Keyed universal power tip and power source connectors

• US 6,976,885 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2004
• Issued: 12/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: iGo, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mobility Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Lord, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad, Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US10/790,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20050197018A1
• Time in Patent Office: 658 Days
• Field of Search: 439/680, 439/677, 439/678, 439/679, 439/502
• US Class Current: 439/680
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/66 Structural association with built-in electrical component coupling devices having concentrically or coaxially-arranged contacts H01R24/38
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6616 with resistor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2107/00 Four or more poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/62 Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/00 Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/88
• 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 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• 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

Abstract

A keyed power source connector (32) and keyed device connector (14) that are backwards compatible, ensuring that the power rated device connectors can only mate with power source connectors power rated at or above the device connector power rating. One connector is formed as a plug, and the other connector is formed as a socket. The connectors have peripheral contoured body portions (16, 34) having a profile being a function of the respective connector power rating. A keyed portion (41, 62, 72, 82) of the power source connector plug will physically interfere with and not be receivable within a device connector socket when the device connector power rating exceeds the power source connector power rating. This connector system (10) ensures target portable electronic devices coupled to the device connector can not draw power exceeding the rating of the power source connector.

Claims

1. An electrical device connector adapted to couple to a portable electronic device, comprising:

a body having a plurality of conductors terminating at a first interface, a plurality of conductors terminating at a second interface adapted to couple to the portable electronic device;

wherein the device connector is rated at a predetermined power rating, and has a peripheral contoured body portion having a profile being a function of the device connector power rating, the first interface being configured to be connectable to only a power source connector power rated at least as high as the device connector power rating.

2. The electrical device connector as specified in claim 1 wherein the peripheral contoured body portion is disposed about the first interface.

3. The electrical device connector as specified in claim 1 wherein the device connector power rating is commensurate with a power rating of a portable electronic device adapted to be coupled thereto.

4. The electrical device connector as specified in claim 1 wherein the device connector comprises an electrical component establishing the device connector power rating.

5. The electrical device connector as specified in claim 1 wherein the electrical component comprises a resistor.

6. The electrical device connector as specified in claim 1 wherein the device connector contoured body portion has a keyed portion adapted to interfere with a power source connector power rated below the device connector power rating.

7. The electrical device connector as specified in claim 1 wherein the keyed portion comprises a lobe.

8. A first connector having a first power rating and having a plurality of conductors terminating at a first interface;

at least one second connector having a respective second power rating and having a plurality of conductors terminating at a respective second interface, wherein each of the second connectors has a third interface adapted to couple to a portable electronic device;

wherein the first interface is shaped so as to mechanically and electrically couple to each of the second connector second interfaces, such that only those second connectors having a power rating at or below the power rating of the first connector can be coupled thereto.

9. The first connector as specified in claim 8 wherein the second connectors second interfaces are shaped such that they are backward compatible with the first connector.

10. The first connector as specified in claim 8 wherein the first connector first interface is shaped such that it is backward compatible with the plurality of second connectors.

11. The first connector as specified in claim 8 wherein the first interface is a socket and the second interfaces are plugs.

12. The first connector as specified in claim 8 wherein the first interface is a plug and the second interfaces are sockets.