(12)
`
`United States Patent
`Steiert et al.
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`45 Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,585,530 B2
`Jul. 1 2003
`
`a
`
`US006585530B2
`
`(54) PLUG-IN POWER SUPPLY WITH
`MINIATURIZEI) PRIMARY CONTACT
`MEANS
`
`6,190,184 B1 * 2/2001 Cimbal et a1. ............ .. 439/131
`6,241,538 B1 * 6/2001 Chen ................. .. 439/131
`6,325,646 B1 * 12/2001 Uemura et a1. ........... .. 439/131
`
`(75) Inventors: Thomas Steiert, Ostbevern (DE);
`Andreas Kniesel, Muenster (DE)
`
`(73) Assignee: Friwo Geraetebau GmbH (DE)
`
`DE
`DE
`DE
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`297 08 589 U1
`9/1997
`198 35 161 C1
`10/1999
`198 45 962 C1
`10/1999
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U'S'C' 154(k)) by 0 days‘
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/051,437
`(22) Filed:
`Jan. 18, 2002
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`Us 2002/0160636181 Oct 31 2002
`7
`7
`(51) Int. Cl. ....................... .. H01R 13/44; HOlR 13/60
`(52) US. Cl. ...................................... .. 439/131; 439/171
`(58) Field of Search ....................... .. 439/131, 171—174,
`439/956, 640
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2,490,580 A * 12/1949 c0118., Jr. .................. .. 439/131
`2,538,296 A * 1/1951 Crocker
`439/131
`4,080,029 A * 3/1978 St. Fort .................... .. 439/131
`4,626,052 A * 12/1986 Rumble .................... .. 439/173
`5,135,406 A * 8/1992 Ishikawa
`439/131
`5,611,701 A * 3/1997 Hahn ...... ..
`..439/131
`5,628,641 A * 5/1997 Hahn ....................... ..439/131
`5,901,056 A
`5/1999 Hung
`6,126,460 A * 10/2000 Wu .......................... .. 439/131
`
`* Cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner_Lynn D Feud
`Assistant Examiner—Hae Moon Hyeon
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Michael Best & Friedrich,
`LLP
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Aplug-in power supply for converting a mains voltage into
`an operating voltage is provided, comprising a housing
`having arranged therein an electronic circuit for voltage
`Conversion, and at least two primary Contact pins Which are
`movable between an operating position, in Which they are
`adapted to be inserted into the mains socket and in Which
`they extend substantially at right angles to one of the lateral
`surfaces of the housing, and a position of rest on at least one
`of said lateral surfaces, the primary contact pins being
`arranged substantially parallel to said at least one lateral
`surface in said position of rest. In order to achieve the largest
`possible reduction of siZe and in order to guarantee that the
`plug-in poWer supply can be handled easily and safely, a
`geometric arrangement of the primary contact pins With
`respect to each other in their position of rest differs from a
`geometric arrangement of the primary contact pins in their
`operating position.
`
`19 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1008 p. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 1, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 0f 5
`
`US 6,585,530 B2
`
`FIG. 1
`Stand der Technik
`
`105
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1008 p. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 1, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 0f 5
`
`US 6,585,530 B2
`
`4 J2
`
`FIG-2A
`
`FIGZB
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1008 p. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 1, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 0f 5
`
`US 6,585,530 B2
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1008 p. 4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 1, 2003
`
`Sheet 4 0f 5
`
`US 6,585,530 B2
`
`
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1008 p. 5
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1008 p. 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 1, 2003
`
`Sheet 5 0f 5
`
`US 6,585,530 B2
`
`J24
`
`---—- 505/1
`
`J22 +
`
`i053
`
`X5543
`F|G.5A
`
`FIG.5B
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1008 p. 6
`
`

`

`US 6,585,530 B2
`
`1
`PLUG-IN POWER SUPPLY WITH
`MINIATURIZED PRIMARY CONTACT
`MEANS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention generally relates to DC power
`supplies and in particular to a plug-in poWer supply for
`converting a main supply voltage into an operating voltage,
`comprising a housing having arranged therein an electronic
`circuit for voltage conversion, and at least tWo primary
`contact pins Which are movable betWeen an operating
`position, in Which they are adapted to be inserted into the
`main supply socket and in Which they extend substantially at
`right angles to one of the lateral surfaces of the housing, and
`a position of rest on at least one of said lateral surfaces, the
`primary contact pins being arranged substantially parallel to
`said at least one lateral surface in said position rest.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`As outlined in FIG. 1, conventional plug-in poWer
`supplies, Which convert the main supply voltage (normally
`110 or 230 volt) into an operating voltage (normally a
`so-called extra-loW safety voltage), comprise a housing 102
`having essentially the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped
`and including a cover surface 110, a base surface 111, as Well
`as four lateral surfaces 116. The housing 102 has arranged
`therein an electronic circuit for voltage conversion. In
`addition, the plug-in poWer supply 100 is normally provided
`With an electric connecting line 104 Which is adapted to be
`inserted via a plug 106 into a plug socket of a load, and a
`primary contact 108 arranged on the base surface 111 and
`adapted to be inserted into a main supply socket. The trend
`toWards siZe optimiZation of mobile loads, such as mobile
`phones, palmtops or the like, makes it necessary that also the
`accessories required, such as a charging set, Which can be
`realiZed in the form of a plug-in poWer supply according to
`FIG. 1, are miniaturiZed to the greatest degree possible. In
`particular on the Asian market, a volume optimiZation of
`technical devices is a feature Which decisively in?uences the
`buyer’s decision. The reduction of siZe is limited by the
`electric components Which have to be used and by the
`standards Which have to be observed With regard to insula
`tion distances and creeping distances. It folloWs that narroW
`limits are set to a more far-reaching miniaturiZation of the
`plug-in poWer supply, especially in the operating condition,
`as can be seen for instance from DE 198 35 161 C1 and DE
`198 45 962 C1.
`Such conventional plug-in poWer supplies are knoWn for
`instance from DE 297 08 589 U1 and US. Pat. No. 5,901,
`056.
`For accommodating the primary contact pins 108 on the
`base surface 111, a recess is provided, Which extends com
`paratively far into the interior of the housing. This has the
`effect that the volume in the housing interior that can be used
`for the electric components is reduced by mechanical com
`ponents.
`Afurther draWback of the arrangement outlined in FIG. 1
`is the disadvantageous position of the plug-in poWer supply
`100 in a main supply socket in Which neighboring sockets
`may be covered.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is therefore the object of the present invention to
`provide a plug-in poWer supply for converting a main supply
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`2
`voltage into an operating voltage, said plug-in poWer supply
`being reduced still further in siZe and adapted to be handled
`easily and safely.
`According to one embodiment, a geometric arrangement
`of the primary contact pins With respect to each other in their
`position of rest differs from a geometric arrangement of the
`primary contact pins in their operating position.
`A substantial advantage of said plug-in poWer supply
`according to the present invention is that, by displacing the
`primary contact pin, said primary contact pin can be moved
`to an extremely space-saving position of rest. In addition,
`the plug-in poWer supply according to the present invention
`has a smooth surface, Without any projecting plug pins
`Which may get caught up With other components during
`transport, When the primary contact pin is at its position of
`rest. By arranging the primary contact pin at right angles to
`a lateral surface of the plug-in poWer supply in the operating
`position, it is additionally possible to prevent neighboring
`sockets from being rendered inaccessible.
`In order to make the plug-in poWer supply compatible
`With existing main supply sockets, same is provided With
`tWo primary contact pins, Which, When occupying the oper
`ating position, are arranged at a distance from one another
`that conforms to the standard.
`Further developments of the present invention are the
`subject matters of a plurality of dependent claims.
`According to a preferred embodiment, the primary con
`tact pins are adapted to be sWiveled, e.g., for the purpose of
`transport, from the operating position, in Which they are
`adapted to be inserted into the main supply socket, to a
`position of rest on at least one of the lateral surfaces of the
`housing. This offers the advantage that space for the contact
`pin is not required in the interior of the housing. The
`structural design of the housing is particularly simple in the
`case of this embodiment.
`According to another preferred embodiment, one of the
`primary contact pins is adapted to be axially displaced from
`the operating position to the position of rest on one of the
`lateral surfaces of the housing and the other primary contact
`pin is adapted to be sWiveled from the operating position to
`the position of rest on one of the lateral surfaces of the
`housing. This embodiment offers the possibility of a par
`ticularly far-reaching miniaturiZation of the plug-in poWer
`supply, When the primary contact pins are at their position of
`rest and handling Will be particularly easy.
`In order to guarantee the highest possible safety of the
`plug-in poWer supply according to the present invention, the
`plug-in poWer supply can be so conceived that the electric
`connection betWeen the primary contact pin and the elec
`tronic circuit in the interior of the housing Will not be
`established until the ?nal operating position has been
`reached.
`Particularly safe contact With the main supply socket Will
`be achieved When the primary contact pin is adapted to be
`locked in its operating position.
`According to a preferred embodiment, the housing is
`provided With recesses Which accommodate the primary
`contact pin in its position of rest. This Will guarantee that the
`surface of the plug-in poWer supply according to the present
`invention is ?at and that projecting pins Which may get
`caught up With other components are avoided.
`When the primary contact pin is so conceived that it is
`adapted to be locked in its position of rest, this Will have the
`advantage that it is protected against inadvertent displace
`ment from its position of rest.
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1008 p. 7
`
`

`

`US 6,585,530 B2
`
`3
`According to a preferred embodiment, the housing of the
`plug-in power supply according to the present invention
`comprises tWo halves Which are adapted to be connected to
`one another. This offers the advantage of a simpli?ed,
`economy-priced assembly.
`In order to guarantee an increased degree of safety, the
`plug-in poWer supply according to the present invention can
`be equipped With a mechanical coupling device Which is
`provided betWeen the tWo primary contact pins and Which
`forces the tWo pins to move simultaneously.
`A particularly simple and economy-priced possibility of
`realiZing such a coupling device is the use of gears.
`The housing can be provided With an electric connecting
`line Which is adapted to be inserted via a plug into a plug
`socket of a load so that, When the plug-in poWer supply is in
`operation, a connected load can be arranged remote from the
`poWer socket (eg a mobile phone on a table).
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The accompanying draWings are incorporated into and
`form a part of the speci?cation for the purpose of explaining
`the principles of the invention. The draWings are not to be
`construed as limiting the invention to only the illustrated and
`described examples of hoW the invention can be made and
`used. Further features and advantages Will become apparent
`from the folloWing and more particular description of the
`invention, as illustrated in the accompanying draWings,
`Wherein:
`FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective vieW of a plug-in poWer
`supply according to the prior art;
`FIG. 2A illustrates an operating position of a plug-in
`power supply according to a ?rst preferred embodiment;
`FIG. 2B illustrates a rest position of a plug-in poWer
`supply according to a ?rst preferred embodiment;
`FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective vieW of a rest position of
`a plug-in poWer supply according to a ?rst preferred
`embodiment;
`FIG. 3A illustrates an operating position of a plug-in
`poWer supply according to a second preferred embodiment;
`FIG. 3B illustrates a rest position of a plug-in poWer
`supply according to a second preferred embodiment;
`FIG. 3C illustrates a perspective vieW of a rest position of
`a plug-in poWer supply according to a second preferred
`embodiment;
`FIG. 4A illustrates an operating position of a plug-in
`poWer supply according to a third preferred embodiment;
`FIG. 4B illustrates a rest position of a plug-in poWer
`supply according to a third preferred embodiment;
`FIG. 4C illustrates a perspective vieW of a rest position of
`a plug-in poWer supply according to a third preferred
`embodiment;
`FIG. 5A illustrates an operating position of a plug-in
`poWer supply according to a fourth preferred embodiment;
`FIG. 5B illustrates a rest position of a plug-in poWer
`supply according to a fourth preferred embodiment.
`
`10
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`15
`
`25
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`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`The illustrative embodiments of the present invention Will
`be described With reference to the ?gure draWings Wherein
`like elements and structures are indicated by like reference
`numbers.
`As can be seen in FIGS. 2A—2C, a plug-in poWer supply
`200 according to one embodiment comprises a housing 202
`
`65
`
`4
`having arranged therein an electronic circuit for voltage
`conversion, an electric connecting line (not shoWn here so as
`to simplify the representations) Which is adapted to be
`inserted via a plug into a plug socket of a load, and tWo
`primary contact pins 208 Which are adapted to be inserted
`into a main supply socket. In FIG. 2A the operating position
`of the plug-in poWer supply according to the present inven
`tion is shoWn. The tWo primary contact pins 208 protrude at
`right angles from a lateral surface 216 of the housing 202
`and can be inserted into a main supply socket in this
`position. The tWo primary contact pins 208 eXtend at a
`distance 212 from one another. This distance 212 as Well as
`the implementation of the primary contact pins depends on
`the structural design of the main supply socket into Which
`the plug-in poWer supply is to be inserted. The primary
`contact pins may, for eXample, have a round as Well as a
`rectangular cross-section. In the case of the embodiment
`outlined in the draWing, it is additionally guaranteed that, in
`a connector strip having arranged therein a plurality of main
`supply sockets, neighboring sockets Will not be covered. The
`primary contact pins 208 can, e.g., for the purpose of
`transport, be moved in directions 214A and 214B and
`assume a rest position on one of the lateral surfaces 216B,
`216C of the housing 202. They are then located at the
`position of rest outlined in FIG. 2B. As can be seen from the
`perspective vieW in FIG. 2C, each of the housing sides 216B
`and 216C has provided therein a recess 218 Which accom
`modates the respective primary contact pin 208. Due to the
`fact that the primary contact pins 208 can be embedded in
`the recesses 218, a completely ?at surface of the plug-in
`poWer supply 200 is achieved at the position of rest, said
`surface of the plug-in poWer supply having no projections
`Which may get caught up With other objects. In addition, the
`primary contact pins 208 are so conceived that, at the
`position of rest, Which is shoWn in FIGS. 2B and 2C, they
`are not in electric contact With the electronic circuit for
`voltage conversion in the interior of the housing. This
`contact is not established until the operating position has
`fully been reached (FIG. 2A).
`A third preferred embodiment of a plug-in poWer supply
`400 according to the present invention is shoWn in FIGS.
`4A—4C. FIG. 4A shoWs tWo vieWs of the plug-in poWer
`supply 400 in the operating position, Whereas the vieWs of
`FIGS. 4B and 4C shoW the rest position of the primary
`contact pins. In this embodiment, the primary contact pins
`408A and 408B are arranged centrally on the lateral surface
`416 of the housing 402. By sWiveling the primary contact
`pins 408A, 408B in directions 414A and 414B, said pins are
`moved to the position of rest on the lateral surface 416.
`Projections 420 on both housing halves 402A and 402B
`de?ne a reception means 418, Which accommodates the
`contact pins 408A and 408B and Which prevents them from
`getting caught up With an object during transport.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A plug-in poWer supply for converting a main supply
`voltage into an operating voltage, the plug-in poWer supply
`comprising:
`a housing;
`at least tWo primary contact pins, Which are movable
`betWeen an operating position and a resting position,
`the primary contact pins eXtend perpendicular to a ?rst
`surface of the housing and operable to insert into a
`main supply socket in the operating position,
`one of the primary contact pins positioned on a different
`surface of the housing than the ?rst surface in the
`resting position,
`Wherein a geometric arrangement of the primary con
`tact pins With respect to each other in their resting
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1008 p. 8
`
`

`

`US 6,585,530 B2
`
`5
`position differs from a geometric arrangement of the
`primary contact pins in their operating position.
`2. Aplug-in poWer supply according to claim 1, Wherein
`at least one of the primary contact pins is sWiveled from the
`operating position to the resting position.
`3. Aplug-in poWer supply according to claim 1, Wherein
`at least one of the primary contact pins is movable from the
`operating position to the resting position by retracting the
`primary contact pin into the housing, the primary contact pin
`remaining perpendicular to the ?rst surface.
`4. Aplug-in poWer supply according to claim 1, Wherein
`at least one of the primary contact pins is operable to be
`locked in its operating position.
`5. Aplug-in poWer supply according to claim 1, Wherein
`the housing includes a receptacle to receive at least one of
`the primary contact pins.
`6. Aplug-in poWer supply according to claim 1, Wherein
`at least one of the primary contact pins is operable to be
`locked in its resting position.
`7. Aplug-in poWer supply according to claim 1, Wherein
`the housing includes tWo halves Which are connectable.
`8. Aplug-in poWer supply according to claim 1, Wherein
`the housing includes a mechanical coupling device operable
`to move the primary contact pins.
`9. Aplug-in poWer supply according to claim 8, Wherein
`the mechanical coupling device includes at least one gear.
`10. Aplug-in poWer supply according to claim 1, Wherein
`the housing includes at least one rounded corner for retriev
`ing at least one of the primary contact pins from its resting
`position.
`11. A plug-in poWer supply for converting a main supply
`voltage into an operating voltage, the plug-in poWer supply
`comprising:
`a housing; and
`at least tWo primary contact pins movable betWeen an
`operating position and a resting position,
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`6
`the primary contact pins positioned perpendicular to a
`?rst surface of the housing in the operating position,
`the primary contact pins positioned on different sur
`faces of the housing With respect to each other in the
`resting position.
`12. A plug-in poWer supply according to claim 11,
`Wherein at least one of the primary contact pins is positioned
`on the ?rst surface in the resting position.
`13. A plug-in poWer supply according to claim 11,
`Wherein at least one of the primary contact pins is sWiveled
`from the operating position to the resting position.
`14. A plug-in poWer supply according to claim 11,
`Wherein at least one of the primary contact pins is movable
`from the operating position to the resting position by retract
`ing the primary contact pin into the housing, the primary
`contact pin remaining perpendicular to the ?rst surface.
`15. A plug-in poWer supply according to claim 11,
`Wherein at least one of the primary contact pins is operable
`to be locked in its operating position and resting position.
`16. A plug-in poWer supply according to claim 11,
`Wherein the housing includes a receptacle to receive at least
`one of the primary contact pins.
`17. A plug-in poWer supply according to claim 16,
`Wherein at least one of the primary contact pins positioned
`in the receptacle is in its resting position.
`18. A plug-in poWer supply according to claim 11,
`Wherein the housing includes at least one gear operable to
`move the primary contact pins.
`19. A plug-in poWer supply according to claim 11,
`Wherein the housing includes at least one rounded corner for
`retrieving at least one of the primary contact pins from its
`resting position.
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1008 p. 9
`
`

`

`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`PATENT NO. : 6,585,530 B2
`DATED
`: July 1, 2003
`INVENTOR(S) : Thomas Steiert and Andreas Kniesel
`
`Page 1 of 1
`
`It is certified that error appears in the above-identi?ed patent and that said Letters Patent is
`hereby corrected as shown below:
`
`Title page, Item [54] and Column 1, lines 1-3,
`The title should read:
`-- MINIATURIZED PLUG-IN POWER SUPPLY WITH MOVABLE PRIMARY
`CONTACT MEANS -
`
`Title page,
`Insert item:
`-- [30] Foreign Application Priority Data
`Jan. 22, 2001 (DE) .... ..101 02 713.3 -
`
`Signed and Sealed this
`
`Eighteenth Day of November, 2003
`
`JAMES E. ROGAN
`Director ofthe United States Patent and Trademark O?‘ice
`
`Prong, Inc. Exh. 1008 p. 10
`
`