Temperature sensor for power supply
First Claim
1. A power supply configured to receive electrical power from a cigarette lighter receptacle in a vehicle, the power supply comprising:
- a power supply housing configured to house a power module,a microcontroller electronically coupled to the power module and configured to control a power signal transmitted from the power module;
a connector configured to engage a cigarette lighter receptacle, the connector being coupled to the power supply housing via an elongated cable housing one or more electrical wires; and
a temperature sensor disposed in the connector and configured to sense a temperature of the connector and transmit an indication of the sensed temperature to the microcontroller.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A temperature sensor, such as a thermistor, senses the temperature inside a power source connector, or other portion, of a power supply. This sensed temperature may then be used to determine if the output power should be reduced or switched off in order to avoid overheating of the connector, or other portion of the power supply. Overheating of the power supply may occur, for example, if contact between the connector and a cigarette lighter power receptacle is incomplete. A microcontroller may be used to monitor the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor and reduce or disable the power supply if the temperature is above a threshold temperate. Accordingly, heat damage to the plastic components of the power supply, the cigarette lighter receptacle, may be reduced.
111 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A power supply configured to receive electrical power from a cigarette lighter receptacle in a vehicle, the power supply comprising:
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a power supply housing configured to house a power module, a microcontroller electronically coupled to the power module and configured to control a power signal transmitted from the power module; a connector configured to engage a cigarette lighter receptacle, the connector being coupled to the power supply housing via an elongated cable housing one or more electrical wires; and a temperature sensor disposed in the connector and configured to sense a temperature of the connector and transmit an indication of the sensed temperature to the microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of reducing overheating of a power supply configured to receive a power signal from a vehicle through a cigarette lighter receptacle, the method comprising:
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sensing a temperature of a connector of the power supply, the connector being configured to engage a cigarette lighter receptacle; determining if the sensed temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold; and reducing a power level of the power supply in response to determining that the sensed temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold temperature. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A power supply comprising:
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a power module configured to convert a power signal received from a power source, a connector configured to couple the power module with the power source; a first temperature sensor disposed proximate the power module and configured to sense a temperature of the power module; a second temperature sensor disposed in the connector and configured to sense a temperature of the connector; and a power control module configured to reduce a power level of a power signal transmitted from the power supply in response to determining that the temperature of the connector is greater than a predetermined threshold temperature. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for reducing overheating of a power supply configured to receive a power signal from a receptacle in a vehicle or in an aircraft, the system comprising:
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means for sensing a temperature of at least a portion of the power supply, the sensing means being positioned within a connector that is configured to mechanically engage the receptacle; means for determining if the sensed temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold; and means for reducing a power level of the power supply in response to determining that the sensed temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold temperature.
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Specification