Retractable mobile power device module

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims the benefit, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/381,381, filed Sep. 9, 2010.

This application, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §1.125(b), contains no new matter in the substitute specification.

This application, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §1.125(c), is the accompanying clean version with no changes present.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates to the fields of architectures and designs of power adapters.

More specifically, the present invention pertains to an improved power adapter design for mobile devices that employs a portable power module utilizing a retractable power cord for an efficient power delivery system design.

2. Prior Art

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:

Current power delivery systems for low-power applications typically employ a wall socket connected to an AC (alternating current) adapter to convert the high-power AC into usable DC electricity. After conversion, the electricity then flows into the object, such as a computer or a kitchen appliance, for use to power the object. Due to their relatively old design, these AC adapters tend to be bulky, heavy, energy inefficient, and non-universal. The non-universality means that each AC adapter is tailored specifically for the object it was designed for, potentially unable to be used with other appliances. While most of these issues are not a problem for larger, immobile household objects such as televisions or ovens, these qualities become drawbacks and even problems for more mobile appliances such as a laptop computer.

One solution to combat this problem for mobile devices has been to use a retractable power cord. The resulting advances in research can be witnessed in household appliances such as rice cookers, irons, USB extension cords, etc. These retractable cord adapter systems usually incorporate the AC adapter into the product itself, with just the AC power delivery line lying external to the appliance. This means that the DC line is connected to a self-winding mechanism, with a mechanism in place to: wind back the cord if not pulled to extension, a mechanism for holding the cord at a desired length, and a retracting mechanism for pulling the cord back when storage or mobility is needed. However, research and efforts have primarily been focused on house-hold appliances as listed above, without much effort being put into more practical applications such as laptop computers or portable GPS (global positioning system) handsets. However, these retractable cord supply units also tend to be bulkier and heavier than normally corded power supplies. This is because the retracting mechanism takes up more space. Additionally, the AC adapter must be separate from the winding mechanism, meaning increased space usage and decreased efficiency.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need in mobile appliance power adapter design that focuses on a more practical solution for lengthy and cumbersome power cords. Furthermore, there is a need to either eliminate or come up with a more efficient design for the AC adapter that is necessary for all mobile appliances. An embodiment of the present invention involves utilizing a retracting mechanism for the DC power cord, a more efficient method of storing the power adapter, as the issue of tangled lines is eliminated, as well as a more efficient and low-profile design of the power supply unit itself. The present invention calls for a retractable cord with integration of the power supply unit into the device itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved architecture and method of power supply unit design, specifically with regard to the design of AC power adapters and power cords. In particular, the retractable mobile device power module focusing on improved power supply design comprises: an electric power delivery module with an integrated AC adapter, a power cord, and a self-retracting mechanism for the power cord, all integrated into the desired mobile device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the retractable cord power supply unit is directly integrated into a mobile device, i.e. a laptop. One of the features of the power supply unit is that it is removable. In this embodiment, the AC adapter is also integrated into the power supply unit, and only the retractable power cord when at full length will be external to the mobile device itself.

An additional embodiment of the invention involves altering the position of the AC adapter. Instead of integrating the adapter into the power supply unit itself as suggested with the previous embodiment, the adapter is instead manifested as a wall mount external to the power supply. The DC power cord is the only cord that is present in the power supply unit.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the power supply unit may be integrated into other mobile devices, such as an external hard disk drive or a media player such as an iPod or an MP3 player.

Advantages

With embodiments described later, but not limited to, mobile devices become more convenient because: the power supply unit exhibits a lower profile, utilizes physical space more efficiently, with the convenience level being higher than traditional designs with an external adapter. Additionally, the self-retracting cord mechanism acts as a means to keep wires kempt, reducing the possibility of cord entanglements and facilitating cord storage. For these reasons, the design, ultimately, is more convenient and functional over traditional power supply module designs.

Further advantages and applications of embodiments will become clear to those skilled in the art by examination of the following detailed. Reference will be made to the attached sheets of drawing that will first be described briefly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an illustration of a power supply unit integrated with a mobile laptop computer used in the present invention;

FIG. 1B is an illustration depicting an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is an illustration depicting an embodiment of the present invention from a rotated angle;

FIG. 1D is an illustration showing the internal components of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A depicts an embodiment physically integrated with a mobile device;

FIG. 2B is an illustration of an alternative embodiment, wherein the AC power adapter is manifested as a wall mount external to the present invention;

FIG. 3A is an illustration of an alternative embodiment in a mobile device;

FIG. 3B depicts an exploded view of an alternative embodiment with complimentary accessories;

FIG. 4 is an inside view of retractable device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

One embodiment of the retractable mobile device power module is shown in FIG. 1A. This particular embodiment is specifically for implementation with laptop 102. A retractable mobile device power module 104 is integrated into laptop body 102 as a removable unit.

As shown in FIG. 1B, outlet plug 106 receives electricity from a power outlet. From there, it delivers high-power alternating current (AC) electricity to AC adapter 110 through retractable power cord 108. Adapter 110 converts high voltage AC electricity rated at, including but not limited to, 110V to 250 V AC, to a desired, usable low voltage, including but not limited to 12V DC. Retractable mobile device power module 104 delivers usable power to laptop 102 through interface 112, as shown in FIG. 1C.

Detailed retracting mechanism is shown in FIG. 4. Inside portable retractable mobile device power module 104, power cord 108 connects to 402 retracting system, which functions like a spring to provide torque. When power cord 108 is pulled, the winding mechanism retracts the cord.

Another method to implement such a design with regard to a laptop computer is shown in FIG. 1D. In this embodiment, retractable mobile device power module 104 is independent and external of the mobile device body, being more like a traditional power supply device. Outlet plug 106 receives high-power AC electrical current from an electrical power outlet. From there, deliver electricity to adaptor 110 through retractable power cord 108. Adapter 110 converts high voltage AC electricity, usually 110V to 250 V AC, to desired low voltage, usually 12V DC. Then retractable low voltage power cord 114 is used to deliver power to laptop by electronic interface 112. In this embodiment, the retractable chord power supply module may be attached to the underside of the mobile device (e.g. laptop) in the same fashion as a fan unit or a supplementary battery unit.

Previous discussed embodiments possess several advantages as following. With described designs, laptop, including power supply, becomes much more compact and convenient than traditional design. It helps get rid of problems of forgetting one's power supply, or tangled power cords. Additionally, the retractable power module is portable in relation to the laptop. The user can exercise the option of bringing the mobile power device module with the desired electronic device.

Alternative Embodiment 1

Besides the embodiment described previously, another implementation of the retractable mobile device power module may also be shown to be useful and practical. As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, retractable mobile device power module 204 is integrated with laptop body 102. This embodiment differs from the preferred embodiment in that retractable power module 204 contains winding mechanism 114 internally. AC adapter 210 is external and is manifested as a detachable wall mount instead of being internal to power module 204. The retractable power cord 114 is connected to adapter 210 via power cord interface 206. In this case, the AC adapter 210 is manifested as a wall-mounted unit external to power supply module 204. From there, adapter 210 integrated with wall plug 208.

Advantages

High voltage power cords are usually much thicker and heavier than low voltage. In the present embodiment, the high voltage power cord is totally eliminated. Instead, the low power voltage cord is the only cord that is necessary; the AC adapter is essentially connected directly to the outlet, thus, laptop becomes even more portable than previous designs. The major drawback is the extra equipment that is manifested in the external AC adapter and extra bulk as a result of implementing a self-winding mechanism.

Alternative Embodiment 2

Alternative embodiments of the present invention are not limited to laptop computers. This design can be applied to all kinds of mobile devices as shown in FIG. 3A. Mobile device 302 can be, but with no limitation thereto, portable GPS devices like Garmin or Tomtom, a tablet computer such as a netbook or iPad, or an e-reader such as a Kindle or Sony Reader.

Fixed retractable mobile device power module 304 is integrated with mobile device 302. FIG. 3B is a zoom view of fixed retractable mobile device power module 304 only. Retractable low voltage power cord 308 is contained internally in the fixed retractable mobile device power module 304. Connecter to power plug 310 connects retractable low voltage power cord 308 and plug to a power outlet. Plug to power can be of different manifestations, such as plug to power outlet in car adapter 306 or a combination of adapter 210 and plug to power outlet 208 as described previously. The implementations of connecter to power plug 310 are various too. One manifestation is a USB port, which can be connected to a PC and charge by itself with data transfer capability at the same time.

Alternative Embodiment 3

As shown in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b, mobile device 302 can be a digital storage device like a hard drive. Instead of containing power cord, fixed retractable mobile device power module 304 contains USB cables for data transmission. Connecter to power plug 310 may be a USB port in order to connect with PC.