Zero no-load USB power supply and a method for controlling the power consumption of a USB power supply

• US 9,048,570 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2013
• Issued: 06/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MEEM Memory Ltd
• Original Assignee: Anil Goel
• Inventors: Goel, Anil
• Primary Examiner(s): ZARROLI, MICHAEL C
• Application Number:
  US13/853,901
• Publication Number:
  US 20130295782A1
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 439/40, 439/159
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/703 operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling partH01R13/71 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0032 disconnection of loads if battery is not under charge, e.g. in vehicle if engine is not running
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0278 of USB type details relating to connectors H01R27/00

Abstract

A USB socket having a receptacle that comprises first electrical connectors for receiving a USB plug having second electrical connectors that are configured for mating with the first electrical connectors further comprises at least an ejector. The ejector is electrically connected to a control unit for receiving a control signal. The ejector further having a pusher for pushing an inserted USB plug in the direction out of the receptacle to a position where the first electrical connectors are disconnected from the second electrical connectors. The pusher may be configured for activation of a push action as a consequence of receiving the control signal from the control unit.

Claims

1. A USB power supply device comprising:

a USB socket (2) with a receptacle (20) having first electrical connectors (5) for receiving a USB plug (1) with second electrical connectors (4) configured for mating with the first electrical connectors (5);

a converter for converting alternating current, AC, to a USB Direct Current, DC, the converter having a DC output line electrically connected to the first electrical connectors (5) for providing the DC to the first electrical connectors (5) and having an AC input line for receiving AC,

a control unit electrically connected to the first electrical connectors (5) and configured for measuring current drawn from the first electrical connectors (5) and configured for creating a control signal if no power is drawn from the first electrical connectors (5) or if changes in the current drawn from the first electrical connectors occur according to predetermined criteria; and

a mechanically activatable switch (3) functionally connected to the AC input line of the converter and operative to cause connection of the AC input line of the converter to an AC power source as a consequence of the USB plug (1) being inserted into the receptacle (20) to a position where the first connectors (4) are mating with the second electrical connectors (5);

characterized in that the device comprises;

an ejector being electrically connected to the control unit for receiving the control signal, the ejector having a pusher (3) for pushing an inserted USB plug in the direction out of the receptacle (20) to a position where the first electrical connectors (5) are disconnected from the second electrical connectors (4), the pusher (3) being configured for activation of a push action as a consequence of receiving the control signal from the control unit.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined criteria is a gradual drop of the current below a predetermined non-zero threshold or a drop of the current according to predetermined gradient criteria.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the mechanically activatable switch comprises a slider (3) arranged inside the socket slidably from a forward position to a backward position, the slider (3) being configured for a sliding action caused by engagement between the slider and the USB plug (1) when inserted into the receptacle (20).

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the slider (3) and the pusher (3) are a combined single entity.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device has means (8,10) to hold the USB plug (1) in or at the USB socket (2) without mating between the first (4) and second (5) electrical connectors.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the means (10) include a permanent magnet with a magnetic field configured in direction and strength for holding a USB plug (1) in or at the socket (2), the USB plug comprising a material magnetically responsive to the magnetic field.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the means (10) comprises the pusher (3) being made of a permanently magnetic material for magnetically contacting and holding the USB plug (1).

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the USB socket (2), the converter, the control unit, the switch (3), and the ejector (3) are provided in a single housing (9).

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the housing is a wall socket (11).

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the housing is a socket module (13) comprising, in addition to the USB receptacle (20), a male plug (14) for connection with a standard main AC power wall socket and with a likewise female receptacle (15) for receiving a similar plug.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises spring mechanism connected to the pusher for moving the pusher.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a motor functionally connected to the pusher for moving the pusher.

13. A device according to claim 1 in combination with a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a rechargeable battery and being connected to the device by a USB cable for charging of the battery in the mobile device, wherein the mobile device is a mobile telephone, a music player, a headsets, a digital camera, a portable gaming device, or a portable computer.

14. A combination of claim 13, wherein the mobile device is a mobile telephone.

15. A method for controlling the power consumption of a USB power supply device, the device comprising:

a USB socket (2) with a receptacle (20) having first electrical connectors (5) for receiving a USB plug (1) with second electrical connectors (4) configured for mating with the first electrical connectors (5);

a converter for converting alternating current, AC, to a USB Direct Current, DC, the converter having a DC output line electrically connected to the first electrical connectors (5) and having an AC input line connected to an AC power source,

a control unit electrically connected to the first electrical connectors (5); and

an ejector having a pusher (3) for pushing an inserted USB plug in the direction out of the receptacle (20), the ejector being electrically connected to the control unit for receiving the control signal;

the method comprising;

receiving a USB plug (1) in the receptacle (20) to a position where the USB plug'"'"'s (1) second electrical connectors (4) are mating with the receptacle'"'"'s (2) second electrical connectors (4);

during receiving of the USB plug (1) in the receptacle (2) acting of the USB plug (1) on part of the mechanically activatable switch (3) and as a consequence causing the switch (3) to connect the AC input line of the converter to an AC power source;

by the converter receiving AC from the AC power source, transforming the AC to USB DC, and providing the DC to the first electrical connectors (5);

by the control unit measuring current drawn from the first electrical connectors (5) and creating a control signal if no power is drawn from the first electrical connectors (5) or if changes in the current drawn from the first electrical connectors occur according to predetermined criteria;

characterized in that the method comprises;

receiving the control signal from the control unit at the ejector and, as a consequence, pushing the received USB plug (1) by the pusher (3) of the ejector in a direction out of the receptacle (20) to a position where the USB plug'"'"'s (1) second electrical connectors (4) are disconnected from the receptacle'"'"'s (2) first electrical connectors (5),

by the mechanically activatable switch (3), as a consequence of the pushing of the USB plug, causing disconnecting the AC input line from the AC power source.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined criteria comprise a gradual drop of the current below a certain non-zero threshold or a drop of the current according to some predetermined gradient criteria or both.

17. A method according to claim 15, wherein the method comprises evaluating in the device whether changes in the current drawn from the first electrical connectors indicate a fully charged state.