PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-12013737-B2
Application Number: US-202217832665-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Power allocation in multi-port power adapters

Abstract:
Power adapters having a small-form factor, are capable of delivering a large amount of power, are capable of charging multiple electronic devices, and are capable power between the multiple electronic devices in an efficient manner.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of allocating power at ports of a power adapter, the method comprising:
 detecting a connection of a first electronic device at a first port of the power adapter; 
 detecting a connection of a second electronic device at a second port of the power adapter; 
 determining that the first electronic device does not include an internal battery and requests a first amount of power that is greater than one-half a maximum amount of power that can be provided by the power adapter; 
 determining that the second electronic device does not include an internal battery and requests a second amount of power that is greater than one-half the maximum amount of power that can be provided by the power adapter; 
 determining that the first electronic device was connected to the power adapter before the second electronic device; 
 responsive to the determination that the first electronic device was connected to the power adapter before the second electronic device, providing the first amount of power to the first electronic device; and 
 providing a third amount of power to the second electronic device, the third amount of power less than the second amount of power. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the requested first amount of power is equal to the requested second amount of power. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the requested first amount of power is different than the requested second amount of power. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the third amount of power is set by a standard. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 detecting a connection of a third electronic device at the first port of the power adapter; 
 detecting a connection of a fourth electronic device at the second port of the power adapter; 
 determining that the third electronic device does not have an internal battery; 
 determining that the fourth electronic device has an internal battery; 
 receiving a request from the third electronic device to be provided with a fourth amount of power; 
 receiving a request from the fourth electronic device to be charged with a fifth amount of power, wherein the sum of the fourth amount of power and the fifth amount of power is greater than a maximum amount of power that can be provided by the power adapter; 
 providing a sixth amount of power equal to the maximum amount of power less a seventh amount of power to the third electronic device; and 
 providing the seventh amount of power to the fourth electronic device. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  wherein the seventh amount of power is set by a standard. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 5  wherein when the sum of the fourth amount of power and the seventh amount of power is equal to or less than the maximum amount of power, then the sixth amount of power is equal to the fourth amount of power. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5  wherein the first port comprises a first Universal-Serial Bus Type-C connector receptacle and the second port comprises a second Universal-Serial Bus Type-C connector receptacle. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 detecting a connection of a third electronic device at the first port of the power adapter; 
 detecting a connection of a fourth electronic device at the second port of the power adapter; 
 determining that the third electronic device does not include an internal battery and requests a fourth amount of power that is greater than one-half a maximum amount of power that can be provided by the power adapter; 
 determining that the fourth electronic device does not include an internal battery and requests a fifth amount of power that is greater than one-half the maximum amount of power that can be provided by the power adapter; 
 if the power adapter can determine whether the third electronic device or the fourth electronic device was the initial electronic device to be connected to the power adapter, then responsive to the power adapter determining whether the third electronic device or the fourth electronic device was the initial electronic device connected to the power adapter, the power adapter provides the power requested by the initial electronic device to the initial electronic device, and the power adapter provides a sixth amount of power to the electronic device that was subsequently connected to the power adapter, wherein the sixth amount of power is less than the fourth amount of power and the sixth amount of power is less than the fifth amount of power; and 
 if the power adapter cannot determine whether the third electronic device or the fourth electronic device was initially connected to the power adapter, then responsive to the power adapter not determining whether the third electronic device or the fourth electronic device was initially connected to the power adapter, the power adapter provides the fourth amount of power to the third electronic device at the first port, and the power adapter provides a seventh amount of power to the fourth electronic device at the second port, wherein the seventh amount of power is less than the fifth amount of power. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  wherein the first port comprises a first Universal-Serial Bus Type-C connector receptacle and the second port comprises a second Universal-Serial Bus Type-C connector receptacle. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9  wherein the requested fourth amount of power is equal to the requested fifth amount of power. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 9  wherein the requested fourth amount of power is different than the requested fifth amount of power. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 9  wherein the sixth amount of power and the seventh amount of power are equal amounts of power. 
     
     
       14. A power adapter comprising:
 a first port; 
 a second port; and 
 circuitry configured to: 
 detect a connection of a first electronic device at a first port of the power adapter; 
 detect a connection of a second electronic device at a second port of the power adapter; 
 detect that the first electronic device does not include an internal battery and requests a first amount of power that is greater than one-half a maximum amount of power that can be provided by the power adapter; 
 determine that the second electronic device does not include an internal battery and requests a second amount of power that is greater than one-half the maximum amount of power that can be provided by the power adapter; 
 if the power adapter can determine whether the first electronic device or the second electronic device was the initial electronic device connected to the power adapter, then responsive to the power adapter determining whether the first electronic device or the second electronic device was the initial electronic device connected to the power adapter, the power adapter provides the power requested by the initial electronic device to the initial electronic device, and the power adapter provides a third amount of power to the electronic device that was subsequently connected to the power adapter, the third amount of power equal to the maximum amount of power less the amount of power provided to the electronic device that was the the initial electronic device connected to the power adapter; and 
 if the power adapter cannot determine whether the first electronic device or the second electronic device was the initial electronic device connected to the power adapter, then responsive to the power adapter not determining whether the first electronic device or the second electronic device was initially connected to the power adapter, the power adapter provides the first amount of power to the first electronic device at the first port, and the power adapter provides a fourth amount of power to the second electronic device at the second port, the fourth amount of power less than the second amount of power. 
 
     
     
       15. The power adapter of  claim 14  wherein the requested first amount of power is equal to the requested second amount of power. 
     
     
       16. The power adapter of  claim 14  wherein the circuitry is further configured to:
 detect a connection of a third electronic device at the first port of the power adapter; 
 detect a connection of a fourth electronic device at the second port of the power adapter; 
 detect that the third electronic device does not have an internal battery; 
 detect that the fourth electronic device has an internal battery; 
 receive a request from the third electronic device to be provided with a fourth amount of power; 
 receive a request from the fourth electronic device to be charged with a fifth amount of power, wherein the sum of the fourth amount of power and the fifth amount of power is greater than a maximum amount of power that can be provided by the power adapter; 
 provide a sixth amount of power equal to the maximum amount of power less a seventh amount of power to the third electronic device; and 
 provide the seventh amount of power to the fourth electronic device. 
 
     
     
       17. The power adapter of  claim 16  wherein the requested fourth amount of power is equal to the requested fifth amount of power. 
     
     
       18. A power adapter comprising:
 a first port; 
 a second port; and 
 circuitry configured to: 
 detect a connection of a first electronic device at a first port of the power adapter; 
 detect a connection of a second electronic device at a second port of the power adapter; 
 determine that the first electronic device does not include an internal battery and requests a first amount of power that is greater than one-half a maximum amount of power that can be provided by the power adapter; 
 determine that the second electronic device does not include an internal battery and requests a second amount of power that is greater than one-half the maximum amount of power that can be provided by the power adapter; 
 determine that the first electronic device was connected to the power adapter before the second electronic device; 
 responsive to the determination that the first electronic device was connected to the power adapter before the second electronic device, provide the first amount of power to the first electronic device; and 
 provide a third amount of power to the second electronic device, the third amount of power less than the second amount of power. 
 
     
     
       19. The power adapter of  claim 18  wherein the requested first amount of power is equal to the requested second amount of power. 
     
     
       20. The power adapter of  claim 19  wherein the third amount of power is set by a standard.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/248,309, filed Sep. 24, 2021, which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The number of types of electronic devices that are commercially available has increased tremendously the past few years and the rate of introduction of new devices shows no signs of abating. Devices such as tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers, all-in-one computers, cell phones, storage devices, wearable-computing devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors and other display devices, power adapters, and others, have become ubiquitous. 
     Many of these are portable devices that have an internal battery that allows users the freedom to carry and use them wherever they go. The internal batteries in these portable devices can be charged through a cable connected to a power adapter, which can convert AC power at a wall outlet to DC power that can be used by the portable device to charge its internal batteries. 
     Users often need to take these power adapters with them, particularly when traveling or spending an extensive time away. For this and other reasons, it can be desirable that these power adapters have a small form factor. But some of these portable electronic devices can have large internal batteries, and users might want to charge these batteries quickly. For example, they might have only a limited time to access a wall outlet before needing to leave. Accordingly, it can be desirable that these power adapters be able to provide a great deal of power despite their limited size. 
     Users also often have more than one device that needs to be charged. For example, they might want to work on a laptop while charging a phone. Accordingly, it can be desirable that a power adapter be able to charge more than one device at a time. But in some circumstances, one device might need more power than another device being simultaneously charged. Therefore, it can be desirable that a power adapter be able to allocate power between the multiple electronic devices in an efficient manner. 
     Thus, what is needed are power adapters having a small form factor, are capable of delivering a large amount of power, can charge multiple electronic devices, and can allocate power among the multiple electronic devices in an efficient manner. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can provide power adapters having a small form factor, are capable of delivering a large amount of power, can charge multiple electronic devices, and can allocate power among the multiple electronic devices in an efficient manner. 
     An illustrative embodiment of the present invention can provide power adapters having small form factor. The small form factor can be achieved by including space-efficient structures that can provide a large amount of functionality in a small volume. A power adapter can have an enclosure with first openings for power prongs, a second opening for a first connector receptacle, and a third opening for a second connector receptacle. The power adapter can include an alignment adapter that is electromagnetically located between the power prongs and the first connector receptacle and between the power prongs and the second connector receptacle. That is, the alignment adapter can be located in the pathway from the power prongs, which receive AC power, through a transformer that converts the AC power to DC power, to the connector receptacles. The alignment adapter can include a compensating feature to allow each of the power prongs to be aligned with corresponding first openings, the first connector receptacle to be aligned with the second opening, and the second connector receptacle to be aligned with the third opening. These power adapters can include additional alignment features that can help to independently align each of the power prongs to internal connections when the power adapter enclosure is assembled. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the alignment adapter can be a flexible interposer. The flexible interposer can include a number of contacts having a first end for electrically connecting to a first board and a second end for electrically connecting to a second board. The compensating feature of the alignment adapter can include a first angled portion and a second angled portion on each of the number of contacts, where the first angled portion can form a first acute angle and the second angled portion can form a second acute angle. This configuration for the contacts can provide a flexible interposer that can absorb manufacturing tolerances with a small internal structure. 
     An alignment adapter such as a flexible interposer can provide additional advantages. For example, the flexible interposer can absorb energy from a physical shock or impact that can be caused by the power adapter being dropped. As an example, since the flexible interposer has an amount of compliance, a shock applied to a connector receptacle can cause a temporary flexing or displacement of the first board relative to the second board. The flexible interposer can absorb this shock, thereby protecting the first board, the second board, and the connection between them, including the flexible interposer itself. Also, the alignment adapter can replace conventional wired connections that can be difficult to implement during assembly, can result in wires being pinched between components, and can consume space inside the power adapter. Instead, a somewhat rigid structure that can simplify assembly of the power adapter can be used. Even though it can be a somewhat rigid structure, the flexible interposer can have a compliance or flexibility. Using a flexible interposer can simplify assembly while providing the compliance necessary to allow proper alignment of the power prongs and connector receptacles to openings of the power adapter and to be able to absorb physical shock to the power adapter. 
     The additional alignment features that are used to ensure a connection between the power prongs and internal connections when the power adapter enclosure is assembled can also provide additional advantages. Similar to the alignment adapter, the additional alignment features can have a compliance that can absorb energy from a physical shock, such as when the power adapter is kicked when plugged into a wall outlet. This compliance can give the additional alignment features the ability to absorb energy without breaking internal connections to the power prongs. Also, the additional alignment features can replace conventional wired connections that can be difficult to implement during assembly. Instead, a somewhat rigid structure that can simplify assembly of the power adapter can be used. Even though it can be a somewhat rigid structure, the additional alignment features can have a compliance or flexibility. Using these additional alignment features can simplify assembly while providing the compliance necessary to allow proper alignment of the power prongs to internal connections when the power adapter enclosure is assembled and to be able to absorb physical shock to the power adapter. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide an enclosure for an electronic device, where the enclosure includes a top portion having an outer edge. The top portion can include a top surface and a number of snaps, where each snap extends from the top surface. The enclosure can also include a sidewall to fit with the outer edge of the top surface. The sidewall can have an inner surface with a number of hoops along the inner surface. Each hoop can be substantially parallel to and separate from the inner surface of the sidewall. Each snap can be positioned and shaped to fit in a corresponding hoop. Each snap can include a tab at a second end of the snap away from the top portion of the enclosure. During assembly, each tab can enter a top of a corresponding hoop and emerge from a bottom of the hoop as the top portion and the sidewall of the enclosure are joined. The tab can help to keep the snap in place in the hoop. The enclosure can further include a bottom portion including a bottom surface and the sidewall, wherein the top portion and the bottom portion at least substantially enclose the electronic device. 
     This hoop and snap configuration can help to secure the top portion of the enclosure to the bottom portion of the enclosure. The hoops and snaps can also provide reinforcement for the enclosure. Additional measures can be implemented to further bolster the enclosure. For example, the first connector receptacle can include a first tab and a second tab and the second connector receptacle can include a third tab and a fourth tab. The first tab, the second tab, the third tab, and the fourth tab can be positioned against an inside surface of the enclosure to provide reinforcement for the enclosure. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the power prongs can be fixed to the top portion of the enclosure, while the first connector receptacle and second connector receptacle can be fixed to the bottom portion of the enclosure. During assembly, as the snaps of the top portion of the enclosure are inserted into the hoops of the bottom enclosure, connections between the power prongs and other internal circuits and components can be formed. For example, a power adapter can include an enclosure comprising a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion can have a bottom surface and a sidewall extending from the bottom surface to the top portion. A board in the enclosure can be parallel to the bottom surface, the board having a bottom side facing the bottom surface of the bottom portion of the enclosure. A header can be located on the top side of the board and can support a number of first terminals on a bottom side of the header and attached to a top side of the board. A second terminal can be attached to a top side of the header. A first spring contact can connect to a first power prong at a first end and can extend to a second end that can connect to the second terminal. A third terminal can be attached to a top side of the header. A second spring contact can connect to a second power prong at a first end and can extend to a second end that can connect to the third terminal. 
     During assembly, when the top portion of the enclosure is mated with the bottom portion of the enclosure, the second end of the first spring contact can physically and electrically connect to the second terminal, while the second end of the second spring contact can physically and electrically connect to the third terminal. The second end of the first spring contact and the second terminal can be configured such that during assembly, when the top portion of the enclosure is mated with the bottom portion of the enclosure, the second end of the first spring contact physically and electrically connects to the second terminal without intervention. The second end of the first spring contact can be formed as a narrowing portion. The second terminal can be formed to have a dove-tailed or funnel opening to accept the narrowing portion of the second end of the first spring contact. The second end of the second spring contact and the third terminal can be similarly configured. 
     During assembly as well as during use, a holder can be used to secure the first spring contact and the second spring contact in place in the top portion of the enclosure. The holder can be held in place using interlocking or retention features in the top portion of the enclosure. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the holder can be formed of a material that can maintain form at high temperatures. The holder can be formed of a nonconductive material such as a thermoplastic that has a high heat-deflection temperature and flammability rating. For example, the holder can be formed of a liquid crystal polymer, polyimide film, polycarbonate film, a thermoset such as a phenolic plastic, or other material. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide support structures that can help to reduce the size of a power adapter and help the power adapter provide a large amount of power. For example, a header can be included, where the header can support a number of components and interconnect lines. The header can connect to the first board through a number of first terminals. The interconnect lines can connect the components, the first terminals, the second terminal, and the third terminal. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide components shaped to efficiently utilize space inside a power adapter. For example, the components can include an inductor comprising windings having a toroid shape. A core can be positioned around the windings. The core can have rectangular cuboid outside surface. A housing supporting a bus-bar can be included. A first end of the bus-bar can be connected to a wire in the windings and the second end of the bus-bar can be a terminal connected to an interconnect line on the header. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a power adapter can provide power to multiple devices connected at multiple connector receptacles. The power adapter can provide a maximum amount of power without overheating. Accordingly, it can be desirable to allocate this maximum power among multiple electronic devices being charged by the power adapter. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, it can be desirable that power be distributed among the connected electronic devices in a consistent manner. For example, the power adapter can provide power to a first electronic device and a second electronic device in a consistent manner independent of an order of connection of the first electronic device and the second electronic device to the power adapter. This is particularly useful when two electronic devices are connected to the power adapter and then the power adapter is plugged into a wall outlet or other power source. 
     When allocating power independently of connection order might not be possible, the power adapter can prioritize power by order of connection to the power adapter. This can be useful where two electronic devices that do not have internal batteries are connected to the power adapter. Since these two electronic devices do not have internal batteries, they might need to be continuously powered by the power adapter for proper operation. The power adapter can allocate one-half the maximum power to each of these electronic devices. However, if the two devices combined require more than the maximum power, then the power adapter can allocate the needed power to the first connected electronic device and provide the second electronic device with enough power to operate in a low-power state. The power adapter can take other factors into account in allocating power among multiple devices. For example, additional power can be directed towards a device that has a low battery level and directed away from a device that has a fully charged battery level. 
     The components of these power adapters can be formed of various materials. For example, the power prongs, contacts, protective covers, tabs, spring contacts, terminals, bus-bars, and their constituent parts and other conductive portions of the power adapters can be formed by drawing, machining, stamping, forging, metal-injection molding, machining, micro-machining, 3-D printing, or other manufacturing process. These conductive portions can be formed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, phosphor bronze, or other material or combination of materials. They can be plated or coated with one or more layers of nickel, palladium, palladium-nickel, gold, or other material or combination of materials. 
     The nonconductive portions, such as the enclosure, housings, header, and their constituent parts and other nonconductive portions can be formed using injection or other molding, 3-D printing, machining, or other manufacturing process. The nonconductive portions can be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon, glass-filled nylon, elastomers, liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), ceramics, or other nonconductive material or combination of materials. The adhesives can be a pressure sensitive adhesive, heat activated film, polyimide film, or other adhesive. The boards can be flexible circuit boards or printed circuit boards and can be formed of FR-4 or other material. 
     Embodiments of the present invention can provide power adapters having connector receptacles that can accept connector inserts that are compliant with various standards such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), USB Type-C, High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt™, Lightning™, Joint Test Action Group (JTAG), test-access-port (TAP), Directed Automated Random Testing (DART), universal asynchronous receiver/transmitters (UARTs), clock signals, power signals, and other types of standard, non-standard, and proprietary interfaces and combinations thereof that have been developed, are being developed, or will be developed in the future. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention can incorporate one or more of these and the other features described herein. A better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention can be gained by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a power adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates portions of a power adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3 A  through  FIG.  3 C  illustrate portions of a flexible interposer according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a flexible interposer according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a portion of a power adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a side view of an alignment adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a portion of an enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a cutaway side view of a portion of an enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a side view of a portion of a power adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a portion of power adapter during assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a portion of a power adapter during assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a portion of a power adapter during assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a portion of an inside surface of an enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  14    illustrates interior components of a power adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  15    illustrates a header that can be used in a power adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  16    illustrates a space-saving transformer for use in a power adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  17    illustrates a portion of the transformer of  FIG.  16   ; 
         FIG.  18    illustrates a portion of the transformer of  FIG.  16   ; and 
         FIG.  19    illustrates a method of allocating power to multiple devices connected to a multiport power adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG.  1    illustrates a power adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure, as with the other included figures, is shown for illustrative purposes and does not limit either the possible embodiments of the present invention or the claims. 
     Power adapter  100  can be housed in enclosure  150  comprising top portion  120  and bottom portion  130 . Bottom portion  130  can include recessed areas  132 , which can be used when inserting power adapter  100  into a wall outlet. Power adapter  100  can include power prongs  110  for receiving power from a wall outlet or other source. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, power prongs  110  can have various shapes for compliance with wall outlets in different regions. Different numbers of power prongs  110  can also be implemented. For example, prongs for power (hot), neutral, and ground can be included. Power prongs  110  can be folded into slots or openings  122  to facilitate conveyance. Power prongs  110  can extend from a top surface  121  as shown for mating with a wall outlet or other power source. Power adapter  100  can include one or more connector receptacles  530  (shown in  FIG.  5   ) at openings  140 . While power adapter  100  is shown as including two connector receptacles  530  and openings  140 , power adapter  100 , and the other power adapters provided by embodiments of the present invention, can provide one, two, three, or more than three connector receptacles  530  and openings  140 . Connector receptacles  530  can be compliant with USB, USB Type-C, or other proprietary or standard connection. Power adapter  100  can receive AC power from an outlet at power prongs  110  and provide DC power to charge multiple devices using multiple connector receptacles  530 . 
     During manufacturing, components and structures internal to power adapter  100  can have various manufacturing tolerances. These manufacturing tolerances can make it difficult to simultaneously align power prongs  110  to openings  122  and connector receptacles  530  to openings  140 . Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can include an alignment adapter. This alignment adapter can be located electromagnetically between power prongs  110  and connector receptacles  530 . That is, the alignment adapter can be located in the pathway from power prongs  110 , which receive AC power, through a transformer that converts the AC power to DC power, to connector receptacles  530 . This alignment adapter can absorb manufacturing tolerances such that power prongs  110  can be aligned to openings  122  and connector receptacles  530  can be aligned to openings  140 . The alignment adapter can replace conventional wired connections with a somewhat rigid structure that can simplify assembly of the power adapter  100 . Even though it can be a somewhat rigid structure, the alignment adapter can have a compliance or flexibility. The alignment adapter can include a compensating feature, where the compensating feature provides flexibility for the alignment adapter. Power adapter  100  can further include additional alignment features that can help to independently align each of the power prongs  110  to internal connections. Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates portions of a power adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. A first board  280  can be electrically connected to a second board  290  through an alignment feature, which in this implementation can be flexible interposer  200 . First board  280  and second board  290  can be flexible circuit boards, printed circuit boards, or other appropriate substrates. Power prongs  110  (shown in  FIG.  1   ) and first board  280  can be fixed in position relative to bottom portion  130  of enclosure  150  for power adapter  100  (shown in  FIG.  1   .) Connector receptacles  530  (shown in  FIG.  5   ) can be fixed in position on second board  290 . Flexible interposer  200  can allow for relative movement between first board  280  and second board  290 . This can allow power prongs  110  and connector receptacle  530  to be aligned their respective openings, openings  122  and openings  140  (shown in  FIG.  1   .) Put another way, first board  280  can be aligned to bottom portion  130  and connector receptacles  530  on second board  290  can align to openings  140 . Flexible interposer  200  can compensate for variations in the relative positions of first board  280  and second board  290 . 
     An alignment adapter such as flexible interposer  200  can provide additional advantages. For example, flexible interposer  200  can absorb energy from a physical shock or impact that can be caused by power adapter  100  being dropped. As an example, by having an amount of compliance, a shock applied to connector receptacles  530  can cause a temporary flexing or displacement of first board  280  relative to second board  290 . The flexible interposer  200  can absorb this shock, thereby protecting first board  280 , second board  290 , and the connection between them, including flexible interposer  200  itself. Additional alignment features shown below can absorb shock, for example at the power prongs. These additional alignment features can also have a compliance that can absorb energy from a physical shock, such as when the power adapter is kicked when plugged into a wall outlet. This compliance can give the additional alignment features the ability to absorb energy without breaking internal connections to the power prongs. Also, flexible interposer  200  can replace conventional wired connections that can be difficult to implement during assembly, can result in wires being pinched between components, and can consume space inside power adapter  100 . Instead, a somewhat rigid structure that can simplify assembly of the power adapter can be used. Even though it can be a somewhat rigid structure, flexible interposer  200  can have a compliance or flexibility. Using flexible interposer  200  can simplify assembly while providing the compliance necessary to allow proper alignment of power prongs  110  to openings  122  and connector receptacles  530  to openings  140  of power adapter  100  and to be able to absorb physical shocks to power adapter  100 . Further details of flexible interposer  200  are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG.  3 A  through  FIG.  3 C  illustrate portions of a flexible interposer according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG.  3 A , contacts  210  can include contact body  214  having first ends  212  and second ends  216 . First ends  212  and second ends  216  can be orthogonal to each other. First ends  212  and second ends  216  can be through-hole contacting portions to fit in openings in first board  280  and second board  290  respectively. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, one or more contacts  210  can include split portions  218 . These split portions  218  can provide some contacts  210  with an increased current carrying capability and reduced impedance. This can be particularly of use for power and ground contacts. By providing split portions  218 , each of the contacts can bend and flex in a similar way during assembly and operation of power adapter  100 . 
       FIG.  3 B  illustrate housings that can be used to secure contacts  210  in place relative to each other. For example, first housing  220  can be located around contacts  210  and near first ends  212  such that first ends  212  extend from first housing  220 . First housing  220  can include posts  222 . Posts  222  can be fit in openings in first board  280 . Second housing  230  can be located around contacts  210  towards second ends  216  such that second ends  216  extend from second housing  230 . 
       FIG.  3 C  illustrates a protective cover  240  that can fit with first housing  220  and second housing  230  to protect flexible interposer  200  during assembly of power adapter  100 . Protective cover  240  can be removed after connection of flexible interposer  200  to first board  280  and second board  290  and before the attachment of top portion  120  to bottom portion  130 . Protective cover  240  can include tabs  241  that can be used to remove protective cover  240  in a way that does not pull first housing  220  towards second housing  230 . For example, a tool can be configured to be aligned with tabs  241  and turned clockwise such that portions of the tool can be positioned between tabs  241  and the rest of protective cover  240 . The tool can then be moved away from the flexible interposer thereby removing protective cover  240 . Protective cover  240  can be removed during assembly before solder reflow, or protective cover  240  can be removed after solder reflow when flexible interposer  200  is soldered to either or both first board  280  or second board  290 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a flexible interposer according to an embodiment of the present invention. Flexible interposer  200  can include contacts  210 . Contacts  210  can be fixed relative to each other by first housing  220  and second housing  230 . Contacts  210  can include first ends  212  extending from a bottom of first housing  220 , and second ends  216  extending from second housing  230 . In this example, first ends  212  and second ends  216  can be through-hole contacting portions. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, some or all of these contact ends can be surface-mount contacting portions (not shown.) First housing  220  can further include posts  222 . Posts  222  can be inserted into openings in first board  280  to secure flexible interposer  200  in place. Contacts  210  can provide high-current and low-resistance path for signals between first board  280  and second board  290 . Flexible interposer  200  can provide a space efficient alignment structure. 
     During assembly and operation, contacts  210  can be bent and twisted. To avoid undesired connections among contacts  210 , contacts  210  can be coated with a nonconductive layer such as an electrophoretic deposition coating, a parylene coating, or other coating. The contacts can be stainless steel, copper, or other material plated with gold, nickel, palladium, or other material. The plating can be kept thin to avoid peeling due to stress on contacts  210 , since the peeled plating material could otherwise cause inadvertent electrical connections. Other layers, such as other insulating or adhesive layers, can be placed on contacts  210  to avoid inadvertent electrical connections. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates a portion of a power adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. Second board  290  can include a number of through-hole contacts  292  and through-hole contacts  294 . Connector receptacles  530  can include tongue  520  for supporting a number of contacts (not shown.) These contacts can terminate in through-hole contacting portions (not shown) on a backside of connector receptacle assembly  500 . These through-hole contacting portions can be inserted into and soldered to through-hole contacts  292  on second board  290 . Second ends  216  of contacts  210  (both shown in  FIG.  4   ) of flexible interposer  200  can be inserted into and soldered to through-hole contacts  294  in second board  290 . 
     Connector receptacle assembly  500  can include tabs  510  and tabs  512 . Tabs  510  and tabs  512  can be positioned against an inside surface of enclosure  150  (shown in  FIG.  1   .) Tabs  510  and tabs  512  can be formed of metal and can help to provide reinforcement for enclosure  150 . This can be particularly useful where excessive force is applied to a connector insert as it is inserted into connector receptacle  530 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a side view of an alignment adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the alignment adapter can be flexible interposer  200 . Flexible interposer  200  can include a number of contacts  210  having contact bodies  214 . Contacts  210  can include first ends  212  for connecting to first board  280 , and second ends  216  for connecting to second board  290 . Flexible interposer  200  can include a compensating feature such that flexible interposer  200  can act as alignment adapter. Specifically, contacts  210  can each include a first angled portion  217  and a second angled portion  219 . The first angled portion  217  can form a first acute angle. The second angled portion  219  can form a second acute angle. By including these two acute angles, flexible interposer  200  can provide a large amount of angular, lateral, and vertical displacement in a small volume to compensate for manufacturing tolerances in components and structures in power adapter  100 . The use of first angled portion  217  and a second angled portion  219  can also provide longer beam lengths for beam portion  215  and beam portion  213 . Longer beam portion  215  and beam portion  213  can absorb additional stress and prevent damage to flexible interposer  200  during assembly and operation. That is, longer beam portion  215  and beam portion  213  have a greater length over which to distribute force and stress. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide power adapters  100  having small form factors by providing thin enclosures. These thin enclosures can consume a reduced volume in a power adapter, while maintaining a robust strength and durability. Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG.  7    illustrates a portion of an enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Enclosure  150  can include top portion  120  and bottom portion  130 . Top portion  120  can include a number of snaps  730  extending from top surface  121 . Snaps  730  can terminate in tabs  740 . Tabs  740  can include reinforcing features such as raised portions  742  around recesses  744 . Snaps  730  can fit in hoops  720 . Hoops  720  can be formed along an inside surface of bottom portion  130  of enclosure  150 . During assembly, top portion  120  can be mated with bottom portion  130  to form the completed enclosure  150 . Snaps  730  can enter a top  721  of hoops  720 . Top portion  120  can be lowered to mate with bottom portion  130 . This action can push snaps  730  through hoops  720  such that tabs  740  emerge from bottoms  723  of hoops  720 . Tabs  740  can help to prevent snaps  730  from being extracted from hoops  720 . This can help to keep power adapter  100  sealed in enclosure  150 . To further secure snaps  730  in place in hoops  720 , one or more sides of snaps  730  or hoops  720  can be at least partially coated with an adhesive. 
       FIG.  8    illustrates a cutaway side view of a portion of an enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Enclosure  150  can include top portion  120  and bottom portion  130 . Snaps  730  can extend from top surface  121  of top portion  120 . Snaps  730  can fit in hoops  720 , which can be formed along and inside surface of bottom portion  130 . Snaps  730  can fit in passage  729  of hoops  720 . Snaps  730  can include tabs  740 . Tab  740  can include top surface  810  can help to prevent snaps  730  from being pulled out of hoops  720 . Specifically top surface  810  can encounter bottom  723  of hoop  720 , thereby limiting the travel of snap  730 . A clearance  820  can be provided between top surface  810  of tabs  740  and bottom  723  of hoops  720 . This clearance can ensure that tab  740  exits bottom  723  of hoops  720  during assembly. Sidewalls  722  can attach hoops  720  to an inside surface of bottom portion  130 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, power prongs  110  can be fixed to top portion  120  of enclosure  150 , while first board  280  and related components can be fixed to bottom portion  130  of enclosure  150 . When top portion  120  of enclosure  150  is mated with bottom portion  130  of enclosure  150 , it can be difficult to ensure a connection between power prongs  110  and components fixed to first board  280 . Conventionally, long wires can be used to form such connections. These long wires can then be folded into power adapter  100  during assembly. But this can be difficult for an assembler to complete without pinching wires between structures during assembly, and the folded wires can consume a large amount of space in power adapter  100 . Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can provide space-saving features to connect power prongs  110  to components associated with first board  280 . These features can be somewhat rigid, which can simplify the assembly process. Though they are somewhat rigid, they can have a compliance that can help to ensure a connection between power prongs  110  and components fixed to first board  280  as top portion  120  is mated with bottom portion  130 . An example is shown in the following figures. 
       FIG.  9    illustrates a side view of a portion of a power adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. Power adapter  100  can include power prongs  110  and first board  280 . First spring contact  910  can power prongs  110  to terminals  920  via terminals  112 . Terminals  920  can be supported by header  930 , which can be located on a top surface of first board  280 . Header  930  can support various components such as coil  990  and can electrically connect to first board  280  through terminals  922 . 
     During assembly, top portion  120  (shown in  FIG.  1   ), power prongs  110 , and spring contact  910  can be lowered into bottom portion  130  (shown in  FIG.  1   .) Bottom portion  130  can support first board  280 , header  930 , and terminal  920 . As top portion  120  is mated with bottom portion  130 , spring contact  910  can physically and electrically connect to terminal  920 . 
     There can be manufacturing tolerances associated with the sizes and placements of these structures, such as top portion  120 , bottom portion  130 , first board  280 , header  930 , and terminal  920 . Accordingly, spring contact  910  can be configured to compensate for these tolerances such that when top portion  120  is properly aligned to bottom portion  130 , second end  912  (shown in  FIG.  10   ) of spring contact  910  can be properly seated in terminal  920 . That is, the connections between power prongs  110  and spring contacts  910 , and between spring contacts  910  and terminal  920  on header  930 , can each provide an amount of compliance. 
     For example, the connection between power prongs  110  and spring contact  910  can be made using terminals  112 . Terminals  112  can be attached to or formed as part of power prongs  110  and can electrically connect to spring contacts  910 . As power prongs  110  are moved from an up position (extending from top portion  120 ) to a down position (located with the housing formed by top portion  120  and bottom portion  130 ), terminals  112  can maintain contact with spring contact  910  and power prongs  110 . Spring contact can be anchored in top portion  120  by tab  914 . The length between terminals  112  and tab  914  can provide an amount of compliance. Also, spring contact  910  can have sufficient lengths in the lateral direction from tab  914  parallel to first board  280  (the “X” direction as drawn) and the vertical direction orthogonal to first board  280  (the “Z” direction as drawn) such that spring contact  910  is compliant enough between terminal  920  and tab  914  of spring contact  910  to bend and compensate for manufacturing tolerances. Spring contact  910  can be sufficiently thin such that it can twist in order to compensate for manufacturing tolerances in the direction orthogonal to power prong  110  (the “Y” direction as shown.) With the compliance of the connection between power prongs  110  and tabs  914  of spring contacts  910  and the compliance of spring contacts  910  between tabs  914  and their connection to header  930 , spring contact  910  can absorb tolerances such that spring contact  910  can be properly seated in terminal  920  when top portion  120  is mated with bottom portion  130 . 
     The multi-directional compliance of spring contacts  910  can provide other benefits as well. Spring contacts  910  or other additional alignment features can also have a compliance that can absorb energy from a physical shock, such as when power adapter  100  is kicked when plugged into a wall outlet. This compliance can give the additional alignment features the ability to absorb energy without breaking internal connections, such as terminal  920 , to power prongs  110 . Again, these additional alignment features can replace conventional wired connections that can be difficult to implement during assembly. Instead, a somewhat rigid structure that can simplify assembly of the power adapter can be used. Even though they can be somewhat rigid structures, spring contacts  910  can have a compliance or flexibility. Using spring contacts  910  can simplify assembly while providing the compliance necessary to allow proper alignment of power prongs  110  to internal connections such as terminals  920  when power adapter enclosure  150  is assembled and to be able to absorb physical shocks to power adapter  100 . Examples further illustrating the assembly of top portion  120  and bottom portion  130  are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG.  10    illustrates a portion of power adapter during assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Top portion  120  can include snaps  730  extending from top surface  121 . Snaps  730  can include tabs  740 . Tabs  740  can be manufactured as part of snaps  730 , or tabs  740  can be manufactured separately and then inserted into openings in snaps  730 . 
     Top portion  120  can support power prongs  110 , which can include terminals  112 . Spring contact  910  can be connected to terminal  112  and can terminate in second end  912 . 
       FIG.  11    illustrates a portion of a power adapter during assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Bottom portion  130  of enclosure  150  (shown in  FIG.  1   ) can include hoops  720 . Hoops  720  can extend between sidewalls  722  from an inside surface of bottom portion  130 . Hoops  720  can be spaced from the inside surface of bottom portion  130  of enclosure  150  by passages  729  (shown in  FIG.  8   ) and can be connected to the inside surface of bottom portion  130  of enclosure  150  by sidewalls  722 . Terminal  920  can be supported by header  930 . Terminal  920  can have a dove-tail or funnel-shaped opening. 
       FIG.  12    illustrates a portion of a power adapter during assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Second end  912  of spring contact  910  is about to be inserted into terminal  920 . Second end  912  can include a narrowed portion to fit in dovetailed or funnel-shaped opening of terminal  920 . Terminal  920  can be supported by header  930 . Spring contact  910  can be connected to terminal  112  of power prong  110 . Tabs  740  on snaps  730  are shown as emerging from hoops  720 . As top portion  120  is fully engaged with bottom portion  130  of enclosure  150  (all shown in  FIG.  1   ), second end  912  can be mated with terminal  920  without intervention. Tabs  940  can emerge from a bottom  723  of hoops  720 . In this example, two spring contacts  910  can form connections between two power prongs  110  and two terminals  920 , though only one is shown in this figure for simplicity. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, three or more spring contacts  910  can form connections between three or more power prongs  110  and three or more terminals  920 . Also, while second ends  912  of spring contacts  910  are shown as having narrowed portions and terminals  920  are shown as having dovetailed or funnel-shaped openings, terminals  920  can have narrowed portions and second ends  912  of spring contacts  910  can dovetailed or funnel-shaped openings. 
     During assembly and use of power adapter  100 , it can be desirable that spring contacts  910  remain relatively fixed in place relative to the top portion  120 . Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can provide features to secure spring contacts  910  in place. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG.  13    illustrates a portion of an inside surface of an enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, top portion  120  can support spring contacts  910  and power prongs  110 . Holder  1300  can be placed over spring contacts  910  such that spring contacts  910  are fixed in place between top portion  120  and holder  1300 . Holder  1300  can also bias spring contacts  910  against second end  912  (shown in  FIG.  12   ) of power prongs  110 . Holder  1300  can be fixed in place by locking or retention features  125 , which can be formed on the inside surface of top portion  120 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, holder  1300  can be formed of a material that can maintain form at high temperatures. Holder  1300  can be formed of a nonconductive material such as a thermoplastic that has a high heat-deflection temperature and flammability rating. For example, holder  1300  can be formed of a liquid crystal polymer, polyimide film, polycarbonate film, a thermoset such as a phenolic plastic, or other material. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide other space-saving features for power adapter  100 . Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG.  14    illustrates interior components of a power adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. Power prongs  110  can connect through spring contacts  910  (removed here for clarity but shown in  FIG.  13   .) Spring contacts  910  can connect to terminals  920  on header  930 . Header  930  can be mounted on first board  280 . Header  930  can support components  1400 . Header  930  can include terminals  922  for making connections to traces on first board  280 . Interconnect  932  can be routed on header  930  to connect components  1400  to each other and to terminals  922  and terminals  920 . An example of header  930  is shown bin the following figure. 
       FIG.  15    illustrates a header that can be used in a power adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. Header  930  can support one or more components  1400 , and one or more terminals  920 . Header  930  can also support other components such as coil  990  and fuse  936 . Header  930  can connect to first board  280  (shown in  FIG.  14   ) through terminals  922 . Header  930  can support interconnect  932 , which can be used to connect components  1400  to each other and to terminals  920  and terminals  922 . In this arrangement, connections between components  1400  can be made using interconnect  932  on header  930 . This avoids the necessity of making these connections through first board  280 . This can save space on first board  280 , thereby reducing the overall size of power adapter  100 . This can also remove power from first board  280 , thereby permitting power adapter  100  to provide an increased amount of power at connector receptacles  530  (shown in  FIG.  5   .) 
     Components  1400  can be configured to save space in power adapter  100 . Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG.  16    illustrates a space-saving transformer for use in a power adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. Transformer  1600  can include core  1610  and core  1620  around windings  1630 . Windings  1630  can be connected to terminals  1642  at housing  1640 . Core  1610  and core  1620  can provide a rectangular cuboid shape for transformer  1600 . This shape can provide a space efficient transformer  1600  for use in power adapter  100 . 
       FIG.  17    illustrates a portion of the transformer of  FIG.  16   . Core  1620  can be positioned around windings  1630 . Windings  1630  can be supported by bobbin  1710 . Windings  1630  can terminate in terminals  1622 . 
     In some circumstances, it can be difficult to route terminals  1622  using interconnect  932  on header  930  (both shown in  FIG.  9   .) Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can employ one or more bus-bars supported by a housing. This can facilitate the completion of connections to transformer  1600  using interconnect  932 . An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG.  18    illustrates a portion of the transformer of  FIG.  16   . Windings  1630  can emerge at terminals  1622 . Terminals  1622  can be connected to bus-bar  1810  and bus-bar  1820 . Bus-bar  1810  and bus-bar  8020  can be supported by housing  1640 . Bus-bar  1820  can terminate in terminal  1642 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, power adapter  100  (shown in  FIG.  1   ) can provide power to multiple devices connected at multiple connector receptacles  530  (shown in  FIG.  5   .) Power adapter  100  can provide a maximum amount of power without overheating. Accordingly, it can be desirable to allocate this maximum amount of power among multiple electronic devices being charged by power adapter  100 . Power adapter  100  can provide power to electronic devices connected at connector receptacles  530 . Power adapter  100  can allocate different amounts of power and can allocate the power at different charging voltages. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, it can be desirable that power be distributed among the connected electronic devices in a consistent manner. For example, power adapter  100  can provide power to a first electronic device and a second electronic device in a consistent manner independent of an order of connection of the first electronic device and the second electronic device to power adapter  100 . This is particularly useful when two electronic devices are connected to power adapter  100  and then power adapter  100  is plugged into a wall outlet or other power source. 
     When allocating power independently of connection order might not be possible, power adapter  100  can prioritize power by order of connection to power adapter  100 . This can be useful where two electronic devices that do not have internal batteries are connected to power adapter  100 . Since these two electronic devices do not have internal batteries, they might need to be continuously powered by power adapter  100  for proper operation. Power adapter  100  can allocate one-half the maximum power to each of these electronic devices. However, if the two devices combined require more than the maximum power, then power adapter  100  can allocate the needed power to the first connected electronic device and provide the second electronic device with enough power to operate in a low-power state. Where is it not clear which electronic device was connected first, priority can be given to the electronic device connected to a specific one of the connector receptacles  530 . 
     Power adapter  100  can take other factors into account in allocating power among multiple devices. For example, additional power can be directed to a device that has a low battery level and directed away from a device that has a more fully charged battery level. 
     Power adapter  100  can follow various algorithms in determining how to allocate power among multiple devices connected to connector receptacles  530 . These algorithms can be executed on a processor or other device in power adapter  100 . For example, when only a first electronic device is connected to power adapter  100 , power adapter  100  can check for compliance with a power-delivery communication method. This communication method can be compliant with a known standard or can be a proprietary method. In this and other embodiments of the present invention, the power-delivery communication method can be the universal-serial bus power-delivery standard (USB-PD.) When the first electronic device is USB-PD compliant and is the only connected electronic device, power adapter  100  can offer the first electronic device the maximum power. Power adapter  100  can also request information, such as whether the first electronic device is compliant with the latest version of USB-PD, whether the first electronic device has a battery, and what the charge level on the battery is. Power adapter  100  can also request information as to how much current the first electronic device can request at different power supply levels. The first electronic device can then request the power it needs from power adapter  100 , up to the maximum power. When the only the first electronic device is connected and is not USB-PD compliant, power adapter  100  can provide a first amount of power that is less than the maximum power. 
     Power sharing between two electronic devices can occur when a second electronic device is connected to power adapter  100  along with the first electronic device. If the second device is not USB-PD compliant, the first amount of power can be allocated to the second electronic device. The first amount of power can be an amount of power set by a specification, for example, the USB-PD specification can require that 7.5 Watts be provided at a minimum. The first amount of power can be directed away from the power delivered to the first electronic device to the extent necessary. For example, if the first electronic device was receiving the maximum power, the power delivered to the first electronic device can be reduced by the first amount of power. If the second device is USB-PD compliant, power adapter  100  can offer either the first amount of power or the available power (the power not consumed by the first electronic device), whichever is higher. 
     If this amount of power is sufficient, then power adapter  100  can continue to provide power to the first electronic device and the second electronic device in this way. If this amount of power is not sufficient, power adapter  100  can determine that a conflict is present. If a conflict is present, then power adapter  100  can determine whether either of the first electronic device or the second electronic device does not have an internal battery. If the first electronic device does not have an internal battery, requests for power from the first electronic device can have priority for power up to the maximum power less the first amount of power. The second electronic device can request power up to the maximum power less the power requested by the first electronic device, and the second device can be assured of receiving at least the first amount of power. Similarly, if the second electronic device does not have an internal battery, requests for power from the second electronic device can have priority for power up to the maximum power less the first amount of power. The first electronic device can request power up to the maximum power less the power requested by the first electronic device, and the first device can be assured of receiving at least the first amount of power. When the first electronic device and the second electronic device both do not have internal batteries, power adapter  100  can allocate one-half the maximum power to each of these electronic devices. However, if the two devices combined require more than the maximum power, then power adapter  100  can allocate the needed power to whichever electronic device was connected first and provide the electronic device that was connected second with enough power to operate in a low-power state. Where is it not clear which electronic device was connected first, for example two devices are connected to power adapter  100  and then power adapter  100  is plugged into an outlet, priority can be given to the electronic device connected to a specific one of the connector receptacles  530 . In these examples, when possible, priority is given to a device that does not include an internal battery. When power adapter  100  can&#39;t determine whether an internal battery is present, then power adapter  100  can assume that an internal battery is present to avoid giving priority where it is not needed. 
     If a conflict is present and both the first electronic device and the second electronic device have internal batteries, power adapter  100  can determine whether either the first electronic device or the second electronic device are devices that are charged at a first voltage or a second voltage, the second voltage higher than the first voltage. An electronic device that has a low battery level, for example less than 70, 80, or 90 percent of a full charge, can be charged at the higher, second voltage, while the same device when it has a high battery level, for example greater than 70, 80, or 90 percent of a full charge, can be charged at the lower, first voltage. Alternatively, the electronic device can provide the charge level of its battery to power adapter  100 . If both the first electronic device and the second electronic device are charged at the first voltage (or power adapter  100  knows both have a nearly charged battery), or if both the first electronic device and the second electronic device are charged at the second voltage (or power adapter  100  knows both have a low battery level), power adapter  100  can provide each device with up to one-half the maximum power. If only one of either of the first electronic device or second electronic device charge at the first voltage (or power adapter  100  knows it is nearly charged), then power adapter  100  can prioritize providing a second amount of power to that device, where the second amount of power is less than one-half the maximum power and more than the first amount of power. The electronic device that is being charged at the second voltage (power adapter  100  knows it has a low battery level) can receive up to the maximum power less the second amount of power. 
     In some circumstances, a first electronic device might be the only electronic device connected to power adapter  100 , where the first electronic device does not have a battery and requires an amount of power that is more than the maximum power less the first amount of power, but less than the maximum power. While power adapter  100  could provide this power, when a second electronic device connected, power adapter  100  would provide the second electronic device with the first amount of power. This would not leave the first electronic device with sufficient power to operate. In this circumstance, power adapter  100  can provide the first electronic device with the first amount of power, while powering the second electronic device to the extent possible. This can alert a user that power above what power adapter  100  can provide is being requested by the combination of the first electronic device and the second electronic device. 
       FIG.  19    illustrates a method of allocating power to multiple devices connected to a multiport power adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific examples can be applied to  FIG.  19    to illustrate these and other embodiments of the present invention. 
     In a first example, a first electronic device (not shown) can be a laptop that is USB-PD compliant, is charged at the second voltage (that is, has a low battery), and will request the maximum power, can be connected to power adapter  100  (shown in  FIG.  1   ) in act  1902 . In act  1904 , power adapter  100  can determine whether electronic devices are connected at both connector receptacles  530  (shown in  FIG.  5   .) If only the first electronic device is connected, then the first electronic device can be provided with up to the maximum power in act  1906 . In this example, the first electronic device begins charging at the maximum power. Power adapter  100  can request information from the first electronic device in act  1914 . For example, power adapter  100  can request information such as whether the first electronic device is compliant with the latest version of USB-PD, whether the first electronic device has a battery, and what the charge level on the battery is. Power adapter  100  can also request information as to how much current the first electronic device can request at different power supply levels. The first electronic device can then request the power it needs from power adapter  100 , up to the maximum power. 
     A second electronic device (not shown) can be connected to power adapter  100  in act  1902  while the first electronic device remains connected. The second electronic device can be a phone with a nearly charged battery. The second electronic device can be USB-PD compliant and is charged at the first voltage (since it has a nearly charged battery.) In act  1908 , power adapter  100  can determine that the first amount of power is not available, and can transfer that charging power from the first electronic device to the second electronic device in act  1910 . This first amount of power can be determined by a specification. For example, the USB-PD specifies this to be 7.5 Watts. This power can be offered to the second electronic device in act  1912 . Information for the second electronic device can be retrieved in act  1914  and based on that, power adapter  100  can determine in act  1916  that there is a compatibility mismatch. 
     Power adapter  100  can determine in act  1918  that both devices are battery powered, or to avoid an unnecessary grant of priority, power adapter  100  can assume they have batteries. Since the second electronic device charges at the first voltage (is nearly charged) in act  1922 , the second amount of power can be allocated to the second electronic device in act  1926 . Alternatively, the second electronic device can provide the charge level of its battery to power adapter  100 . The first electronic device being charged at the second voltage (has a low battery level) can be allocated the maximum power less the second amount of power in act  1924 . Alternatively, the second electronic device can provide the charge level of its battery to power adapter  100 . Once power allocations are complete, the algorithm can end in act  1930 . 
     A second example can be similar in that the first electronic device can be a laptop that is USB-PD compliant, is charged at the second voltage (that is, has a low battery), and will request the maximum power. The second electronic device can again be a phone, but this time with a depleted battery. The second electronic device can be USB-PD compliant and is charged at the second voltage (since it has a low battery level.) In this example, both devices are determined to be charged at the higher voltage in act  1922  and both can be given one-half the maximum power in act  1924 . 
     It should be noted that in the first example, the battery in the second electronic device is nearly charged and is provided with the second amount of power, while in the second example, the battery in the second electronic device is at a low level and is provided with the one-half the maximum power. Since the second amount of power is less than one-half the maximum power, the depleted battery in the second example receives more charging power than the more fully charged battery of the first example. 
     In a third example, if a first electronic device is connected to power adapter  100  and a second electronic device is then connected, if the second electronic device draws less than the first amount of power, the second electronic device can be given the first amount of power and the first electronic device can be given up to the maximum power less the first amount of power. That is, power adapter  100  can determine in act  1916  that no conflict exists. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the second electronic device can have the capability of communicating that it needs less than the first amount of power. In this case, power adapter  100  can provide less than the first amount power to the second electronic device and provide the excess (the first amount of power less what the second electronic device requires) to the first electronic device. 
     In a fourth example, a first electronic device that does not have a battery and requires more than one-half the maximum power to operate, and a second electronic device that does not have a battery and requires more than one-half the maximum power to operate, are both connected to power adapter  100 . Power adapter  100  can determine in act  1916  that a conflict exists. Power adapter  100  can determine in act  1918  that both the first electronic device and the second electronic device do not have a battery. In response, the electronic device that was connected first can be provided sufficient power to operate in act  1920 , while only the first amount of power is provided to the second electronic device. 
     In a fifth example, a first electronic device that does not have a battery and requires more than one-half the maximum power to operate, and a second electronic device, are both connected to power adapter  100 . Power adapter  100  can determine a conflict in act  1914 . In act  1918  power adapter  100  can determine that the first electronic device does not have a battery. In act  1920 , power adapter  100  can provide the first electronic device with the power it needs. The remaining power can be provided in act  1924  or act  1926 , depending on battery charge level in the second electronic device. 
     In a sixth example, a first electronic device can be the only electronic device connected to power adapter  100 . The first electronic device requires an amount of power that is more than the maximum power less the first amount of power, but less than the maximum power. While power adapter  100  could provide this power, when a second electronic device connected, power adapter  100  would provide the second electronic device with the first amount of power. This would not leave the first electronic device with sufficient power to operate and the first electronic device can change operating mode when second electronic device connects to power adapter  100 . To avoid this, power adapter  100  might not provide power to the first electronic device even when the second electronic device is not connected. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the maximum power, the first amount of power, the second amount of power and the first voltage can have different values. For example, the maximum power can be 30 Watts, 35 Watts, 40 Watts, or 50 Watts. The first amount of power can be 7.5 Watts, 10 Watts, or other amount of power. Under the USB-PD specification, the first amount of power can be selected from two different powers. The second amount of power can be 10 Watts, 15 Watts, or other amount of power. The second amount of power or second power can be defined by the implemented power policy. The first voltage can be 5 Volts, 9 Volts, or other voltages. 
     The components of these power adapters  100  can be formed of various materials. For example, power prongs  110 , contacts  210 , protective cover  240 , tab  510 , tab  512 , spring contacts  910 , terminals  920 , bus-bar  1810 , bus-bar  1820  and their constituent parts and other conductive portions of power adapters  100  can be formed by drawing, machining, stamping, forging, metal-injection molding, machining, micro-machining, 3-D printing, or other manufacturing process. These conductive portions can be formed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, phosphor bronze, or other material or combination of materials. They can be plated or coated with one or more layers of nickel, palladium, palladium-nickel, gold, or other material or combination of materials. 
     The nonconductive portions, such as enclosure  150 , first housing  220 , second housing  230 , header  930 , and their constituent parts and other nonconductive portions can be formed using injection or other molding, 3-D printing, machining, or other manufacturing process. The nonconductive portions can be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon, glass-filled nylon, elastomers, liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), ceramics, or other nonconductive material or combination of materials. The adhesives can be a pressure sensitive adhesive, heat activated film, polyimide film, or other adhesive. First board  280 , second board  290 , and the other boards can be a flexible circuit board or printed circuit board and can be formed of FR-4 or other material. 
     Embodiments of the present invention can provide power adapters having connector receptacles that can accept connector inserts that are compliant with various standards such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), USB Type-C, High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt™, Lightning™, Joint Test Action Group (JTAG), test-access-port (TAP), Directed Automated Random Testing (DART), universal asynchronous receiver/transmitters (UARTs), clock signals, power signals, and other types of standard, non-standard, and proprietary interfaces and combinations thereof that have been developed, are being developed, or will be developed in the future. 
     It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users. 
     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: 20220605
Publication Date: 20240618
Grant Date: 20240618
Priority Date: 20210924
Inventors: Janezic Pregitzer, Ricardo Luis
O'CONNELL, ANDREW C.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H02J7/0042", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F13/4282", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2213/0042", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/0042", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/266", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/266", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F13/4282", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/266", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F13/4282", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/0042", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2213/0042", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 85477221