AC-DC input adapter

• US 20090310384A1
• Filed: 06/12/2008
• Published: 12/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Original Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Inventors: Sharifipour, Bahman, Hu, Kaiti
• Granted Patent: US 8,531,174 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 363/13
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/10 Arrangements incorporating converting means for enabling loads to be operated at will from different kinds of power supplies, e.g. from ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections

Abstract

An output module for providing power to a device by using power from a source includes an inlet port, an outlet port, a power conversion circuit configured to receive power from the source through the inlet port and supply converted power to the device through the outlet port, and a control circuit coupled to the power conversion circuit and configured to determine a power requirement of the device and to operate the power conversion circuit to produce converted power having a parameter based upon the power requirement. Preferably, the power requirement is a charging requirement of a battery of the device.

Claims

1. An output module for providing power to a device by using power from a source, comprising:

a. an inlet port;

b. an outlet port;

c. a power conversion circuit configured to receive power from the source through the inlet port and supply converted power to the device through the outlet port;

d. a control circuit coupled to the power conversion circuit and configured to determine a power requirement of the device and to operate the power conversion circuit to produce converted power having a parameter based upon the power requirement.

2. The output module of claim 1 further comprising means for receiving a signal from the device.

3. The output module of claim 1 further comprising means for incrementing voltage linearly at a first rate.

4. The output module of claim 3 further comprising means for determining a change in the signal received from the device.

5. The output module of claim 4 further comprising means for incrementing voltage at a second rate based upon the change in the signal received.

6. The output module of claim 1, wherein the device is one of a personal computer, a notebook computer, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, a personal entertainment device, a music entertainment device, a personal gaming system, a wireless electronic device, a digital camera, a video camera, an electronic device, a portable device, a handheld device, an appliance, and any combination thereof.

7. The output module of claim 1, wherein the control circuit comprises an automatic digital controller.

8. A universal power supply including an output module of claim 1 and further comprising a power supply configured as the source for the output module.

9. The universal power supply of claim 8, further comprising a cable configured for delivering power from the output module to the device.

10. The universal power supply of claim 9, wherein the cable is further configured for transmitting a signal between the output module and the device.

11. The universal power supply of claim 8, wherein the power supply is one of an alternating current power supply and a direct current power supply.

12. The universal power supply of claim 8, wherein the control module is coupled to the power supply through an adapter.

13. The universal power supply of claim 12, wherein the adapter is one of an alternating current power input adapter and a direct current power input adapter.

14. The universal power supply of claim 8, wherein the output module further comprises means for sensing a power current received from the power supply.

15. The universal power supply of claim 14, wherein the power current comprises one of alternating current and direct current.

16. The universal power supply of claim 8, wherein the output module and the power supply are coupled via an adapter interface.

17. The universal power supply of claim 16, wherein the adapter interface comprises a surface configured to slidably couple the output module and the power supply.

18. The universal power supply of claim 17, wherein the surface of the adapter interface comprises a channel.

19. The universal power supply of claim 1, wherein the power requirement is a charging requirement of a battery of the device.

20. A universal power supply, comprising:

a. an input connector configured to couple with a power source;

b. an output connector configured to couple with a device;

c. a primary power conversion circuit configured to receive power from the input connector and to produce regulated power;

d. a secondary power conversion circuit configured to receive the regulated power through the inlet port and supply converted power to the device through the output connectors;

e. a control circuit coupled to the secondary power conversion circuit and configured to determine a power requirement of the device and to operate the secondary power conversion circuit to produce converted power having a parameter based upon the power requirement.

21. The universal power supply of claim 20, wherein the power requirement is a charging requirement of a battery of the device.

22. A method of powering a device using power from a source, comprising:

a. receiving power from the source;

b. determining a power requirement of the device;

c. converting the power to produce converted power having a parameter based on the power requirement; and

d. supplying the converted power to the device.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the power requirement is a charging requirement of a battery of the device.

24. A system for supplying power comprising:

a. means for receiving power from a source;

b. means for determining a power requirement for a device;

c. means for converting power to produce converted power having a parameter based on the power requirement of the device; and

d. means for supplying the converted power to the device.

25. The system for supplying power of claim 24 further comprising means for receiving a signal from the device.

26. The system for supplying power of claim 24 further comprising means for incrementing voltage linearly at a first rate.

27. The system for supplying power of claim 24 further comprising means for determining a change in the signal received from the device.

28. The system for supplying power of claim 27 further comprising means for incrementing voltage at a second rate based upon the change in the signal received.

29. The system for supplying power of claim 24, wherein the device is one of a personal computer, a notebook computer, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant, a personal entertainment device, a music entertainment device, a personal gaming system, a wireless electronic device, a digital camera, a video camera, an electronic device, a portable device, a handheld device, an appliance, and any combination thereof.

30. The system for supplying power of claim 24, wherein the power requirement is a charging requirement of a battery of the device.