Power adaptor and storage unit for portable devices

• US 20070190848A1
• Filed: 02/01/2007
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Original Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Inventors: Zhang, Xiaoyang
• Granted Patent: US 7,989,981 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/500
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence

Abstract

A power adaptor and storage unit is configured to simultaneously provide power to a portable electronic device and to a portable power module. In some cases, the portable power module is integrated into the power adaptor. The power adaptor receives power unusable by the electronic device, converts it to a usable form, stores some of the converted power if possible, and supplies the power to the device.

Claims

1. A power adaptor and storage unit for an electronic device configured to selectively operate using one of an input power, an internal battery and a portable power module, the power adaptor comprising:

a. a first circuit for receiving a source power in a form unusable by the electronic device from an external source and converting the source power to the input power;

b. a pass-through circuit for providing the input power for powering the electronic device;

c. a storage circuit for storing the input power into the portable power module; and

d. a discharge circuit for providing the input power for powering the electronic device from the portable power module.

2. The power adaptor and storage unit of claim 1, wherein the source power is AC power and the input power is DC power.

3. The power adaptor and storage unit of claim 1, wherein the source power is DC power of one voltage and the input power is DC power of a different voltage.

4. The power adaptor and storage unit of claim 1, further comprising a second circuit for receiving a different type of source power, also in form unusable by the electronic device, and converting the different type of source power to the input power.

6. The power adaptor and storage unit of claim 2, wherein the energy storage unit comprises a battery and a charging circuit.

7. The power adaptor and storage unit of claim 2, wherein the power output unit comprises a discharging circuit.

8. The power adaptor and storage unit of claim 2, wherein the power output unit comprises a power converter.

5. A power adaptor and storage unit for a portable device, comprising:

a. a power converter unit configured to selectively receive power from an external source in a form unusable by the portable device and to simultaneously produce usable power and storable power therefrom;

b. an energy storage unit coupled to the power converter unit and configurable to receive the storable power therefrom and to store it as energy;

c. a power pass-through unit coupled to the power converter unit and configurable to channel the usable power therethrough to the portable device;

d. a power output unit coupled to the energy storage unit and configurable to produce usable power from the energy within the energy storage unit and to supply it to the portable device; and

e. a controller unit configured to control the provision of storable power from the power converter unit to the energy storage unit, and to control the channeling of usable power through the power pass-through unit to the portable device, and to control the provision of energy from the energy storage unit through the power output unit to the portable device.

9. A power adaptor and backup power unit for an electronic device, comprising:

a. a power converter configured to selectively receive power unusable by the electronic device from an external supply and to produce converted power usable by the electronic device;

b. an energy storage unit with an input coupled to the power converter through a first switching module and an output coupled a second switching module

c. a third switching module coupled to the power converter; and

d. a controller coupled to the first, second and third switching modules, and configured to control the operation of the first, second, and third switching modules to optionally provide converted power from the power converter to an output of the power adaptor and backup power unit through one of the energy storage unit and the third switching module.

10. A power adaptor and storage unit for a portable electronic device, comprising:

a. a power converter unit configured to optionally receive power in a form unusable by the device from an external source and to produce a first usable power output and a storable power output from the received power when power is being received from the external source;

b. a storage unit with an energy level and a total capacity configured to receive the storable power output from the power converter unit and store it as energy if the energy level is less than the total capacity;

c. an output unit configurable to receive energy from the storage unit and to produce a second usable power output from the received energy; and

d. a controller configured to determine if the power converter is receiving power from the external source, and if it is not, to direct the output unit to produce the second usable power output and to supply the second usable power output to the portable device.