Moveable earth pin for large form factor power connectors

• US 8,342,862 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2010
• Issued: 01/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Original Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Inventors: Konersmann, Roland, Kniesel, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TRUC T
• Application Number:
  US12/947,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20120122327A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 439103-106, 439171-172
• US Class Current: 439/103
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/30 with additional earth or shield contacts

Abstract

A power connector comprises a slidably positionable earth pin. The earth pin is able to be positioned in a travel, or small form factor and in an operational form factor. The housing of the connector comprises a member having a slot that defines a sliding path for the earth pin. The member also has two sets of grooves for receiving a set of spring loaded protrusions on the earth pin. The protrusions come to rest in one of the sets of grooves thereby defining a small form factor and an operational form factor.

Claims

1. A connector for a wall power socket comprising:

a. a housing having a surface for facing a wall power socket, wherein the housing comprises a fitting for receiving the earth pin and effectuating a sliding motion, the fitting having;

i. a slot for defining a sliding path for the earth pin;

ii. a first set of grooves for holding the earth pin in a first position; and

iii. a second set of grooves for holding the earth pin in a second position;

b. a positive prong extending outwardly from the surface for facing a wall power socket;

c. a negative prong extending outwardly from the surface for facing a wall power socket; and

d. an earth pin extending outwardly from the surface for facing a wall power socket, wherein the earth pin is slidably positionable in the first and the second position, wherein the earth pin comprises a spring member having an elastic structure surrounding at least a portion of the earth pin.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein the earth pin extends outwardly from the surface for facing a wall power socket in both the first and the second position.

3. The connector of claim 1 wherein in the first position, the connector is in a small form factor.

4. The connector of claim 1 wherein in the second position, the connector is in an operational form factor.

5. The connector of claim 1 wherein the fitting further comprises an elongated planar guide positioned between the first and second sets of grooves.

6. The connector of claim 1 wherein the earth pin comprises a spring latching member, the spring latching member having a set of protrusions, wherein the protrusions are configured to fit into one of the first and second sets of grooves, thereby selectively holding the earth pin in the first and the second position respectively.

7. The connector of claim 1 wherein the set of protrusions is configured to enable a sliding motion along the set of elongated grooves.

8. The connector of claim 1 further comprising locking edge along a sliding path for preventing unwanted motion of the earth pin.

9. The connector of claim 8 wherein the earth pin comprises a stopping protrusion for coming into contact with the locking edge and preventing unwanted motion of the earth pin.

10. A system comprising:

a. an electrical appliance; and

b. a type G power plug connector electrically coupled to the electrical appliance, the connector having;

i. a housing comprising a latching mechanism; and

ii. a positive lead, a negative lead, and an earth pin extending outwardly from the housing, wherein the earth pin is slidably settable in two discrete positions and comprises a spring member having an elastic structure surrounding at least a portion of the earth pin, and wherein the latching mechanism is configured to hold the earth pin in the two discrete positions and comprises;

(1) a first set of grooves along a sliding path for holding the earth pin a first position; and

(2) a second set of grooves along the sliding path for holding the earth pin in a second position.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the earth pin comprises a spring mechanism, the spring mechanism having a spring actuated let of protrusions for coming to rest in one of the first and second set of grooves.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the earth pin comprises a stopping protrusion, and the housing comprises a stopping edge along the sliding path for stopping the earth pin from unintended movement.