U.S. patent application number 13/916275 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-18 for wing deployment mechanism for a power adapter.
The applicant listed for this patent is APPLE INC.. Invention is credited to Bartley K. Andre, Ricardo A. Mariano, Mikael M. Silvanto, Christopher J. Stringer, Cesar Lozano Villarreal.
Application Number | 20140370742 13/916275 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52019593 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140370742 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Andre; Bartley K. ; et
al. |
December 18, 2014 |
WING DEPLOYMENT MECHANISM FOR A POWER ADAPTER
Abstract
A power adapter including a wing deployment mechanism for
retaining a wing in a first undeployed position and the second
deployed position. One example may provide a housing, a spring, a
spring cover, and the wing. In one example, the wing may be
pivotally attached to the housing and the spring and the spring
cover may be fixedly attached to the housing. The spring may
contact a portion of the wing and may, in one example, apply a
position dependent force to the wing that biases the wing towards
either the first or the second position.
Inventors: |
Andre; Bartley K.; (Palo
Alto, CA) ; Villarreal; Cesar Lozano; (Santa Clara,
CA) ; Stringer; Christopher J.; (Woodside, CA)
; Silvanto; Mikael M.; (San Francisco, CA) ;
Mariano; Ricardo A.; (Hayward, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
APPLE INC. |
Cupertino |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52019593 |
Appl. No.: |
13/916275 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/501 ; 29/434;
403/120 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/0042 20130101;
G06F 1/1632 20130101; Y10T 29/4984 20150115; F16C 11/04 20130101;
Y10T 403/32614 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/501 ;
403/120; 29/434 |
International
Class: |
H01R 13/72 20060101
H01R013/72; F16C 11/04 20060101 F16C011/04 |
Claims
1. An adapter comprising: a corner comprising intersecting first
and second surfaces; a receiving depression extending around the
corner, the receiving depression including a free surface having a
free end located on the first surface and a pivot surface
intersecting the free surface and having a pivot end located on the
second surface; a pivotable wing comprising a free end and a cam
end, the cam end including a cam and a pivot located between the
cam and the free end, wherein the pivotable wing is moveable
between a closed position and an open position; and a spring
comprising a fixed end secured to the free end of the receiving
depression and a biasing end located in the pivot end of the
receiving depression and engaging with the cam of the pivotable
wing so that the pivotable wing is stable in both the closed and
open position.
2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the pivotable wing is sized and
shaped to fit within the receiving depression when the pivotable
wing is in the closed position.
3. The adapter of claim 2, wherein the pivotable wing comprises a
first portion proximate to the free end and a second portion
proximate to the cam end and intersecting the first portion to
define a pivotable wing corner.
4. The adapter of claim 3, wherein the first portion of the
pivotable wing fits within the receiving portion on the first
surface and the second portion of the pivotable wing fits within
the receiving portion on the second surface.
5. The adapter of claim 3, wherein the first portion of the
pivotable wing is parallel with the first surface when the
pivotable wing is in the first position and the first portion of
the pivotable wing is parallel with the second surface when the
wing is in the open position.
6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the cam comprises a half
cylinder.
7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the pivotable wing further
comprises a stop adjacent to the cam.
8. The adapter of claim 1, further comprising a spring cover,
wherein the spring cover overlays the receiving depression and the
spring and secures the fixed end of the spring to the free end of
the receiving depression.
9. The adapter of claim 8, wherein the spring is retained between
the spring cover and the pivot surface of the receiving
depression.
10. The adapter of claim 9, wherein the spring does not contact the
pivot surface of the receiving depression.
11. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the spring and the cam create a
first torque when the wing is in the closed position and a second
torque when the wing is in the open position.
12. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the magnitude of the first
torque is equal to the magnitude of the second toque.
13. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the direction of the first
torque is opposite the direction of the second torque.
14. A wing deployment system comprising: a substrate comprising a
fixation surface and an intersecting pivot surface, wherein the
fixation and pivot surfaces are non-parallel; a wing member
comprising a pivot portion comprising a pivot end and a cam
proximate to the pivot end, wherein the pivot end is pivotally
connected to the pivot surface of the substrate and the wing member
is movable between a first position wherein the pivot portion is
parallel to the pivot surface and a second position; a spring
comprising a fixation portion affixed to the fixation surface and
extending around the intersection of the fixation surface and the
pivot surface and a contacting portion contacting the cam of the
wing member, wherein the spring does not contact the pivot surface
of the substrate.
15. The wing deployment system of claim 14 further comprising a
spring cover.
16. The wing deployment system of claim 15, wherein the spring
cover affixes the fixation portion of the spring to the fixation
surface of the substrate.
17. The wing deployment system of claim 16, wherein the spring is
retained between the spring cover and the fixation surface of the
substrate and between the spring cover and the pivot surface of the
substrate.
18. The wing deployment system of claim 14, wherein the spring does
not contact the pivot surface of the substrate when the wing member
is in the first position.
19. The wing deployment system of claim 15, wherein the spring does
not contact the pivot surface of the substrate when the wing member
is in the second position.
20. The wing deployment system of claim 14, wherein the spring does
not contact the pivot surface of the substrate when the wing member
is at position between the first and second positions.
21. A method of manufacturing a wing deployment mechanism
comprising: selecting a spring comprising a first portion extending
in a first direction and a second portion extending in a second
direction relative to the first portion; affixing the first portion
of the spring to a securement portion of a spring cover, the
securement portion of the spring cover extending in a first
direction and a retention portion of the spring cover extending in
a second direction from the securement portion; attaching the
spring cover to a housing comprising a corner formed by the
intersection of first and second surfaces such that the first
portion of the spring is affixed to the housing between the
securement portion of the spring cover and the first surface of the
housing and such that both the second portion of the spring and the
retention portion of the spring cover extend around the corner of
the housing; pivotally attaching a wing member to the housing,
wherein a cam of the wing member engages with the spring, wherein
the wing member is pivotable between a first position and second
position, and wherein the spring applies a force to the wing member
in both the first and second positions.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising providing a damper
to the wing deployment mechanism.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the damper comprises a viscous
material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Mobile devices such as laptop and notebook computers, media
players, smart phones, tablets, and others have become ubiquitous
in the last few years and the popularity shows no sign of abating.
To meet demand, designers have developed a wide range of devices
having a constellation of form factors and features.
[0002] While features and form factors of devices have changed and
evolved over time, these mobile devices rely on stored power and
the maintenance of usable stored charge levels to perform their
functions. In many of these devices, power is stored within one or
several batteries.
[0003] As the batteries of the mobile device require frequent
recharging, the user interaction with the power adapter can
increase or decrease the overall level of user satisfaction with
the mobile device. The user interaction with the power adapter can
be of particular importance to overall user satisfaction when the
charger affects the mobility of the mobile device such as, for
example, when the power adapter is bulky. Additionally, because
power adapters are frequently used, the features and perceived
quality of the power adapter also affect the level of overall user
satisfaction with the mobile device. Thus, apparatuses, systems,
and methods are needed to improve the function of power
adapters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a power
adapter with a wing deployment mechanism.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
wing.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a
spring.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a side view of one embodiment of the spring.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a spring
affixed to a spring cover.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a section view of one embodiment of the spring
affixed to the spring cover.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a partial section view of one embodiment of a wing
deployment mechanism having a wing in an undeployed
configuration.
[0011] FIG. 8 is a partial section view of one embodiment of a wing
deployment mechanism having a wing in a deployed configuration.
[0012] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a
process for manufacturing a wing deployment mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Some embodiments relate to a wing deployment mechanism which
can facilitate moving a wing between a first undeployed (closed)
position and a second deployed (open) position. The wing deployment
mechanism can include a power adapter, also referred to as a power
supply, and adapter, and/or a power brick herein. The power adapter
is a device that supplies electric power to an electrical load. In
some embodiments, the power adapter may include an electric power
converter that converts one form of electrical energy to another,
and in some embodiments, the power adapter may include a regulated
power supply that controls the output voltage or current to a
specific value.
[0014] The wing deployment mechanism may include one or several
wings, which can be elongate members. The one or several wings can
be pivotally attached to the power adapter and be movable between
the first, undeployed position and the second, deployed position.
In some embodiments, the wings can be configured for use in
retaining a cable of the power adapter such as, for example, and
outlet power cable. In some embodiments, for example, the wings can
be configured for use in managing and/or organizing the cable of
the power adapter when the power adapter is not in use.
[0015] In some embodiments, one of the one or several wings can
interact with a spring which can apply a restorative force to the
one of the one or several wings when the wing is in the first or
second position. This force biases the wing towards either the
first or second position when the wing is intermediately located
between the first and second positions. In some embodiments, for
example, the spring can provide a first force in a first direction,
and after a toggle point has been passed, provide a second force in
a second direction. In some embodiments, the combination of the
spring and the surface of the wing with which the spring interacts
can generate a first torque in a first direction, and after a
toggle point has been passed, provide a second torque in a second
direction. In some embodiments, the first force, the second force,
the first torque, and/or the second torque can be constant or
variable. In some embodiments, the magnitude of the first force and
the second force and/or the magnitude of the first torque and the
second torque can be equal or different. In some embodiments, for
example, the direction of the first force and the second force
and/or the direction of the first torque and the second torque can
be opposite.
[0016] The toggle point can be located at any desired intermediate
position between the first position and the second position, and
can, in some embodiments, be located at a midpoint between the
first and second positions. In some embodiments, for example, in
which the movement between the first and second position is through
90 degrees, the toggle point can be located at 45 degrees, between
40 and 50 degrees, between 35 and 55 degrees, between 30 and 60
degrees, and/or at any other or intermediate position. The spring
can include a portion that deflects when the wing is moved from the
first position to the second position. In some embodiments, the
spring can be positioned relative to the pivot point of the wing so
as to minimize torque variations during the movement of the wing
between the first and the second positions, so that the deflected
portion of the spring does not contact other components of the wing
deployment mechanism, and/or so that the toggle point, the point,
including the range, at which direction of the bias force applied
by the spring to the wing changes from towards one of the first and
second positions to towards the other of the first and second
positions is located at approximately the midpoint between the
first and second positions.
[0017] With reference now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of one
embodiment of a power adapter 100 is shown. As discussed above,
power adapter 100 can supply electric power to an electrical load,
and specifically to a mobile device. Power adapter 100 may include
a variety of shapes and sizes and can be made from a variety of
materials. In some embodiments, power adapter 100 may include a
variety of components configured to, for example, control the
voltage and/or current output of power adapter 100, and/or convert
received electrical energy from, for example, alternating current
to direct current.
[0018] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, power adapter 100
includes a housing 102. Housing 102 contains and/or protects some
and/or all of the components of power adapter 100. In some
embodiments, housing 102 can, alone and/or in combination with
other components of power adapter 100, define the volume in which
some and/or all of the components of power adapter 100 are
retained. Housing 102 may include a variety of shapes and sizes and
can be made from a variety of materials. Housing 102 depicted in
FIG. 1 includes a rectangular prism and is made from plastic.
[0019] Housing 102 of power adapter 100 includes a first surface
104 and a second surface 106. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1,
first and second surfaces 104, 106 are sides of housing 102. First
and second surfaces 104, 106 intersect each other at a corner 108.
In some embodiments, corner 108 may include any desired angle, and
corner 108 depicted in FIG. 1 includes an approximately 90.degree.
angle, which can include angles within 45.degree., 25.degree.,
15.degree., or 5.degree. of 90.degree..
[0020] Power adapter 100 depicted in FIG. 1 further includes a wing
110, and specifically includes two wings 110. As seen in FIG. 1,
one of wings 110 is in the first, undeployed position and the other
of wings 110 is in the second, deployed position. Wing 110 may
include an elongate member that can be pivotally connected with
housing 102 of power adapter 100 so as to allow wing 110 to move
between the first and second positions. In the embodiment depicted
in FIG. 1, wing 110 includes a bent elongate element having
portions extending in perpendicular directions. Advantageously, in
some embodiments, the angle between the portions of the wing can
correspond to the angle of corner 108 and the position of the
pivotable connection between wing 110 and housing 102 can be
configured so that wing 110 can extend around corner 108 when wing
110 is in the first, undeployed position.
[0021] Housing 102 can include a receiving depression 112.
Receiving depression 112 can be sized and shaped to receive wing
110, and specifically sized and shaped to receive wing 110 so that
portions of wing 110 are flush with first and second surfaces 104,
106 of housing 102 when wing 110 is in the first, undeployed
position. In some embodiments, receiving depression 112 may include
a free end 114 and a pivot end 116 and can be bounded by a sidewall
118. In some embodiments, sidewall 118 may include a pivot
receptacle 120 located proximate to pivot end 116 of receiving
depression 112. Pivot receptacle 120 can be configured to receive a
mating pivot (not shown) located on wing 110.
[0022] In some embodiments, power adapter 100 may include a power
output 122. Power output 122 may include a cable configured to
carry power from power adapter 100 to the mobile device. In some
embodiments, power output 122 can be located between wings 110, and
can be configured to be stored by wrapping power output 122 around
wings 110 when wings 110 are in the second, deployed position.
[0023] With reference now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of one
embodiment of wing 110 is shown. Wing 110 may include a variety of
shapes and sizes, and can be made from a variety of materials. Wing
110 may include a top 200 and bottom 202, and in some embodiments,
for example, wing 110 may include a first portion 204, also
referred to herein as a free portion, a free end 206, a second
portion 208, also referred to herein as a cam portion and/or a
pivot portion, and a pivot end 210, also referred to herein as a
cam end. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, first portion 204
extends in a first direction and second portion 208 extends in a
second direction that is nonparallel to the first direction. As
further seen in FIG. 2, first portion 204 and second portion 208
intersect and define a wing corner 212. In some embodiments, the
angle subtended by the intersection of first portion 204 and second
portion 208 can match and/or correspond to the angle subtended by
the intersection of first surface 104 and second surface 106 of
housing 102. Advantageously, in such an embodiment top 200 of wing
110 is flush with first and second surfaces 104, 106 on housing
102, and specifically top 200 of first portion 204 is flush with
first surface 104 of housing 102 and top 200 of second portion 208
is flush with second surface 106 of housing 102, when wing 110 is
in the first, undeployed position.
[0024] In some embodiments, wing 110 can include a variety of
features located at and/or proximate to pivot end 210 of wing 110.
In some embodiments, wing 110 can include a cam 214. In some
embodiments, cam 214 can be configured to interact with a spring
(e.g., spring 300 shown in FIG. 3) to facilitate the transfer of
force from spring 300 to wing 110, which force facilitates
retention of wing 110 in the first and second positions and biases
wing 110 towards one of the first and second positions when wing
110 is intermediately located between the first and second
positions. In some embodiments, and as specifically depicted in
FIG. 2, cam 214 may include a half cylinder that is tangent with
one or both of top 200 and bottom 202 of wing 110. As further seen
in some embodiments, cam 214 may include two portions separated by
a control opening 216. In some embodiments in which wing 110 is
created by, for example, injection molding, control opening 216 can
be created by the removal of sprue and/or runner material and can
facilitate proper operation of cam 214.
[0025] As further seen, in FIG. 2, pivot end 210 of wing 110 can
include a pivot 218 that laterally extends from between top 200 and
bottom 202 of wing 110. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, pivot
218 includes a cylindrical protrusion that can be sized and shaped
to be received within pivot receptacle 120 of housing 102.
[0026] In some embodiments, wing 110 can include a stop 220 located
at pivot end 210. In some embodiments, stop 220 can be configured
to interact with features of power adapter 100 including, for
example, features of housing 102 to limit the movement of wing 110,
and specifically, to limit the movement of wing 110 past one or
both of the first and second positions. In the specific embodiment
depicted in FIG. 2, stop 220 can be configured to interact with a
component of power adapter 100 including, for example, a feature
and/or component of housing 102 to stop wing 110 from moving past
the second, deployed position.
[0027] Stop 220 may include a variety of shapes and sizes. In the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, stop 220 includes a flat face
proximate to bottom 202 of wing 110, which flat face can be
configured to abut one or several features of power adapter 100
and/or of housing 102 to stop the movement of wing 110.
[0028] With reference now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of one
embodiment of spring 300 is shown. Spring 300 can be configured to
bias wing 110 towards one of the first and second positions based
on the location of wing 110. Spring 300 may include a variety of
shapes and sizes and can be made from a variety of materials. In
the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, spring 300 includes a fixation
portion 302, also referred to herein as a first portion and a fixed
end 304 located at the end of spring 300 proximate to fixation
portion 302. In some embodiments, spring 300 further includes a
contacting portion 306, also referred to herein as a second
portion, and a biasing end 308 located at the end of spring 300
proximate to contacting portion 306. As also depicted in FIG. 3,
fixation portion 302 of spring 300 can, in some embodiments, be
connected with contacting portion 306 via a connecting portion
310.
[0029] Fixation portion 302 of spring 300 can be configured for
affixation to a portion of power adapter 100. In some embodiments,
fixation portion 302 may include a substantially planar member that
can include one or several affixation features 312. These
affixation features 312 can include, for example, one or several
holes extending through fixation portion 302. In some embodiments,
these features can be configured to receive a fixing component such
as, for example, a post, rivet, a screw, a bolt, an adhesive, or
any other component or feature that can fix the position of spring
300.
[0030] Contacting portion 306 can be configured to engage with cam
214 of wing 110 to apply a biasing force to wing 110. In some
embodiments, contacting portion 306 may include a substantially
planar member that can be sized and shaped to fit between stops 220
of wing 110 and engage with cams 214 located between stops 220.
[0031] With reference now to FIG. 4, a side view of one embodiment
of spring 300 is shown. As seen in FIG. 4, spring 300 includes a
fixed end 304, a fixation portion 302, a connecting portion 310, a
contacting portion 306, and a biasing end 308. As also seen in FIG.
4, each of fixation portion 302, contacting portion 306, and
connecting portion 310 comprise substantially planar members which
extend in nonparallel directions. Thus, fixation portion 302 and
connecting portion 310 intersect and form a deflection corner 314.
Deflection corner 314 may include an angle that can correspond to
the angle of corner 108 of housing 102 and/or to the angle of wing
corner 212. In some embodiments, and although the angle of
deflection corner 314 corresponds to the angle of corner 108 of
housing 102 and to the angle of wing corner 212, the radius of
curvature of deflection corner 314 can be different than the radius
of curvature of one or both of corner 108 of housing 102 and wing
corner 212. In one specific embodiment, for example, the radius of
curvature of deflection corner 314 is smaller than the radius of
curvature of corner 108 of housing 102 and smaller than the radius
of curvature of wing corner 212. In some embodiments, the angle and
the radius of curvature of deflection corner 314 can be configured
so that fixation portion 302 of spring 300 can extend parallel to
first surface 104 of housing 102 and connecting portion 310 can
extend parallel to second surface 106 of housing 102 when spring
300 is attached to housing 102 and undeflected.
[0032] As further seen in FIG. 4, connecting portion 310 and
contacting portion 306 intersect and form a bias corner 316. The
angle and radius of curvature of bias corner 316 can be configured
such that contacting portion 306 of spring 300 achieves and
maintains a desired level of contact with cams 214 when wing 110 is
in the first position, the second position or any intermediate
location between the first and second positions.
[0033] With reference now to FIG. 5, a perspective view of one
embodiment of a bias system 500 is shown. Bias system 500 may
include spring 300 and spring cover 502, and can be configured for
connection with housing 102 so as to enable the application of a
biasing force from spring 300 to wing 110 via cams 214 of wing
110.
[0034] Spring cover 502 can be configured to affix spring 300, to
be affixed to housing 102, to define a retention space for spring
300 in cooperation with housing 102, and to abut portions of wing
110 when wing 110 is in the first and/or second positions. Spring
cover 502 may include a variety of shapes and sizes and can be made
from a variety of materials. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5,
spring cover 502 includes a securement portion 504 extending in a
first direction and retention portion 506 extending in a second
direction. In some embodiments, securement portion 504 and
retention portion 506 can intersect to create a cover corner 508.
Cover corner 508 may include an angle that can correspond to the
angle of corner 108 of housing 102, to the angle of wing corner
212, and/or to the angle of deflection corner 314. In some
embodiments, although the angle of cover corner 508 corresponds to
the angle of corner 108 of housing 102, to the angle of wing corner
212, and/or to the angle of deflection corner 314 of spring 300,
the radius of curvature of cover corner 508 can be the same and/or
different than the radius of curvature of one, some, or all of
corner 108 of housing 102, wing corner 212, and/or deflection
corner 314. In one specific embodiment, for example, the radius of
curvature of cover corner 508 can be smaller than the radius of
curvature of corner 108 of housing 102 and approximate the radius
of curvature of bottom 202 of wing corner 212.
[0035] As further seen in FIG. 5, spring cover 502 can include a
securement depression 510. Securement depression 510 may include a
recessed area within securement portion 504 of spring cover 502
that can be sized and shaped to receive fixation portion 302 of
spring 300. In some embodiments, securement depression 510 can have
a depth that is greater than the thickness of spring 300, and
specifically that is greater than the thickness of fixation portion
302 of spring 300.
[0036] As further seen in FIG. 5, securement portion 504 of spring
cover 502 can include a securement feature 512. Securement feature
512 may include any feature configured to interact with a portion
of spring 300 to thereby affix and/or secure spring 300 to spring
cover 502. In some embodiments, securement feature 512 can include
a feature and/or substance that is applied to securement portion
504 of spring cover 502 to affix and/or secure spring 300 to
securement portion 504 such as, for example, an adhesive. In the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, securement feature 512 can be
configured to interact with affixation features 312 of spring 300
to thereby secure spring 300, and specifically to secure fixation
portion 302 of spring 300 to securement portion 504 of spring cover
502.
[0037] Spring cover 502 can include a retention end 514. Retention
end 514 can be the terminating end of spring cover 502 proximate to
retention portion 506 of spring cover 502. In some embodiments,
spring 300 can be positioned with respect to spring cover 502 such
that bias corner 316 results in a portion of contacting portion 306
of spring 300 extending from one side of spring cover 502 to the
other side of spring cover 502 as shown in FIG. 5.
[0038] With reference now to FIG. 6, a side, section view of one
embodiment of bias system 500 is shown. As seen in FIG. 6, fixation
end 302 of spring 300 abuts securement portion 504 of spring cover
502. As further seen in FIG. 6, deflection corner 314 is positioned
within cover corner 508, but the different radius of curvature of
deflection corner 314 as compared to cover corner 508 results in
the creation of a retention gap 516 between connecting portion 310
of spring 300 and retention portion 506 of spring cover 502. As
further seen in FIG. 6, connecting portion 310 can extend past
retention end 514 of spring cover 502, and contacting portion 306
can extend across retention gap 516 and from one side of spring
cover 502 to the other side of spring cover 502, and specifically
from one side of retention portion 506 of spring cover 502 to the
other side of retention portion 506 of spring cover 502.
[0039] With reference now to FIG. 7, a partial-section view of the
wing deployment mechanism found in adapter 100 with wing 110 in an
undeployed configuration is shown. As seen in FIG. 7, power adapter
100 includes housing 102, including first and second surfaces 104,
106 that intersect in corner 108. Housing 102 further includes
receiving depression 112 that is sized and shaped to receive wing
110 when in the first position. Receiving depression 112 includes
free end 114 and pivot end 116, and is bounded by sidewall 118 and
a substrate 700. Substrate 700 can be a component of housing 102,
and can form the bottommost boundary of receiving depression
112.
[0040] Substrate 700 can have a substrate fixation surface 702 that
can, in connection with spring cover 502 fix the position of
fixation portion 302 of spring 300, and a substrate pivot surface
704 that in connection with retention portion 506 of spring cover
502 defines a retention space 706, which retention space 706
includes retention gap 516, that retains the portion of spring 300
located between biasing end 308 and deflection corner 314 when wing
110 is in the first position, the second position, and/or is moved
between the first and second positions. In the embodiment depicted
in FIG. 7, retention space 706 retains connecting portion 310 of
spring 300. As seen in FIG. 7, retention space 706 is sized and
shaped so that contacting portion 306 and connecting portion 310 of
spring 300 do not contact either retention portion 506 of spring
cover 502 or substrate pivot surface 704 when wing 110 is in the
second, deployed position.
[0041] Substrate fixation surface 702 and substrate pivot surface
704 intersect and create a substrate corner 705. Substrate corner
705 may include an angle that can correspond to the angle of corner
108 of housing 102, to the angle of the deflection corner 314,
and/or to the angle of wing corner 212. In some embodiments,
although the angle of substrate corner 705 corresponds to the angle
of corner 108 of housing 102, to the angle of deflection corner
314, and/or to the angle of wing corner 212, the radius of
curvature of substrate corner 705 can be different than the radius
of curvature of those corners 108, 212, 314. In one embodiment, for
example, the radius of curvature of substrate corner 705 is smaller
than the radius of curvature of corner 108 of housing 102, smaller
than the radius of curvature of wing corner 212, and smaller than
the radius of curvature of deflection corner 314.
[0042] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, wing 110 is in the
first, undeployed position. In this position, first portion 204 of
wing 110 is parallel to substrate fixation surface 702 and is
perpendicular to second surface 106, and cam portion 208 of wing
110 is parallel to second surface 106 and perpendicular to
substrate fixation surface 702.
[0043] As seen in FIG. 7, spring 300 contacts wing 110 via cam 214,
and specifically, contacting portion 306 of spring 300 contacts cam
214 and thereby applies a force to wing 110. In some embodiments,
this force can be a restorative force that induces a torque and can
facilitate the retention of wing 110 in the first position. As
further seen in FIG. 7, the movement of wing 110 past the first
position is limited and/or restrained by the contacting of wing
surfaces proximate to free end 206 of wing 110 with portions of
spring cover 502. As further seen in FIG. 7, top 200 of first
portion 204 of wing 110 is flush with first surface 104 of housing
102, and top 200 of cam portion 208 is flush with second surface
106 of housing 102 when wing 110 is in the first undeployed
position.
[0044] In some embodiments, power adapter 100 can include a damper
708 that can damp the impact of stop 220 against the portion of
housing 102 of power adapter 100 when wing 110 is moved to the
second, deployed position. In some embodiments, this damper may
include, for example, an elastic material such as, for example,
rubber or silicon, and in some embodiments, this damper may include
a viscous material such as, for example, grease, and/or a
viscoelastic material such as, for example, memory foam.
[0045] With reference now to FIG. 8, a partial-section view of one
embodiment of the wing deployment mechanism found in power adapter
100 with wing 110 in the second, deployed configuration is shown.
As seen in FIG. 8, power adapter 100 includes housing 102, which
housing further includes first and second surfaces 104, 106 which
together define corner 108 of housing 102. Housing 102 further
includes a receiving depression 112 that is sized and shaped to
receive wing 110 and that has, in FIG. 8, received wing 110.
Receiving depression 112 is defined by sidewall 118 and substrate
700 that includes substrate fixation surface 702 and substrate
pivot surface 704, which surfaces 702, 704 together create
substrate corner 705.
[0046] In some embodiments, and as seen in FIG. 8, substrate pivot
surface 704 can include a clearance depression 708 which can be
positioned relative to spring 300 such that bias corner 316,
portions of contacting portion 306, and portions of connecting
portion 310 have greater clearance with substrate pivot surface
704. Advantageously, clearance depression 708 can facilitate
allowing wing 110 to be moved from a first position to a second
position without portions of spring 300 located between deflection
corner 314 and biasing end 308 contacting substrate pivot surface
704.
[0047] Bias system 500 is placed within receiving depression 112 of
housing 102. This includes spring 300 and spring cover 502. Spring
cover 502 includes securement portion 504 that, with securement
feature 512, secures spring 300. Spring cover 502 further includes
retention portion 506 which, together with substrate pivot surface
704 defines retention space 706. In some embodiments, retention
space 706 can extend from substrate corner 705 to retention end 514
of spring cover 502 and/or to pivot end 116 of receiving depression
112, and in some embodiments retention space 706 can extend from
the start of deflection corner 314 proximate to fixation portion
302 to retention end 514 of spring cover 502 and/or to pivot end
116 of receiving depression 112.
[0048] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, wing 110 is in the
second, deployed position. In this position, first portion 204 of
wing 110 is perpendicular to substrate fixation surface 702 and is
parallel to second surface 106, and cam portion 208 of wing 110 is
perpendicular to second surface 106 and parallel to substrate
fixation surface 702.
[0049] As seen in FIG. 8, spring 300 contacts wing 110 via cam 214,
and specifically, contacting portion 306 of spring 300 contacts cam
214 and thereby applies a force to wing 110 which in turn creates a
torque to keep the wing in the open, deployed position. In some
embodiments, this force can be a restorative force that can
facilitate the retention of wing 110 in the second position. As
further seen in FIG. 8, the movement of wing 110 past the second
position is limited and/or restrained by the contacting of stop 220
with a portion of housing 102 of power adapter 100.
[0050] With reference now to FIG. 9, a flowchart illustrating one
embodiment of a process 900 for manufacturing a wing deployment
mechanism is shown. In some embodiments, the wing deployment
mechanism may include housing 102, wing 110, spring 300, and spring
cover 502. In some embodiments, the wing deployment mechanism can
be configured to stably retain wing 110 in a first, undeployed
position and in a second, deployed position.
[0051] Process 900 begins in block 902 wherein the components of
the wing deployment mechanism are collected. In some embodiments,
for example, this can include collecting and/or selecting a housing
102 as described above, a wing 110 as described above, a spring 300
as described above, and/or a spring cover 502 as described above.
In one specific embodiment, this can include selecting a spring
including a fixation portion 302 that extends in a first direction
and another portion, including one or both of contacting portion
306 and connecting portion 310, that extends in a second direction
relative to fixation portion 302.
[0052] After the components of the wing deployment mechanism have
been collected, process 900 proceeds to block 904 wherein spring
300 is affixed to housing 102. In some embodiments, for example,
this can include affixing fixation portion 302 of spring 300 to
substrate fixation surface 702 of housing 102. In some embodiments,
the affixing of spring 300 to housing 102 can include affixing
spring 300 to spring cover 502, and specifically, affixing fixation
portion 302 of spring 300 to securement portion 504 of spring cover
502 via affixation features 312 of spring 300 and securement
feature 512 of spring cover 502, and subsequently affixing spring
cover 502 to housing 102.
[0053] After spring 300 has been affixed to housing 102, process
900 proceeds to block 906 wherein spring 300 is deflected. In some
embodiments, for example, spring 300 can be deflected by the
interaction of wing 110 with spring 300, and in some embodiments,
spring 300 can be deflected in preparation for the attachment of
wing 110 to housing 102.
[0054] After spring has been deflected, process 900 proceeds to
block 908 wherein wing 110 is attached to housing 102. In some
embodiments, for example, wing 110 can be attached to housing 102
by pivotally connecting wing 110 to housing 102, and in some
embodiments, wing 110 can be attached to housing 102 by the
insertion of pivot 218 into pivot receptacle 120 of housing 102. In
some embodiments, steps 908 and 906 can be concurrently performed
in that the attachment of wing 110 to housing 102 can
simultaneously result in the deflection of spring 300, and in some
embodiments, steps 908 and 906 can be serially performed.
[0055] In some embodiments, the attaching of wing 110 to housing
102 can further include providing a damper 708 configured to damp
the impact between stop 220 in housing 102. As discussed above, in
some embodiments, damper 708 may include an elastic member and/or
material and/or a viscous member and/or material.
[0056] The above description of embodiments of the invention has
been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It
is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise form described, and many modifications and variations are
possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were
chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the
invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others
skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various
embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated. Thus, it will be appreciated that the
invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents
within the scope of the following claims
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