Cable management techniques for power converters

• US 7,563,130 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2006
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Original Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Inventors: Farrar, Karin M., Hwang, Steve I., Telefus, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Ullah; Akm E
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAMADAN, RAMY O
• Application Number:
  US11/419,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20060262578A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 320/111, 320/112, 320/114, 439/501, 439/502, 439/504
• US Class Current: 439/501
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/34 electric cords or electric power cables
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 75/06 Flat cores, e.g. cards
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/72 Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/02 using take-up reel or drum

Abstract

A variety of arrangements for management of DC power cords in AC-to-DC power converters. These arrangements include a frame for wrapping the cord around, in which the AC power plug may or may not be pivotably attached to the frame. The AC-to-DC power conversion circuitry may be miniaturized and contained within either the AC power plug or the frame. In addition, other arrangements include a retractable reel for the DC power cord that may be located within the frame or within the AC power plug.

Claims

1. An AC-to-DC power converter, comprising:

an AC power plug having AC power prongs extending therefrom, the prongs adapted for mating engagement with an AC power outlet;

a cord housing to which the AC power plug is pivotably attached allowing the AC power plug to pivot about an axis between an extended position in which the AC power prongs face outward from the cord housing and a retracted position in which the AC power prongs face inward and further allowing the AC power plug to pivot about the axis an angular extent of 360 degrees, wherein the cord housing includes a frame defining a central void into which the prongs are received when the AC power plug is pivoted sufficiently, and wherein the DC power cord is retracted into the cord housing around the central void;

a DC power cord having a DC power plug at one end thereof, adapted for mating engagement with a DC power inlet;

a retraction mechanism attached to the DC power cord that resiliently urges the DC power cord into the housing; and

AC-to-DC power conversion circuitry electrically connected between the AC power plug and the DC power cord, wherein the AC-to-DC power conversion circuitry is located within the AC power plug.

2. A power converter as defined in claim 1, wherein the retraction mechanism includes retraction of the DC power cord through the pivot axis in the AC power plug.

3. A power converter as defined in claim 1, wherein the retraction mechanism is separated from the AC power plug.

5. A power converter as defined in claim 1, wherein the DC power cord is resiliently urged into the cord housing by a spring-loaded mechanism.

6. A power converter as defined in claim 1, wherein the extended position is offset an angular extent of 180 degrees from the retracted position.

4. An AC-to-DC power converter, comprising:

a housing;

a DC power cord having a DC power plug at one end thereof, adapted for mating engagement with a DC power inlet;

an AC power plug pivotably attached to the housing, with AC power prongs extending from the AC power plug, the prongs adapted for mating engagement with an AC power outlet, wherein the housing includes a frame defining a central void into which the prongs are received when the AC power plug is pivoted sufficiently, and wherein the DC power cord is retracted into the housing around the central void;

a retraction mechanism within the housing that resiliently urges the DC power cord into the housing; and

AC-to-DC power conversion circuitry located within the AC power plug, the circuitry electrically connected between the AC power prongs and the DC power plug.

7. A power converter as defined in claim 4, wherein the AC power plug is pivotable an angular extent of 360 degrees.

8. A power converter as defined in claim 4, wherein the AC power plug is pivotable an angular extent of 180 degrees.

9. An AC-to-DC power converter, comprising:

an AC power plug having AC power prongs extending therefrom, the prongs adapted for mating engagement with an AC power outlet;

a cable management device outside of the AC power plug to which the AC power plug is pivotally attached, wherein the cable management device includes a frame defining a central void into which the prongs are received when the AC power plug is pivoted sufficiently;

a DC power cord engagable with the cable management device, the DC power cord having a DC power plug adapted for mating engagement with a DC power inlet at one end thereof, and wherein the DC power cord is retracted into the cable management device around the central void; and

AC-to-DC power conversion circuitry electrically connected between the AC power prongs and the DC power cord and located within the AC power plug.

10. A power converter as defined in claim 9, wherein the cable management device comprises a housing into which the DC power cord is resiliently urged.

11. A power converter as defined in claim 10, wherein the DC power cord is resiliently urged into the housing by a spring loaded mechanism.

12. A power converter as defined in claim 9, wherein the cable management device is a frame about which the DC power cord may be manually wound.