TWI860675B - Multi-function connecting base and multi-function connecting system - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-function connecting system includes an electronic device and a multi-function connecting base. The electronic device has a casing and a first connector. The casing has a limiting portion. The multi-function connecting base includes a base, a buckle part and a second connector. The base has a groove. The buckle part has a first hook and a second hook. After the electronic device enters the groove, the first hook is engaged with the limiting portion, so that the electronic device is located at a first position, and the first connector and the second connector are not in contact. When the electronic device continues to enter the groove, the first hook is disengaged from the limiting portion, and the second hook is engaged with the limiting portion, so that the electronic device is located at a second position, and the first connector and the second connector are electrically connected.

Description

Multifunctional connector and multifunctional connection system

The present invention relates to a multifunctional connection seat and a multifunctional connection system, in particular to a multifunctional connection seat and a multifunctional connection system which can avoid the incomplete connection of a connector.

For mobile devices used for work or specific purposes, such as radios, walkie-talkies, handheld scanners, and smart phones, docking stations are sometimes used to charge, transfer data, and temporarily store the products. For slot-type docking stations, in order to facilitate operation, they are often installed in a single direction (e.g., straight up and down, horizontally, or diagonally).

However, under the above-mentioned prior art, whether the mobile device is correctly connected to the dock can only be confirmed by feel, whether the indicator light of the dock or the mobile device is on. However, for some mobile devices, although the indicator light is on, it may only be in contact with the connector of the dock and not fully connected. In this case, the system may recognize that it is connected and perform slow charging. The user may mistakenly judge that it is connected and charging, and when it is expected to be fully charged and ready for use, it is found that charging is not yet completed, causing trouble to the user.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a multifunctional connector in one embodiment, including a base, a buckle and a connecting connector. The base has at least one slot. The buckle is arranged on the inner side of the slot, and the buckle has a first hook and a second hook, and the first hook and the second hook are arranged along a first direction. The first direction is the direction from a notch of the slot to a bottom of the slot. The connecting connector is arranged on the base and protrudes from the bottom of the slot.

By providing the first hook and the second hook with different heights from the bottom of the slot in the multifunctional dock, when the electronic device is to be placed in the dock for charging, the first hook and the second hook can provide different stages of positioning feel. The user can understand whether the electronic device is correctly placed in the required position in the multifunctional dock through the feedback feel generated by the first hook and the second hook acting on the electronic device.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a multifunctional connection system is provided, including an electronic device and a multifunctional connection socket. The electronic device has a housing and a connector, the connector is disposed at the bottom of the housing, and a limit portion is disposed on a side surface adjacent to the bottom of the housing. The multifunctional connection socket includes a base, a latch, and a connection connector. The base has at least one slot. The latch is disposed on an inner side surface of the slot, the latch has a first hook and a second hook, and the first hook and the second hook are arranged along an insertion direction. The connection connector is disposed on the base and protrudes from the bottom of the slot. After the electronic device enters at least one slot along the insertion direction, the first hook engages with the limit portion of the electronic device, so that the electronic device is located in a first position, and the connector and the connection connector are not in contact. When the electronic device continues to enter at least one slot along the insertion direction, the first hook is separated from the limiting portion of the electronic device, and the second hook is engaged with the limiting portion of the electronic device, so that the electronic device is located at a second position, and the connector and the connection head are electrically connected.

Thus, when the user inserts the electronic device into the slot and feels that the electronic device has reached the first position, that is, the first hook is engaged with the limit part, it can be known that the insertion is not yet fully completed and it is still necessary to push harder. When the user pushes the electronic device to the second position, that is, the second hook is engaged with the limit part to produce the second stage of the feedback feel, the assembly connection is completed. This can prevent the user from failing to fully connect the electronic device to the multi-functional connector. In addition, when the electronic device is set to the first position engaged with the first hook, there will be no contact between the connection connector and the electronic device. In this way, when the electronic device is in the first position, it will not be displayed that it has entered the charging mode, and the phenomenon of slow charging can also be avoided.

In some embodiments, the first hook has a first elastic arm and a first hook portion, the first hook portion is disposed at one end of the first elastic arm, and the second hook has a second elastic arm and a second hook portion, the second hook portion is disposed at one end of the second elastic arm.

In some embodiments, the length of the first flexible arm is greater than the length of the second flexible arm.

In some embodiments, the limiting portion is a groove.

In some embodiments, the slot further has an opening, and the buckle can be detachably buckled and covered on the opening.

In some embodiments, the width of the fastener in the vertical insertion direction is greater than the width of the opening.

In some embodiments, the two ends of the fastener along the insertion direction respectively have a positioning member and an elastic hook.

In some embodiments, when the electronic device is located at the first position, the distance from the bottom of the housing to the bottom of the slot is greater than the height of the connecting connector protruding from the bottom of the slot along the insertion direction.

The following embodiments are presented for detailed description, however, the embodiments are only used as examples and do not limit the scope of the invention to be protected. In addition, some elements are omitted in the drawings in the embodiments to clearly show the technical features of the invention. The same reference numerals will be used to represent the same or similar elements in all drawings.

Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a three-dimensional diagram of a multifunctional connection system of an embodiment of the present invention. The multifunctional connection system 100 of the present embodiment includes an electronic device 10 and a multifunctional connection socket 20. The electronic device 10 can be a portable electronic device such as a radio, a walkie-talkie, a handheld scanner, a smart phone, a camera, etc. The multifunctional connection socket 20 can be a seat placed on a horizontal surface such as a desktop or the ground, or can be a seat that can be fixed to a vertical surface or an inclined surface such as a wall or a bracket. In addition to being used for charging, the multifunctional connection socket 20 can also be used for data transmission and to store electronic devices neatly, and has multiple uses.

Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 at the same time. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an electronic device in a first position in a multifunctional connection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 10 has a housing 11 and a connector 12. The connector 12 is disposed at a bottom 111 of the housing 11, and a stopper 13 is provided on a side surface 112 adjacent to the bottom 111 of the housing 11.

Next, please refer to Figures 1 to 3 at the same time. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the slot and the buckle of the multifunctional connector of an embodiment of the present invention. The multifunctional connector 20 includes a base 21, a buckle 22, and a connecting head 23. The base 21 has at least one slot 211. In this embodiment, a plurality of slots 211 are used as an example. The number of the plurality of slots 211 can be increased or decreased according to the use requirements.

The latch 22 is disposed on the inner side 2111 of the slot 211, and the latch 22 has a first hook 221 and a second hook 222. The first hook 221 and the second hook 222 are arranged along an insertion direction (first direction) X. As shown by the arrow in FIG. 2 , the insertion direction (first direction) X is the direction from the notch 2112 of the slot 211 to the bottom 2113 of the slot 211. As can be seen from FIG. 3 , the connection head 23 is disposed on the base 21 and protrudes from the bottom 2113 of the slot 211. When the connection head 23 is connected to the connector 12 of the electronic device 10, the electronic device 10 can be charged, data transmitted, and other functions can be performed.

Next, please refer to Figures 3 and 4 to illustrate the connection setting method of the multifunctional connection system. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the electronic device in the second position in the multifunctional connection system of an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen from Figure 3, after the electronic device 10 enters the slot 211 along the insertion direction X, the first hook 221 engages with the limiting portion 13 of the electronic device 10, so that the electronic device 10 is located in the first position P1. At this time, the connector 12 and the connecting head 23 are not in contact. When the electronic device 10 continues to enter the slot 211 along the insertion direction X, the first hook 221 disengages from the limiting portion 13 of the electronic device 10, and the second hook 222 engages with the limiting portion 13 of the electronic device 10, so that the electronic device 10 is located in the second position P2 (as shown in Figure 4). At this time, the connector 12 and the connection head 23 are electrically connected.

Thus, when the user inserts the electronic device 10 into the slot 211 and feels that the electronic device 10 has reached the first position P1, that is, the first hook 221 is engaged with the limit portion 13, it can be known that the electronic device 10 has not been fully inserted and the electronic device 10 still needs to be pushed hard. When the user pushes the electronic device 10 to the second position P2, that is, the second hook 222 is engaged with the limit portion 13 to produce the second stage of the feedback feel of the engagement, the assembly connection between the electronic device 10 and the multi-functional connector 20 is completed. Thus, the problem that the user does not complete the complete connection between the electronic device 10 and the multi-functional connector 20 can be avoided. In addition, the height of the electronic device 10 when it is located at the first position P1 engaged with the first hook 221 is set so that there is no contact between the connection head 23 and the connector 12 of the electronic device 10. Thus, when the electronic device 10 is at the first position P1 , it will not display that it has entered the charging mode, and the phenomenon of slow charging can also be avoided.

In addition, when the electronic device 10 is located at the first position P1 as shown in FIG. 3 , the distance between the connector 12 of the electronic device 10 and the connection head 23 of the multifunctional connector 20 can be changed by adjusting the position of the limiting portion 13 on the housing 11 of the electronic device 10. For example, if the limiting portion 13 is closer to the bottom 111 of the housing 11, when the first hook 221 is engaged with the limiting portion 13, the bottom 111 of the housing 11 is farther from the bottom 2113 of the slot 211, that is, the distance between the connector 12 of the electronic device 10 and the connection head 23 of the multifunctional connector 20 is farther.

In addition, the distance between the connector 12 of the electronic device 10 and the connection head 23 of the multifunctional connector 20 can also be changed by adjusting the height of the fastener 22. For example, by making the first hook 221 of the fastener 22 closer to the notch 2112 of the slot 211, when the first hook 221 is engaged with the limiting portion 13, the distance between the bottom 111 of the housing 11 and the bottom 2113 of the slot 211 increases, that is, the distance between the connector 12 of the electronic device 10 and the connection head 23 of the multifunctional connector 20 increases.

Next, please refer to FIG. 5, which is a three-dimensional diagram of a buckle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first hook 221 has a first elastic arm 2211 and a first hook portion 2212, and the first hook portion 2212 is disposed at one end of the first elastic arm 2211. The second hook 222 has a second elastic arm 2221 and a second hook portion 2222, and the second hook portion 2222 is disposed at one end of the second elastic arm 2221. Thus, when the electronic device 10 is inserted into the slot 211, the side surface 112 of the housing 11 near the bottom 111 first contacts the first hook 221, and the first hook portion 2212 is pushed away from the housing 11 by the side surface 112. When the electronic device 10 continues to move downward along the insertion direction X until the position-limiting portion 13 is located at the first hook portion 2212, the first hook portion 2212 rebounds and engages with the position-limiting portion 13 under the elastic force of the first elastic arm 2211. At this time, the user also has an operating feeling that the electronic device 10 is located at the first position P1.

Then, the user can apply force to press the electronic device 10 to make it continue to move downward along the insertion direction X. At this time, the first hook 2212 will be pushed away from the housing 11 again by the side surface 112. Subsequently, the side surface 112 of the housing 11 near the bottom 111 will contact the second hook 2222, and the second hook 2222 will be pushed away from the housing 11 by the side surface 112. When the electronic device 10 continues to move downward along the insertion direction X to the position where the limiting portion 13 is located opposite to the second hook 2222, the second hook 2222 will rebound and engage with the limiting portion 13 under the elastic force of the second elastic arm 2221. At this time, the user is also provided with an operating feeling that the electronic device 10 is located at the second position P2.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the length D1 of the first elastic arm 2211 is greater than the length D2 of the second elastic arm 2221. The difference in length between the first elastic arm 2211 and the second elastic arm 2221 can provide different feedback feelings, allowing the user to be more certain whether the setting has been completed. In detail, since the length D1 of the first elastic arm 2211 is longer, the force required to make the first hook 221 away from the side surface 112 is smaller, and the elastic restoring force generated during the rebound is smaller. Since the length D2 of the second elastic arm 2221 is shorter, the force required to make the second hook 222 away from the side surface 112 is greater, and the elastic restoring force generated during the rebound is greater. Thus, when the user presses the electronic device 10 down to the second position P2 in the second stage, a greater force needs to be applied, and a more obvious feedback feeling will be obtained.

As can be seen from FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 , the limiting portion 13 is a groove. For the overall appearance, the limiting portion 13 is arranged around the side surface 112 of the housing 11. In other embodiments, the limiting portion 13 can also be a concave hole that just corresponds to the shape of the first hook portion 2212 and the second hook portion 2222.

In other embodiments, the limiting portion may also be a recess formed by protrusions slightly protruding from the side surface 112. When using the limiting portion of this embodiment, when the electronic device 10 is inserted into the slot 211, the side surface 112 of the housing 11 near the bottom 111 first contacts the first hook 221, and the first hook 2212 is pushed away from the housing 11 by the side surface 112. When the electronic device 10 continues to move downward along the insertion direction X until the limiting portion is located at the position where the first hook 2212 is located, the first hook 2212 is pushed by the protrusion of the limiting portion to move further away from the housing 11. Afterwards, once the protrusion of the position-limiting portion is passed, the first hook portion 2212 rebounds and engages with the concave portion between the protrusions of the position-limiting portion under the elastic force of the first elastic arm 2211. At this time, the user is provided with an operating feeling that the electronic device 10 is already at the first position P1.

The slot 211 further has an opening 2114, and the buckle 22 is detachably buckled and covers the opening 2114. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the inner side 2111 of the slot 211 is provided with an opening 2114, and the buckle 22 is assembled at the opening 2114. In this way, the buckle 22 can be assembled by simply aligning and pressing.

Furthermore, the width W2 of the fastener 22 in the vertical insertion direction X is greater than the width W1 of the opening 2114. As shown in FIG. 2 , the width W2 of the front plate 225 of the fastener 22 is greater than the width W1 of the opening 2114. Thus, when the fastener 22 is pressed to the opening 2114, the front plate 225 blocks the fastener 22, making installation easier, and the fastener 22 will not pass through the opening 2114 to the other side, but will be positioned on the inner side surface 2111 of the slot 211.

In addition, please refer to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional diagram of a buckle of an embodiment of the present invention from another perspective. The two ends of the buckle 22 along the insertion direction X respectively have a positioning member 223 and an elastic hook 224. As shown in FIG. 6, the positioning member 223 is located at the lower end of the buckle 22, and the elastic hook 224 is located at the upper end of the buckle 22. When assembling the buckle 22, first pass the positioning member 223 through the opening 2114 and make the lower end of the buckle 22 press against the opening 2114. Then, use the positioning member 223 as a fulcrum to rotate and press the buckle 22 toward the opening 2114 until the elastic hook 224 is elastically deformed and passes through the opening 2114 to buckle on the other side. In this way, the installation of the buckle 22 can be completed by simply positioning and pressing. In normal use, the fastener 22 cannot be directly removed from the inner side 2111 of the slot 211. However, if the fastener 22 is damaged, the base 21 can be disassembled and the elastic hook 224 can be operated from the other side of the slot 211 inside the base 21 to disengage the fastener 22 from the opening 2114 for replacement.

As shown in FIG. 3 , when the electronic device 10 is at the first position P1, the distance L1 from the bottom 111 of the housing 11 to the bottom 2113 of the slot 211 is greater than the height L2 of the connection head 23 protruding from the bottom 2113 of the slot 211 along the insertion direction X. Thus, when the electronic device 10 is at the first position P1, there is no contact between the connection head 23 and the electronic device 10. Thus, when the electronic device 10 is at the first position P1, it will not indicate that it has entered the charging mode, and the phenomenon of slow charging can also be avoided.

Although the present invention is disclosed as above with the aforementioned embodiments, they are not used to limit the present invention. Anyone familiar with similar technology can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the patent protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the scope of the patent application attached to this specification.

100: Multifunctional connection system 10: Electronic device 11: Housing 111: Bottom 112: Side 12: Connector 13: Limiting part 20: Multifunctional connector 21: Base 211: Slot 2111: Inner side 2112: Notch 2113: Bottom 2114: Opening 22: Fastener 221: First hook 2211: First elastic arm 2212: First hook part 222: Second hook 2221: Second elastic arm 2222: Second hook part 223: Positioning member 224: Elastic hook 225: Front panel 23: Connector D1, D2: Length L1: Distance L2: Height P1: First position P2: Second position W1, W2: Width X: Insertion direction

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional diagram of a multifunctional connection system of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a slot and a buckle of a multifunctional connection seat of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an electronic device in a first position in a multifunctional connection system of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an electronic device in a second position in a multifunctional connection system of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional diagram of a buckle of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional diagram of a buckle of an embodiment of the present invention from another perspective.

100: Multifunctional connection system 10: Electronic device 11: Housing 112: Side 13: Stopper 20: Multifunctional connector 21: Base 211: Slot 2111: Inner side 2112: Notch 2113: Bottom 22: Fastener

Claims (11)

A multifunctional connection system includes: an electronic device having a housing and a connector, the connector being arranged at the bottom of the housing, and having a limiting portion on a side surface adjacent to the bottom of the housing; and a multifunctional connection seat, including: a base having at least one slot; a fastener, arranged at an inner side surface of the slot, the fastener having a first hook and a second hook, the first hook and the second hook being arranged in an insertion direction; and a connection connector, arranged at the base and protruding from the The bottom of the slot; wherein, after the electronic device enters the at least one slot along the insertion direction, the first hook engages with the limiting portion of the electronic device, so that the electronic device is located in a first position, and the connector and the connection head are not in contact; when the electronic device continues to enter the at least one slot along the insertion direction, the first hook disengages from the limiting portion of the electronic device, and the second hook engages with the limiting portion of the electronic device, so that the electronic device is located in a second position, and the connector and the connection head are electrically connected. The multifunctional connection system as described in claim 1, wherein the first hook has a first elastic arm and a first hook portion, the first hook portion is disposed at one end of the first elastic arm, and the second hook has a second elastic arm and a second hook portion, the second hook portion is disposed at one end of the second elastic arm. A multifunctional connection system as described in claim 2, wherein the length of the first elastic arm is greater than the length of the second elastic arm. The multifunctional connection system as described in claim 1, wherein the limiting portion is a groove. A multifunctional connection system as described in claim 1, wherein the slot further has an opening, and the latch can be detachably fastened and covered on the opening. A multifunctional connection system as described in claim 5, wherein the width of the fastener in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction is greater than the width of the opening. A multifunctional connection system as described in claim 5, wherein the two ends of the latch along the insertion direction respectively have a positioning member and an elastic hook. A multifunctional connection system as described in claim 1, wherein when the electronic device is in the first position, the distance from the bottom of the housing to the bottom of the slot is greater than the height of the connection head protruding from the bottom of the slot along the insertion direction. A multifunctional connector includes: a base having at least one slot; a latch disposed on an inner side of the slot, the latch having a first hook and a second hook, the first hook and the second hook being arranged in a first direction, the first direction being a direction from a notch of the slot to a bottom of the slot; the first hook having a first elastic arm and a first hook portion, the first hook portion being disposed at one end of the first elastic arm, the second hook having a second elastic arm and a second hook portion, the second hook portion being disposed at one end of the second elastic arm; and a connecting connector disposed on the base and protruding from the bottom of the slot. A multifunctional connector as described in claim 9, wherein the length of the first elastic arm is greater than the length of the second elastic arm. The multifunctional docking station as described in claim 9, wherein the base further has an opening, and the buckle can be detachably buckled and covered on the opening.

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