MULTI-CAPACITY POWER SUPPLY FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES

• US 20100117453A1
• Filed: 11/07/2008
• Published: 05/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Lewis, Thomas F., Reinberg, Kevin M., Vernon, Kevin S., Langgood, John K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,212,388 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/75
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7039 the coupling part with coding means activating the switch to establish different circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 29/00 Coupling parts for selective co-operation with a counterpart in different ways to establish different circuits, e.g. for voltage selection, for series-parallel selection, programmable connectors

Abstract

An electronic device may be provided with more than one industry-standard type of AC power connector. The electronic device may be powered in any of a variety of locations by selectively exposing one of the power connectors selected according to an AC power outlet available at that location. A location-specific power cord may be used to connect the exposed power connector to the AC power outlet. The location-specific power cord may have, for example, a line socket at one end of a type that matches the exposed power connector, and a power plug at the other end of a type that matches the AC power outlet at the location. Predefined power settings appropriate for use with the AC power outlet and the exposed power connector may be automatically invoked.

Claims

1. A power supply for an electronic device, comprising:

a chassis;

a plurality of AC power connectors supported on the chassis;

a movable chassis member supported on the chassis such that any position of the movable chassis member on the chassis exposes no more than one of the AC power connectors for connection to a power cord;

an AC/DC converter with an AC input in electronic communication with at least the exposed AC power connector and a DC output for powering one or more electronic component; and

a power supply controller configured to automatically invoke predefined power settings for the exposed AC power connector.

2. The power supply of claim 1, further comprising:

a switch having a distinct switch state associated with exposure of each AC power connector, each switch state triggering the power supply controller to invoke the predefined power settings for the exposed AC power connector.

3. The power supply of claim 2, wherein the switch automatically enables the exposed AC power connector and disables the other AC power connectors.

4. The power supply of claim 1, wherein the movable chassis member comprises a cover secured to a track and constrained to move along the track to expose no more than one of the AC power connectors at a time.

5. The power supply of claim 1, wherein the movable chassis member comprises a connector module on which the plurality of AC power connectors are carried, the chassis comprises a module bay configured for releasably receiving the connector module in a plurality of distinct rotational positions, wherein in each rotationally distinct position an associated one of the exposed AC power connector is exposed and connected to the AC input of the AC/DC converter.

6. The power supply of claim 5, further comprising:

a plurality of keys provided on the connector module, each key distinctly associated with one of the AC power connectors, wherein each rotationally distinct position of the connector module positions the associated key in readable proximity to a switch configured for invoking the predefined power settings for the exposed AC power connector.

7. The power supply of claim 1, further comprising:

a first power cord having a line socket at one end configured for mating with a first AC power connector and an AC power plug at the other end configured for mating with a first AC power outlet; and

a second power cord having a line socket at one end configured for mating with a second AC power connector and a plug at the other end configured for mating with a second AC power outlet.

8. The power supply of claim 7, wherein the first and second AC power connectors have different electrical current ratings, the line socket and AC power plug of the first power cord have an electrical current rating matched to the current rating of the first AC power connector, and the line socket and AC power plug of the second power cord have an electrical current rating matched to the connector type of the second AC power connector.

9. The power supply of claim 1, wherein the power settings for a first AC power connector when exposed include a voltage in the range of between 220 and 240 volts and the power settings for a second AC power connector when exposed include a voltage in the range of between 100 and 120 volts.

10. The power supply of claim 9, wherein the power settings for the first AC power connector further include a current limit that is higher than a current limit of the second AC power connector.

11. A method, comprising:

selectively exposing no more than one of a plurality of AC power connectors on an electronic device while blocking the other AC power connectors;

automatically invoking predefined power settings for the exposed AC power connector in response to the exposure of the exposed AC power connector;

providing alternating current to the exposed AC power connector;

converting the alternating current to direct current according to the predefined power settings; and

providing the direct current to an electronic subsystem to be powered.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of providing alternating current to the exposed AC power connector comprises connecting one end of a power cord into the exposed AC power connector and connecting the other end of the power cord into an AC power outlet.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of selectively exposing one of a plurality of AC power connectors on an electronic device while blocking the other AC power connectors comprises moving a cover to expose one of the AC power connectors and simultaneously at least partially cover each of the other AC power connectors.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of moving the cover comprises moving the cover along a track.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of selectively exposing one of a plurality of AC power connectors on an electronic device while blocking the other AC power connectors comprises positioning a connector module in a module bay in one of a plurality of rotationally distinct positions that exposes one of the AC power connectors.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising distinguishing between a plurality of keys each uniquely associated with one of the AC power connectors to determine which of the AC power connectors is exposed.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of distinguishing between a plurality of keys comprises distinguishing one or more of a size, shape, and position of the key associated with the exposed AC power connector.

17. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of distinguishing between a plurality of keys comprises reading an electronic, digital, magnetic, or optical signature on the key associated with the exposed AC power connector.

19. An electronic device, comprising:

a chassis;

an electronic subsystem supported on the chassis;

a plurality of AC power connectors supported on the chassis;

a movable chassis member supportable on the chassis such that any position of the movable chassis member on the chassis exposes no more than one of the AC power connectors for connection to a power cord;

an AC/DC converter with an AC input in electronic communication with at least the exposed AC power connector and a DC output for powering the electronic subsystem; and

a power supply controller configured to automatically invoke predefined power settings for the exposed AC power connector.

20. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein the plurality of AC power connectors comprise a first AC power connector and a second AC power connector having a higher current rating than the first AC power connector, and wherein the predefined power settings enforced by the power supply controller for the second AC power connector include a higher current limit than the predefined power settings enforced by the power supply controller for the first AC power connector.