ENERGY SAVING CABLE ASSEMBLIES

• US 20090295232A1
• Filed: 10/15/2008
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VoltStar Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: VoltStar Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: McGinley, James W., Rimdzius, Donald, McGinley, Valerie, Hogan, Dominic James
• Granted Patent: US 7,960,648 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/126
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• 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 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7038 making use of a remote controlled switch, e.g. relais, solid state switch activated by the engagement of the coupling parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus

Abstract

A cable assembly for use with any power cable for an electrical device, the cable assembly including a remotely locatable switch for connecting or disconnecting the electrical device from power draw. Also, a cable assembly for a power device such as a charger for providing output power to an electronic device is disclosed, the cable assembly including two pairs of wires wherein a first pair provides output power for the electronic device and a second pair includes a switch for turning off the charger. The cable assembly allows the switch to be located remotely from a charger housing for the converter circuitry and remotely from a power source such as an outlet, and allows the switch to be generally co-located with and operable at the connector for connecting the power device with the electronic device.

Claims

1. A cable assembly for use with an electrical device, the cable assembly comprising:

a first portion for connection with and receipt of input power from a power source;

a second portion for electrical connection with and for providing output power to a power cord of the electrical device;

a third portion for electrical connection with the electrical device; and

a switch circuitry electrically connected between the first and second portions and to the third portion, the switch circuitry delivering the output power to the power cord when an electrical signal is received from the electrical device via the third portion indicating that the electrical device is in an on state, the switch circuitry further automatically disconnecting input power thereto when no electrical signal is received from the electrical device via the third portion, the disconnection of input power serving to disconnect power to the power cord.

2. The cable assembly of claim 1 including a plug body having a first side including the first portion in the form of prongs for electrical connection with the power source in the form of a power outlet, and having a second side in the form of a secondary power outlet for receiving prongs of the electrical device power cord for delivering electrical power thereto.

3. The cable assembly of claim 2 wherein the switch circuitry is located in the plug body.

4. The cable assembly of claim 1 including a first plug body having a first side including the first portion in the form of prongs for electrical connection with the power source in the form of a power outlet, a second plug body in the form of a secondary power outlet for receiving prongs of the electrical device power cord for delivering electrical power thereto, and a cable extending between the first and second plug bodies for delivering electrical power from the first plug body to the secondary power outlet and the electrical device power cord received therein.

5. The cable assembly of claim 1 wherein the switch circuitry includes a pair of relay contacts shifted into electrical contact for closing the switch circuitry to provide power to the power cord.

6. The cable assembly of claim 5 further including a user-actuated switch, actuation of the switch providing a signal to connect the relay contacts.

7. The cable assembly of claim 6 wherein the user-actuation switch may be actuated a period of time to provide an initial connection of the relay contacts, the contacts remaining in contact for maintaining the switch circuitry in a closed position.

8. The cable assembly of claim 5 wherein the switch circuitry includes a microprocessor for recognizing the electrical signal, and the microprocessor effects connection of the relay contacts to close the switch circuitry in response to receipt of the electrical signal.

9. A cable assembly for use with an electrical device having an on-board battery, the electrical device including a charger having a power plug for receiving power and a connector for removable connection with the electrical device for delivering power to the battery, and the electrical device including a connector port for electrical connection with further devices, the cable assembly comprising:

a plug body including prongs for electrical connection with a power outlet to receive input power therefrom;

a socket for receipt of and electrical connection with the charger power plug for delivering output power thereto, the charger converting said output power and delivering power to the laptop computer battery;

a cord having a first end extending from the plug body;

a plug connected at a second end of the cord, the plug being receivable in the electrical device connector port for receiving an electrical signal therefrom;

a switch circuitry electrically connected with the plug, the switch circuitry automatically moving to an open position when the electrical signal from the connector port is not received by the plug, the open position cutting input power from the power outlet and cutting output power to the charger power plug.

10. The cable assembly of claim 9 wherein the cable assembly is adapted for use with the electrical device in the form of a laptop computer.

11. The cable assembly of claim 9 wherein the plug is configured as a USB plug electrically connectable to the connector port in the form of a USB port.

12. The cable assembly of claim 9 wherein the switch circuitry includes a microprocessor that monitors the electrical signal and that opens and closes the switch circuitry to disconnect or connect the output power to the electrical device power cord.

13. The cable assembly of claim 9 wherein the switch circuitry includes first and second contacts, at least one of the contacts being physically movable to effect connection and disconnection of an electrical path through the first and second contacts, wherein the switch circuitry at least maintains the contacts in physical and electrical connection when the electrical signal is received from the plug.

14. The cable assembly of claim 13 wherein the switch circuitry permits disconnection of the contacts in the absence of the electrical signal being received from the plug.

15. The cable assembly of claim 13 wherein the switch circuitry automatically disconnects the contacts in the absence of the electrical signal being received from the plug.

16. The cable assembly of claim 13 wherein the switch circuitry automatically disconnects the contacts after a predetermined period of time.

17. The cable assembly of claim 13 further including a user-operated portion for connection of the contacts to connect the input power to the output power and to permit the output power to be delivered to the charger power plug.

18. The cable assembly of claim 9 further including a user-operated switch mechanism, wherein the switch circuitry includes a microprocessor for controlling connection of the input power to the output power, whereby operation of the switch mechanism by a user provides a signal to the microprocessor portion for connecting the input power to the output power.

19. A method of reducing power draw by a charger of an electrical device, the method comprising the steps of:

electrically connecting a cable assembly with a power outlet for receiving input power therefrom;

electrically connecting the charger to the cable assembly for receiving output power therefrom;

electrically connecting a connector plug with the electrical device;

monitoring an electrical signal from the electrical device to the connector plug, the electrical signal indicating proper connection of the electrical device with the connector plug and indicating an on state for the electrical device; and

automatically disconnecting output power to the charger in the absence of the electrical signal.

20. The method of claim 19 further including the step of connecting electrical contacts for providing output power to the charger.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the step of connecting the electrical contacts is performed in response to presence of the electrical signal from the connector plug indicating an on state for the electrical device.

22. A method of reducing power draw by a charger of an electrical device, the method comprising the steps of:

electrically connecting a cable assembly with a power outlet for receiving input power therefrom;

electrically connecting the charger to the cable assembly for receiving output power therefrom;

electrically connecting a connector plug with the electrical device;

monitoring an electrical signal from the electrical device to the connector plug, the electrical signal indicating proper connection of the electrical device with the connector plug and indicating an on state for the electrical device; and

automatically disconnecting output power to the charger after a predetermined period of time.