Adapter and adapter module having the same

• US 10,224,679 B1
• Filed: 10/18/2017
• Issued: 03/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cyberpower Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cyberpower Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Chen, Yu-Jen, Lo, Cheng-Yen, Cheng, Hsiung-Kuei
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Truc
• Application Number:
  US15/787,123
• Publication Number:
  US 20190074640A1
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7037 making use of a magnetically operated switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus

Abstract

An adapter module including an adapter and a power cord is provided. The adapter includes a first interface, at least a second interface coupled with at least a load, an identifying circuit having a sensing switch configured at the first interface, a controller, and a detecting circuit. The first interface is provided for inserting by a connector of the power cord. The sensing switch changes its on/off state depending on whether the first connector provides a trigger. A first message is generated if the first connector provides the trigger. The controller is coupled to the identifying circuit and receives the first message. The detecting circuit is coupled between the first interface and the second interface for detecting a power parameter value, and provides a second message to the controller. The controller sends a warning message according to the first message and the second message.

Claims

1. An adapter, suitable for coupling to a power cord having a first connector, comprising:

a first interface, provided for inserting by the first connector of the power cord;

at least a second interface, suitable for coupling with at least a load;

an identifying circuit, having a sensing switch and being configured at the first interface, and the sensing switch changes its on/off state depending on whether the first connector provides a trigger, and a first message is generated if the first connector provides the trigger;

a controller, coupled to the identifying circuit, and receives the first message; and

a detecting circuit, coupled between the first interface and the second interface for detecting a power parameter value between the first interface and the second interface, and provides a second message to the controller;

wherein, the controller sends a warning message according to the first message and the second message.

2. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the first connector is configured with a trigger element, when the first connector inserts into the first interface, the sensing switch changes its on/off state according to the trigger element.

3. The adapter according to claim 2, wherein the sensing switch is a reed switch and the trigger element is a magnetic element, when the first connector inserts into the first interface, the reed switch changes its on/off state according to the magnetic element.

4. The adapter according to claim 2, wherein the type or specification of the power cord is defined by the configuration of the trigger element.

5. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the first message includes that whether the first connector provides the trigger so that the controller defines a rated current value corresponding to the power cord, and the second message includes an actual current value between the first interface and the second interface, the controller sends the warning message when the actual current value is greater than or equal to the rated current value.

6. The adapter according to claim 5, wherein the rated current value of the power cord is defined by the controller according to the on/off state of the sensing switch.

7. The adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a reminding unit, coupled with the controller and receives the warning message.

8. The adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit, coupled between the first interface and the detecting circuit, and the controller controls the on/off state of the switching unit according to the first message and the second message.

9. The adapter according to claim 8, further comprising a battery, coupled between the switching unit and the second interface, the controller controls the battery to power the load when the switching unit is off.

10. The adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a circuit board, a third interface and a power unit, the controller, the third interface and the power unit are configured at the circuit board, wherein the sensing switch is coupled to the third interface, and the power unit powers the sensing switch through the third interface, and the controller couples to the identifying circuit through the third interface.

11. An adapter module, comprising:

a power cord, having a first connector,

an adapter, comprising;

a first interface, provided for inserting by the first connector of the power cord;

at least a second interface, suitable for coupling with at least a load;

an identifying circuit, having a sensing switch and being configured at the first interface, and the sensing switch changes its on/off state depending on whether the first connector provides a trigger, and a first message is generated if the first connector provides the trigger;

a controller, coupled to the identifying circuit, and receives the first message; and

a detecting circuit, coupled between the first interface and the second interface for detecting a power parameter value between the first interface and the second interface, and provides a second message to the controller;

wherein, the controller sends a warning message according to the first message and the second message.

12. The adapter module according to claim 11, wherein the first connector is configured with a trigger element, when the first connector inserts into the first interface, the sensing switch changes its on/off state according to the trigger element.

13. The adapter module according to claim 12, wherein the sensing switch is a reed switch and the trigger element is a magnetic element, when the first connector inserts into the first interface, the reed switch changes its on/off state according to the magnetic element.

14. The adapter module according to claim 12, wherein the type or specification of the power cord is defined by the configuration of the trigger element.

15. The adapter module according to claim 11, wherein the first message includes that whether the first connector provides the trigger so that the controller defines a rated current value corresponding to the power cord, and the second message includes an actual current value between the first interface and the second interface, the controller sends the warning message when the actual current value is greater than or equal to the rated current value.

16. The adapter module according to claim 15, wherein the rated current value of the power cord is defined by the controller according to the on/off state of the sensing switch.

17. The adapter module according to claim 11, wherein the adapter further includes a reminding unit, coupled with the controller and receives the warning message.

18. The adapter module according to claim 11, wherein the adapter further includes a switching unit, coupled between the first interface and the detecting circuit, and the controller controls the on/off state of the switching unit according to the first message and the second message.

19. The adapter module according to claim 18, wherein the adapter further includes a battery, coupled between the switching unit and the second interface, the controller controls the battery to power the load when the switching unit is off.

20. The adapter module according to claim 11, wherein the adapter further includes a circuit board, a third interface and a power unit, the controller, the third interface and the power unit are configured at the circuit board, wherein the sensing switch is coupled to the third interface, and the power unit powers the sensing switch through the third interface, and the controller couples to the identifying circuit through the third interface.