JP2005039944A - Charging connector and charging rack - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charging connector improved in the reliability of connection and reduced in size, and provide a charging rack. <P>SOLUTION: The charging connector comprises: a box 7 having openings 8a, 8a; connection terminals 15, 15 that have connecting parts 18a, 18a connected to charging terminals 101, 101 of an electronic apparatus 100 and are elastically deformed when the charging terminals of the electronic apparatus are connected to the connecting parts; and protection covers 21, 21 that are attached to the connecting parts of the connecting terminals and protect the connecting parts. At least a part of the connecting parts of the connecting terminals and at least a part of the protection covers are outwardly protruded from the openings of the box, and at least a part of the connecting parts of the connecting terminals is outwardly protruded from the connection cover. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging connector and a charging stand. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technical field in which a protective cover for protecting a connection portion to which a charging terminal of an electronic device is connected during charging is provided to improve connection reliability and reduce the size.

  There is a charging stand (charging stand) for charging an electronic device having a secondary battery such as a nickel cadmium battery or a nickel metal hydride battery, such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, or a portable audio device. Yes (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a charging stand is provided with a charging connector, and charging is performed by connecting the charging terminal of the electronic device to the connection terminal of the charging connector.

  In such a charging stand, it is necessary to protect the connection terminal in order to prevent connection failure due to bending or breakage of the connection terminal of the charging connector.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the conventional charging stand, as a means for protecting the connecting terminal to which the charging terminal b of the electronic device a is connected, a protrusion that covers the connecting terminal e on the outer casing d of the charging stand c is provided. Some of them are provided with a protective portion f.

  In another conventional charging stand, as shown in FIG. 14, as a means for protecting the charging terminals b, b of the electronic device a, protection that is movable with respect to the outer casing h of the charging stand g. Some ribs i, i are provided on opposite sides of the connection terminals j, j. In the charging stand g provided with the protection ribs i and i, the protection ribs i and i are pressed by the electronic device a and pulled into the outer housing h when the electronic device a is mounted on the charging stand g. (P direction shown in FIG. 14) charging terminals b and b are connected to connection terminals j and j.

JP 2003-153455 A

  However, in the charging stand c provided with the protruding protection portion f, the charging stand c becomes large because the protruding protection portion f is provided, and in particular, the charging stand c is frequently carried. In some cases, the inconvenience is great.

  On the other hand, the charging stand g provided with the protective ribs i and i can be made smaller than the charging stand c. However, since the protective ribs i and i protrude, the charging stand g still remains. This is a factor that hinders downsizing.

  Moreover, in the charging stand g, when the protection ribs i and i do not operate smoothly, the charging terminals b and b are not connected to the connection terminals j and j, which may cause a connection failure.

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a charging connector and a charging stand that overcome the above-described problems and improve connection reliability and downsizing.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the charging connector and the charging stand of the present invention have a housing having an opening and a connection portion connected to the charging terminal of the electronic device, and the charging terminal of the electronic device is connected. A connection terminal that is elastically deformed when connected to the connection part, and a protective cover that is attached to the connection part of the connection terminal and protects the connection part, and at least the connection part of the connection terminal from the opening of the housing A part and at least a part of the protective cover protrude outward, and at least a part of the connection portion of the connection terminal protrudes outward from the protective cover.

  Accordingly, in the charging connector and the charging stand according to the present invention, the protective cover is moved together with the elastic deformation of the connection terminal.

  The charging connector of the present invention is a charging connector that is connected to a charging terminal of an electronic device and charges the electronic device, and is connected to a housing having an opening and the charging terminal of the electronic device. A connecting terminal that is elastically deformed when the charging terminal of the electronic device is connected to the connecting part, and a protective cover that is attached to the connecting part of the connecting terminal and protects the connecting part. At least a part of the connection part of the connection terminal and at least a part of the protective cover protrude outward from the opening of the housing, and at least a part of the connection part of the connection terminal protrudes outward from the protective cover. It is characterized by.

  Therefore, since the protective cover is attached to the connection terminal, the size can be reduced.

  Moreover, since the protective cover is attached to the connection terminal in a state of protruding from the connection terminal, it is possible to avoid a connection failure between the charging terminal and the connection terminal.

  In the invention described in claim 2, since the connection portion of the connection terminal has an edge, and at least a part of the edge is covered with the protective cover, the electronic device, the hand, the finger, etc. Contact can be avoided, and scratches and damages of electronic devices can be prevented.

  In the invention described in claim 3, the connection portion of the connection terminal has an edge, and at least a part of the edge is in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the protective cover. And the edge can be avoided, and scratches and damages of electronic equipment can be prevented.

  In the invention described in claim 4, the connection terminal is elastically deformed by moving in a direction inclined with respect to the direction in which the electronic device is connected, and the connection portion of the connection terminal is bent into a predetermined state. When the electronic device is connected to the bent portion and one end of the bent portion, the electronic device is connected to the first portion located on the electronic device side and the other end of the bent portion. And a second portion that is located farther away from the electronic device than the first portion, and the amount of protrusion of the first portion from the protective cover is larger than the amount of protrusion of the second portion from the protective cover Therefore, when the charging terminal of the electronic device is connected to the connection portion of the connection terminal, the protective cover and the connection terminal to which the protection cover is attached are displaced by the backlash, and the amount of protrusion of the first portion from the protection cover is reduced. The charging terminal is securely connected to the connection. , It is possible to prevent a connection failure.

  The charging base of the present invention is a charging base including a charging connector that is connected to a charging terminal of an electronic device and charges the electronic device, and a base on which the charging connector is disposed, The connector for the housing has a housing having an opening, and a connection terminal that has a connection portion connected to the charging terminal of the electronic device and is elastically deformed when the charging terminal of the electronic device is connected to the connection portion; A protective cover that is attached to the connection portion of the connection terminal and protects the connection portion, and at least a part of the connection portion of the connection terminal and at least a part of the protection cover protrude outward from the opening of the housing. And at least a part of the connection portion of the connection terminal protrudes outward from the protective cover.

  Therefore, since the protective cover is attached to the connection terminal, the size can be reduced.

  Moreover, since the protective cover is attached to the connection terminal in a state of protruding from the connection terminal, it is possible to avoid a connection failure between the charging terminal and the connection terminal.

  In the invention described in claim 6, since the connection portion of the connection terminal has an edge, and at least a part of the edge is covered with the protective cover, the electronic device, the hand, the finger, etc. Contact can be avoided, and scratches and damages of electronic devices can be prevented.

  In the invention described in claim 7, the connection portion of the connection terminal has an edge, and at least a part of the edge is in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the protective cover. And the edge can be avoided, and scratches and damages of electronic equipment can be prevented.

  In the invention described in claim 8, the connection terminal is elastically deformed by moving in a direction inclined with respect to the direction in which the electronic device is connected, and the connection portion of the connection terminal is bent into a predetermined state. When the electronic device is connected to the bent portion and one end of the bent portion, the electronic device is connected to the first portion located on the electronic device side and the other end of the bent portion. And a second portion that is located farther away from the electronic device than the first portion, and the amount of protrusion of the first portion from the protective cover is larger than the amount of protrusion of the second portion from the protective cover Therefore, when the charging terminal of the electronic device is connected to the connection portion of the connection terminal, the protective cover and the connection terminal to which the protection cover is attached are displaced by the backlash, and the amount of protrusion of the first portion from the protection cover is reduced. The charging terminal is securely connected to the connection. , It is possible to prevent a connection failure.

  The best mode of the connector for charging and the charging stand according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, an electronic device that is mounted on a charging stand and charged will be described.

  The electronic device 100 is, for example, a PDA, and charging terminals 101 and 101 are provided on the bottom surface (see FIG. 1).

  Next, a charging stand on which the electronic device 100 is mounted and charged will be described.

  The charging stand 1 is configured by arranging or supporting required parts on an outer casing 2 (see FIG. 1). The outer casing 2 is formed in a flat and substantially rectangular shape, and a guide protrusion 2a protruding upward is provided on substantially the entire outer peripheral portion. Accordingly, a shallow recess is formed on the upper surface of the outer casing 2, and the recess is formed as a mounting portion 2b to which the electronic device 100 is mounted during charging.

  The mounting portion 2b of the outer casing 2 is provided with lock claws 3 and 3 at one end portion (front end portion) of the mounting portion 2b that are spaced apart from each other on the left and right. The lock claws 3 and 3 can move substantially up and down with respect to the outer casing 2, and when the electronic device 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 2 b, the lock claws 3 and 3 are engaged with a not-shown locked recess of the electronic device 100, thereby It plays a role of locking to the mounting portion 2b.

  The mounting portion 2b is provided with positioning protrusions 4 and 4 at positions near the lock claws 3 and 3, respectively. The positioning protrusions 4 and 4 are inserted into positioning holes (not shown) of the electronic device 100 when the electronic device 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 2b, and serve to position the electronic device 100 on the mounting portion 2b.

  A detection switch 5 is provided in the mounting portion 2b. When the electronic device 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 2b, the detection switch 5 is pressed by the bottom surface of the electronic device 100 to turn on, and plays a role of detecting that the electronic device 100 is mounted on the mounting portion 2b. .

  A charging connector 6 is attached between the lock claws 3 and 3 at the front end of the mounting portion 2 (see FIG. 1). The charging connector 6 is formed by arranging or supporting necessary parts on a housing 7 (see FIGS. 2 to 5).

  The housing | casing 7 is formed in the substantially box shape opened below horizontally long. The top surface portion 7a of the housing 7 is provided with restricting protrusions 8 and 8 that are spaced apart from each other and protrude upward. The rectangular protrusions 8a and 8a that pass vertically through the restricting protrusions 8 and 8 are provided. Is formed. Positioning pins 9, 9 are provided on the lower edge of the housing 7 so as to be separated from each other in the left-right direction. Mounting protrusions 10 and 10 projecting downward from the left and right side surfaces 7b and 7b of the housing 7 are provided. Engaging claws 10a and 10a are provided at the tips of the mounting protrusions 10 and 10, respectively. . The mounting protrusions 10 and 10 are elastically deformable.

  A base 11 is attached to the housing 7 so as to close the lower opening. As shown in FIG. 2, the base 11 protrudes backward from the base 12, the wall portions 13, 13,... That protrude upward from the front and rear edges of the base 12, and the left and right ends of the base 12. The derivation | leading-out part 14 and 14 were comprised.

  Connection terminals 15 and 15 are attached to the upper surface of the base 12 of the base 11 so as to be separated from each other in the left-right direction. The connection terminal 15 is formed of a conductive metal material rich in elasticity. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the connection terminal 15 is connected to a horizontally long mounted portion 16 and one end in the longitudinal direction of the mounted portion 16. 16, a connecting portion 17 that is folded back with respect to the connecting portion 17, a protrusion 18 that is continuous with the connecting portion 17 and has a substantially inverted V shape, a receiving portion 19 that is continuous with the protruding portion 18, and the attached portion 16. A connecting projection 20 that is continuous with the end and protrudes backward is formed integrally. The protrusion 18 is formed as a connection portion 18 a whose upper end side is connected to the charging terminal 101 of the electronic device 100. The connecting portion 18a includes a bent portion 18b having a substantially semicircular arc shape that protrudes upward, and a first portion 18c and a second portion 18d that are continuous with both ends of the bent portion 18b and extend substantially vertically.

  As described above, since the connecting portion 17 is folded back with respect to the attached portion 16, the connecting terminal 15 has a direction in which the connecting portion 17, the projecting portion 18, and the receiving portion 19 are separated from and attached to the attached portion 16, that is, It can be elastically displaced in a substantially vertical direction. Accordingly, when the connecting portion 17, the projecting portion 18 and the receiving portion 19 are pushed down, these portions are biased substantially upward.

  The connection terminals 15, 15 are attached to the attachment parts 16, 16 on the upper surface of the base 12 of the base 11, and the protrusions 18, 18 protrude upward from the openings 8 a, 8 a of the housing 7, respectively. The connecting protrusions 20 and 20 protrude rearward from the lead-out portions 14 and 14 of the base 11.

  Protective covers 21 and 21 are attached to the protrusions 18 and 18 of the connection terminals 15 and 15, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the protective cover 21 includes an outer fitting portion 22 formed in a rectangular tube shape, stopper portions 23 and 23 protruding from the lower edge of the outer fitting portion 22, Protecting parts 24, 24 projecting upward from both front and rear side surfaces of the fitting part 22 are integrally formed.

  The protection parts 24, 24 are formed in a substantially semicircular shape corresponding to the bent part 18 b of the connection terminal 15 at the upper end side. Drop-off prevention protrusions 24a and 24a that are displaced so as to approach each other as they go upward are provided at the upper ends of the opposing surfaces of the protection parts 24 and 24 (see FIG. 6).

  The protective cover 21 is attached to the protruding portion 18 by fitting the outer fitting portion 22 into the protruding portion 18 of the connection terminal 15 from above. In a state where the protective cover 21 is attached to the protrusion 18, the protrusion 18 slightly protrudes outward from the protection parts 24, 24, and an edge on the lower surface side of the protrusion 18 on the periphery of the protection parts 24, 24. 18e and 18e are in contact with each other, or the edges 18e and 18e are positioned inside the protection parts 24 and 24.

  The lower surface of the bent portion 18b of the protrusion 18 is in contact with the upper surfaces of the drop prevention protrusions 24a and 24a of the protection portions 24 and 24 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the drop-out prevention protrusions 24a and 24a prevent the protrusion 18 from dropping from the protective cover 21 downward.

  Since the protective covers 24 and 24 are respectively attached to the protrusions 18 and 18, as described above, in the state where the protrusions 18 and 18 protrude upward from the openings 8 a and 8 a of the housing 7, respectively, the external fitting portions 22 and 22 and the protection parts 24, 24,... Protrude upward from the openings 8a and 8a together with the protrusions 18 and 18.

  In a state where the outer fitting portion 22 and the protection portions 24, 24 protrude upward from the opening portion 8 a of the housing 7, the stopper portions 23, 23 of the protection cover 21 are under the restriction projection 8 due to the elasticity of the connection terminal 15. The contact portion 19 of the connection terminal 15 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the top surface portion 7a of the housing 7 at this time.

  In a state where the protrusions 18 and 18 of the connection terminals 15 and 15 and the protective covers 21 and 21 protrude upward from the openings 8a and 8a of the housing 7, respectively, the charging terminals 101 and 101 of the electronic device 100 are connected to the connection part. When not connected to 18a, 18a, the protruding amounts of the respective portions of the connecting portions 18a, 18a from the protection portions 24, 24,... Are different (see FIG. 7). That is, the amount of protrusion (H1 shown in FIG. 7) of the first portions 18c, 18c located on the center side in the left-right direction of the housing 7 from the protection portions 24, 24,. .. Is larger than the protruding amount (H2 shown in FIG. 7) of the second portions 18d, 18d located on the opposite side of the first portions 18c, 18c from the protective portions 24, 24,.

  The charging connector 6 configured as described above is positioned by inserting positioning pins 9 and 9 into a positioning hole (not shown) formed in the mounting portion 2b of the charging base 1, and the mounting protrusions 10 and 10 are positioned. The engaging claw 10a, 10a is inserted into a mounting hole (not shown) formed in the mounting portion 2b of the charging base 1 and is engaged with the lower opening edge of the mounting hole to be attached to the outer casing 2.

  In a state in which the charging connector 6 is attached to the outer casing 2, the connection protrusions 20 and 20 of the connection terminals 15 and 15 are connected to connection terminal portions of a circuit board (not shown) provided in the outer casing 2. .

  When the electronic device 100 is mounted on the charging stand 1, the electronic device 100 is guided by the guide protrusion 2 a of the outer casing 2, and the positioning protrusions 4 and 4 are inserted into the positioning holes of the electronic device 100 to be positioned. 101 and 101 are connected to the connection portions 18 a and 18 a of the connection terminals 15 and 15, respectively, and the lock claws 3 and 3 are engaged with the locked recesses of the electronic device 100.

  When the charging terminals 101, 101 are connected to the connection portions 18 a, 18 a, the connection terminals 15, 15 are pressed and elastically deformed by the electronic device 100, and the protective covers 21, 21 are also deformed with the deformation of the connection terminals 15, 15. Moved.

  When the charging terminals 101, 101 are connected to the connecting portions 18 a, 18 a, the connecting terminals 15, 15 are connected to the connecting portions 17, 17, the protruding portions 18, 18, and the receiving portions 19, 19 to the attached portions 16, 16. It is elastically deformed so as to be inclined with respect to the mounted portions 16 and 16 with the intersection with the connecting portions 17 and 17 as fulcrums (see FIG. 8). Accordingly, the charging terminals 101 and 101 are connected to the bent portions 18b and 18b or the first portions 18c and 18c of the connecting portions 18a and 18a when the electronic device 100 is mounted.

  When the connection terminals 15 and 15 are elastically deformed, the protective covers 21 and 21 are also moved along with the deformation of the connection terminals 15 and 15. However, as described above, the protective covers 21 and 21 are protruded from the connection terminals 15 and 15. Since the projections 18 and 18 are attached by being fitted into the portions 18 and 18, the projections 18 and 18 are displaced by the backlash of both, and the protection portions 24 and 24 of the first portions 18c and 18c of the connection portions 18a and 18a, There is a possibility that the protruding amount from.

  However, in the charging connector 6, as described above, the protruding amount of the first portions 18c, 18c from the protection portions 24, 24,. In the state before being connected to 18a, since the protruding amount from the protection parts 24, 24,... Of the second parts 18d, 18d is larger than that of the protection parts 24 of the first parts 18c, 18c. , 24,... (See FIG. 8), the charging terminals 101, 101 are reliably connected to the connecting portions 18a, 18a, and connection failure can be prevented.

  As described above, in the charging stand 1, since the protective covers 21 and 21 are attached to the connection terminals 15 and 15, respectively, the size can be reduced.

  Moreover, in the charging stand 1, since the protective covers 21 and 21 are attached to the connection terminals 15 and 15 in a state of protruding from the connection terminals 15 and 15, respectively, the charging terminals 101 and 101 and the connection terminal 15 are attached. , 15 can be avoided.

  Further, the edges 18e, 18e,... Of the connection portions 18a, 18a of the connection terminals 15, 15 are in contact with the peripheries of the protection portions 24, 24,. , 24,..., 24,... Can avoid contact between the electronic device 100, hands, fingers, and the edges and the edges 18 a, 18 a, and prevent the electronic device 100 from being damaged or damaged. be able to.

  In addition, although the case where the two connection terminals 15 and 15 were provided was shown above, the number of the connection terminals 15 is not restricted to two, The number of the charging terminals of the electronic device to be charged To one or more than three.

  Further, the arrangement positions of the connection terminals 15 can be arbitrarily set. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, they may be arranged apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and as shown in FIG. You may arrange | position separately.

  Further, the shape and size of the protective cover are not limited to the above-described shape and size. For example, as in the protective cover 21A shown in FIG. 11, the protruding amount of the connecting portion 18a of the connecting terminal 15 from the protective portion 24A. The shape and size may be the same in each part, and for example, only the bent part 18b of the connection part 18a of the connection terminal 15 protrudes from the protection part 24B as in the protective cover 21B shown in FIG. You may make it a shape and a size.

  The specific shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above-described best mode are merely examples of the implementation of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is limited by these. It should not be interpreted in a general way.

2 to 12 show a best mode for carrying out the present invention, and this figure is a perspective view of a charging stand shown together with an electronic device. It is an expansion disassembled perspective view of the connector for charge. It is an expansion perspective view of the connector for charge. It is an enlarged front view of the connector for charge. It is an expanded sectional view of the connector for charge. It is an expanded sectional view which follows the VI-VI line of FIG. It is an enlarged front view which shows the state before the terminal for charge of an electronic device is connected to a connection part. It is an enlarged front view which shows the state by which the terminal for charge of the electronic device was connected to the connection part. It is a top view which shows the connecting terminal arrange | positioned in a different position. It is a top view which shows the connection terminal arrange | positioned at another different position. It is an enlarged front view which shows another protective cover. It is an enlarged front view which shows another protective cover. It is a conceptual diagram which shows a part of conventional charging stand with an electronic device. It is a perspective view which shows a part of another conventional charging stand with an electronic device.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Electronic device, 101 ... Charging terminal, 1 ... Charging stand, 6 ... Charging connector, 7 ... Housing, 8a ... Opening part, 11 ... Base, 15 ... Connection terminal, 18a ... Connection part, 18b ... Bending Part, 18c ... first part, 18d ... second part, 18e ... edge, 21 ... protective cover, 24 ... protective part, 21A ... protective cover, 24A ... protective part, 21B ... protective cover, 24B ... protective part

Claims (8)

A charging connector that is connected to the charging terminal of the electronic device and charges the electronic device,
A housing having an opening;
A connection terminal that has a connection portion connected to the charging terminal of the electronic device and is elastically deformed when the charging terminal of the electronic device is connected to the connection portion; and
A protective cover attached to the connection portion of the connection terminal and protecting the connection portion;
At least part of the connection part of the connection terminal and at least part of the protective cover protrude outward from the opening of the housing,
A charging connector, wherein at least a part of a connection portion of the connection terminal protrudes outward from the protective cover. The charging connector according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion of the connection terminal has an edge, and at least a part of the edge is covered with a protective cover. The charging connector according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion of the connection terminal has an edge, and at least a part of the edge is in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the protective cover. The connection terminal is elastically deformed by moving in a direction inclined with respect to the direction in which the electronic device is connected,
The connection portion of the connection terminal is a bent portion bent in a predetermined state and a first portion located on the electronic device side when the electronic device is connected to one end of the bent portion and the bent portion. A second portion that is located at a distance from the electronic device than the first portion when the electronic device is connected to the other end portion; and
The charging connector according to claim 1, wherein a protruding amount of the first portion from the protective cover is larger than a protruding amount of the second portion from the protective cover. A charging base comprising a charging connector connected to a charging terminal of an electronic device and charging the electronic device and a base on which the charging connector is disposed,
The charging connector is
A housing having an opening;
A connection terminal that has a connection portion connected to the charging terminal of the electronic device and is elastically deformed when the charging terminal of the electronic device is connected to the connection portion; and
A protective cover attached to the connection portion of the connection terminal and protecting the connection portion;
At least part of the connection part of the connection terminal and at least part of the protective cover protrude outward from the opening of the housing,
A charging stand characterized in that at least a part of the connecting portion of the connecting terminal protrudes outward from the protective cover. The charging stand according to claim 5, wherein the connection portion of the connection terminal has an edge, and at least a part of the edge is covered with a protective cover. The charging stand according to claim 5, wherein the connection portion of the connection terminal has an edge, and at least a part of the edge is in contact with the outer peripheral edge of the protective cover. The connection terminal is elastically deformed by moving in a direction inclined with respect to the direction in which the electronic device is connected,
The connection portion of the connection terminal is a bent portion bent in a predetermined state and a first portion located on the electronic device side when the electronic device is connected to one end of the bent portion and the bent portion. A second portion that is located at a distance from the electronic device than the first portion when the electronic device is connected to the other end portion; and
6. The charging stand according to claim 5, wherein a protruding amount of the first part from the protective cover is larger than a protruding amount of the second part from the protective cover.

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