Today, people are highly mobile and require that their electronic tools with which they conduct their business be likewise mobile. Part of meeting that requirement is to provide portable electronic devices, such as cellular phones and laptop computers, with the power those devices need. Portable devices are usually equipped with rechargeable batteries, but even the most expensive and heavy batteries are rarely sufficient to deliver electrical power over a significant time period. These batteries need to be recharged periodically from various power sources, sometimes on the road.
Accordingly, portable devices are often equipped with power adapters for charging their batteries. The most common of these adapters plug directly into a wall outlet or socket. Some adapters are designed to plug into the power outlet, more commonly known as the cigarette lighter socket with which most automobiles—and some boats and other vehicles—are equipped. Still others are designed to plug into power sockets on passenger airplanes.
Each of these electronic tools may have a different receptacle to interface with the power adapter. For example, a cellular telephone may be charged via a USB interface, whereas a laptop computer may be recharged via a pin connection. Consequently, mobile people such as business travelers are often required to carry numerous different power adapters. Power adapters are bulky and carrying them is inconvenient.
Universal power adapters have been introduced. However, universal power adapters require many different adapters and power cables. Each of the power cables may only be configured to interface with one or two power sources, adapters or devices. Moreover, one end of the power cable is adapted to interface with a power adapter, whereas the other end of the cable is specially configured to interface with a particular device. Finding the appropriate cable or plug to go with the particular device being recharged or power source can be a frustrating experience.
Accordingly, there is a need for a simplified apparatus that can be used with a plurality of different power sources and devices.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a power system. The power system comprises a power cable including at least two ends having a commonly configured interface; a plurality of power adapters each having an interface configured to mate with the commonly configured interface.
In a further embodiment, the power system comprises a power inverter including an input port or an output port having an interface configured to mate with the commonly configured interface.
In a further embodiment, the commonly configured interface is a plug receptacle and the power adapter interface is a plug corresponding to the plug receptacle.
Further objectives and advantages, as well as the structure and function of exemplary embodiments will become apparent from a consideration of the description, drawings, and examples.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. In describing embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected. While specific exemplary embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations can be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a power cable having a commonly configured interface at either end of the cable. The power cable may be used in conjunction with power inverters, power adapters, and other devices. In embodiments of the invention, the power cable may be used to connect a power source to a power inverter or to provide power from the power inverter to a device. The power cable has two ends each provided with a commonly configured interface. The commonly configured interface may be a plug or a plug receptacle. A plurality of different adapters for various power sources or devices may be coupled to the commonly configured interface. The adapters may be provided with a corresponding interface that plugs into or is received by the commonly configured interface at an end of the cable.
Embodiments of a power system including the above-described cable may also include a device such as a power inverter. The power inverter may include an interface that is adapted to couple with the commonly configured interface of the power cable. As such, any of the adapters for the power inverter may be plugged into either end of the cable. There is no need to search for the proper end of the cable to plug into the power inverter or to search for the appropriate adapter to fit a specific end of the cable. Any end of the cable with the commonly configured interface may be coupled with any of the adapters or with a device such as the power inverter, greatly simplifying the connection of the various power sources and devices to the power inverter.
Referring now to
A power cable 20 may also be provided from the power inverter 10 to the device requiring power. In the embodiment shown in
In another embodiment of the invention, the power cable 20 with the commonly configured interface 22 at each of its ends may be provided from the power inverter 10 to the device requiring power may be provided. The device requiring power may include a port that mates with the commonly configured interface 22. Alternatively, a plurality of different adapters for different devices may be provided. The adapters include an interface that mates with the commonly configured interface 22. Accordingly, the power inverter 10 may be used with a plurality of different devices or power sources.
In the embodiment illustrated in
Although the power cable 20 as shown in
Number | Date | Country | |
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60731865 | Nov 2005 | US |