JP2019061652A - Docking device and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a docking device capable of firmly connecting a portable information apparatus, and an electronic apparatus including the portable information apparatus and the docking device.SOLUTION: A docking device 10A includes an engaging member 80 that projects from an upper surface 34c being a surface of a device housing 37, which has a claw portion 38a capable of engaging with and disengage from an engaging hole 14d of portable information apparatuses 12A and 12B, and which is movable between an engagement position at which the claw portion 38a engages with the engaging hole 14d and a disengagement position at which an engagement state of the claw portion 38a with the engaging hole 14d is released; and a restricting member 82 that is movable between a retraction position at which movement of the engaging member 80 from the engagement position to the disengagement position is allowed and a restriction position at which the movement of the engaging member 80 from the engagement position to the disengagement position is restricted by coming in contact with the engaging member 80 at a rear surface 38d of the claw portion 38a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9C

Description

  The present invention relates to a docking device to which a portable information device can be attached and detached, and an electronic device including the portable information device and the docking device.

  Portable information devices configured to be lightweight and compact in consideration of portability often have limited functions. For example, in a notebook personal computer (notebook PC), weight reduction and thickness reduction may be achieved by restricting the function. For such notebook PCs, a docking device is provided as a dedicated device for extending the function. The docking device extends its function by being connector-connected to the notebook PC.

  The applicant of the present invention, for example, in Patent Document 1 proposes a docking device having an engagement member having a claw portion which can be engaged with and disengaged from an engagement hole of a portable information device. The docking device includes a lock member that restricts the retraction of the engagement member in the disengagement direction, thereby preventing the engagement state of the engagement member from being unintentionally released.

Patent No. 5782471

  By the way, the docking device of Patent Document 1 is configured such that the lock member slides in the device housing of the docking device and abuts on the lower portion of the engagement member separated from the claw portion. Therefore, for example, when the portable information device is lifted from the device mounting portion with a considerable force in a state where the engagement member is engaged with the engagement hole, the engagement member engages with the contact portion by the lock member as a fulcrum It may rotate in the release direction and may cause rattling. In particular, as described above, since recent thinning and downsizing of a portable information device are remarkable, a space for deeply inserting and engaging a claw portion of an engagement member in an engagement hole is secured in the casing. It is difficult to do. For this reason, in such a thin portable information device, there is a concern that the engagement state of the claws in the engagement holes is forcibly released when the engagement member is forcibly rotated in the engagement release direction. There is also.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems of the prior art, and provides a docking device capable of firmly connecting a portable information device, an electronic device including the portable information device, and the docking device. With the goal.

  A docking device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a docking device capable of docking a portable information device having an engagement hole formed in an outer wall, the device placement unit on which the portable information device is placed. And a claw portion that protrudes from the surface of the device housing and is engageable with and disengageable from the engagement hole of the portable information device, and the claw portion engages with the engagement hole An engagement member movable between an engagement position and an engagement release position where the engagement of the claws with the engagement hole is released, and the engagement from the engagement position of the engagement member A retracted position permitting movement to the engagement release position, and a restriction to restrict movement of the engagement member from the engagement position to the engagement release position by contacting the engagement member with the back surface of the claw portion And a restricting member movable between the positions, and the back surface of the claw portion of the engaging member An inclined surface which is gradually inclined toward the claws in a direction in which the engagement member protrudes, and the regulation member is inclined so as to be gradually thicker in a direction in which the engagement member protrudes A contact surface is provided that contacts the inclined surface of the engagement member in the restricted position.

  According to such a configuration, the movement of the engagement member at the engagement position engaged with the engagement hole of the portable information device to the engagement release position is restricted by the restriction member in contact with the back surface of the claw portion. Be done. At this time, the engagement member is in a state in which the inclined surface on the back surface side is in contact with the contact surface of the restriction member. Thereby, when an external force is applied in a direction in which the portable information device attached to the docking device is forced to project the engagement member, that is, in a removal direction in which the portable information device is detached from the device mounting portion, A force is applied to press the engagement member in the engagement direction from the contact surface to the inclined surface of the engagement member. Therefore, the portable information device is firmly connected to the docking device, and the engagement between the engagement member and the engagement hole is reliably prevented from being forcibly released. As a result, the docking device can maintain a strong connection even if it is a portable information device having, for example, a thin and small device housing.

  The restriction member may be configured to move in a direction along a surface of the device housing and in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the engagement member protrudes. Then, the restriction member moves not in the thickness direction of the device housing, for example, but in the in-plane direction of the surface of the device housing, so that the thickness of the device housing can be reduced.

  The restricting member may be configured to be protruded from the surface of the device casing at least at the restricting position. Then, the movement of the engaging member at the engaging position engaged with the engaging hole of the portable information device to the engaging release position can be restricted by the restricting member at the restricting position projecting from the surface of the apparatus housing. As a result, the movement of the engagement member from the engagement position to the disengagement position is more reliably restricted by the restriction member.

  A docking device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a docking device capable of docking a portable information device having an engagement hole formed in an outer wall, the device placement unit on which the portable information device is placed. And a claw portion that protrudes from the surface of the device housing and is engageable with and disengageable from the engagement hole of the portable information device, and the claw portion engages with the engagement hole An engagement member movable between an engagement position and an engagement release position where the engagement of the claws with the engagement hole is released, and the engagement from the engagement position of the engagement member The retracted position permitting movement to the engagement release position, and the projection from the surface of the device housing, and the abutment of the engagement member at the back surface of the claw portion from the engagement position of the engagement member to the engagement And a restriction member movable between a restriction position restricting movement to the release position and

  According to such a configuration, the movement of the engagement member at the engagement position engaged with the engagement hole of the portable information device to the disengagement position is at the restricted position projecting from the surface of the device housing It is regulated by the regulating member. Under the present circumstances, an engagement member will be in the state where the back of a nail part was regulated by regulation member. Thus, even when the portable information device is lifted by a considerable force from the device mounting portion, for example, the movement of the engagement member from the engagement position to the engagement release position is controlled by the restriction member. Certainly regulated. As a result, the docking device can maintain a strong connection even if it is a portable information device having, for example, a thin and small device housing.

  The engagement member has a distal end provided with the claw and a proximal end opposite to the distal end, and the proximal end is rotatably supported inside the device housing. By this, the claw portion may be configured to rotate between the engagement position and the engagement release position. In this case, the amount of approach of the engagement member into the engagement hole can be reduced, for example, as compared with a configuration in which the engagement member is moved in the horizontal direction to be engaged with the engagement hole. As a result, it becomes possible to achieve thinning and downsizing of the portable information device.

  An elastic member is provided to bias the engaging member from the engaging position toward the releasing position, and the engaging member is pressed by the restricting member moving from the retracted position to the restricting position. Thus, it may be configured to move from the disengagement position to the engagement position against the biasing force of the elastic member. Then, the restricting member not only restricts rotation of the engagement member from the engagement position to the engagement release position, but also functions as a drive member that rotates the engagement member from the engagement release position to the engagement position. Do. That is, since one control member takes on multiple functions, the number of parts and the cost of parts can be reduced.

  The engaging member is provided as a pair, and the pair of engaging members are disposed such that the back surfaces of their claws are opposed to each other, and the restricting member is disposed between the pair of engaging members in the restricting position. The movement of the pair of engagement members from the engagement position to the disengagement position may be simultaneously restricted. Then, rotation of the pair of engagement members can be restricted by one restriction member, and the number of parts and the cost of parts can be reduced.

  The engagement member can be engaged with and disengaged from the engagement hole formed on the bottom surface of the portable information device by being provided at a position where the claw portion protrudes from the upper surface of the device mounting portion. The docking device is capable of advancing and retreating from the upper surface of the device mounting portion toward the bottom surface of the portable information device, and the docking device includes the upper surface of the device mounting portion and the portable device mounted on the device mounting portion. The claw portion is configured to move the engaging member forward and backward with respect to the engagement hole based on a detector that detects the distance between the bottom surface of the information device and the detection result of the distance by the detector. And a position adjusting mechanism that adjusts the position of the lens to the position engageable with the engagement hole. Then, even when the distance between each engagement hole and the upper surface of the device mounting portion changes when docking portable information devices having different specifications, the position of the engagement member is at the position according to each distance. Adjusted. For this reason, regardless of the difference in the specification of the portable information device, the engagement member smoothly and reliably engages with the engagement hole.

  The detector includes an elevation member which is pressed and operated on the bottom surface of the portable information device placed on the device placement unit, and the position adjustment mechanism is configured to move the elevation member up and down and the engagement member. It may be the composition which has an interlocking member which interlocks with the advancing and retreating operation of the joint member.

  An electronic device according to a third aspect of the present invention includes the docking device configured as described above and the portable information device.

  The inner peripheral surface of the engagement hole has a hole-side inclined surface that gradually reduces the diameter of the engagement hole from the inner surface side to the outer surface side of the outer wall, and the claw portion of the engagement member It may be configured to have a claw-side inclined surface which is inclined toward the tip end and can be engaged with the hole-side inclined surface of the engagement hole. Then, the engagement member engages with the engagement hole at the thick portion of the outer wall of the portable information device. For this reason, in the portable information device, the depth of the engagement hole can be reduced, or electronic components such as a substrate can be disposed immediately above the engagement hole, which enables thinning and downsizing.

  According to the above aspect of the present invention, it is possible to firmly connect the portable information device.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an operation of docking a portable information device on a docking device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a side view of a portable information device. FIG. 2B is a side view of a portable information device having a specification different from that of the portable information device shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3A is a side view schematically showing a state where the portable information device shown in FIG. 2A is attached to a docking device. FIG. 3B is a side view schematically showing a state in which the portable information device shown in FIG. 2B is attached to a docking device. FIG. 4A is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the docking device with the connector retracted into the opening. FIG. 4B is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the connector is advanced out of the opening using the slide mechanism from the state shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. 5A is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the state of the connection mechanism when the portable information device shown in FIG. 2A is attached to the docking device. FIG. 5B is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the engaging member is made to enter the engaging hole from the state shown in FIG. 5A. FIG. 5C is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the engagement member is engaged with the engagement hole from the state shown in FIG. 5B. FIG. 6A is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the state of the connection mechanism when the portable information device shown in FIG. 2B is attached to the docking device. FIG. 6B is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the engagement member is engaged with the engagement hole from the state shown in FIG. 6A. FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of an essential part of a docking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of the docking device with the engagement member of the connection mechanism shown in FIG. 7 in the disengagement position. FIG. 8B is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of the docking device in the state shown in FIG. 8A in which the engagement member of the connection mechanism is in the engagement position. 9A is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the state of the connection mechanism when the portable information device shown in FIG. 2A is attached to the docking device shown in FIG. FIG. 9B is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the engaging member is made to enter the engaging hole from the state shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9C is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the engaging member is engaged with the engaging hole from the state shown in FIG. 9B.

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a docking device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings by taking a preferred embodiment in relation to a portable information device attached to and detached from the device.

  FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an operation of docking the portable information device 12A on the docking device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a side view of the portable information device 12A. FIG. 2B is a side view of a portable information device 12B having a specification different from that of the portable information device 12A shown in FIG. 2A.

  The docking device 10 of the present embodiment can attach and detach the portable information devices 12A and 12B, which are, for example, notebook PCs. The portable information device 12A and the portable information device 12B at least have different outer shapes. The docking device 10 can mount a plurality of types of portable information devices in addition to the portable information devices 12A and 12B, but in the following, the case where two types of portable information devices 12A and 12B are attached and detached is representatively described. Do. The docking device 10 may have a configuration in which only the portable information device 12A or the portable information device 12B can be detached. The docking device 10 extends its functions, such as connecting the attached portable information devices 12A and 12B to a plurality of peripheral devices and networks. Therefore, the electronic device in which the portable information devices 12A and 12B are attached to the docking device 10 has higher performance than the portable information devices 12A and 12B alone. The docking device 10 can also be used for expansion of portable information devices other than notebook PCs, and may be used for function expansion of, for example, tablet PCs, mobile phones, smartphones, electronic notebooks, and the like.

  Hereinafter, based on a state in which the portable information device 12A (12B) is mounted on the docking device 10, the front side in FIG. 1 is the front, the back side is the rear, the thickness direction of the docking device 10 or the portable information device 12A (12B) The vertical direction and the width direction will be described as left and right.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the portable information device 12A as an example of the connection target to the docking device 10 has a configuration in which the display case 16 is connected to the device case 14 by a hinge 18 so as to be able to open and close. In the portable information device 12 </ b> A, the keyboard 20 is provided on the top surface of the device housing 14, and the display 22 is provided on the bottom surface of the display housing 16. A connection terminal 24 is provided on the left side surface (side surface 14 a) of the device housing 14.

  The connection terminal 24 is disposed at a position closer to the rear end side of the side surface 14 a. The connection terminal 24 may have a configuration in which a plurality of connection terminals are arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction. The connection terminal 24 can connect the connector 26 of the docking device 10. The docking device 10 is electrically connected to the portable information device 12A by connecting the connector 26 to the connection terminal 24. As a result, the portable information device 12A can use various extended functions installed in the docking device 10. The connector 26 and the connection terminal 24 are, for example, connection standards conforming to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard.

  As described above, the docking device 10 according to the present embodiment can also attach and detach the portable information device 12B of another specification having different dimensions in the front-rear direction from the portable information device 12A shown in FIG. 2A.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the portable information device 12B as another example of the connection target to the docking device 10 has the same structure as the portable information device 12A shown in FIG. 2A except that the dimension in the front-rear direction and the thickness dimension are different. It is. In the portable information device 12B shown in FIG. 2B, the same or similar elements as or to those of the portable information device 12A shown in FIG. 2A will be assigned the same reference numerals and detailed explanations thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 2B, the portable information device 12B has a longitudinal dimension L2 shorter than the longitudinal dimension L1 of the portable information device 12A. The pitch from the rear end face 14c of each of the portable information device 12A and the portable information device 12B to the connection terminal 24 is set to be the same or substantially the same.

  FIG. 3A is a side view schematically showing a state where the portable information device 12A shown in FIG. 2A is attached to the docking device 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3B is a side view schematically showing a state where the portable information device 12B shown in FIG. 2B is attached to the docking device 10. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 3A and 3B, the docking device 10 is used in a state where the device casing 14 of the portable information device 12A or the portable information device 12B is placed. The docking device 10 includes a device casing 37 configured of a device placement unit 34 and a connection mechanism unit 36.

  The device mounting portion 34 is a thin box having, for example, an upper surface of a size capable of mounting a rear half portion of the portable information devices 12A and 12B, and made of resin or the like. The device mounting unit 34 includes a mounting table 34a on which the bottom surfaces 14b of the portable information devices 12A and 12B are mounted. The mounting table 34 a is an inclined surface inclined so that the height dimension gradually increases from the front side to the rear side. On the rear side of the mounting table 34a, a relief portion 34b formed one step lower than the mounting table 34a is provided. The relief portion 34 b is a recess for avoiding the battery or the like when the battery or the like (not shown) protrudes from the lower rear surface of the portable information device 12 A, 12 B.

  In the mounting table 34a, a pair of the engaging member 38 and the raising and lowering member 40 is protruded from the vicinity of the center of the upper surface 34c. The left engaging member 38 and the raising and lowering member 40, and the right engaging member 38 and the raising and lowering member 40 are disposed symmetrically to each other. Each engagement member 38 is engageable with and disengageable from an engagement hole 14d provided on the bottom surface 14b of the portable information device 12A, 12B. The respective engaging members 38 engage with the engaging holes 14 d, whereby the portable information devices 12A and 12B are prevented from coming off the device mounting portion 34 vertically. That is, the engagement member 38 constitutes a connection mechanism 41 for detachably connecting the portable information devices 12A and 12B to the docking device 10. The raising and lowering member 40 is pressed by the bottom surface 14b of the portable information devices 12A and 12B placed on the mounting table 34a to move up and down. The elevating member 40 serves as a detector for detecting the distance (vertical distance) between the bottom surface 14b of the portable information device 12A, 12B and the upper surface 34c of the mounting table 34a at the position where the engaging member 38 is provided.

  The mounting table 34a is provided with leg members 42 for supporting the bottom surface 14b of the portable information devices 12A and 12B on the left and right ends of the upper surface 34c. The left and right leg members 42 are arranged in the left-right direction, and the positions in the front-rear direction on the upper surface 34c of the mounting table 34a coincide or substantially coincide. The leg member 42 is, for example, a prismatic protrusion extending in the left-right direction, and is formed of resin, hard rubber or the like.

  The rear support legs 44 are respectively provided on the left and right ends of the upper surface 34 c of the relief portion 34 b. The rear support leg 44 supports the rear end side portion of the bottom surface 14b of the portable information device 12A, 12B placed on the mounting table 34a. The rear support leg 44 is provided, for example, to be able to move up and down, and supports the portable information devices 12A and 12B at a predetermined elevated position by an elastic member, a stopper mechanism, etc. (not shown).

  The connection mechanism portion 36 has a rectangular parallelepiped box 48 made of resin or the like. The box 48 has a height dimension larger than the device mounting portion 34. The box 48 has a wall portion 48a which stands up on the side of the device mounting portion 34 and faces the side surface 14a of the portable information devices 12A and 12B mounted on the device mounting portion 34. The connector 26 is provided so as to be movable back and forth in the left-right direction from the opening 48b formed in the wall 48a to the side surface 14a of the portable information device 12A, 12B.

  An operation lever 50 and a power button 51 are provided on the upper surface of the box body 48. The operation lever 50 is an operation portion for advancing and retracting the connector 26 from the opening 48 b. The power button 51 is a button for turning on / off the power of the docking device 10.

  The connection mechanism portion 36 has a positioning member 52 on the rear side of the opening 48 b. The positioning member 52 projects rightward from the wall 48a. The positioning member 52 abuts on the rear end surface 14c of the portable information device 12A, 12B placed on the device mounting portion 34, and positions the longitudinal direction of the portable information device 12A, 12B. The positioning member 52 is vertically movably provided so as not to interfere with the opening / closing operation of the display housing 16 and is normally elastically urged upward.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the docking device 10 is usually used by being placed on a flat use surface 54 such as the upper surface of a desk. When the portable information devices 12A and 12B are mounted on the docking device 10, the front end side is abutted and supported by the use surface 54, and the rear end side is abutted and supported by the leg members 42 on the mounting table 34a. It becomes an attitude. In the case of the present embodiment, in the portable information devices 12A and 12B, the position where the bottom surface 14b abuts on the left and right leg members 42 is the reference point O of the mounting position with respect to the docking device 10. With the reference point O as a reference, the landing point P of the bottom surface 14b of the portable information devices 12A and 12B lands on the use surface 54 and becomes stable, with the front end side being inclined downward. In the portable information device 12A shown in FIG. 3A, the front rubber leg 55 provided on the bottom surface 14b is the landing point P.

  The portable information device 12A and the portable information device 12B have different dimensions in the front-rear direction. For this reason, in the portable information device 12A, the distance from the reference point O to the landing point P becomes large (see FIG. 3A). On the other hand, in the portable information device 12B, the distance from the reference point O to the landing point P is smaller than in the case of the portable information device 12A (see FIG. 3B). At this time, in the portable information devices 12A and 12B, the position in the front-rear direction of each rear end surface 14c is positioned by the positioning member 52. As a result, the portable information devices 12A and 12B rotate up and down so that the front end swings with the reference point O on the rear end as the rotation center, and the landing point P lands on the use surface 54.

  Therefore, the angle of the front lowering posture of the bottom surface 14b with respect to the use surface 54 when the portable information device 12A is attached to the docking device 10 is referred to as a placement angle θ1 (see FIG. 3A), and the portable information device 12B is a docking device The angle of the front downward posture of the bottom surface 14b with respect to the use surface 54 when mounted on 10 is referred to as a mounting angle θ2 (see FIG. 3B). Then, the placement angle θ1 of the portable information device 12A is smaller than the placement angle θ2 of the portable information device 12B. As a result, the distance C1 between the bottom surface 14b of the portable information device 12A and the top surface 34c of the mounting table 34a at the position provided with the engaging member 38 on the front side of the reference point O is the bottom surface 14b of the portable information device 12B and It becomes larger than the space | interval C2 with the upper surface 34c of the mounting base 34a. Of course, in the portable information device having a larger dimension in the front-rear direction than the portable information device 12A, the mounting angle is further reduced and the distance between the bottom surface 14b and the upper surface 34c is further increased. In a portable information device with a smaller value, the mounting angle is further increased and the distance between the bottom surface 14b and the top surface 34c is further reduced.

  Therefore, the docking device 10 according to the present embodiment moves the engaging member 38 back and forth according to the change of the intervals C1 and C2 due to the difference in the longitudinal dimension of the portable information devices 12A and 12B, and engages the engaging member 38. A position adjusting mechanism 56 is mounted on the connecting mechanism 41 so as to adjust the hole 14d to a position where it can be reliably engaged. The position adjustment mechanism 56 can cope with the change of the intervals C1 and C2 based on, for example, the height difference of the rubber legs provided on the bottom surface of the portable information device, instead of the difference of the mounting angle described above. However, for example, in the case where the docking device 10 is configured so that the intervals C1 and C2 do not change, such as when the docking device 10 is dedicated to a portable information device of one specification, the position adjustment mechanism 56 may be omitted.

  Next, the structure of the connection mechanism 41 and the structure of the slide mechanism 58 for sliding the connector 26 toward the portable information devices 12A and 12B will be described.

  FIG. 4A is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the docking device 10 with the connector 26 retracted into the opening 48b. FIG. 4B is a side sectional view schematically showing a state in which the connector 26 is advanced out of the opening 48b using the slide mechanism 58 from the state shown in FIG. 4A. 5A to 5C are side sectional views schematically showing the operation state of the connection mechanism 41 when the portable information device 12A shown in FIG. 2A is attached to the docking device 10. 6A and 6B are side sectional views schematically showing the operation state of the connection mechanism 41 when the portable information device 12B shown in FIG. 2B is attached to the docking device 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the slide mechanism 58 has a control lever 50 and a slide base 60.

  The control lever 50 is provided slidably on the upper surface of the box 48 in the left-right direction. The control lever 50 is connected to the slide base 60 via a rod-like member projecting from the lower surface thereof. The connector 26 is provided on the right side surface of the slide base 60 so as to protrude, for example, via a floating mechanism (not shown). The slide member 62 is fixed to the lower portion of the right side surface of the slide base 60. The slide member 62 is a long plate-like member that extends to the right in the device housing 37 and reaches the connection mechanism 41. A push-up member 64 is provided at the tip of the slide member 62. The push-up member 64 has a push-up surface 64 a on its upper surface, which is gradually inclined downward toward the right side which is the tip side of the slide member 62.

  In the slide mechanism 58, when the control lever 50 is slid in the left-right direction, the slide base 60 slides in the left-right direction, and as a result, the connector 26 advances and retracts in the left-right direction to emerge from the opening 48b. At this time, as the slide base 60 slides, the slide member 62 and the push-up member 64 also slide in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 5A, the coupling mechanism 41 includes a pair of engaging members 38, 38, a regulating member 66, and a position adjusting mechanism 56.

  Each engagement member 38 is a hook-shaped plate-like member extending in the vertical direction. Each engagement member 38 has a claw portion 38a at its upper end (tip end) and a pivot shaft 38b at its lower end (proximal end). The claw portion 38a is a triangular protrusion which engages and disengages with the engagement hole 14d. On the lower surface of the claw portion 38a, a claw-side inclined surface 38c which is gradually inclined upward toward the tip of the claw portion 38a is formed. The pivot shaft 38 b is rotatably and vertically movably supported by a bearing 70 supported inside the device housing 37 (see FIG. 4A).

  The left engaging member 38 is provided with a claw 38a at the left end of the upper end, and a pivot shaft 38b at the left end of the lower end. The right side engaging member 38 is provided with a claw portion 38a at the right end of the upper end portion and a pivot shaft 38b at the right end of the lower end portion. The left and right engaging members 38 are disposed symmetrically with respect to each other, and the back surfaces 38 d of the respective claws 38 a are disposed opposite to each other via the elevating members of the restricting member 66 and the restricting member 66.

  Each engaging member 38 projects upward from an opening 34d formed in the upper surface 34c of the mounting table 34a, with the pivot shaft 38b being disposed inside the mounting table 34a. In this state, each engagement member 38 is engaged with the engagement hole 14d of the claw 38a at an engagement position where the claw 38a engages with the engagement hole 14d with the rotation shaft 38b as a rotation center. It is pivotable between the disengagement position where the state is released. As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the left engagement member 38 has a movement direction (engagement direction) from the disengagement position to the engagement position in the left direction (counterclockwise in the drawings), The movement direction (engagement release direction) from the engagement position to the engagement release position is the right direction (clockwise in the figure). The right-side engagement member 38 has the engagement direction in the right direction (clockwise in the drawing) and the disengagement direction in the left direction (counterclockwise in the drawing). Each engaging member 38 is always urged in the disengaging direction from the engaging position toward the disengaging position by a torsion coil spring (elastic member) 72 provided around the respective pivot shaft 38b. (See FIG. 5A). Furthermore, each engaging member 38 is always urged in a direction of rising with respect to the apparatus casing 37 together with each raising and lowering member 40, for example, by a coil spring 73 (see FIG. 4A).

  The restricting member 66 is vertically movable in the vertical direction between the back surfaces 38d and 38d of the left and right engaging members 38, and is a wide plate-like member in the front-rear direction. The restricting member 66 is supported so as to be able to move up and down with respect to the apparatus casing 37, and is always urged downward, for example, using a coil spring 74 (see FIG. 4A). The regulating member 66 has a pressure receiving surface 66a on its proximal end side. The pressure receiving surface 66a is an inclined surface disposed to face the pressing upper surface 64a of the lifting member 64, and the pressing upper surface 64a is capable of sliding contact and pressing (see FIGS. 4A and 4B).

  The restricting member 66 is supported so as to be vertically movable relative to the apparatus housing 37. The restricting member 66 is movable between a retracted position in which the upper end surface (tip end surface) thereof is embedded in the inside of the mounting table 34a and a restricted position in which the upper end 34c protrudes from the upper surface 34c of the mounting table 34a. In the retracted position shown in FIGS. 4A and 5A, the restricting member 66 is separated from the back surface 38d of each engaging member 38 to allow movement of the engaging members 38 from the engaged position to the disengaged position. The restricting member 66 abuts on the back surface 38 d of each engaging member 38 in the restricting position shown in FIGS. 4B and 5C, and restricts the movement of the engaging members 38 from the engaging position to the disengaging position. Further, when the restricting member 66 ascends from the retracted position to the restricting position, the left and right corner portions of the upper end face press the back surfaces 38d of the left and right engaging members 38, respectively, Move from the disengaged position to the engaged position against the biasing force of (see FIGS. 5B and 5C).

  The position adjustment mechanism 56 includes a pair of lifting members 40, 40. Each raising and lowering member 40 is a rod-like member extending in the vertical direction. The upper end portions of the elevating members 40 project upward from the opening 34 d, and the lower ends thereof are integrally connected to each other via the interlocking member 76. The interlocking member 76 abuts on the top surface of the pivot shaft 38b of each engaging member 38, and can press the engaging members 38 downward. The interlocking member 76 is always biased by the coil spring 73 in the upward direction with respect to the device housing 37 together with the respective engaging members 38. That is, the device housing 37 (mounting base 34 a) supports the engagement members 38 and the elevation members 40 so as to be able to move up and down, and rotatably supports the engagement members 38. Further, the interlocking member 76 interlocks the elevating operation of each elevating member 40 and the advancing and retracting operation of the engaging member 38 in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 6A, the engagement holes 14d of the portable information devices 12A and 12B to be attached to and detached from the docking device 10 have, for example, a rectangular shape capable of inserting and removing a pair of engagement members 38. The engagement holes 14d are formed in the thick portion of the outer wall (bottom plate) 14e that forms the bottom surface 14b. The engagement hole 14d has hole-side inclined surfaces 14f at least on the left and right edges of the inner peripheral surface facing the claws 38a of the engagement members 38, respectively. Each hole-side inclined surface 14f is an inclined surface inclined in a direction in which the diameter of the engagement hole 14d is gradually reduced from the inner surface side to the outer surface side of the outer wall 14e. As shown in FIGS. 5C and 6B, each hole-side inclined surface 14f has a shape capable of meshing with the claw-side inclined surface 38c provided on the claw portion 38a of each engaging member 38 (see FIG. 5C). The hole-side inclined surface 14f and the claw-side inclined surface 38c are, for example, inclined surfaces inclined 45 degrees with respect to the docking direction (vertical direction) of the portable information device 12A, 12B with respect to the docking device 10.

  Next, the mounting operation of the portable information devices 12A and 12B to the docking device 10 will be described.

  In a state (initial state) before mounting the portable information devices 12A and 12B, the docking device 10 is in an initial position where the operation lever 50 is retracted to the left (see FIG. 4A). In this state, the connector 26 is housed in the box 48. Further, the restricting member 66 is in the retracted position which is the most lowered, and each engaging member 38 is pivoted by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 72 to be in the engagement releasing position. Further, the elevating member 40 is in the initial position which is most raised by the biasing force of the coil spring 73.

  The portable information devices 12A and 12B are attached to the docking device 10 in such an initial state. First, when the portable information device 12A shown in FIG. 2A is attached, the portable information device 12A is placed on the mounting table 34a. That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, the portable information device 12A positions the rear end surface 14c with the positioning member 52 and places the side surface 14a with the wall 48a of the box 48 and places it on the mounting table 34a. . Then, the front end side of the portable information device 12A abuts the use surface 54 at the landing point P, and the rear end side abuts the leg member 42 at the reference point O, and the portable information device 12A is placed at the placement angle θ1 with respect to the use surface 54 Ru.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 5B, each engaging member 38 enters the engaging hole 14d, and the top surface of the lifting member 40 abuts on the bottom surface 14b of the portable information device 12A. A space C1 is formed between the upper surface 34c and the engagement hole 14d. When the elevating member 40 is pressed by the bottom surface 14 b, the engaging member 38 is lowered together with the elevating member 40 against the biasing force of the coil spring 73. However, in the present embodiment, the interval C1 when the portable information device 12A is placed is set such that the bottom surface 14b is in contact with the top surface of the lifting member 40 at the initial position and does not press this. . Therefore, in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the position adjustment mechanism 56 does not operate, and the vertical positions of the elevating member 40 and the engaging member 38 are not changed.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4B, the control lever 50 is slid to the right. Thus, the connector 26 is connected to the connection terminal 24. At the same time, the slide member 62 also slides to the right, and the pushing upper surface 64 a of the pushing-up member 64 pushes up the pressure receiving surface 66 a of the regulating member 66. Therefore, the restricting member 66 ascends from the retracted position to the restricting position and is in sliding contact with the back surface 38d of each engaging member 38, and the engaging members 38 are engaged against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 72 It is pivoted from the release position toward the engagement position. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5C, each engagement member 38 is in the engagement position engaged with the engagement hole 14d, and the rotation in the engagement release direction is restricted by the restriction member 66. Therefore, the portable information device 12A is firmly connected to the docking device 10, and the engagement between the engagement member 38 and the engagement hole 14d is prevented from being forcibly released.

  Next, when the portable information device 12B shown in FIG. 2B is attached, the portable information device 12B is placed on the mounting table 34a as in the case of the above-described portable information device 12A. Then, the front end side of the portable information device 12B abuts on the use surface 54 at the landing point P, the rear end side abuts on the leg member 42 at the reference point O, and the portable information device 12B is placed at a mounting angle θ2 with respect to the use surface 54 Ru.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 6A, each engaging member 38 enters the engaging hole 14d, and the top surface of the lifting member 40 abuts on the bottom surface 14b of the portable information device 12B. A space C2 is formed between the upper surface 34c and the engagement hole 14d. That is, in this case, the position adjustment mechanism 56 is operated, and each of the engaging members 38 is lowered against the biasing force of the coil spring 73 by pressing the elevating members 40 with the bottom surface 14 b. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6A, each of the engaging members 38 and the engaging holes 14d are inserted into the engaging holes 14d by the claws 38a and the periphery thereof as in the case of the portable information device 12A shown in FIG. 5B. Thus, the claw-side inclined surface 38c is adjusted to a proper positional relationship in which it can be engaged with the hole-side inclined surface 14f.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4B, the control lever 50 is slid to the right. Thus, the connector 26 is connected to the connection terminal 24. At the same time, when the pushing upper surface 64a of the pushing-up member 64 pushes up the pressure receiving surface 66a of the regulating member 66, the regulating member 66 rises from the retracted position to the regulated position, and each engagement member 38 from the engagement release position to the engagement position Turn towards. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, the engagement members 38 are in the engagement position engaged with the engagement holes 14d, and the rotation in the engagement release direction is restricted by the restriction member 66. Therefore, the portable information device 12B is firmly connected to the docking device 10, and the engagement between the engagement member 38 and the engagement hole 14d is prevented from being forcibly released.

  On the other hand, when removing the portable information device 12A or the like attached to the docking device 10, the control lever 50 is moved to the left, the connector 26 is retracted, and the connection information terminal 24 is removed. Then, the push-up state of the pressure receiving surface 66 a of the regulating member 66 by the pushing upper surface 64 a of the push-up member 64 is released. As a result, the restricting member 66 is returned to the initial position by the biasing force of the coil spring 74, and each biasing member 38 is returned from the engaging position to the disengaging position by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 72. As a result, the portable information device 12A and the like can be smoothly removed from the device placement unit 34.

  As described above, the docking device 10 according to the present embodiment protrudes from the upper surface 34c which is the surface of the device housing 37, and can be engaged with and disengaged from the engagement holes 14d of the portable information devices 12A and 12B. And a movable engagement between an engagement position in which the claw 38a engages with the engagement hole 14d and an disengagement position in which the engagement of the claw 38a into the engagement hole 14d is released. The member 38 and a retracted position which is embedded in the inside of the device housing 37 and allows movement of the engagement member 38 from the engagement position to the engagement release position, and protrudes from the upper surface 34c and engages with the back surface 38d of the claw 38a. And a restricting member 66 movable to a restricting position for restricting the movement of the engaging member 38 from the engaging position to the disengaging position by abutting on the engaging member 38.

  Therefore, the docking device 10 can restrict the movement of the engagement member 38 from the engagement position to the engagement release position by the restriction member 66 in the restriction position protruding from the upper surface 34c. At this time, the engagement member 38 is in a state in which the back surface 38 d of the claw portion 38 a is restricted by the restriction member 66. Thereby, even when the portable information device 12A or the like is lifted from the device mounting portion 34 by a considerable force, for example, the docking device 10 moves from the engagement position of the engagement member 38 to the engagement release position. The movement is surely regulated by the regulating member 66. As a result, the docking device 10 can firmly connect the portable information device 12A and the like. In particular, the restricting member 66 restricts the operation of the engaging member 38 by the back surface 38 d of the claw portion 38 a which is the tip of the engaging member 38. Therefore, even if the engagement member 38 reduces the engagement amount of the portable information device 12A or the like to the engagement hole 14d and makes the approach amount to the engagement hole 14d shallow, the engagement state is forcibly released. I have not. As a result, in the portable information devices 12A and 12B, the depth of the engagement holes 14d can be reduced to a minimum, or electronic components such as a substrate can be disposed immediately above the engagement holes 14d. It is possible to reduce the thickness and size of the

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of an essential part of a docking device 10A according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and is an enlarged view of a connection mechanism 41A provided on the device mounting portion 34 of the docking device 10A and its periphery. is there. FIG. 8A is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of the docking device 10A in a state where the engagement member 80 of the coupling mechanism 41A is in the engagement release position. FIG. 8B is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of the docking device 10A in a state where the engagement member 80 of the connection mechanism 41A is in the engagement position from the state shown in FIG. 8A. 9A to 9C are side sectional views schematically showing the operation state of the connecting mechanism 41A when the portable information device 12A shown in FIG. 2A is attached to the docking device 10A. In the docking device 10A according to the second embodiment, elements having the same or similar functions and effects as those of the docking device 10 according to the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. .

  As shown in FIGS. 7-9C, the connecting mechanism 41A of the docking device 10A includes an engaging member 80 and a restricting member 82 which are different in configuration from the engaging member 38 and the restricting member 66 of the connecting mechanism 41 described above.

  Each engaging member 80 has a hook portion 38a, a pivot shaft 38b, and a hook side inclined surface 38c, and is a hook-shaped plate-like member extending in the vertical direction in common with the engaging member 38 described above. Each engaging member 80 differs from the engaging member 38 in that it has an inclined surface 80a on the back surface 38d of the claw portion 38a. The inclined surface 80a is a direction in which the engaging member 80 protrudes at least in the engagement position shown in FIG. 9C, and in the case of this embodiment, the dismounting direction (upward) for removing the portable information device 12A (12B) from the device mounting portion 34 Toward the claw portion 38a). That is, the inclined surface 80a of the left engaging member 80 is inclined to the left gradually upward. The inclined surface 80a of the right engagement member 80 is inclined upward to the right. The left and right engaging members 80 are disposed symmetrically with respect to each other, and the back surfaces 38d (inclined surfaces 80a) of the respective claws 38a are disposed opposite to each other via the space for advancing and retracting the restricting member 82.

  The restricting member 82 can be advanced and retracted in the front-rear direction between the back surfaces 38 d and 38 d of the left and right engaging members 80. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the restricting member 82 includes a connecting portion 84, a restricting portion 85, and a guide portion 86 in order from the rear side to the front side, and has a stepped rod shape extending in the front-rear direction. It is a member. The restricting member 82 has a retracted position (see FIG. 8A) in which the restricting portion 85 is retracted to the rear side between the engaging members 80 and 80, and a restricting position in which the restricting portion 85 is advanced between the engaging members 80 and 80 (see FIG. (See FIG. 8B). As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9A to 9C, at least the upper portion of the regulation portion 85 of the regulation member 82 of this embodiment is moved forward and backward at a position projecting upward from an opening 34d formed in the upper surface 34c of the mounting table 34a. Moving. Specifically, the restriction member 82 is a direction along the upper surface 34c of the mounting table 34a, which is the surface of the device housing 37, and is along a direction (front-rear direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the engagement member 80 protrudes. Move. That is, since the restricting member 82 moves in the in-plane direction of the upper surface 34 c instead of the thickness direction of the device casing 37, the thickness of the device casing 37 can be reduced.

  The connecting portion 84 is a plate piece protruding from the rear end surface of the restricting portion 85, and a connecting pin 84a is provided in a protruding manner at the rear end. The connection pin 84 a is connected to the link plate 88. The link plate 88 is a plate extending in the front-rear direction, and is disposed on the upper surface side of the connecting portion 84 and the slide member 62. In the link plate 88, the connection pin 84a is inserted from the lower surface side to the front end portion, and the guide pin 90 is provided to protrude from the lower surface of the rear end portion. The slide member 62 of the docking device 10A has a guide hole 92 instead of the push-up member 64. The guide hole 92 is a hole into which the guide pin 90 is slidably inserted. The guide hole 92 includes a retracting portion 92a, a drive portion 92b, and a restricting portion 92c in order from the advancing direction (right side) of the slide member 62 to the retraction direction (left side). The retracting portion 92a extends in the left-right direction at the right rear end of the guide hole 92, the restricting portion 92c extends in the left-right direction at the left front end of the guide hole 92, and the driving portion 92b retracts the restricting portion 92a It is gradually inclined forward from the right to the left so as to connect it with 92c.

  In the docking device 10A, in conjunction with the operation of the operation lever 50 when connecting the connector 26 to the connection terminal 24, when the slide member 62 slides from the left to the right, the guide pin 90 moves in the guide hole 92 from the retraction portion 92a. It moves to the regulation part 92c via the drive part 92b. At this time, the guide pin 90 moves from the rear side to the front side during the movement of the drive portion 92b, and moves the regulating member 82 to the front side via the link plate 88. The guide portion 86 is a rod-like portion extending forward from the front end surface of the regulating portion 85. The guide portion 86 advances and retracts the regulating member 82 in the front-rear direction under the guiding action of a guide component (not shown) fixed to the apparatus housing 37.

  The restricting portion 85 is a block having a substantially trapezoidal shape in a plan view. The restricting portion 85 has a pair of left and right sliding surfaces 85a, 85a and a pair of left and right abutting surfaces 85b, 85b provided on the rear side of each sliding surface 85a. Each sliding surface 85a is an inclined surface which is gradually inclined outward from the front to the rear in a plan view. That is, the sliding surface 85a on the left side is inclined to the left gradually toward the rear side. The sliding surface 85a on the right side is inclined to the right side gradually toward the rear side. As a result, at the front end portion of the regulating portion 85, a tapered shape formed by the left and right sliding surfaces 85a is provided. Each contact surface 85b is an inclined surface inclined so as to be gradually thicker from the lower side to the upper side (see FIG. 9C). Specifically, each contact surface 85 b is gradually inclined toward the engagement member 80 from the lower side to the upper side. That is, the left contact surface 85b is gradually inclined to the left toward the upper side. The right abutment surface 85b is gradually inclined to the right toward the upper side. Each abutting surface 85b is in an inclined posture parallel to each inclined surface 80a of the engaging member 80 in the restricted position and abuts on each inclined surface 80a. As shown in FIG. 8A, each contact surface 85b is a surface which is continuous from the rear end side of each sliding surface 85a and extends in the front-rear direction.

  At the retracted position shown in FIGS. 8A, 9A, and 9B, each abutting surface 85b of the restricting portion 85 is separated from the inclined surface 80a of each engaging member 80, and the engaging member 80 is engaged with each other. Allow movement from the mating position to the disengaging position. In this state, the front end side of each sliding surface 85 a slidably abuts on the rear end side of the back surface 38 d of each engaging member 80 in the restricting portion 85. When the restricting member 82 advances from this state, the sliding surfaces 85 a slide on the back surface 38 d (the inclined surface 80 a) of the engaging members 80 and press the sliding surfaces 85 a. Therefore, each engagement member 80 gradually moves from the engagement release position to the engagement position against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 72 (see FIGS. 9B and 9C). Then, in the restricting position shown in FIGS. 8B and 9C, each abutting surface 85b abuts on each inclined surface 80a, and the restricting member 82 moves the engaging member 80 from the engaging position to the disengaging position. regulate.

  Next, the mounting operation of the portable information device 12A to the docking device 10A will be described.

  In the docking device 10A, in the initial position where the operation lever 50 is retracted to the left, the restricting member 82 is at the retracted most position, and each engaging member 80 is rotated by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 72. It is in the disengagement position. In order to attach the portable information device 12A to the docking device 10A in this state, when the portable information device 12A is placed on the mounting table 34a, the position adjustment mechanism 56 operates to adjust the vertical position of the engagement member 80. Ru. However, as in the case of the above-described docking device 10, the vertical position of the engagement member 80 does not change when the portable information device 12A is attached.

  Subsequently, the control lever 50 is slid to the right as in the configuration example shown in FIG. 4B to connect the connector 26 to the connection terminal 24. Then, the slide member 62 slides to the right, and the control member 82 is advanced from the retracted position to the control position via the link plate 88. Thereby, each engaging member 80 moves from the disengaged position to the engaged position against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 72 (see FIG. 9C), and each engaging member 80 engages with the engaging hole 14d. Match. As a result, the rotation of the engagement member 80 in the engagement release direction is restricted by the restriction member 82. When the portable information device 12B is attached, the same operation as the attachment operation of the portable information device 12A is performed except that the position adjusting mechanism 56 operates to adjust the vertical position of the engagement member 80.

  By the way, in the docking device 10A, when the engaging member 80 is in the engaging position, the abutting surface 85b of the regulating member 82 abuts on the inclined surface 80a of the engaging member 80 (see FIG. 9C). Therefore, when the attached portable information device 12A (12B) is forcibly lifted from the docking device 10A in the projecting direction (upward) of the engaging member 80, the respective engagements engaged with the engagement holes 14d The member 80 also receives the upward pulling force F1 (see FIG. 9C). Then, a component of the pulling force F1 is applied from the inclined surface 80a of each engaging member 80 to each contact surface 85b of the regulating member 82. As a result, the component force F2 of the repulsive force to the component force of the pull-up force F1 acts on each inclined surface 80a from each contact surface 85b, and the component force F2 presses each engagement member 80 in the engagement direction. That is, in the docking device 10A, when the pulling information F1 is applied to the attached portable information device 12A (12B), the engaging member 80 is further pressed in the direction to engage the engaging hole 14d, The combined state is more robust.

  As described above, in the docking device 10A of the present embodiment, the back surface 38d of the claw portion 38a of the engagement member 80 is gradually inclined toward the claw portion 38a toward the projection direction of the engagement member 80 at the engagement position. The restricting member 82 is inclined so as to gradually increase in thickness in the direction in which the engaging member 80 protrudes, and abuts against the inclined surface 80a of the engaging member 80 at the restricting position. The surface 85 b is provided.

  Therefore, the docking device 10A can restrict the movement of the engagement member 80 from the engagement position to the engagement release position by the restriction member 82. Under the present circumstances, when the engagement member 80 receives the force (pulling-up force F1) which moves in the protrusion direction of the engagement member 80 under the contact action of the inclined surface 80a and the contact surface 85b, The force (component force F2) in the engagement direction from 82 is received. Therefore, the portable information device 12A (12B) is more firmly connected to the docking device 10, and the forced release of the engagement between the engagement member 80 and the engagement hole 14d is more reliably prevented. . For this reason, in the docking device 10A, even if the engagement member 80 reduces the engagement amount of the portable information device 12A or the like to the engagement hole 14d and makes the approach amount to the engagement hole 14d shallow, the engagement state Can be more reliably prevented from being forcibly released. As a result, in the portable information devices 12A and 12B, the depth of the engagement holes 14d can be reduced to a minimum, or electronic components such as a substrate can be disposed immediately above the engagement holes 14d. It is possible to reduce the thickness and size of the

  Further, the restricting member 82 of the docking device 10A is at a position where the restricting portion 85 protrudes upward from the upper surface 34c of the mounting table 34a at least at the restricting position. Therefore, the restricting member 82 can restrict the movement to the disengagement position at the upper position of the engaging member 80, and can further surely restrict the movement of the engaging member 80 in the unintended disengagement direction. . Although the restricting member 82 may be entirely housed inside the apparatus casing 37, it is preferable that the restricting portion 85 abuts on the engaging member 80 at the upper position as close to the claw 38a as possible.

  In the docking device 10, 10A according to each of the above-described embodiments, the engagement members 38, 80 have a tip end provided with the claw portion 38a and a base end opposite to the tip end, and The end portion is rotatably supported inside the device housing 37, so that the claw portion 38a pivots between the engagement position and the engagement release position to engage and disengage with the engagement hole 14d. Therefore, the amount of approach of the engagement member 38 into the engagement hole 14d can be reduced, as compared with a configuration in which the engagement member 38 is moved in the horizontal direction and engaged with the engagement hole 14d as in the prior art. As a result, in the portable information devices 12A and 12B, the thickness and size of the device housing 14 can be further reduced. The engagement members 38 and 80 may be configured to slide in the left-right direction, for example, and engage with the engagement holes 14d. In this case, the restricting members 66 and 82 may be disposed, for example, in contact with the back surface 38 d of the engaging members 38 and 80 in a state engaged with the engaging holes 14 d by the biasing force of an elastic member (not shown).

  In the docking device 10, the restricting members 66, 82 not only restrict the turning of the engaging members 38, 80 from the engaging position to the disengaging position, but also engage the engaging members 38, 80 in the disengaging position. It also functions as a drive member that is pivoted to the engagement position. That is, the restricting members 66 and 82 can also drive the engaging members 38 and 80 while moving from the retracted position to the restricted position. For this reason, since one restriction member 66, 82 takes on a plurality of functions, the number of parts and the part cost can be reduced.

  In the docking device 10, 10A, the restricting members 66, 82 are disposed between the pair of engaging members 38, 38 (80, 80) in the restricting position, and from the engaging positions of the engaging members 38, 80. The movement to the disengaging position is simultaneously restricted. Thus, in the docking device 10, the rotation of the pair of engagement members 38, 38 (80, 80) can be restricted by one restriction member 66, 82, and the number of parts and the cost of parts can be reduced. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 5C, 6B and 9C, for example, in the engagement release direction of the left engagement members 38, 80, the right engagement members 38, 80 sandwich the restriction members 66, 82. It is installed side by side. Therefore, when the portable information devices 12A and 12B are forcibly lifted upward, the forces in the engagement release direction from the left and right engaging members 38 and 80 are opposite to the restricting members 66 and 82, respectively. Granted and equilibrated. Therefore, the forced release of the engagement state of the engagement members 38 and 80 in the engagement hole 14d can be more reliably prevented. Only one engaging member 38 or 80 may be provided, or three or more engaging members may be provided. When only one engaging member 38, 80 is used, the restricting members 66, 82 are located between the inner peripheral surface of the engaging hole 14d and the back surface 38d of the engaging member 38, 80 at the restricting position. It is desirable to be held.

  In the docking device 10, 10A, the engaging member 38, 80 is formed on the bottom surface 14b of the portable information device 12A, 12B by providing the claw portion 38a at a position where it protrudes from the upper surface 34c of the device mounting portion 34. While being able to be engaged and disengaged with the engaging hole 14d, it can be advanced and retracted toward the bottom surface 14b of the portable information device 12A, 12B from the top surface 34c of the device mounting portion 34. Furthermore, the docking device 10, 10A detects the intervals C1, C2 between the upper surface 34c of the device placement unit 34 and the bottom surface 14b of the portable information device 12A, 12B placed on the device placement unit 34. The engaging members 38 and 80 are moved forward and backward with respect to the engaging holes 14d based on the detection results of the intervals C1 and C2 by the elevation members 40 serving as a detecting device and the elevation members 40, thereby engaging the claws 38a. And a position adjusting mechanism 56 for adjusting the engaging hole 14d to a position where it can be engaged. Thereby, the docking device 10, 10A is engaged even when the intervals C1, C2 between the respective engagement holes 14d and the upper surface 34c change when docking the portable information devices 12A, 12B having different specifications. The positions of the members 38 and 80 are adjusted to positions corresponding to the intervals C1 and C2. For this reason, regardless of the difference in the specifications of the portable information devices 12A and 12B, the engagement members 38 and 80 smoothly and reliably engage with the engagement holes 14d. Therefore, the docking device 10 or 10A can dock a plurality of types of portable information devices 12A and 12B, and high versatility can be obtained.

  In the electronic device, the portable information devices 12A and 12B are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the engagement hole 14d with the hole-side inclined surface 14f which gradually reduces the diameter of the engagement hole 14d from the inner surface to the outer surface of the outer wall 14e. The docking device 10, 10A is inclined toward the tip of the claw portion 38a of the engagement member 38, 80, and can be engaged with the hole side inclined surface 14f of the engagement hole 14d. Have. As a result, in the engaging members 38 and 80, the claw side inclined surface 38c is engaged with the hole side inclined surface 14f and engages with the engagement hole 14d. That is, the engaging members 38, 80 engage with the engaging holes 14d at the thickness portions of the outer walls 14e of the portable information devices 12A, 12B. Therefore, in the portable information devices 12A and 12B, the depth of the engagement holes 14d can be further reduced, or electronic components such as a substrate can be disposed immediately above the engagement holes 14d. It is possible to make it thinner and smaller. The engagement members 38 and 80 may be configured to engage with the engagement hole 14d in a state where the engagement members 38 and 80 enter the inside of the device housing 14 instead of the thick portion of the engagement hole 14d.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to above-described embodiment, Of course, it can change freely in the range which does not deviate from the main point of this invention.

  In the above embodiment, the engaging members 38 and 80 and the engaging hole 14 d are illustrated as opposed to each other in the vertical direction and engaged with each other. However, for example, the engaging member 38 and the engaging hole 14 d are opposed in the horizontal direction. It may be configured to engage with each other. In this case, for example, the engaging members 38 and 80 may be provided in the wall portion 48a of the connection mechanism 36 side by side with the connector 26, and the engaging holes 14d may be provided in the side surface 14a side with the connecting terminal 24. In substantially the same manner, the connector 26 may be provided on the top surface 34c of the mounting table 34a, and the connection terminal 24 may be provided on the bottom surface 14b.

10, 10A Docking device 12A, 12B Portable information equipment 14 Equipment housing 14a Side surface 14b Bottom surface 14d Engaging hole 14e Outer wall 14f Hole side inclined surface 24 Connection terminal 26 Connector 34 Equipment mounting part 34a Mounting base 34c Upper surface 36 Connection mechanism part 37 apparatus housing 38, 80 engaging member 38a claw 38b pivot shaft 38c claw side inclined surface 38d back surface 40 raising and lowering member 41, 41A connecting mechanism 54 working surface 56 position adjusting mechanism 58 slide mechanism 66, 82 restricting member 72 torsion coil Spring 76 interlocking member 80a inclined surface 85b contact surface

Claims (11)

A portable information device having an engagement hole formed in an outer wall is a docking device that can be docked,
A device housing having a device placement unit on which the portable information device is placed;
An engagement position which protrudes from the surface of the device housing and has a hook that can be engaged with or disengaged from the engagement hole of the portable information device, and the hook engages with the engagement hole; An engagement member movable between an engagement release position where the engagement of the claws with the engagement hole is released;
From the engagement position of the engagement member, the retraction position allowing movement of the engagement member from the engagement position to the engagement release position, and by contacting the engagement member with the back surface of the claw portion A restricting member movable between the restricting position for restricting the movement to the disengagement position;
Equipped with
The back surface of the claw portion of the engagement member is provided with an inclined surface which is gradually inclined toward the claw portion in a direction in which the engagement member protrudes.
The restricting member is inclined so as to be gradually thicker in a direction in which the engaging member protrudes, and provided with an abutting surface which abuts on the inclined surface of the engaging member at the restricting position. A docking device characterized by The docking device according to claim 1, wherein
The docking device is characterized in that the restricting member moves in a direction along a surface of the device housing and in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the engagement member protrudes. The docking device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The docking device according to claim 1, wherein the restricting member is at least protruded from the surface of the device case at the restricting position. A portable information device having an engagement hole formed in an outer wall is a docking device that can be docked,
A device housing having a device placement unit on which the portable information device is placed;
An engagement position which protrudes from the surface of the device housing and has a hook that can be engaged with or disengaged from the engagement hole of the portable information device, and the hook engages with the engagement hole; An engagement member movable between an engagement release position where the engagement of the claws with the engagement hole is released;
The retracted position for permitting movement of the engagement member from the engagement position to the engagement release position, and the projection from the surface of the device housing, and the rear surface of the claw portion abuts on the engagement member. A restricting member movable between a restricting position that restricts the movement of the engaging member from the engaging position to the disengaging position;
A docking device comprising: It is a docking device of any one of Claims 1-4, Comprising:
The engagement member has a distal end provided with the claw and a proximal end opposite to the distal end, and the proximal end is rotatably supported inside the device housing. Thus, the claw portion pivots between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The docking device according to claim 5, wherein
An elastic member configured to bias the engagement member from the engagement position toward the disengagement position;
The engaging member is pressed by the restricting member moving from the retracted position to the restricting position, and moves from the disengaged position to the engaged position against the biasing force of the elastic member. A docking device characterized by The docking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
The engaging members are provided in a pair, and the pair of engaging members are disposed such that the back surfaces of their respective claws are opposed to each other,
The restriction member is disposed between the pair of engagement members in the restriction position, and simultaneously restricts the movement of the pair of engagement members from the engagement position to the disengagement position. Docking device. The docking device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein
The engagement member can be engaged with and disengaged from the engagement hole formed on the bottom surface of the portable information device by being provided at a position where the claw portion protrudes from the upper surface of the device mounting portion. It is possible to advance and retract toward the bottom surface of the portable information device from the top surface of the device mounting portion,
The docking device is a detector that detects an interval between an upper surface of the device placement unit and a bottom surface of the portable information device placed on the device placement unit.
The claws are adjusted to a position where they can be engaged with the engagement hole by moving the engagement member back and forth with respect to the engagement hole based on the detection result of the interval by the detector. And a position adjusting mechanism. A docking device according to claim 8, wherein
The detector includes an elevation member which is pressed and operated on the bottom surface of the portable information device placed on the device placement unit,
The docking device according to claim 1, wherein the position adjustment mechanism includes an interlocking member that interlocks the elevating operation of the elevating member and the advancing and retracting operation of the engagement member.   An electronic device comprising the docking device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and the portable information device. The electronic device according to claim 10, wherein
The inner peripheral surface of the engagement hole has a hole-side inclined surface which gradually reduces the diameter of the engagement hole from the inner surface side to the outer surface side of the outer wall,
The electronic apparatus characterized in that the claw portion of the engagement member is inclined toward a tip end thereof and has a claw-side inclined surface capable of meshing with the hole-side inclined surface of the engagement hole.

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