FR2944921A1 - DEVICE FOR RECHARGING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for charging a battery of at least one portable electronic device, said device comprising at least one connection device 6, coupled to a housing 1 that can be connected to an auxiliary source of electrical energy, characterized in that the device for connection 6 consists of a plate 7 surmounted by an adapter 8, said plate 7 being provided with an electronic voltage regulation circuit, a connection device 9 to said housing 1 and a connection device 10 to said adapter 8, said adapter 8 being fixed on the plate 7 by means of immobilization and connection allowing its removable and having a connector 11 and electrical connection terminals, for establishing an electrical contact with said plate.

Description

DEVICE FOR RECHARGING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

The present invention relates to a device for recharging the battery for ensuring the autonomy of a portable electronic device, such as a telephone, a video device, photo or audio, as examples. It relates more particularly to a device for simultaneously charging the battery of a plurality of portable electronic devices, while changing the type of connectors according to the type of electronic devices used.

The use of portable electronic devices, such as telephones, game consoles, video, photo or audio devices, electronic diaries, as examples, has grown considerably. Each of these devices generally works by means of a battery, thus giving it a certain autonomy in time and space. This battery must nevertheless be recharged regularly to ensure the proper functioning of these devices by means of an auxiliary source of electrical energy, used directly through a voltage regulator.

In addition, by their functionality, portable electronic devices can generally be connected to a computer, for mutual transfer of information. The multiplicity of the number of portable electronic devices is therefore accompanied by a large number of connection cables to both a power source and a computer. These cables are often identical to the extent that the connection provided on electronic devices is generally standardized, and thus become redundant. Various devices have attempted to overcome these disadvantages by providing adapter devices for simultaneously charging the battery of a plurality of portable electronic devices. Thus, patent WO 2008/055597 describes an adaptation device for various portable electronic devices. It consists of several connectors, mechanically coupled and removably to a housing that connects to a power supply. Each of the connectors is equipped with an electronic voltage regulating circuit, a connection socket fixing system for the electronic device and electrical connection terminals. This type of device, although it allows the simultaneous charging of a plurality of batteries supplying various portable electronic devices, by connection to an electrical outlet, does not allow their connection to other sources, such as a computer. In addition, the type of mechanical coupling between the connector and the voltage device makes it difficult to change, and requires careful verification, otherwise affecting the electrical connections and not to supply the batteries.

The present invention proposes to overcome the various disadvantages described in the prior art by means of a device for charging the battery, and possibly simultaneously to connect a plurality and a variety of portable electronic devices, while allowing the modification of the if applicable the type of connectors depending on the type of device used.

For this purpose, the subject of the present invention is a device for charging a battery of at least one portable electronic device, said device comprising at least one connection device, coupled to a box that can be connected to an auxiliary source of energy. characterized in that the connecting device consists of a tray surmounted by an adapter, said plate being provided with an electronic voltage regulating circuit, a device for connecting to said housing and a device for connection to said adapter, said adapter being fixed on the plate by immobilization and connection means allowing its removability and comprising a connector and electrical connection terminals, for establishing an electrical contact with said plate.

The device for simultaneous and variable battery charging of at least one portable electronic device, such as a telephone, an audio, video or photo device, or an electronic organizer, as non-limiting examples, consists of a housing, at which is connected at least one direct connection device, on which is positioned the electronic device whose battery needs to be recharged. This connection device is partially removable so as to change the type of connector which it is made in order to expand the range of use of the charging device according to the invention.

The invention will be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is an overall representation of the adapter device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the adapter device; Figure 3 is a partially exploded representation of the adapter device; Figure 4 is a partially exploded representation of the adapter device viewed from above; Figure 5 is a detailed representation of the connection tray disposed at the adapter device; Figure 6 is an exploded representation of the connection plate, seen laterally; Figure 7 is a representation of the housing for connection of all elements of the adapter device.

The device for recharging a battery of at least one portable electronic device according to the invention consists of a housing 1, preferably, but not limited to, at its center, in order to facilitate the installation of the connection devices. The interior of this housing 1 is provided with electrical connection terminals and an electronic voltage regulator circuit (not shown), to efficiently restore the electrical energy. Each of these elements will be 4

powered by an auxiliary source of electrical energy, via a power cord 2. The latter may be provided at its end with a plug 3, or plug, intended to be inserted into a socket associated with a wall base (not shown), in the case where the source of electrical energy is domestic. Alternatively, the electrical power cord plug can be adapted for connection to a cigarette lighter (not shown), or other source of electrical energy. However, it is not excluded that the two types of plugs coexist in order to increase the functionality of the device according to the invention. The housing 1 is also preferably provided with a power cord 4, USB, wi-fi or equivalent, which will allow the connection of the device according to the invention to a computer. Connecting the device according to the invention to a computer may possibly allow recharging of the battery, without going through the electrical sector. Other connection cords can be grafted on the device according to the features sought by the user.

The casing 1 is provided with a luminous screen 5, intended to dispense information, such as putting the device into operation or in stand-by, putting it under electrical tension for the purpose of recharging the electronic devices connected thereto via the connection device, or its connection with a computer. Other types of information may be provided depending on the desired features of the device.

The device for recharging batteries according to the invention also consists of at least one connection device 6, in connection with the housing 1, for it to transfer its electrical energy, as will be explained in the following of the description.

The connection device 6 may be implanted at the housing 1, so as to reduce the volume of the charging device.

The connection device 6 consists of two superimposed elements: a plate 7 on which an adapter 8 is inserted, at the level of which is directly connected the electronic device whose battery needs to be recharged. The plate 7 comprises a connecting device, connecting it to the housing 1, and intended for the transmission of electrical energy.

This connecting device may be a cable 9, which ensures the flow of electrical energy from the housing 1 to the connection device 6. The connection cable is preferably retractable, especially in the case where the connection device is implanted in the housing, so as to facilitate the change of the adapter 8 relative to the housing 1. Thus, when the cable is fully wound, the connection device 6 is positioned against the housing 1. When pulling on the plate 7, the connecting cable 9 unfolds in such a way as to allow it to move away from the plate 7, and thus to disengage the connection device 6. The connection device between the box and the connection device may also be in the form of a port, USB port type as an example. The plate 7 is provided inside electrical terminals (not shown) and at least one magnet which will improve the connection between the plate 7 and the adapter 8. The upper face of the plate 7 comprises a plug 10, intended for the insertion of the adapter 8 via a socket (not shown), disposed on its underside. Each of these jacks allows both the locking of the plate 7 with the adapter 8, but also serves as an electrical connection zone, in order to ensure the passage of electrical energy from the plate 7 to the adapter 8.

The adapter 8 is connected to the plate 7 by means of immobilization and connection, provided for this connection is not definitive, but removable. For this purpose, the adapter 8 comprises at least one magnet at its lower face, so as to come into contact with the magnet or magnets of the plate 7, and thus promote their connection. The upper face of the adapter is provided with a connector 11 on which is positioned the electronic device whose battery needs to be charged. This connector 11 is in connection with electrical terminals, which will transfer the electrical energy, and thus allow to recharge the battery. 6

The adapter is preferably provided with various types of connectors 11, to allow charging the battery of a multitude of portable electronic devices. In addition, the adapter 8 is fixed to the plate 7 only by means of the magnets and the plugs and sockets. It is therefore removable and can be changed easily depending on the type of electronic device.

The recharging device according to the invention may consist of a plurality of connection devices. By way of nonlimiting example, the assembly 10 of the figures shows a charging device consisting of three connection devices. Thus, three electronic devices, various or identical, can be simultaneously connected to the device, allowing the charging of their battery, and / or their connection to a computer. Since the adapter is removable, and can be provided with variable connectors 11, this considerably broadens the choice of electronic devices that one wishes to connect.

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Claims (6)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device for charging a battery of at least one portable electronic device, said device comprising at least one connection device 6, coupled to a housing 1 that can be connected to an auxiliary source of electrical energy, characterized in that the device for connection 6 consists of a plate 7 surmounted by an adapter 8, said plate 7 being provided with an electronic voltage regulating circuit, a connecting device 9 to said housing 1 and a fixing device 10 auditing adapter 8, said adapter 8 being fixed on the plate 7 by means of immobilization and connection allowing its removable and having a connector 11 and electrical connection terminals, for establishing an electrical contact with said plate. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for immobilizing the adapter 8 on the plate 7 are constituted by a plug 10 and a magnet at said plate 7, cooperating with a socket and a magnet disposed at the adapter 8. 3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting device of the plate 7 to the housing 1 is a retractable cable. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the connecting device of the plate 7 to the housing 1 is a port. 5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing 1 is provided with a connection socket 4 to a computer. 6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing comprises an information screen.