Reconfigurable energy storage and power supply device

• US 9,312,706 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2012
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goal Zero LLC (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Goal Zero LLC (NRG Energy, Inc.)
• Inventors: Workman, Robert E., Krantz, Norman, Workman, Erik R., Atkin, Joseph R., Ford, Walker
• Primary Examiner(s): Fantu, Yalkew
• Application Number:
  US13/719,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20130181661A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,211 Days
• Field of Search: 439/170, 439/21, 320/120
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/38 having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries

Abstract

Charging devices, modular adapters, and circuits are provided. One charging device including a body including a rechargeable energy storage device and a housing. The housing includes at least one first coupling portion. The charging device further includes a modular adapter including a second coupling portion configured to be mated to the first coupling portion of the housing. When mated to the housing, the modular adapter is configured to be electrically connected to the rechargeable energy storage device. When the modular adapter is mated to the housing, the body and the modular adapter form a single integrated and substantially rigid structure.

Claims

1. A charging device comprising:

a body comprising a rechargeable energy storage device and a housing, wherein the housing comprises at least one first coupling portion; and

a modular adapter comprising a second coupling portion configured to be rotationally engaged with and thereby mated to the first coupling portion of the housing, wherein, when mated to the housing, the modular adapter is configured to be electrically connected to the rechargeable energy storage device,

wherein, when the modular adapter is mated to the housing, the body and the modular adapter form a single substantially rigid structure,

wherein the body further comprises a first plurality of contacts and the modular adapter further comprises a second plurality of contacts, wherein the modular adapter is configured to be electrically connected to the rechargeable enemy storage device through the first plurality of contacts and the second plurality of contacts, wherein one of the first plurality of contacts and the second plurality of contacts comprises at least one conductive ring, wherein the other of the first plurality of contacts and the second plurality of contacts comprises at least one prong configured to slidably cooperate with the at least one conductive ring and thereby electrically connect the modular adapter to the rechargeable energy storage device, wherein the at least one prong is configured to contact the at least one conductive ring when modular adapter is mated to the housing.

2. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the at least one conductive ring is configured to transmit power at a first voltage, further comprising a second conductive ring configured to transmit power at a second voltage that is different than the first voltage.

3. The charging device of claim 2, wherein the first voltage is approximately 3.7 volts and the second voltage is approximately 5 volts.

4. The charging device of claim 1, wherein the modular adapter comprises a USB interface, and wherein at least a portion of the interface is configured to pivot between a use position and a storage position.

5. The charging device of claim 4, wherein the interface comprises a first conductor and a second conductor, wherein the interface is configured to transmit power between the rechargeable energy storage device and a device connected to the interface;

wherein the modular adapter further comprises;

an adapter base comprising a plurality of contacts configured to be electrically coupled with contacts of the body;

a first rigid post coupled to a first contact of the adapter base;

a second rigid post coupled to a second contact of the adapter base;

a first pin configured to couple the first rigid post to the first conductor of the interface, such that the first pin and the first rigid post provide a conductive path from the first conductor of the interface to the first contact of the adapter base;

a second pin configured to couple the second rigid post to the second conductor of the interface, such that the second pin and the second rigid post provide a conductive path from the second conductor of the interface to the second contact of the adapter base;

wherein the interface is configured to pivot about an axis defined by the first pin and the second pin.

6. The charging device of claim 5, further comprising:

a first conductive sheath at least partially receiving the first pin and electrically coupled to the first conductor of the interface;

a second conductive sheath at least partially receiving the second pin and electrically coupled to the second conductor of the interface;

a first spring disposed within the first conductive sheath, between an inner end of the first conductive sheath and the first pin, the first spring configured to press the first pin against the first rigid post; and

a second spring disposed within the second conductive sheath, between an inner end of the second conductive sheath and the second pin, the second spring configured to press the second pin against the second rigid post.

7. The charging device of claim 5, wherein the modular adapter further comprises a stop member configured to press against a portion of the interface and provide resistance to releasably secure the interface in at least one of the use position and the storage position.

8. The charging device of claim 1, further comprising a mating adapter, wherein the charging device comprises a first charging device and the rechargeable energy storage device comprises a second rechargeable energy storage device, and wherein the mating adapter is configured to mate the first charging device to a second charging device and electrically connect the first rechargeable energy storage device to a second rechargeable energy storage device of the second charging device, and wherein, when the first charging device and the second charging device are mated, a power capacity of the mated first charging device and second charging device comprises a combined power capacity of the first rechargeable energy storage device and the second rechargeable energy storage device.

9. A modular adapter for a charging device comprising:

a modular adapter body comprising a first coupling portion configured to be rotationally engaged with and thereby mated to a corresponding second coupling portion of a housing of the charging device, wherein, when mated to the housing, the modular adapter is configured to be electrically connected to a rechargeable energy storage device located within the housing;

a first plurality of contacts configured to engage a second plurality of contacts of the charging device, wherein the modular adapter is configured to be electrically connected to the rechargeable energy storage device through the first plurality of contacts and the second plurality of contacts, wherein one of the first plurality of contacts and the second plurality of contacts comprises at least one conductive ring, wherein the other of the first plurality of contacts and the second plurality of contacts comprises at least one prong configured to slidably cooperate with the at least one conductive ring and thereby electrically connect the modular adapter to the rechargeable energy storage device, wherein the at least one prong is configured to contact the at least one conductive ring when modular adapter is mated to the housing,

wherein, when the modular adapter is mated to the housing, the housing and the modular adapter form a single rigid structure.

10. The modular adapter of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of conductive concentric rings configured to electrically connect the modular adapter to the rechargeable energy storage device through a plurality of contacts of the charging device.

11. The modular adapter of claim 10, wherein a first ring of the plurality of conductive concentric rings is configured to transmit power at a first voltage and a second ring of the plurality of conductive concentric rings is configured to transmit power at a second voltage that is different than the first voltage.

12. The modular adapter of claim 11, wherein the first voltage is approximately 3.7 volts and the second voltage is approximately 5 volts.

13. The modular adapter of claim 9, further comprising a USB interface, wherein at least a portion of the interface is configured to pivot between a use position and a storage position.