Patent Publication Number: US-11381036-B2

Title: Power plugs with lock rings

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices may engage with cables and connectors for a variety of purposes. Some cables and connectors may provide signals such as data or other communication signals, while others may provide power to the electronic device. Such power cables may engage an electronic device with a power source and may include a power plug to engage with a power receptacle of the electronic device. Some power cables may engage an electronic device with a wall outlet or other power source. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective exploded view of an example power plug with a lock ring. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the example power plug of  FIG. 1A  with a lock ring. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective exploded view of another example power plug with a lock ring. 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the example lock ring of the example power plug of  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 2C  is a side view of the example lock ring of  FIGS. 2A and 2B . 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an example electronic device having an example power plug with a lock ring. 
         FIG. 3B  is a detail perspective view of the example electronic device having an example power plug with lock ring of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3C  is another detail perspective view of the example electronic device having an example power plug with lock ring of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 3D  is another detail perspective view of the example electronic device having an example power plug with lock ring of  FIG. 3A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Electronic devices may engage with cables and connectors for a variety of purposes. Some cables and connectors may provide signals such as data or other communication signals, while others may provide power to the electronic device. Such power cables may engage an electronic device with a power source, for example, from a wall outlet, portable power supply, an uninterruptable power supply (UPS), or other power sources. In some situations, the power cable may engage with an alternating current (AC) power source and may include a power adapter to convert the AC power signal into a direct current (DC) power signal to provide the DC power signal to an electronic device. 
     Power cables may include a power plug having a connector designed to mechanically and electrically engage with a power receptacle of an electronic device. In some situations, the power plug and/or connector may operably engage with a power receptacle by being pushed directly into the power receptacle. The power plug and/or connector may be retained in the power receptacle by a slip fit, or sometimes by an interference or friction fit. However, such slip fit or friction fit of the power plug and/or connector may not be sufficiently robust enough to prevent the power plug from disengaging from the receptacle upon an accidental movement or tension on the power plug, for example, by a user accidentally kicking, tripping over, or tugging on the power plug without realizing it. In such cases, inadvertent disengagement of the power plug with the receptacle may result in potential negative effects on the performance of, or the shutting down completely of, the electronic device. 
     In some situations, supplemental plug retention devices may be employed to make it more difficult to accidentally unplug or disengage a power plug from an electronic device. Such supplemental retention devices may include adding an additional O-ring or other friction-inducing component into the power receptacle to help retain the power plug, adding a cable hook to the exterior of the electronic device, or adding a cam or ratchet device to the connector of the power plug to hold the power plug in operable engagement with the receptacle of the electronic device. Such existing techniques may require extensive additional design, manufacturing and/or assembly steps of the electronic device, or the inclusion of specialty components, thereby increasing cost and complexity, and/or restricting the use of the power plug to a specific electronic device or line of electronic devices. 
     Implementations of the present disclosure provide a way to prevent or minimize accidental unplugging or disengagement of a power plug from an electronic device, while avoiding significant extra development cost or complexity, and also while maintaining the ability of the power plug to be used with many different devices. Implementations of the present disclosure provide power plugs with lock rings, wherein the lock ring may be a supplemental retention device that may be employed with existing universal power plugs. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1A , an exploded perspective view of an example power plug  100  is illustrated. Power plug  100  may include a connector  102  which may be able to engage or interface with a power receptacle of an electronic device. In some situations, the power plug  100  may be a universal power plug or may include a universal connector that may be designed to be used with many different types of electronic devices, or power receptacles thereof. The power plug  100  may be used to provide power to an electronic device. In other implementations, the power plug  100  may not be a power plug, but another type of communication plug, cable, and/or connector to provide data or other communication signals to the electronic device. In some implementations, the power plug  100  may be a part of a power adapter which may connect to an AC power source, convert the AC power signal to a DC power signal, and then provide such DC power signal, by way of the power plug  100 , to an electronic device or the power receptacle thereof. 
     The power plug  100 , and/or the connector  102  thereof may be used in conjunction with a removable lock ring  104 . When power plug  100  is used in conjunction with the lock ring  104 , in some situations the lock ring  104  may be considered as being a part of the power plug  100 . The lock ring  104  may be considered removable in the sense that the power plug  100  may still be able to operably engage with an electronic device so as to provide power to the electronic device without the use of the lock ring  104 , or with the use of the lock ring  104 , and that the lock ring  104 , once installed on to the power plug  100 , may be able to be removed again. Referring additionally to  FIG. 1B , another perspective view of example power plug  100  is illustrated wherein the lock ring  104  is installed on to the power plug  100 . When employed with the power plug  100 , the lock ring  104  may be slid on to the connector  102  such that the lock ring  104  is disposed around the connector  102 , as illustrated. Further, the lock ring  104  may include a lock tab  106 , which may be a protrusion that, when the lock ring  104  is installed, may extend away from the connector  102  and in a direction away from a longitudinal axis of the power plug, for example, axis  103 . In other words, the lock tab  106  may extend radially from the connector  102 . The lock tab  106  may be sized and shaped sufficiently to insert into a lock notch of the power receptacle. In some implementations, the lock ring  104  may be slid or pressed onto the connector  102  with such tolerances, tightness, or friction so as to effectively fix the lock tab  106  relative to the connector  102 . In other implementations, e.g., described below with regard to  FIGS. 2A-2C , the lock ring  104  may be loosely slid onto the connector  102  and then may clamp around the outer periphery or circumference of the connector  102  such that the lock tab  106  is effectively fixed relative to the connector  102 . In this context, effectively fixed may refer to the ability of the lock ring  104  to hold the lock tab  106  in position on the connector  102 , yet with enough force or loosening of the lock ring  104 , may still be able to be removed from the connector  102 , and thus the power plug  100 , if desired. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2A , an exploded perspective view of another example power plug  200  is illustrated. Example power plug  200  may be similar to example power plug  100 , described above. Further, the similarly-named elements of example power plug  200  may be similar in function and/or structure to the respective elements of example power plug  100 , as they are described above. Power plug  200  may include a removable lock ring  204 , which may be slid and/or installed onto a connector  202  of the power plug  200 , e.g., along longitudinal axis  203 . The lock ring  204  may include a lock tab  206  extending in a direction away from longitudinal axis  203 , which may include a fastener opening  212  to receive a fastener  214 . When the lock ring is slid or installed onto the connector  202 , the fastener  214  may be inserted into and/or tightened within the fastener opening  212  to clamp the lock ring around the outer periphery of the connector  202 . Thus, in order to remove the lock ring  204  once installed, the fastener  214  may be loosened and/or removed from the fastener opening  212 , and the lock ring  204  may be slid off of the connector  202 . The fastener  214  may be a screw, bolt, pin, or other suitable mechanical fastener, and the fastener opening  212  may be a complementary receptacle, aperture, slot, or other type of opening having a sufficient size, structure, and features, e.g., threads, to receive the fastener  214 . 
     In some situations, the fastener  214  alone may be sufficient to install and effectively fix the lock ring  204  onto the connector  202 , but in other implementations, the lock ring  204  may also include an adhesive, or an adhesive film  208  to fix the lock ring  204  onto the connector  202 . In yet further implementations, the lock ring  204  may utilize the adhesive  208  alone, and omit the fastener  214 , to achieve the desired installation security. In some implementations, the lock ring  204 , when installed, may abut against a shoulder  210  of the power plug  200 , adjacent to the connector  202 . In other implementations wherein adhesive  208  is employed, either alone or in conjunction with the fastener  214 , the adhesive  208  may be used to fix or adhere the lock ring  204  to the shoulder  210  of the power plug  200 . In other words, the adhesive  208  may be applied between the shoulder  210  and a back side  216  of the lock ring  204 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIGS. 2B and 2C , a perspective view and a side view of the example lock ring  204  of the power plug  200  is illustrated. In some implementations, the lock ring  204  may include a collar  218  sized to fit around the connector  202  of the power plug  200 , and a flange  220  disposed at a base of the collar  218 . The collar  218  may axially extend, e.g., along ring longitudinal axis  205 , from the flange  220  at a connected portion  207 , and may be spaced from the flange  220  at a separated portion  209 , e.g., by spacing  211 . The collar  218  may be a substantially annular or tubular member so as to engage with the complementary cylindrical or rounded structure of the connector  202 , in some implementations. The collar  218  may have another shape or geometry in other implementations, depending on the corresponding shape of the connector to which the lock ring is to be attached. Similarly, the flange  220 , in some implementations, may be sized and structured to correspond with and abut against a power plug shoulder disposed adjacent to the connector to which the lock ring is to be attached. 
     The lock ring  204  may further include the lock tab  206  disposed on the collar  218  at the separated portion  209 . The lock tab  206  may radially extend from the collar  218  and may be sized and structured to be able to insert into a lock notch of a power receptacle with which the power plug  200 , or the connector  202  thereof, is to engage. In some implementations, in order to enable a clamping ability of the lock ring  204 , the lock tab  206  may include a first tab portion  222   a  and a second tab portion  222   b , spaced from the first tab portion  222   a . The collar  218  at the separated portion  209  and the first tab portion  222   a  may define a first clamping arm  224   a , while the collar  218  at the separated portion  209  and the second tab portion  222   b  may define a second clamping arm  224   b . The first and second clamping arms  224   a  and  224   b  may be flexible or movable relative to one another such that when a fastener is inserted into the fastener opening  212  and tightened, the first and second clamping arms  224   a  and  224   b  may be drawn towards one another, effectively closing or reducing the space between the first and second tab portions  222   a  and  222   b  and decreasing the approximate diameter of the collar  218 . Stated differently, the lock ring  204  may further include the fastener  214  to extend through the fastener opening  212  of the lock tab  206  to clamp the first clamping arm  224   a  and the second clamping arm  224   b  towards each other in order to tighten the collar  218 , and thus the lock ring  204 , around the outer periphery of the connector  202 . Such flexibility and movement of the first and second clamping arms  224   a  and  224   b  relative to one another may be enabled by the separated portion  209  of the collar  218 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3A , a perspective view of an example electronic device  301  having an example power plug  300  with a lock ring  304  is illustrated. Example power plug  300  and lock ring  304  may be similar to example power plugs and lock rings described above. Further, the similarly-named elements of example power plug  300  and lock ring  304  may be similar in function and/or structure to the respective elements of other example power plugs and lock rings, as they are described above. Electronic device  301  may be a computing device, in some implementations. In further implementations, electronic device  301  may be a desktop PC, a mini desktop PC, a laptop computer, a tablet, a convertible PC, or any other type of computing device. In other implementations, electronic device  301  may be an imaging device such as a printer, a scanner, a copier, a multi-function imaging device, an additive manufacturing machine, or any other type of imaging device. In yet other implementations, electronic device  301  may be any device which may need or receive a power input from a power source. 
     Electronic device  301  may include a chassis  326 . The chassis  326  may be or may be a part of an electronic device housing, casing, enclosure, frame, or other structural or aesthetic component, represented by example computing device housing  332 . The chassis  326  may include a power receptacle  328 . The power receptacle  328  may refer to a cutout, window, or other type of opening in the chassis  326  through which a power plug  300 , or a connector  302  thereof, may insert and engage with an electronic component of the electronic device  301 . In some implementations, the power receptacle  328  may refer to both the opening in the chassis  326 , as well as the electronic component itself. The connector  302  may removably engage with the power receptacle  328  so as to be able to be plugged in and unplugged again. The power receptacle  328  may include a lock notch  330 , in some implementations, which may be an additional cutout in the chassis  326 , or a cutout or opening that is supplementary to and intersects with the power receptacle opening. In some implementations, the lock notch  330  may extend from a side of the power receptacle  328 . 
     The electronic device  301  may further include the power plug  300 , which may be attached to a power cable  334 . The power cable  334  may be or may include conductive traces or lines to engage with and deliver power from a power source, through the power plug  300  and/or connector  302  thereof, to the power receptacle  328 , and thus the electronic device  301 . In other words, the power plug  300 , or the connector  302  thereof, may provide power to the electronic device  301  through the engagement of the power plug  300 , or the connector  302  thereof, with the power receptacle  328  when the power cable  334  is engaged with a power source. 
     In some implementations, the power cable  334  may connect the power plug  300  to a power adapter, e.g., a device to convert AC power signals to DC power signals. Thus, in some implementations, the power plug  300 , power cable  334 , and power adapter (not shown) may all be a part of a standalone power adapter device for use with electronic devices, and, in some implementations, may be an off-the-shelf unit that may be used or compatible with multiple different electronic devices, or electronic device types. Thus, the lock ring  304  may be able to be used with existing power plugs or power adapter devices. 
     As stated above, in some implementations, the power plug  300  may be another type of connector or plug, aside from a power plug. In some implementations, the power plug  300  may be a connector or plug to deliver communication signals, e.g., electrical, optical, or other communication signals. Such connectors or plugs may include coaxial connectors, audio or video signal connectors, or other types of connectors. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3B-3C , detail perspective views of the example electronic device  301  having the example power plug  300  with lock ring  304  of  FIG. 3A  are illustrated.  FIG. 3B  illustrates power plug  300  as being unplugged or disengaged with the power receptacle  328  and/or the electronic device  301 , and  FIG. 3C  illustrates power plug  300  as being plugged in or operably engaged, i.e., mechanically and electrically engaged, with the power receptacle  328  and/or the electronic device  301 . As illustrated, the lock ring  304  is installed onto the connector  302  of the power plug  300 , such that the lock tab  306  is effectively fixed relative to the connector  302 . Upon the power plug  300 , or the connector  302  thereof, being plugged in and engaged with the power receptacle  328 , the lock tab  306  may contemporaneously insert into the lock notch  330  if the lock tab  306  is aligned with the lock notch  330 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3B-3C . In some situations, the lock tab  306  may be aligned with the lock notch  330  to allow complete and full operable engagement between the power plug  300 , and/or connector  302 , with the power receptacle  328 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3D , another detail perspective view of the example electronic device  301  having the example power plug  300  with lock ring  304  of  FIG. 3A  is illustrated, wherein the power plug  300  and/or connector  302  is operably engaged with the power receptacle  328  of the electronic device  301  such that the power plug  300 , if engaged with a power source, may deliver power to the electronic device  301 . Similar to  FIG. 3C , the lock tab  306  has inserted into and through the lock notch  330  of the power receptacle  328 . Since the connector  302  and the lock ring  304  have inserted into and through the power receptacle  328 , and are now disposed within the chassis  326 , they are illustrated in phantom lines. 
     Upon the connector  302  being engaged with the power receptacle  328 , and the lock tab  306  being inserted through the lock notch  330 , the power plug  300 , and thus the lock ring  304 , is able to rotate relative to the chassis  326 , the power receptacle  328 , and lock notch  330 . As illustrated, e.g., by example rotation arrow  313 , the power plug  300  may rotate such that the lock tab  306  is no longer aligned with the lock notch  330 . Upon the lock tab  306  no longer being aligned with the lock notch  330 , the power plug  300  may not be able to be unplugged, or pulled out of engagement with the power receptacle, e.g., along disengagement direction  315 , without substantial and intentional force being applied. Thus, the lock tab  306  of the lock ring  304  is able to effectively lock the power plug  300  into an engaged state with the electronic device  301 , thereby avoiding accidental unplugging of the power plug  300 . It should be noted that, while  FIG. 3D  illustrates the power plug  300  and lock ring  304  as having been rotated approximately 90 degrees, any amount of rotation relative to the chassis  326  may be sufficient to misalign the lock tab  306  with the lock notch  330 , and thus lock the power plug  300  in the engaged state. In order to intentionally unplug the power plug  300  from the electronic device  301 , a user may rotate the power plug  300  relative to the chassis  326  until the lock tab  306  is aligned with the lock notch  330 , whereupon the power plug  300  may then be pulled out and disengaged from the power receptacle  328 .