PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8920189-B1
Application Number: US-201313916275-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Wing deployment mechanism for a power adapter

Abstract:
A power adapter including a wing deployment mechanism for retaining a wing in a first undeployed position and the second deployed position. One example may provide a housing, a spring, a spring cover, and the wing. In one example, the wing may be pivotally attached to the housing and the spring and the spring cover may be fixedly attached to the housing. The spring may contact a portion of the wing and may, in one example, apply a position dependent force to the wing that biases the wing towards either the first or the second position.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An adapter comprising:
 a corner comprising intersecting first and second surfaces; 
 a receiving depression extending around the corner, the receiving depression including a free surface having a free end located on the first surface and a pivot surface intersecting the free surface and having a pivot end located on the second surface; 
 a pivotable wing comprising a free end and a cam end, the cam end including a cam and a pivot located between the cam and the free end, wherein the pivotable wing is moveable between a closed position and an open position; and 
 a spring comprising a fixed end secured to the free end of the receiving depression and a biasing end located in the pivot end of the receiving depression and engaging with the cam of the pivotable wing so that the pivotable wing is stable in both the closed and open position. 
 
     
     
       2. The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the cam comprises a half cylinder. 
     
     
       3. The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the pivotable wing further comprises a stop adjacent to the cam. 
     
     
       4. The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the spring and the cam create a first torque when the wing is in the closed position and a second torque when the wing is in the open position. 
     
     
       5. The adapter of  claim 4 , wherein the magnitude of the first torque is equal to the magnitude of the second toque. 
     
     
       6. The adapter of  claim 4 , wherein the direction of the first torque is opposite the direction of the second torque. 
     
     
       7. The adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring cover, wherein the spring cover overlays the receiving depression and the spring and secures the fixed end of the spring to the free end of the receiving depression. 
     
     
       8. The adapter of  claim 7 , wherein the spring is retained between the spring cover and the pivot surface of the receiving depression. 
     
     
       9. The adapter of  claim 8 , wherein the spring does not contact the pivot surface of the receiving depression. 
     
     
       10. The adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the pivotable wing is sized and shaped to fit within the receiving depression when the pivotable wing is in the closed position. 
     
     
       11. The adapter of  claim 10 , wherein the pivotable wing comprises a first portion proximate to the free end and a second portion proximate to the cam end and intersecting the first portion to define a pivotable wing corner. 
     
     
       12. The adapter of  claim 11 , wherein the first portion of the pivotable wing fits within the receiving portion on the first surface and the second portion of the pivotable wing fits within the receiving portion on the second surface. 
     
     
       13. The adapter of  claim 11 , wherein the first portion of the pivotable wing is parallel with the first surface when the pivotable wing is in the first position and the first portion of the pivotable wing is parallel with the second surface when the wing is in the open position. 
     
     
       14. A wing deployment system comprising:
 a substrate comprising a fixation surface and an intersecting pivot surface, wherein the fixation and pivot surfaces are non-parallel; 
 a wing member comprising a pivot portion comprising a pivot end and a cam proximate to the pivot end, wherein the pivot end is pivotally connected to the pivot surface of the substrate and the wing member is movable between a first position wherein the pivot portion is parallel to the pivot surface and a second position; 
 a spring comprising a fixation portion affixed to the fixation surface and extending around the intersection of the fixation surface and the pivot surface and a contacting portion contacting the cam of the wing member, wherein the spring does not contact the pivot surface of the substrate. 
 
     
     
       15. The wing deployment system of  claim 14 , wherein the spring does not contact the pivot surface of the substrate when the wing member is in the first position. 
     
     
       16. The wing deployment system of  claim 14 , wherein the spring does not contact the pivot surface of the substrate when the wing member is at position between the first and second positions. 
     
     
       17. The wing deployment system of  claim 14  further comprising a spring cover. 
     
     
       18. The wing deployment system of  claim 17 , wherein the spring does not contact the pivot surface of the substrate when the wing member is in the second position. 
     
     
       19. The wing deployment system of  claim 17 , wherein the spring cover affixes the fixation portion of the spring to the fixation surface of the substrate. 
     
     
       20. The wing deployment system of  claim 19 , wherein the spring is retained between the spring cover and the fixation surface of the substrate and between the spring cover and the pivot surface of the substrate. 
     
     
       21. A method of manufacturing a wing deployment mechanism comprising:
 selecting a spring comprising a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending in a second direction relative to the first portion; 
 affixing the first portion of the spring to a securement portion of a spring cover, the securement portion of the spring cover extending in a first direction and a retention portion of the spring cover extending in a second direction from the securement portion; 
 attaching the spring cover to a housing comprising a corner formed by the intersection of first and second surfaces such that the first portion of the spring is affixed to the housing between the securement portion of the spring cover and the first surface of the housing and such that both the second portion of the spring and the retention portion of the spring cover extend around the corner of the housing; 
 pivotally attaching a wing member to the housing, wherein a cam of the wing member engages with the spring, wherein the wing member is pivotable between a first position and second position, and wherein the spring applies a force to the wing member in both the first and second positions. 
 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21 , further comprising providing a damper to the wing deployment mechanism. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 22 , wherein the damper comprises a viscous material.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Mobile devices such as laptop and notebook computers, media players, smart phones, tablets, and others have become ubiquitous in the last few years and the popularity shows no sign of abating. To meet demand, designers have developed a wide range of devices having a constellation of form factors and features. 
     While features and form factors of devices have changed and evolved over time, these mobile devices rely on stored power and the maintenance of usable stored charge levels to perform their functions. In many of these devices, power is stored within one or several batteries. 
     As the batteries of the mobile device require frequent recharging, the user interaction with the power adapter can increase or decrease the overall level of user satisfaction with the mobile device. The user interaction with the power adapter can be of particular importance to overall user satisfaction when the charger affects the mobility of the mobile device such as, for example, when the power adapter is bulky. Additionally, because power adapters are frequently used, the features and perceived quality of the power adapter also affect the level of overall user satisfaction with the mobile device. Thus, apparatuses, systems, and methods are needed to improve the function of power adapters. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a power adapter with a wing deployment mechanism. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a wing. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a spring. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of one embodiment of the spring. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a spring affixed to a spring cover. 
         FIG. 6  is a section view of one embodiment of the spring affixed to the spring cover. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial section view of one embodiment of a wing deployment mechanism having a wing in an undeployed configuration. 
         FIG. 8  is a partial section view of one embodiment of a wing deployment mechanism having a wing in a deployed configuration. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process for manufacturing a wing deployment mechanism. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Some embodiments relate to a wing deployment mechanism which can facilitate moving a wing between a first undeployed (closed) position and a second deployed (open) position. The wing deployment mechanism can include a power adapter, also referred to as a power supply, and adapter, and/or a power brick herein. The power adapter is a device that supplies electric power to an electrical load. In some embodiments, the power adapter may include an electric power converter that converts one form of electrical energy to another, and in some embodiments, the power adapter may include a regulated power supply that controls the output voltage or current to a specific value. 
     The wing deployment mechanism may include one or several wings, which can be elongate members. The one or several wings can be pivotally attached to the power adapter and be movable between the first, undeployed position and the second, deployed position. In some embodiments, the wings can be configured for use in retaining a cable of the power adapter such as, for example, and outlet power cable. In some embodiments, for example, the wings can be configured for use in managing and/or organizing the cable of the power adapter when the power adapter is not in use. 
     In some embodiments, one of the one or several wings can interact with a spring which can apply a restorative force to the one of the one or several wings when the wing is in the first or second position. This force biases the wing towards either the first or second position when the wing is intermediately located between the first and second positions. In some embodiments, for example, the spring can provide a first force in a first direction, and after a toggle point has been passed, provide a second force in a second direction. In some embodiments, the combination of the spring and the surface of the wing with which the spring interacts can generate a first torque in a first direction, and after a toggle point has been passed, provide a second torque in a second direction. In some embodiments, the first force, the second force, the first torque, and/or the second torque can be constant or variable. In some embodiments, the magnitude of the first force and the second force and/or the magnitude of the first torque and the second torque can be equal or different. In some embodiments, for example, the direction of the first force and the second force and/or the direction of the first torque and the second torque can be opposite. 
     The toggle point can be located at any desired intermediate position between the first position and the second position, and can, in some embodiments, be located at a midpoint between the first and second positions. In some embodiments, for example, in which the movement between the first and second position is through 90 degrees, the toggle point can be located at 45 degrees, between 40 and 50 degrees, between 35 and 55 degrees, between 30 and 60 degrees, and/or at any other or intermediate position. The spring can include a portion that deflects when the wing is moved from the first position to the second position. In some embodiments, the spring can be positioned relative to the pivot point of the wing so as to minimize torque variations during the movement of the wing between the first and the second positions, so that the deflected portion of the spring does not contact other components of the wing deployment mechanism, and/or so that the toggle point, the point, including the range, at which direction of the bias force applied by the spring to the wing changes from towards one of the first and second positions to towards the other of the first and second positions is located at approximately the midpoint between the first and second positions. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of one embodiment of a power adapter  100  is shown. As discussed above, power adapter  100  can supply electric power to an electrical load, and specifically to a mobile device. Power adapter  100  may include a variety of shapes and sizes and can be made from a variety of materials. In some embodiments, power adapter  100  may include a variety of components configured to, for example, control the voltage and/or current output of power adapter  100 , and/or convert received electrical energy from, for example, alternating current to direct current. 
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , power adapter  100  includes a housing  102 . Housing  102  contains and/or protects some and/or all of the components of power adapter  100 . In some embodiments, housing  102  can, alone and/or in combination with other components of power adapter  100 , define the volume in which some and/or all of the components of power adapter  100  are retained. Housing  102  may include a variety of shapes and sizes and can be made from a variety of materials. Housing  102  depicted in  FIG. 1  includes a rectangular prism and is made from plastic. 
     Housing  102  of power adapter  100  includes a first surface  104  and a second surface  106 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , first and second surfaces  104 ,  106  are sides of housing  102 . First and second surfaces  104 ,  106  intersect each other at a corner  108 . In some embodiments, corner  108  may include any desired angle, and corner  108  depicted in  FIG. 1  includes an approximately 90° angle, which can include angles within 45°, 25°, 15°, or 5° of 90°. 
     Power adapter  100  depicted in  FIG. 1  further includes a wing  110 , and specifically includes two wings  110 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , one of wings  110  is in the first, undeployed position and the other of wings  110  is in the second, deployed position. Wing  110  may include an elongate member that can be pivotally connected with housing  102  of power adapter  100  so as to allow wing  110  to move between the first and second positions. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , wing  110  includes a bent elongate element having portions extending in perpendicular directions. Advantageously, in some embodiments, the angle between the portions of the wing can correspond to the angle of corner  108  and the position of the pivotable connection between wing  110  and housing  102  can be configured so that wing  110  can extend around corner  108  when wing  110  is in the first, undeployed position. 
     Housing  102  can include a receiving depression  112 . Receiving depression  112  can be sized and shaped to receive wing  110 , and specifically sized and shaped to receive wing  110  so that portions of wing  110  are flush with first and second surfaces  104 ,  106  of housing  102  when wing  110  is in the first, undeployed position. In some embodiments, receiving depression  112  may include a free end  114  and a pivot end  116  and can be bounded by a sidewall  118 . In some embodiments, sidewall  118  may include a pivot receptacle  120  located proximate to pivot end  116  of receiving depression  112 . Pivot receptacle  120  can be configured to receive a mating pivot (not shown) located on wing  110 . 
     In some embodiments, power adapter  100  may include a power output  122 . Power output  122  may include a cable configured to carry power from power adapter  100  to the mobile device. In some embodiments, power output  122  can be located between wings  110 , and can be configured to be stored by wrapping power output  122  around wings  110  when wings  110  are in the second, deployed position. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of one embodiment of wing  110  is shown. Wing  110  may include a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be made from a variety of materials. Wing  110  may include a top  200  and bottom  202 , and in some embodiments, for example, wing  110  may include a first portion  204 , also referred to herein as a free portion, a free end  206 , a second portion  208 , also referred to herein as a cam portion and/or a pivot portion, and a pivot end  210 , also referred to herein as a cam end. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , first portion  204  extends in a first direction and second portion  208  extends in a second direction that is nonparallel to the first direction. As further seen in  FIG. 2 , first portion  204  and second portion  208  intersect and define a wing corner  212 . In some embodiments, the angle subtended by the intersection of first portion  204  and second portion  208  can match and/or correspond to the angle subtended by the intersection of first surface  104  and second surface  106  of housing  102 . Advantageously, in such an embodiment top  200  of wing  110  is flush with first and second surfaces  104 ,  106  on housing  102 , and specifically top  200  of first portion  204  is flush with first surface  104  of housing  102  and top  200  of second portion  208  is flush with second surface  106  of housing  102 , when wing  110  is in the first, undeployed position. 
     In some embodiments, wing  110  can include a variety of features located at and/or proximate to pivot end  210  of wing  110 . In some embodiments, wing  110  can include a cam  214 . In some embodiments, cam  214  can be configured to interact with a spring (e.g., spring  300  shown in  FIG. 3 ) to facilitate the transfer of force from spring  300  to wing  110 , which force facilitates retention of wing  110  in the first and second positions and biases wing  110  towards one of the first and second positions when wing  110  is intermediately located between the first and second positions. In some embodiments, and as specifically depicted in  FIG. 2 , cam  214  may include a half cylinder that is tangent with one or both of top  200  and bottom  202  of wing  110 . As further seen in some embodiments, cam  214  may include two portions separated by a control opening  216 . In some embodiments in which wing  110  is created by, for example, injection molding, control opening  216  can be created by the removal of sprue and/or runner material and can facilitate proper operation of cam  214 . 
     As further seen, in  FIG. 2 , pivot end  210  of wing  110  can include a pivot  218  that laterally extends from between top  200  and bottom  202  of wing  110 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , pivot  218  includes a cylindrical protrusion that can be sized and shaped to be received within pivot receptacle  120  of housing  102 . 
     In some embodiments, wing  110  can include a stop  220  located at pivot end  210 . In some embodiments, stop  220  can be configured to interact with features of power adapter  100  including, for example, features of housing  102  to limit the movement of wing  110 , and specifically, to limit the movement of wing  110  past one or both of the first and second positions. In the specific embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , stop  220  can be configured to interact with a component of power adapter  100  including, for example, a feature and/or component of housing  102  to stop wing  110  from moving past the second, deployed position. 
     Stop  220  may include a variety of shapes and sizes. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , stop  220  includes a flat face proximate to bottom  202  of wing  110 , which flat face can be configured to abut one or several features of power adapter  100  and/or of housing  102  to stop the movement of wing  110 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of one embodiment of spring  300  is shown. Spring  300  can be configured to bias wing  110  towards one of the first and second positions based on the location of wing  110 . Spring  300  may include a variety of shapes and sizes and can be made from a variety of materials. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , spring  300  includes a fixation portion  302 , also referred to herein as a first portion and a fixed end  304  located at the end of spring  300  proximate to fixation portion  302 . In some embodiments, spring  300  further includes a contacting portion  306 , also referred to herein as a second portion, and a biasing end  308  located at the end of spring  300  proximate to contacting portion  306 . As also depicted in  FIG. 3 , fixation portion  302  of spring  300  can, in some embodiments, be connected with contacting portion  306  via a connecting portion  310 . 
     Fixation portion  302  of spring  300  can be configured for affixation to a portion of power adapter  100 . In some embodiments, fixation portion  302  may include a substantially planar member that can include one or several affixation features  312 . These affixation features  312  can include, for example, one or several holes extending through fixation portion  302 . In some embodiments, these features can be configured to receive a fixing component such as, for example, a post, rivet, a screw, a bolt, an adhesive, or any other component or feature that can fix the position of spring  300 . 
     Contacting portion  306  can be configured to engage with cam  214  of wing  110  to apply a biasing force to wing  110 . In some embodiments, contacting portion  306  may include a substantially planar member that can be sized and shaped to fit between stops  220  of wing  110  and engage with cams  214  located between stops  220 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 4 , a side view of one embodiment of spring  300  is shown. As seen in  FIG. 4 , spring  300  includes a fixed end  304 , a fixation portion  302 , a connecting portion  310 , a contacting portion  306 , and a biasing end  308 . As also seen in  FIG. 4 , each of fixation portion  302 , contacting portion  306 , and connecting portion  310  comprise substantially planar members which extend in nonparallel directions. Thus, fixation portion  302  and connecting portion  310  intersect and form a deflection corner  314 . Deflection corner  314  may include an angle that can correspond to the angle of corner  108  of housing  102  and/or to the angle of wing corner  212 . In some embodiments, and although the angle of deflection corner  314  corresponds to the angle of corner  108  of housing  102  and to the angle of wing corner  212 , the radius of curvature of deflection corner  314  can be different than the radius of curvature of one or both of corner  108  of housing  102  and wing corner  212 . In one specific embodiment, for example, the radius of curvature of deflection corner  314  is smaller than the radius of curvature of corner  108  of housing  102  and smaller than the radius of curvature of wing corner  212 . In some embodiments, the angle and the radius of curvature of deflection corner  314  can be configured so that fixation portion  302  of spring  300  can extend parallel to first surface  104  of housing  102  and connecting portion  310  can extend parallel to second surface  106  of housing  102  when spring  300  is attached to housing  102  and undeflected. 
     As further seen in  FIG. 4 , connecting portion  310  and contacting portion  306  intersect and form a bias corner  316 . The angle and radius of curvature of bias corner  316  can be configured such that contacting portion  306  of spring  300  achieves and maintains a desired level of contact with cams  214  when wing  110  is in the first position, the second position or any intermediate location between the first and second positions. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of one embodiment of a bias system  500  is shown. Bias system  500  may include spring  300  and spring cover  502 , and can be configured for connection with housing  102  so as to enable the application of a biasing force from spring  300  to wing  110  via cams  214  of wing  110 . 
     Spring cover  502  can be configured to affix spring  300 , to be affixed to housing  102 , to define a retention space for spring  300  in cooperation with housing  102 , and to abut portions of wing  110  when wing  110  is in the first and/or second positions. Spring cover  502  may include a variety of shapes and sizes and can be made from a variety of materials. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 , spring cover  502  includes a securement portion  504  extending in a first direction and retention portion  506  extending in a second direction. In some embodiments, securement portion  504  and retention portion  506  can intersect to create a cover corner  508 . Cover corner  508  may include an angle that can correspond to the angle of corner  108  of housing  102 , to the angle of wing corner  212 , and/or to the angle of deflection corner  314 . In some embodiments, although the angle of cover corner  508  corresponds to the angle of corner  108  of housing  102 , to the angle of wing corner  212 , and/or to the angle of deflection corner  314  of spring  300 , the radius of curvature of cover corner  508  can be the same and/or different than the radius of curvature of one, some, or all of corner  108  of housing  102 , wing corner  212 , and/or deflection corner  314 . In one specific embodiment, for example, the radius of curvature of cover corner  508  can be smaller than the radius of curvature of corner  108  of housing  102  and approximate the radius of curvature of bottom  202  of wing corner  212 . 
     As further seen in  FIG. 5 , spring cover  502  can include a securement depression  510 . Securement depression  510  may include a recessed area within securement portion  504  of spring cover  502  that can be sized and shaped to receive fixation portion  302  of spring  300 . In some embodiments, securement depression  510  can have a depth that is greater than the thickness of spring  300 , and specifically that is greater than the thickness of fixation portion  302  of spring  300 . 
     As further seen in  FIG. 5 , securement portion  504  of spring cover  502  can include a securement feature  512 . Securement feature  512  may include any feature configured to interact with a portion of spring  300  to thereby affix and/or secure spring  300  to spring cover  502 . In some embodiments, securement feature  512  can include a feature and/or substance that is applied to securement portion  504  of spring cover  502  to affix and/or secure spring  300  to securement portion  504  such as, for example, an adhesive. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 , securement feature  512  can be configured to interact with affixation features  312  of spring  300  to thereby secure spring  300 , and specifically to secure fixation portion  302  of spring  300  to securement portion  504  of spring cover  502 . 
     Spring cover  502  can include a retention end  514 . Retention end  514  can be the terminating end of spring cover  502  proximate to retention portion  506  of spring cover  502 . In some embodiments, spring  300  can be positioned with respect to spring cover  502  such that bias corner  316  results in a portion of contacting portion  306  of spring  300  extending from one side of spring cover  502  to the other side of spring cover  502  as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 6 , a side, section view of one embodiment of bias system  500  is shown. As seen in  FIG. 6 , fixation end  302  of spring  300  abuts securement portion  504  of spring cover  502 . As further seen in  FIG. 6 , deflection corner  314  is positioned within cover corner  508 , but the different radius of curvature of deflection corner  314  as compared to cover corner  508  results in the creation of a retention gap  516  between connecting portion  310  of spring  300  and retention portion  506  of spring cover  502 . As further seen in  FIG. 6 , connecting portion  310  can extend past retention end  514  of spring cover  502 , and contacting portion  306  can extend across retention gap  516  and from one side of spring cover  502  to the other side of spring cover  502 , and specifically from one side of retention portion  506  of spring cover  502  to the other side of retention portion  506  of spring cover  502 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 7 , a partial-section view of the wing deployment mechanism found in adapter  100  with wing  110  in an undeployed configuration is shown. As seen in  FIG. 7 , power adapter  100  includes housing  102 , including first and second surfaces  104 ,  106  that intersect in corner  108 . Housing  102  further includes receiving depression  112  that is sized and shaped to receive wing  110  when in the first position. Receiving depression  112  includes free end  114  and pivot end  116 , and is bounded by sidewall  118  and a substrate  700 . Substrate  700  can be a component of housing  102 , and can form the bottommost boundary of receiving depression  112 . 
     Substrate  700  can have a substrate fixation surface  702  that can, in connection with spring cover  502  fix the position of fixation portion  302  of spring  300 , and a substrate pivot surface  704  that in connection with retention portion  506  of spring cover  502  defines a retention space  706 , which retention space  706  includes retention gap  516 , that retains the portion of spring  300  located between biasing end  308  and deflection corner  314  when wing  110  is in the first position, the second position, and/or is moved between the first and second positions. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7 , retention space  706  retains connecting portion  310  of spring  300 . As seen in  FIG. 7 , retention space  706  is sized and shaped so that contacting portion  306  and connecting portion  310  of spring  300  do not contact either retention portion  506  of spring cover  502  or substrate pivot surface  704  when wing  110  is in the second, deployed position. 
     Substrate fixation surface  702  and substrate pivot surface  704  intersect and create a substrate corner  705 . Substrate corner  705  may include an angle that can correspond to the angle of corner  108  of housing  102 , to the angle of the deflection corner  314 , and/or to the angle of wing corner  212 . In some embodiments, although the angle of substrate corner  705  corresponds to the angle of corner  108  of housing  102 , to the angle of deflection corner  314 , and/or to the angle of wing corner  212 , the radius of curvature of substrate corner  705  can be different than the radius of curvature of those corners  108 ,  212 ,  314 . In one embodiment, for example, the radius of curvature of substrate corner  705  is smaller than the radius of curvature of corner  108  of housing  102 , smaller than the radius of curvature of wing corner  212 , and smaller than the radius of curvature of deflection corner  314 . 
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 7 , wing  110  is in the first, undeployed position. In this position, first portion  204  of wing  110  is parallel to substrate fixation surface  702  and is perpendicular to second surface  106 , and cam portion  208  of wing  110  is parallel to second surface  106  and perpendicular to substrate fixation surface  702 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 7 , spring  300  contacts wing  110  via cam  214 , and specifically, contacting portion  306  of spring  300  contacts cam  214  and thereby applies a force to wing  110 . In some embodiments, this force can be a restorative force that induces a torque and can facilitate the retention of wing  110  in the first position. As further seen in  FIG. 7 , the movement of wing  110  past the first position is limited and/or restrained by the contacting of wing surfaces proximate to free end  206  of wing  110  with portions of spring cover  502 . As further seen in  FIG. 7 , top  200  of first portion  204  of wing  110  is flush with first surface  104  of housing  102 , and top  200  of cam portion  208  is flush with second surface  106  of housing  102  when wing  110  is in the first undeployed position. 
     In some embodiments, power adapter  100  can include a damper  708  that can damp the impact of stop  220  against the portion of housing  102  of power adapter  100  when wing  110  is moved to the second, deployed position. In some embodiments, this damper may include, for example, an elastic material such as, for example, rubber or silicon, and in some embodiments, this damper may include a viscous material such as, for example, grease, and/or a viscoelastic material such as, for example, memory foam. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 8 , a partial-section view of one embodiment of the wing deployment mechanism found in power adapter  100  with wing  110  in the second, deployed configuration is shown. As seen in  FIG. 8 , power adapter  100  includes housing  102 , which housing further includes first and second surfaces  104 ,  106  which together define corner  108  of housing  102 . Housing  102  further includes a receiving depression  112  that is sized and shaped to receive wing  110  and that has, in  FIG. 8 , received wing  110 . Receiving depression  112  is defined by sidewall  118  and substrate  700  that includes substrate fixation surface  702  and substrate pivot surface  704 , which surfaces  702 ,  704  together create substrate corner  705 . 
     In some embodiments, and as seen in  FIG. 8 , substrate pivot surface  704  can include a clearance depression  708  which can be positioned relative to spring  300  such that bias corner  316 , portions of contacting portion  306 , and portions of connecting portion  310  have greater clearance with substrate pivot surface  704 . Advantageously, clearance depression  708  can facilitate allowing wing  110  to be moved from a first position to a second position without portions of spring  300  located between deflection corner  314  and biasing end  308  contacting substrate pivot surface  704 . 
     Bias system  500  is placed within receiving depression  112  of housing  102 . This includes spring  300  and spring cover  502 . Spring cover  502  includes securement portion  504  that, with securement feature  512 , secures spring  300 . Spring cover  502  further includes retention portion  506  which, together with substrate pivot surface  704  defines retention space  706 . In some embodiments, retention space  706  can extend from substrate corner  705  to retention end  514  of spring cover  502  and/or to pivot end  116  of receiving depression  112 , and in some embodiments retention space  706  can extend from the start of deflection corner  314  proximate to fixation portion  302  to retention end  514  of spring cover  502  and/or to pivot end  116  of receiving depression  112 . 
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 8 , wing  110  is in the second, deployed position. In this position, first portion  204  of wing  110  is perpendicular to substrate fixation surface  702  and is parallel to second surface  106 , and cam portion  208  of wing  110  is perpendicular to second surface  106  and parallel to substrate fixation surface  702 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 8 , spring  300  contacts wing  110  via cam  214 , and specifically, contacting portion  306  of spring  300  contacts cam  214  and thereby applies a force to wing  110  which in turn creates a torque to keep the wing in the open, deployed position. In some embodiments, this force can be a restorative force that can facilitate the retention of wing  110  in the second position. As further seen in  FIG. 8 , the movement of wing  110  past the second position is limited and/or restrained by the contacting of stop  220  with a portion of housing  102  of power adapter  100 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 9 , a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process  900  for manufacturing a wing deployment mechanism is shown. In some embodiments, the wing deployment mechanism may include housing  102 , wing  110 , spring  300 , and spring cover  502 . In some embodiments, the wing deployment mechanism can be configured to stably retain wing  110  in a first, undeployed position and in a second, deployed position. 
     Process  900  begins in block  902  wherein the components of the wing deployment mechanism are collected. In some embodiments, for example, this can include collecting and/or selecting a housing  102  as described above, a wing  110  as described above, a spring  300  as described above, and/or a spring cover  502  as described above. In one specific embodiment, this can include selecting a spring including a fixation portion  302  that extends in a first direction and another portion, including one or both of contacting portion  306  and connecting portion  310 , that extends in a second direction relative to fixation portion  302 . 
     After the components of the wing deployment mechanism have been collected, process  900  proceeds to block  904  wherein spring  300  is affixed to housing  102 . In some embodiments, for example, this can include affixing fixation portion  302  of spring  300  to substrate fixation surface  702  of housing  102 . In some embodiments, the affixing of spring  300  to housing  102  can include affixing spring  300  to spring cover  502 , and specifically, affixing fixation portion  302  of spring  300  to securement portion  504  of spring cover  502  via affixation features  312  of spring  300  and securement feature  512  of spring cover  502 , and subsequently affixing spring cover  502  to housing  102 . 
     After spring  300  has been affixed to housing  102 , process  900  proceeds to block  906  wherein spring  300  is deflected. In some embodiments, for example, spring  300  can be deflected by the interaction of wing  110  with spring  300 , and in some embodiments, spring  300  can be deflected in preparation for the attachment of wing  110  to housing  102 . 
     After spring has been deflected, process  900  proceeds to block  908  wherein wing  110  is attached to housing  102 . In some embodiments, for example, wing  110  can be attached to housing  102  by pivotally connecting wing  110  to housing  102 , and in some embodiments, wing  110  can be attached to housing  102  by the insertion of pivot  218  into pivot receptacle  120  of housing  102 . In some embodiments, steps  908  and  906  can be concurrently performed in that the attachment of wing  110  to housing  102  can simultaneously result in the deflection of spring  300 , and in some embodiments, steps  908  and  906  can be serially performed. 
     In some embodiments, the attaching of wing  110  to housing  102  can further include providing a damper  708  configured to damp the impact between stop  220  in housing  102 . As discussed above, in some embodiments, damper  708  may include an elastic member and/or material and/or a viscous member and/or material. 
     The above description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20130612
Publication Date: 20141230
Grant Date: 20141230
Priority Date: 20130612
Inventors: ANDRE BARTLEY K.
VILLARREAL CESAR LOZANO
STRINGER CHRISTOPHER J.
SILVANTO MIKAEL M.
MARIANO RICARDO A.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/72", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16C11/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16C11/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T403/32614", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T403/32614", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/0042", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/4984", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/4984", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/0042", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 52019593