Abstract:
A multifunctional car adapter is provided. The multifunctional car adapter includes a main body with a first chamber formed therein. The main body has extending therefrom a connecting portion defining a second chamber. A plug unit is disposed in the second chamber, while a socket unit is disposed in the first chamber and is electrically connected with the plug unit. A circuit board is also disposed in the first chamber to be electrically coupled to the plug unit for Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface thereto. A USB connector is coupled to the circuit board for electrical connection to the plug unit.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a multifunctional vehicle power adaptor. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved car cigarette lighter plug for adapting electronic apparatuses to car cigarette lighter sockets. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     As the information technology develops, various portable electronic apparatuses such as laptop computers, cell phones, and personal digital assistants (PDA) have become popular than ever. These electronic apparatuses when used outdoor are typically powered by rechargeable batteries such as lithium battery, NiMH battery, or NiCd battery that are subject to low power situations. When the battery runs out of power, a charger is often needed. 
     Adapter that is able to insert into a car cigarette lighter socket is known in the art. However, the prior art adapter is not very convenient for use since once the adapter is inserted into the car cigarette lighter socket, the lighter plug has to be pulled out and cannot be used at one time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a primary object of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional car adapter comprising at least a socket unit and a connector. When using the connector for charging or other purposes, the socket unit may be used at the same time for inserting a car cigarette lighter plug or other devices. Consequently, the adapter is convenient for use and is flexible. 
     According to the claimed invention, a multifunctional car adapter is provided. The multifunctional car adapter comprises a main body with a first chamber therein and a connecting portion, the connecting portion having a second chamber; a plug unit disposed in the second chamber; a socket unit disposed in the first chamber and being electrically connected with the plug unit; and a USB connector electrically connected with the plug unit. 
     It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. Other advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description, drawings and claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a typical view according to a first embodiment of this invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of this invention. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded diagram of the first embodiment of this invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the first embodiment of this invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the use of the first embodiment of this invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG.  4 . The present invention is directed to a multifunctional adapter that is capable of charging portable electronic devices in car, and at the same time, lighting the car cigarette lighter. As shown in figures, a multifunctional adapter comprises a main body  10 , a plug unit  20 , a socket unit  30 , and a connector  40 . The main body  10  is a hollow case consisting of a first half body  11  and a second half body  12 . The second half body  12  may be locked on the first half body  11  by means of screws, wedges, or supersonic melting methods known in the art. It is understood that the shape of the main body  10  should not limited the scope of the present invention. A first chamber  14  is defined in the main body  10  for accommodating the socket unit  30  and the connector  40 . The main body  10  has a cylindrical connecting portion  15  extending from one side of the main body  10 . The cylindrical connecting portion  15  has a diameter that is approximately equivalent to the diameter of a car cigarette lighter socket. A second chamber  16  is defined in the cylindrical connecting portion  15 . An opening  17  is located at one distal end of the connecting portion  15 . The opening  17  connects the second chamber  16  with outer atmosphere. As best seen in FIG. 3, the second chamber  16  connects with the first chamber  14  in the main body  10 . On the side opposite to the connecting portion  15 , a first aperture  18  and a second aperture  19  are provided. 
     The plug unit  20  is disposed in the second chamber  16  of the main body  10 . The plug unit  20  comprises a first terminal  21  and a second terminal  22 . The first terminal  21  is composed of conductive materials. The first terminal  21  is movably installed on a base  23  that is fastened in the opening  17  at the distal end of the second chamber  16 . The first terminal  21  protrudes from an outer surface of the base  23 . Preferably, the first terminal  21  locates at the center of the connecting portion  15 . A spring  24  is in connection with the first terminal  21  for pushing the first terminal  21  out of the base  23 . One end of the spring  24  is connected with a fourth terminal  32  and the connector  40  through a transferring line  25 . 
     The second terminal  22  is made of flexible conductive materials. The second terminal  22  is disposed and fixed in the second chamber  16 . The second terminal  22  is properly folded in a shape that each end of the second terminal  22  has a contacting portion  26  thereon. These two contacting portions  26  protrude from the main body  10  through the aperture  151  provided on the connecting portion  15 . The second terminal  22  is electrically connected with the socket unit  30  and connector  40  through a transferring line  27 . 
     The socket unit  30  comprises a third terminal  31  and the fourth terminal  32 . The third terminal is made of conductive materials and has a hollow cylindrical body. A socket  34  is provided therein. The socket  34  has one opening end. The third terminal  31  is disposed in the first chamber  14  of the main body  10 . The opening end of the third terminal  31  corresponds to the first aperture  18  of the main body  10 . The third terminal  31  is electrically connected with the transferring line  27  such that the third terminal  31  is electrically connected with the second terminal  22  of the plug unit  20 . 
     The fourth terminal  32  is made of conductive materials. The fourth terminal  32  is fixed on the third terminal  31  near the center of one end of the third terminal  31 . An insulating piece  33  is provided between the third terminal  31  and the fourth terminal  32  for preventing short-circuiting from occurring. The fourth terminal  32  is electrically connected with the transferring line  25  such that the fourth terminal  32  is electrically connected with the first terminal  21  of the plug unit  20  and the third terminal  31  and the fourth terminal  32  of the socket unit  30  are electrically connected with the second terminal  22  and the first terminal  21  of the plug unit  20 . 
     The connector  40  is a universal serial bus (USB) connector. The connector  40  is soldered on a circuit board  44  and is electrically connected with the circuit board  44 . The connector  40  and the circuit board  44  are installed in the first chamber of the main body  10 . A receiving end of the connector  40  corresponds to the second aperture  19  of the main body  10 . The connector  40  and the circuit board  44  are connected with a transferring line  42  and a transferring line  43 , where the transferring line  42  is electrically connected with the transferring line  25  and the transferring line  43  is electrically connected with the transferring line  27 , such that the connector  40  is electrically connected with the first terminal  21  and the second terminal  22  of the plug unit  20 . Alternatively, display light units  35  and  41  may be disposed on the main body  10 . The display light units  35  and  41  are electrically connected with the socket unit  30  and the connector  40  respectively for displaying status of the socket unit  30  and the connector  40 . 
     In use, the connecting portion  15  of the main body  10  is inserted into a car cigarette lighter socket (not shown). The first terminal  21  and second terminal  22  of the plug unit  20  are electrically connected with corresponding terminals of the car cigarette lighter socket, such that electric current can pass through the first terminal  21  and second terminal  22  of the plug unit  20  to the third terminal  31  and fourth terminal  32  of the socket unit  30  and the connector  40 . As shown in FIG. 5, a portable electronic device  60  to be charged can connect with the connector  40  by inserting a corresponding connector  62  of a transferring line  61  of the portable electronic device  60  into the connector  40 . With this configuration, the battery of the portable electronic device  60  can be charged by car. 
     While the adapter of this invention is implementing charging or other purposes through the connector  40 , the socket unit  30  is available. For example, when the connector  40  is in use for charging, a car cigarette lighter plug or other devices can connect with the socket unit  30 . Accordingly, this invention provides an adapter that is more flexible in use. 
     Please refer to FIG.  6 . The number of the connector  40  and the socket unit  30  can be increased if desired. In FIG. 6, two socket units  30  and one connector  40  are provided. 
     Please refer to FIG.  7  and FIG.  8 . The shape of the main body  10  and the arrangement of the socket unit  30  and connector  40  may be changed for serving different purposes. In this embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 7, the main body  10  is cross-shaped. In the embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 8, the main body  10  is T-shaped. The socket unit  30  and the connector  40  can be arranged either on same side of the main body  10  or on opposite sides. Further, the connecting portion  15  may be pivotally connected to the main body  10  by means of a pivot pin  152 , such that the connecting portion  15  is rotatable. 
     Please refer to FIG.  9 . The connector  40  is electrically connected with the circuit board  44  through an extending transferring line  45 , such that the connector  40  is electrically connected with the plug unit  20  through the transferring line  45 . 
     Please refer to FIG.  10 . The connector  40  is electrically connected with the circuit board  44  through an extending transferring line  47 , such that the connector  40  is electrically connected with the plug unit  20  through the transferring line  47 . A swirling mechanism  46  is provided between the transferring line  47  and the circuit board  44  to automatically drawing back the transferring line  47 . 
     Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.