TWI898266B - Electronic device connector - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention proposes an electronic device connector, which has a housing, two protruding parts and an operating part. The protruding parts are spaced apart in the housing and have a resting end and an engaging end. The resting end is located inside the housing. The engaging end selectively protrudes into a receiving groove of the housing. The operating part can move relative to the housing along the direction of the spacing between the two protruding parts. The operating part has two resting parts and an operating part. The resting part selectively rests against the resting end of the protruding part. The operating part protrudes outside the housing and is fixed to one of the resting parts. By displacing the operating member and abutting against the abutting end of the protruding member, the engaging end of the protruding member is kept extending into the housing receiving groove, thereby enabling the protruding member to be stably engaged with the electronic device in the receiving groove, thereby preventing the electronic device from being unexpectedly separated from the connecting seat.

Description

Electronic device connector

This invention relates to a signal transmission device, particularly a connector for electronic devices.

Current mobile devices primarily rely on wireless signals for transmission. However, in certain scenarios, such as when transmitting large amounts of data or requiring long transmission times, a physical connection using a wired connection can provide faster and more stable transmission quality. In addition to connecting directly with a cable plugged into the mobile device's jack, a cradle can also be used to connect to the mobile device.

Conventional docking stations feature a slot for accommodating a mobile device, with a connector positioned within the slot for connection. Furthermore, to ensure the mobile device remains securely positioned and connected to the connector, the docking station also features a raised portion that abuts the received mobile device to prevent it from separating from the docking station. However, to ensure the user can still easily and effortlessly access the mobile device, the raised portion does not engage tightly with the mobile device. Therefore, in extreme environments, such as prolonged and intense vibration, the mobile device may still separate from the docking station even with the raised portion abutting against it.

In view of this, proposing a better improvement solution is an urgent problem that needs to be solved in this industry.

The main purpose of this invention is to provide an electronic device connector that, when mounted on an electronic device, can securely engage the device, thereby maintaining stable signal transmission.

To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the electronic device connector proposed in this invention comprises: a housing, which is formed with a receiving groove; two protruding members, which are spaced apart and arranged on the housing, and each of the protruding members has two opposite ends, which are respectively: a supporting end, which is located in the housing; and an inserting end, which selectively protrudes from the receiving groove; and an operating member, which is located in the housing and can be moved relative to the housing along the two protruding ends. The operating member moves in the spacing direction of the two protruding members. The operating member comprises: two abutting portions that selectively abut against the abutting ends of the two protruding members; a connecting portion to which the two abutting portions are fixed; and an operating portion that protrudes from the housing and is fixed to the connecting portion or to one of the abutting portions. When the two abutting portions abut against the abutting ends of the two protruding members, the engaging ends of the two protruding members protrude into the accommodating groove.

Therefore, the advantage of this invention lies in that, after the operating member is displaced, its abutment portion abuts against the protrusion, keeping the protrusion inserted into the housing's accommodating slot. This allows the protrusion to securely engage the electronic device within the slot, preventing the device from unexpectedly separating from the connector and maintaining stable transmission. Furthermore, by concealing the operating member in an inaccessible location, it can also prevent theft of the electronic device.

The electronic device connector described above has two elastic members disposed within the housing and connected to the protruding members, respectively, so that the mating ends of the two protruding members are inclined not to protrude from the receiving groove.

In the aforementioned electronic device connector, each elastic member is a spring, one end of which is fixed to the housing, and the other end of which is fixed to the protruding member.

In the aforementioned electronic device connector, each elastic member comprises: a straight segment of uniform width; the protruding member fixed to the straight segment; and a tapered segment, one end of which is connected to the straight segment and the other end of which is fixed to the housing, with the width of the tapered segment decreasing toward the straight segment.

In the electronic device connector described above, the two protruding parts are arranged horizontally and spaced apart.

In the aforementioned electronic device dock, the operating portion is fixed to one of the abutting portions, and the operating portion includes: an operating key movably fixed to the housing and protruding from the housing; and a protruding key fixed to the operating key, with one of the abutting portions formed on the protruding key; the operating member includes a rod, with the connecting portion formed on the rod; the rod has two opposite ends, namely: a connecting end fixed to the operating portion; and a movable end, with the other abutting portion formed on the movable end.

In the aforementioned electronic device connector, the connecting end extends along the spacing direction of the two protruding members, and the movable end extends in a direction perpendicular to the spacing direction of the two protruding members.

10: Shell

100: Storage tank

20: Protruding parts

21: Abutment end

22: Chimeric end

30: Elastic parts

31: Straight line segment

32: Gradual Segment

40: Operating parts

41A, 41B: Abutment

42: Connection part

43: Operation Department

431: Operation Key

432: Convex key

400: Rod

A: Electronic devices

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of this creation, with the electronic device installed within it.

Figure 2 is a three-dimensional diagram of this creation.

Figure 3 is a top-down diagram of this creation.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the back view of this creation.

Figure 5 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the operating components of this creation.

Figure 6 is a side view of the operating components of this invention.

Figure 7 is a rear view of the operating components of this invention.

Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of this work.

Figure 9 is another cross-sectional diagram of this creation.

Figure 10 is another rear view of the operating element of this invention.

Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of this work.

First, please refer to Figures 1 to 4. This invention proposes a docking station for an electronic device, which may include multiple expansion ports. When an electronic device A, particularly a portable or mobile device, is placed on the docking station, signals can be transmitted to the electronic device A.

Please refer to Figures 1, 3, 5, and 6 for details. In this embodiment, the connector includes a housing 10, two protruding members 20, two elastic members 30, and an operating member 40. However, in other embodiments, the two elastic members 30 may not be included. The housing 10 has a receiving slot 100. The electronic device A can be placed in the receiving slot 100 and electrically connected to the expansion port via the connector to transmit signals. The protruding members 20, the elastic members 30, and the operating member 40 are all disposed within the housing 10.

Two protrusions 20 are horizontally spaced apart from each other within the housing 10 and can selectively protrude and engage with the electronic device A within the receiving slot 100. Specifically, each protrusion 20 has two opposing ends: a resting end 21 and an engaging end 22. The resting end 21 of the protrusion 20 is located within the housing 10, while the engaging end 22 selectively protrudes into the receiving slot 100.

Two elastic members 30 are connected to the protruding member 20, respectively, so that the mating ends 22 of the two protruding members 20 are tilted and do not protrude into the receiving groove 100. In this embodiment, each elastic member 30 is a spring, one end of which is fixed to the housing 10 and the other end is fixed to the protruding member 20. Specifically, each elastic member 30 includes a straight segment 31 and a tapered segment 32. The straight segment 31 has a uniform width, while the tapered segment 32 has one end connected to the straight segment 31 and the other end fixed to the housing 10. The width of the tapered segment 32 decreases toward the straight segment 31.

The operating member 40 is movable relative to the housing 10 along the spacing between the two protruding members 20. The operating member 40 comprises two abutting portions 41A/41B, a connecting portion 42, and an operating portion 43. The abutting portions 41A/41B selectively abut the abutting ends 21 of the two protruding members 20. When the abutting portions 41A/41B abut the abutting ends 21 of the two protruding members 20, the engaging ends 22 of the two protruding members 20 protrude into the accommodating slot 100, thereby securing the electronic device A within the accommodating slot 100. The abutting portions 41A/41B are fixed to the connecting portion 42, while the operating portion 43 protrudes from the housing 10 and is fixed to the connecting portion 42 or to one of the abutting portions 41A/41B. In this way, the user can operate the operating portion 43 to drive the two abutting portions 41A/41B to push the protruding member 20 or separate from the protruding member 20.

The following description uses the example of the operating portion 43 being fixed to one of the abutting portions 41A.

In this embodiment, the operating member 40 includes a key and a rod 400, and the key is fixed to the rod 400. Specifically, the key is the operating portion 43, and includes an operating key 431 and a protruding key 432. The operating key 431 is movably fixed to the housing 10 and protrudes from the housing 10 for user operation. The protruding key 432 is fixed to the operating key 431, and one of the abutting portions 41A is formed on the protruding key 432, which is the aforementioned "the operating portion 43 is fixed to one of the abutting portions 41A". The connecting portion 42 and the other abutting portion 41B are formed on the rod 400. Specifically, the rod 400 has two opposite ends, which are a connecting end and a movable end. The connecting end is fixed to the operating portion 43 (i.e., the key), the connecting portion 42 is located between the connecting end and the movable end, and the abutment portion 41B is formed on the movable end. In this embodiment, the connecting end and the connecting portion 42 extend in the direction of the spacing between the two protruding elements 20, that is, in the horizontal direction. The movable end can be formed by bending the rod 400, so that the movable end extends in a direction perpendicular to the spacing between the two protruding elements 20.

Referring now to Figures 7 through 9 , after electronic device A is placed in the receiving slot 100, the user can push the operating key 431 of the operating portion 43 (i.e., the key body) horizontally. This horizontal movement of operating key 431 drives the protruding key 432 in the same direction, causing the abutting portion 41B on the protruding key 432 to press against the protruding member 20. This pushes the engaging end 22 of the protruding member 20 into the receiving slot 100 and engages with the electronic device A. Simultaneously, the connecting portion 42 connecting the two abutting portions 41A/41B also moves horizontally, driving the other abutting portion 41B against the other protruding member 20, thereby allowing the protruding member 20 to similarly extend into the receiving slot 100 and engage with the electronic device A. Simultaneously, the connecting portion 42 connecting the two abutting portions 41A/41B also moves horizontally, driving the other abutting portion 41B against the other protruding member 20. This allows the protruding member 20 to similarly extend into the receiving slot 100 and engage with the electronic device A. At this point, because the abutment portions 41A/41B remain in contact with the protruding member 20, the protruding member 20 cannot retreat into the housing 10. This allows the protruding member 20 to securely engage with the electronic device A within the receiving groove 100, preventing the electronic device A from unexpectedly separating from the connector.

Please refer to Figures 10 and 11. To detach electronic device A from the docking station, simply push the operating portion in the opposite direction. Even if the abutting portions 41A/41B separate from the protruding member 20, the protruding member 20 remains movable within the elastic range of the elastic member 30. This allows electronic device A to be removed while automatically pushing the protruding member 20 back into the housing 10, allowing it to be easily detached from the docking station.

In other embodiments, the protruding member 20 can remain protruding and extending into the receiving slot 100. The elastic member 30 allows the protruding member 20 to be temporarily retracted into the housing 10 while the electronic device A is placed into the receiving slot 100. Once the electronic device A is positioned properly, the elastic member 30 allows the protruding member 20 to re-enter the receiving slot 100 and engage with the electronic device A. Subsequently, the user pushes the operating member 40 to secure the protruding member 20 in place, preventing it from retracting into the housing 10.

In summary, this invention allows the operating member 40 to move, causing its abutting portions 41A/41B to abut against the protruding member 20, maintaining the protruding member 20 within the housing 10's receiving slot 100. This ensures that the protruding member 20 is securely engaged with the electronic device A within the receiving slot 100, preventing the electronic device A from unexpectedly separating from the connector and maintaining stable data transmission. Furthermore, by concealing the operating member 40 in an inaccessible location, it can also prevent the theft of the electronic device A.

10: Shell

100: Storage tank

20: Protruding parts

Claims (7)

An electronic device connector comprises: A housing having a receiving groove formed therein; Two protruding members disposed at intervals within the housing, each protruding member having two opposing ends, the two ends being: An abutting end located within the housing; and An engaging end selectively protruding from the receiving groove; and An operating member located within the housing and movable relative to the housing in a direction of the spacing between the two protruding members, the operating member comprising: Two abutting portions selectively abutting against the abutting ends of the two protruding members; A connecting portion, the two abutting portions being fixedly attached to the connecting portion; and An operating portion protruding from the housing and fixedly attached to the connecting portion or to one of the abutting portions. When the two abutting portions abut against the abutting ends of the two protruding members, the engaging ends of the two protruding members protrude into the receiving groove. The electronic device connector as described in claim 1 has two elastic parts, which are arranged in the housing and respectively connected to the protruding parts, so that the mating ends of the two protruding parts are inclined not to protrude from the accommodating groove. As described in claim 2, the electronic device connector, wherein each elastic member is a spring, one end of which is fixed to the housing, and the other end of which is fixed to the protruding member. The electronic device connector of claim 3, wherein each of the elastic members comprises: a linear segment having a uniform width; the protruding member is fixed to the linear segment; a tapered segment having one end connected to the linear segment and the other end fixed to the housing, wherein the width of the tapered segment decreases toward the linear segment. An electronic device connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two protrusions are arranged horizontally spaced apart. The electronic device docking station as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operating portion is fixed to one of the abutting portions, and: The operating portion includes: An operating key movably fixed to the housing and protruding from the housing; and A protruding key fixed to the operating key, with one of the abutting portions formed on the protruding key; The operating member includes a rod, with the connecting portion formed on the rod; the rod has two opposite ends, namely: A connecting end fixed to the operating portion; and A movable end, with the other abutting portion formed on the movable end. An electronic device connector as described in claim 6, wherein the connecting end extends along a spacing direction between the two protruding parts, and the movable end extends in a direction perpendicular to the spacing direction between the two protruding parts.