Portable computer being powered by either a battery pack or an AC adapter

• US 5,955,797 A
• Filed: 09/08/1997
• Issued: 09/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Dong-Hwan
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): KAPLAN, JONATHAN STUART
• Application Number:
  US08/925,192
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 307/150, 307/64, 307/66, 439/500
• US Class Current: 307/150
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

A portable computer incorporates an AC adaptor for providing DC power to the portable computer. Especially, the adaptor is configured to be housed within or detached from the battery pack-receiving bay of the portable computer. Preferably, the AC adaptor includes a second connector electrically connectable to a first connector provided in the battery receiving bay, to form appropriate electrical connection. Also, the AC adaptor has the same configuration as the battery pack. Further, the AC adaptor has a DC jack for receiving a DC plug, and for outputting the DC power at the side of the adaptor provided with said second connector. The DC jack may also be provided on the side of the adaptor opposite to the second connector, when the AC adaptor is mounted in the battery receiving bay. With this arrangement, use of the portable computer becomes more convenient by incorporating the battery pack in a detachable way. Further, when the AC adaptor is installed instead of the battery pack, the continuous usage of the battery pack, i.e., frequent charging/discharging of the battery can be prevented, and thus poor performance and shortening of the battery life can be effectively prevented.

Claims

1. A portable computer, comprising:

a battery pack used for supplying power to the portable computer;

a battery receiving bay disposed within the portable computer for housing said battery pack;

a first connector disposed within said battery receiving bay and electrically connectable to said battery pack;

an AC adaptor for providing DC power for the portable computer by converting an AC power input thereto, said AC adaptor including a second connector electrically connectable to said first connector so as to be housed or detached from said battery receiving bay of the portable computer; and

a DC jack for an external DC plug, for supplying the DC power to an external device, said DC jack being disposed at a side of the AC adaptor which is outwardly faced and opposite to said second connector, when said AC adaptor is housed within said battery receiving bay.

2. A portable computer as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a sensing means for perceiving whether or not the DC power is being provided to the computer when said AC adaptor is housed within said battery receiving bay.

3. A portable computer as set forth in claim 2, said sensing means comprising a voltage detector coupled to said DC power, and a microprocessor for determining whether or not said AC adaptor is housed within said battery receiving bay by comparing a detected voltage of said sensing means to an internal reference voltage.

4. A portable computer provided with a battery pack receiving bay for receiving a detachable battery pack, the portable computer including an AC adaptor to be housed within or detached from said battery pack receiving bay, said AC adaptor supplying a DC power from an external AC power source connected thereto to the portable computer and to a DC jack disposed on an exposed side of said AC adaptor upon said AC adaptor being housed within said battery pack receiving bay.