Device For Converting AC Power To Multiple DC Outputs With Retractable Cords And Multiple Adapter Tips

• US 20070279954A1
• Filed: 06/04/2007
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aurisma LLC
• Original Assignee: Aurisma LLC
• Inventors: Christensen, Matthew, Genslak, Kristina, Garrett, Michael, Hekel, Christopher, Miller, Samuel
• Application Number:
  US11/757,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20070279954A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 363/91
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33561 having more than one ouput with independent control

Abstract

An electrical adapter is disclosed that includes a power supply circuit, a sensing circuit and one or more universal DC output connectors. The electrical adapter is configured to convert AC input power at a nominal 120 volts AC to one or more DC output voltages which has the ability to provide different nominal DC voltages to each universal DC output connector depending on the portable DC device connected thereto. The electrical adapter includes a device sensing circuit that automatically senses when a portable DC device is connected to or disconnected from any of the universal DC output connectors. The electrical adapter also includes a voltage and current sensing circuit that monitors the voltage and current applied to the portable DC device connected to the universal DC connector that is used to provide closed loop feedback to the power supply circuit in order to adjust the voltage applied to the universal DC output connector as a function of the voltage and current requirements of the portable DC device connected thereto. As such, each universal DC output connector can be used for portable DC devices having different nominal DC requirements. For example, an electrical adapter with four universal DC output connectors can be used to power four cell phones with nominal 5 volt DC requirements. The same universal DC connectors can alternatively be used to charge four laptop computers with a nominal 15 volt DC requirement or any combination thereof with no changes of the circuitry required. The electrical adapter in accordance with the present invention provides significantly more flexibility than known electrical adapters in which each connector has a dedicated output voltage.

Claims

1. An electrical adapter comprising:

a power supply circuit which includes an adjustable power supply, a switch and a microcontroller, for receiving a nominal AC input voltage and converting it to one or more DC voltages;

at least one universal DC connector, coupled to said adjustable power supply by way of said switch;

a device sensing circuit for sensing when a portable DC device is connected to said at least one universal DC connector; and

a voltage and current sensing circuit connected in a closed feedback loop with said power supply circuit for sensing the load current applied to portable DC connector, wherein said microcontroller causes the adjustable power supply to provide a DC output voltage to said universal DC output connector as a function of the current drawn by said portable DC device over a time period.

2. The electrical adapter as recited in claim 1, wherein said output voltage of said adjustable power supply is set to the voltage when the rate of change of current with respect to time exceeds a predetermined value.

3. The electrical adapter as recited in claim 1, wherein said output voltage of said adjustable power supply is set to the voltage when the rate of change of voltage with respect to time exceeds a predetermined value.

4. The electrical adapter as recited in claim 1, wherein said output voltage of said adjustable power supply is set to the voltage when the rate of change of current with respect to voltage exceeds a predetermined value.

5. The electrical adapter as recited in claim 1, wherein said output voltage of said adjustable power supply is set to the voltage when the rate of change of voltage with respect to current exceeds a predetermined value.