This disclosure relates generally to an interchangeable plug for a power adapter for electrical devices.
As people have become increasingly dependent on electronic devices, charging the electronic devices has become a daily routine. However, when a user travels to foreign countries, the power adapter(s) for the user's electronic devices are not always compatible with local power outlets. Using a separate power adapter for each type of power outlets can be costly and take up precious luggage space, compared to using interchangeable plugs with relatively simple mechanical components and smaller sizes, in particular when the user travels to multiple countries (e.g., the UK and France). Therefore, an interchangeable plug for a power adapter is desired.
To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which:
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.
The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.
The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacture described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.
As defined herein, “approximately” can, in some embodiments, mean within plus or minus ten percent of the stated value. In other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus five percent of the stated value. In further embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus three percent of the stated value. In yet other embodiments, “approximately” can mean within plus or minus one percent of the stated value.
Various embodiments include an interchangeable plug for a power adapter. The power adapter can be an AC adapter, an AC/DC adapter, or any type of external power supply for one or more electrical devices (e.g., a laptop computer, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a powerbank, etc.). The power adapter can be portable and include one or more connectors (e.g., USB connectors, DC connectors, etc.) to be used with suitable cables (e.g., USB cables, auxiliary power cables, etc.). The power adapter can include adapter prongs. The adapter prongs of the power adapter can be foldable and include a folded position when the adapter prongs are folded in one or more adapter-prong channels. The adapter prongs of the power adapter further can include an unfolded position when the adapter prongs are protruding from a front surface of the power adapter so that the adapter prongs can be connected to or removed from matching female contacts of a power socket. The interchangeable plug can be configured to be mounted onto or dismounted from the power adapter. The plug prong arrangement for the plug prongs of the interchangeable plug can be different from the adapter prong arrangement for the adapter prongs of the power adapter so that the power adapter can be used with different types of power sockets when a user travels in foreign countries.
In many embodiments, the interchangeable plug can include a first coupling mechanism raised above a rear surface of the interchangeable plug and configured to be releasably coupled to a first engagement mechanism of the power adapter when the interchangeable plug is mounted on the power adapter. The first coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug can be releasably coupled to the first engagement mechanism of the power adapter using any suitable mechanisms when the interchangeable plug is mounted on the power adapter. For example, the first coupling mechanism can be releasably coupled to the first engagement mechanism by a first hook of the first coupling mechanism received by a first latch of the first engagement mechanism, or a first hook of the first engagement mechanism received by a first latch of the first coupling mechanism, etc.
In a number of embodiments, the interchangeable plug further can include a second coupling mechanism raised above the rear surface of the interchangeable plug and configured to be releasably coupled to a second engagement mechanism of the power adapter when the interchangeable plug is mounted on the power adapter. In many embodiments, the first coupling mechanism and the second coupling mechanism can be separate and located on opposite ends of the interchangeable plug. The first engagement mechanism and the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter also can be located at opposite sides of the adapter prongs of the power adapter.
The second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug can be releasably coupled to the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter using any suitable mechanisms. For example, the second coupling mechanism can be releasably coupled to the second engagement mechanism by a second hook of the second coupling mechanism received by a second latch of the second engagement mechanism, or a second hook of the second engagement mechanism received by a second latch of the second coupling mechanism, etc.
In many embodiments, the second hook (of the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug or the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter) or the second latch (of the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter or the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug) can be movable. For example, the second hook or the second latch can be moved by a button (e.g., a spring-loaded button to be pushed or pressed to slide) of the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug or the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter.
In some embodiments, the second hook (of the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug or the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter) can be movable to be received or released by the second latch (of the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter or the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug) along a single direction along which the adapter prongs of the power adapter extend when the adapter prongs are in the folded position. In different or similar embodiments, the second latch (of the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter or the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug) can be movable to receive or release the second hook (of the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug or the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter) along the single direction along which the adapter prongs of the power adapter extend when the adapter prongs are in the folded position.
In a number of embodiments, the second hook (of the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug or the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter) can be movable toward or away from the first coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug or the first engagement mechanism of the power adapter to be received or released by the second latch (of the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter or the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug). In different or similar embodiments, the second latch (of the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter or the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug) can be movable toward or away from the first engagement mechanism of the interchangeable plug to receive or release the second hook of the second coupling mechanism.
In many embodiments, the interchangeable plug further can include adapter prong contacts electronically coupled to the plug prongs of the interchangeable plug. The adapter prong contacts can be configured to be electronically coupled to the adapter prongs of the power adapter to build an electric path between the plug prongs of the interchangeable plug and the adapter prongs of the power adapter when the interchangeable plug is mounted on the power adapter.
In some embodiments, the interchangeable plug further can include one or more alignment structures located between the first coupling mechanism and the second coupling mechanism. The one or more alignment structures can be raised from the rear surface of the interchangeable plug and configured to be received in one or more adapter-prong channels of the power adapter for the adapter prongs when the interchangeable plug is mounted on the power adapter. In certain embodiments, the one or more alignment structures, when received in the adapter-prong channel(s), can receive at least a part of the adapter prongs folded in the adapter-prong channel(s). For example, the one or more alignment structures can include one or more ribs extending from the first coupling mechanism toward the second coupling mechanism and parallel to the folded adapter prongs when the interchangeable plug is mounted on the power adapter.
In several embodiments wherein the interchangeable plug include multiple alignment structures (e.g., four ribs to be used with a type-A power adapter), the adapter prong contacts can each include a respective spring contact protruding from the rear surface of the interchangeable plug between two of the multiple alignment structures to protect the respective spring contact from wear and tear. In many embodiments, the power adapter can be portable and further can include one or more of USB connectors, DC connectors, and/or any suitable connectors to be coupled to one or more electrical devices, via one or more suitable cables (e.g., USB cables or power cords). In different or similar embodiments, the power adapter can include a power cord that is fixed to the power adapter and configured to couple (fixed or releasably) the power adapter to an electrical device.
Various embodiments can include a method for providing an interchangeable plug for a power adapter. The interchangeable plug can be similar or identical to any of the interchangeable plugs as discussed above. The power adapter also can be similar or identical to any of the power adapters as discussed above.
Various embodiments further can include a method for using an interchangeable plug for a power adapter. The interchangeable plug can be similar or identical to any of the interchangeable plugs as discussed above. The power adapter can be similar or identical to any of the power adapters as discussed above.
In many embodiments, the method can include mounting the interchangeable plug onto the power adapter. Mounting the interchangeable plug onto the power adapter can include releasably coupling a first coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug to a first engagement mechanism of the power adapter. In some embodiments, the first coupling mechanism can be raised above a rear surface of the interchangeable plug. Releasably coupling the first coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug to the first engagement mechanism of the power adapter can be implemented in any suitable manners, such as causing a first hook (of the first coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug or the first engagement mechanism of the power adapter) to be received by a first latch (of the first engagement mechanism of the power adapter or the first coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug).
In a number of embodiments, mounting the interchangeable plug onto the portable power adapter further can include releasably coupling a second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug to a second engagement mechanism of the portable power adapter. The second coupling mechanism can be raised above the rear surface of the interchangeable plug. The first coupling mechanism and the second coupling mechanism can be separate and located on opposite ends of the interchangeable plug. Releasably coupling the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug to the second engagement mechanism of the portable power adapter can be implemented in any suitable manners, such as causing a second hook (of the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug or the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter) to be received by a second latch (of the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter or the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug).
In a number of embodiments, mounting the interchangeable plug onto the power adapter further can include after releasably coupling the first coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug to the first engagement mechanism of the power adapter and before releasably coupling the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug to the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter, rotating the interchangeable plug along an axis through the first engagement mechanism toward the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter.
In many embodiments, the method further can include dismounting the interchangeable plug from the power adapter. Dismounting the interchangeable plug from the power adapter can include decoupling the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug from the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter. In several embodiments, decoupling the second coupling mechanism from the second engagement mechanism can include causing the second hook (of the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug or the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter) to be released by the second latch (of the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter or the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug).
In a number of embodiments, dismounting the interchangeable plug from the power adapter further can include decoupling the first coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug from the first engagement mechanism of the power adapter. Decoupling the first coupling mechanism from the first engagement mechanism can include causing the first hook (of the first coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug or the first engagement mechanism of the power adapter) to be released by the first latch (of the first engagement mechanism of the power adapter or the first coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug).
In several embodiments, dismounting the interchangeable plug from the power adapter further can include after decoupling the second coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug from the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter and before decoupling the first coupling mechanism of the interchangeable plug from the first engagement mechanism of the power adapter, rotating the interchangeable plug along an axis through the first engagement mechanism away from the second engagement mechanism of the power adapter.
Turning to the drawings,
As shown in
Turning ahead in the drawings,
Turning ahead in the drawings,
In embodiments as shown in
In different or similar embodiments (not shown), a second latch of a second engagement mechanism of a power adapter can be movable (with or without a spring-loaded button or a similar component) to receive or release a second hook of a second coupling mechanism of an interchangeable plug: (a) along a single direction along which adapter prongs of the power adapter extend when the adapter prongs are in a folded position, and/or (b) toward or away from a first engagement mechanism of the power adapter.
Further, when interchangeable plug 100 is mounted on power adapter 600, adapter prong contacts 160 can contact and/or be electronically coupled to adapter prongs 630 of power adapter 600 (as shown in
Turning ahead in the drawings,
Turning ahead in the drawings,
Power adapter 1100 can be used with any suitable interchangeable plugs as discussed above (e.g., interchangeable plug 100 (
In a number of embodiments, second latch 1121 of second engagement mechanism 1120 can be movable with slide button 1122 to receive or release second hook 1021 of second coupling mechanism 1020 (
Turning ahead in the drawings,
In many embodiments, method 1200 can include a block 1210 of obtaining a power adapter with the adapter prongs in the folded position. Method 1200 further can include a block 1220 of releasably coupling a first coupling mechanism (e.g., first coupling mechanism 110 or 1010 (
Method 1200 further can include a block 1230 of rotating the interchangeable plug (e.g., interchangeable plug 100, 100A (
Method 1200 further can include a block 1240 of releasably coupling a second coupling mechanism (e.g., second coupling mechanism 120 or 1020 (
Turning ahead in the drawings,
Method 1400 can include a block 1410 of decoupling the second coupling mechanism (e.g., second coupling mechanism 120 or 1020 (
Method 1400 further can include a block 1420 of rotating the interchangeable plug (e.g., interchangeable plug 100, 100A (
Method 1400 additionally can include a block 1430 of decoupling the first coupling mechanism (e.g., first coupling mechanism 110 or 1010 (
Although the interchangeable plug and the power adapter have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. For example, the first/second coupling mechanisms and the first/second engagement mechanisms can include any suitable combinations of fastening mechanisms (e.g., hooks and latches, pins and holes, magnets, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc.). The one or more adapter-prong channels can include a respective adapter-prong channel for each adapter prong. In different or similar embodiments, at least one of the one or more adapter-prong channels can include an indented area for receiving all or some of the folded adapter prongs. Further, the one or more alignment structures can include the ribs as shown in
Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unless such benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in such claim.
Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.