JP2001249734A - Portable computer and extension station - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a portable computer whose portability and function extensibility is improved by loading a portable computer main body on an extension station while keeping a battery mounted on the computer main body. SOLUTION: This portable computer is provided with a portable computer main body 1 and an extension station 6 on which the portable computer main body can be loaded, and a battery 4 can be mounted on the bottom face of the portable computer main body. The extension station is provided with a housing part 61 for housing a battery when the portable computer main body on which the battery is mounted is loaded on the extension station.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable computer device such as a notebook personal computer and a word processor, and more particularly to a portable computer having a detachable battery in the main body of the device and an extension station. 2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of portable computers in recent years, there has been a demand for improved portability, increased battery driving time, and improved key input performance. To improve key input,
The key top needs to be tilted. Further, in order to improve portability, it is necessary to reduce the size and weight of the portable computer. Further, in order to increase the operation time of the battery, it is necessary to increase the battery capacity. As one means for increasing the battery capacity, an additional battery is detachably provided in a portable computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique for tilting a key top in a portable computer, there is a technique of mounting a tiltable tilt stand on a portable computer. However, in the conventional tiltable tilt stand, when the tilt stand is set up, a useless gap is generated between a bottom surface of the portable computer and a desk surface on which the portable computer is placed. As a prior art in which an external recording device is disposed in such a gap, there is JP-A-8-76879.

[0003] As a conventional technique for improving the portability of a battery while improving portability, there is a conventional technique in which an additional battery device can be attached to a portable computer as required. For example, JP-A-8-76898 or JP-A-8-76887 discloses a structure in which a battery pack can be detachably mounted on a portable computer.
However, such a portable computer has a bulky and bulky form even when the additional battery device is not mounted, as compared with a portable computer having the same function and having no function of the additional battery device. ing.

[0004] Further, as a technique for mounting an additional battery,
There is a technique for inserting an additional battery device into a portable computer in a form in which grooves and rails are prepared and slid. However,
In the conventional technique of mounting an additional battery, there is a case where it is difficult to insert the additional battery when the groove is deformed due to aging. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-76889, a connector shell portion is formed by applying a pair of computers to a housing of an extension unit connected to an information processing device, and the shell portion and the housing forming the shell portion are made of resin. 1 shows a connection structure of an information processing apparatus which is integrally formed of a material and has a whole surface plated with metal.

[0005]

As described above, in a conventional portable computer equipped with a tiltable tilt stand, the bottom portion of the portable computer and the portable computer are placed with the tilt stand upright. There is a problem that a space is formed between the table and a desk surface or the like, and the space cannot be used effectively. In addition, a conventional portable computer in which an additional battery is detachable has a larger volume than a portable computer without the function of an additional battery device of the same function, and is therefore more portable than a portable computer without an additional battery installation function. There was a problem of poor sex.

In the prior art in which the additional battery can be mounted by inserting the additional battery device into the portable computer in a form in which grooves and rails are prepared and slid, the insertion of the additional battery occurs when the groove or rail is deformed due to aging. However, there is a problem in that the mounting becomes difficult and the mounting becomes difficult. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an extension station that can mount a portable computer main body on its upper surface and can accommodate a battery for the portable computer main body in a mounted state.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable computer having an extension station in which a battery can be mounted while the battery is mounted on the main body of the portable computer.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided, in accordance with the present invention, an expansion station in which a portable computer main body can be mounted, wherein the portable computer main body can have a battery mounted on a bottom surface. When the portable computer main body with the battery mounted thereon is mounted on the extension station, an extension station is provided, which has an accommodating portion for accommodating the battery. The extension station has a mounting surface on which the portable computer main body is mounted. The expansion station according to claim 2, wherein the accommodation unit is provided on the mounting surface.

According to the extension station of the present invention, the portable computer main body can be appropriately mounted on the mounting surface of the portable computer while the battery is mounted on the main body of the portable computer. A battery can be accommodated.

[0010] The mounting surface is an upper surface of the extension station. Thus, the portable computer can be mounted simply by placing it on the upper surface of the extension station.

[0011] The housing is an opening. Alternatively, the accommodating portion is a concave portion.

[0012] The portable computer main body is mounted on the mounting surface, and a connector for connecting to the main body is provided on the mounting surface. Thus, the portable computer body can be mounted on the extension station, and at the same time, the connection between the portable computer body and the extension station can be made.

According to the present invention, there is provided a portable computer main body, and an extension station on which the portable computer main body can be mounted. The portable computer main body can have a battery mounted on a bottom surface thereof. The present invention provides a portable computer having a housing for housing the battery when the portable computer main body with the battery mounted is mounted. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a portable computer main body, an extension station capable of mounting the portable computer main body, and a battery attachable to the bottom of the portable computer main body, the extension station,
There is provided a portable computer having a housing for housing the battery when the portable computer main body with the battery mounted is mounted.

According to the portable computer of the present invention, the portable computer body can be mounted on the extension station with the battery mounted, and the battery is stored in the storage section.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a portable computer and an extension station according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an additional battery 4 is attached to a portable computer main body 1 and placed on a desk surface 5. As shown, the additional battery 4
Is mounted on the rear bottom surface of the portable computer body 1,
At the time of mounting, the portable computer main body 1 is inclined about the front lower surface of the front end thereof as an axis, and the front side of the key top 2 is low and the rear side is high, so that the input operation by the key top 2 can be easily performed.

The additional battery 4 is a portable computer 1
Has a wedge shape in the front-rear direction so as to fill a gap between the bottom surface of the portable computer 1 and the surface 5 on which the portable computer 1 is placed. Therefore, when the additional battery 4 is mounted, only the volume of the portable computer having the additional battery close to the capacity of the additional battery 4 increases, and the bottom surface of the portable computer 1 and the portable computer 1 have the same capacity. There is no wasted space between the surface 5 on which the die computer 1 is placed, and the space can be used effectively. When the additional battery 4 is detached from the portable computer main body 1, the additional battery 4
Compared with the case of mounting the
Will be reduced as a whole.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a state where the additional battery 4 is attached to and detached from the portable computer main body 1. Also,
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main body of the portable computer when its bottom surface is viewed upward, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an additional battery.
In FIG. 3, a rear area 11 on the bottom surface 10 of the portable computer main body 1 is an area for attaching and detaching the additional battery 4.
A recess 12 for arranging a power transfer connector is provided in a range (for example, a region 11 a) of the additional battery attachment / detachment region 11 on the bottom surface 10. . The recess 12 is provided with a slide opening / closing lid (not shown). When the additional battery 4 is not mounted, the recess 12 is closed, so that the internal power transfer connector 13 is not visible from the outside. ing.

The extension battery attachment / detachment area 11 is a surface 20 which is one step lower than the bottom surface 10 of the portable computer main body 1 except for regions 11a and 11b from the front on both sides.
Two pairs of claws 14 and 15 are formed between the center of the recessed surface 20 and the regions 11a and 11b. A pair of depressions 21 for locking the additional battery 4 is provided on both sides of the depression surface 20.

The rear surface 2 of the portable computer main body 1
A pair of lock escape holes 26 is provided on both sides of the lock 5. In FIG. 4, the additional battery 4 has a surface 30 that contacts a recessed surface 20 that is recessed from the bottom surface 10 of the portable computer main body 1 when the portable computer main body 1 is mounted. Regions 11a, 1
A pair of recessed surfaces 31a and 31b are formed corresponding to 1b.

On one concave surface 31a, an additional battery 4 is provided.
A power supply connector 32 is disposed so as to correspond to the power transfer connector 13 of the portable computer body 1 when the portable computer body 1 is mounted on the portable computer body 1. Claws 34 corresponding to the two pairs of claws 14 and 15 on the portable computer main body 1 side, respectively, between the region from the center rear of the surface 30 of the additional battery 4 and the pair of recessed surfaces 31a and 31b. 35 are provided.

Further, a pair of locking claws 41 are arranged at positions corresponding to the pair of locking recesses 21 of the portable computer main body 1 on both sides from the rear side on the surface 30. As described later, these locking claws 41 can be pressed against the spring, but are normally urged by the spring in a protruding direction. Further, at the rear end of the additional battery 4 from behind the pair of locking claws 41, corresponding to the positions of the pair of locking escape holes 26 provided on the rear surface 25 of the portable computer body 1. A pair of protruding claws 46 having an L-shaped cross section and protruding forward are provided.

Next, the case where the additional battery 4 is attached to the portable computer main body 1 will be described. As usual, the main power switch (not shown) of the portable computer main body 1 is turned off, and another external power source,
For example, if an AC adapter (not shown) is connected to the portable computer main body 1, remove them. Open the cover (not shown) of the concave portion 12 on the back surface of the portable computer main body 1 and connect the power supply connector 33 of the additional battery 4.
The additional battery 4 is moved toward the back side of the portable computer main body 1 so as to be inserted into the concave portion 12 of the portable computer main body 1 so as to be aligned with each other. At this time, the claws 34 and 35 of the additional battery 4 pass through the gap between the claws 14 and 15 of the portable computer body 1 and the rear side of the claws 14, respectively. This results in the state shown in FIG.

In the state shown in FIG.
Is pushed to the front of the portable computer body 1 as shown by arrow C, and the power supply connector 33 of the additional battery 4 is fitted to the power transfer connector 13 provided on the printed board 18 of the portable computer body 1. . This allows
As shown in FIG. 6, the protrusion 46 of the additional battery 4 is fitted into a pair of locking escape holes 26 on the rear surface 25 of the portable computer main body 1, and the additional battery 4 is attached to the portable computer main body 1. Regulate up and down. Further, a pair of locking claws 41 of the additional battery 4 protrude into a pair of recesses 21 of the portable computer main body 1 by a spring 48 to lock the additional battery 4 to the portable computer main body 1. As a result, the additional battery 4 is regulated back and forth with respect to the portable computer main body 1 and locked at that position.
Further, the claws 34 and 35 of the additional battery 4 are hooked on the claws 14 and 15 of the portable computer body 1, respectively, and the upper and lower positions of the additional battery 4 are firmly fixed to the portable computer body 1. By turning on a power switch (not shown) in this state, the additional battery 4 can be used.

Next, a case where the additional battery 4 is removed from the portable computer body 1 will be described. As in the case of mounting, the main power switch (not shown) of the portable computer main body 1 is turned off, and another external power supply
For example, if an AC adapter (not shown) is connected to the portable computer main body 1, remove them. Next, as shown in FIG.
The pair of unlocking claws 47 are slid in the direction of arrow A against the spring 48. The pair of unlocking pawls 47 are respectively connected to the pair of locking pawls 41 and operate integrally. Therefore, the pair of locking claws 41 escape from the pair of recesses 21 of the portable computer main body 1, and the lock is released.

In this state, when the additional battery 4 is pulled down while sliding it in the direction opposite to the arrow C in FIG. 7 with respect to the portable computer main body 1, as shown in FIG. 33 is disengaged from the power transfer connector 13 of the portable computer main body 1, and the pair of protrusions 46 of the additional battery 4 are disengaged from the pair of lock escape holes 26 on the rear surface 25 of the portable computer main body 1. Become.

Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 7, the additional battery 4 can be detached from the portable computer main body 1 by pulling the additional battery 4 upward from the portable computer main body 1. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the portable computer main body 1, the additional battery 4, and the extension station 6. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the additional battery 4 is mounted on the portable computer main body 1, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which these are further mounted on the extension station.

Although the additional battery 4 can be attached to and detached from the portable computer 1 as described above, in the present invention, the additional battery 4 is attached to the extension station while the additional battery 4 is attached to the portable computer body 1. You can also do it. For this purpose, the extension station 6 is provided with a depression 61 into which the additional battery 4 is fitted. By forming the depression 61 as a depression having a bottom instead of a mere opening, a wiring pattern (not shown) such as a printed circuit board for supplying and transmitting power and signals between the areas before and after the extension station 6 is formed. It can be arranged below the depression 61, and the space can be used effectively.

When the portable computer main body 1 is mounted on the extension station 6, the connector 17 (FIG. 5) provided on the back surface of the portable computer main body 1 is fitted to the connector 62 of the extension station 6, and both are connected. Electrical connection is made. Further, speakers 63 are arranged on both sides of the extension station 6 from the front. These speakers 63 are inclined downward toward both side edges. Accordingly, the thin speakers 63 can be effectively arranged, and the rear surface of the portable computer board body 1 contacts the upper surface 64 of the extension station 6 while the portable computer body 1 is mounted. Speaker 6
Since 3 is inclined, the speaker 63 has a gap from the back surface of the portable computer main body 1, and the speaker sound is effectively diffused.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the battery is mounted on the expansion station with the battery mounted on the portable computer main body, the battery is stored in the storage section of the expansion station. As a result, a space can be effectively used, and a high-density device can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an additional battery is attached to a portable computer main body and placed on a desk surface.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a state where an additional battery is attached to and detached from the portable computer main body 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the portable computer main body with its bottom face up.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an additional battery.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the back surface of the portable computer.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an additional battery is mounted on a portable computer main body.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when the additional battery is removed from the portable computer main body.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portable computer main body, an additional battery, and an extension station in an unmounted state.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which an additional battery is attached to a portable computer main body.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state where the apparatus is further mounted on an expansion station from the state of FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Portable computer main body 2 ... Key top 3 ... Liquid crystal display part 4 ... Additional battery 5 ... Desk surface 6 ... Expansion station 10 ... Back surface (bottom surface) 11 ... Additional battery attachment / detachment area 12 ... Recessed part 13 ... Power transfer connector 14. 15 ... Claw 17 ... Connector 18 ... Printed board 20 ... Depressed surface 21 ... Dent 25 ... Back surface 26 ... Escape hole 30 ... Extended battery surface 31 ... Depressed surface 33 ... Power supply connector 34,35 ... Claw 41 ... Claw 46 ... Projecting claws 47 Locking claws 48 Spring 61 Depression 62 Connector 63 Speaker 64 Upper surface of extension station

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] May 28, 2001 (2001.5.2)
8)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

1. A extended station can be mounted to a portable computer body can be mounted to the battery on the bottom, a mounting surface for mounting the portable computer body is provided on said mounting surface, said battery An accommodating portion for accommodating the battery when the portable computer main body in the mounted state is mounted on the mounting surface; provided on the mounting surface; and the portable computer main body is mounted on the mounting surface. An extension station having a connector for connecting to the main body in the extended state.

2. The expansion station according to claim 1, wherein the accommodation section is an opening.

3. The expansion station according to claim 1, wherein the accommodation section is a depression.

4. A portable computer main body, and an extension station capable of mounting the portable computer main body, wherein the portable computer main body is capable of mounting a battery on a bottom surface thereof, and wherein the extension station includes the portable computer. A mounting surface on which the main body is mounted; a housing portion provided on the mounting surface, for housing the battery when the portable computer main body with the battery mounted is mounted on the mounting surface; A portable computer provided on a mounting surface, comprising: a connector that connects to the main body of the portable computer when the main body is mounted on the mounting surface.

5. A portable computer main body, an extension station capable of mounting the portable computer main body, and a battery mountable on a bottom surface of the portable computer main body, wherein the extension station includes the portable computer main body. A mounting surface for mounting the battery, the mounting portion being provided on the mounting surface, and storing the battery when the portable computer body with the battery mounted thereon is mounted on the mounting surface; A portable computer provided on a surface of the portable computer, the portable computer having a connector connected to the main body when the main body is mounted on the mounting surface.

Wherein said accommodating portion is a portable computer according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that an opening.

Wherein said accommodating portion is a portable computer according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that a recess.

8. An extension station on which a portable computer main body on which a battery can be mounted is mounted on a bottom surface, the mounting station being provided with the portable computer main body, and provided on the mounting surface, wherein the battery is provided. When the portable computer main body in the mounted state is mounted on the mounting surface, a stepped portion protruding from the bottom surface to escape the battery is provided on the mounting surface, and the portable computer main body is mounted on the mounting surface. An extension station comprising: a connector connected to the main body while being mounted on a surface.

Wherein said step portion, expansion station as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that an opening.

10. The expansion station as claimed in claim 8, wherein the step portion is a recess.

11. A portable computer body, and a mounting capable extended station to the portable computer main body, the portable computer body is a battery on a bottom surface mountable, said extended station, said portable computer A mounting surface on which the main body is mounted, a step provided on the mounting surface, and a step for escaping the battery protruding from the bottom surface when the portable computer main body with the battery mounted is mounted on the mounting surface; And a connector provided on the mounting surface and connected to the main body while the portable computer main body is mounted on the mounting surface.

12. A portable computer main body, an extension station capable of mounting the portable computer main body, and a battery mountable on a bottom surface of the portable computer main body, wherein the extension station includes the portable computer main body. A mounting surface on which the battery is mounted, and when the portable computer main body with the battery mounted is mounted on the mounting surface, a stepped portion that escapes the battery protruding from the bottom surface. And a connector provided on the mounting surface and connecting to the main body while the portable computer main body is mounted on the mounting surface.

Wherein said step portion, the portable computer according to any one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that an opening.

14. The portable computer according to claim 11, wherein the step is a depression.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 1/00 331A

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An expansion station capable of mounting a portable computer main body, wherein the portable computer main body is capable of mounting a battery on a bottom surface, and the portable computer main body with the battery mounted is mounted on the expansion station. An extension station having a storage portion for storing the battery when the extension station is operated. 2. The expansion station according to claim 1, wherein the expansion station has a mounting surface on which the portable computer main body is mounted. 3. The expansion station according to claim 2, wherein the accommodation section is provided on the mounting surface. 4. The expansion station according to claim 2, wherein the mounting surface is an upper surface of the expansion station. 5. The expansion station according to claim 1, wherein the housing is an opening. 6. The expansion station according to claim 1, wherein the accommodation section is a depression. 7. The mounting surface according to claim 2, wherein a connector for connecting the portable computer main body to the main body in a state described on the mounting surface is provided on the mounting surface. Expansion station according to paragraph. 8. A portable computer main body, and an extension station capable of mounting the portable computer main body, wherein the portable computer main body is capable of mounting a battery on a bottom surface, and wherein the extension station is mounted with the battery. A portable computer comprising: a housing portion for housing the battery when the portable computer main body in a mounted state is mounted. 9. A portable computer main body, an extension station on which the portable computer main body can be mounted, and a battery mountable on a bottom surface of the portable computer main body, wherein the extension station has the battery mounted thereon. A portable computer, comprising: a housing portion for housing the battery when the portable computer body in a mounted state is mounted. 10. The portable computer according to claim 8, wherein the extension station has a mounting surface on which the portable computer main body is mounted. 11. The portable computer according to claim 10, wherein the housing is provided on the mounting surface. 12. The portable computer according to claim 10, wherein the mounting surface is an upper surface of the extension station. 13. The portable computer according to claim 8, wherein the housing is an opening. 14. The portable computer according to claim 8, wherein the housing is a recess. 15. A connector for connecting the portable computer main body to the main body while the main body is mounted on the mounting surface,
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is provided on the mounting surface.
The portable computer according to any one of items 0 to 14.