Apparatus for supplying auxiliary power to portable electronic devices

• US 6,490,186 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2001
• Issued: 12/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Cho, Young-Tack
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, MATTHEW VAN
• Application Number:
  US09/993,515
• Publication Number:
  US 20020085403A1
• Time in Patent Office: 371 Days
• Field of Search: 363/144, 363/146, 320/107, 320/114, 307/64, 307/66, 307/70
• US Class Current: 363/146
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/72 Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An apparatus for supplying auxiliary power to a portable electric device includes a casing, a battery removably accommodated in the casing, a winding unit winding and unwinding an electric wire through which electric power from the battery is supplied to the electric device, rotating forward and backward in the casing, and a contact member provided in the winding unit, including a movable contact electrically connected to the electric wire, and a secured contact electrically connected to the battery and constantly contacted with the movable contact. With this configuration, there is provided an apparatus for supplying auxiliary power to portable electric devices, which can be promptly connected to the portable electric devices and supply electric power thereto, and is convenient to carry.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supplying auxiliary power to a portable electric device, comprising:

a casing;

a battery removably accommodated in said casing;

a winding unit winding and unwinding an electric wire conveying electric power from said battery supplied to said portable electric device, rotating forward and backward in said casing; and

a contact member provided in said winding unit, including a movable contact electrically connected to said electric wire, and a secured contact electrically connected to said battery and constantly contacted with said movable contact.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one power input part provided in said casing, receiving electric power from an external power source, and a charger including a charging circuit charging said battery with the electric power inputted to said power input part.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, with said power input part, comprising:

adapter connection terminals electrically connected to an adapter coupled with the external power source; and

charger connection terminals exposed outside said casing, corresponding to power source terminals of a separate charger connected with the external power source.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, with said adapter connection terminals electrically connected with said charger accommodating charging of said battery.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, with said winding unit, further comprising:

a cylindrical winding member winding said electric wire on said cylindrical winding member;

a rotary shaft rotating and supporting said winding member;

a rotary spring elastically restoring said winding member to the winding state; and

a brake braking the elastic restoring rotation of said winding member.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, with said winding unit, further comprising:

a cylindrical winding member winding said electric wire on said cylindrical winding member;

a rotary knob provided in one side of said winding member, protruding outward from said casing; and

a rotary shaft rotating and supporting said winding member.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, with said rotary knob rotating said winding member forward and backward.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a clip provided at said casing to secure said casing on a user.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, with said secured contact elastically forming a continuous contact with said movable contact to form a constant electrical contact with said battery and said electric wire.

10. A method, comprising the steps of:

winding and unwinding an electrical wire within a casing, said electrical wire conveying electrical power from a battery removably accommodated in a casing;

continuously providing an electrical contact with said electrical wire and said battery while winding and unwinding said electrical wire; and

coupling said electrical wire to a portable electric device to provide power to said portable electric device from said battery.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of receiving electrical power from an external power source to charge said battery.

12. The method of claim 11, with said step of receiving electrical power further comprised of the steps of:

receiving electrical power from an external power source; and

charging said battery from the power source through a charger unit disposed in said casing.

13. The method of claim 11, with said step of receiving electrical power, further comprised of the step of receiving electrical power from an external charging unit to charge said battery.

14. The method of claim 10, with said step of winding and unwinding said electrical wire, further comprising the steps of:

winding said electric wire on a winding member;

rotating and supporting said winding member by a rotary shaft;

elastically restoring said winding member to the winding state by a resilient member; and

braking the elastic restoring rotation of said winding member.

15. The method of claim 10, with said step of winding and unwinding said electrical wire, further comprising the steps of:

winding and unwinding said electric wire on a winding member;

controlling the winding and unwinding of said electrical wire by a rotary knob provided in one side of said winding member, protruding outward from said casing; and

rotating and supporting said winding member by a rotary shaft.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of securing said casing on a user.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

a case;

a power storing unit removably accommodated in said case;

a winding unit accommodating a winding and unwinding of a wire conveying power from said power storing unit to an electric device;

a contact member in said winding unit, including a movable contact connected to said wire, and a secured contact connected to said power storing unit, said secured contact continuously contacted with said movable contact; and

a power input part receiving power from an outside power unit to charge said power storing unit.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

a resilient member elastically restoring a winding member of said winding unit to an initial state; and

a brake applied on a tooth of said winding member to brake the elastic restoring rotation of said winding member.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a rotary knob coupled with said winding member and protruding outside of said case to accommodate the controlling of the winding and unwinding of said winding unit.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a charging unit within said case to charge said power storing unit, said charging unit connected with said power input part accepting power from the outside power unit.