Modular power adapter
DCFirst Claim
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1. A modular power adapter system comprising:
- a direct current (DC) input module to receive a DC voltage and generate a first DC output voltage, wherein first circuitry for the DC input module is disposed in a first housing;
an alternating current (AC) input module to receive an AC voltage and generate a second DC output voltage, wherein second circuitry for the AC input module is disposed in a second housing; and
a DC output module which detachably couples to either the DC input module or the AC input module, and when coupled to the DC input module converts the first DC output voltage to a DC operational voltage for an electronic device, and when coupled to the AC input module converts the second DC output voltage to the DC operational voltage for the electronic device, wherein third circuitry for the DC output module is disposed in a third housing which is separate from the first housing and from the second housing.
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Abstract
A modular power adapter and method for using the same which increases the ease of a user'"'"'s travel with portable electronic devices. The modular power adapter includes an output module which may be interchangeably and detachably coupled to DC input module or an AC input module. The output module and the input module are provided in separate housing structures thereby effectively spreading the heat dissipated from the modular power adapter.
179 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A modular power adapter system comprising:
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a direct current (DC) input module to receive a DC voltage and generate a first DC output voltage, wherein first circuitry for the DC input module is disposed in a first housing; an alternating current (AC) input module to receive an AC voltage and generate a second DC output voltage, wherein second circuitry for the AC input module is disposed in a second housing; and a DC output module which detachably couples to either the DC input module or the AC input module, and when coupled to the DC input module converts the first DC output voltage to a DC operational voltage for an electronic device, and when coupled to the AC input module converts the second DC output voltage to the DC operational voltage for the electronic device, wherein third circuitry for the DC output module is disposed in a third housing which is separate from the first housing and from the second housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for using a modular power adapter to provide power to a portable electronic device, the method comprising:
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connecting the portable electronic device to a DC output module; selecting a power source and a corresponding input module, the corresponding input module being selected from a plurality of input modules, at least one of which receives DC power and at least one of which receives AC power; connecting the corresponding input module to the DC output module; and connecting the selected power source to the corresponding input module, wherein the respective circuitry for the DC output module and each of the plurality of input modules is disposed in respective housings which are separate from each other, and the DC output module is configured such that the DC output module may be coupled to one and only one of the plurality of input modules at a time.
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8. A modular power adapter system comprising:
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a direct current (DC) input module to receive a DC voltage and generate a first DC output voltage, the DC input module including a first output connector at which the first DC output voltage is provided; an alternating current (AC) input module to receive an AC voltage and generate a second DC output voltage, the AC input module including a second output connector at which the second DC output voltage is provided; and a DC output module which detachably couples to either the DC input module or the AC input module, and when coupled to the DC input module converts the first DC output voltage to a DC operational voltage for the electronic device, and when coupled to the AC input module converts the second DC output voltage to the DC operational voltage for the electronic device, the DC output module being coupled to an interface connector which is configured to detachably mate, one at a time, with the first output connector and with the second output connector. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification