JP2007172513A - Portable electronic equipment, docking unit for portable electronic equipment, and portable electronic equipment set - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reliably position portable equipment in a guide post even when depth of a guide hole of the portable equipment is made shallower. <P>SOLUTION: The docking unit for portable electronic equipment is provided with: a fixing mechanism 32 for fixing the guide post 30 of a docking unit 1 in a state that it projects to a prescribed height from a mounting surface 20a of a mounting part 20; and a release mechanism 33 for releasing the fixed state of the guide post 30 by the fixing mechanism 32 so as to mount a PC notebook computer on a docking unit main body until the guide post 30 is engaged with the guide hole 52 and the guide post 30 touches a bottom surface 52a of the guide hole 52. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic device having a guide post for positioning a portable electronic device, a docking device for the portable electronic device, and a portable electronic device set, and more particularly to a portable electronic device and a portable electronic device in which the guide post can be expanded and contracted. The present invention relates to a device docking device and a portable electronic device set.

  Conventionally, in a thin and light notebook personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “notebook PC” in the specification), a docking device (docking station “Docking”) is used to add an expansion adapter card and peripheral devices. Station "and docking bay" Docking Station, also called port replicator "are used (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  The notebook PC has a notebook PC connector for docking on the bottom surface. The notebook PC side connector includes connector pins. Each connector pin is assigned to a port signal or a bus signal wired in the notebook PC. On the other hand, the docking device is provided with a docking device-side connector for connecting to the notebook PC-side connector on the bottom surface of the notebook PC on the mounting portion of the main body. The surface of the docking device side connector may be provided with an openable / closable cover (hereinafter referred to as “shutter” in the specification) for protecting from mechanical shock when not in use.

  Also, the mounting portion of the main body is provided with guide posts on both sides of the docking device side connector, and the bottom surface of the notebook PC is provided with guide holes for inserting the guide posts on both sides of the notebook PC side connector. The guide post guides the notebook PC side connector so that it is connected to the docking apparatus side connector in alignment with each other when docking. Therefore, it is preferable that the guide post is significantly higher than the height of the docking device side connector in order to improve the guide performance.

JP 2004-227166 A

  Along with recent technological innovations, notebook PCs have been reduced in size and thickness, so that the board provided in the notebook PC is also reduced in size and arranged near the bottom of the bottom of the notebook PC. In addition, since notebook PCs must transmit and receive various signals to and from the docking device as functions diversify, the number of connector pins is about 200. Therefore, port signals and bus signals corresponding to the number of pins are wired close to the limit on the miniaturized substrate.

  In such a small and thin notebook PC, as shown in FIG. 7, when the guide post 61 of the docking device 60 is significantly higher than the height of the docking device-side connector 62, the substrate 71 of the notebook PC 70 becomes the bottom portion. Since it is arranged close to the bottom surface 70a, the substrate 71 must also have a guide hole 72 formed therein. However, since the board 71 is wired with the port signal and bus signal close to the limit until the wiring space is exhausted, the design of the board 71 must be changed to open the guide hole 72. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, there is a model in which the guide post 81 is lowered to prevent the guide hole from being formed in the board 91, but the notebook PC side connector 92 and the docking device side connector 82 are fitted. Since the position becomes difficult to understand, the guide property may be hindered and the connector may be damaged. In addition, in order to improve the guide performance when the guide post is lowered, a mark for alignment is also printed on the notebook PC and the docking device, respectively. Must rely on the intuition of the person.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device docking device and a portable electronic device set that can reliably position the portable electronic device with a guide post even when the guide hole of the portable electronic device is shallow. . A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device docking device and a portable electronic device set that can be reliably positioned by a guide post without opening a guide hole in a substrate in the portable electronic device in a small and thin portable electronic device. Is to provide. It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable electronic device, a portable electronic device docking device, and a portable electronic device set that can be reliably positioned with a guide post without damaging the connector.

  The principle of the present invention is that when the guide post of the docking device main body is securely inserted into the guide hole of the portable electronic device, the guide post is fixed by the release mechanism and the guide post is fixed. By reducing the height of the guide hole, the depth of the guide hole can be reduced even if the guide post is raised. Further, until the guide post is securely inserted into the guide hole, it can be fixed by the fixing mechanism so that the guide post does not sink, so that the connector can be prevented from being damaged. Further, when the guide post is removed from the guide hole, the guide post protrudes to a predetermined height by the elastic force of the elastic body, so that the fixing mechanism fixes the guide post in that state.

  The first aspect of the fixing mechanism is a lock projection that is provided on the outer periphery of the guide post and hooks on the mounting surface with the guide post protruding from the mounting surface to a predetermined height.

  The first aspect of the release mechanism is a notch portion formed in the support hole of the mounting surface, a guide convex portion formed in the guide hole, and a guide post, and the guide post is fitted into the guide hole. The guide post is rotated along the guide convex portion, and the lock convex portion is inserted into the notch portion.

  In this first aspect, when the guide post protrudes to a predetermined height by the elastic force of the elastic body, the lock projection is caught on the mounting surface of the docking device, so that the guide post protrudes to the predetermined height. Can be fixed. When the guide hole is fitted into the guide post, the guide convex portion of the guide hole is fitted into the guide post groove, and the groove rotates the guide post along the moving guide convex portion. Since the lock protrusion rotates to the notch portion of the support hole by the rotation of the guide post, the lock protrusion can move along the notch portion when the tip of the guide post is pressed by the bottom surface of the guide hole. Therefore, since the fixed state of the guide post by the lock convex portion can be released, the height of the guide post can be reduced. When the bottom surface of the guide hole moves away from the guide post, the lock projection is inserted into the notch, so the guide post is lifted by the elasticity of the elastic body, and when the guide post is lifted, the lock projection And the groove rotates the guide post along the moving guide projection. Therefore, since the guide post protrudes to a predetermined height by the elasticity of the elastic body, the lock convex portion can be hooked on the mounting surface of the docking device.

  The second aspect of the fixing mechanism is a lock lever that is hooked on the rear end of the guide post in a state where the guide post protrudes from the mounting surface to a predetermined height.

  The second aspect of the release mechanism includes an operation arm that contacts the bottom surface of the portable electronic device and a lock lever. When the tip of the guide post contacts the bottom surface of the guide hole and sinks, A lock release cam that removes the lock lever from the rear end of the guide post in conjunction with the sinking operation of the operation arm, and a spring that always pulls the lock lever with the cam in the direction of the guide post. is there.

  In this second aspect, when the guide post protrudes to a predetermined height by the elastic force of the elastic body, the lock lever is hooked on the guide post, so that the guide post is fixed in a state of protruding to the predetermined height. be able to. Also, when the guide hole fits into the guide post, the operating arm will sink to the bottom of the portable electronic device before the tip of the guide post contacts the bottom of the guide hole. The release cam works against the spring's elasticity and interlocks with the sinking movement of the operating arm, and removes the lock lever from the rear end of the guide post. Since the guide post is pressed by the bottom surface of the guide hole after the lock lever is released from the rear end of the guide post, the guide post can be sunk. Therefore, the guide post fixed state by the lock lever can be released, so that the height of the guide post can be reduced. Further, when the bottom surface of the guide hole moves away from the guide post, the guide post is lifted by the elastic force of the elastic body, and the pressure on the operation arm by the bottom surface portion of the portable electronic device is released. When the pressure on the operating arm is released, the lock lever that has been released from the rear end of the guide post by the unlock cam is pulled in the direction of the guide post by the elasticity of the spring. Therefore, since the guide post protrudes to a predetermined height by the elastic force of the elastic body, the lock lever can be hooked on the rear end of the guide post.

  Thus, according to the present invention, when the portable electronic device is docked to the docking device, the height of the guide post can be fixed in a high state by the fixing mechanism, so that the connectors of the docking device and the portable electronic device are aligned in position. To guide you to connect. Further, according to the present invention, when the guide post is securely inserted into the guide hole, the height of the guide post can be lowered by the release mechanism, so that the depth of the guide hole of the portable electronic device can be reduced.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a portable electronic device docking device and a portable electronic device set that can reliably position the portable electronic device with the guide post even if the guide hole depth of the portable electronic device is shallow. Furthermore, according to the present invention, there are provided a portable electronic device docking device and a portable electronic device set that can be reliably positioned by a guide post without making a guide hole in a substrate in the portable electronic device in a small and thin portable electronic device. We were able to. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a portable electronic device, a portable electronic device docking device, and a portable electronic device set that can reliably position the device with a guide post without damaging the connector.

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Best modes for carrying out a portable electronic device docking device and a portable electronic device set according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an operation diagram showing an embodiment of a portable electronic device set according to the present invention. (A) is a diagram before docking, (B) is a diagram during docking, and (C) is a diagram after docking. is there. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing a docking device and a portable electronic device, where FIG. 2A is a sectional view of a guide post, FIG. 2B is an explanatory view of the docking device and its guide post, and FIG. 2C is a portable electronic device and its guide. It is explanatory drawing of a hole. FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view showing a specific example of the docking device. Note that the same reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the best mode for carrying out the invention.

  A portable electronic device docking apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a port replicator 1 shown in FIG. 3, for example, and provides a port expansion function mainly for a small notebook PC. The port replicator 1 includes a docking device main body 10 and a mounting unit 20, and allows the mounting unit 20 to dock a notebook PC.

  The docking device body 10 incorporates a circuit for providing a port expansion function, a docking mechanism for docking and releasing the notebook PC, and an eject button 11 for undocking is provided on the top surface. It has been.

  The mounting unit 20 is provided with a docking device-side connector 21 for connecting to a notebook PC-side connector provided on the bottom surface of the notebook PC body, and the docking device-side connector 21 protects from mechanical shock when not in use. A shutter 22 is provided. Guide posts 30 are provided on both sides of the docking device side connector 21, and one guide post 30 is provided with a shutter opening pressing plate 23 adjacent thereto. The shutter opening pressing plate 23 is used to push open the shutter 22 of the docking device side connector 21 at the time of docking. The shutter opening pressing plate 23 is biased upward by a spring and downward when a certain force is applied downward. The shutter 22 can be pushed open by moving. In addition, there is a model in which the shutter is provided not on the docking device side connector 21 but on a notebook PC side connector 54 described later.

  Further, the docking device-side connector 21 is slightly spaced on both sides, and the docking release ejecting member 24 is outside the docking release ejecting member 24. The notebook PC positioning convex portion 25 is outside the positioning convex portion 25. The docking hook member 26 and the docking hook member 26 are respectively provided with elastic members 27 on the outside. The undocking ejection member 24 protrudes upward in response to depression of the eject button 11 for canceling docking, and presses the bottom surface of the notebook PC main body upward. The positioning convex portion 25 guides the positioning concave portion provided on the bottom surface portion of the notebook PC main body to position the notebook PC during docking. The docking hook-like member 26 is guided so as to be movable in the front-rear direction, is urged by a spring in the rearward direction, and has an inclined portion 26a that descends rearward. When the docking hook member 26 is docked, the corresponding hooking portion of the notebook PC is pushed forward by sliding the inclined portion 26a in a contact state and then hooked to the hooking portion by returning backward. The PC can be fixed to the mounting unit 20. The elastic member 27 supports the weight of the notebook PC when docked.

  Next, the guide post 30 which is a main part of the present invention will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the guide post 30 includes a compression spring 31, which is an elastic body, a fixing mechanism 32, and a release mechanism 33. The compression spring 31 supports the guide post 30 so that it can expand and contract by elasticity. The fixing mechanism 32 fixes the guide post 30 in a state protruding from the mounting surface 20a of the mounting portion 20 to a predetermined height. The release mechanism 33 is a fixing mechanism between the time when the guide post 30 is fitted into the guide hole 52 and the guide post 30 contacts the bottom surface 52 a of the guide hole 52 in order to mount the notebook PC on the docking device main body 10. 32, the guide post 30 is released from the fixed state. If the tip of the guide post 30 is fitted in the guide hole 52, the notebook PC is positioned in the docking device. If this is done before contact, damage to the connector can be prevented. The bottom surface 52a of the guide hole 52 corresponds to the plate surface of the substrate 53 incorporated in the notebook PC.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the guide post 30 has a cavity 30b having a bottom 30a. The guide post 30 has an outward flange 30c formed at the rear end on the opening side, and is movably fitted into a support hole 20b provided in the mounting surface 20. Since the guide post 30 is fitted into the support hole 20b so that the outward flange 30c is caught on the back surface side 20d of the mounting surface 20a, the protruding length of the guide post 30 can be limited. A compression spring 31 is inserted into the cavity 30b from the opening, and the compression spring 31 is incorporated in the mounting portion 20 so that the guide post 30 always protrudes to a predetermined height. As shown in FIG. 4, the predetermined height of the guide post 30 is a length that can be positioned by the guide post 30 and the guide hole 52 before the notebook PC side connector 54 and the docking device side connector 21 start connection. . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the notebook PC side connector 54 and the docking device side connector 21 from being displaced and damaged during connection.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the fixing mechanism 32 includes a lock protrusion 30d provided on the outer periphery of the guide post 30 and protruding to a predetermined height of the guide post 30 and hooked on the mounting surface 20a. Is.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the release mechanism 33 includes a notch 20 c formed in the support hole 20 b, a guide convex portion 52 b formed in the guide hole 52, and the guide post 30. And a groove 30e provided in the. As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, the groove 30e rotates the guide post 30 along the guide convex portion 52b when the guide hole 52 is fitted into the guide post 30. Thus, the lock protrusion 30d is formed so as to be inserted into the notch 20c. The groove 30e can be rotated as described above, for example, by making it spiral. By providing the guide convex portion 52b and the groove 30e at two locations as shown in the drawing, the guide post 30 can be rotated in a stable state. Depending on the size of the outer diameter of the guide post 30, three or more locations may be used.

  The operation of the guide post 30 when the notebook PC 50 is docked to the port replicator 1 including the guide post 30, the fixing mechanism 32, and the release mechanism 33 is shown in FIGS. ) And will be described with reference to FIG. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams showing a state in which the notebook PC is docked to the port replicator. FIG. 4A is a diagram before docking, and FIG. 4B is a diagram after docking.

  In order to dock the notebook PC 50 to the port replicator 1, the operator aligns the guide hole 52 of the notebook PC 50 with the position of the guide post 30 of the port replicator 1. At this time, since the guide post 30 protrudes to a predetermined height by the elasticity of the compression spring 31, the guide property is good.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 1A, after aligning the guide hole 52 with the guide post 30, the notebook PC 50 is pushed into the port replicator side. As shown in FIG. 1B, when the guide hole 52 is fitted into the guide post 30, the guide convex portion 52b of the guide hole 52 is fitted into the groove 30e of the guide post 30 and descends. The groove 30e rotates the guide post 30 along the convex portion 52b. With this rotation of the guide post 30, the lock projection 30d rotates to the notch 20c of the support hole 20b. When the lock projection 30d rotates to the notch 20c of the support hole 20b, the tip of the guide post 30 is set to contact or approach the bottom surface 52a of the guide hole 52. In this state, the guide hole 52 and the guide post 30 are reliably positioned, and the connection between the notebook PC side connector 54 and the docking device side connector 21 can be started after this positioning, so that the connector can be prevented from being damaged. .

  From this state, as shown in FIG. 1C, when the guide hole 52 is further fitted into the guide post 30, the guide post 30 is pressed by the bottom surface 52a of the guide hole 52. The lock convex part 30d located on the notch part 20c descends along the notch part 20c. In this state, the notebook PC 50 can be docked to the port replicator 1 as shown in FIG. As described above, the guide post 30 can be lowered by releasing the fixed state of the guide post 30 by the lock protrusion 30d, so that the depth of the guide hole 52 can be reduced. Therefore, in the notebook PC 50 reduced in size and thickness, the guide post 30 can be surely positioned without making a guide hole in the substrate 53 in the notebook PC.

  Next, a case where the docking state between the port replicator 1 and the notebook PC 50 is released will be described.

  When the eject button 11 provided on the docking device main body 10 of the port replicator 1 is pressed, the docking release ejecting member 24 protrudes upward and presses the bottom surface 51 of the notebook PC 50 upward. The bottom surface 52 a of 52 is separated from the guide post 30. When the bottom surface 52 a of the guide hole 52 is separated from the guide post 30, the lock post 30 d is fitted in the notch 20 c, so that the guide post 30 is lifted by the elasticity of the compression spring 31. Further, when the guide post 30 is lifted, the lock convex portion 30d comes out of the notch portion 20c, and the groove 30e rotates the guide post 30 in the direction opposite to that during docking along the rising guide convex portion 52b. . Therefore, since the guide post 30 protrudes to a predetermined height by the elasticity of the compression spring 31, the lock convex portion 30d can be hooked on the mounting surface 20a of the mounting portion 20.

  As described above, the guide post 30 of the port replicator 1 is not lowered until it is securely fitted into the guide hole 52 of the notebook PC 50, so that the notebook PC side connector 54 and the docking apparatus side connector 21 are displaced and damaged. Can be prevented.

  The release mechanism 33 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be the one shown in FIG. FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing another embodiment of the release mechanism. FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram of the docking device and its guide post, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram of the portable electronic device and its guide hole. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the release mechanism 33 includes a notch 20c formed in the support hole 20b, a groove 521 formed in the guide hole 52, and a guide provided in the guide post 30. The convex portion 301 for use. The guide convex portion 301 is formed so that when the guide hole 52 is fitted into the guide post 30, the guide post 30 is rotated along the groove 521 and the lock convex portion 30 d is inserted into the notch portion 20 c. ing. Therefore, similarly to the release mechanism 33 shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, when the notebook PC is mounted on the docking device main body 10, the guide post 30 fits into the guide hole 52 and the bottom surface of the guide hole 52. The fixed state of the guide post 30 by the fixing mechanism 32 can be released until it comes into contact with 52a.

  Further, the fixing mechanism and the releasing mechanism are not limited to the above-described embodiments, but may be those shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is an operation diagram showing another preferred embodiment of the docking device for portable electronic equipment according to the present invention. (A) is a diagram before docking, (B) is a diagram during docking, and (C) is a docking. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, the guide post 30 includes a fixing mechanism 35 and a release mechanism 36. Similar to the above-described fixing mechanism 32, the fixing mechanism 35 fixes the guide post 30 in a state of protruding from the mounting surface 20a of the mounting portion 20 to a predetermined height. In the same manner as the release mechanism 33 described above, the release mechanism 36 fits the guide post 30 into the guide hole 52 so that the notebook PC is mounted on the docking device main body 10, and the guide post 30 fits into the bottom surface 52 a of the guide hole 52. The fixed state of the guide post 30 by the fixing mechanism 32 is released before the contact.

  The guide post 30 is the same as that shown in FIG. The guide post 30 is not formed with the groove 30e and the lock projection 30d shown in FIG.

  The fixing mechanism 35 is a lock lever 37 that is hooked on the rear end of the guide post 30 in a state where the guide post 30 protrudes from the mounting surface 20a to a predetermined height. The lock lever 37 is provided on the mounting portion 20 so as to be movable in parallel with the mounting surface 20a of the mounting portion 20. Therefore, in a state where the guide post 30 protrudes from the mounting surface 20a to a predetermined height, the lock lever 37 is moved in the direction of the guide post so as to be hooked on the rear end of the guide post 30, and the guide post 30 is lowered. In the state, the lock lever 37 is moved away from the guide post 30.

  The release mechanism 36 is provided on the operation arm 38 that contacts the bottom surface portion 51 of the notebook PC 50 and the rear portion 37a of the lock lever 37, and before the tip of the guide post 30 contacts the bottom surface 52a of the guide hole 52, the bottom surface portion When the one end 38a of the operation arm 38 comes into contact with 51 and descends, an unlocking cam 39 for removing the lock lever 37 from the rear end of the guide post 30 and a cam 39 are provided in conjunction with the lowering operation of the operation arm 38. The lock lever 37 is provided with a tension spring 40 that always gives elasticity in the guide post direction.

  The operation arm 38 is formed in, for example, an L shape, and one end 38a is one side, and the entire side contacts the bottom surface portion 51 of the notebook PC 50. The unlocking cam 39 is formed by a pin member 38c provided at the other end 38b of the operation arm 38 and a rear portion 37a of the lock lever 37, and is inclined from the right side to the left side in FIG. Is constituted by an elongated hole 37b fitted in a movable manner. The tension spring 40 is incorporated in the mounting portion 20 so that the lock lever 37 is always pulled in the guide post direction.

  Further, the lock lever 37 and the operation arm 38 are incorporated in the mounting portion 20 while being guided by a roller 41, for example. Since the roller 41 rotates, the lock lever 37 and the operation arm 38 move smoothly.

  6A, 6B, and 6C regarding the operation of the guide post 30 when the notebook PC 50 is docked to the port replicator 1 including the guide post 30, the fixing mechanism 35, and the release mechanism 36. ) And will be described with reference to FIG.

  In order to dock the notebook PC 50 to the port replicator 1, the operator aligns the guide hole 52 of the notebook PC 50 with the position of the guide post 30 of the port replicator 1. At this time, since the guide post 30 protrudes to a predetermined height by the elasticity of the compression spring 31, the guide property is good.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 6A, when the guide hole 52 is aligned with the guide post 30, the notebook PC 50 is pushed into the port replicator side. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the guide hole 52 is fitted into the guide post 30, the guide post 30 contacts the bottom surface 51 of the notebook PC 50 before the tip of the guide post 30 contacts the bottom surface 52 a of the guide hole 52. One end 38a of the operation arm 38 comes into contact with the operation arm 38, and the operation arm 38 is lowered. When the operation arm 38 is lowered, the elongated hole 37b formed in the rear portion 37a of the lock lever 37 moves the lock lever 37 to the right in FIG. 5 by the lowering of the pin member 38c at the other end 38b. Accordingly, the lock lever 37 is disengaged from the rear end of the guide post 30. When the lock lever 37 is disengaged from the rear end of the guide post 30, the front end of the guide post 30 is set to contact or approach the bottom surface 52 a of the guide hole 52. In this state, the guide hole 52 and the guide post 30 are reliably positioned, and the connection between the notebook PC side connector 54 and the docking device side connector 21 can be started after this positioning, so that the connector can be prevented from being damaged. .

  When the guide hole 52 is further fitted into the guide post 30 from this state as shown in FIG. 6C, the guide post 30 can be pressed by the bottom surface 52a of the guide hole 52. The post 30 descends against the elasticity of the compression spring 31. In this state, the notebook PC 50 can be docked to the port replicator 1 as shown in FIG. As described above, the guide post 30 can be lowered by releasing the fixed state of the guide post 30 by the lock lever 37, so that the depth of the guide hole 52 can be reduced. Therefore, in the notebook PC 50 reduced in size and thickness, the guide post 30 can be surely positioned without making a guide hole in the substrate 53 in the notebook PC.

  Next, a case where the docking state between the port replicator 1 and the notebook PC 50 is released will be described.

  When the eject button 11 provided on the docking device main body 10 of the port replicator 1 is pressed, the docking release ejecting member 24 protrudes upward and presses the bottom surface 51 of the notebook PC 50 upward. The bottom surface 52 a of 52 is separated from the guide post 30. When the bottom surface 52 a of the guide hole 52 is separated from the guide post 30, the guide post 30 is lifted by the elasticity of the compression spring 30. Further, since the pressure on the operation arm 38 by the bottom surface portion 51 of the notebook PC 50 is released, the lock lever 37 moves in the guide / post direction by the elasticity of the tension spring 40. The lock lever 37 is set so that it can be hooked on the rear end of the guide post 30 when the guide post 30 protrudes to a predetermined height by the elasticity of the compression spring 31.

  As described above, the guide post 30 of the port replicator 1 is not lowered until it is securely fitted into the guide hole 52 of the notebook PC 50, so that the notebook PC side connector 54 and the docking apparatus side connector 21 are displaced and damaged. Can be prevented.

  Although the port replicator has been described as an example of the docking device, the present invention is not limited to this, and the invention can also be applied to a docking station having a guide post. In addition, although a notebook PC has been described as an example of the portable electronic device, the present invention is not limited to this, and any portable electronic device that requires function expansion can be applied.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the guide posts are provided on both sides of the docking device side connector. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not limited. That is, since what needs alignment at the time of docking is not restricted to a connector, the position and the number provided are set in consideration of those.

  Although the present invention has been described with the specific embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, and is known so far as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved. It goes without saying that any configuration can be adopted.

It is an operation | movement diagram which shows one best embodiment by the portable electronic device set of this invention. It is a figure which shows a docking apparatus and a portable electronic device. It is a whole perspective view which shows the specific example of a docking apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which makes a port replicator dock notebook PC. It is a figure which shows one Embodiment of the cancellation | release mechanism. It is an operation | movement diagram which shows other best embodiment by the portable electronic device set of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the conventional portable electronic device set. It is explanatory drawing which shows the conventional portable electronic device set.

Explanation of symbols

1 …… Port replicator

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Docking device main body 20 ... Mounting part 20a ... Mounting surface 20b ... Support hole 20c ... Notch part 20d ... Back side 21 ... Second connector 30 ... Guide post 30a ... Bottom part 30b ... ... Cavity 30c …… Outward flange 30e …… Groove 30d …… Lock projection 31 …… Compression spring 32, 35 …… Fixing mechanism 33, 36 …… Release mechanism 37 …… Lock lever 37a …… Rear 37b …… Long hole 38 …… Operating arm 38a …… One end 38b …… Other end 38c …… Pin member 39 …… Lock release cam 40 …… Tension spring 54 …… First connector

50 …… Notebook PC
51 …… Bottom part 52 …… Guide hole 52a …… Bottom 52b …… Guide convex part

Claims (17)

A docking device main body having a mounting portion for positioning and mounting the portable electronic device;
A guide post provided in the mounting portion and fitted in a guide hole provided in a bottom surface portion of the portable electronic device;
An elastic body that elastically supports the guide post by elasticity; and
A fixing mechanism for fixing the guide post in a state protruding to a predetermined height from the mounting surface of the mounting portion;
In order to mount the portable electronic device on the docking device main body, the guide post by the fixing mechanism until the guide post contacts the bottom surface of the guide hole after the guide post is fitted into the guide hole. A portable electronic device docking device including a release mechanism that releases the fixed state of the post. A portable electronic device set comprising a portable electronic device and a docking device on which the portable electronic device is mounted,
The portable electronic device includes a guide hole and a connector for a portable electronic device that needs to be aligned on the bottom surface,
The docking device includes a docking device main body having a mounting portion for mounting the portable electronic device, a docking device connector provided in the mounting portion and connected to the portable electronic device connector, and the mounting portion. A guide post that fits into the guide hole, an elastic body that elastically supports the guide post by elasticity, and a fixing mechanism that fixes the guide post in a state protruding from the mounting surface of the mounting portion to a predetermined height. In order to mount the portable electronic device on the docking device main body, the guide post is fitted into the guide hole and the guide post contacts the bottom surface of the guide hole. A portable electronic device set equipped with a release mechanism that releases the fixed state of the guide post.   2. The guide post according to claim 1, wherein a cavity having a bottom portion and an opening is formed, the elastic body is inserted into the cavity from the opening, and the guide post is movably fitted into a support hole provided in the mounting surface. Docking device for portable electronic equipment.   4. The portable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein an outward flange is formed at a rear end of the guide post on the opening side so as to be hooked on a back side of the mounting surface in order to limit a protruding length of the guide post. Docking device.   4. The portable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the fixing mechanism includes a lock protrusion provided on an outer periphery of the guide post and protruding from the mounting surface to a predetermined height and hooked on the mounting surface. Docking device.   The predetermined height of the guide post is a length that can be positioned by the guide post and the guide hole before the connector of the portable electronic device and the connector provided in the mounting portion start connection. The portable electronic device docking device according to 2. The release mechanism is
A notch formed in the support hole;
A guide convex portion formed in the guide hole;
A groove provided in the guide post and rotating the guide post along the guide convex portion as the guide post is fitted into the guide hole to insert the lock convex portion into the cutout portion. The portable electronic device docking device according to claim 5, comprising:   The portable electronic device docking device according to claim 7, wherein the groove has a spiral shape.   The portable electronic device docking device according to claim 7, wherein the guide convex portion and the groove are plural. The release mechanism is
A notch formed in the support hole;
A groove formed in the guide hole;
Protrusion for guide provided on the guide post and inserted into the notch by rotating the guide post along the groove as the guide post is fitted into the guide hole. The portable electronic device docking device according to claim 5, comprising:   4. The docking device for a portable electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the fixing mechanism is a lock lever that is hooked on a rear end of the guide post in a state where the guide post protrudes from the mounting surface to a predetermined height. The release mechanism is
An operation arm that contacts the bottom surface of the portable electronic device;
Provided in the lock lever, and when the operating arm contacts and sinks to the bottom surface before the tip of the guide post contacts the bottom surface of the guide hole, An unlocking cam for removing the locking lever from the rear end of the guide post;
12. The portable electronic device docking device according to claim 11, further comprising: a spring that constantly gives elasticity to the lock lever provided with the unlocking cam in the guide post direction.   The portable electronic device docking device according to claim 12, wherein the spring is a tension spring. The unlock cam is
A pin member provided on the operation arm;
13. The portable electronic device docking device according to claim 12, comprising a slot provided in the lock lever and into which the pin member is movably fitted.   A first connector provided on the bottom surface of the portable electronic device; and a second connector provided on the mounting portion of the docking device main body and connected to the first connector; 2. The portable electronic device docking device according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion height is set so that the first connector and the second connector are connected after being positioned in the guide hole.   The portable electronic device docking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic body is a compression spring. 2. The portable electronic device docking apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is a notebook personal computer.

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