Universal multiple device power adapter and carry case

• US 6,894,457 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2002
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric IT Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Germagian, Mark H., Bush, Matthew F., Morgan, Jane
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US10/285,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20040085043A1
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 320/116, 320/119, 320/137, 320/138, 320/114, 363/146
• US Class Current: 320/119
• 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 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a carrying case with an integrated power supply system for providing power to multiple electronic devices from a single power source. In addition to allowing quick access and storage of various electronic devices, the carrying case also allows the individual electronic devices to be easily connected to the power source and eliminates the need to carry multiple charging cords. In certain embodiments, the power supply system further includes an additional battery or other power source, which increases the runtime of connected electronic devices and reduces the need to carry additional individual batteries for the individual devices. With different connectors on the input to the power system, different AC or DC power sources may be utilized. Different connectors can also be used to provide power to different electronic devices.

Claims

1. A carrying case for powering and or charging multiple electronic devices from a single power source, the carrying case comprising:

a housing providing a plurality of compartments for holding the multiple electronic devices; and

a power supply system, the power supply system including;

a power input system that receives power from a power source;

a first DC voltage output configured to provide power to at least one electronic device;

a second DC voltage output configured to provide power to at least a second electronic device;

voltage circuitry coupled to the power input system and to the first DC voltage output and configured to provide multiple DC voltages; and

a selector coupled to the voltage circuitry and configured to select which of the multiple DC voltages to provide to the first DC voltage output.

2. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein the power input system further includes an AC/DC converter and a power cord for operatively connecting the AC/DC converter to an AC power source.

3. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein the power input system further includes a DC/DC converter and a power cord for operatively connecting the DC/DC converter to a DC power source.

4. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein the power input system further includes an AC/DC converter;

a DC/DC converter; and

a power cord for selectively connecting either the AC/DC converter to an AC power source and the DC/DC converter to a DC power source.

5. The carrying case of claim 4, wherein the power cord further includes an adapter for operatively connecting a first end of the power cord to one of an AC and a DC power source.

6. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein the voltage circuitry comprises a variable DC/DC converter connected to the first DC voltage output to provide a voltage.

7. The carrying case of claim 1, wherein the second DC voltage output is a port compatible with the universal serial bus standard.

8. The carrying case of claim 1, further comprising:

wires connecting the second DC voltage output to the second at least one electronic device; and

a wire retainer for holding the wires.

9. The carrying case of claim 8, wherein the wires include:

a splitter having in input connected to the second DC voltage output and at least two outputs; and

a plurality of device wires, each device wire connecting an output of the splitter to a respective electronic device.

10. The carrying case of claim 8, wherein the wire retainer includes a mesh pocket with a loop and hook closure.

11. The carrying case of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery module, the battery module being selectively connected to the power input system to provide power to the power system and to the first DC voltage output to charge the battery.

12. The carry case of claim 1, further comprising:

a voltage distributor having an input connected to the second DC voltage output and a plurality of DC voltage outputs connected to a plurality of electronic devices.

20. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a wall dividing first and second ones of the compartments, the first compartment being sized to receive a portable computer, the wall providing a passage through the wall sized to allow passage therethrough of a power cable and connector configured for connection to the portable computer.

13. A power adapter comprising:

a power input system that receives power from a power source;

a first DC voltage output configured to provide power to at least one electronic device;

a second DC voltage output configured to provide power to at least a second electronic device;

voltage circuitry coupled to the power input system and to the first DC voltage output and configured to provide multiple DC voltages; and

a selector coupled to the voltage circuitry and configured to select which of the multiple DC voltages to provide to the first DC voltage output.

14. The power adapter of claim 13, wherein the power input system further includes an AC/DC converter;

a DC/DC converter; and

a power cord for selectively connecting either the AC/DC converter to an AC power source and the DC/DC converter to a DC power source.

15. The power adapter of claim 14, wherein the power cord further includes an adapter for operatively connecting a first end of the power cord to one of an AC and DC power source.

16. The power adapter of claim 13 wherein the voltage circuitry comprises a variable DC/DC converter connected to the first DC voltage output to provide a voltage.

17. The power adapter of claim 13, wherein the first DC voltage output includes an replaceable adapter for connecting the first DC voltage output to a specific electronic device.

18. A method for operating a power supply system to supply power to a plurality of electronic devices, the method comprising:

selectively connecting an input of the power supply system to one of a plurality of power sources through a selectable power cord by attaching to the power cord a selected one of multiple adapters usable with the power cord and connecting the selected adapter to the one of the plurality of power sources;

converting the power from the one of the plurality of power sources to a plurality of DC output voltages at a plurality of outputs; and

connecting a plurality of electronic devices to the plurality of outputs.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising selecting a voltage level for at least one of the DC output voltages.

21. A carrying case system for powering and or charging multiple electronic devices from a single power source, the carrying case system comprising:

a housing providing a plurality of compartments for holding the multiple electronic devices;

a power supply system, the power supply system including;

a power input system that receives power from a power source;

a first DC voltage output configured to provide power to at least one electronic device, the first DC voltage output includes a wire connected to a connector;

a second DC voltage output configured to provide power to at least a second electronic device; and

a plurality of differently-configured replaceable adapters configured to be connected to the connector of the first DC voltage output and to different electronic device.