The subject matter of this disclosure relates to a releasable connector for use in any electronic device including but not limited to laptop computers, power adapters and power tools.
Portable electronic devices (laptops, notebooks, etc.) often have a DC power plug connector that is used to power the device and to charge the battery. These plugs are usually pushed into a recessed jack which mate connections and allow power to flow to the device. These plugs are cylindrical in shape and can only be removed when pulled out directly in-line with the cylindrical axis. The connector is not designed to be removed when a lateral force is applied. These connectors are not designed to sustain a non-axial force and may break or damage a built-in board mounted connector on an electronic device. A cord is attached to the connector which in turn connects to a power adapter or directly to a wall plug. In the event a user accidentally trips over the cord the connector can be broken or worse the individual and/or computer can be damaged from a fall. What is then required is a connection that will allow safe release of a DC power connector without damage to the device and alleviate a trip hazard for users.
The described releasable connector alleviates the safety and convenience concerns with current power connectors. An additional benefit is that the portable device built-in connector is protected. The built-in connector longevity is increased by less frequent insertion and removal of a standard plug. Forces to the integrated connector are reduced, thus protecting the device from damage and repair costs. Insertion of the releasable connector is made easier by the self-centering conical/or tapered shape. Mating of the jack body to the plug can be made in any axial rotation angle thus ensuring ease of use. In an alternative embodiment the conical shaped element is integrated into a connector that is mounted to a circuit board for OEM applications.
By way of introduction, the preferred embodiments described below provide a releasable connector system. In one preferred embodiment, a conically shaped plug is inserted into a laptop jack. A pronged jack is then snapped onto the conically shaped plug which makes electrical contact with the plug. A standard laptop power plug and cord is inserted into the pronged jack allowing the laptop to power on or charge.
The pronged jack portion contains features that snap into a groove on the conical portion of the plug. A mating pair is established by the diameter of the groove and mating feature on the pronged jack.
The pronged elements hold the two connector parts together and are stable enough to support the weight of the power cable. The design of the pronged elements allows a non-axial force to disconnect the plug and jack without causing damage to the device connector. The design geometry allows the pronged elements to release without snagging on the plug element. The connector may also be disconnected when an axial force is applied to the connector.
Changing the diameter of the groove and corresponding pronged jack feature allow differing sizes to be established which will only mate with a corresponding mating part. This is beneficial as some power adapters supply different voltage and current and prevents the wrong adapter from being used.
A light source can be added to either or both sections of the releasable connection system allowing visible confirmation of a charging state. The light source is preferably an LED indicator. An illuminated ring may be included on the plug and/or jack element for higher visibility.
In the preferred embodiment the plug and jack portions of the releasable connector system are axially aligned. In an alternative embodiment the jack portion of the releasable connector system may be normal (90 degrees) to the plug element. This allows the depth of the releasable connector system to be reduced. Additionally, the angle can be different than 90 degrees or any angle from 0-90 degrees.
An alternative embodiment consists of an integral adjustment feature which allows the user to change the angle to their preference.
This invention is not limited to power connectors. Signal connectors such as USB, serial devices, audio plugs and other types of connectors would benefit from this releasable connector system.
The design of the releasable connector system features high current spring loaded pins which allow current of up to 9 Amps continuous current. The use of these high current power rated pins allows the releasable connector system to be used with standard 140 Watt and greater power adapters.
An alternative embodiment mates the releasable connection system to a power adapter. In this embodiment the plug portion of the design is hard wired to the power adapter creating a complete charging solution for various devices. In this embodiment a multitude of different sized plugs can be included to mate with various sized jacks from different manufacturers.
In another embodiment the conical shaped portion of the jack or plug is integrated into the built-in laptop connector which is soldered to the computer motherboard. In this embodiment the user only has to plug in one part. In this embodiment an OEM power adapter cable is hard wired to the pronged jack.
In the above embodiments the pin connection surface is described in a concentric arrangement, but the connection arrangement can be in-line.
The preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the attached drawings.
Turning now to the drawings,
Additional connections can be added as needed for additional voltages or signals. The spring loaded power pins can supply 9 amps of current as needed for power adapters to charge a battery. Smaller pins can be used for signals or lower current requirements. The conical shaped plug body 550 and pronged jack body 560 is made of a thermoplastic material. The material is designed to deflect when connected but sufficiently strong to not break when disconnected.
It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be understood as an illustration of selected forms that the invention can take but does not limit the forms of the invention. Interchangeable elements of the releasable connector system have been described but are not limited by those described. For example, the jack is shown in an axial arrangement in the preferred embodiment but having the jack be normal to the plug, with a USB connector is another possible embodiment.
This application is the Utility Patent filing for Provisional Application No. 61/507,947 filed Jul. 14 2011, Entitled “Releasable Connector System”.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61507947 | Jul 2011 | US |