CN110350361B

CN110350361B - Foldable plug assembly and device comprising the same

Info

Publication number: CN110350361B
Application number: CN201910577342.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 童水波; 黄柏松
Original assignee: Anker Innovations Co Ltd
Current assignee: Anker Innovations Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-06-28
Filing date: 2019-06-28
Publication date: 2021-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 2039-06-28
Also published as: CN110350361A

Abstract

The present invention provides a foldable plug assembly and a device including the same, comprising: at least two pins arranged at intervals; the plug pin fixing device comprises a shell, wherein an accommodating space is formed in the shell, a support for fixing plug pins is arranged in the accommodating space, and at least two plug pins are rotatably fixed on the support through rotating shafts; a locking member movably disposed in the accommodating space for restricting the rotation shaft from rotating to open the pin when the pin is in a folded state; the cantilever buckling structure is arranged between the insertion direction of the unlocking structure on the device main body and the rotating shaft and is used for buckling the device main body in the process of opening or folding and folding the plug pins so that the foldable plug assembly and the device main body cannot be separated, and the locking piece limits the deformation of the cantilever buckling structure and is used for assisting in limiting the rotating shaft to rotate to open the plug pins; the pin receiving groove is arranged on the shell, and the pin is received in the pin receiving groove when the pin is in a folded state. The foldable plug assembly is higher in safety and reliability.

Description

Foldable plug assembly and device comprising the same

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of electronic product accessories, in particular to a foldable plug assembly and a device comprising the same.

Background

The charger product is more popular and the class is various at present, the plug design and the requirement of most of the medium and small American-Japanese standards are similar, and most of the plug design is the folding design of area, can fold according to the in service behavior and open or pack up the base pin, convenient storage, simultaneously for the plug demand that adapts to different specification requirements of the world, the user can freely replace the design scheme of plug as required, consequently make the folding plug obtain application on a relatively large scale again, the also wide application of interchangeable folding plug under this background, but restricted by the ann rule, make almost all volume that can dismantle folding plug all bigger, and restrict the design of product outward appearance, under the condition of not being connected with the main part, single plug can insert the switch-on forceful electric current equally, and the security is also relatively poor.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a novel foldable plug assembly and a device including the same to solve the above-mentioned problems.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides, in one aspect, a foldable plug assembly comprising:

at least two pins arranged at intervals;

the plug pin fixing device comprises a shell, wherein an accommodating space is formed in the shell, a support for fixing plug pins is arranged in the accommodating space, and the at least two plug pins are rotatably fixed on the support through rotating shafts;

the locking piece is movably arranged in the accommodating space and is used for limiting the rotating shaft to rotate to open the plug pin when the plug pin is in a folded state;

a cantilever snap structure provided between a part of the unlocking structure on the device body and the rotation shaft when the foldable plug assembly is mounted to the device body, the cantilever snap structure being adapted to snap to the device body during opening or folding and retracting of the pins so that the foldable plug assembly and the device body cannot be separated;

and the pin receiving grooves are formed in the shell, and the pins are received in the pin receiving grooves when the pins are folded.

Illustratively, the pivot shaft is a cam structure for snap-fitting the cantilever snap structure to the device body during opening or folding of the prongs when the foldable plug assembly is mounted to the device body, such that the foldable plug assembly and the device body cannot be separated.

The rotating shaft is further provided with a limiting member for limiting the rotation of the rotating shaft.

Illustratively, the stopper includes a recessed structure provided on the rotation shaft.

Illustratively, the locking member comprises a blocking structure, and the blocking structure is abutted against the limiting member to limit the rotation of the rotating shaft in the locking state.

Illustratively, the cantilever snap structure comprises a cantilever and a snap structure disposed at a first end of the cantilever;

the second end of the cantilever is fixedly arranged in the accommodating space of the shell;

the second end of the cantilever is provided with a support arm which hangs downwards, and the support arm is fixedly arranged in the accommodating space of the shell and used for supporting the cantilever.

The cantilever snap structure is an elastic material for snapping to the device body during the opening or folding and retracting process of the pins, so that the foldable plug assembly and the device body cannot be separated.

Illustratively, the unlocking structure of the device body is further configured to snap the unlocking structure by the cantilever snap structure when the pins are opened to lock the device body so that the foldable plug assembly and the device body cannot be separated.

Illustratively, the locking member includes a detent structure movably disposed within the receiving space for limiting the pivoting shaft to swing open the prongs and limiting the cantilever snap structure from deforming when the foldable plug assembly is not mounted to the device body and when the prongs are in the folded state.

Exemplarily, the locking piece further comprises a reset structure for resetting the clamping structure, the free end of the reset structure is connected with the clamping structure, and the fixed end of the reset structure abuts against the shell.

Exemplarily, the reset structure includes a reset spring, wherein, the clamping structure is connected the one end of reset structure has a protrusion, reset spring's free end is connected the protrusion, the clamping structure is connected the one end of reset structure is provided with the recess, the protrusion is located in the recess.

Illustratively, a mounting assembly provided on the housing for detachably mounting the foldable plug assembly to a device body, the mounting assembly includes a power transmission assembly electrically connected to the pins and electrically connected to a power input interface of the device body when mounted to the device body.

The side wall of the housing is further provided with a mounting hole, and when the foldable plug assembly is detachably mounted to the device body, the unlocking structure on the device body inserts and unlocks the locking piece from the mounting hole so as to release the limitation on the rotating shaft;

the locking piece includes the screens structure, and part the screens structure extends into in the mounting hole, perhaps, the screens structure with the mounting hole is relative and be located outside the mounting hole.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus including a foldable plug assembly, the apparatus comprising:

the foregoing foldable plug assembly;

the device main body is detachably installed with the foldable plug assembly, wherein the device main body comprises an unlocking structure, and when the foldable plug assembly is assembled into the device main body, the unlocking structure is used for unlocking a locking piece to enable the pins to be rotatably opened and folded for storage.

Illustratively, when the device body is connected with the foldable plug assembly, the unlocking structure passes through the mounting hole on the foldable plug assembly and abuts against the locking piece of the foldable plug assembly, so that the locking piece is unlocked to enable the pins to be rotatably opened and folded for storage.

In an exemplary embodiment, the device body is further provided with a locking groove matched with a locking buckle of the cantilever locking structure, and the cantilever locking structure is locked to the locking groove in the process of opening or folding the pin, so that the foldable plug assembly and the device body cannot be separated.

Illustratively, the card slot is provided on an unlocking structure of the device body.

The foldable plug assembly in the embodiment of the invention comprises a locking piece, when the plug pins are in a folded state, the pin pins are limited to be opened by rotating the rotating shaft, so that the plug pins are in the folded state, and meanwhile, the foldable plug assembly also comprises a cantilever buckling structure, a part of unlocking structure arranged on the device main body when the foldable plug assembly is installed on the device main body is arranged between the rotating shaft and the cantilever buckling structure, and the cantilever buckling structure is used for buckling the device main body in the process of opening or folding and folding the plug pins, so that the foldable plug assembly and the device main body cannot be separated, the firmness of connection between the foldable plug assembly and the device main body is ensured, and the foldable plug assembly is small in size, larger in degree of freedom of product appearance design and better in user.

The device including the foldable plug assembly of the present invention comprises a foldable plug assembly and a device body detachably mounted with the foldable plug assembly, wherein the device body includes an unlocking structure, when the foldable plug assembly is assembled into the device body, the unlocking structure is used for unlocking the locking piece to release the limitation on the rotating shaft, the cantilever buckling structure generates elastic deformation in the rotating process of the rotating shaft, the pin can be rotatably opened and folded to be folded and retracted, the normal use of the device is ensured, and meanwhile, the cantilever buckling structure is buckled with the device main body, when the plug pin is in an open state, the plug assembly cannot be separated from the device main body, the plug pin must be folded and retracted, so that the rotating shaft does not act on the cantilever buckling structure, the cantilever buckling structure is restored to an original unstressed state, the cantilever buckling structure is buckled, connected and contacted, and the plug assembly can be separated from the device main body; after the foldable plug assembly is separated from the device body, the pins are in a folding locking state, and the locking piece locks the pins, so that the folding pins cannot be opened under normal operation and cannot be normally inserted into a strong current for use, and the safety and the reliability are higher.

Drawings

The following drawings of the invention are included to provide a further understanding of the invention. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of the prongs of a foldable plug assembly in a folded state, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of the prongs of a foldable plug assembly in an embodiment of the present invention in an open state;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a foldable plug assembly in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged schematic view of the prongs of a foldable plug assembly in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged schematic view of a cantilever snap structure of a foldable plug assembly in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a foldable plug assembly in one embodiment of the present invention, when not mounted to a device body;

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a foldable plug assembly in one embodiment of the invention, when not mounted to a device body;

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial top view of an apparatus including a foldable plug assembly in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a device including a foldable plug assembly with prongs in a folded state, in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a device including a foldable plug assembly with prongs in an open state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a device including a foldable plug assembly during folding of the prongs in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a foldable plug assembly and a device body in a separated state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 13 illustrates a perspective view of a foldable plug assembly and a device body in a separated state, in one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in order to avoid obscuring the invention.

It is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "adjacent to," "connected to," or "coupled to" other elements or layers, it can be directly on, adjacent to, connected or coupled to the other elements or layers or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly adjacent to," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" other elements or layers, there are no intervening elements or layers present. It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Spatial relational terms such as "under," "below," "under," "above," "over," and the like may be used herein for convenience in describing the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, then elements or features described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary terms "under" and "under" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatial descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of the associated listed items.

In order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, a detailed structure will be set forth in the following description in order to explain the present invention. The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, however, the invention is capable of other embodiments in addition to those detailed.

In order to solve the technical problems of large volume, poor safety and the like of the existing foldable plug, the invention provides a foldable plug assembly, which comprises:

at least two pins arranged at intervals;

The foldable plug assembly of the embodiment of the present invention comprises a locking member for restricting the pivot shaft from pivoting to open the prongs when the prongs are folded, thereby allowing the prongs to be folded, and a partial unlocking structure provided on the device body when the foldable plug assembly is mounted to the device body, and between the pivot shaft, the cantilever latch structure being adapted to latch to the device body during opening or folding to prevent the foldable plug assembly and the device body from being separated to lock the device body, thereby securing the connection therebetween, the locking member restricting the cantilever latch structure from deforming when the foldable plug assembly and the device body are not assembled and the prongs are folded, the cantilever latch structure being adapted to assist in restricting the pivot shaft from pivoting to open the prongs, the switch can not be opened under the condition of non-violent damage, and can not be normally inserted into the switch to be used by strong electricity, thereby ensuring higher safety and reliability. In addition, the foldable plug assembly is small in size, so that the degree of freedom of product appearance design is higher, and user experience is better.

The foldable plug assembly and the device including the foldable plug assembly of the present invention will be explained and explained with reference to fig. 1 to 13.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a foldable plug assembly comprises: the shell, form the accommodation space in the casing. In the specific example shown in fig. 1, 2 and 3, the housing includes a front shell 101 and a bottom shell 108, and the front shell 101 has an accommodating space therein for accommodating various devices, such as a conductive elastic sheet, a locking member, and the like.

The front shell 101 and the bottom shell 108 are engaged, and the bottom shell 108 covers the accommodating space in the front shell 101, so that the accommodating space is formed in the combined shell, wherein the front shell 101 and the bottom shell 108 can be engaged by any suitable means, such as a snap-fit manner, a tight-fit manner, a welding manner, or a screwing manner, and the like, wherein in this embodiment, the front shell 101 and the bottom shell 108 are engaged by the snap-fit manner to form a complete shell, and the combination between the two is firm, can be regarded as an integral non-detachable piece, and cannot find a relative displacement therebetween.

Illustratively, as shown in fig. 3, the housing is provided with a pin receiving slot 103, and more specifically, the pin receiving slot 103 is provided on the face shell 101, and the pin is received in the pin receiving slot 103 when the pin is in a folded state. Wherein the size of the pin receiving groove 103 is matched with and larger than the size of the pin so as to receive the pin therein.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the foldable plug assembly includes at least two prongs 102 spaced apart from each other. The pins 102 may include pins complying with safety standards of various countries, for example, pins complying with safety standards of countries such as china, the united states, japan, the united kingdom, and the like. In the present embodiment, the foldable plug assembly of the present invention is mainly explained and illustrated by taking the structure of two pins 102 spaced apart from each other as an example, but it should be noted that the structure of the pins is not limited to the above structure, and other suitable structures are also possible.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 3, at least two pins 102 spaced apart from each other are connected by a rotation shaft 1041, and the pins 102 are rotated by the rotation of the rotation shaft. The rotation shaft 1041 is disposed at one end of the pin 102 for electrically connecting with the conductive elastic sheet, and is away from one end of the pin 102 for electrically connecting with a power supply.

In one example, as shown in fig. 3 and 4, a limiting member 1042 is further disposed on the rotation shaft 1041 for limiting the rotation of the rotation shaft 1041. Alternatively, the limiting member 1042 may include a concave structure disposed on the rotation shaft, for example, a concave structure disposed at the rotation shaft 1/4. In this embodiment, the case where the stopper 1042 has a recessed structure provided on the rotation shaft 1041 is mainly taken as an example.

In one example, as shown in fig. 4, the pivot shaft 1041 is a cam structure for allowing the cantilever snap structure to snap to the device body during opening or folding of the pins to prevent the foldable plug assembly and the device body from separating when the foldable plug assembly is mounted to the device body. Optionally, the rotation axis 1041 of the cam structure includes a cam 1043 protruding outward in a radial direction of the rotation axis.

Participate in can rotate folding in the bottom surface vertical to parallel range with the drain pan, can rotate at 0 ~ 90 within range, can make through the rotation of participating in participate in the convenient and power electricity connection of bottom surface of perpendicular to drain pan when using, can fold when not using simultaneously and pack up, conveniently carries.

In one example, as shown in fig. 3, the locking member includes a detent structure 105, the detent structure 105 is movably disposed in the accommodating space of the housing, and further disposed on the bottom shell 108, for limiting the pivot shaft to pivot open the prongs and limiting the cantilever snap structure from deforming when the foldable plug assembly is not mounted to the device body and the prongs are in the folded state.

For example, the locking structure 105 can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation shaft 1041 to move the locking structure 105 toward or away from the rotation shaft.

Illustratively, when the prongs are folded, the retaining structure 105 abuts against the stop 1042 to limit the rotation of the rotation shaft.

The detent structure 105 may be disposed on the bottom shell 108 between the adjacent brackets 1082, and in order to limit the moving direction of the locking member, a sliding slot (not shown) may be disposed on the bottom shell 108, and the detent structure 105 is disposed in the sliding slot and moves along the length extension direction of the sliding slot. Optionally, a portion of the detent structure 105 (e.g., protrusion 1052) extends into the mounting hole 1083, or the detent structure 105 is opposite the mounting hole 1083 and is located outside the mounting hole 1083.

The detent structure 105 may be formed in a suitable shape, such as a square column or the like, or other irregular shapes, as desired, but it is desirable that the surface of the detent structure 105 contacting the bottom case be formed flat to facilitate movement of the locking member.

In one example, as shown in fig. 3, one end of the top of the locking structure 105 facing the rotation shaft is provided with a locking portion matching with the limiting member 1042 on the rotation shaft, and the locking portion can be inserted into the limiting member 1042 to limit the rotation of the rotation shaft.

In one example, as shown in fig. 3, the locking member further comprises a reset structure 106 for resetting the detent structure 105, such as when the foldable plug assembly is detached from the device body, the reset structure resets the detent structure 105, such that the detent structure 105 abuts against the stop 1042 to limit the rotation of the pivot shaft, thereby locking the prongs in the folded state and not being opened.

Optionally, the free end of the resetting structure 106 is connected to the latching structure 105, and the fixed end of the resetting structure 106 abuts against the housing, for example, the front shell 101 or the bottom shell 108. Specifically, the fixed end abuts against the sidewall of the panel 101 or the sidewall of the bottom case 108 according to the actual structure of the two, if the panel 101 has a downwardly-suspended sidewall and the bottom case 108 is fastened to the bottom end of the sidewall, the fixed end of the reset structure 106 abuts against the sidewall of the panel 101, and if the bottom case has an upwardly-protruded sidewall and is fastened to the panel, the fixed end of the reset structure 106 may abut against the sidewall of the bottom case 108.

Illustratively, the reset mechanism 106 includes a reset spring, wherein one end of the detent mechanism 105 connected to the reset mechanism has a protrusion 1051, and a free end of the reset spring is connected to the protrusion, for example, the free end of the reset spring is sleeved on the protrusion 1051, so as to connect the reset mechanism 106 and the detent mechanism 105. In one example, as shown in fig. 6, the end of the detent structure 105 connected to the reset structure 106 is provided with a groove 1053, and the protrusion 1051 is located in the groove 1053. The radial dimension of the groove 1053 is larger than that of the resetting structure, and the cross-sectional shape of the groove can be circular, square, other polygons, etc. Optionally, the axial length of the protrusion 1051 is less than the axial length of the recess 1053, such that the entire protrusion 1051 is located within the recess 1053, or alternatively, a partial length of the protrusion 1051 may be located outside of the recess 1053.

In one example, as shown in fig. 3 and 5, the foldable plug assembly 100 further includes a cantilever snap structure 109 disposed between a part of the unlocking structure on the device body and the pivot axis when the foldable plug assembly is mounted to the device body, the cantilever snap structure is used for snapping to the device body during the process of opening or folding the pins to prevent the foldable plug assembly and the device body from being separated to ensure the connection between them, and the locking member limits the deformation of the cantilever snap structure when the foldable plug assembly is not mounted to the device body, the cantilever snap structure 109 is used for assisting in limiting the pivot axis 1041 to pivot the pins 102 open to make the pins in the folded state.

For example, as shown in fig. 5, the cantilever snap structure 109 comprises a cantilever 1092 and a snap structure 1091 disposed at a first end of the cantilever 1092. The snap structure 1091 may be used to snap the cantilever snap structure to the device body during the opening or folding of the prongs so that the foldable plug assembly and the device body cannot be separated.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 5, a second end of the cantilever 1092 is fixedly disposed in the accommodating space of the housing, for example, the second end is fixedly disposed on the bottom surface of the housing, and further, is disposed on the bottom case. In one example, as shown in fig. 5, a second end of the cantilever 1092 is provided with a downwardly depending support arm 1093, and the support arm 1093 is fixedly disposed in the accommodating space of the housing and is used for supporting the cantilever 1092 so as to suspend the cantilever 1092. The support arm 1093 can be of any suitable construction, wherein the support arm further defines an opening therein that allows the detent structure of the locking element to pass therethrough.

Optionally, the cantilever snap structure is made of an elastic material and is used for being buckled to the device body during the process of unfolding or folding and retracting the pins, so that the foldable plug assembly and the device body cannot be separated, and the cantilever snap structure is elastically deformed during the rotation process of the rotating shaft, so that the pins can be rotatably unfolded and folded and retracted.

The elastic material may include thermoplastic elastomers and various special saturated rubber materials that cannot be vulcanized with sulfur, and the like.

Illustratively, a fixing structure 1080 is disposed in the accommodating space in the housing, and the fixing structure 1080 is disposed in the accommodating space of the housing, and more specifically, disposed on the bottom shell 108, and may be fixed to the bottom shell 108 by any suitable means, such as bonding, welding, screwing, and the like.

A support 1082 for fixing the plug pins is disposed in the accommodating space, the at least two plug pins are rotatably fixed on the support 1082 through a rotation shaft 1041, in a specific example, as shown in fig. 3, a support 1082 for fixing the plug pins 102 is disposed on the bottom case 108, the at least two plug pins are fixed on the support 1082 through the rotation shaft 1041, wherein the support 1082 may be two supports 1082 disposed at intervals, and a top end of the support is disposed in a concave arc shape to match with the rotation shaft 1041. Wherein, after the rotating shaft 1041 is fixed on the support 1082, the pins 102 are respectively located at both sides of the support 1082. More specifically, the fixing structure 1080 is provided with a bracket 1082 for fixing the pins, and the fixing structure 1080 is provided on the bottom case 108, and the bracket is correspondingly provided on the bottom case 108.

Illustratively, the fixing structure 1080 is further provided with a spring fixing seat 1081 for fixing the conductive spring 107 to the bottom housing 108.

In one example, as shown in fig. 5, a cantilever snap structure 109 is disposed on the fixing structure 1080 and is fixedly disposed in the accommodating space of the housing through the fixing structure 1080, for example, the supporting arm 1093 of the cantilever snap structure 109 is fixedly disposed on the fixing structure 1080, and the cantilever 1092 and the snap structure 1091 are disposed in a floating manner relative to the fixing structure. Through fixing the fixed knot structure and set up on the drain pan, and then fix cantilever buckle structure in the accommodation space of casing. Optionally, the fixing structure 1080, the cantilever snap structure 109, the bracket 1082, the fixing seat 1081, and the like are integrally formed.

In one example, the foldable plug assembly further comprises a mounting assembly (not shown) disposed on the housing for detachably mounting the foldable plug assembly to a device body. Wherein, the mounting assembly can be arranged on the bottom shell or the face shell. For example, the mounting assembly is disposed on the fixed structure 1080.

Optionally, the mounting assembly includes a power transfer assembly (not shown) electrically connected to the pins, when mounted to the device body, to a power input interface of the device body.

Alternatively, the bottom shell 108 may be any suitable shape, wherein the bottom shell 108 may include only a bottom plate to cover the opening in the bottom of the face shell 101, or the bottom shell 108 may further include a bottom plate and a vertically disposed mounting plate disposed at one end of the bottom plate, the mounting plate and the face shell being snap-coupled.

The side wall of the shell is further provided with a mounting hole 1083, when the foldable plug assembly is detachably mounted to the device main body, the unlocking structure on the device main body inserts the locking piece into the mounting hole 1083 to unlock the locking piece, so that the plug pins can be rotatably opened and folded for storage.

Illustratively, as shown in fig. 3, a mounting hole 1083 opposite to an end of the locking member is further provided on the mounting plate, for allowing the stopper of the device body to pass through the mounting hole when the device body and the foldable plug assembly are coupled, and applying a force to the locking member to move the locking member, thereby unlocking the locking member. In one example, the mounting holes 1083 are provided on a vertical mounting plate of the bottom case 108. In one example, as shown in fig. 3, the foldable plug assembly 100 further includes a conductive spring 107, the conductive spring 107 is disposed below the pins 102, when the pins are in the open state, one end (contact end) of the pins is in contact with the conductive spring 107 and is electrically connected, and when the pins 102 are in the folded state, the pins are not in contact with the conductive spring 107.

Optionally, the conductive elastic sheet 107 is provided with a fixing portion, the fixing portion is provided with a fixing hole 1071, the bottom case 108 is provided with an elastic sheet fixing seat 1081, and the fixing hole 1071 is matched with the elastic sheet fixing seat 1081, so as to fix the conductive elastic sheet 107 on the bottom case 108.

The conductive elastic sheet 107 may be any suitable metal elastic sheet, such as a copper elastic sheet, an aluminum elastic sheet, etc., and may be configured into a suitable shape according to actual needs, which is not limited herein.

The number of the conductive spring 107 may be determined according to the number of the pins 102, for example, when the pins 102 are two, the number of the conductive spring 107 is also two, and a general plug assembly has two pins, and the two pins are respectively connected to the live wire or the neutral wire, so that the number of the conductive spring is two.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, when the foldable plug assembly is not connected to the device body (i.e. mounted to the device body), the front shell 101 and the bottom shell 108 are firmly combined to form a housing of the foldable plug assembly, which can be regarded as an integral non-detachable member, and no relative displacement occurs, and at this time, the pins 102 are kept in a folded and retracted state, i.e. a locked state, and if the pins 102 need to be opened, as shown in fig. 7, the rotation shaft 1041 needs to be rotated 90 ° in a counterclockwise direction indicated by an arrow in the figure so as to open the pins 102, but at this time, under the action of the reset structure 106, the detent structure 105 is in a pop-up state against the stopper 1042 (e.g. the stopper 1042 is a recessed structure, and a part of the detent structure 105 is inserted into the recessed structure so as to limit the rotation of the rotation shaft), and since the cantilever snap structure 109 is disposed between the partial unlocking structure on the device body and the rotation shaft when the The cantilever snap structure is used for being buckled to the device body in the process of opening or folding and retracting the pins, so that the foldable plug assembly and the device body can not be separated to lock the device body, thereby ensuring the firmness of the connection between the foldable plug assembly and the device body, meanwhile, as the cantilever snap structure 109 is also arranged between the snap structure and the rotating shaft, the cantilever snap structure 109 below the rotating shaft is directly contacted with the snap structure 105 or has a space which can not allow the cantilever snap structure 109 to deform with the snap structure 105, therefore, the locking piece limits the deformation of the cantilever snap structure 109, so that the cantilever snap structure assists to limit the rotating shaft to rotate to open the pins, thereby preventing the pins from being opened, being incapable of being normally inserted and conducted to use strong electricity, namely a safe state, and therefore, when the foldable plug exists alone, the folded pins are locked, the foldable plug assembly can not be opened under the condition of non-violent damage, can not be normally plugged into a strong electric appliance, so that the safety and the reliability are higher, and the volume of the foldable plug assembly is smaller.

In another embodiment, the invention also provides a device comprising the foldable plug assembly in the previous embodiment, which may be any device comprising a plug assembly, for example, the device may comprise a charging device, wherein the charging device may comprise a mobile phone charger, a computer charger, etc.

Specifically, in one example, as shown in fig. 8, the apparatus 200 of the present invention including a foldable plug assembly, the apparatus 200 comprising: the structure of the foldable plug assembly 100, which includes the face housing, the pins 102, etc., can be referred to the description of the previous embodiments and will not be repeated here.

The device 200 further comprises a device body 201, only a part of the structure of the device body 201 being shown in the drawing, wherein a part of the outer shell of the device body 201 is engaged with the foldable plug assembly 100, on both sides of the housing of the foldable plug assembly, in particular on both sides of the face shell 101. The device body 201 may be connected to the collapsible plug assembly by snap-fit connection, snap-fit clamping, ultrasonic welding, or other suitable means.

Optionally, the device main body 201 includes a casing (not shown), and electronic components (not shown) or other functional components disposed in the casing, where the electronic components may be various devices integrated on a circuit board, and the various devices may be, for example, electronic components for realizing charging of electronic products, and the like, and are not specifically limited herein.

In one example, the conductive spring piece of the foldable plug assembly is electrically connected with the electronic component, so that when the pins are opened and electrically connected with a power supply, power can be supplied to devices in the device main body, and the function of the device is realized.

The device main part has increased the safe distance of collapsible plug subassembly, makes it accord with the safety standard requirement, and is less to product design restriction, as long as can all be applicable with the arbitrary structural shape that collapsible plug subassembly combined together.

In one specific example, as shown in fig. 9, the device body 201 is detachably mounted with the foldable plug assembly, wherein the device body 201 includes an unlocking structure 202 for unlocking the lock to allow the prongs to be rotatably opened and folded for stowage when the foldable plug assembly is assembled into the device body.

For example, when the foldable plug assembly is assembled into the device body, one end of the unlocking structure 202 abuts against the retaining structure 105 of the foldable plug assembly, so that the retaining portion where the retaining structure 105 abuts against the limiting member 1042 is separated from the limiting member to release the limitation on the rotation axis, and the plug pins can be rotated to open and fold. For example, the locking structure 105 is moved along the lateral arrow in fig. 9, without limiting the limiting member 1042 on the rotation axis 1041.

As shown in fig. 9, when the foldable plug assembly is assembled and connected with the device body, the unlocking structure passes through the mounting hole on the foldable plug assembly and abuts against the locking piece of the foldable plug assembly, so that the locking piece is unlocked, and the pins can be rotatably opened and folded for storage.

Specifically, the bottom case of the foldable plug assembly further includes a vertically disposed mounting plate on which mounting holes are disposed opposite to the ends of the locking members of the foldable plug assembly, the unlocking structure 202 of the device body 201 passes through the mounting holes disposed on the bottom case to apply force to the catching structure 105, this force causes the latch structure 105 to move laterally (as indicated by the lateral arrow in fig. 9) against the force of the return structure 106 until the device body 201 and the foldable plug assembly 100 are fully seated, at which time the latch members are released from their restraint on the pivot axis 1041, allowing the pivot axis 1041 to pivot to allow the prongs 102 to be folded and retracted or opened, and at the same time, as the locking piece moves, the space below the cantilever buckling structure becomes large enough to accommodate the deformation of the cantilever buckling structure in the opening process of the pin, so that the pin can be opened and folded for storage.

In one example, the unlocking structure 202 of the device body 201 is further configured to snap the unlocking structure 202 by the cantilever snap structure 109 when the prongs are opened to lock the device body 201 such that the foldable plug assembly and the device body cannot be separated.

In one example, as shown in fig. 9, a card slot 203 is further provided on the device body 201 for cooperating with a latch structure 1091 of the cantilever latch structure 109, and the cantilever latch structure 109 is latched to the card slot 203 during the process of opening or folding the pins, so that the foldable plug assembly and the device body cannot be separated. More specifically, the card slot 203 is disposed on the unlocking structure 202 of the device body 201, or other suitable position capable of cooperating with the snap structure 1091.

As shown in fig. 10, when the user uses the device, the locking structure 105 and the cantilever fastening structure no longer limit the rotation axis 1041, so that the pin 102 can be directly applied with a force to rotate the rotation axis 1041, and the cam structure of the rotation axis 1041 applies a force to the cantilever fastening structure 109 to elastically deform the cantilever fastening structure 109 along with the rotation of the rotation axis 1041, so that the pin is opened, thereby electrically connecting the device 200 and the power source, and the fastening structure 1091 of the cantilever fastening structure 109 fastens the slot of the fastening structure in the fastening structure during the deformation of the cantilever fastening structure 109.

Next, a process of assembling the foldable plug assembly to the device body (i.e., unlocking to locking) from the assembly to the separation will be described with reference to fig. 9 to 13.

First, when the foldable plug assembly shown in fig. 10 is assembled with the device body, that is, when the foldable plug assembly is connected, the unlocking structure of the device body unlocks the locking member so that the locking member does not restrict the rotation shaft 1041, the rotation shaft 1041 is in a freely rotatable state, and the pins can be opened or folded and retracted, and the device can be normally used, and at the same time, since the cam of the rotation shaft in the opened state engages the cantilever latch structure 109 with the device body 301, the foldable plug assembly cannot be separated from the device body in this state to lock the device body. Therefore, when the plug assembly is separated from the device body, the plug pins must be folded and retracted, the plug pins can be manually folded and retracted, the plug assembly can be separated from the device body, and otherwise, the plug assembly cannot be separated under the action of an unlocking structure of the device body.

As shown in fig. 11, during the folding and retracting process of the pins 102, the cantilever snap structure is still engaged with the device body by the cam of the rotation shaft 1041, so that the device body 201 and the foldable plug assembly 100 cannot be separated.

As shown in fig. 9, after the pins 102 are folded and retracted, the pivot shaft 1041 no longer acts on the cantilever latch structure, the cantilever latch structure is restored to the original unstressed state, and the latching connection is released, so that the device body 201 and the foldable plug assembly 100 can be separated.

As shown in fig. 12, when the pins 102 are in the folded state, the engagement connection is released, and the cantilever snap structure 109 is not limited by the device body. After folding the retracting pins, as shown in fig. 12, the plug assembly 100 can be separated from the device body 201, the unlocking structure of the device body no longer applies an acting force to the locking element, and the locking structure 105 is reset under the elastic force of the resetting structure 106, so that the rotating shaft 1041 can not rotate, and meanwhile, the cantilever fastening structure 109 assists in limiting the rotation of the rotating shaft, so as to realize a locking state, and the locking pins can not rotate and be opened. A schematic view of the device body 201 and the foldable plug assembly 100 fully separated is shown in fig. 13.

The device comprising the foldable plug assembly in the embodiment of the invention comprises the foldable plug assembly and a device body, wherein the device body is detachably arranged with the foldable plug assembly, the device body comprises an unlocking structure, when the foldable plug assembly is assembled into the device body, the unlocking structure is used for unlocking a locking piece to release the limitation of a rotating shaft, the cantilever buckling structure generates elastic deformation in the rotating process of the rotating shaft, so that the pins can be rotatably opened and folded for folding and retracting, the normal use of the device is ensured, meanwhile, the cantilever buckling structure is buckled with the device body, in the pin opening state, the plug assembly can not be separated from the device body, the pins must be folded and retracted, the rotating shaft does not act on the cantilever buckling structure, the cantilever buckling structure recovers the original unstressed state and is buckled and connected for contact, the plug assembly is separable from the device body; after the foldable plug assembly is separated from the device body, the pins are in a folding locking state, and the locking piece locks the pins, so that the folding pins cannot be opened under normal operation and cannot be normally inserted into a strong current for use, and the safety and the reliability are higher.

Although the illustrative embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the foregoing illustrative embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention thereto. Various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the pertinent art without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the implementation. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described device embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the units is only one logical functional division, and other divisions may be realized in practice, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be omitted, or not executed.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. It is understood, however, that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the invention and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. However, the method of the present invention should not be construed to reflect the intent: that the invention as claimed requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that all of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and all of the processes or elements of any method or apparatus so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where such features are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, rather than other features, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention and form different embodiments. For example, in the claims, any of the claimed embodiments may be used in any combination.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the unit claims enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The usage of the words first, second and third, etcetera do not indicate any ordering. These words may be interpreted as names.

Claims

1. A foldable plug assembly, comprising:

at least two pins arranged at intervals;

2. The foldable plug assembly of claim 1, wherein the pivot axis is a cam structure for snapping the cantilever snap structure to the device body during opening or folding retraction of the pins when the foldable plug assembly is mounted to the device body, such that the foldable plug assembly and the device body cannot be separated.

3. The foldable plug assembly of claim 1, wherein the pivot shaft further comprises a stop for limiting rotation of the pivot shaft.

4. The foldable plug assembly of claim 3, wherein the retaining member comprises a recessed structure disposed on the pivot shaft.

5. The foldable plug assembly of claim 3, wherein the locking member includes a detent structure that abuts the retainer to limit rotation of the pivot shaft in the locked position.

6. The foldable plug assembly of claim 1,

the cantilever buckling structure comprises a cantilever and a buckling structure arranged at the first end of the cantilever;

7. The foldable plug assembly of claim 1, wherein the cantilever snap feature is a resilient material for snapping to the device body during unfolding or folding of the prongs to render the foldable plug assembly and device body inseparable.

8. The foldable plug assembly of claim 1, wherein the unlocking structure of the device body is further configured to snap the unlocking structure through the cantilever snap structure when the prongs are opened to lock the device body such that the foldable plug assembly and the device body cannot be separated.

9. The foldable plug assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking member comprises a detent structure movably disposed in the receiving space for limiting pivoting of the pivot shaft to open the prongs and for limiting deformation of the cantilever snap structure when the foldable plug assembly is not mounted to the device body and the prongs are in the folded position.

10. The foldable plug assembly of claim 9, wherein the locking member further comprises a reset structure for resetting the detent structure, a free end of the reset structure engaging the detent structure, and a fixed end of the reset structure abutting the housing.

11. The foldable plug assembly of claim 10, wherein the return structure comprises a return spring, wherein the end of the detent structure coupled to the return structure has a protrusion, the free end of the return spring is coupled to the protrusion, and the end of the detent structure coupled to the return structure is provided with a recess, and the protrusion is located within the recess.

12. The foldable plug assembly of claim 1, wherein a mounting assembly is disposed on the housing for removably mounting the foldable plug assembly to a device body, the mounting assembly including a power transfer assembly electrically connected to the prongs and to a power input interface of the device body when mounted thereto.

13. The foldable plug assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a mounting hole in a side wall thereof for inserting and unlocking the locking member from the mounting hole by an unlocking structure of the device body when the foldable plug assembly is detachably mounted to the device body, so as to release the restriction of the pivot shaft;

14. An apparatus including a foldable plug assembly, the apparatus comprising:

a foldable plug assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13;

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the unlocking structure passes through the mounting hole of the foldable plug assembly and abuts against the locking member of the foldable plug assembly when the device body is connected with the foldable plug assembly, so that the locking member is unlocked to allow the prongs to be rotatably unfolded and folded for stowage.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein a catch groove is provided on the device body for engaging a catch of the cantilever latch structure, the cantilever latch structure being latched to the catch groove during opening or folding of the prongs so that the foldable plug assembly and the device body cannot be separated.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the card slot is disposed on an unlocking structure of the device body.