JP7528343B1 - Conduction Device and Storage Device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a conduction device that can prevent loss of parts such as a cap and can protect a connector from dust and the like when not in use, and a storage device equipped with the conduction device.
[Solution] The device comprises a case 2, a connector 12 stored in the case 2, an opening 20 provided in the case 2, a shutter 41 switchable between an open state which opens the opening 20 and a closed state which closes the opening, and an operating unit 3 which operates the connector 12, and when the operating unit 3 is operated with the connector 12 stored in the case 2, the shutter 41 switches from the closed state to the open state, and the connector 12 protrudes from the case 2 through the opening 20, and when the operating unit 3 is operated with the connector 12 protruding from the case 2, the connector 12 retracts into the case 2 through the opening 20, and the shutter 41 switches from the open state to the closed state.
[Selected figure] Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a conduction device that can be electrically connected to an external device by connecting it to the external device, and a storage device equipped with the conduction device.

As a conventional conduction device, there is a USB memory equipped with a conduction device, as described in Patent Document 1. Among such USB memories, there is one in which the connector can be stored in the USB memory body (see Figure 8).

Also, as a conventional USB memory with a conduction device, there is one that has a removable cap that covers the connector, as described in Patent Document 2.

JP 2007-072613 A JP 2009-146318 A

However, in the case of a USB memory such as that described in Patent Document 1, even when the connector is stored, the connector is exposed due to the opening through which the connector passes (referred to as an "opening" in Patent Document 1).

With such conduction devices, not only are the connectors unable to be protected from dust and other particles, but the connectors are always exposed from the opening, which can be uncomfortable for some users.

In addition, in the case of a USB memory such as that described in Patent Document 2, the connector is covered with a cap, but since the cap must be removed when the device is used, there is a risk that the cap may be lost.

The object of the present invention is to provide a conduction device that can prevent loss of parts such as caps and protect the connector from dust and other particles when not in use, and a storage device equipped with the conduction device.

The conduction device of the present invention comprises a case, a connector housed in the case, an opening provided in the case, a shutter switchable between an open state in which the opening is opened and a closed state in which the opening is closed, and an operation unit that operates the connector by being slid, wherein when the operation unit is operated with the connector housed in the case, the shutter switches from the closed state to the open state and the connector protrudes from the case through the opening, and when the operation unit is operated with the connector protruding from the case, the connector retracts into the case through the opening and the shutter moves from the open state to the open state. the case has a first side wall, a second side wall facing the first side wall, a third side wall adjacent to the first side wall and the second side wall, and a fourth side wall adjacent to the first side wall and the second side wall and facing the third side wall, a guide hole portion for guiding the operating unit is formed along the longitudinal direction of the first side wall, an inner wall facing the guide hole portion is formed along the inner surface of the third side wall, a connector storage space in which the connector is stored is defined by the second side wall and the inner wall, a gap is provided between the inner wall and the fourth side wall, and the operating unit is provided across the outside of the first side wall and the connector storage space via the guide hole portion and the gap.

According to this invention, in the use state where the connector protrudes through the opening, the shutter is in an open state that opens the opening, and in the storage state where the connector retracts into the case, the shutter is in a closed state that closes the opening. Therefore, in the storage state, i.e., when not in use, the connector is not exposed, but is covered by the shutter and the case. As a result, it is possible to protect the connector from dust and the like.
According to the present invention, an inner wall is disposed between the guide hole and the connector accommodating space, so that even if dust or the like enters through the guide hole, the inner wall can prevent the dust or the like from entering the connector accommodating space.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the operating part is formed with a groove into which the inner wall fits, and the operating part slides along the inner wall.

With this configuration, the operating part slides while being guided by the inner wall, allowing for smooth sliding movement of the operating part.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the operating unit has a manual operating unit that is manually operated on the outside of the first side wall, and a connector operating unit that is connected to the connector in the connector storage space and operates the connector in response to an operation on the manual operating unit.

According to this configuration, when the manual operation unit is operated outside the first side wall, the connector is manually operated via the connector operation unit located in the connector storage space. In other words, the connector is operated by the connector operation unit located in a section different from the part that is manually operated. As a result, since there is no need for the user to directly slide the connector with their fingers, etc., it is possible to reduce the connector becoming dirty due to contact with fingers, etc.

In the present invention, it is preferable that a rib is formed along the longitudinal direction of a portion of the inner surface of the third side wall that is located in the connector storage space, a rib is formed along the longitudinal direction of a portion of the inner surface of the fourth side wall that is located in the connector storage space, and the connector operating portion slides along the rib.

With this configuration, the connector operating part slides while in contact with the rib. Compared to when there is no rib, the area of contact with the connector operating part is smaller, reducing friction and allowing the connector operating part and the connector to slide more smoothly.

The storage device of the present invention comprises the conduction device of the above invention and a storage unit, and stores information in the storage unit and outputs the information stored in the storage unit via the conduction device.

According to this invention, it is possible to configure a storage device, such as a USB memory, that includes a conduction device having the above-mentioned effects and a storage unit.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the internal structure of the case of the USB memory as viewed in the thickness direction. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a case of a USB memory. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the shutter mechanism when switching from a stored state to a use state. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the shutter mechanism when switching from a use state to a storage state.

[Overall configuration of USB memory]
In the following, a USB memory is described as an example of a storage device equipped with a conduction device that can be electrically connected to an external device by connecting it to the external device. As shown in Fig. 1, the USB memory is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a certain thickness. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the direction of the arrow L in the figure is the "longitudinal direction", the direction of the arrow W is the "width direction" and the "short direction", and the direction of the arrow T is the "thickness direction". In addition, the direction of the arrow F in the longitudinal direction is the "front" and the "front side", and the direction of the arrow B in the longitudinal direction is the "rear" and the "rear side".

As shown in FIG. 1, the USB memory includes a main body 1 and a case 2 that covers the main body 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 1 includes a memory unit 11 capable of storing data, and a connector 12 for connecting to an external device (not shown). Here, the external device is a personal computer or tablet having a USB connection port. The memory unit 11 and the external device are electrically connected via the connector 12.

The memory unit 11 is composed of semiconductor chips, etc., and stores information from an external device to the memory unit 11 via the connector 12, and outputs information stored in the memory unit 11 to the external device.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the case 2 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a first side wall SW1 and a second side wall SW2 that face each other in the width direction, and a third side wall SW3 and a fourth side wall SW4 that face each other in the thickness direction and are adjacent to the first side wall SW1 and the second side wall SW2, respectively. The case 2 has an opening 20 on one side (front side) in the longitudinal direction through which the connector 12 can enter and exit. The case 2 also has a rear wall BW on the other side (rear side) in the longitudinal direction.

The case 2 is composed of a first member 2A that constitutes one side in the thickness direction, and a second member 2B that constitutes the other side in the thickness direction. The third side wall SW3 is formed on the first member 2A side of the case 2, and the fourth side wall SW4 is formed on the second member 2B side. The first side wall SW1 and the second side wall SW2 are each formed by the side wall of the first member 2A and the side wall of the second member 2B.

The USB memory is configured so that it can be manually switched between a use state in which the connector 12 protrudes from the case 2 through the opening 20 and can be plugged into an external device, and a storage state in which the connector 12 is stored within the case 2. The USB memory can be switched between the use state and the storage state by sliding the main body 1.

[Slide guide mechanism]
The USB memory includes a slide guide mechanism that guides the sliding movement of the main body 1 (connector 12 ) relative to the case 2 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the case 2 has a first inner wall 21 (corresponding to the "inner wall" of the present invention) and a second inner wall 22 that act as a slide guide mechanism to guide the sliding movement of the main body 1 between the stored state and the use state.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first inner wall 21 is provided so as to contact the side surface of the first side wall SW1 side of the main body 1 and to extend along the inner surface of the third side wall SW3. The first inner wall 21 is formed integrally with the first member 2A and is formed so as to extend from the inner surface of the first side wall SW1 of the case 2 toward the fourth side wall SW4. A gap G is formed between the first inner wall 21 and the fourth side wall SW4. In this embodiment, the second side wall SW2 and the first inner wall 21 define a connector storage space S in which the connector 12 is stored.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the second inner wall 22 is provided so as to contact the side surface of the main body 1 on the second side wall SW2 side and to extend along the inner surface of the second side wall SW2. The second inner wall 22 is formed from the first side wall SW1 to the fourth side wall SW4 of the case 2. In other words, it is composed of a first member 2A and a second member 2B.

In addition, as a slide guide mechanism, three ribs 23 extending along the longitudinal direction are formed on the inner surface of the third side wall SW3 of the case 2 in a portion located in the connector storage space S. The ribs 23 formed on the inner surface of the third side wall SW3 are formed integrally with the first member 2A of the case 2. Similarly, three ribs 23 extending along the longitudinal direction are formed on the inner surface of the fourth side wall SW4 of the case 2 in a portion located in the connector storage space S. The ribs 23 formed on the inner surface of the fourth side wall SW4 are formed integrally with the second member 2B of the case 2.

Furthermore, as a slide guide mechanism, two protrusions 34 are formed on the surface of the base portion 31 of the operation unit 3 (described later) facing the third side wall SW3 and the surface facing the fourth side wall SW4 of the case 2. These protrusions 34 are arranged so as to be located between the ribs 23 formed on the inner surface of the third side wall SW3 and the inner surface of the fourth side wall SW4 in the width direction.

With the above-mentioned configuration, the main body 1 (connector 12) is configured to slide along the rib 23 while being guided by the first inner wall 21 and the second inner wall 22 by the slide guide mechanism.

[About the operation unit]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the USB memory includes an operation unit 3 for manually sliding the main body unit 1 (connector 12).

The operating unit 3 comprises a base part 31 arranged in the connector storage space S adjacent to the main body part 1 in the direction (rear) of the rear wall BW side of the main body part 1, and a manual operating part 32 formed separately from the base part 31 and manually operated outside the first side wall SW1 of the case 2. The base part 31 comprises a biasing part 33 formed integrally with the base part 31 and applying a biasing force to the manual operating part 32. The base part 31 and the biasing part 33 are made of a flexible and elastic resin or the like.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the first side wall SW1 of the case 2 is formed with a guide hole portion 24, which is an elongated hole extending along the longitudinal direction. The guide hole portion 24 is formed on the edge of each side wall constituting the first side wall SW1 of the first member 2A and the second member 2B, and the guide hole portion 24 having an elongated hole shape is formed by combining the first member 2A and the second member 2B.

The outer lateral portion of the manual operation unit 32 is positioned so as to be located outside the case 2 via the guide hole portion 24. The manual operation unit 32 is guided along the longitudinal direction of the first side wall SW1 by the guide hole portion 24, and is configured to slide along the first inner wall 21.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a groove portion D into which the first inner wall 21 fits is formed in the base portion 31 and the manual operation portion 32 of the operation unit 3. By fitting the first inner wall 21 into the groove portion D, the operation unit 3 is configured to be positioned so as to straddle the first inner wall 21 via the gap G. With this configuration, the operation unit 3 is provided across the outside of the first side wall SW1 and the connector storage space S via the guide hole portion 24 and the gap G. The first inner wall 21 is formed so as to face the guide hole portion 24. The operation unit 3 slides along the first inner wall 21 while straddling the first inner wall 21.

In this embodiment, the main body 1 is connected to the front end of the foundation 31. Here, when the manual operation unit 32 is operated along the longitudinal direction, the foundation 31 moves in the longitudinal direction together with the manual operation unit 32. Therefore, when the manual operation unit 32 is operated along the longitudinal direction, the main body 1 connected to the foundation 31 moves in the longitudinal direction together with the foundation 31.

With the above-mentioned configuration, the operation unit 3 is configured to be slidable along the side surface (first side wall SW1) of the case 2. In this embodiment, the base unit 31 functions as a connector operation unit that operates the connector 12 in the connector storage space S in response to an operation on the manual operation unit 32. With these configurations, the USB memory is switched to a use state in which the connector 12 protrudes from the case 2 by sliding the operation unit 3 toward the opening 20, and is switched to a storage state in which the connector 12 retracts into the case 2 by sliding the operation unit 3 toward the opposite side from the opening 20.

[About the locking mechanism]
The USB memory includes a locking mechanism that makes it possible to prevent the main body 1 from sliding unintentionally.

As shown in FIG. 3, a rail 31a extending in the width direction is formed on the surface of the base part 31 that contacts the front surface (the opening 20 side) of the manually operated part 32. The rail 31a fits into a groove 32a formed in the manually operated part 32, and the manually operated part 32 is configured to be movable in the width direction along the extension direction of the rail 31a.

The biasing portion 33 is formed in a plate shape extending from a wall located on the rear wall BW side (rear side) of the base portion 31 toward the opening 20 side (forward). The front end portion of the biasing portion 33 abuts the manual operation portion 32. When the manual operation portion 32 is pushed toward the second side wall SW2 side, the biasing portion 33 is pushed toward the second side wall SW2 side and bends due to its flexibility and elasticity. The force of the bent biasing portion 33 attempting to return to its original shape generates a biasing force on the manual operation portion 32 toward the first side wall SW1 side.

With the above-mentioned configuration, when the user presses the manual operation unit 32 against the biasing force of the biasing unit 33 with a finger or the like, the manual operation unit 32 moves toward the second side wall SW2, and when the user removes the finger or the like from the manual operation unit 32, the biasing force of the biasing unit 33 causes the manual operation unit 32 to return to its original position.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the manual operation unit 32 has a protrusion 35 formed to protrude in the thickness direction and width direction. In addition, a plurality of recesses 25 are formed on the inner surface of the first side wall SW1 of the case 2, into which the protrusions 35 can fit.

The multiple recesses 25 are formed at positions corresponding to the positions where the protrusions 35 are located when in use and at positions corresponding to the positions where the protrusions 35 are located when in the stored state.

When the manual operation unit 32 is pressed, the convex portion 35 moves away from the concave portion 25 and disengages from the concave portion 25. When in the use state or the stored state, the manual operation unit 32 moves toward the concave portion 25 due to the biasing force of the biasing portion 33 and fits into the concave portion 25. With this configuration, the main body portion 1 is fixed in position when in the use state or the stored state. As a result, it is possible to prevent the main body portion 1 from sliding unintentionally. In this embodiment, the locking mechanism is composed of the operation unit 3 having the manual operation unit 32, the biasing portion 33, and the convex portion 35, and the concave portion 25.

[Shutter mechanism]
The USB memory includes a shutter mechanism that can be switched between an open state in which the opening 20 is open and a closed state in which the opening 20 is closed.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the USB memory includes a shutter member 40 that constitutes a shutter mechanism. The shutter member 40 is made of a plate-like member, and the plate-like member is made of a flexible and elastic resin or the like.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, on the inside of the case 2 on the opposite side to the opening 20, an inner rear inner wall 26 connected to the second inner wall 22 and an outer rear inner wall 27 positioned outside the inner rear inner wall 26 are formed. As a shutter mechanism, a swirl circuit CR is provided between the inner rear inner wall 26 and the outer rear inner wall 27, and a shutter member 40 can be disposed thereon. The swirl circuit CR is formed in a U-shape.

Furthermore, as a shutter mechanism, a straight path SR is provided between the second side wall SW2 and the second inner wall 22 of the case 2, on which the shutter member 40 can be arranged. The straight path SR is connected to the turning path CR.

The shutter member 40 includes a shutter section 41 (corresponding to the "shutter" of the present invention) that switches the opening 20 between an open state and a closed state, and a connecting section 42 that connects the shutter section 41 to the operating section 3.

The connecting portion 42 extends from the shutter portion 41 along the inner surface of the second side wall SW2. Furthermore, the end of the connecting portion 42 on the operating unit 3 side is connected to the side of the base portion 31 of the operating unit 3 opposite the opening 20 side on the first side wall SW1 side. The connecting portion 42 of the shutter member 40 is arranged so as to pass through the spiral path CR and the straight path SR.

[Operation of the shutter mechanism when switching from the stored state to the use state]
As shown in Fig. 5, when the USB memory is switched from the stored state to the use state, the operation unit 3 is operated toward the opening 20 as shown by the arrow in Fig. 5. At this time, the portion of the connecting part 42 that is connected to the operating part 3 is pulled toward the opening 20 by the operating part 3. Here, the portion of the connecting part 42 located on the spiral path CR (see Fig. 2) is curved in a U-shape. When the connecting part 42 is pulled toward the opening 20, the portion of the connecting part 42 located on the straight path SR (see Fig. 2) moves toward the opposite side to the opening 20. As a result, the shutter part 41 is pulled toward the opposite side to the opening 20 by the connecting part 42 as shown by the arrow in Fig. 5.

In other words, in the closed state, the end 41a of the shutter part 41 opposite the connecting part 42 is located on the side of the first side wall SW1 of the opening 20, but when the operating part 3 is operated toward the opening 20, the end 41a of the shutter part 41 opposite the connecting part 42 moves from the first side wall SW1 side to the second side wall SW2 side of the opening 20, and the shutter part 41 becomes in the open state.

With the above-mentioned configuration, when the connector 12 is in a stored state stored within the case 2, the operating unit 3 is operated toward the opening 20 side, switching the shutter unit 41 from a closed state to an open state, and switching the connector 12 to a use state in which it protrudes from the case 2 through the opening 20.

[Operation of the shutter mechanism when switching from the use state to the storage state]
As shown in Fig. 6, when the USB memory is switched from the use state to the storage state, the operation unit 3 is operated to the opposite side of the opening 20 as shown by the arrow in Fig. 6. At this time, the part of the connecting part 42 connected to the operation unit 3 is pushed by the operation unit 3 toward the opposite side of the opening 20. Here, the part of the connecting part 42 located on the spiral path CR (see Fig. 2) is curved in a U-shape. When the connecting part 42 is pushed toward the opposite side of the opening 20, the part of the connecting part 42 located on the straight path SR (see Fig. 2) moves toward the opening 20. As a result, the shutter part 41 is pushed toward the opening 20 by the connecting part 42 as shown by the arrow in Fig. 6.

In other words, when the operating unit 3 is operated in the direction opposite the opening 20, the end 41a of the shutter unit 41 opposite the connecting portion 42 moves from the second side wall SW2 side of the opening 20 to the first side wall SW1 side, and the shutter unit 41 enters a closed state.

With the above-mentioned configuration, when the connector 12 is in a use state protruding from the case 2, the operating unit 3 is operated in the direction opposite to the opening 20, causing the connector 12 to retreat into the case 2 through the opening 20, and the shutter unit 41 to switch from an open state to a closed state.

[Another embodiment]
Hereinafter, another embodiment in which the above embodiment is modified will be described.

(1) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the operating unit 3 is slid toward the opening 20 to switch between the use state and the storage state. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. A knock-type operating unit may be provided so as to penetrate the rear wall BW of the case 2, and may be pushed toward the opening 20 in the storage state to switch to the use state, and may be pushed toward the opening 20 in the use state to return to the storage state.

(2) In the above embodiment, the manual operation unit 32 is described as being configured to be slidable along the first side wall SW1. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the manual operation unit 32 may be configured to be slidable along the second side wall SW2, the third side wall SW3, or the fourth side wall SW4.

(3) In the above embodiment, the connecting portion 42 is described as extending from the shutter portion 41 along the inner surface of the second side wall SW2. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the connecting portion 42 may be configured to extend along the third side wall SW3 or the fourth side wall SW4.

(4) In the above embodiment, the guide hole portion 24 is formed by combining the first member 2A and the second member 2B. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The guide hole portion 24 may be formed in either the first member 2A or the second member 2B.

(5) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the first inner wall 21 extending along the third side wall SW3 is provided has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the configuration may be such that the first inner wall 21 is not provided. In this case, the configuration may be such that the groove portion D is not formed in the operating portion 3.

(6) In the above embodiment, the ribs 23 are provided on the inner surface of the third side wall SW3 and the inner surface of the fourth side wall SW4, and the protrusions 34 are provided on the base portion 31 of the operation unit 3. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the configuration may be such that either one or both of the ribs 23 and the protrusions 34 are not provided.

(7) In the above embodiment, the base portion 31 functions as a connector operation portion. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The present invention may be configured to operate the connector 12 in the connector storage space S in response to an operation on the manual operation portion 32, separate from the base portion 31.

(8) In the above embodiment, a USB memory is used as an example of a storage device equipped with a conduction device. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Instead of a storage device, for example, a storage device such as a hard disk drive, a wireless device such as Wi-Fi, or an input device such as a keyboard or mouse may be used.

The configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, so long as no contradiction occurs. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the purpose of the present invention.

The present invention can be used for a conduction device that can be electrically connected to an external device by connecting it to the external device, and for a storage device equipped with the conduction device.

2: Case 3: Operation unit 11: Memory unit 12: Connector 20: Opening 21: First inner wall (inner wall)
23: Rib 24: Guide hole portion 31: Base portion (connector operation portion)
32: Human operation unit
D: Groove G: Gap S: Connector storage space SW1: First side wall SW2: Second side wall SW3: Third side wall SW4: Fourth side wall

Claims (5)

Case and
A connector housed in the case; and
An opening provided in the case;
a shutter switchable between an open state in which the opening is opened and a closed state in which the opening is closed;
an operating unit that operates the connector by being slid,
When the operating unit is operated with the connector housed in the case, the shutter is switched from the closed state to the open state, and the connector protrudes from the case through the opening,
When the operating unit is operated in a state in which the connector protrudes from the case, the connector retracts into the case through the opening, and the shutter switches from the open state to the closed state;
the case has a first side wall, a second side wall facing the first side wall, a third side wall adjacent to the first side wall and the second side wall, and a fourth side wall adjacent to the first side wall and the second side wall and facing the third side wall,
A guide hole portion for guiding the operation portion is formed along a longitudinal direction of the first side wall,
an inner wall facing the guide hole portion is formed along an inner surface of the third side wall;
a connector storage space in which the connector is stored is defined by the second side wall and the inner wall,
A gap is provided between the inner wall and the fourth side wall,
The operation portion is provided across an outer side of the first side wall and the connector accommodating space via the guide hole portion and the gap. The conduction device according to claim 1 , wherein the operation portion is formed with a groove into which the inner wall fits, and the operation portion slides along the inner wall. The operation unit is
a manual operation unit that is manually operated on the outer side of the first side wall;
The conduction device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a connector operation portion connected to the connector in the connector storage space, the connector being operated in response to an operation on the manual operation portion. a rib is formed along a longitudinal direction of a portion of an inner surface of the third side wall that is positioned in the connector storage space, and a rib is formed along a longitudinal direction of a portion of an inner surface of the fourth side wall that is positioned in the connector storage space,
The conduction device according to claim 3 , wherein the connector operating portion slides along the rib. A conduction device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , and a memory unit,
A storage device that stores information in the storage unit and outputs the information stored in the storage unit via the conduction device.

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