Power adapter and electrical connector therefor

• US 9,152,198 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2012
• Issued: 10/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NXP USA, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Inventors: Shi, Changhao, Wen, Yu, Zhang, Jianxin
• Primary Examiner(s): NASRI, JAVAID H
• Application Number:
  US13/607,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20130286694A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,122 Days
• Field of Search: 439/578, 439/579, 439/580, 439/698, 439/675, 363/49, 363/13
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/05 for coaxial cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/007 Detection of the absence of a load

Abstract

A power adapter and an electrical connector for the power adapter operate to provide power to an electronic device such as a laptop computer. The power adapter includes a switch and a circuit for detecting whether or not the electrical connector is connected to the electronic device. If the adapter is not connected to an electronic device, the switch is opened so that no power is drawn from an AC supply. The electrical connector includes first and second conductors that are electrically connected to the detection circuit. The detection circuit detects a change in potential when the connector is plugged into an electronic device.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly, comprising:

an electrical connector and a socket wherein the electrical connector includes at least first and second conductors, electrically isolated from one another, and the socket includes at least one conducting element, and wherein the first and second conductors and the at least one conducting element are arranged so that on insertion of the electrical connector into the socket, the at least one conducting element electrically connects the first and second conductors.

2. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector is a coaxial connector comprising an inner conductor and an outer conductor, the outer conductor comprising the first and second conductors, each in the shape of a semi-cylindrical shell, and arranged to be diametrically opposite one another and separated by a gap, and wherein the socket is provided with one or more spring elements for retaining the electrical connector and configured so that when the electrical connector is inserted into the socket, the spring element makes contact with the first and second conductors and electrically connects them together.