  202  between a first channel wall  224  and a plurality of second channel walls  226 ,  228  and  230  that are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first channel wall  224 , with the power member connector  220   ba  located on the first channel wall  224  and the ground member connectors  220   ca  located on the second channel walls  226  and  228 . In an embodiment, it is desirable that a height H of the adapter base  202  be minimized in order to provide a small form factor for the adapter base  202 , and the positioning of the ground member connectors  220   ca  on the second channel walls  226  and  228  provides a grounded power connection that reduces the height H of the adapter base  202  relative to conventional power connectors while isolating the ground member connectors  220   ca  from the power member connectors  220   ba  to alleviate possible safety concerns. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c  and  3   d , a plug member  300  is illustrated. The plug member  300  includes a plug base  302  having a first plug wall  304  and a plurality of second plug walls  306 ,  308 ,  310  and  312  that extend from the first plug wall  304  and that are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first plug wall  304 . A rear plug wall  316  is located opposite the plug base  302  from the first plug wall  304 , extends between the plurality of second plug walls  306 ,  308 ,  310  and  312 , and defines a power cord aperture  316   a . The plug base  302  includes an upper portion  318  and lower portion  320  that define a housing  322  between them. A power member  324  extends from the first plug wall  304 . In an embodiment, the power member is a two-pin power member. A ground member base  326  is housed in the housing  322  and includes a plurality of ground members  328  that extend from the housing  322  and out of the plug base  302  such that the ground members  328  are located on the second plugs walls  308  and  312 . A power cord  330  extends through the power cord aperture  316   a  and into the housing  322  and includes a plurality of electrical couplers  332 ,  334  and  336 . The electrical coupler  332  is coupled to the ground member base  326  and the electrical couplers  334  and  336  are coupled to the power member  324 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a ,  3   a ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  4   c  and  4   d , a method  400  for providing power to an IHS is illustrated. The method  400  begins at block  402  where an adapter base is provided. The adapter base  202 , described above with reference to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  2   d ,  2   e  and  2   f , is provided. The method  400  then proceeds to block  404  where an adapter cord is coupled to an IHS. In an embodiment, an adapter cord  404   a  may be detachably or permanently connected to the cord coupling  220   d  on the adapter base  202 , and that adapter cord  404   a  may be coupled to an IHS  404   b  that houses a plurality of powered components that are coupled to an adapter connector  404   c , as illustrated in  FIG. 4   d . In an embodiment, the IHS  404   b  may be, for example, the IHS  100 , described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . The method  400  then proceeds to block  406  where a plug member is inserted into the plug member channel. The plug base  302  is positioned adjacent the adapter base  202  such that the power member  324  is adjacent the plug member channel  218   b , as illustrated in  FIG. 4   b . The plug base  302  may then moved in a direction A such that the plug base  302  enters the plug member channel  218   b  through the plug member entrance  219 . In another embodiment, the plug base  302  may enter the plug member channel  218   b  through the plug member access  216   b . The method  400  then proceeds to blocks  408  and  410  where the power member is engaged with the power member connector and the ground member is engaged with the ground member connector. Continued movement of the plug base  302  in the direction A will cause the power member  324  to engage the power member connectors  220   b  and the ground members  328  to engage the ground member connectors  220   ca , and the plug base  302  may be moved in the direction A until the plug base  302  is completely located in the plug member channel  218   b , as illustrated in  FIG. 4   c , such that the ground member connectors  220   ca  are fully engaging the ground members  328  and the power member connectors  220   b  are coupled to the electrical couplers  334  and  336  through the power member  324 . The method  400  then proceeds to block  412  where the plug member is coupled to a power source. In an embodiment, the power cord  330  extending from the plug member  300  may include a connector  412   a  such as, for example, a three-pin Alternating Current (AC) connector, located on a distal end of the power cord  330  opposite the plug base  302 , and that connector  412   a  may be coupled to a power source through an outlet  412   b  or other method known in the art, as illustrated in  FIG. 4   d , in order to provide power to the IHS  404   b . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4   d , the plug member  300  provides the power connection from the outlet  412   b , through the adapter  202 , and to the IHS  404   b  through the coupling of the power member  324  and the power member connectors  220   b , and also provides the ground connection from the outlet  412   b , through the adapter  202 , and to the IHS  404   b  through the coupling of the ground members  328  and the ground member connectors  220   ca  in order to provide a grounded power supply to the IHS  404   b . Thus, a power adapter is provided that provides a grounded power supply to an IHS while achieving a low profile form factor. Furthermore, the power adapter is compatible with a plug member that includes a two-wire AC cord and has no grounding connection. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , a plug member  500  is illustrated that is substantially similar in structure and operation to the plug member  300  described above with reference to  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c  and  3   d , but with the power cord  330  removed and the provision of a plurality of electrical couplers  502  that are each moveably coupled to the plug base  302  and may be each be located in a first position in a electrical coupler channel  504  that is defined by the plug base  302  and extends into the plug base  302  from the second channel wall  306  and the rear channel wall  316  such that the electrical couplers  502  are flush with the second channel wall  306 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5   a . The plug member  500  may be coupled to the adapter base  202  in substantially the same manner as described above for the plug member  300  according to the method  400 , with the exception of a modified block  412 , where the electrical couplers  502  are moved from the first position illustrated in  FIG. 5   a  to a second position where the electrical couplers  502  extend from the second channel wall  306 , illustrated in  FIG. 5   b . The electrical couplers  502  may then be directly coupled to the outlet  412   b . In an embodiment, the plug member  500  may be used when there is no need for a ground connection from the outlet  412   b  to the IHS  404   b.    
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , a plug member  600  is illustrated that is substantially similar in structure and operation to the plug member  300  described above with reference to  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c  and  3   d , but with the power cord  330  removed and the provision of a plurality of electrical couplers  602 ,  604  and  606  that extend from a support structure  608  that is coupled to the second plug wall  306  on the plug base  302 . In an embodiment, the electrical coupler  602  is a ground coupler that is coupled to the ground members  328  and the electrical couplers  604  and  606  are power couplers that are coupled to the power member  328 . The plug member  600  may be coupled to the adapter base  202  in substantially the same manner as described above for the plug member  300  according to the method  400 , with the exception of a modified block  412 , where the electrical couplers  602 ,  604  and  606  are directly coupled to the outlet  412   b . While the support structure  608  and electrical couplers  602 ,  604  and  606  have been illustrated as a United Kingdom (UK) plug adapter, one of skill in the art will recognize that they may be modified to include any three-pin AC connector known in the art. 
     Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.