Patent Publication Number: US-10770854-B2

Title: High integration assembly process for AC adapter with foldable prongs

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to Information Handling Systems (IHSs), and more specifically, to AC (Alternating Current) adapters for charging portable IHSs. 
     BACKGROUND 
     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, global communications, etc. 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. 
     Certain IHSs, such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones, are portable and are designed to operate using power supplied by rechargeable batteries. Power drawn from an electrical outlet may be used to charge the batteries of a portable IHS. Since the batteries of IHSs typically operate using DC (Direct Current) power, an AC adapter (i.e., AC/DC adapter or AC/CD converter) is required to convert the AC power from the wall outlet to DC power that can be used to charge the batteries. On one end, AC adapters include an AC plug that is inserted into the outlet. On the other end, AC adapters include a DC plug that includes a connector that is received by a power port of the portable IHS, where the power port is typically on a side or an edge of the IHS enclosure. 
     SUMMARY 
     In various embodiments, an AC (Alternating Current) plug provides power via a power circuit. The AC plug includes: a cover comprising a plurality of slots; and a plurality of prongs conforming to receptacles of an AC outlet, wherein: in an extended position, the plurality of prongs are insertable in the receptacles of the AC outlet and each of the plurality of prongs contacts a respective spring mounted terminal coupled to the power circuit; and in a retracted position, each of the plurality of prongs are recessed in a slot of the plurality of slots of the cover and each of the plurality of prongs does not contact the respective spring mounted terminals. 
     In additional AC plug embodiments, in the extended position, the coupling between each of the plurality of prongs and the power circuit does not utilize wires. In additional embodiments, the AC plug also includes a PCB (printed circuit board) connecting the AC plug to the power circuit, wherein the PCB comprises a plurality of contact pads. In additional AC plug embodiments, a first end of each of the spring mounted terminals is positioned on one of the plurality of contact pads. In additional AC plug embodiments, the spring mounted terminals are positioned based on an alignment of the second end of each of the spring mounted terminals with an alignment structure of the cover. In additional embodiments, the AC plug also includes a cap that is fastened to the cover and secures the spring mounted terminals to the respective contact pads. In additional AC plug embodiments, each of the plurality of prongs comprises a cam that contacts the respective spring mounted terminal when the prongs are in the extended position. 
     In various additional embodiments, an AC (Alternating Current) adapter powers an Information Handling System (IHS). The AC adapter includes: an AC/DC converter and an AC cord, wherein the AC cord is connected to the AC/DC converter at a first end and connected to an AC plug at a second end. The AC plug includes: a cover comprising a plurality of slots; a PCB (printed circuit board) connecting the AC plug to the AC cord; and a plurality of prongs conforming to receptacles of an AC outlet. In an extended position, the plurality of prongs are insertable in the receptacles of the AC outlet and each of the plurality of prongs contacts a respective spring mounted terminal that is coupled to the PCB. In a retracted position, the plurality of prongs are recessed in the plurality of slots of the cover and each of the plurality of prongs does not contact the respective spring mounted terminals. 
     In additional AC adapter embodiments, the coupling between each of the plurality of prongs and the PCB does not utilize wires. In additional AC adapter embodiments, the PCB includes a plurality of contact pads. In additional AC adapter embodiments, a first end of each of the spring mounted terminals is positioned on one of the plurality of contact pads. In additional AC adapter embodiments, the spring mounted terminals are positioned based on an alignment of the second end of each of the spring mounted terminals with an alignment structure of the cover. In additional AC adapter embodiments, the plug further includes a cap that is fastened to the cover and secures the spring mounted terminals to the respective contact pads. In additional AC adapter embodiments, each of the plurality of prongs comprises a cam that contacts the respective spring mounted terminal when the prongs are in the extended position. 
     In various additional embodiments, a method is provided for assembling an AC (Alternating Current) plug for providing power via a power circuit. The method includes: positioning an inner side of a cover for the AC plug in an upwards orientation, wherein the inner side of the cover comprises structures for receiving a PCB (printed circuit board) and for receiving a plurality of spring mounted terminals, and wherein the cover comprises a plurality of slots; securing a plurality of foldable prongs to the inner side of the cover, wherein the prongs protrude from the outer side of the cover in an extended position, and wherein the prongs are recessed within the slots in a retracted position; positioning the PCB on the cover, wherein the PCB comprises a plurality of contact pads connecting the PCB to the power circuit; positioning the plurality of spring mounted terminals on the inner side of the cover, wherein a first end of each spring mounted terminal is positioned on a contact pad of the PCB; positioning a cap on the spring mounted terminals, the PCB and the cover, wherein assembly holes of the cap, the PCB and the cover are aligned; and fastening the cap to the cover, wherein the first end of each spring mounted terminal is secured against a respective positioned contact pad. In additional method embodiments, in the extended position, each of the plurality of prongs contacts a spring mounted terminal that is in contact with a contact pad of the PCB, wherein the contact pads are coupled to the power circuit. In additional method embodiments, in the retracted position, each of the plurality of prongs does not contact the respective spring mounted terminals. In additional method embodiments, in the extended position, the coupling between each of the plurality of prongs and the power circuit does not utilize wires. In additional method embodiments, in the extended position, each spring mounted terminal is loaded and exerts a force against a prong. In additional method embodiments, the spring mounted terminals are positioned based on an alignment of the second end of each of the spring mounted terminals with an alignment structure of the cover. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention(s) is/are illustrated by way of example and is/are not limited by the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements. Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity, and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram depicting certain components of an IHS configured for operation with an AC power adapter according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram depicting certain components of a prior art charging system that includes an AC adapter that is coupled to a laptop computer. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram depicting certain components of an AC plug with foldable prongs according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating the assembly of an AC plug with foldable prongs according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 5A  is a cutaway diagram depicting certain components of an AC plug with foldable prongs in an extended position, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 5B  is another cutaway diagram depicting another view of an AC plug with foldable prongs in an extended position, according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 5C  is a cutaway diagram depicting an AC plug with foldable prongs in a folded position, according to various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For purposes of this disclosure, an IHS may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, calculate, determine, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, communicate, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an IHS may be a personal computer (e.g., desktop or laptop), tablet computer, mobile device (e.g., Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or smart phone), server (e.g., blade server or rack server), a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. An IHS may include Random Access Memory (RAM), one or more processing resources, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, Read-Only Memory (ROM), and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. 
     Additional components of an IHS may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various I/O devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, touchscreen, and/or a video display. An IHS may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. An example of an IHS is described in more detail below.  FIG. 1  shows an example of an IHS configured to implement the systems and methods described herein according to certain embodiments. It should be appreciated that although certain IHS embodiments described herein may be discussed in the context of a personal computing device, other embodiments may be utilized. 
     As described, certain portable IHSs may utilize AC adapters for drawing power from an electrical outlet and converting the power for use in recharging internal batteries from which the portable IHSs operate. However, once the charge of the internal batteries is depleted, the AC adapter must once again be used to recharge the batteries. In light of the need to frequently recharge batteries, a portable IHS is frequently transported along with an AC adapter. The resulting portability of AC adapters used for charging portable IHSs requires that such AC adapters be easy as possible to transport in ongoing support of the portable IHS. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating certain components of an IHS  100  configured for operation with an AC power adapter according to various embodiments. In various embodiments, IHS  100  may include a power management unit  115  that includes logic that powers IHS  100  based on power drawn from an AC power adapter. While a single IHS  100  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , IHS  100  may be a component of an enterprise system that may include any number of additional IHSs that may also be configured in the same or similar manner to IHS  100 . 
     IHS  100  includes one or more processors  101 , such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), that execute code retrieved from a system memory  105 . Although IHS  100  is illustrated with a single processor  101 , other embodiments may include two or more processors, that may each be configured identically, or to provide specialized processing functions. Processor  101  may include any processor capable of executing program instructions, such as an Intel Pentium™ series processor or any general-purpose or embedded processors implementing any of a variety of Instruction Set Architectures (ISAs), such as the x86, POWERPC®, ARM®, SPARC®, or MIPS® ISAs, or any other suitable ISA. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the processor  101  includes an integrated memory controller  118  that may be implemented directly within the circuitry of the processor  101 , or the memory controller  118  may be a separate integrated circuit that is located on the same die as the processor  101 . The memory controller  118  may be configured to manage the transfer of data to and from the system memory  105  of the IHS  100  via a high-speed memory interface  104 . 
     The system memory  105  that is coupled to processor  101  provides the processor  101  with a high-speed memory that may be used in the execution of computer program instructions by the processor  101 . Accordingly, system memory  105  may include memory components, such as such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), NAND Flash memory, suitable for supporting high-speed memory operations by the processor  101 . In certain embodiments, system memory  105  may combine both persistent, non-volatile memory and volatile memory. In certain embodiments, the system memory  105  may be comprised of multiple removable memory modules. 
     IHS  100  utilizes a chipset  103  that may include one or more integrated circuits that are connect to processor  101 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , processor  101  is depicted as a component of chipset  103 . In other embodiments, all of chipset  103 , or portions of chipset  103  may be implemented directly within the integrated circuitry of the processor  101 . Chipset  103  provides the processor(s)  101  with access to a variety of resources accessible via bus  102 . In IHS  100 , bus  102  is illustrated as a single element. Various embodiments may utilize any number of buses to provide the illustrated pathways served by bus  102 . 
     As illustrated, a variety of resources may be coupled to the processor(s)  101  of the IHS  100  through the chipset  103 . For instance, chipset  103  may be coupled to a network interface  109  that may support different types of network connectivity. In certain embodiments, IHS  100  may include one or more Network Interface Controllers (NIC), each of which may implement the hardware required for communicating via a specific networking technology, such as BLUETOOTH, Ethernet and mobile cellular networks (e.g., CDMA, TDMA, LTE). As illustrated, network interface  109  may support network connections by wired network controllers  122  and wireless network controller  123 . Each network controller  122 ,  123  may be coupled via various buses to the chipset  103  of IHS  100  in supporting different types of network connectivity, such as the network connectivity utilized in applications of the operating system of IHS  100 . 
     Chipset  103  may also provide access to one or more display device(s)  108 ,  113  via graphics processor  107 . In certain embodiments, graphics processor  107  may be comprised within a video or graphics card or within an embedded controller installed within IHS  100 . In certain embodiments, graphics processor  107  may be integrated within processor  101 , such as a component of a system-on-chip. Graphics processor  107  may generate display information and provide the generated information to one or more display device(s)  108 ,  113  coupled to the IHS  100 . The one or more display devices  108 ,  113  coupled to IHS  100  may utilize LCD, LED, OLED, or other display technologies. Each display device  108 ,  113  may be capable of receiving touch inputs such as via a touch controller that may be an embedded component of the display device  108 ,  113  or graphics processor  107 , or may be a separate component of IHS  100  accessed via bus  102 . As illustrated, IHS  100  may support an integrated display device  108 , such as a display integrated into a laptop, tablet, 2-in-1 convertible device, or mobile device. IHS  100  may also support use of one or more external displays  113 , such as external monitors that may be coupled to IHS  100  via various types of couplings. 
     In certain embodiments, chipset  103  may utilize one or more I/O controllers  110  that may each support hardware components such as user I/O devices  111  and sensors  112 . For instance, I/O controller  110  may provide access to one or more user I/O devices  110  such as a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, touchscreen, microphone, speakers, camera and other input and output devices that may be coupled to IHS  100 . Each of the supported user I/O devices  111  may interface with the I/O controller  110  through wired or wireless connections. 
     In certain embodiments, sensors  112  accessed via I/O controllers  110  may provide access to data describing environmental and operating conditions of IHS  100 . For instance, sensors  112  may include geo-location sensors capable for providing a geographic location for IHS  100 , such as a GPS sensor or other location sensors configured to determine the location of IHS  100  based on triangulation and network information. Various additional sensors, such as optical, infrared and sonar sensors, that may provide support for xR (virtual, augmented, mixed reality) sessions hosted by the IHS  100 . 
     Other components of IHS  100  may include one or more I/O ports  116  the support removeable couplings with various types of peripheral external devices. For instance, I/O  116  ports may include USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports, by which a variety of external devices may be coupled to IHS  100 . I/O ports  116  may include various types of ports and couplings that support connections with external devices and systems, either through temporary couplings via ports, such as USB ports, accessible to a user via the enclosure of the IHS  100 , or through more permanent couplings via expansion slots provided via the motherboard or via an expansion card of IHS  100 , such as PCIe slots. 
     Chipset  103  also provides processor  101  with access to one or more storage devices  119 . In various embodiments, storage device  119  may be integral to the IHS  100 , or may be external to the IHS  100 . In certain embodiments, storage device  119  may be accessed via a storage controller that may be an integrated component of the storage device. Storage device  119  may be implemented using any memory technology allowing IHS  100  to store and retrieve data. For instance, storage device  119  may be a magnetic hard disk storage drive or a solid-state storage drive. In certain embodiments, storage device  119  may be a system of storage devices, such as a cloud drive accessible via network interface  109 . 
     As illustrated, IHS  100  also includes a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)  117  that may be stored in a non-volatile memory accessible by chipset  103  via bus  102 . Upon powering or restarting IHS  100 , processor(s)  101  may utilize BIOS  117  instructions to initialize and test hardware components coupled to the IHS  100 . The BIOS  117  instructions may also load an operating system for use by the IHS  100 . The BIOS  117  provides an abstraction layer that allows the operating system to interface with the hardware components of the IHS  100 . The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) was designed as a successor to BIOS. As a result, many modern IHSs utilize UEFI in addition to or instead of a BIOS. As used herein, BIOS is intended to also encompass UEFI. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, IHS  100  also includes a power management unit  115  that receives power inputs used for charging batteries  124  from which the IHS  100  operates. IHS  100  may include one or more power ports  125  to which an AC adapter may be coupled. As described, an AC adapter may draw AC from an electrical outlet and convert the AC to a DC output that is provided to an IHS via a DC connector. The DC connector portion of an AC adapter may be inserted into a compatible power port  125  of an IHS  100 , thus providing the power to the IHS. The DC power input received at power port  125  may be utilized by a battery charger  124  for recharging one or more internal batteries  124  of IHS  100 . 
     In certain embodiments, power management unit  115  of IHS  100  may include a power port controller  114  that is operable for detecting the coupling of an AC adapter to power port  125 . Upon detecting the coupling of an AC adapter, the power port controller  114  may interrogate the AC adapter in order to determine characteristics of the AC adapter. In certain embodiments, the AC adapter may be configured to report PSID (power supply identification) information that specifies attributes of the AC adapter, such as a manufacturer, rating and model number. 
     In certain embodiments, power port controller  114  may be a component of a system-on-chip from which the power management unit  115  operates. In certain embodiments, power port controller may an embedded controller that is a motherboard component of IHS  100 , or a component of a power management unit  115  daughter card of IHS  100 . In various embodiments, an IHS  100  does not include each of the components shown in  FIG. 1 . In various embodiments, an IHS  100  may include various additional components in addition to those that are shown in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, some components that are represented as separate components in  FIG. 1  may in certain embodiments instead be integrated with other components. For example, in certain embodiments, all or a portion of the functionality provided by the illustrated components may instead be provided by components integrated into the one or more processor(s)  101  as a systems-on-a-chip. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram depicting components of a prior art charging system, where the system includes an AC power adapter  210  coupled to laptop computer  205 . In the illustrated system, AC power adapter  210  is used to charge the internal batteries of laptop computer  205 . An AC power adapter  210  include several connected components that operate to draw AC power from an electrical outlet  215  and convert the AC input power to a DC output for delivery to laptop  205 . One end of the AC power adapter  210  includes an AC plug  210   a  that includes three prongs that may be received by a socket provided by an AC electrical outlet  215 . Many different types of AC plugs  210   a  are utilized throughout the world, with different plugs from different regions utilizing different numbers, shapes and orientations of the prongs that conform to the electrical outlets used in a region. In North America, most general-purpose electrical outlets deliver 120 V of AC at a frequency of 60 hertz. 
     As illustrated, an AC electrical cord  210   b  of AC adapter  210  connects AC plug  210   a  to converter  210   c . One function of converter  210   c  is to convert the AC received from power cord  210   b  to DC that can be used to power IHSs compatible with the AC adapter  210 . In certain instances, converter  210   c  may be referred to as a power brick. The output generated by converter  210   c  may be DC within a voltage range that supports the power requirements of IHSs compatible for charging using AC adapter  210 . The DC output generated by converter  210   c  is provided to laptop  205  via a DC power cord  210   d  that supplies the DC output via a connector that is received by a power port of the laptop. 
     As illustrated, DC cord  210   d  also includes a DC plug  210   f  that may be received by a power port of converter  210   c . Similar to DC plug  210   e  coupled to IHS  205 , the DC plug  210   f  on the opposite end of DC cord  210   d  may be removed from the power port of converter  210   c . DC plug  210   e  and DC plug  210   f  may be interchangeable for use in the power port of either converter  210   c  or IHS  205 . In this manner, DC cord  210   d  may be reversible. In other charging system, DC cord  210   d  may be fixed to converter  210   c.    
       FIG. 3  is a diagram depicting certain components of an AC plug  300  with foldable prongs  315  according to various embodiments. In certain embodiments, AC plug  300  may be a component of an AC adapter used for charging the internal batteries of an IHS in a manner similar to the use of AC adapter  210  in charging the batteries of laptop  205 . In such embodiments, AC plug  300  replaces the prior art, fixed-prong AC plug  210   a . Similar to the prior art fixed-prong AC plug  210   a  of  FIG. 2 , the prongs  315  of AC plug  300  may be received by a socket of an AC electrical outlet. The AC power drawn from an outlet by prongs  315  may be supplied to an AC adapter via wires of an AC cord  310 . In certain embodiments, the wires of an AC cord  310  may connect the AC plug  300  to an AC/DC converter, such as converter  210   c  of  FIG. 2 . 
     As described in additional detail with regard to the below embodiments, the prongs  315  of AC plug  300  may be folded within slots  320  provided in the top cover  305  of the AC plug  300 . In  FIG. 3 , prongs  315  are illustrated in an extended position, thus allowing the prongs  315  of AC plug  300  to be inserted into the socket of an AC outlet. When not plugged into an AC outlet, the prongs  315  may be folded into slots  320  such that the prongs  315  are recessed within the top cover  305 . While retracted in this manner, the portability of the AC adapter utilizing AC plug  300  is improved as the retracted prongs no longer protrude from the top cover  305 , thus preventing the prongs  315  from getting caught on other items or damaging other items and reducing the bulkiness of the AC adapter. 
     In certain embodiments, AC plug  300  may be a component of an AC adapter used to provide power to an IHS such as the laptop  205  of  FIG. 2 . In other embodiments, AC plug  300  may be a component of an AC adapter similarly used to charge the batteries of other types of portable IHSs, such as tablets, 2-1 convertible laptops, mobile phones and smart watches. Embodiments may be implemented using all varieties of IHSs that operate on DC power supplied by internal rechargeable batteries and that also utilize an AC converter that may be plugged into an electrical outlet and used to charge the batteries of an IHS. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating the assembly of an AC plug  400  with foldable prongs according to various embodiments. In certain embodiments, the AC plug  400  with foldable prongs may be assembled through stacking and fastening of the depicted components in the illustrated order. The foldable prong AC plug  400  may be constructed using the AC plug top cover  405  as an assembly base to which the remaining items of AC plug  400  may be fastened. In the illustrated embodiment, top cover  405  is the portion of AC plug  400  from which prongs  425  protrude while in an extended position. As provided in greater detail in  FIGS. 5A-C , the inner side of top cover  405  includes structures  420  that provide slots in which prongs  425  are recessed while in a retracted position. 
     During assembly of AC plug  400 , a PCB (printed circuit board)  410  may be positioned on the inner side of the top cover  405  of the AC plug such that assembly holes of the PCB  410  and top cover  405  are aligned. As illustrated, PCB  410  may include electrical contact pads  415  that are positioned on the PCB  410  such that one end of each of the spring mounted terminals  430  are positioned on one of the contact pads  415 . Electricity drawn from prongs  425 , when in an extended position and inserted in an AC outlet, is transmitted to the contact pads  415  via the spring mounted terminals  430 , as described in detail in  FIG. 5A . In certain embodiments, PCB  410  may include circuitry that transmits electricity received at contact pads  415  to the wires of an AC cord connected to the AC plug  400 , such as AC cord  310  of  FIG. 3 . 
     As illustrated, prongs  425  may be connected to each other via an insulating, cylindrical rod  425   a . After positioning of PCB  410  on the top cover  405 , prongs  425  may inserted and secured within a structure on the inner side of top cover  405  that includes a saddle  405   a  that receives the insulating cylinder  425   a  that connects the prongs  425 . While resting on saddle  405   a , cylinder  425   a  may be rotated, thus allowing prongs  425  to be folded within the slot structures  420  provided by top cover  405 . In certain embodiments, prongs  425  may include protrusions  425   b  that may be snapped into corresponding holes  405   b  provided by the structures on the inner side of top cover  405 , thus securing prongs  425  within the housing, while still allowing rotation of the prongs  425  about the cylinder  425   a  such that the prongs  425  protrude from the outer side of top cover  405 . 
     Once the prongs  425  have been secured to top cover  405 , spring mounted terminals  430  may be stacked on to the assembly. In certain embodiments, spring mounted terminals  430  may be metal spring clips that are unloaded when prongs  425  are in a retracted position and are loaded by the rotation of prongs  425  to an extended position. In certain embodiments, each spring mounted terminal  430  may be positioned during assembly by aligning a hole  445  on one end of the terminal with a peg provided on a surface of the structure forming a slot  420  provided by the top cover  405 . Other embodiments may utilize other alignment features for positioning the spring mounted terminals  430 . 
     Aligned in this manner, each spring mounted terminal  430  may be secured in place on one end by the peg, while the other end of the spring mounted terminal  430  is positioned on one of the contact pads  415  of the PCB. As described in additional detail with regard to  FIG. 5A , a cap  435  may be fastened to the top cover  405  using screws  440  such that the stacked components are fixed together, while still allowing rotation of the prongs  425  about the saddle  405   a  portion of top cover  405 . Assembled in this manner, this portion of the AC plug  400  does not utilize any wires, thus simplifying the assembly process and improving reliability of the AC plug  400 . By eliminating wires between prongs  425  and the power circuit, no wire harnesses or soldering is required to connect the prongs to the power circuit accessed via PCB  410 . Instead, prongs  425  are connected to the contact pads  415  of PCB  410  through the fastening of cap  435 . By eliminating wire harness connection from the prongs  425  to PCB  410 , the cost of PCB  410  is reduced, in addition to maintaining the simplicity of the described assembly process of AC plug  400 . 
       FIG. 5A  is a cutaway diagram depicting certain components of an assembled AC plug, according to various embodiments, with foldable prongs that are in an extended position. As described, the components of an AC plug according to embodiments may be stacked and secured together by fastening a cap  530  to a top cover  520  of the AC plug. By fastening cap  530  in this manner, PCB  525  is also fastened to the top cover  520 .  FIG. 5B  is cutaway diagram depicting a rotated perspective of the AC plug of  FIG. 5A . As illustrated in  FIG. 5B , with the assembly holes of the cap  530 , PCB  525  and top cover  520  aligned, screws  550  may be used to fasten the cap  530  to the top cover  520  such that the spring mounted terminal is secured against the top cover  520  and the contact pad  560  of PCB  525 , which is also secured to the top cover  520 . 
     As described, during assembly, each spring mounted terminal  535  may be positioned on top cover  520  by aligning locating slots on one of the spring mounted terminal  535  with peg structures  555  located on a structure provided on the inner side of top cover  520 , where each such structure includes a cavity that is a slot  515  in which a prong may be recessed. Positioned in this manner, the other end of the spring mounted terminal  535  is positioned on the contact pad  560  of PCB  525 . By fastening cap  530 , the spring mounted terminal  535  is secured in place above prong  550  with one end of the terminal secured to a contact pad  560 . 
     In  FIG. 5A , prong  505  is in an extended position and is thus ready for insertion into a receptacle of an AC outlet. In this position, a cam  540  protruding from prong  505  is in contact with the spring mounted terminal  535 . Once the AC plug is plugged into an outlet, electricity flows to the power cord via the pathway established by the cam  540  of prong  505  in contact with the spring mounted terminal  535 , which is secured against a contact pad  560  of PCB  525 . As described, PCB  525  includes circuitry for routing power from the contact pads  560  to an AC cord connected to the top cover  520 . Using this configuration, power may be provided to an IHS via an AC adapter. 
     As provided above, many IHSs are portable DC devices that rely on an AC adapter in order to provide power for charging the internal batteries of the portable devices. In many instances, a portable device is transported along with an AC adapter for use in occasional or regular recharging of the portable IHS batteries. Accordingly, an AC adapter utilized by a portable IHS is preferably also portable. Upon terminating a charging session, an AC plug is unplugged from an AC outlet. In the embodiments of  FIGS. 5A and 5B , once unplugged, prong  505  may be rotated in direction  510  until the prong  505  is recessed within the slot  515  provided by top cover  520 . As described, prong  505  may be connected to another prong of the AC plug via a connecting cylinder that can be rotated within a saddle structure of top cover  520 , thus allowing the prongs  505  to be rotated in direction  510 . In  FIG. 5B , the inside cavity of slot  515  is exposed by the cutaway illustrations that removes a portion of the top cover  520  structure that forms the slot. This cutaway of  FIG. 5B  also removes certain portions of top cover  520  structures that secure the prong  505  within the top cover  520 . 
       FIG. 5C  is a cutaway diagram depicting an AC plug with foldable prongs in a folded position, according to various embodiments. Wth the prong  505  rotated to completion in direction  510 , prong  505  now rests within slot  515  of the top cover  520 , such that prong  505  is recessed within the slot  550 . And this folded position, the cam  540  of prong  505  has been rotated away from spring mounted terminal  535 . The rotation of prong  505  to a recessed position results in a flat portion  545  of prong  505  being positioned below the spring mounted terminal  535  such that the spring extends to an unloaded configuration. As illustrated, unlike cam  540 , the flat portion  545  of prong  505  does not protrude towards the spring mounted terminal. Accordingly, the power circuit has been opened and power can no longer flow between prong  505  and the spring mounted terminal  535 . 
     As described, prong  505  may be rotated to an extended position, such as in  FIG. 5A , in which the prong  505  is connected to the power circuit via contact with the spring mounted terminal  535  by the cam  540  portion of the prong. In the extended position, cam  540  loads the spring mounted terminal  535  such that it exerts force against cam  540  and maintains the spring mounted terminal  535  securely in contact with cam  540 . The force exerted by spring mounted terminal  535  also serves as a detent that prevents the prongs from rotating freely. From this loaded position, prong  505  may then be rotated to a retracted, unloaded position, such as in  FIG. 5C , in which the prong  505  is no longer connected to the power circuit. Importantly, embodiments that support a foldable prong  505  in the described manner are connected to the power circuit without any wires connecting the prong  505  to the power circuit. In particular, no soldering or wire harnesses are required to connect the prong  505  to the power circuit provided by PCB  525 . By eliminating the use of such wires, the simplicity and economy of the assembly process described in with regard to  FIG. 4  is maintained. The components comprising the foldable prong of an AC plug may be stacked as described and fastened together using only the screws that secure the cap  530  to the top cover  520 , while also securing the spring mounted terminal  535  and PCB  525  in place. Without wires connecting the prong  505  to the power circuit, the stacked assembly process of  FIG. 4  may be completed without soldering, thus improving reliability in addition to simplifying the assembly of the AC plug. 
     It should be understood that various operations described herein may be implemented in software executed by processing circuitry, hardware, or a combination thereof. The order in which each operation of a given method is performed may be changed, and various operations may be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc. It is intended that the invention(s) described herein embrace all such modifications and changes and, accordingly, the above description should be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. 
     The terms “tangible” and “non-transitory,” as used herein, are intended to describe a computer-readable storage medium (or “memory”) excluding propagating electromagnetic signals; but are not intended to otherwise limit the type of physical computer-readable storage device that is encompassed by the phrase computer-readable medium or memory. For instance, the terms “non-transitory computer readable medium” or “tangible memory” are intended to encompass types of storage devices that do not necessarily store information permanently, including, for example, RAM. Program instructions and data stored on a tangible computer-accessible storage medium in non-transitory form may afterwards be transmitted by transmission media or signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals, which may be conveyed via a communication medium such as a network and/or a wireless link. 
     Although the invention(s) is/are described herein with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention(s), as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention(s). Any benefits, advantages, or solutions to problems that are described herein with regard to specific embodiments are not intended to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims. 
     Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. The terms “coupled” or “operably coupled” are defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless stated otherwise. The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Similarly, a method or process that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more operations possesses those one or more operations but is not limited to possessing only those one or more operations.