AC adapter for a module bay in a computer system

• US 6,331,936 B1
• Filed: 04/14/1999
• Issued: 12/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Hom, Bo, Wahl, Rick W., OʼNeal, Sean P.
• Primary Examiner(s): FEILD, LYNN DIANA
• Application Number:
  US09/291,364
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679, 361/683, 361/686, 361/728, 361/730, 361/731, 361/680, 361/681, 439/928.1
• US Class Current: 361/679.55
• 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 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203

Abstract

A portable computer includes a housing including a top portion pivotally mounted on a base portion. The base portion includes a module bay formed therein and also includes an internal module bay connector. A modular AC adapter is removably mounted in the module bay. The adapter is provided with a stationary connector for engagement with the internal module bay connector. A storage compartment is provided in the adapter. A first movable connector assembly includes a connection to the adapter positioned in the storage compartment. A second movable connector assembly is provided for connection to the adapter in the storage compartment. The adapter can be inserted into the module bay and interconnected with the computer. An AC connector can be stored in the adapter for carrying or extended for connection to an AC power source. Alternately, the adapter can be used externally of the computer so that a DC connector of the adapter is engaged with the computer and an AC connector of the adapter is engaged with the AC power source.

Claims

1. A portable computer comprising:

a housing including a top portion pivotally mounted on a base portion, the base portion including an external DC connector, a module bay formed in the base portion, and an internal DC module bay connector;

a modular AC adapter removably mounted in the module bay, the adapter being provided with a stationary connector for engagement with the internal DC module bay connector;

a storage compartment in the adapter;

a first movable DC connector assembly including a cord storable in the storage compartment and a fixed connection to the adapter positioned in the storage compartment; and

a second movable AC connector assembly including a cord storable in the storage compartment and a movable connection to the adapter in the storage compartment, whereby the adapter is connectable externally of the base portion by connecting the movable DC connector assembly to the external DC connector, and the adapter is connectable internally of the base portion by inserting the adapter in the module bay and connecting the stationary connector with the internal DC module bay connector.

2. The portable computer as defined in claim 1 wherein the housing includes a door movable between an open position and a closed position, for opening and closing the storage compartment.

3. A computer system comprising:

a chassis having an external DC connector and a module bay including an internal DC connector;

a microprocessor mounted in the chassis;

an input coupled to provide input into the microprocessor;

a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor;

a video controller coupled to the microprocessor;

a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor;

a modular AC adapter removably mounted in a module bay formed in the chassis;

a stationary connector mounted on the housing for engagement with the internal DC connector mounted in the module bay;

a storage compartment in the housing;

an adapter adjacent the storage compartment;

a first movable DC connector assembly including a cord storable in the storage compartment and a fixed connection to the adapter positioned in the storage compartment; and

a second movable AC connector assembly including a cord storable in the storage compartment and a movable connection to the adapter in the storage compartment, whereby the adapter is connectable externally of the base portion by connecting the movable DC connector assembly to the external DC connector, and the adapter is connectable internally of the base portion by inserting the adapter in the module bay and connecting the stationary connector with the internal DC module bay connector.

4. The computer system as defined in claim 3 wherein the housing includes a door movable between an open position and a closed position, for opening and closing the storage compartment.

5. A portable computer comprising:

a housing including a top portion pivotally mounted on a base portion, the base portion including an external DC connector, a battery bay and a module bay formed in the base portion, the module bay having an internal DC module bay connector;

a modular AC adapter removably mounted in the module bay, the adapter being provided with a stationary connector for engagement with the internal DC module bay connector;

a storage compartment in the adapter;

a first movable DC connector assembly including a cord storable in the storage compartment and a fixed connection to the adapter positioned in the storage compartment; and

a second removable AC connector assembly including a cord storable in the storage compartment and a movable connection to the adapter in the storage compartment, whereby the adapter is connectable externally of the base portion by connecting the movable DC connector assembly to the external DC connector, and the adapter is connectable internally of the base portion by inserting the adapter in the module bay and connecting the stationary connector with the internal DC module bay connector.

6. The portable computer as defined in claim 5 wherein the housing includes a door movable between an open position and a closed position, for opening and closing the storage compartment.