Integrated power adapter for a laptop

• US 8,035,342 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2008
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Chai, Haixin, Locker, Howard, Jakes, Philip J.
• Primary Examiner(s): DIAO, M BAYE
• Application Number:
  US12/059,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20090243542A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,289 Days
• Field of Search: 320/112, 320/114, 307/150
• US Class Current: 320/112
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence

Abstract

A power pack arrangement for a laptop computer, wherein an AC/DC adapter is integrated with a battery pack to form one cohesive unit freely insertable into and removable from a laptop computer housing.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a main housing;

a main memory disposed within said main housing;

a system processor disposed within said main housing;

a power pack for providing power to said main memory and said system processor;

said power pack being selectively removable from and integrable with said main housing;

said power pack comprising;

a power pack housing;

a battery pack; and

an AC/DC adapter;

said battery pack and said AC/DC adapter both being housed within said power pack housing;

said apparatus further comprising;

a charge control arrangement;

said power pack further comprising;

a first connection for interconnecting said charge control arrangement with said AC/DC adapter; and

a second connection for interconnecting said charge control arrangement with said battery pack;

said first and second connections being separate from one another.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said AC/DC converter comprises a connection to an AC power source.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an input for accommodating a second AC/DC adapter, the second AC/DC adapter being separate from said power pack.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said battery pack comprises a battery management unit and battery cells.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said second connection acts to interconnect said charge control arrangement with said battery management unit.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said AC/DC adapter is a first AC/DC adapter;

said apparatus further comprises an input for accommodating a second AC/DC adapter, the second AC/DC adapter being separate from said power pack.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a control circuit for managing power from said input and from said first AC/DC adapter.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said control circuit acts to:

admit power from said first AC/DC adapter when said power pack is integrated with said main housing and when said input does not accommodate the second AC/DC adapter; and

admit power from the second AC/DC adapter when the second AC/DC adapter is accommodated at said input.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said battery pack comprises a battery management unit and battery cells.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said power pack is selectively insertable into said main housing.

11. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said apparatus comprises a laptop computer.

12. An apparatus comprising:

a power pack for providing power to a laptop computer;

said power pack being selectively removable from and integrable with a laptop computer housing;

said power pack comprising;

a power pack housing;

a battery pack; and

an AC/DC adapter;

said battery pack and said AC/DC adapter both being housed within said power pack housing

wherein said power pack further comprises;

a first connection for interconnecting a laptop computer charge control arrangement with said AC/DC adapter; and

a second connection for interconnecting the laptop computer charge control arrangement with said battery pack;

said first and second connections being separate from one another;

wherein said battery pack comprises a battery management unit and battery cells; and

wherein said second connection acts to interconnect the laptop computer charge control arrangement with said battery management unit.

13. An apparatus comprising:

a main housing;

a main memory disposed within said main housing;

a system processor disposed within said main housing;

a power pack for providing power to said main memory and said system processor;

said power pack being selectively removable from and integrable with said main housing;

said power pack comprising;

a power pack housing;

a battery pack; and

an AC/DC adapter;

said battery pack and said AC/DC adapter both being housed within said power pack housing;

said apparatus further comprising an input for accommodating a second AC/DC adapter, the second AC/DC adapter being separate from said power pack.