Abstract:
A power adapter ( 10 ) includes a first power connector ( 20 ) and a second power connector ( 30 ). The first power connector comprises a first housing ( 21 ) and a first contact module ( 22 ) consisted of a plurality of first contact units ( 40 ) assembled in the first housing. The second power connector comprises a second housing ( 50 ) and a polarity of second contacts ( 52 ). Each of the second contact is aligned and cooperated with a corresponding first contact unit of the first contact module to form a transmission path. A plurality of latch devices is provided on each opposite end of the first housing and the second housing for fastening each other. The power adapter is designed to connect a Serial ATA power connector with a Non-serial ATA connector.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This patent application is a co-pending application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/211464, entitled “ELECTRICAL ADAPTER”, filed on Aug. 1, 2002; of an application entitled “ADAPTER FOR POWER CONNECTOR”; and another application entitled “ELECTRICAL ADAPTER”, all invented by the same inventor and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a power adapter, and particularly to a power adapter which interconnects different types of power connectors so as to provide a power transmission therebetween. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The design of a mother board is repeatedly upgraded for complying with an issuance of each new electrical member to be mounted thereon. Some peripheral electrical devices such as a power supply and the related power connector must also be adapted to accommodate the new type of printed circuit board. Therefore, various different interface standard power connectors are continually proposed to be applied in a computer interior structure. However, such power connectors according different interface standard are generally featured in different configurations and each has different numbers electrical contacts therein. Understandably, such different interface standard power connectors cannot mate directly. Many electrical adapters, thereby, are designed to interconnect those different interface standard connectors. 
     Generally, the electrical adapter electrically interconnecting with different interface standard connectors performs the functions of signal/power transmission and conversion therebetween by two ways. If the numbers of electrical contacts of the different interface connector are equal, the adapter may mechanically and electrically connect corresponding contacts directly. In the other hand, the adapter need comprise a printed circuit board thereof which can perform the functions of signal/power transmission and conversion if the numbers of the different standard connectors are different. Obviously, the adapter having a printed circuit board would add expense relative to the adapter directly interconnecting the different interface standard. 
     There also exists in the art an electrical connector known as a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (Serial ATA) connector which is generally used for disk drives and storage peripherals connecting with the mother board. It should be noted that the Serial ATA power connectors according the Serial ATA standard are in added power contacts than other conventional power connectors used in Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) and are relatively different in configurations. Correspondingly, the present problem people in the art confronts, is that a storage peripheral using a Serial ATA power connector may be required to connect with an existing mother board which originally uses a conventional IDE power connector to connect with the storage peripheral, for the speed or other considerations. Under this situation, it is not convenient to wholly replace the system, which adds cost. Accordingly, a power adapter interconnecting the Serial ATA power connector and the conventional IDE power connector is desired. Furthermore, the power adapter without printed circuit board is required to save cost. 
     Hence, a power adapter for interconnecting the power connectors of different interface standard is required to overcome the disadvantages of the related art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide a power adapter for electrically interconnecting a Serial ATA power connector and a conventional IDE power connector. 
     A second object of the present invention is to provide a power adapter which can perform the functions of power transmission and conversion without printed circuit board. 
     In order to achieve the objects set forth, a power adapter in accordance with the present invention includes a first power connector according Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (Serial ATA) Standard and a second power connector which is a generally conventional IDE power connector. The first power connector comprises a first housing and a first contact module consisted of a plurality of first contact units assembled in the first housing. The second power connector comprises a second housing and a plurality of second contacts mounted in the second housing. Each of the second contact is aligned and cooperated with a corresponding first contact unit of the first contact module to form a transmission path. A plurality of latch devices is provided on each opposite end of the first housing and the second housing for fastening each other. The power adapter is designed to connect a Serial ATA power connector with a conventional IDE power connector. 
     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a power adapter in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the power adapter of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but taken from rear and bottom aspects; 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but taken from a rear aspect; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a contact modules of a first power connector mating with corresponding second contacts of a second power connector of the power adapter of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a front plan view of the power adapter of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line  7 — 7  of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line  8 — 8  of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line  9 — 9  of FIG. 6; and 
     FIG. 10 is a top planar view showing a contact modules of a first power connector mating with corresponding second contacts of a second power connector of a power adapter according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a power adapter  10  in accordance with the present invention comprises a first power connector  20  and a second power connector  30 . In the preferred embodiment, the first power connector  20  is a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (Serial ATA) power receptacle connector and the second power connector  30  is a conventional IDE plug power connector. The power adapter  10  is designed to connect a corresponding Serial ATA power plug connector and a conventional IDE power receptacle connector, which are not shown in the drawings, thereby providing a power transmission therebetween. 
     Also referring to FIG. 1, the first power connector  20  comprises a first housing  21  generally molded of dielectric materials such as plastic or the like, and a first contact module  22 . The first housing  21  has an elongate first base  24  from which a pair of longitudinal sidewalls  240  and a pair of lateral ends  242  connecting opposite ends of the longitudinal sidewalls  240  forwardly extends. The longitudinal sidewalls  240  and the lateral ends  242  together define an L-shaped receiving slot  244  therebetween for receiving a corresponding blade of the complementary Serial ATA plug connector. One of longitudinal sidewalls  240  is thicker than the other of the longitudinal sidewalls  240  and defines a plurality of first passageways  246  communicating with the receiving slot  244 . A pair of protrusions  25  projects from an inner wall of the other longitudinal sidewall  240  into the L-shaped receiving slot  244 . The pair of protrusions  25  is designed for being retained in corresponding channels (not shown) defined in the blade of the complementary Serial ATA plug connector. The pair of lateral ends  242  includes a left lateral end  242  and a right lateral end  242 . An alignment portion  248  is disposed adjacent the left lateral end  242  of the housing  21 . 
     The first base  24  of the first housing  21  further has a first abutment surface  26 , as best shown in FIG. 3. A pair of resilient latches  28  extends backward away from the first abutment surface  26  and is aligned with the right lateral end  242  of the first housing  21 . The pair of resilient latches  28  is spaced for receivably engagement with a corresponding right channel  560  of the second power connector  30 . Three pairs of polarization holes  32  extend inward from the abutment surface  26  for receiving corresponding polarization posts  60  of the second power connector  30 . The first base  24  further defines a L-shaped rear slot  34  communicating with the passageways  246 . The rear slot  34  has a left part  340  and a right part  342  communicating with each other. In the embodiment, the right part  342  of the rear slot  34  has an altitude dimension larger than the left part  340  for purpose described hereinafter. Correspondingly, the first base  24  forms an oblique face  346  facing the right part  342  (best shown in FIG.  9 ). A plurality of opposite bars  344  projects into the rear slot  34 , whereby corresponding separate first contact units  40  of the first contact module  22  may be respectively restrained by corresponding opposite bars  344  along its lengthwise direction. 
     The first base  24  has two middle channels  36  defined on each longitudinal sides thereof and a left channel  38  defined in the lateral ends thereof and corresponding to the alignment portion  248  of the housing  21 . Each of the middle channels  36  and side channel  38  is adapted for retaining a corresponding latches  64 ,  66  of the second power connector  30  with a step portion  360  ( 380 ) formed at the bottom thereof engaging with a corresponding hook  68  of each of the latches  64 ,  66 . 
     Referring to FIG.  1  and FIG. 3, the first contact module  22  has a plurality of first contact units  40 . Each first contact unit  40  comprises a body portion  42 , a plurality of tail portions  44 , a plurality of retaining portions  46  extending from an edge of the body  42  and each connecting with a corresponding tail portion  44 . The body portion  42  is flat, rectangular shaped It should be noted that the contact module  22  comprises a submarginal first contact unit  47 , which has a body portion  48  bending upwardly, and inclining a certain degree relative to corresponding retaining portions  46  thereof In other words, the body portion  48  of the submarginal first contact unit  47  inclines a degree relative to other body portions  42  of the other first contact unit  40 . 
     In assembly, the first contact module  22  are inserted into the rear slot  34  from the first abutment surface  26  of the housing  21 . Referring FIGS. 1,  3  in conjunction FIG. 7, each tail portion  44  of the first contact module  22  is received into a corresponding first passageway  246  and partially projects into the receiving slot  244  adapted for mate with a corresponding contact of the complementary Serial ATA plug connector. Each body portion  42  is retained in the rear slot  34  with the edges thereof engaging with corresponding opposite bars  344  and corresponding side inner walls of the housing  21 . 
     Understandably, since the submarginal first contact unit  47  of the first contact module  22  has an inclined body portion  48  bending upwardly, the submarginal first contact unit  47  is correspondingly inserted in the right part  342  of the rear slot  34  with the body portion  48  adjacent to the oblique face  346  thereof for the right part  342  has an altitude dimension larger than the left part  340 , best shown in FIG.  9 . 
     The second power connector  30 , as shown in FIG.  1  and FIG. 3, comprises a second housing  50  and a plurality of second contacts  52  which are power contacts. The housing  50  includes a second base  54  having a forwardly projecting shroud  540  defining a receiving cavity  542  therein. A side protrusion  56  is disposed at one of longitudinal ends of the second base  54 . The side protrusion  56  defines a right channel  560  therein for receiving the pair of first resilient latches  28  of the first power connector  20 . 
     The second base  54  of the housing  50  fixer has a second abutment surface  58 . A plurality of second passageways  580  extends from the second abutment surface  58  through the second base  54  and communicates the receiving cavity  542  for retaining corresponding second contacts  52  therein. Three pairs of polarization posts  60  project beyond the second abutment surface  58  for respectively being received into corresponding polarization holes  32  of the first connector  20 . Each polarization post  60  has a plurality of ribs  62  protruding therefrom. 
     A left latch  64  and two pairs of middle latches  66  respectively project beyond the second abutment surface  58  of the second base  54 . Each of the latches  64 ,  66  defines a hook  68  at front end thereof for snugly engaging with a corresponding step portion  360  of the channels  36  of the first power connector  20 . 
     The second contacts  52  are stamped and formed from a flat metal sheet into the shape as shown. Referring to FIG.  1  and FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 5, each second contact  52  has a substantially cylindrical shape and comprises a contact portion  520  at a front end thereof and a flange-shaped mounting portion  522  at a rear end thereof. The second contacts  52  are inserted into the receiving cavity  542  of the housing  50  with the mounting portions  522  thereof retained in corresponding second passageways  580  and extending outwardly beyond the second abutment surface  58  for mating with corresponding body portions  48  of the first contact modules  22  of the first power connector  20 . The contact portion  520  thereof is exposed in the receiving cavity  542  adapted for mating with a corresponding contact (not shown) of the complementary IDE power receptacle connector. 
     Referring particularly to FIGS. 1,  3 ,  7  and  8 , in assembly, the second abutment surface  58  of the second power connector  30  confronts the first abutment surface  26  of the first power connector  20 . Each mounting portion  522  of the second contacts  52  abuts a corresponding body portion  42 , of the first contact modules  22  for providing power transmission therebetween except the submarginal second contact  52 . The left latch  64  and the pairs of middle latches  66  of the second power connector  30  are respectively retained in corresponding channels  36  of the first power connector  20  with the hooks  68  thereof engaging with corresponding step portions  360  thereof. Simultaneously, the polarization posts  60  of the second power connector  30  are snugly received within the corresponding polarization holes  32  of the first power connector  20  with the ribs  62  thereof engaging with the first housing  21  for avoiding reverse assembling along the lengthwise direction of the first housing  21  and the second housing  50 . The first power connector  20  and the second power connector  30  are thus fastened with each other. Therefore, a power adapter  10  for interconnecting different interface standard power connectors on opposite ends thereof is thus accomplished. 
     Referring to FIG. 9 in conjunction with FIG. 7, it should be noted that in the preferred embodiment the submarginal first contact unit  47  of the first power connector  20  disconnects corresponding submarginal second contact  52  of the second connector  30  by means that the body portion  48 , thereof inclines a certain angle relative to other body portions  42 . 
     Although the submarginal first contact unit  47  of the adapter  10  is described in the preferred embodiment, it should be appreciated that any second contact  52  can disconnect with a corresponding first contact unit  40  for the power transmission consideration. FIG. 10 shows that one of middle first contact unit  70  thereof disconnects a corresponding second contact  52 . Of course, it&#39;s also feasible that the first contact units  40  of the first power connector  20  all mates corresponding second contact  52  of the second power connector  30 . 
     The power adapter  16  in accordance with the present invention can electrically interconnects with different interface standard power connectors, such as a Serial ATA power plug connector and a conventional IDE power connector. The power connectors of different interface standard can be applied in a system, thus, the system need not be wholly replaced and the cost will be saved accordingly. Furthermore, the power adapter  10  interconnects directly two different power connectors having different numbers of electrical contacts and performs the functions of power transmission and conversion without printed circuit board. The manufacture of the power adapter  10  is cheaper and simple. 
     Finally, it should be understood that the use of such terms “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, “submarginal” and the like, herein and in the claims hereof, are used to provide a clear and concise description and understanding of the invention. Such terms are not meant in any way to be limiting, because the adapter power structural combination of the invention is omni-directional in use as is easily understandable. 
     One feature of the invention is to provide a contact structure arrangement which allows first and second type contacts with different pitches to interconnect with each other without necessity of varying each individual configuration for compensating the pitch difference, under a condition that in one pair of mated first and second contacts, the mated region relative to the corresponding first contact is different, in a lateral direction, from that relative to another corresponding first contact in another pair. 
     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.