Abstract:
A power supply with integrated DC supply for peripheral devices, comprises a power conditioner to convert AC electrical power to DC, and to regulate the DC power to produce a plurality of DC voltages, and receptacles for plugging in to receive said DC voltages. A step-down transformer and a receptacle for lowered-voltage AC power is described. Additionally, a universal cable is described, which carries a variety of DC or lowered voltage AC power and mates with the power supply; the cable can be daisy-chained to plug in several devices to the power supply to tap the variety of DC voltages and lowered-voltage AC power.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE  
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of domestic priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/443,766, filed on Jan. 30, 2004. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to the field of power supply to electrical devices. AC and DC power are utilized not only by computers, but by a growing number of related peripheral devices. Wide adaptation of communication standards such as IEEE 1394 (firewire) and USB make the use of temporary device connections such as digital cameras, scanners, speakers, external optical disks, network hubs, routers, audio mixers, uninterrupted power supplies, etc., more common. However, many of these peripheral devices require power. Accordingly, power distribution bars are evident in almost every computer installation. Typically, the peripheral devices require the use of DC power, and accordingly are sold with power transformers or power conditioners, which may include DC regulation. (These devices are commonly sold with an accessory labeled a “transformer”, which converts household electricity, 115-120 V AC at 60 Hz in the United States, to the lower voltage DC used by the peripheral device. These accessories, however, perform functions additional to conversion of an AC current from one voltage to a second voltage. Accordingly, as used herein, “power conditioner” means a device comprising any combination of transformers, rectifiers, regulators, and/or control circuitry that converts AC electrical current either to AC current at a different voltage or to DC electrical current at the same or a different voltage.) Moreover, many devices peripheral to a computer, such as video cameras, are used completely independently of the computer. These devices still need DC power, but must connect to household AC power either during use or for battery charging.  
           [0003]    Companies in the power supply industry have recognized the growing need and desire to connect peripheral devices and have responded to market need in a number of ways. Today, power distribution bars and battery back-up power systems that provide uninterrupted power often include power outlets that are engineered and spaced in a manner to accept plug-in transformers or similar power conditioners to provide low voltage AC or DC power.  
           [0004]    Although there are a limited number of DC voltages commonly used in peripheral devices, the situation is made somewhat more complex by the need to select the polarity of these connections.  
           [0005]    In general, power supplies are one of the least reliable components in computers and other electrical equipment. Safety recalls for transformers, battery chargers and other products are not uncommon. Cost plays a factor in designing small power transformers to provide DC voltage. Higher rated transformers could adapt relatively easily to the increased needs for DC voltage, thereby eliminating the need for more transformers and other components. Such inclusion could also simplify system installation and device connection. Accordingly, these improvements require a means to connect a peripheral device requiring a DC voltage to the power supply. It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve safety by limiting the number of transformers required to operate peripheral devices. It is a further object to reduce the amount of equipment needed to power peripheral devices. It is a further object to provide a universal means of connecting peripheral devices to a power supply.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The present invention is an AC power supply that also provides at least one DC voltage or low voltage AC power outlet intended to power a peripheral device. In some embodiments, the power cable carries only the required voltage and provides low voltage AC or DC power via a conventional connector plug. In another embodiment the power cable has universal connectors and carries more than one AC or DC voltage level or combination thereof. The peripheral device taps into the required voltage. Accordingly, one or more levels may be passed on to chained devices to minimize and simplify meeting and distributing power requirements. For example, 15 volts AC, 12 volts DC and 5 volts DC may be carried on a single universal cable. Device one may tap 12 volts DC, while an additional connector provided on device one or a split connector on the universal cable may allow device two to be daisy chained for DC power. In other embodiments, the power supply of the present invention is part of a battery back-up unit or is part of a computer. In another embodiment, the DC connector provides power of a particular polarity.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 a  shows a typical computer and peripheral devices with power supply as known in the prior art.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 b  shows a power supply of a computer with peripheral devices of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 a  shows a power distribution bar as known in the prior art.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 b  shows a power distribution bar of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 a  shows a battery back-up power distribution unit as known in the prior art.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 b  shows a battery back-up power distribution unit of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 c  shows an alternate embodiment of a battery back-up power distribution unit of the present invention with a universal mating device connector.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 a  shows a universal cable of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 b  shows a mating device connector to the universal cable of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 shows an example of the present invention employed in daisy-chained configuration. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]    While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 a  shows a typical computer  100  with power supply  105 . Peripheral devices illustrated include, as examples, an external DVD burner  111 , an audio mixer  112 , and a network hub  113 . These peripheral devices may require, in addition to different voltages, different polarities. For example the DVD burner  111  may require 12 volts DC with a positive inner contact; the audio mixer  112  may require nine volts DC with the positive on the outer contact sleeve of the connector plug; the network hub  113  may require five volts DC. The power connectors for devices for devices  111 ,  112 ,  113  are identified respectively as  121 ,  122 , and  123 . The mating connectors are shown in magnified view, and are identified as respectively as  151 ,  152 , and  153 . In the prior art each peripheral device typically used its own transformer and circuitry for DC power: Plug-in transformer  131  with DC voltage regulator circuit connects to cable  141  which terminated at connector plug  151  shown in expanded view to mate with the power connector  121  of DVD burner  111  thus providing the required 12 volts. Similarly, separate DC transformers  132 ,  133 , with corresponding cables  142 ,  143 , terminate in connector plugs  152  and  153  as shown in expanded view to mate with peripheral device connectors for the audio mixer  112  and network hub  113 .  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 b  shows a computer  101  of one embodiment of the present invention having improved computer power supply  110  having transformer and additional voltage regulator circuitry to supply DC power for peripheral devices such as an external DVD burner  111 , an audio mixer  112 , and a network hub  113 . As illustrated, three different DC voltages, with desired polarities, are supplied for the three peripheral devices. Any number of DC connectors with desired polarity can be used and may be combined with low voltage AC supplies from the same transformer in computer power supply  110 , or an additional transformer may be incorporated specifically to provide for external devices. In this instance, the three external transformers  131 ,  132 , and  133  as discussed in association with FIG. 1 a  may be eliminated. The power connectors  121 ,  122 , and  123  of the peripheral devices  121 ,  122 , and  123 , respectively, connect directly into mating connectors  161 ,  162 , and  163  provided by the power supply  110 , eliminating the need for three separate, bulky transformers.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 a  shows a power distribution bar  200  of another embodiment of the present invention, having four AC power receptacles  251 ,  252 ,  253 , and  254 , as is known in the prior art. Receptacles  253  and  254  are further differentiated by the provision of spacing to accommodate power transformers, as required or desired. Power distribution bar  200  receives AC voltage, such as the 60 Hz, 110 volt power commonly used in North America, and distributes it to the four AC power receptacles. Different size prongs for polarity and third prongs for grounding may be used, as is well known in the art. Different voltages and frequency, as well as different prong sizes and orientation, are used in other localities.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 b  shows a power distribution bar  210  of the present invention, also having four AC power receptacles  251 - 254 . Internal step down transformer and DC voltage regulator circuitry  220  transform and regulate the AC power supply in a known way to provide convenient voltage levels. In the illustrated example, internal step-down transformer and DC voltage regulator circuitry  220  provides nine volts DC via DC receptacle identified as  230 , and 12 volts DC in a DC receptacle identified as  240 . Further DC receptacles at various voltages or low voltage AC may be provided as desired. These DC receptacles may also vary the polarity of the DC voltages provided. Other embodiments provide access to a plurality of DC voltages via a single connector plug, as described further in connection with FIGS. 3 c,    4   a,  and  4   b.    
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 a  shows a battery back-up power distribution unit  300  with AC power receptacles  391 ,  392 ,  393 ,  394 ,  395 , and  396 , as is known in the prior art. Additional space is provided for receptacles  395  and  396 , which may be provided in this configuration to facilitate the use of plug-in transformers.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 b  shows a battery back-up power distribution unit  310  of the present invention with DC supplies for some common DC voltages along with a low voltage AC outlet. The unit  310  is an uninterruptible power supply, as is well known in the art, but with the integrated DC supply of the present invention. Accordingly, one or more DC peripheral devices may have battery back-up as required or desired, in addition to battery-back-up for the AC devices connected to AC power receptacles  391 - 396 . Internal circuitry  320  provides, for example, in a way well known in the art, low voltage AC directed to power outlet  385 , along with illustrated DC power of 12V, 9V, 15V and 5V with corresponding DC power receptacles further identified respectively as  381 ,  382 ,  383 , and  384 . As discussed above, DC power can also be provided at either, or both polarities.  
         [0024]    Internal changes to the distribution unit  310  may include a multi-tap transformer or one with extended ratings and taps for direct adaptation to the innovations herein, including provision of low voltage AC (such as 15V AC provided via receptacle  385 ) and regulated DC voltages (such as those provided via receptacles  381 - 384 ). Such low voltage AC may be used directly by an external device such as those discussed in association with FIG. 1 a  and  1   b  or this AC power may be further conditioned or be used for generating DC power within an external device.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 c  shows another embodiment of the present invention where DC mating device connector  370  provides power connector pins that supply a plurality of voltages. Rather than having four separate DC voltage receptacles ( 381 - 384 ) as were also illustrated in FIG. 3 b,  a DC mating device connector  370  as illustrated provides 5V, 9V, 12V, and 15 volts DC, carried on separate pairs of wires. A single universal cable  400 , as discussed below, couples to mating device connector  370  and carries, simultaneously, DC power at a plurality of voltages, in this example, four different voltages. (Or, the universal cable  400  could carry a plurality of low voltage AC or DC voltages of desired polarity.) A peripheral device connected to this universal cable  400  only taps that voltage it requires. Connector alignment pin  375  may be used to provide cable orientation. Alternatively, a distinctive shape, such as a two-dimensional key, can achieve proper alignment.  
         [0026]    As will be further discussed in association with FIGS. 4 a,    4   b  and FIG. 5, it may be desirable to provide a number of common voltages with a first peripheral device tapping in at the required pins for the voltage required for that device, and one or more other peripheral devices daisy-chaining and tapping into the DC voltage required for each device. Accordingly, two or more peripheral devices can all draw power from a single mating device connector such as  370 . Alternatively, one of the pairs of wire can carry AC voltage, either full voltage or step-downed voltage as may be required.  
         [0027]    Please note that the mating device connector  370  as illustrated in FIG. 3 c  can also be used in the computer power supply  110  of FIG. 1 b,  the power bar of FIG. 2 b,  or the battery back up unit  310  of FIG. 3 b.    
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 a  shows a universal cable  400  of the present invention with connector ends  410  and  420 . While these ends could be both male or both female, they are illustrated as male  410  and female  420  as mirror images to further allow them to be connected serially. The pin configurations shown are functional representations. Standardized DC pin placement and connectors could simplify specifications for connecting peripheral devices. For example, an international consortium could evolve cable specifications including size, shape, length, current capacity, configuration(s), connections, desired voltages, electrical shielding requirements etc. Whatever the specifications, the mating device connectors on the peripheral devices must match the corresponding end of the universal cable  400 .  
         [0029]    In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 a,  the universal cable  400  carries 5V DC, 12V DC, 15 volts DC power and 15 volts AC power. The male end  410  of the cable  400  plugs into the mating device connector such as  370  as shown in FIG. 3 c,  which could also be on a power supply such as  110  (FIG. 1 b ), a power bar such as  210  (FIG. 2 b ), or a battery back up unit such as  310  (FIG. 3 c ). The female end  420  attaches to a peripheral device such as male mating device connector  430  illustrated in FIG. 4 b.  An alignment pin  470  ensures that female end  420  can only be inserted into the mating device connector  430  in one orientation, so that the voltages match up. In this embodiment, the peripheral device&#39;s mating device connector  430  only taps into the 15 volt DC power supply. The tapped voltage and untapped voltages may be directed to another connector on the peripheral device to allow daisy-chaining as will be further discussed in association with FIG. 5. However, the same universal cable  400  would be used for other peripheral devices that would similarly tap into those power supplies, as required. Accordingly, a user may only need to carry one power supply and one universal cable to operate several peripheral devices.  
         [0030]    In another embodiment of the universal cable  400  of the present invention, a plurality of common voltages is brought into the peripheral device, as set forth above. The mating device connector  430  of the peripheral device taps into the pins for the necessary voltage, and allows all four voltages carried by the cable  400  to pass through, as illustrated in FIG. 4 b.  A second universal cable  401 , substantially the same as the universal cable  400 , can then tap into a second mating device connector  440  on the peripheral device, that second mating device connector  440  being configured like the female end  420  of the universal cable  400  (and therefore not separately illustrated). The male end  410  of the second universal cable  401  taps into the second mating device connector  440  and carries all four available voltages through to the female end  420  of the second universal cable  401 , which can then plug into a second peripheral device that will tap whichever voltage it requires. In this manner, peripheral devices can be daisy-chained together and take up only one power receptacle such as  370  shown in FIG. 3 c.    
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the universal cable of the present invention as discussed in association with FIG. 4 b,  illustrating three peripheral devices ( 511 ,  512 ,  513 ) daisy-chained to a power supply  510  within a either a computer, power bar, or battery back up unit, providing a mating device connector such as  370  described in association with FIG. 3 c.  The peripheral devices could have power requirements such as those described for the DVD burner  111 , the audio mixer  112 , and network hub  113  described in association with FIGS. 1 a  and  1   b.    
         [0032]    A first universal cable  520  with male end  521  mates to, in this instance, female power supply connector  515 . The female end  524  of universal power distribution cable  520  connects with male mating connector  517  on peripheral device  511 . Device  511  taps into its power needs (or simply pass these through) providing further access for additional universal cable  530 . In similar manner device  512  is chained power via universal power distribution cable  530 . To further illustrate these principles, device  513  receives its power via serially connected universal cables  540  and  550  with mating cable and device connectors. In this instance all pins are reproduced allowing power to be daisy-chained to simplify device connections. Accordingly, each device taps into its required power needs.  
         [0033]    While preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.