# US 2019/0356097 A1 · Electronically actuated retaining latch for ac-dc adapter removable plug assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0356097 A1 - Document ID: US20190356097A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/983,860 - Filed: 2018-05-18 - Published: 2019-11-21 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-18 - Assignees: NVIDIA Corporation - Applicants: NVIDIA Corporation - Inventors: Boris LANDWEHR; James LEE; Craig CRAWFORD; Andrew BELL; Samuel DUELL - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190356097A1 ## CPC - 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) - H01R 13/6205: {Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet} - H01R 27/00: Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts ({for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35}; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90) - H01R 31/065: {with built-in electric apparatus} - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A power adapter has a solenoid actuated retaining latch controlled by an electronic circuit that detects the presence or absence of AC mains voltage. When the assembled AC-DC adapter and plug assembly are removed from the wall, the latch detects removal and unlocks the plug assembly for easy removal without undue force required by the user. The circuit is designed for minimal power consumption, and the solenoid only consumes power when it is engaging or disengaging the latch. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A power adapter kit comprising: an adapter base; and plural plug connectors each removably mechanically and electrically engageable with the adapter base, the adapter base including an electromagnetic latching mechanism that detects when current is applied to a plug connector engaged with the adapter base and selectively mechanically latches said plug connector to the adapter base in response to the detection. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The power adapter kit of claim 1 wherein the electromechanical latching mechanism comprises: a detection circuit electrically isolated from the current that detects when the current is present; and an electromechanical latch operatively coupled to the detection circuit, the electromechanical latch mechanically engaging the plug connector when the detection circuit detects the current is present, and mechanically disengaging from the plug connector when the detection circuit fails to detect that the current is present. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The power adapter kit of claim 2 wherein the detection circuit comprises a retriggerable one-shot timer having a time constant that exceeds the periodicity of the current. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The power adapter kit of claim 2 wherein the detection circuit comprises a capacitor connected in series with a solenoid, the capacitor discharging through the solenoid when the detection circuit detects that the current is no longer present. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The power adapter kit of claim 1 wherein the plural plug connectors each include an insertable latching pin having an internal rigid member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The power adapter kit of claim 1 wherein the plural plug connectors each include an insertable latching pin having a circumferential groove that the electromagnetic latching mechanism selectively engages with. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The power adapter kit of claim 6 wherein the insertable latching pin includes flexible terminals that electrically and mechanically engage pivotable power prongs. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The power adapter kit of claim 1 herein the plural plug connectors can each engage the adapter base in a plurality of different discrete relative angular orientations. ### Claim 9 An adapter base for use with plural plug connectors each removably mechanically and electrically engageable with the adapter base, the adapter base comprising: an ac-to-dc converter; and an electromagnetic latching mechanism that detects when current is applied to a plug connector engaged with the adapter base and selectively mechanically latches said plug connector to the adapter base in response to the detection. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The adapter base of claim 9 wherein the electromechanical latching mechanism comprises: a detection circuit electrically isolated from the current that detects when the current is present; and an electromechanical latch operatively coupled to the detection circuit, the electromechanical latch mechanically engaging the plug connector when the detection circuit detects current is present, and mechanically disengaging from the plug connector when the detection circuit fails to detect that current is present. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The adapter base of claim 10 wherein the detection circuit comprises a retriggerable one-shot timer having a time constant that exceeds the periodicity of the current. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The adapter base of claim 10 wherein the detection circuit comprises a capacitor connected in series with a solenoid, the capacitor discharging through the solenoid when the detection circuit detects that current is no longer present. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The adapter base of claim 9 wherein the electromechanical latching mechanism is configured to selectively engage a circumferential groove provided on insertable plug connector latching pins. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The adapter base of claim 13 further including electrical contacts configured to connect with flexible terminals within plug connectors, the flexible terminals electrically and mechanically engaging pivotable power prongs. ### Claim 15 An interchangeable plug connector for an international power adapter, the plug connector comprising: pivotable electrical prongs configured to insert into electrical sockets; flexible electrical terminals in contact with said pivotable electrical prongs, the flexible electrical terminals smoothly contacting the pivotable electrical prongs; a mechanical clip in mechanical contact with the pivotable electrical prongs, the mechanical clip providing a click detent when the electrical prongs are pivoted; and a reinforced latching pin that carries at least a part of the flexible electrical terminals, the latching pin configured to be symmetrical about a longitudinal axis to engage a receiver in any of plural different rotational orientations. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The plug connector of claim 15 wherein the latching pin has a shaft with plural planar surfaces defining discrete angular orientations at which the shaft can be inserted into a latching recess. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The plug connector of claim 16 wherein the latching pin further comprises plural electrical connectors that contact corresponding conductors within the latching recess in each of the discrete angular orientations. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The plug connector of claim 15 wherein the latching pin comprises a distal end having a circumferential groove for engaging with latching fingers.