FR3049121A1 - MECHANICAL AND ELECTRIC COUPLING DEVICE FOR CONNECTING A COMPUTER DEVICE TO A COMPUTER DEVICE WITHOUT DAMAGING A HOST SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanical and electrical coupling device comprising: a mechanical and electrical coupling module; A female mechanical and electrical coupling module; • a module for accepting a slight torsion beyond which the male coupling module and the female coupling module will disengage; A module for integrating the male coupling module into a computing device; A module allowing a reversible mechanical and electrical coupling; a module making it possible to seal the mechanical and electrical coupling; The coupling module is configured to temporarily secure a computer device to an external device.

Description

INTRODUCTION

The present invention relates to the field of mechanical and electrical coupling between two devices. More particularly, the invention relates to means for temporarily securing a computer device to another.

Current mechanical and electrical coupling devices, such as connectors built into mobile phones, have known limitations. In particular, it is possible to damage the connector, but especially the host system in case of even slight torsion on the latter. Other devices to overcome these limitations are thus known. In particular, it is possible to achieve mechanical and electrical coupling via a magnetic connection. If the protection of the host system is significantly improved, the necessary means are not suitable for mobile use, especially because of their size and relative fragility. In addition, they do not prevent the infiltration of liquid and dust. On the other hand, these means remain expensive and have a very low tolerance to the torsion under penalty of dissociating very easily. This is why there is a need for mechanical and electrical coupling means between two devices for not damaging the host system, to prevent any infiltration of liquid or dust and allowing a reversible coupling. The invention particularly relates to a mechanical and electrical coupling device for not damaging a host system while providing a sufficiently flexible coupling to prevent said coupling is too easily detached from the host system. The invention also incorporates a device to prevent infiltration of liquids and dust. Another object of this invention is to allow reversible mechanical and electrical coupling with respect to the host system.

The device according to the invention is particularly intended to be integrated in a computing device, in order to perform computer transactions through said mechanical and electrical coupling device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear, in the following description of embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] schematic front and side views of a device integrating the mechanical and electrical coupling module (1) according to one embodiment of the invention; [Figure 2] schematic front views of several telephones incorporating the mechanical and electrical coupling module (1) according to one embodiment of the invention; [Figure 3] schematic front view of an internal housing (BOIT) setting the integration of the mechanical and electrical coupling module (1) on said inner housing (BOIT), and a micro-USB connection module removable additional device (USBF) according to one embodiment of the invention; [Figure 4] schematic front and side views of an external box (BOITEXT) setting the integration of the mechanical and electrical coupling module (1) on said external box (BOITEXT), and a connection module detachable additional micro-USB (USBF) according to one embodiment of the invention; [Figure 5] schematic front, bottom, top and side views of the mechanical and electrical coupling module (1) showing a connector (2) to a host system, an internal terminal block (4a) and four terminals (4b) according to one embodiment of the invention; [Figure 6] schematic front and top views of the mechanical and electrical coupling module (1) incorporating a connector (2) integrated in a device configured to receive said mechanical and electrical coupling module (1) according to one embodiment of the invention; [Figure 7] schematic front and top views of a device configured to receive said mechanical and electrical coupling module (1), comprising two terminal blocks (5a) and eight terminals (5b) according to one embodiment of the invention ; [Figure 8] schematic front, bottom, top and side views of the mechanical and electrical coupling module (1) incorporating a wire connector (6) connecting it to a USB connection (2a), Lightning (2b), micro USB (2c), USB-C (2d) according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With particular reference to Figure 5, a mechanical and electrical coupling device (1) according to an embodiment of the invention will now be described.

The device (1) comprises: a male mechanical and electrical coupling device (1) having a specific shape enabling it to fit into a female mechanical and electrical coupling device (3) comprising a flexible terminal block (4a) on which four electrical terminals (4b) are arranged; • A female mechanical and electrical coupling device (3) having a specific shape allowing the mechanical and electrical coupling device (1) male to fit and having two terminal blocks (5a) each having four terminals (5b);

The mechanical and electrical coupling device (1) also makes it possible to associate USB connectors (2) directly in the body of said device (1) - FIG. 5, the connectors corresponding to the most used models on the market, for example the USB connectors -C, Lightning, micro-USB, mini-USB. The mechanical and electrical coupling device (1) also makes it possible to associate wired USB connectors (6) whose terminations use the connectors corresponding to the most widely used models on the market, for example the USB-A (2a), Lightning ( 2b), micro-USB, mini-USB (2c), USB-C (2d).

The connectors (5b) ensuring the electrical contact are positioned on two flexible silicone strips (5a) thus allowing the mechanical coupling to maintain a constant pressure between the male connector (1) and the connectors (4b);

The coupling device further comprises (1) a void space on the lower part of the socket (3) thus allowing the coupling device to accept a torsion stress without jeopardizing the electrical connectivity. The coupling device (1) also makes it possible, in the case of greater torsion and by pivoting effect, to separate from the female coupling device (3) and thus to protect the mechanical coupling device of the host system, for example a mobile phone.

The male (1) and female (3) coupling devices are made of a flexible material, for example silicone, which will prevent any infiltration of liquid or dust, even in the case of light torsion applied to a coupling devices.

The male (1) and female (3) coupling devices are furthermore configured, via the terminal blocks (4a) and (5a) to allow a connection of the reversible host system, particularly in the case of non-reversible external connectors, for example the micro-USB connector.

The female coupling device (3) is further configured for its reduced dimensions to be integrated in a mobile phone or any other computing device.

Claims (10)

1) mechanical coupling device characterized in that it comprises a male coupling module (1) for connecting a computer peripheral device to a computer device without damaging said device or said device, characterized by a specific form of a connector in line with five flexible ends for securing, temporarily, at least one female coupling module (3) configured to accept said male coupling module. 2) Device according to claim 1, wherein the male mechanical coupling module (1) is configured to perform electrical coupling between said male coupling device (1) and at least one female mechanical coupling device (3). 3) Device according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the female mechanical coupling module (3) is configured to accept a mechanical and electrical coupling device male (1). 4) System according to claims 1,2 and 3, mechanical and electrical coupling consisting of a male coupling module (1) and a female coupling module (3). 5) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said female mechanical coupling module (3) comprises a void space, configured to maintain the mechanical coupling in case of slight torsion of said male coupling module (1) with respect to said at least one external device and configured to disengage from said at least one external device in case of significant torsion between said female coupling module (3) and said at least one external device. 6) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanical coupling is further configured to prohibit any liquid infiltration when said mechanical coupling is in a rest position or a slight torsion position. 7) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said male coupling module (1) and said at least one external device, each comprise at least one electrical terminal (2) configured to ensure at least one electrical contact between said male coupling module (1) and said at least one external device. 8) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanical coupling is further configured to maintain a constant electrical contact regardless of the force exerted on said female coupling module (3) and as long as the mechanical coupling is maintained between said male coupling module (1) and said female coupling module (3). 9) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said mechanical and electrical coupling is configured to allow reversible coupling for at least one type of computer connector (2). 10) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the male coupling module is configured to be integrated with a computing device.