USB charger cable switch

Abstract

The present invention relates to a USB charger and cable switch formed of a protective case (2) including a power interruption means (3) connected between an input connector (4) and an output connector (5), the connectors being connected to a transmission line (F) and a neutral line (N) of a power cable (6) incorporating the switch, a power source (7) being connected between the input connector (4) and the output connector (5), and at least one USB connection port (8) being connected to the power source (7). Preferably, the switch includes an EMI filter (9) connected between the input connector (4) and the power source (7). Preferably, the power source (7) is a power source that converts 110 to 220 V AC into 5 V / 2 A DC.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] [Subject matter of the invention] As expressed in the language of this specification, the present invention refers to a cable switch with a USB charger that provides the advantages and features described in detail below and performs its intended function.

[0002] The subject of the present invention is an electric switch which, in addition to the conventional components making it possible to open and close the path of electric current through the cable on which it is installed in order to switch on and off a device such as, for example, a lamp, comprises a set of additional electronic components including at least one USB connector making it possible to charge the battery of an electronic device such as, for example, a mobile phone, an electronic tablet, a laptop, etc., by connecting a corresponding USB cable.

[0003] [Field of application of the invention] The field of application of the present invention falls within the framework of the industrial sector specialized in the production of electrical accessories, but with a particular focus on the field of switch mechanisms, but also covering the field of battery chargers for electronic devices with USB connection.

[0004] [Background of the invention] As is well known, the majority of portable electronic devices have a battery that must be periodically recharged by connecting to a network via an appropriate device.

[0005] In the majority of current electronic devices, the device is a USB charger consisting of a plug socket which, in addition to the corresponding electronic components, has a female USB connector to which a male USB connector of a cable is mated, the opposite end of which has another connector for connecting to the device.

[0006] The problem is that, on the one hand, these chargers are usually designed only to provide said functionality, and, on the other hand, when the chargers are plugged in, they occupy a network socket connection and prevent said network socket connection from being used for other purposes. Considering the increasing use of electrical appliances in the home and the limited number of network sockets that chargers have, this can be detrimental.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a means of utilizing the current path of a common electrical accessory such as a switch, and to provide a means which combines both the ability to charge the battery of an electronic device, while avoiding the inconvenience of this path having another function (i.e. the use of an electrical accessory with a special function, such as a switch function), and the ability to charge the battery of an electronic device and at the same time avoid occupying an additional network socket (circuit socket).

[0008] However, as a reference to the current state of the art, it is noted that the existence of other cable switches with USB chargers, or other similar inventions exhibiting equivalent or similar technical features to those claimed in this specification, is not known, at least not to the applicant.

[0009] It should be noted that the initials USB stand for Universal Series Bus, which is a standards-based communications bus that defines the cables, connectors, and protocols within the bus to connect, communicate, and provide power between computers, peripherals, and electronic devices.

[0010] [Description of the Invention] The USB charger cable switch proposed by the present invention provides an optimal solution to the aforementioned technical problems, the characteristic details which characterize it are succinctly summarized in the concluding claims attached hereto.

[0011] In particular, the invention proposes an electric cable switch (both table and floor) as mentioned above, which, in addition to the conventional components that open and close the path of the electric current through the cable installed in it, making it possible to turn on or off an electric appliance, such as a lamp, also includes a series of additional electronic components, and further includes at least one USB connector that makes it possible to charge the battery of an electronic device, such as a mobile phone, an electronic tablet, a laptop, etc., by connecting a corresponding USB cable.

[0012] For this reason, and more specifically, the switch of the invention is characterized in that it is formed in a known manner from a protective casing incorporating means for interrupting electricity, such as, for example, a mechanical push button, a mechanical or proximity dimmer (potentiometer), a tactile switch or a proximity switch connected between an input connector and an output connector, each connected to a phase cable (phase wire) and a neutral cable (neutral wire), and includes a power source connected between said input connector and an output connector, and at least one USB connection port connected to said power source.

[0013] Preferably, the switch further comprises an electromagnetic interference filter or semi-filter connected between the input connector and the power supply to avoid interference.

[0014] In either case, the switch may include one, two, three or more USB connectors connected in parallel to a power source.

[0015] [Drawing Description] To complete this description, and for a better understanding of the nature of the present application, there are attached hereto a series of drawings, which form an integral part of this specification, in which are shown, by way of example and non-limiting purposes: FIG. 1. - A side perspective view of one embodiment of a cable switch with a USB charger, specifically an embodiment with one female connector for a USB cable, showing its overall external configuration and the main parts and components it includes; FIG. 2. - A perspective view of another embodiment of the USB charger and cable switch of the present invention, specifically showing an embodiment with two female connectors for a USB cable; 3 and 4 show plan views of the embodiment of the USB charger and cable switch according to the present invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, respectively; and 5 and 6 - Diagrams of the internal components of the USB charger and cable switch of the present invention having one (Fig. 5) and two (Fig. 6) USB connectors according to the embodiments shown in Figs. 1-3 and 2-4 respectively.

[0016] [Preferred embodiment of the present invention] Considering the above-mentioned drawings, and according to the numbering adopted, it can be seen therein that the respective embodiments of the switch cable USB charger of the present invention, including those described in detail below, are non-limiting.

[0017] Thus, as can be seen in the figures, the cable switch (1) of the present invention (both table and floor) is constituted by a protective casing (2). Inside said protective casing (2) are integrated several means (3) for switching the power on and off, such as mechanical push buttons, mechanical or proximity dimmers (potentiometers), tactile switches or proximity switches, connected between an input connector (4) and an output connector (5), which are in turn connected to the phase wires (F) and neutral wires (N) of the power cable (6) on which said switch is installed. Based on this known configuration, the cable switch (1) of the present invention is distinguished by comprising a power source (7) connected between the input connector (4) and the output connector (5) and at least one USB connection port (8) connected to said power source (7) and housed inside said casing (2), making it suitable as a universal charger for electronic devices.

[0018] Preferably, to avoid interference, the switch (1) further comprises an EMI filter (9) connected between the input connector (4) and the power supply (7).

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power supply (7) is a power supply that converts 110 to 220V AC into 5V 2A DC.

[0020] Optionally, the housing (2) of the switch (1) includes two, three or more USB connectors (8) connected in parallel to a power source (7). Figures 1, 3 and 5 show one embodiment of the switch (1) with a single USB connector (8) and Figures 2, 4 and 6 show one embodiment of the switch (1) with two USB connectors (8), but it should be understood that this is not limiting and that it is possible to manufacture switches with a greater number of USB connectors (8) integrated into the same housing (2).

[0021] In either case, preferably the USB connector (8) of the switch is a female connection port.

[0022] The nature of the present invention as well as the manner in which it may be practiced have been fully described, and it is believed that a more extensive description of the invention is not necessary since one skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the invention and the advantages which may be derived therefrom. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of a USB charger and cable switch, particularly one having a female connector for a USB cable, showing its general external configuration and the main parts and components it includes. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a USB charger and cable switch according to the present invention, specifically an embodiment with two female connectors for a USB cable; [Diagram 3] 2 is a plan view of the embodiment of the USB charger and cable switch according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 4] 3 shows a plan view of the embodiment of the USB charger and cable switch according to the present invention shown in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 shows a diagram of the internal components of the USB charger and cable switch of the present invention having one USB connector according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 shows a diagram of the internal components of the USB charger and cable switch of the present invention having two USB connectors according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4.

Claims

1. A USB charger and cable switch, comprising a protective casing (2) containing an electrical switching means (3) connected between a switch input connector (4) and a switch output connector (5) which are in turn connected to respective ends of a power cable (6) in which the USB charger and cable switch (1) is incorporated, the USB charger and cable switch further comprising a power source (7) and at least one USB connection port (8) connected to a DC output of the power source (7), also housed within the protective casing (2); an EMI filter (9) connected between the switch input connector (4) and the power source (7); The USB charger and cable switch is characterized in that the power supply (7) and the EMI filter (9) are connected in parallel with the electrical switching means (3) between the switch input connector (4) and the switch output connector (4).

2. 2. The USB charger and cable switch of claim 1, wherein the protective casing (2) comprises two, three or more USB connection ports (8) connected in parallel to the power source (7).

3. 2. The USB charger and cable switch according to claim 1, wherein the USB connection port (8) is a female connection port.

4. 2. The cable switch with USB charger according to claim 1, wherein the power source (7) is a power source that converts 110 to 220V AC into 5V 2A DC.

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