JP2911366B2 - Function expansion box - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a function expansion box for an electronic device such as a portable personal computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 3-119220, for example, portable electronic devices such as a notebook personal computer and a laptop personal computer are ensured in portability and their functions are ensured. It has been proposed to provide a function expansion box in which a circuit for expanding functions is provided, and to attach / detach a portable electronic device to / from this box, in order to expand the function to a level equal to or greater than that of a desktop personal computer.

[0003]

However, such a conventional function expansion box has only one electrical connector for connecting portable electronic devices. For this reason, in order to allow various portable electronic devices to be freely mounted in one function extension box, it is necessary to match the external connection connector of the portable electronic device with the connector of the extension box.

However, the connector for external connection of a portable electronic device greatly varies depending on not only the specifications and capabilities of the electronic device itself but also the size of the electronic device itself. For example,
In an A4 size notebook type personal computer, a connector having a 240-pin configuration can be used as a connector for external connection, but in a so-called sub-note type personal computer smaller than the A4 size, only a connector having a configuration of about 160 pins can be used. It should be noted that the size of the connector itself may vary in proportion to the size of the electronic device itself, even if the connectors have the same number of pins.

[0005] For these reasons, it has not been possible to freely mount a plurality of types of portable electronic devices with the conventional function expansion box.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and a first feature is that a mounting portion and a rear end of the mounting portion are orthogonal to the upper surface of the mounting portion. A storage unit having a standing wall, a first connector fixed to the standing wall,
An opening perforated from the standing wall to the upper surface of the mounting portion; a sub-connector portion having one end disposed inside the upper surface of the mounting portion via the opening so as to be able to protrude therefrom; and the one end of the sub-connector portion And a second connector attached to the second connector.

[0007] A second feature is that a plurality of openings formed in the upright wall, a plurality of push-out members whose tips can protrude above the mounting portion through each of the openings, Means for projecting the push-out member onto the mounting portion, and arranged at both ends of the second connector at one end of the sub-connector portion, and each of the sub-connector portions when they are raised to the mounting portion. It is provided with a pair of auxiliary extrusion members opposed to the extrusion member, and each of the auxiliary extrusion members has an extrusion rod projecting in a projecting direction of the extrusion member in conjunction with the extrusion member.

[0008] A third feature is that the second connector is disposed intermediate between the pair of auxiliary pushing members.

The fourth feature is that, in addition to the first feature,
A tray mounted on the upper surface of the mounting portion so as to be slidable in a direction orthogonal to the vertical wall; and a mounting of the first portable electronic device electrically connectable to the first connector on the tray. The member defining the position and the position of the second portable electronic device that is electrically connectable to the second connector and that is different in size from the first portable electronic device on the tray. The member to be defined and the first or second
Means for detecting whether or not the first portable electronic device is placed in the above-described placement position when the tray is slid to a position where the portable electronic device is not connected to the first or second connector; Means for detecting the state of elevation of the sub-connector portion to the upper surface of the mounting portion, and mounting of the first portable electronic device by the mounting presence / absence detecting means and the sub-connector portion by means of the raising state detecting means Means for notifying when a rise is detected.

A fifth feature is that, of the members for defining the mounting position of the second portable electronic device on the tray in the fourth feature, the tray of the first portable electronic device is provided. A member located within the above mounting position is also used as the above-mentioned mounting presence / absence detecting means.

[0011]

According to the first feature, the first and second connectors can be selectively used. According to the second feature, the pushing rod of the auxiliary pushing member can be pushed out by utilizing the stress of the pushing member. According to the third feature, the pushing force of the push rod supplied to the external connector of the second portable electronic device connected to the second connector is uniformly applied to the external connector. According to the fourth feature, it is possible to prevent the first portable electronic device from being placed on the tray when the sub-connector is in the raised state. According to the fifth feature, the structure can be simplified.

[0012]

1 and 2 are external perspective views showing a function expansion box (1) of a portable electronic device according to the present invention.

[0013] The expansion box (1) is a storage section (4) having a mounting portion (2) and a standing wall (3) at the rear end of the mounting portion (2) perpendicular to the upper surface of the mounting portion (2). Consists of A tray (5) is placed on the upper surface of the placing portion (2) so as to be slidable in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIGS.
On the surface of the tray (5), an A4 size notebook computer (hereinafter referred to as A4PC) and a sub-notebook computer smaller than A4 size (hereinafter referred to as sub PC) are provided.
Can be selectively placed.

FIG. 3 shows the surface of the tray (5), on which the first to fifth regulating members (6) to (10) for defining the mounting positions of the A4PC and the sub-PC are mounted. Have been. The first regulating member (6) extends in the middle of the left side of the surface of the tray (5) in parallel with the sliding direction of the tray (5) (the direction of arrow A in the figure), and A4P indicated by a dashed line in FIG.
The left end position of C (11) and the sub PC (12) indicated by the two-dot chain line is defined. The second regulating member (7) extends along the right side of the surface of the tray (5) and defines the right end position of the A4PC (11). The third restricting member (8) extends in the right side direction from substantially the center of the front edge of the surface of the tray (5), and has a step-like planar shape that rises from left to right. The first stage (13) defines the front end position of the sub PC (12), and the second stage (14) defines the front end position of the A4PC (11). The fourth regulating member (9) is a fixing portion (1) extending along the left side from the lower left corner of the tray (5) in FIG.
5) and the tray (5) at the center of the fixing part (15)
And a rotating piece (17) that is rotatably held about an axis (16) extending in parallel with the sliding direction of (1). The right side surface of the fixing portion (15) is located on the same plane as the right side surface of the first regulating member (6). Therefore, the fixing portion (15) also has the A4PC (11) and the same as the first regulating member (6). Sub PC (12)
Specifies the left end position of. When the rotating piece (17) is turned over onto the surface of the tray (5) as shown by a broken line in FIG.
The surface facing the regulating member (6) is the second regulating member (8).
It becomes flush with the step (14) and defines the front end position of the A4PC (11). Further, when the rotating piece (17) is turned down, the sub PC (12) is prevented from being placed at a predetermined position. The fifth regulating member (10) is a tray (5)
Arranged in an inverted L-shaped opening (18) drilled in
It has a shape similar to this opening. As shown in FIG. 4 showing the back side of the tray (5), its long side is the axis (19).
, And is always urged toward the surface of the tray (5) by the leaf spring (20). As a result, the surface of the fifth regulating member (10) slightly protrudes from the surface of the tray (5) as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 unless a force against the urging force acts. Further, the fifth regulating member (1)
On the back surface of (0), a projection (2) extending in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG.
1) is formed.

Further, A4PC (1) of the tray (5)
An elongate hole (22) extending in the sliding direction of the tray (5) is formed in a common mounting position of the sub-PC (1) and the sub-PC (12), and a notch (23) is formed in the left end of the tray (5). ) Is formed. The notch (23) has a side perpendicular to the sliding direction of the tray (5) in FIG. 3, and a tapered side inclined from the center of the side of the tray (5) toward the front edge of the left side of the tray (5).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, rollers (24) and (2) for sliding the tray (5) are provided on the back surface of the tray (5).
4), a first stopper (25) for regulating a sliding range of the tray (5), and a pair of first guide ridges (26) (26) extending substantially in the center of the tray (5) in the sliding direction of the tray (5). 26), the guide ridge (26) (2)
It has a first spring (28) arranged in a groove (27) surrounded by 6). One end of the spring (28) is fixed in the vicinity of the rear end of the tray (5) (the position near the standing wall (3) in FIGS. 1 and 2).

FIG. 5 shows the surface of the mounting portion (2). The first
The other end of the spring (28) is locked by a locking portion (29) formed on the front end side of the surface of the mounting portion (2). The locking portion (29) is located in a groove (31) surrounded by a pair of second guide ridges (30) (30) extending in the sliding direction of the tray (5). Further, the groove width a between the second guide ridges (30) (30) is larger than the width b (shown in FIG. 4) of the first guide ridges (26) (26) on the back surface of the tray (5). The first guide ridges (26) and (26) are located between the second guide ridges (30) and (30) when the (5) is mounted on the mounting portion (2). Therefore, the tray (5) is provided with the ridges (26), (26), (3).
0) along the extension direction of (30).
By the urging force of 8), the mounting portion (2) is constantly urged toward the front end.

On the surface of the mounting portion (2), rollers (32) and (32) for further assisting the sliding of the tray (5),
It has a micro switch (33), hook means (34) and a second stopper (35). When the switch (33) is in a state where the tray (5) is completely pulled out to the front end of the mounting portion (2) as shown in FIG. (10) protrusion (2)
1) The fifth regulating member (10) is located immediately below the plate spring (2).
It turns on when it is pushed into the surface of the mounting portion (2) against the urging force of 0). As shown in detail in FIGS. 6 and 7, the hook means (34) is supported by a shaft (36) inside the mounting portion (2), and its tip is mounted by a biasing means comprising a spring (37). It is urged to protrude above the surface of the mounting portion (2) through an opening (38) formed in the surface of the mounting portion (2). The opening (38) corresponds to the tray (5) shown in FIG.
Slot (22) drilled in tray (5) when set
Since it is located immediately below, the tip of the hook means (34) protrudes from the surface of the tray (5) as is clear from FIG. At this time, the hook-shaped portion (39) of the hook means (34) faces the standing wall (3). A contact portion (40) formed between the hook portion (39) and the shaft (36) and protruding in the direction of the standing wall (3) contacts the side wall surface of the standing wall (3) of the elongated hole (22). . Further, the hook-shaped portion (39) is an A4PC (11) or a sub-PC placed at a predetermined position on the tray (5).
It is locked by a locking portion (41) formed on the bottom surface of (12). As a result, A4PC with the tray (5) set
(11) The removal of the sub PC (12) is prevented. On the other hand, when the tray (5) slides in the direction away from the upright wall (3), as shown in FIG. 7, the sliding force is applied to the urging force of the spring (37) via the contact portion (40) of the hook means (34). Acting as a drag on the tray (5) and falling down into the receiver (2) according to the slide of the tray (5).
Locking part (41) of 4PC (11) or sub-PC (12)
Of the hook-shaped portion (39) is also released, and the A4PC (11) or the sub-PC (12) can be removed from the tray (5). The sliding of the tray (5) in the direction away from the upright wall (3) is performed by the first and second slides.
It is regulated by the stoppers (25) and (35). That is, the sliding in the separating direction is performed by the first and second stoppers (25).
(35) is a position where the rear end of the tray (5) is located substantially at the center of the mounting portion (2) as shown in FIG. 2 as shown in FIG. is there.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the left and right ends of the mounting portion (2) are slightly higher than the central portion.
2) and has eaves (43) and (43) protruding from the steps (42) and (42) toward the center of the mounting portion (2). The eaves (43) and (43) cover a part of the left and right ends of the tray (5) to prevent the tray (5) from being removed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the mounting portion (2).

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, first to third square holes (44) to (46) are formed in the standing wall (3) in a horizontal row. From the square holes (44) to (46), the first to third pushing members (48) to (50) are interlocked with the first lever (47) arranged on the left side wall of the mounting portion (2). Mounting part (2)
It can be projected upward. The second and third square holes (4
5) At approximately the center of (46), a first connector (51) having, for example, a 240-pin configuration for electrical connection with the A4PC (11) is mounted. An opening (52) formed from the upright wall (3) to the surface of the mounting portion (2) is located between the first and second square holes (44) and (46). From the opening (52), the second lever (53) on the side wall of the storage section (4)
A sub-connector (54) (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), which will be described later, can be raised above the surface of the mounting portion (2).

FIG. 8 shows an interlocking mechanism between the first lever (47) and the first to third pushing members (48) to (50) and an interlocking mechanism between the second lever (53) and the sub-connector portion (54). 9 and 10 are perspective views showing these interlocking mechanisms. Hereinafter, each interlocking mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS.

The first to third pushing members (48) to (50) are rotatably supported by the first to third crank members (55) to (57), respectively. Further, the crank member (5)
One end of each of 5) to (57) is fixed to a first shaft (58) rotatably supported in the storage section (4). Accordingly, with the rotation of the first shaft (58), the first to third pushing members (48) to (50) can slide in the sliding direction of the tray (5) (the direction of arrow A in the drawing). is there.

A slide plate (60) is connected to the other end of the first crank member (55) via a connecting pin (59). The slide plate (60) extends in the sliding direction of the tray (5) at the left end of the receiver (2). An opening (61) is provided substantially at the center of the slide plate (60).
9 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) and the opening (6).
The first lever (47) on the front end side of the mounting portion (2) of 1)
Are rotatably supported by a shaft (62) (see FIG. 8).

The first lever (47) has a projecting piece (63) projecting inward from the mounting portion (2) on the back surface thereof. The tip of the protruding piece (63) contacts a guide plate (66) mounted outside one end of a swing plate (65) rotatably held on a shaft (64) in the mounting portion (2). Touch

The swing plate (65) is provided with a second spring (6).
7), it is always biased in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 8 and, by driving the solenoid (68), rotates clockwise against the biasing force of the spring (67). The solenoid (68) is driven for a predetermined time (10 seconds in this embodiment) after the switch (69) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is pressed.
This is performed by an electric circuit (not shown).

Next, the relationship between the first lever (47) and the swing plate (65) will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 11 shows a state where the solenoid (68) is not driven. At this time, since the rocking plate (65) is urged counterclockwise by the spring (67), the protruding piece (63) of the first lever (47) is in a positional relationship of abutting on the guide plate (66). Then, the first lever (47) is completely housed inside the mounting portion (2) (non-operation position). On the other hand, FIG.
When the solenoid (68) is driven as shown in (1), the rocking plate (65) rotates clockwise against the urging force of the spring (67), and as a result, the first lever (47) moves the mounting portion (2). )
Protrude outward (operation position). Thereby, the mounting portion (2) of the slide plate (60) by the first lever (47).
The slide operation toward the front end becomes easy. Further, the driving of the solenoid (68) is held for a predetermined time, and during this time the guide plate (66) is held substantially parallel to the slide plate (60), so that as shown in FIG. The lever (47) serves as a posture holding and guiding role.

The function of the rocking plate (65) is to lock the tray (5). That is, FIG.
When the solenoid (68) is not driven in the setting state of the tray (5) as shown in FIG. 11, the notch (23) of the tray (5) is set in the swing plate (6) as shown by the dashed line in FIG.
In the vicinity of the guide plate (66) of (5), it extends in the direction perpendicular to the paper of FIG. 11, and its cross-sectional shape is locked by a lock member (70) similar to the notch (23). Therefore, FIG.
In the state of 1, the tray (5) is fixed at the set state position. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12 or FIG.
In the state where 8) is driven, the lock between the notch (23) and the lock member (70) is released, so that the tray (5) can slide.

In this embodiment, the solenoid (68)
Is set within a predetermined time after the switch (69) is depressed. This is because the unlocking state period between the notch (23) and the lock member (70) due to an erroneous operation of the switch (69) is shortened as much as possible. This is to prevent the desired tray (5) from sliding. If the undesired slide of the tray (5) occurs during the use of the personal computer, the electrical connection between the personal computer and the expansion box (1) is opened as described later, causing a malfunction. On the other hand, after driving the solenoid (68) by pressing the switch (69), the tray (5)
It is also possible to configure so that the driving state is not released until the is moved from the set state position. However, at this time, the occurrence of the erroneous operation is prevented by providing a mechanism for locking the tray (5) at the set state position regardless of the driving of the solenoid (68).

Returning to FIGS. 8 to 10, the first crank member (55) is constantly urged backward by the third spring (71) to the rear of the storage portion (4). Therefore, each extruded member (4
8) to (50) and the slide plate (60) are also urged rearward by the urging force of the third spring (71).

The sub-connector (54) has a second shaft (72) axially supported in parallel with the first shaft (58) in the storage portion (4), and one end is fixed to the second shaft (72). Submount (76), first and second auxiliary extrusion members (74) and (75) fixed to the left and right ends of the other ends of the submount (76), and the auxiliary extrusion members (74) and (7).
5) On the submount (76) between, for example, 16
A second connector (73) having a 0-pin configuration. Also,
The sub-connector (54) is operated by a second lever (53) fixed to one end of a second shaft (72) to operate the first and second auxiliary pushing members (74) (75) and the second connector (73). ) Is rotated about the second shaft (72) so that the second shaft (72) rises to the surface of the mounting portion (2) from the opening (52) shown in FIGS. FIG. 9 shows auxiliary extrusion members (74) (7).
5) shows a state in which the second connector (73) is stored in the storage section (4), and FIG. 10 shows a state in which the second connector (73) is raised to the surface of the mounting section (2). In this raised state, the first and second auxiliary pushing members (74) and (75) are located in front of the first and second pushing members (48) and (49), respectively. Further, the first and second pushing members (74) and (75) are both moved leftward in the figure (FIG. 10) by a fourth spring (77) as shown in FIG.
In the second shaft (72) direction), and
The push rods (78) and (79) are slidable in a communication passage communicating with openings formed in both ends. The push rods (78) and (79) move from the state shown in FIG. 10 to the first and second push members (4) as the slide plate (60) slides.
8) When (49) is extruded in the direction of the mounting portion (2), the tip of the extruded rod is the second shaft (72) of the extruded rod (78) (79).
And the other ends of the push rods (78) and (79) protrude toward the front end of the mounting portion (2).

Next, the first to third extrusion members (48) to (48)
The operation of (50) and the like will be described with reference to FIGS.

Now, in the release state of the tray (5) as shown in FIG. 2, the A4PC (1) is located at a predetermined position defined by the first to fourth regulating members (6) to (9) on the tray (5).
1) is placed (see FIG. 3), and then the tray (5) is slid to the set state position as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the first connector (51) is an A4PC (1
It is connected to the external connector (80) arranged on the back of 1). In this state, as shown in FIG. 11, the notch (23) of the tray (5) and the lock member (70) are in a locked state, and the sliding of the tray (5) is prohibited. Furthermore,
As shown in FIG. 6, since the hook-like portion (39) of the hook means (34) is locked by the locking portion (41) on the bottom surface of the A4PC (11), an upward force acts on the A4PC (11). However, the A4PC (11) is not detached from the tray (5).

In such a state, the switch (6
When 9) is operated, the solenoid (68) is driven, and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the swinging plate (65) is rotated clockwise to cause the first lever (47) to protrude from the side surface of the mounting portion (2) and to lock the notch (23) with the locking member (70). The state is released. When the locked state is released, the tray (5) is urged toward the release position by the urging force of the first spring (28). Since the connection force with the connection connector (80) is larger than the urging force of the first spring (28), the positional relationship shown in FIG. 15 is maintained.

Thereafter, when the first lever (47) is slid toward the front end of the mounting portion (2) as shown in FIG. 13, the first to third pushing members (48) to (5) are interlocked with this sliding.
0) protrudes in the direction of the mounting portion (2), and as shown in FIG.
The back of the 4PC (11) is pushed out toward the front end of the receiver (2), and the first connector (51) and the external connector (80) are pushed out.
The connection with is released. At this time, the first connector (5
Since 1) is located at the center between the second and third pushing members (49) and (50), stress on the connector is evenly applied, and damage to pins and the like constituting the connector can be prevented.

When the connection between the first connector (51) and the external connector (80) is released as shown in FIG. 16, the slide of the tray (5) becomes free, and the A4PC (11) is released.
Even if it is heavy, the tray (5) can be easily slid to the release position by the urging force of the first spring (28).

Also, a sub PC is used instead of the A4PC (11).
(12) is placed on a predetermined position (see FIG. 3) defined by the first, third to fifth regulating members (6), (8) to (10) on the tray (5), and the tray ( When sliding 5) to the set state position (see FIG. 1), FIG.
It is necessary to operate the second lever (53) in advance so that the first and second auxiliary pushing members (74) and (75) and the second connector (73) are exposed on the surface of the mounting portion (2) as shown in FIG. As a result, when the tray (5) reaches the set state position as shown in FIG.
2) Connected to the external connector (82) arranged on the back.

In the set state shown in FIG. 17, unless the switch (69) is operated, the A4PC shown in FIG.
Similar to (11), the sub PC is set by the hook means (34).
(12) The upward separation of the tray (5) is prevented, and the sliding of the tray (5) is also prohibited by the engagement between the lock member (70) and the notch (23). When the switch (69) is operated in such a state, the above-mentioned lock is released and the tray (5) can be slid freely, but the connection force between the second connector (73) and the external connection connector (82) increases. The positional relationship shown in FIG. 17 is maintained. Thereafter, when the first lever (47) is slid in the front end direction of the mounting portion (2) as shown in FIG.
The pushing members (48) to (50) protrude in the direction of the mounting portion (2), but the rear surface of the sub-PC (12) is separated from the upright wall (3) of the storage portion (4), and thus the first lever (47). ) Is operated toward the front end of the mounting portion (2) at the maximum, the tips of the first to third pushing members (48) to (50) do not directly contact the back surface of the sub PC (12). However, the pushing rod (7) of the first and second auxiliary pushing members (74) and (75) located between the sub PC (12) and the first and second pushing members (48) and (49).
8) and (79) are the first and second pushing members (48) and (4).
With the projection of 9), it projects in the direction of the sub-PC (12) and pushes the rear surface of the sub-PC (12) in the direction of the front end of the mounting portion (2), so that the second connector (73) as shown in FIG.
The connection of the tray (5) to the external connection connector (82) is released, and the tray (5) can be slid freely. still,
The second connector (73) and the external connection connector (82)
When the connection with the sub PC (12) is released,
The stress applied to 2) is uniform since the connector (82) is located at the center of the first and second auxiliary pushing members (74) and (75), and does not damage the pins of the connector.

On the other hand, as described above, the microswitch (33) on the mounting portion (2) puts the A4PC (1) on the tray (5).
1) is turned on only when the tray (5) is in the released state and the tray (5) is in the released state. The operating position of the second operating lever (53) is detected by a detecting means such as a micro switch (not shown). Therefore, the second connector (7
3) etc. are exposed on the surface of the mounting portion (2), and A4PC
The state in which (11) is placed on the tray (5) can be determined based on the detection result of the microswitch (33) and the detecting means and can be notified to the user, so that the A4PC (11) and the second connector (73) can be notified. ) Can be avoided.

FIG. 19 shows a state in which a CRT mounting table (83) indicated by a broken line is superimposed on the function expansion box (1).
The mounting table (83) includes a flat portion (84) extending from the rear end of the storage section (4) toward the front end of the mounting section (2). The front edge (85) of the flat portion (84) substantially coincides with the rear end of the tray (5) when the tray (5) is in the released state.

Therefore, even when a CRT or the like is placed on the flat portion (84), the personal computer can be easily attached to and detached from the tray (5).

Although not shown in the drawings, a circuit for processing and outputting multimedia data, such as audio and video, is provided in the function expansion box (1) in addition to the above functions.
A circuit for expanding various functions such as a CD-ROM drive circuit and a power supply circuit is housed therein.

[0043]

According to the present invention, a second portable electronic device (sub-PC in the embodiment) connectable to the second connector is selectively connected to the function expansion box when the sub-connector is in the raised state. On the other hand, in the non-elevated state of the sub-connector portion, the first portable electronic device (A4PC in the embodiment) that can be connected to the first connector can be selectively connected to the function expansion box. Can handle different types of portable electronic devices.

Further, by providing the auxiliary pushing member, the disconnection between the second connector and the external connection connector of the second portable electronic device can be released from the connection between the first connector and the external connection connector of the first portable electronic device. In the same manner as described above, the stress of the extruded member can be used. Since the second connector is disposed in the middle between the pair of auxiliary push members, the pushing force of the push rod supplied to the external connector of the second portable electronic device connected to the second connector is Are applied evenly to the external connector, so that the connector pins are not deformed or damaged when these connectors are disconnected.

Further, when the first portable electronic device is placed on the tray when the sub-connector portion is in the raised state, a notification is made. Therefore, the back of the first portable electronic device and the second portion of the sub-connector portion are notified. It is possible to avoid an undesired collision of the connector or the like and breakage or damage of each part due to the collision. The detection of the placement of the first portable electronic device on the tray is performed by the second portable electronic device.
Since it is also used as a regulating member that regulates the mounting position of the portable electronic device on the tray, the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a tray (5) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the tray (5) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining a surface configuration of a mounting portion (2) according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view for explaining a main part of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view for explaining a main part of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top view showing the mechanism of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional top view for explaining a main part of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional top view for explaining a main part of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional top view for explaining a main part of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view for explaining a main part of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a top view for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a top view for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a top view for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a top view for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a partially transparent perspective view showing the appearance of the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Function expansion box 2 Placement part 3 Standing wall 4 Storage part 5 Tray 6 1st regulating member 7 2nd regulating member 8 3rd regulating member 9 4th regulating member 10 5th regulating member 11 A4 size notebook personal computer (A4PC) 12) Sub-notebook type personal computer (sub-PC) 33 Micro switch 44 First square hole 45 Second square hole 46 Third square hole 48 First pushing member 49 Second pushing member 50 Third pushing member 51 First connector 52 Opening 54 Sub-connector part 73 Second connector 74 First auxiliary pushing member 75 Third auxiliary pushing member 78 Push rod 79 Push rod 80 External connector 82 External connector

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shoichi Sunagawa 3-201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori-shi, Tottori Prefecture Tottori Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshiaki Matsuoka 3-201 Minamiyoshikata, Tottori-shi, Tottori Sanyo Tottori (56) References JP-A-3-269608 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G06F 1/16 G06F 1/18

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] A receiving portion having a standing wall perpendicular to an upper surface of the mounting portion at a rear end of the mounting portion; a first connector fixed to the standing wall; and a mounting portion extending from the standing wall. An opening formed in the upper surface, a sub-connector portion disposed inside the opening so that one end can be raised to the upper surface of the mounting portion, and a second connector attached to the one end of the sub-connector portion.
A function expansion box comprising a connector and a connector. 2. The function expansion box according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of openings formed in the upright wall, and a tip protruding above the mounting portion through each of the openings. A plurality of pushing members, means for projecting the pushing members onto the mounting portion, and the second connector at one end of the sub-connector portion.
A pair of auxiliary extrusion members, each of which is disposed on both sides of the connector, and each of which is opposed to the extrusion member when the sub-connector is raised above the mounting portion; A function expansion box having an extrusion rod projecting in a projecting direction of an extrusion member in conjunction with a member. 3. The function expansion box according to claim 2, wherein the second connector according to claim 2 is disposed at an intermediate position between the pair of auxiliary extrusion members. 4. The function expansion box according to claim 1, further comprising: a tray slidably mounted on the upper surface of the mounting portion in a direction orthogonal to the vertical wall; A member that defines a position on the tray of a first portable electronic device that can be connected to the first portable electronic device; and a member that is electrically connectable to the second connector and that is the same size as the first portable electronic device. And a member that defines a mounting position of the second portable electronic device on the tray, the tray being located at a position where the first or second portable electronic device is not connected to the first or second connector. Means for detecting the presence or absence of the first portable electronic device at the above-mentioned mounting position when being slid; means for detecting the state of elevation of the sub-connector portion to the above-mentioned mounting portion upper surface; The above-mentioned No. (1) A function expansion box, comprising: means for detecting the placement of the portable electronic device and for notifying when the elevation of the sub-connector is detected by the elevation state detection means. 5. The mounting position of the first portable electronic device on the tray among the members for defining the mounting position of the second portable electronic device on the tray according to claim 4. A function expansion box characterized in that a member located inside the box also serves as the above-mentioned placement presence / absence detection means.