JP2000222063A - Expanding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an expanding device having a hold mechanism holding a member for lock in a connection release state when the connection between electronic equipment and an expanding device is released in the expanding device. SOLUTION: A hook (member) 13 for lock of this expanding device 5 is usually energized to a lock position by a spring (elastic member). When electronic equipment is removed from the device 5, the hook (member) 13 for lock is moved to a connection release position by operating an operating lever 17. The device 5 is provided with a hold mechanism holding the hook (member) 13 for lock at the connection release position in such a case. Because the hook (member) 13 for lock maintains a connection release state in this way once the lever 17 is pressed down, the expanding device can be detached even if a user does not hold the operated lever 17 and user's operability is accordingly improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an extension device used to extend the functions of electronic equipment such as a notebook personal computer and a portable information terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electronic devices such as notebook personal computers, which place importance on portability, have been reduced in size and thickness in order to enhance portability. is there. Therefore, in order to extend the function of the electronic device, an extension device having the extension function of the electronic device is provided. It has been proposed to extend the function of an electronic device by connecting the expansion device to the electronic device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an expansion device. The upper surface of the extension device is a mounting surface 19 on which the electronic device is mounted.
The extension device includes a locking claw 11, a locking hook (member) 13
Also, a first expansion connector 10 for electrically connecting to an electronic device is provided.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electronic apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bottom surface of the electronic device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a connection state between the electronic device and the extension device 5. A locking portion 25 and a fitting portion 27 are opened on a bottom surface 24 and a back surface 26 of the electronic device. A second expansion connector 21 connected to the first expansion connector 10 arranged on the expansion device 5 is provided on the bottom surface 24 of the electronic device. The locking claw 11 is fitted to a locking portion 25 provided on a back surface 26 of the electronic device.
The locking hook (member) 13 is fitted to a fitting portion 27 provided on the bottom surface 24 of the electronic device. Such a locking claw 1
The electronic device is connected to the extension device 5 by the lock device 1 and the locking hook (member) 13. In addition, the locking hook (member) 13 and the locking claw 11 are respectively formed by elastic members.
It is urged in the direction of the arrow K and the direction of the arrow X so that it is not accidentally separated.

[0005] The extension device 5 is provided with an operation lever 17 for disconnecting the electronic device from the extension device 5. This operation lever 17 is provided rotatably,
The operating lever 17, the locking hook (member) 13 and the locking claw 11 are interlocked by an interlocking member. The operation lever 17 is rotatable in the direction of the arrow ST, and the normal operation lever 17 is at a position (connection position) where it is most rotated in the direction of the arrow S in the rotatable range.
By rotating to the lowermost end (release position) of the rotatable range, the locking hook (member) 13 moves in the arrow Y direction, and the locking claw 11 moves in the arrow J direction. Conventionally, in such a configuration, the user holds the state in which the operation lever 17 is rotated with a finger, and releases the connector connection between the electronic device and the extension device with a free hand. With such a configuration,
The electronic device and the extension device can be detached.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

As described above, in the conventional method, when the extension device and the electronic device are to be disconnected from each other, the extension device must be detached while the user keeps the operation lever rotated. There was a problem that sex was bad. In addition, if the user tries to forcibly take the lock by simply pressing the operation lever, the lock hook is still caught on the electronic device, which is a factor of damaging the electronic device.

The present invention has been developed to solve the conventional problems.
Provided is an extension device that can detach an electronic device from an extension device without rotating the operation lever by a user by rotating the operation lever.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, an extension device connected to an electronic device having a fitting portion and extending the function of the electronic device is fitted to the fitting portion. The lock position and the second position where the fitting with the fitting portion is released
A lock member movable between the release position and the first position, an elastic member for urging the lock member to the lock position, a connection position where the electronic device and the expansion device are connected, and an electronic device and the expansion device. An operation lever movable between a second release position for releasing the connection, and a transmission mechanism for moving the locking member to the first release position when the operation lever is moved to the second release position; And a holding mechanism for holding the lock member at the first release position when the lock member is moved to the first release position.

With this configuration, once the operating lever is pushed, the user does not need to hold the pushed state, and the locking hook holds the disconnected state, so that the extension device can be removed. This leads to improved operability for the user.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an expansion device.
The appearance of the expansion device 5 shown in FIG. 1 is the same in the conventional device and the present invention. The extension device 5 extends the function of the electronic device. Although not shown, an external printer, an external display, an external mouse,
A connector group for connecting an external keyboard or the like is provided, and a card slot for inserting a PC card is provided on a side surface. As shown in FIG. 1, a mounting surface 19 on which an electronic device is mounted is provided on the upper surface of the expansion device 5. The first extension connector 10 is provided on the mounting surface 19, and a center lift 15 that pushes the electronic device upward is provided behind the first extension connector 10. In addition, the locking claw 11 is provided on the back surface 45 of the expansion device 5. Further, a locking hook (member) 13 is provided at a position before the mounting surface 19.

Here, the locking hook (member) 13 is movable in the directions of arrows XY, and the position moved most in the direction of arrow X is the lock position, and the position moved most in the direction of arrow Y is the release position. . The locking claw 11 is movable in the direction of the arrow KJ, and a position moved most in the direction of the arrow K is a lock position, and a position moved most in the direction of the arrow J is a release position.
Further, the center lift 15 is movable in the direction of the arrow ZV, and the position moved most in the direction of the arrow Z is the lock position,
The position moved most in the direction of arrow V is set as the release position. The operation lever 17 is rotatable in the direction of the arrow ST, and the position rotated in the arrow S direction in the rotatable range is the connection position, and the position rotated in the arrow T direction in the rotatable range is released. Position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electronic apparatus. This electronic device includes a main body case 1 in which a keyboard 3 is disposed on an upper surface.
And a display unit case 2 rotatably connected to the main unit case 1.
A CD panel 4 is built in.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom of the electronic device. A locking portion 25 and a fitting portion 27 for connecting to the extension device 5 are opened on the bottom surface 24 and the back surface 26 of the electronic device. In addition, a second expansion connector 21 for electrically connecting to the expansion device is arranged on the bottom surface 24. The second expansion connector 21 is usually protected by a connector cover 22. The connector cover 22 has a structure in which the second expansion connector 21 is exposed by sliding the connector cover 22 toward the electronic device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a connection state between the electronic device and the extension device 5. When the electronic device and the extension device 5 are connected, the bottom surface 24 of the electronic device shown in FIG. 3 is connected to the mounting surface 19 of the extension device 5 shown in FIG. 1, and the back surface of the electronic device shown in FIG. 26 and the back surface 45 of the expansion device 5 shown in FIG.
Are connected. At this time, the locking claws 11 provided on the back attachment surface 45 shown in FIG. 1 fit into the locking portions 25 provided on the back surface 26 of the electronic device shown in FIG. Locking hooks (members) 13 provided on the mounting surface 19 shown in FIG. 1 are fitted into fitting portions 27 provided on the bottom surface 24 of the electronic device shown in FIG. With such a locking claw 11 and a locking hook (member) 13, the electronic device and the extension device 5 are connected as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view when the operation lever 17 is in the connection position. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view when the operation lever 17 is at the release position. A lever holder 14 is provided in the upper case 6 of the extension device 5 for installing an operation lever 17. The operation lever 17 is attached to the lever holder 14 about the operation lever rotation shaft 16, and is rotatable about the operation lever rotation shaft 16 in the direction of the arrow ST. The operating lever 17 is normally in the connection position. A center lift 15 that pushes the electronic device body directly upward is provided on the upper case 6 of the expansion device 5, and can move the back surface 45 in the direction of the arrow ZV, and is mounted together with the spring 9. The spring 9 always biases the center lift 15 downward. When the operation lever 17 is at the connection position, the center lift 15 is at the lock position, and the locking claw 11 is also at the lock position.

By rotating the operation lever 17 shown in FIG. 5 from the connection position in the direction of arrow T, the locking claw 11 shown in FIG. 1 moves in the direction of arrow J and retracts into the housing. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 6, the push-up member 18 attached in the opposite direction across the operation lever rotation shaft 16 of the operation lever 17 moves in the direction of arrow Q, and moves the center lift 15 in the direction of arrow V. Push up. As a result, the center lift 15 pushes up the bottom surface 24 of the electronic device main body, and the connected first extension connector 10 and second extension connector 21 are disconnected. Since the electronic device is lifted, the positions of the locking claw 11 and the locking portion 25 are shifted, and the locking claw 11 cannot be fitted to the locking portion 25. Is kept released. When the operation lever 17 rotates in the direction of the arrow T, the operation lever 1 is rotated.
The pushing portion 23 of 7 rotates in the direction of arrow Q.

FIG. 7 is a view of the upper case 6 of the expansion device 5 as viewed from the inside, in which the arm 31 is in a normal position. FIG.
Is a view of the upper case 6 of the expansion device as viewed from the inside, and is a view showing a state where the arm 31 is rotated.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the hook holder 33. Reference numeral 12 denotes a sliding plate, which is a locking hook (member) 13.
And are formed integrally. A hook 32 for attaching one end of a spring (elastic member) 35 is formed integrally with the hook holder 33. One end of a spring (elastic member) 35 is connected to the hook portion 32, and the other end is connected to the sliding plate 12.
, The lock hook (member) 13 is constantly biased toward the lock position.

As shown in FIG. 7, an arm 31 for transmitting a force to the locking hook (member) 13 in conjunction with the pushing portion 23 of the operating lever 17 is provided on the inner surface of the upper case 6 via an arm rotating shaft 34. It is rotatably fixed and rotatable. The passive end 30 of the arm 31 is formed in a tapered shape,
It becomes thinner toward the tip of the arm 31. When the operation lever 17 is at the connection position, the pressing portion 23 of the operation lever 17 is in contact with the thinnest portion of the passive end 30. The pushing portion 36 of the arm 31 is connected to the passive end 40 of the slide plate 12, as shown in FIG. Operation lever 17
Is rotated in the direction of the arrow T, the pushing portion 23 of the operation lever 17 rotates in the direction of the arrow Q, and pushes the passive end 30 of the arm 31. Since the passive end 30 of the arm 31 is formed in a tapered shape, the passive end 30 rotates in the direction of the arrow M, and the arm 31 rotates about the rotation shaft 34. For this reason, the pushing portion 3 at the end opposite to the passive end 30 of the arm 31 is used.
Reference numeral 6 denotes the passive end 4 of the sliding plate 12 for rotating in the direction of arrow R.
Pressing 0 causes the sliding plate 12 to move in the arrow Y direction. Therefore, the locking hook (member) 13 integrally formed with the sliding plate 12 also moves in the arrow Y direction.

FIG. 10 is a connection diagram between the sliding plate 12 and the link 37. FIG. 11 is a connection diagram of the sliding plate 12, the link 37, and the link guides 38 and 39. A notch 47 and a connection hole 41 are provided in the sliding plate 12, and the connection end 42 of the link 37 is rotatably attached to the connection hole 41. The guide end 43 of the link 37 is slidably provided between the link guides 38 and 39. 43a is the link guide 39
And 43b is the other end of the guide end 43 guided by the link guide 38. Link 3
7 and the guide end 43 are movable in the directions of arrows XY in accordance with the movement of the slide plate 12.

The guide end 43 of the link 37 guided to the link guides 38, 39 is formed in a columnar shape, is perpendicular to the surfaces of the link 37 and the link guides 38, 39, and is formed horizontally. Similarly, the connection end 42 connected to the locking hook (member) 13 is formed perpendicular to the link 37 and the sliding plate 12 and horizontally in a columnar shape. Further, since the connecting portion of the locking hook (member) 13 has the notch 47, the link 37 can rotate around the connecting hole 41. In addition, if there is no notch 47, the link must be made with a wire-like member from the outside of the thickness of the sliding plate 12, and the hook holder 33 becomes large.

FIG. 12 shows link guides 38 and 39 facing each other.
FIG. 2 is a plan view when viewed from the inside. (A) Link guide 3
9 is a plan view, and FIG. 9B is a plan view of the link guide 38. First guides 61, 65, second guides 62, 66, and branch guides 63, 67 are formed in a convex shape on the opposing surfaces of the link guides 38, 39. The movement path of the guide end 43 of the link 37 is a first path A85 formed by the first guide 61 and the branch guide 63, a first path B86 formed by the first guide 65 and the branch guide 67, and A second path A87 formed by the second guide 62 and the branch guide 63, and a second path B88 formed by the second guide 66 and the branch guide 67. The guide end 43a is guided along the first path A85 and the second path A87. Guide end 43
b is guided along the first route B86 and the second route B43B.

FIG. 13 shows the link guide 38 in the locked state.
FIG. 14 is a plan view of the link guides 38 and 39 in transition from the lock state to the hold state, FIG. 15 is a plan view of the link guides 38 and 39 in the hold state, and FIG.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the link guides 38 and 39 during transition from the hold state to the lock state. Both figures are plan views of the opposing link guides 38 and 39 viewed from the inside.
(A) is a plan view of the link guide 39, and (b) is a plan view of the link guide 38. The locked state refers to a state in which the electronic device and the expansion device are connected (locked), and the positions of the guide ends 43a and 43b at that time are shown in FIG.
(Lock position). The hold state refers to a state in which the electronic device and the extension device maintain the disconnection state (hold), and the guiding ends 43a and 43 at that time.
The position b is the position (hold position) shown in FIG.

Next, the movement of the link 37 and the guide ends 43a, 43b will be described with reference to FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. The link guides 38 and 39 for guiding the operation of the link 37 are not formed in the same shape.
By turning the operation lever 17 shown in FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrow T, the state is shifted from the locked state shown in FIG. 13 to the hold state shown in FIG. Operation lever 17 and sliding plate 12
Are interlocked via the arm 31, so that the sliding plate 12 and the locking hook (member) 13 integrally formed with the sliding plate 12 are moved in the arrow Y direction. Since the link 37 is also connected to the slide plate 12, it moves in the direction of the arrow Y.
The guide ends 43a and 43b of the link 37 are shifted from the locked state.
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the guide point 70 and the link guide 39 provided on the branch guide 63 of the link guide 38.
The guide point 75 provided on the branch guide 67 of the second embodiment guides the branch guides 63 and 67 downward. Led guide end 4
3b is a first guide 61 provided on the link guide 38
First path A8 formed by the branch guide 63
5 and is guided in the direction of arrow B. Similarly, the guide end 43a is guided in the direction of arrow A through a first path B86 formed by the first guide 65 and the branch guide 67 provided on the link guide 39. Next, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, since no system stop point is provided between the first guide 65 of the link guide 39 and the lower portion of the branch guide 67,
The guide end 43a tends to push up in the direction of arrow C. However, the guide end 43b is connected to the branch guide 6 of the link guide 38.
3 is suppressed from being pushed upward by the system stop point 71. Therefore, the guide end 43 cannot be pushed upward. Here, when the guide end 43b moves until it passes the system stop point 71, the guide end 43a is guided by the link guide 39 and is about to be pushed upward, so that the guide end 43b is guided in the direction of arrow D. Therefore, guide end 4
3 moves upward. Further, the guide ends 43a, 43b
Denotes a spring (elastic member) attached to the sliding plate 12
35, the link stop portions 80, 81 provided on the branch guides 63, 67 are moved.
At, the guide ends 43a and 43b stop. In this manner, the link 37 and the guide end 43 transition from the lock state to the hold state, and the locking hook (member) 13
Are held in the unlocked state.

Next, when connecting the portable electronic device to the extension device 5, that is, when shifting from the hold state to the lock state, the guide ends 43a and 43b are moved by the guide points 76 shown in FIG. Guided along 66. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 15, the guide end 43b is guided in the direction of arrow F through a second path A87 formed by the second guide 62 and the branch guide 63 provided on the link guide 38. Similarly, the guide end 43a is the link guide 3
9 and is guided in the direction of arrow E through a second path B88 formed by the second guide 66 and the branch guide 67 provided in 9. Here, since the second guide 62 and the branch guide 63 of the link guide 38 are not provided with a system stopping point, the guide end 43b tends to push up in the direction of the arrow F when passing the branch guide 63. . However, the guide end 43a is connected to the branch guide 67 provided on the link guide 39.
Is prevented from being pushed upward by the system stop point 77 formed in the step (1). Therefore, the guide end 43 cannot be pushed upward. When the guide end 43a moves until it passes through the system stopping point 77, the guide end 43b is about to be pushed upward, so that the guide end 43a is guided in the direction of arrow E. Therefore, the guide end 43 moves upward. Subsequently, the guiding ends 43a and 43b are locked with hooks (members).
Since the sliding plate 12 attempts to move in the direction of arrow X by the spring (elastic member) 35 attached to the guide 13, the guide ends 43a and 43b are guided in the directions of arrows G and H, as shown in FIG. Return to locked state.

As described above, the guide end 43 of the link 37 is guided on its path by the link guides 38 and 39, and from the locked position, the first guides 61 and 65 and the branch guide 63,
After passing through the first path A85 and the first path B86 formed by
Are guided to the second path A87 and the second path B88 formed by the guides 62 and 66 and the branch guides 63 and 67, and return to the original position. With such a configuration, once the operation lever 17 is pressed, the locking hook (member) 13 holds the released state without holding the state in which the user turns the operation lever. The electronic device can be removed from the device, and the operability of the user can be improved. Further, by providing the notch 47 in the sliding plate 12, it is possible to prevent the hook holder from being enlarged.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the extension device is disengaged from the electronic device, the locking hook holds the unlocked state even if the user does not hold the state where the operation lever is rotated. Therefore, the extension device can be removed, and the operability of the user can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an expansion device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electronic device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bottom surface of the electronic device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a connection state between the electronic device and the extension device.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view when the operation lever is at a connection position.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view when the operation lever is at a release position.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an arm in a steady state when the upper case of the expansion device is viewed from inside

FIG. 8 is a view showing the upper case of the extension device in which the arm is rotated when viewed from inside;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a hook holder.

FIG. 10 is a connection diagram of a sliding plate and a link.

FIG. 11 is a connection diagram of a sliding plate, a link, and a link guide.

12A is a plan view of a link guide 39, and FIG. 12B is a plan view of a link guide 38.

13A is a plan view of a link guide 39 in a locked state, and FIG. 13B is a plan view of a link guide 38 in a locked state.

14A is a plan view of a link guide 39 during a transition from a lock state to a hold state, and FIG. 14B is a plan view of a link guide 38 during a transition from a lock state to a hold state.

15A is a plan view of a link guide 39 in a hold state, and FIG. 15B is a plan view of a link guide 38 in a hold state.

16A is a plan view of a link guide 39 during a transition from a hold state to a locked state, and FIG. 16B is a plan view of a link guide 38 during a transition from a hold state to a locked state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body case 2 Display part case 3 Keyboard 4 LCD panel 5 Expansion device 6 Upper case 7 Battery pack 8 Lower case 9 Spring 10 1st expansion connector 11 Locking claw 12 Sliding plate 13 Locking hook (member) 14 Lever holder REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 15 center lift 16 operation lever rotating shaft 17 operation lever 18 push-up member 19 mounting surface 20 housing cover 21 second expansion connector 22 connector covers 23, 36 pushing portion 24 bottom surface 25 locking portion 27 fitting portion 26 back surface 30 , 40 passive end 31 arm 32 hook part 33 hook holder 34 arm rotation shaft 35 spring (elastic member) 37 link 38, 39 link guide 41 connection hole 42 connection end 43, 43a, 43b guide end 45 backing surface 47 notch 61 , 65 1st guide 62, 66 2nd guide 63, 67 Branch guide 70, 75, 76 Guidance point 71, 77 System stop point 80, 81 Link stop part 85 First route A 86 First route B 87 Second route A 88 Second route B

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An expansion device connected to an electronic device having a fitting portion and extending the function of the electronic device, wherein a lock position fitted to the fitting portion and fitting of the fitting portion are different. A lock member movable between a first release position to be released, an elastic member for urging the lock member to the lock position, and a connection position where the electronic device and the expansion device are connected And an operation lever movable between a second release position for releasing the connection between the electronic device and the extension device; and the locking member when the operation lever is moved to the second release position. A transmission mechanism for moving the lock member to the first release position, and a holding mechanism for holding the lock member at the first release position when the lock member is moved to the first release position. An expansion device, comprising: 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the holding mechanism includes a link connected to the locking member for guiding the operation of the locking member, and a link guide including a guide mechanism for guiding the operation of the link. The expansion device according to claim 1, wherein 3. The expansion device according to claim 2, wherein the link guide has a stop portion that stops the operation of the link once in the middle.