Power converters and related charging systems

• US 6,661,199 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2002
• Issued: 12/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Primax Electronics Limited
• Inventors: Chang, Tsung-Jen
• Primary Examiner(s): Berhane, Adolf D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LUK, LAWRENCE W
• Application Number:
  US09/683,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20030042867A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 320/128, 320/127, 320/124, 320/132, 320/137, 323/265, 323/266, 323/268
• US Class Current: 320/128
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence

Abstract

A power charge system is provided for charging a plurality of portable electric devices. Each portable electric device has a charging port for receiving an operating voltage of the portable device. The power charge system includes a plurality of transformers for converting a plurality of different input voltages into a direct current (DC) standard voltage, and a plurality of converters for converting the standard voltage into the operating voltage of the plurality of portable electric devices. When a portable electric device needs to be charged, a converter corresponding to the portable electric device is capable of being electrically connected to any one of the transformers to receive the standard voltage from the transformer so as to charge the portable electric device.

Claims

1. A power charge system for charging a plurality of portable electric devices, each portable electric device comprising a charge port for receiving an operating voltage of the portable electric device, operating voltages of different portable electric devices being different, the power charge system comprising:

a plurality of transformers for converting a plurality of different input voltages into a direct current (DC) standard voltage, each transformer having an output port for outputting the standard voltage; and

a plurality of converters for converting the standard voltage into the operating voltages of the plurality of portable electric devices, each converter having an input port and an output port, the input port of the converter being connected to the output port of the transformer for receiving the standard voltage, the output port of the converter being connected to the charge port of the portable electric device for outputting the operating voltage of the portable electric device;

wherein a portable electric device needs be charged, a converter corresponding to the portable electric device is capable of being electrically connected to any one of the transformers to receive the standard voltage from the transformer so as to charge the portable electric device.

2. The power charge system of claim 1 wherein the converter further comprises:

a data port for accessing data from the charge port of the corresponding portable electric device;

a transmission port electrically connected to the data port for transmitting data from the data port; and

a bus electrically connected to the transmission port for transmitting data;

wherein when the converter is connected to the charge port of the portable electric device, the bus is capable of being connected to a data processor, and information stored in the portable electric device and the data processor is capable of being interchanged through the data port, the transmission port and the bus.

3. The power charge system of claim 1 wherein the transformer converts an alternating current (AC) voltage to the standard voltage.

4. The power charge system of claim 1 wherein the portable electric device is a notebook.

5. The power charge system of claim 1 wherein the portable electric device is a cellular phone.

6. The power charge system of claim 1 wherein the portable electric device is a personal data assistant.

7. A converter for a power charge system, the power charge system being used for charging a portable electric device using different types of power supplies, the portable electric device having a charge port for inputting an operating voltage of the portable electric device, the power charge system comprising:

a plurality types of transformers for transforming different input voltages into a direct current (DC) standard voltage, each transformer having an output port for outputting the standard voltage;

the converter being used for converting the standard voltage into the operating voltage of the portable electric device, the converter having an input port and an output port, the input port of the converter being connected to the output port of the transformer for receiving the standard voltage, the output port of the converter being connected to the charge port of the portable electric device for outputting the operating voltage of the portable electric device;

wherein when the portable electric device needs be charged, the converter is capable of being electrically connected to any one of the transformers to receive the standard voltage from the transformer so as to charge the portable electric device.

8. The converter of claim 7 further comprising:

a data port for accessing data from the charge port of the portable electric device;

a transmission port electrically connected to the data port for transmitting data from the data port; and

a bus electrically connected to the transmission port for transmitting data;

wherein when the converter is connected to the charge port of the portable electric device, the bus is capable of being connected to a data processor, and information stored in the portable electric device and the data processor is capable of being interchanged through the data port, the transmission port and the bus.

9. The converter of claim 7 wherein the transformer converts an alternating current (AC) voltage to the standard voltage.

10. The converter of claim 7 wherein the portable electric device is a notebook.

11. The converter of claim 7 wherein the portable electric device is a cellular phone.

12. The converter of claim 7 wherein the portable electric device is a personal data assistant.