Tablet information handling system display stand with flexible power connection

• US 9,348,376 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2013
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Kamepalli, Srinivas, Morrison, John T., North, Travis C.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, JENNIFER T
• Application Number:
  US13/932,162
• Publication Number:
  US 20150002994A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,058 Days
• Field of Search: 345/169, 455/575.8, 361/679.3, 361/679.41, 361/807
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/189 Power distribution

Abstract

A tablet information handling system has power contacts disposed on an outer surface of a planar housing to accept power from a power connector without affixing the power connector to the power contacts at the planar housing. For example, the power connector is disposed at a support surface of a stand in a position that aligns with power contacts of the planar housing when the planar housing rests on the support surface. The power connector provides power without a port or similar structure so that the planar housing may be place on and taken off the support surface at a variety of orientations rotated about the axis at which the power connector and power contacts meet.

Claims

1. An information handling system comprising:

a planar housing;

a processor disposed in the planar housing and operable to process information;

memory disposed in the planar housing and interfaced with the processor, the memory operable to store the information; and

a display disposed in the planar housing and interfaced with the processor, the display operable to present the information as visual images;

power contacts disposed at an outer surface of the planar housing, the power contacts operable to accept power from an external power source and provide the power to run the processor, memory and display; and

a stand having a support surface to support the planar housing in an elevated position, the support surface having a power connector aligned to interface with the power contacts, the power connector providing power to the power contacts with the planar housing unlocked relative to the support surface;

an adjusting portion coupled with the power connector and operable to allow lateral movement of the power connector relative to the support surface; and

a magnet associated with the adjusting portion and operable to bias the power connector and power contacts into alignment.

2. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein:

the support surface comprises a cradle portion having a lip and a vertical surface, the vertical surface extending upwards from the cradle portion and aligned so that a back surface of the planar housing rests against the vertical surface when the planar housing rests in the cradle portion; and

the planar housing unlocked relative to the support surface comprises spacing between the cradle portion and planar housing proximate the power connector and power contacts adequate to pull the planar housing back surface away from the vertical surface rotating about the power connector.

3. The information handling system of claim 2 further comprising:

a magnet disposed in the vertical surface; and

a steel portion disposed in the planar housing to align with the magnet when the planar housing rests in the cradle portion with the power connector interfaced with the power contacts, the magnet biasing the planar housing against the vertical surface.

4. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein:

the support surface comprises a cradle portion having a lip and a vertical surface, the vertical surface extending upwards from the cradle portion and aligned so that a back surface of the planar housing rests against the vertical surface when the planar housing rests in the cradle portion; and

the planar housing unlocked relative to the support surface comprises spacing between the cradle portion and planar housing proximate the power connector and power contacts adequate to slide the planar housing relative to the cradle portion while the planar housing is in physical contact with the cradle portion.

5. The information handling system of claim 1 further comprising:

an external power adapter operable to convert alternating current to direct current and provide the direct current to a power port disposed at the planar housing;

a power port disposed in the stand and operable to accept the direct current from the external power adapter; and

a power cable integrated in the stand and operable to communicate the direct current power from the power port to the power connector.

6. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the power connector has a raised surface relative to the support surface and the planar housing has a recessed surface to aid alignment of the power connector with the power contacts without affixing the planar housing to the support.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the power connector withholds power from the power contacts unless the planar housing provides at least a predetermined force against the power contacts.

8. A method for providing power to a planar housing supported in a stand, the method comprising:

aligning power contacts of the planar housing with a power connector disposed in a support surface of the stand;

resting the planar housing on the support surface to place the power contacts in electrical communication with the power connector;

communicating power from the power connector to the power contacts;

wherein the power connector interfaces with the power contacts without restricting motion of the planar housing relative to the support surface;

floating the power connector relative to the support surface; and

biasing the power connector to align with the power contacts as the planar housing approaches the support surface.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising rotating the planar housing relative to the stand about an axis at the interface of the power connector and power contacts to remove the planar housing from the stand.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein biasing comprises disposing magnets proximate the power connector and power contacts, the magnets interacting to move the power connector in alignment with the power contacts.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising restricting motion of the planar housing relative to the support surface with a magnet disposed in the stand distal the power connector.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising rotating the planar housing relative to the stand about an axis proximate to the interface of the power connector and power contacts.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

coupling a power adapter to a power port of the stand;

communicating power from the power adapter to the power port and through a power cable integrated in the stand to the power connector.

14. A method for communicating power to an information handling system, the method comprising:

communicating power through a stand to a power connector disposed on a support surface of the stand;

floating the power connector laterally relative to the support surface; and

biasing the power connector to align with power contacts as the information handling system approaches the support surface;

resting the information handling system on the support surface with power contacts of the information handling system aligned with the power connector; and

applying the weight of the information handling system to maintain the power connector and power contacts in electrical communication for communicating power.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein applying the weight further comprises communicating power without affixing the power connector and power contacts to each other.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein applying the weight further comprises floating the power connector free to move relative to the stand.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising biasing the power connector to align with the power contacts as the information handling system rests on the support surface.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein applying the weight further comprises communicating power without affixing the information handling system and stand to each other.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

blocking a cooling fan outlet at a portion of the information handling system; and

in response to the blocking, directing cooling airflow to an alternative outlet.