Electrical energizable apparatus and adapter connector for use therewith
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorEdward Thomas Robie
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrophotographic copier apparatus having a plurality of 115 VAC single phase components which are connected in a balanced-load configuration to the two 115 VAC in-phase circuits of a 230 VAC power input plug. This plug is usable with a 230 VAC wall socket. When the copier is to be used in a location having only a 115 VAC wall socket, a passive electrical adapter connector is interposed between the copier's 230 VAC input plug and the 115 VAC wall socket. The adapter presents two in-phase 115 VAC circuits to the 230 VAC input plug. This adapter connector is stored within the copier's housing, such that the copier is readily usable with either an industry-standard 230 VAC or an industry-standard 115 VAC environment.
Claims8
Electrical energizable apparatus, comprising:
- a plurality of electrically energizable devices, each of a low voltage rating, which are operatively associated to perform a function,
- at least two circuit means whose totality includes said devices, each circuit means being substantially current-load-balanced,
- a high voltage input plug having at least two low voltage circuits individually connected to a separate one of said circuit means,
- such that upon insertion of said input plug into a high voltage electrical input socket, each of said devices receives its rated low voltage, and
- a passive adapter connector associated with said apparatus, having a high voltage socket portion cooperable with said input plug, and having a low voltage plug portion cooperable with a low voltage electrical input socket, said connector containing a branching electrical conductor circuit which connects each of said devices to its rated low voltage.
In an electrophotographic copier having a plurality of electrically energizable devices of like AC voltage ratings, the improvement comprising:
- a first and a second two-wire energizing circuit, each of said devices being connected to one of said circuits in a manner to substantially current-balance said first and second circuits,
- a four wire, high voltage AC power input plug, having a ground wire, and three wires defining two low voltage AC phases which are in-phase, each of said two- phases having a common neutral wire, and one phase wire,
- means connecting said ground wire to said copier,
- means connecting said first circuit to one of said two low voltage AC phases,
- means connecting said second circuit to the other of said two low voltage AC phases,
- a passive adapter connector having a four wire, high voltage socket portion adapted to cooperate with said power input plug, and having a three-wire, low voltage AC plug portion including a ground wire, a neutral wire and a phase wire,
- and direct circuit connections within said adapter connector connecting the neutral wire of said low voltage plug portion to the common neutral wire of said power input plug, connecting the ground wire of said low voltage plug portion to the ground wire of said power input plug, and connecting the phase wire of said low voltage plug portion to each of the phase wires of said power input plug.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.