Patent Publication Number: US-2003232537-A1

Title: AC power adapter enhancement device and system

Description:
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to electrical power supply, particularly, a device and system for improving the electrical contact between an electronic component and an AC power supply adapter.  
       2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART  
       [0002] Many electronic devices, e.g., laptop computer, compact disc (CD) player, etc., are configured to receive electrical power from an external source via an alternating current (AC) adapter. An AC adapter allows an electrical device to acquire electrical power distributed from an external source via an electrical outlet, such as a home wall outlet or car cigarette lighter. Often, in addition to serving as a medium for carrying electricity from the source to the device, an AC adapter transforms the external power and current levels to suitable operational levels of that device. For example, an AC adapter for a laptop computer is likely to be configured to transform a high voltage and low current source in the United States or Europe, e.g., 100-240 V and 0.95-0.55 A at 50-60 Hz, to a lower voltage and higher current, such as 15 V at 3 A. Generally, the AC adapter provides alternating current to the electronic device, which converts the alternating current to direct current (DC) for the charging of batteries when batteries are present in the device and/or to operate the device when internal batteries are low, do not exist, or are not required.  
       [0003] FIGS.  1 A-B illustrate side and end views of a conventional AC adapter system  100  with an exemplary configuration to electrically link an electronic device  120  via an AC adapter  140  to an external power outlet  150 . Electronic device  120  comprises an electrical port  122  having an outer electrical contact  124  and inner male electrical contact  126 . AC adapter  140  comprises a device end  142  and a power outlet end  149 . Device end  142  comprises an outer electrical contact  144 , an inner female electrical contact  146 , and an insulator  148 . Insulator  148  electrically insulates contacts  144  and  146  from one another and also provides physical support. As shown, power outlet end  149  is a two (2) prong connector for connecting AC adapter  140  into power outlet  150 . However, power outlet end  149  can be configured as a three (3) prong connector, a car cigarette lighter connector, or any other type of conventional connector or plug necessary for acquiring electricity from an electrical source or electrical power outlet. In operation, power outlet end  149  is connected to power outlet  150 . To facilitate electrical power to be acquired by device  120 , device end  142  of AC adapter  140  is inserted into electrical port  122  so that device contacts  124  and  126  make electrical contact with respective adapter contacts  144  and  146 . Generally, when electrical power from outlet  140  is no longer needed by device  120 , device end  142  of AC adapter  140  is disconnected from electrical port  122  and/or power outlet end  149  is disconnected form outlet  150 .  
       [0004] Optimum performance of device  120  generally occurs when device end  142  of AC adapter  140  snuggly fits into electrical port  122 , thereby securing electrical contact between all appropriate electrical contacts in the device and AC adapter. However, the repeated steps of connecting and disconnected device end  142  to electrical port  122  are likely to result in physical wear or damage to one or more of the components. For example, wear or damage can occur to device contacts  124  and/or  126 , adapter contacts  144  and/or  146 , insulator  148 , or any combination thereof can result. Wear and damage also tends to occur more rapidly in portable electronic devices, e.g., auto plugs, laptop computers, portable CD players, etc. where movement is involved. In such a situation, device end  142  is not likely to securely fit again into electrical port  122 , thereby leading to bad electrical contact between one or more of the appropriate electrical contacts in the device and AC adapter and subsequently, causing improper operation of device  120 .  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] Therefore, a need has arisen for improving the electrical contact between an electrical device and AC adapter. It is an object of the invention to provide an AC power adapter enhancement device and method for improving and securing the electrical contact of an AC adapter inserted into an electrical input port of an electrical device.  
       [0006] According to an embodiment of the invention, an electrical power adapter enhancement comprises a first conductor, a second conductor enclosing a portion of the first conductor, and a first insulator affixed to the first and second conductors, wherein the first insulator comprises an opening having an inner surface, the first conductor being affixed to the inner surface of the opening of the first insulator. The first conductor comprises an inner surface adapted to contact a first electrical contact of an electronic device and an outer surface adapted to contact a first electrical contact of an AC adapter. The second conductor comprises an inner surface adapted to contact a second electrical contact of the AC adapter and an outer surface adapted to contact a second electrical contact of the electronic device. The first and second conductors can be cylindrically shaped and coaxial. An optional second insulator can be affixed to said second conductor.  
       [0007] In another embodiment of the invention, an electrical connector comprises a first insulator, wherein the first insulator is substantially ring shaped and comprises an inner circumferential surface and an outer circumferential surface; an inner substantially cylindrical conductor, wherein an outer surface of the inner conductor is affixed to the inner circumferential surface of the first insulator; and an outer substantially cylindrical conductor, wherein an inner surface of the outer conductor is affixed to the outer circumferential surface of the first insulator. The electrical connector can further comprise a second insulator, wherein the second insulator is substantially ring shaped and comprises an opening having an inner surface affixed to the outer surface of the outer conductor. Moreover, a lever can be connected to one or more segmented portions of the outer conductor. The lever can be positioned into a locked position forcing the one or more segmented portions of the outer conductor toward a cylindrical axis.  
       [0008] In another embodiment of the invention, a method comprises the steps of: placing an adapter enhancement over an electrical device end of an AC adapter; and inserting the AC adapter electrical device end with the adapter enhancement into an electrical port of an electrical device. The adapter enhancement can be locked into the electrical port by positioning a lever affixed to the adapter enhancement into a locked position.  
       [0009] An advantage of the invention is that it provides a secure electrical contact between an AC adapter and an electronic device, thereby avoiding improper operation of the electronic device caused by worn or damaged electrical contacts. Another advantage is that the invention prevents further damage to the electrical port of an electronic device or the device end of the AC adapter.  
       [0010] The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0011] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:  
     [0012]FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional AC adapter system;  
     [0013]FIG. 1B illustrates an end view of an electronic device and an AC adapter in the system illustrated in FIG. 1A;  
     [0014]FIG. 2A illustrates an AC adapter enhancement according to an embodiment of the invention;  
     [0015]FIG. 2B illustrates an end view of the AC adapter enhancement illustrated in FIG. 2A;  
     [0016]FIG. 3 illustrates an AC adapter enhancement system according to an embodiment of the invention;  
     [0017]FIG. 4 illustrates an AC adapter enhancement according to another embodiment of the invention; and  
     [0018] FIGS.  5 A-D illustrate top, side, and end views of two versions of an AC adapter according to an embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0019] Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS.  2 - 5 , wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements and the left most digit(s) of each reference number corresponds to the figure in which the reference number is first used. These preferred embodiments are discussed in the context of securing an electrical connection between an electronic device and a corresponding AC adapter. Nevertheless, the inventive concept can be adapted to secure electrical contact between electrical components in general.  
     [0020] FIGS.  2 A-B illustrate side and end views of an adapter enhancement  200  according to an embodiment of the invention. Adapter enhancement  200  comprises an outer electrical conductor  204 , an inner electrical conductor  206 , a first insulator  208 , and an optional second insulator  210 . Conductors  204  and  206  are insulated from each other and supported by insulator  208 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, insulators  208  and  210  are substantially ring shaped disks encircling respective openings  212  and  222 , and conductors  204  and  206  are cylindrically shaped. Conductor  204  is affixed to an outer circumference of insulator  208  and inner circumference of ring  210  encircling opening  222 . Conductor  206  is affixed to an inner circumference of insulator  208 . As shown, conductor  206  is not affixed to insulator  210  and is shorter than conductor  204 . In other embodiments, conductor  206  can be longer than or substantially equal to the length of conductor  204 , and optionally affixed to insulator  210 .  
     [0021]FIG. 3 illustrates an adapter enhancement system  300  comprising adapter enhancement  200  for securing the connection between electronic device  120  and AC adapter  140 . In operation, adapter enhancement  200  is placed in between device  120  and AC adapter  140 . As depicted by arrows  310 , device end  142  of AC adapter  140  is inserted into opening  222  of adapter enhancement  200 . Preferably but not necessary, AC adapter  140  is inserted into adapter enhancement  200  so that insulators  148  and  208  are brought into contact with one another. Friction between the surfaces of device end  142  and adapter enhancement  200  provides for a secure connection. As such, the outer wall of adapter contact  144  is brought into electrical contact with an inner wall of conductor  204 . Likewise, an outer wall of conductor  206  is brought into electrical contact with an inner wall of adapter contact  146 . In similar fashion as depicted by arrows  320 , the end of adapter enhancement  200  with opening  212  is inserted into the opening of electrical port  122  such that an outer wall of device contact  126  penetrates opening  212  and makes electrical contact with an inner wall of conductor  206 , and an outer wall of conductor  204  makes electrical contact with contact  124 .  
     [0022] Insulator  210  prevents adapter enhancement  200  from being inserted too far into electrical port  122  and prevents the possibility of adapter enhancement  200  being lodged and/or causing damage to electrical port  122 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, insulator  210  is flanged enough to prevent being lodged in electrical port  122 . For example, the flange provides a means to grasp adapter enhancement  200 , thereby aiding in its removal if it should stay inside the electronic device  120  when disconnecting AC adapter  140 . The flange of insulator  210  is preferably small enough to prevent interference with various designs of electronic devices  120  and designed to fit between various geometric configurations of electronic devices  120  and AC adapter  140 .  
     [0023] Adapter enhancement  200  is configured to tightly slide over AC adapter  140 , thereby providing a secure connection between a damaged device end  142  of AC adapter  140  and/or a damaged electrical port  122  of electronic device  120 . However, neither device end  142  of AC adapter  140  nor the electrical port  122  of electronic device  120  requires damage for adapter enhancement  200  to be implemented in between. For example, adapter enhancement  200  can be implemented between an undamaged device end  142  and undamaged electrical port  122 , thereby providing a more secure connection between or preventing damage and wear to device end  142  and electrical port  122 .  
     [0024] Preferably, conductors  204  and  206  are metal or other suitable electrical conducting material, and insulators  208  and  210  are plastic or other suitable electrically insulating material. Particular dimensions and shapes of conductors  204  and  206 , and/or inductors  208  and  210  may vary depending on the configurations of electrical port  122  and AC adapter  140 . For example, insulators  208  and  210  can be non-circular, e.g., substantially rectangular, and conductors  204  and  206  noncylindrical and not coaxial. The geometric configurations of the embodiments described herein are exemplary only. Adapter enhancement  200  can be adapted to facilitate the electrical connection between any type of conventional or foreseeable connection configuration between an electrical device and a detachable electrical power cord or adapter.  
     [0025] Electrical port  122  device contact  124  is typically flexible and tends to tarnish overtime due to its metal composition. The tarnishing along with repeated plugging and unplugging, and movement of electronic device  120  loosens the pressure that device contact  124  exerts against an AC adapter plug. Device contact generally  124  flexes and provides pressure against device end  142 . Adapter enhancement  200  increases contact pressure between AC adapter device end  142  and device contact  124  after this pressure has been decreased to an unsuitable level.  
     [0026]FIG. 4 illustrates an adapter enhancement  400  according to another embodiment of the invention. Similar to adapter enhancement  200 , adapter enhancement  400  comprises an outer electrical conductor  204 , an inner electrical conductor  206 , an insulator  208 , and an optional insulator  210 . Moreover, insulators  208  and  210  are preferably substantially ring shaped disks encircling respective openings  212  and  222 , and conductors  204  and  206  are cylindrically shaped. However, in the present embodiment, conductors  204  and  206  are not coaxial, but slightly off axis, i.e., not parallel with each other. The figure is exaggerated to illustrate the concept better. Because of the offset design of adapter enhancement  400 , more pressure is applied between outer contact  204  and device contact  124  as well as inner contact  206  and device contact  126 .  
     [0027] FIGS.  5 A-D illustrate two versions of an AC adapter or  500  according to an embodiment of the invention. AC adapter  500  is a complete replacement solution for conventional AC adapters. Nevertheless, the inventive concept can also be employed by adapter enhancements  200  and  400 . Particularly, AC adapter  500  comprises outer contact  144  or  204 , which move outward and inward in a radial direction when a lever  510  is respectively moved between an opened and closed position. For example, when placed in the closed position, lever  510  exerts pressure on outer contact  144  or  204 , thereby compress a portion of contact  144  or  204  inward toward the center axis. The closed (locked) position provides secure contact between outer contact  144  or  204  and device contact  124  as well as secure contract between inner contact  146  or  206  and contact  126  in electrical port  120 .  
     [0028] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, outer contact  144  or  204  are segmented into a number of portions when combined comprise a cylindrically shaped object. For example, as shown, outer contact  144  or  204  are segmented into four equal portions running along a hypothetical cylinder. In between adjacent portions is a space. However, when outer contact  144  or  204  is compressed via lever  510 , the segmented portions are drawn toward and can contract each other. Likewise, inner contact  146  or  206  can be segmented into a number of portions, e.g., two (2) or four (4) as displayed.  
     [0029] Although the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to several preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.