IP Library Granted Patent US 11,050,254
Granted Patent B2
US 11,050,254 · App. 16/810,704 · Granted Jun 29, 2021

Power adapters adapted to receive a module and methods of implementing power adapters with modules

Inventor: John Joseph King (Wheaton, IL)
Assignee: Smart Power Partners LLC
H02J3/14G06F1/26H01R13/02H01R13/6675H01R13/6691H01R13/74H01R24/68H01R31/06H01R31/065H02B1/42H02G3/10H02G3/18H02J13/0017H02M1/10H04L12/2803H04L67/125H01R2105/00H02J2310/14H04L2012/2841H04W4/80H04W84/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,050,254
App. No.
16/810,704
Granted
Jun 29, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A power adapter configured to apply power to a device is disclosed. The power adapter comprises a contact element configured to receive power; a first outlet configured to receive the power and adapted to provide the power to the device; a recess for receiving a module that is removably coupled to the power adapter, wherein the module is adapted to generate control signals; and a control circuit coupled to the recess; wherein the control circuit controls the application of the power to the first outlet in response to the control signals.

Claims (37)

1. An in-wall power adapter configured to apply power to a device, the in-wall power adapter comprising:

a first contact element of a first plurality of contact elements configured to receive power;

a first outlet adapted to receive prongs of a plug, wherein the first outlet is configured to receive power from the first contact element and adapted to provide power to a device; and

a recess of the in-wall power adapter having a second plurality of contact elements, wherein a second contact element of the second plurality of contact elements is coupled to receive power from the first contact element;

wherein the recess is adapted to receive a module having a third plurality of contact elements adapted to be coupled to the second plurality of contact elements; and

wherein power is applied to the first outlet when a module is not in the recess.

2. The in-wall power adapter of claim 1 further comprising an attachment element for retaining a module in the recess of the in-wall power adapter.

3. The in-wall power adapter of claim 1 further comprising a module, wherein the module comprises a fourth plurality of contact elements having contact elements of a USB connector.

4. The in-wall power adapter of claim 1 further comprising a module, wherein a fourth plurality of contact elements of the module comprises a second outlet for receiving prongs of a plug.

5. The in-wall power adapter of claim 1 wherein the second plurality of contact elements in the recess are configured to prevent a finger from coming into contact with a high voltage contact.

6. The in-wall power adapter of claim 1 further comprising a module, wherein the module comprises an attachment element for retaining the module in the recess of the in-wall power adapter.

7. The in-wall power adapter of claim 1 further comprising a first flange extending from a first end of the in-wall power adapter and a second flange extending from a second end of the in-wall power adapter.

8. An in-wall power adapter configured to apply power to a device, the in-wall power adapter comprising:

a first contact element of a first plurality of contact elements configured to receive power;

a first outlet adapted to receive prongs of a plug, wherein the first outlet is configured to receive power and adapted to provide power to a device;

a recess of the in-wall power adapter having a second plurality of contact elements, wherein a second contact element of the second plurality of contact elements is coupled to receive power from the first contact element; and

a module removably coupled to the recess, wherein the module comprises a third plurality of contact elements configured to be coupled to the second plurality of contact elements in the recess and a second outlet adapted to receive prongs of a plug;

wherein power is provided from first contact to the module; and

wherein power is applied to the first outlet when the module is not in the recess.

9. The in-wall power adapter of claim 8 wherein the module comprises an attachment element for retaining the module in the recess of the in-wall power adapter.

10. The in-wall power adapter of claim 8 further comprising an attachment element for retaining a module in the recess of the in-wall power adapter.

11. The in-wall power adapter of claim 10 wherein the second plurality of contact elements in the recess are configured to prevent a finger from coming into contact with a high voltage contact.

12. The in-wall power adapter of claim 8 wherein the further comprising a first flange extending from a first end of the in-wall power adapter.

13. The in-wall power adapter of claim 12 further comprising a second flange extending from a second end of the in-wall power adapter.

14. A method of applying power to a device, the method comprising:

configuring a first contact element of a first plurality of contact elements of an in-wall power adapter to receive power;

configuring a first outlet of the in-wall power adapter to receive power from the first contact element, wherein the first outlet is adapted to provide power to a device;

receiving a module in a recess of the in-wall power adapter, wherein the module is removably coupled to the in-wall power adapter and the recess comprises a second plurality of contact elements;

coupling a second contact element of the second plurality of contact elements to receive power from the first contact element in the recess;

coupling a third plurality of contact elements of the module to the second plurality of contact elements; and

applying the power to the first outlet when the module is not in the recess.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising providing a power transformer, wherein the module comprises a user interface and receives a low power voltage from the power transformer.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein receiving a module comprises receiving a second outlet.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising retaining the module in the recess using an attachment element of the in-wall power adapter.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein receiving a module comprises coupling a second attachment element of the module to the attachment element of the in-wall power adapter.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein receiving the module comprises receiving a module having a fourth plurality of contact elements.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising wherein the fourth plurality of contact elements comprises contact elements of a USB connector.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 26, 2024
From: SMART POWER PARTNERS LLC
To: HOUGHS NECK HOLDINGS LLC
Reel/Frame 068771/0666 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 31, 2021
From: KING, JOHN J
To: SMART POWER PARTNERS LLC
Reel/Frame 055089/0178 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 15823385 · Nov 27, 2017
Continuation In Part 15645745 · Jul 10, 2017
Provisional Application 62480389 · Apr 1, 2017
Related Publication 20200227998A1 · Jul 16, 2020
Cited By (1)
US 12,717,393