JP6275803B1 - Electronic equipment system - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic device system capable of ensuring theft prevention between an electronic device and an external device is provided. An electronic device system (10) includes an electronic device (12) and an external device (14) that expands the function of the electronic device (12), and a connector (20) provided at the tip of a cable (16) extending from the external device (14) is provided. In this system, the electronic device 12 and the external device 14 are electrically connected by connecting to the connection terminal 18. The electronic device system 10 includes a connection mechanism 32 that removably connects the connector 20 and the connection terminal 18, and a lock that locks the connection state between the connector 20 and the connection terminal 18 by the connection mechanism 32 so that the connection state is not releasable. And a mechanism 24. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device system including an electronic device and an external device.

  Examples of electronic devices such as portable information devices that are small and light in consideration of portability include notebook personal computers (notebook PCs) and tablet personal computers (tablet PCs). This type of electronic device is often limited in function to reduce the weight and thickness of the housing. Therefore, external devices for function expansion are provided for such electronic devices.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration including an external device (cable dock) connected to a notebook PC via a cable. The external device is usually stored on a desk or the like, and expands its function by connecting a notebook PC as necessary.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-12231

  The external device as shown in the above prior art may be locked with a fixture such as a desk using a cable lock, thereby preventing theft. However, only an electrical connection cable is connected between the external device and the electronic device. For this reason, the electronic device can be easily taken out simply by releasing the connector connection at the end of the cable, and there is a problem in terms of theft prevention. In addition, as described above, an electronic device such as a notebook PC is small, lightweight, and thin. For this reason, it may be difficult for an electronic device to have a connection terminal for connecting a connector and a connection portion such as a cable lock on the outer surface thereof.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device system that can ensure theft prevention between the electronic device and the external device.

  An electronic device system according to the present invention includes an electronic device and an external device that expands the function of the electronic device, and connects a connector provided at a tip of a cable extending from the external device to a connection terminal of the electronic device. An electronic device system in which the electronic device and the external device are electrically connected to each other, the connection mechanism detachably connecting the connector and the connection terminal, and the connector by the connection mechanism And a lock mechanism that locks the connection state with the connection terminal so as not to be released.

  According to such a configuration, the connector at the end of the cable extending from the external device is connected to the connection terminal of the electronic device, and the lock mechanism is locked. Thereby, between an electronic device and an external device can be locked via a cable, and anti-theft property between an electronic device and an external device can be ensured.

  The connection mechanism is provided in the connector, and the lock mechanism is provided in the external device and operates the lock unit by operating in the connector to lock the connection mechanism in an unreleasable manner. The structure which has a lock operation part may be sufficient. If it does so, it is not necessary to provide connection parts, such as a cable lock, in addition to a connection terminal in the electronic device side, and does not inhibit the size reduction, weight reduction, and thickness reduction of an electronic device.

  The connection mechanism is engageable with an engagement hole provided in the electronic device and is urged in an engagement direction with respect to the engagement hole, and the hook member is engaged with the engagement hole. A release member that retracts in a direction opposite to the direction and releases the engagement state of the hook member with the engagement hole, and the lock portion is in a direction opposite to the engagement direction of the hook member. It may be configured to restrict the evacuation. Then, the lock part can lock the lock mechanism only by restricting the retraction of the hook member in the non-engagement direction. As a result, the configuration of the lock mechanism 24 can be prevented from becoming complicated, and the size and cost of the mechanism can be reduced.

  The release member is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat in the connector, and has a contact portion that can contact the hook member. When the release member moves in one direction, the contact portion is moved to the hook. While pressing the member to retract the hook member in the direction opposite to the engaging direction, the contact portion contacts the side surface of the hook member when moved in the other direction, and the engagement of the hook member The structure which controls the retraction | saving to the direction opposite to a direction may be sufficient. Then, the release member has both a function of releasing the engagement state of the hook member with respect to the engagement hole and a function of a lock mechanism that restricts the hook member from retracting in the non-engagement direction. For this reason, the lock mechanism has a configuration in which the number of parts is minimized, the configuration is simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

  The connection mechanism includes a release operation member that is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat on an outer surface of the connector, and that operates the release member in a direction in which the engagement state of the hook member with the engagement hole is released. In the state where the connection mechanism is locked, the operation on the release operation member may be restricted. If it does so, operation itself with respect to the cancellation | release operation member will also be controlled in the state locked by the lock mechanism. For this reason, the locked state with respect to the connecting terminal of the connector becomes a double structure together with the lock of the hook member, and becomes stronger. Moreover, the user can recognize the lock state of the lock mechanism even from the state where the release operation member is locked, and the operability is high.

  The cable may have a configuration in which a wire member is provided so as to be movable in a longitudinal direction thereof, and a power member from the lock operation unit is transmitted to the lock unit to operate the lock unit. If it does so, the lock part by the side of a connector can be remotely operated from the lock operation part by the side of an external apparatus with the simple structure using a wire member, and product cost can be reduced.

  The lock operation unit includes a key cylinder that is rotated by a lock key, and a link mechanism that transmits a rotational force of the key cylinder to the wire member and moves the wire member in a longitudinal direction to operate the lock unit. The structure which has may be sufficient. Then, the wire member can be driven with a simple configuration.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, between an electronic device and an external device can be locked via a cable, and anti-theft property between an electronic device and an external device can be ensured.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an electronic device system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state before the connector is connected to the connection terminal. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the connector is being connected to the connection terminal. FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the connector is connected to the connection terminal. FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the connection state of the connector to the connection terminal is released. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the configuration of the lock mechanism in the unlocked state. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the configuration of the lock mechanism in the locked state. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of the cable. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of a cable according to a modification. FIG. 6A is an explanatory front view of the lock operation unit in an unlocked state. FIG. 6B is an explanatory front view of the lock operation unit in a locked state.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an electronic device system according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an electronic device system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device system 10 is a system that connects an electronic device 12 and an external device 14 with a cable 16.

  The electronic device 12 is a notebook PC in which a display housing 12b is connected to a main body housing 12a so as to be opened and closed. The electronic device 12 may be a tablet PC or a smartphone. The electronic device 12 includes a connection terminal 18 on the side surface of the main body housing 12a. The connection terminal 18 is a terminal for connecting a connector 20 provided at the tip of the cable 16.

  The external device 14 is an expansion device for expanding the function of the electronic device 12. The external device 14 is a so-called cable dock connected to the electronic device 12 via the cable 16. The cable 16 extends from the housing of the external device 14, and a connector 20 is connected to the tip thereof. The external device 14 can extend, for example, the power supply function, connection terminal function, communication function, audio / video function, and the like of the electronic device 12. The external device 14 includes, for example, a microphone jack 14a, USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminals 14b and 14c, and a power button 14d on the front surface of the casing. For example, a USB terminal, a video connection port, a LAN (Local Area Network) port, and the like are provided on the rear surface of the casing of the external device 14. The external device 14 is connected to an external power source using a power cable (not shown).

  A cable lock 22 can be connected to the housing of the external device 14. The cable lock 22 is an antitheft locking device such as Kensington Lock (registered trademark). The other end of the cable lock 22 is connected to, for example, a desk on which the electronic device system 10 is placed.

  With regard to such an anti-theft structure, the electronic device system 10 further includes a lock mechanism 24 that locks between the external device 14 and the electronic device 12. The lock mechanism 24 is a mechanism that locks the connection state of the connector 20 provided at the distal end of the cable 16 to the connection terminal 18 so as not to be released.

  Prior to detailed description of the locking mechanism 24, the configuration of the connector 20 and the connection structure of the connector 20 and the connection terminal 18 will be described.

  2A to 2D are cross-sectional views illustrating the attaching / detaching operation of the connector 20 and the connection terminal 18. 2A shows a state before the connector 20 is connected to the connection terminal 18, FIG. 2B shows a state during the connection of the connector 20 to the connection terminal 18, and FIG. 2C shows the connector 20 as a connection terminal. FIG. 2D shows a state in which the connection state of the connector 20 to the connection terminal 18 is released.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the electronic device 12 has an engagement hole 26 on the side surface of the main body housing 12a. The engagement hole 26 is a rectangular hole into which the distal end side of the connector 20 can be inserted and removed. A connection terminal 18 is provided inside the engagement hole 26. A pair of left and right engaging pieces 26 a projecting inward is provided at the opening edge of the engaging hole 26.

  In the following description, as shown in FIG. 2A, the direction in which the connector 20 is connected to the connection terminal 18 is referred to as the front side, the direction in which the connector 20 is removed from the connection terminal 18 is referred to as the rear side, and the width direction of the connector 20 is referred to as the left-right direction.

  The connector 20 has a connector main body 28 formed in a flat box shape. A front end surface of the connector main body 28 is provided with a pair of left and right projecting portions 28a and 28a and a connector terminal 30 projecting between the projecting portions 28a and 28a. Inside the connector main body 28, the connection mechanism 32, some elements of the lock mechanism 24, and the substrate 30a are accommodated. The board 30a is an electronic board connected to the connector terminal 30 and the cable 16 respectively.

  The connection mechanism 32 is a mechanism that removably connects the connector 20 and the connection terminal 18 and maintains the connection state. The connection mechanism 32 includes a pair of left and right hook members 34, 34, a pair of left and right release sliders 36, 36, and a pair of left and right release operation buttons 38, 38. The left and right hook members 34, the release slider 36, and the release operation button 38 have a symmetrical shape and are arranged symmetrically.

  The hook member 34 is a bar-shaped plate member formed in a substantially Z shape in plan view. The hook member 34 has a claw portion 34a and a receiving portion 34b. The claw portion 34 a is bent toward the outside of the connector main body 28 on the front end side of the hook member 34. On the front side surface of the tip of the claw portion 34a, an inclined surface that is inclined rearward toward the tip of the claw portion 34a is formed. The hook member 34 engages with the engagement hole 26 when the claw portion 34 a engages with the engagement piece 26 a, and prevents the connector 20 from coming off from the connection terminal 18. The receiving portion 34b is bent to the opposite side of the claw portion 34a on the rear end side of the connector 20.

  As for the hook member 34, the rotating shaft 40 is provided in the linear part of the front-back direction between the nail | claw part 34a and the receiving part 34b. The rotating shaft 40 is a pin protruding from the connector main body 28. That is, the hook member 34 is pivotally supported with respect to the connector main body 28 via the rotation shaft 40. A torsion coil spring 40 a is extrapolated to the rotary shaft 40. The torsion coil spring 40a has a hook member in the engaging direction (the left hook member 34 is counterclockwise in FIG. 2A and the right hook member 34 is clockwise in FIG. 2A) in which the claw portion 34a protrudes from the outer surface of the connector body 28. 34 is always energized.

  The release slider 36 is a release member that releases the engagement state of the claw portion 34a with the engagement piece 26a by rotating the hook member 34 in the reverse direction against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 40a. The release slider 36 is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction inside the connector body 28 under the guide action of a guide member (not shown). The release slider 36 is a plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction, and most of the release slider 36 is displaced in the height direction from the hook member 34. The release slider 36 has a protrusion 36a provided on the front end side, a drive hole 36b provided on the rear end side, and a guide hole 36c provided near the center. A contact piece 36 d that protrudes inward is provided at the rear end of the release slider 36.

  The protrusion 36a is a rectangular protrusion that protrudes to a height position at which it can contact the hook member 34 and is positioned on the front side of the receiving portion 34b. The protruding portion 36a presses the receiving portion 34b when the release slider 36 moves rearward in the connector main body 28, so that the hook member 34 is disengaged (retracted direction) (the left hook member 34 in FIG. 2A). Is clockwise, and the right hook member 34 is rotated counterclockwise). The protrusion 36 a is disposed in contact with the side surface of the hook member 34 at a position that is on the front side of the rotation shaft 40 when the release slider 36 moves to the front side. Thus, the protrusion 36a also functions as a stopper that restricts the rotation of the hook member 34 in the non-engagement direction.

  The drive hole 36b is a long hole having a boomerang shape in plan view. The drive hole 36b includes a front movable portion 42 that is gradually inwardly inclined toward the front side, and a rear air vibration portion 43 that extends in the front-rear direction. The movable portion 42 and the idling portion 43 are in communication with each other at the bent portion of the drive hole 36b.

  The guide hole 36c is a rectangular long hole along the front-rear direction. In the guide hole 36c, an upright plate 28b erected from the connector main body 28 is disposed in a state in which it can be relatively moved. Inside the guide hole 36c, a coil spring 44 having a front end portion fixed to the inner surface on the front end side of the guide hole 36c and a rear end portion fixed to the upright plate 28b is provided. The release slider 36 is always urged by the coil spring 44 in the moving direction toward the front side with respect to the connector main body 28 (standing plate 28b).

  When the lock mechanism 24 described later is not locked, the stopper member 46 connected to the tip of the cable 16 is in the position shown in FIG. 2A where it is retracted most rearward by the urging force of the coil spring 48. Therefore, the release slider 36 is in a state in which the contact piece 36d is in contact with the rear end surface of the stopper member 46 and further forward movement is restricted.

  The release operation button 38 includes a button portion 38a and a drive pin 38b. The button portion 38 a is a rectangular columnar button that protrudes from the side surface of the connector main body 28 so as to advance and retreat in the left-right direction. The drive pin 38b is a pin that moves integrally with the button portion 38a. The drive pin 38b protrudes from the surface of the support plate 38c extending from the button portion 38a into the connector main body 28. The support plate 38c is movable in the left-right direction on the back surface side of the release slider 36. The drive pin 38b is slidably inserted into the drive hole 36b.

  The release operation button 38 presses the inner wall surface of the drive hole 36b by the drive pin 38b when the button portion 38a is pressed and moved toward the inside of the connector main body 28. As a result, the drive pin 38 b slides within the movable portion 42 of the drive hole 36 b and moves the release slider 36 to the rear side against the urging force of the coil spring 44.

  The connection operation and connection structure of the connector 20 to the connection terminal 18 will be described.

  When the connector 20 is connected to the connection terminal 18, the connector 20 is pushed toward the engagement hole 26 as shown in FIG. 2A. At this time, when no external force is applied to the hook member 34 or the release operation button 38, the hook member 34, the release slider 36, and the release operation button 38 are in the initial positions shown in FIG. 2A.

  In other words, the release slider 36 is in a position moved forward by the biasing force of the coil spring 44 until the contact piece 36 d contacts the rear end surface of the stopper member 46. For this reason, the protrusion 36a is in a position behind the rotating shaft 40 and not pressing the receiving portion 34b of the hook member 34. As a result, the hook member 34 is in a state where the claw portion 34a protrudes from the side surface of the connector main body 28 by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 40a. Further, the release operation button 38 is located at a position where the button portion 38 a protrudes most from the side surface of the connector main body 28. For this reason, the drive pin 38b is located at a position serving as a boundary between the movable portion 42 and the air vibration portion 43 in the drive hole 36b.

  When the connector 20 is pushed into the engagement hole 26 from this state, the protrusion 28 a at the tip of the connector main body 28 is first inserted into the engagement hole 26. Subsequently, the inclined surface on the front side of the claw portion 34a of the hook member 34 is in sliding contact with the engagement piece 26a. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2B, the hook member 34 rotates about the rotation shaft 40 in the non-engagement direction. At the same time, the connector terminal 30 is gradually connected to the connection terminal 18.

  When the connector 20 is further pushed in, the hook member 34 gets over the engagement piece 26 a and enters the engagement hole 26. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2C, the hook member 34 is rotated again in the engagement direction by the urging force of the torsion coil spring 40a and is engaged with the engagement piece 26a. At this time, the connection of the connector terminal 30 to the connection terminal 18 is also completed. As a result, the connector terminal 30 and the connection terminal 18 are electrically connected, and the connection operation of the connector 20 to the connection terminal 18 is completed. In this state, the connector 20 is prevented from coming off from the engagement hole 26 by the engaging action of the hook member 34 to the engagement hole 26. That is, the connection state between the connector terminal 30 and the connection terminal 18 is maintained.

  When the connector 20 in the connection state shown in FIG. 2C is removed from the connection terminal 18, the button portions 38a of the left and right release operation buttons 38 are pressed toward the connector main body 28 as shown in FIG. 2D. Then, the drive pin 38b presses the release slider 36 while sliding in the movable portion 42 of the drive hole 36b. For this reason, the release slider 36 moves rearward against the urging force of the coil spring 44, and the protrusion 36a presses the receiving portion 34b of the hook member 34 rearward. As a result, the hook member 34 rotates in the non-engagement direction against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 40a, and the engagement state of the claw portion 34a with the engagement piece 26a is released. Therefore, by pulling out the connector 20 from the connection terminal 18, the removal of the connector 20 from the connection terminal 18 is completed.

  Next, the configuration of the lock mechanism 24 will be described.

  FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the configuration of the lock mechanism 24 in the unlocked state. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the configuration of the lock mechanism 24 in the locked state.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the lock mechanism 24 includes a lock unit 50 provided in the connector main body 28, a lock operation unit 52 provided in the external device 14, and a space between the lock unit 50 and the lock operation unit 52. And a cable 16 connected so as to be linked.

  The lock unit 50 includes a stopper member 46 and a release slider 36 that constitutes the connection mechanism 32.

  The stopper member 46 is a block-shaped member having a concave portion at the center of the front end surface. The stopper member 46 is fixed with a rear end of a coil spring 48 whose front end is fixed to the connector main body 28. The stopper member 46 is always urged by a coil spring 48 in the moving direction toward the rear side.

  A wire member 54 inserted into the cable 16 is connected and fixed to the rear end surface of the stopper member 46. As shown in FIG. 4, the cable 16 has a structure in which a wire member 54 is inserted inside an electric wiring 56 having an annular cross section so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the cable 16 may have a structure in which the wire member 54 is movably arranged in the side portion of the electric wiring 56. 2A to 3B, the electrical wiring 56 is not shown, but the electrical wiring 56 is electrically connected, for example, between an electronic board (not shown) in the external device 14 and the board 30a of the connector 20. Yes.

  The lock operation unit 52 is an operation unit that remotely operates the lock unit 50 on the connector 20 side from the external device 14 side via the wire member 54. The lock operation unit 52 includes a key cylinder 58 and a link mechanism 60.

  The key cylinder 58 can be rotated by a suitable lock key 62 (see FIG. 1). A pressing piece 64 projects from the outer peripheral surface of the front end side of the key cylinder 58 in the outer diameter direction. The pressing piece 64 pivots as the key cylinder 58 rotates. A pressing inclined surface 64a is formed at the tip of the pressing piece 64 in a direction that gradually reduces the protruding length of the pressing piece 64 toward the front side.

  The link mechanism 60 includes a first link member 66 and a second link member 68. The first link member 66 and the second link member 68 are supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction within the external device 14.

  The first link member 66 has a pressure receiving inclined surface 66a and a pressing surface 66b. The pressure receiving inclined surface 66a is formed on the rear end surface of the first link member 66, and is an inclined surface in a direction in which the first link member 66 is tapered toward the rear side. The pressure receiving inclined surface 66a is disposed so as to face the pressing inclined surface 64a on the key cylinder 58 side, and is in contact with the slidable contact. The pressing surface 66 b is a front end surface of the first link member 66. In the present embodiment, a protruding piece that protrudes laterally from the distal end portion of the first link member 66 is provided, and the front end surface of the protruding piece is a pressing surface 66b.

  The second link member 68 has a pressure receiving surface 68a and a connecting plate 68b. The pressure receiving surface 68a is disposed so as to face the pressing surface 66b of the first link member 66 and is in contact therewith. The connecting plate 68b is a plate portion obtained by bending the flat plate portion of the second link member 68 in a right angle direction, and the wire member 54 of the cable 16 is connected and fixed. In the case of this embodiment, the wire member 54 is a flexible power transmission member that is a rigid body that does not expand or contract at all or hardly when an external force is applied in the longitudinal direction thereof and has flexibility. Therefore, when the second link member 68 moves to the front side, the wire member 54 also moves to the front side, and when the wire member 54 moves to the rear side, the second link member 68 also moves to the rear side. Therefore, the second link member 68 is constantly urged in the moving direction toward the rear side by the urging force of the coil spring 48 via the wire member 54, and the pressure receiving surface 68a always keeps the pressing surface 66b of the first link member 66 behind. Pressing to the side.

  The link mechanism 60 may be configured such that, for example, the second link member 68 is omitted, and the wire member 54 is directly connected and fixed to the first link member 66.

  Next, the operation of the lock mechanism 24 will be described.

  FIG. 6A is an explanatory front view of the lock operation unit 52 in the unlocked state. FIG. 6B is an explanatory front view of the lock operation unit 52 in the locked state.

  When the lock mechanism 24 is in the unlocked state, as shown in FIG. 3A, the stopper member 46 is pressed rearward by the biasing force of the coil spring 48, and the wire member 54 is in the position moved most rearward. For this reason, the second link member 68 and the first link member 66 are in the initial positions moved to the rearmost side. At this time, since the rotation position of the key cylinder 58 is in the unlock position, the pressing inclined surface 64a of the pressing piece 64 and the pressure receiving inclined surface 66a of the first link member 66 are in an initial position where they face each other (FIG. 6A). See also). The urging force of the coil spring 48 that presses the stopper member 46 rearward is set to be stronger than the total urging force of the two coil springs 44 that press each release slider 36 forward.

  In this state, the release slider 36 has the contact piece 36 d locked to the rear end surface of the stopper member 46. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2C and FIG. 3A, the protrusion 36 a is located behind the rotating shaft 40 and does not press the receiving portion 34 b of the hook member 34. As a result, the hook member 34 is rotatable in the non-engagement direction, and the engagement state of the connector 20 with respect to the engagement hole 26 can be released via the release operation button 38. That is, the lock mechanism 24 is in an unlocked state in which the engagement state of the hook member 34 with the engagement piece 26a can be released.

  From this state, the lock key 62 is inserted into the key insertion hole 58a of the key cylinder 58 exposed on the outer surface of the casing of the external device 14, and the key cylinder 58 is rotated in the locking direction (clockwise in FIG. 6A). As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, the pressing piece 64 pivots and the pressing inclined surface 64 a presses the pressure receiving inclined surface 66 a of the first link member 66 while sliding. At this time, the first link member 66 is supported so as to be movable only in the front-rear direction. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3B, the first link member 66 receives the pressing force from the pressing piece 64 and moves to the front side.

  When the first link member 66 moves to the front side, the pressure receiving surface 68a is pressed from the pressing surface 66b, and the second link member 68 also moves to the front side. For this reason, the wire member 54 moves forward in the cable 16 and moves the stopper member 46 forward against the biasing force of the coil spring 48. When the stopper member 46 moves to the front side, the release slider 36 in which the contact piece 36 d is locked to the rear end surface of the stopper member 46 moves to the front side by the biasing force of the coil spring 44. As a result, the protrusion 36a of the release slider 36 is in a position where it is in contact with the side surface of the hook member 34 on the tip side of the rotation shaft 40 (see FIG. 3B), and the hook member 34 rotates in the non-engagement direction. Is regulated by the protrusion 36a. That is, the lock mechanism 24 is in a locked state in which the engagement state of the hook member 34 with the engagement piece 26a cannot be released.

  In this locked state, as shown in FIG. 3B, the drive pin 38b of the release operation button 38 is located in the idling portion 43 of the drive hole 36b. For this reason, the drive pin 38b is latched by the inner wall surface of the air vibration part 43, and pushing operation itself in the releasing direction of the button part 38a is controlled. Therefore, the user can recognize that the lock mechanism 24 is in the locked state because the release operation button 38 cannot be pushed in addition to the rotation operation of the lock key 62 in the lock direction.

  As described above, the electronic device system 10 according to the present embodiment includes the connection mechanism 32 that removably connects the connector 20 and the connection terminal 18, and the connection mechanism 32 between the connector 20 and the connection terminal 18. And a lock mechanism 24 that locks the connection state so as not to be released.

  As described above, in the electronic device system 10, the connector 20 at the tip of the cable 16 extending from the external device 14 is connected to the connection terminal 18 of the electronic device 12 and the lock mechanism 24 is locked. Thereby, between the electronic device 12 and the external device 14 can be locked via the cable 16, and the antitheft property between the electronic device 12 and the external device 14 can be ensured.

  In particular, in the configuration in which the external device 14 is prevented from being stolen by the cable lock 22 or the like as described above, a higher antitheft effect can be obtained. The cable lock 22 may be omitted. Also in this case, a certain degree of theft prevention effect can be obtained by locking between the external device 14 and the electronic device 12.

  The connection mechanism 32 is provided on the connector 20. The lock mechanism 24 includes a lock unit 50 that operates in the connector 20 to lock the connection mechanism 32 in an unreleasable manner, and a lock operation unit 52 that is provided in the external device 14 and operates the lock unit 50. Thereby, it is only necessary to provide the connection terminal 18 (and the engagement hole 26) of the connector 20 on the electronic device 12 side. For this reason, it is not necessary to separately provide a connection portion such as a cable lock on the electronic device 12 side, and the electronic device 12 is not hindered from being reduced in size, weight, and thickness.

  The connection mechanism 32 is engageable with an engagement hole 26 provided in the electronic device 12 and is biased in an engagement direction with respect to the engagement hole 26, and the hook member 34 is engaged with the engagement hole 26. A release slider 36 is provided that retracts in a direction opposite to the engagement direction and releases the engagement state of the hook member 34 with the engagement hole 26. The lock portion 50 restricts the retraction of the hook member 34 in the non-engagement direction. In this way, the lock unit 50 places the lock mechanism 24 in the locked state by restricting the hook member 34 from retracting in the non-engagement direction. As a result, the configuration of the lock mechanism 24 can be prevented from becoming complicated, and the size and cost of the mechanism can be reduced.

  The release slider 36 is provided in the connector main body 28 so as to be able to advance and retreat in the front-rear direction, and has a protrusion 36 a serving as a contact portion that can contact the hook member 34. When the release slider 36 moves to the rear side, the projection 36a presses the receiving portion 34b of the hook member 34 to retract the hook member 34 in the non-engagement direction, while when the release slider 36 moves to the front side, the projection portion 36a abuts against the side surface of the hook member 34 to restrict the hook member 34 from retracting in the non-engagement direction. As described above, the release slider 36 has both a function of releasing the engagement state of the hook member 34 with respect to the engagement hole 26 and a function of the lock mechanism 24 that restricts the hook member 34 from retracting in the non-engagement direction. doing. For this reason, the lock mechanism 24 has a configuration in which the number of parts is minimized. Of course, for example, another component may be added without providing the release slider 36 with a lock function.

  The connection mechanism 32 is provided so as to be able to advance and retract on the outer surface of the connector 20, and has a release operation button 38 serving as a release operation member that operates the release slider 36 in a direction to release the engagement state of the hook member 34 with the engagement hole 26. Have. When the connection mechanism 32 is locked by the lock unit 50, the operation on the release operation button 38 is restricted. That is, in the electronic device system 10, the operation itself with respect to the release operation button 38 is also restricted when locked by the lock mechanism 24. For this reason, the locked state with respect to the connection terminal 18 of the connector 20 becomes a double structure together with the lock | rock of the hook member 34, and becomes firmer. In addition, the user can recognize the lock state of the lock mechanism 24 even from the state in which the release operation button 38 cannot be pushed, and the operability is high.

  The cable 16 is provided so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, and a wire member 54 that transmits the power from the lock operation unit 52 to the lock unit 50 to operate the lock unit 50 is inserted. For this reason, the lock unit 50 on the connector 20 side can be remotely operated from the lock operation unit 52 on the external device 14 side with a simple configuration using the wire member 54, and the product cost can be reduced. Instead of using the wire member 54, an electric motor that drives the lock unit 50 may be provided in the connector 20, and the electric motor may be controlled by wired communication or wireless communication using the electric wiring 56.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be freely changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the lock mechanism 24 is locked using the lock key 62 is illustrated, but other configurations may be used. For example, a configuration in which a fingerprint authentication device or a personal identification number device is provided in the external device 14 and an electric motor provided in the external device 14 is driven to lock the lock mechanism 24 when the user is authenticated by the fingerprint authentication device or the like. Also good.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electronic device system 12 Electronic device 14 External device 16 Cable 18 Connection terminal 20 Connector 22 Cable lock 24 Lock mechanism 26 Engagement hole 26a Engagement piece 28 Connector main body 30 Connector terminal 32 Connection mechanism 34 Hook member 36 Release slider 38 Release operation button 40 Rotating shaft 40a Torsion coil spring 44, 48 Coil spring 46 Stopper member 50 Lock part 52 Lock operation part 54 Wire member 56 Electrical wiring 58 Key cylinder 60 Link mechanism 62 Lock key

Claims (6)

An electronic device and an external device that expands the function of the electronic device, and a connector provided at a distal end of a cable extending from the external device is connected to a connection terminal of the electronic device, whereby the electronic device and the external device Is an electronic device system that is electrically connected,
A connection mechanism detachably connecting between the connector and the connection terminal;
A lock mechanism for locking the connection state between the connector and the connection terminal by the connection mechanism so as not to be released;
Equipped with a,
The connection mechanism is provided in the connector;
The locking mechanism, characterized a locking portion for locking the disabling release the connection mechanism by operating, provided in the external device, the Rukoto which have a a lock operating portion for operating the locking portion in the connector Electronic equipment system. The electronic device system according to claim 1 ,
The connection mechanism is engageable with an engagement hole provided in the electronic device and is urged in an engagement direction with respect to the engagement hole, and the hook member is engaged with the engagement hole. A retraction member that retracts in a direction opposite to the direction and releases the engagement state of the hook member to the engagement hole,
The electronic device system according to claim 1, wherein the lock portion regulates retraction of the hook member in a direction opposite to the engagement direction. The electronic device system according to claim 2 ,
The release member is provided so as to be able to advance and retreat in the connector, and has a contact portion that can contact the hook member,
When the release member moves in one direction, the contact portion presses the hook member to retract the hook member in a direction opposite to the engagement direction, while when the release member moves in the other direction, the contact member presses the hook member. An electronic device system, wherein a contact portion abuts against a side surface of the hook member to restrict retraction of the hook member in a direction opposite to the engaging direction. The electronic device system according to claim 2 or 3 ,
The connection mechanism is provided so as to be able to advance and retract on the outer surface of the connector, and has a release operation member that operates the release member in a direction to release the engagement state of the hook member with the engagement hole.
In the state where the connection mechanism is locked by the lock unit, an operation on the release operation member is restricted. In the electronic device system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
An electronic device, wherein the cable is provided so as to be movable in a longitudinal direction thereof, and a wire member that transmits power from the lock operation unit to the lock unit to operate the lock unit is inserted. system. The electronic device system according to claim 5 , wherein
The lock operation unit includes a key cylinder that is rotated by a lock key, and a link mechanism that transmits a rotational force of the key cylinder to the wire member and moves the wire member in a longitudinal direction to operate the lock unit. An electronic device system comprising:

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