NL2012183C2 - Electronic device with a retractable connector. - Google Patents

Electronic device with a retractable connector. Download PDF

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Publication number
NL2012183C2
NL2012183C2 NL2012183A NL2012183A NL2012183C2 NL 2012183 C2 NL2012183 C2 NL 2012183C2 NL 2012183 A NL2012183 A NL 2012183A NL 2012183 A NL2012183 A NL 2012183A NL 2012183 C2 NL2012183 C2 NL 2012183C2
Authority
NL
Netherlands
Prior art keywords
retracted
pin
over
ejected
male connector
Prior art date
Application number
NL2012183A
Other languages
Dutch (nl)
Inventor
Robert Wilhelmina Maria Berkom
Ralf Joannes Geerlof Bruin
Original Assignee
Deonet Production B V
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Deonet Production B V filed Critical Deonet Production B V
Priority to NL2012183A priority Critical patent/NL2012183C2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of NL2012183C2 publication Critical patent/NL2012183C2/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
    • H05K5/02—Details
    • H05K5/0256—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms
    • H05K5/026—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms having standardized interfaces
    • H05K5/0278—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms having standardized interfaces of USB type
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G06K19/0772—Physical layout of the record carrier
    • G06K19/07732—Physical layout of the record carrier the record carrier having a housing or construction similar to well-known portable memory devices, such as SD cards, USB or memory sticks

Description

P31868NL00/WHA
Title: Electronic device with a retractable connector
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to electronic devices which have a male connector which fits in a standard female port of a computer, in particular a female USB port of a computer. Such devices are known.
Prior art and analysis
An example of such an electronic device is a USB stick. Many types of USB sticks are known and USB sticks are widely used. Other kinds of electronic devices with male connectors are also known.
In the present invention it was recognized that the male connector may be quite vulnerable and also may aesthetically not be considered very attractive. In particular USB sticks are often used for promotional purposes and for that reason need an attractive appearance. The housing of such USB sticks is then provided with a very attractive shape and colouring. There are various ways of providing the attractive shape and colouring.
For an attractive USB stick, the connector itself may look quite ugly in view of the attractive shape of the housing and may spoil the visual effect somewhat. Apart from that the male connector can be vulnerable as mentioned.
The insight was developed that it would be both an aesthetical improvement and a functional improvement if the male connector could be substantially or entirely retracted into the housing and ejected from the housing by the user when he or she desires to actually use the USB stick.
However, if the ejecting movement would require an extra button or activating organ on the housing, the aesthetic improvement could be partially or wholly undone by the extra button or other activating organ, since the extra button(s) or activating organ could provide an ugly dissonant on the attractive housing.
Furthermore, when the male connector is inserted into a port of a computer, the port exerts a counter force on the male connector. The counter force may result in the effect that the male connector is simply pushed back into the cavity of the housing, without being inserted into the port.
Therefore, the male connector should need some kind of locking mechanism with which it is locked and which prevents the male connector from being pushed back into the cavity when it is inserted into a port of a computer.
However, it was recognized that if the locking mechanism itself would require a button or other activating organ, the same adverse aesthetical effect would occur as described above in relation to the ejecting movement.
Therefore, the invention is based on the insight that the locking mechanism itself should also be free of any buttons or in general activating organs.
Moreover, when the male connector is in the retracted position inside the cavity, it should also be locked, because otherwise it would come out of the cavity when this is not desired. This could lead to adverse effects in terms of aesthetics and vulnerability. Furthermore, if this second locking or biasing mechanism or locking function would require a button or activating member, this would itself create an adverse aesthetical effect similar to the one described above in relation to the ejecting movement.
The invention
The invention provides an electronic device comprising: - a housing comprising a cavity, - a movable part comprising a male connector which fits in a standard female port of a computer, in particular a female USB port, wherein the cavity accommodates the movable part, wherein the movable part is movable relative to the housing between a retracted position wherein the male connector is inside the housing and an ejected position wherein the male connector protrudes from the housing and can be inserted into the standard female port of the computer, - an ejection spring which acts on the movable part, wherein the ejection spring urges the movable part out of the cavity from the retracted position, - a first locking mechanism for locking the movable part in the retracted position against an outward movement, wherein the first locking mechanism allows the male connector to be pushed by a user against the action of the ejection spring from the retracted position further inward into the cavity to an over-retracted position, as a result of which the first locking mechanism is unlocked and the male connector ejects from the cavity to the ejected position under the action of the ejection spring, - a second locking mechanism for locking the male connector in the ejected position against movement into the cavity, wherein the second locking mechanism allows pulling by the user of the male connector from the ejected position further outwards to an over-ejected position, as a result of which the second locking mechanism is unlocked and the male connector is free to be reinserted into the cavity to the retracted position by a pushing action of the user against the action of the ejection spring.
The invention may provide an electronic device having a housing and a male connector which can be ejected and retracted without any additional buttons or activating organs. The result is an electronic device, in particular a USB stick, which is very attractive without compromising the functionality.
With the device, the user can push the front face of the male connector and use this face as a button for unlocking the first lock. By pushing the front face, the male connector unlocks and is ejected under the influence of the ejection spring. When the male connector is in the ejected position, it is locked for use. The user can unlock the male connector by pulling the male connector outwards after which the male connector can be reinserted by pushing the male connector back into the cavity.
In an embodiment, the device comprises an annular cam track and a pin which travels through the cam track, wherein the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism are lock positions which are defined by the cam track and in which the pin is locked in at least one direction. The lock positions may be recessed parts in the cam track. This was found to be a practical and simple embodiment which can be manufactured at relatively low costs.
In an embodiment, the cam track defines: a retracted lock position for the pin in which the male connector is locked in the retracted position against the action of the ejection spring, a first over-retracted position for the pin in which the male connector is retracted further into the housing than in the retracted position, an ejected lock position for the pin in which the male connector is locked in the ejected position against an inward force on the male connector, an over-ejected position in which the male connector protrudes further from the housing than in the ejected position, a second over-retracted position in which the male connector is retracted further into the housing than in the retracted position, wherein the pin travels through the cam track consecutively from one position to the next position until the pin returns in the retracted lock position. This embodiment is relatively simple and reliable and allows production at low costs.
In an embodiment, at the ejected lock position the cam track has a stop face which prevents the pin from moving back in the direction of the retracted lock position.
In an embodiment, the device comprises a bias spring for biasing the pin in a direction which is substantially orthogonal to the direction of action of the ejection spring.
The bias spring provides a simple and reliable construction
In an embodiment, the pin is biased by the bias spring, wherein the bias spring has a zero force position and wherein the pin can be moved to both sides of the zero force position, and wherein at a first side of the zero force position the pin is biased in one direction and wherein at a second, opposite side of the zero force position the pin is biased in the opposite direction, wherein at least a part of the cam track is located on the first side and wherein at least a part of the cam track is located on the second, opposite side of the zero force position. This is a simple way of guiding the pin through the respective positions.
In an embodiment, the ejected lock position is formed as a recess in an ejection track section of the cam track, wherein the recess is in particular formed in the bias direction of the biasing spring, so that the pin is urged into the recess under the action of the biasing spring when it reaches the ejected lock position. The recess provides a simple and reliable way of creating the ejected lock position.
In an embodiment, the cam track further comprises an oblique part which extends from the ejected lock position in an oblique direction relative to the main direction of movement of the movable part toward the over-ejected position, wherein the oblique part prevents the pin from moving toward the over-ejected position by itself while at the same time allowing the user to pull the pin along the oblique part toward the over-ejected position, thereby moving the pin against the biasing direction of the biasing spring.
In an embodiment, the pin and the bias spring are connected to the movable part and the cam track is connected to the housing.
In an embodiment, the movable part defines a UDP cavity which holds a UDP.
In an embodiment, at the retracted lock position the cam track has a stop face which prevents the pin from moving in an outward direction, and wherein the cam track has a back section which extends from the retracted lock position against the action of the ejection spring to the first over-retracted position wherein the cam track makes a turn at the first overretracted position, and wherein the cam track comprises an ejection track section which extends from the turn at the first over-retracted position to the ejected lock position. This embodiment allows a simple and fast ejection of the movable part.
In an embodiment, the cam track comprises an insertion track section which extends in a direction against the action of the ejection spring from the over-ejected position to the second over-retracted position, and wherein at the second over-retracted position the cam track makes a turn, and wherein a return section extends from the second over-retracted position to the retracted position. This embodiment allows a simple and fast insertion of the movable part into the housing.
In an embodiment, at the turn at the first over-retracted position the direction of travel changes from a direction against the action of the ejection spring to a direction with the action of the ejection spring.
In an embodiment, at the turn at the second over-retracted position the direction of travel changes from a direction against the action of the ejection spring to a direction with the action of the ejection spring.
In an embodiment, at the over-ejected position the cam track makes a turn, wherein at the turn the direction of travel changes from a direction with the action of the ejection spring to a direction against the action of the ejection spring.
In an embodiment, the ejected lock position is located near a zero force position of the ejection spring. This allows a stable position of the movable part in the ejected position.
In an embodiment, the cam track is located in a plane which is oriented parallel to a main face of the UDP and parallel to the direction of travel of the movable part.
In an embodiment, the pin is integral with the bias spring. This embodiment creates simplicity of construction.
In an embodiment, the ejection spring is provided inside the cavity between an inner end of the movable part and a blind end face of the cavity. This embodiment results in a simple and reliable construction.
In an embodiment, in the retracted lock position or in the over-retracted position an end of the movable part is flush or almost flush with the housing. The end may in particular protrude from the housing over a distance which is similar to the distance over which the movable part is inserted into the housing when moving from the retracted position to the over-retracted position. This creates a simple and natural operation.
In an embodiment, the device is free of any buttons for operation of the movable part, other than the movable part itself. This allows an attractive shape of the electronic device.
Typically, the male connector forms the end of the movable part.
In an embodiment, the cavity is substantially box-shaped, and extends in a longitudinal direction from a side of the housing to a blind end face of the cavity inside the housing.
In an embodiment, the housing defines sliding rails in the walls of the cavity along which the male connector slides between the retracted position and the protruded position.
In an embodiment, the ejection spring is helical and has substantially straight sections interconnected by turns, wherein when viewed in the direction of the spring force the ejection spring has a substantially rectangular shape.
In an embodiment, the housing is substantially flat, and the entrance of the cavity is located in the side of the substantially flat housing, so that the male connector protrudes from the side of the housing in the ejected position.
The flat housing allows the production of customized electronic devices by a punching operation of a specific customized form from the flat housing with a punching device. Another forming operation such as a cutting operation or milling operation is also possible.
The square shape is a general shape and allows a wide variety of forms to be punched from the housing. Conceivable forms may be an action figure, an animal, a logo, a phantasy figure, a face of a person. The punched form may be provided with a matching print, for instance a sticker having a matching shape and print on the sticker.
Domings may be provided on both sides. Domings are dome-shaped covering layers of hardened resin which are deposited on a film layer. The hardened resin is often transparent. The film layer may be printed sticker
These and other aspects of the invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designate like parts.
Brief description of the figures
Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment according to the invention.
Figure 2 shows a view from above of the embodiment of figure 1 with a lid removed and with the movable part in the retracted position.
Figure 3 shows a view similar to figure 2 but with the movable part removed.
Figure 4 shows a detail A indicated in figure 2.
Figure 5 shows a view similar to figure 4 but with the movable part removed.
Figure 6 shows a view from above of the embodiment of figure 1 with a lid removed and with the movable part in the ejected position.
Figure 7 shows a view similar to figure 6 but with the movable part removed.
Figure 8 shows a detail A indicated in figure 6.
Figure 9 shows a view similar to figure 8 but with the movable part removed.
Figure 10 shows a view from above of the embodiment of figure 1 with a lid removed and with the movable part in the over-ejected position.
Figure 11 shows a view similar to figure 10 but with the movable part removed.
Figure 12 shows a detail A indicated in figure 10.
Figure 13 shows a view similar to figure 12. but with the movable part removed.
Figures 14, 15 and 16 show detailed views of the cam track end the travelling pin in various positions.
Figure 17 shows a bottom view of the housing.
Figure 18 shows a side view of the housing.
Figure 19 shows a top view of the housing.
Figure 20 shows a sectional view of the housing along the lines A-A in figure 19.
Figure 21 shows an enlarged view of detail A of figure 18.
Figure 22 shows an isometric view of the upper side of the movable part.
Figure 23 shows an isometric view of the lower side of the movable part.
Figures 24, 25 and 26 show a top view of the electronic device according to the invention in action.
Detailed description of the figures
Turning to figure 1, an electronic device 10 according to the invention is shown in exploded view. The electronic device 10 comprises a housing 12. The housing is squareshaped with rounded corners 14. The housing has an upper side 16 and a lower side 18. The housing has four side walls 22 and four edges 20 between the respective side walls 22 and the upper side 16. The housing may also have a very different shape. Any shape is in principle possible.
The housing has a cavity 26, which protrudes inward from a side wall 22 of the housing. The cavity 26 has an open top side which is later closed with a lid as discussed further below. Along the sides of the cavity 26, grooves 28 are defined. The grooves 28 extend along the sides. The cavity has a blind end wall 29.
The cavity comprises a deep part 30 and an elevated part 31. The transition is formed by a ridge 33. The elevated part 31 defines a groove 32 which will be discussed further below and is further indicated as a cam track 32. The cavity further comprises notches 35 which prevent the movable part from falling out of the cavity.
The electronic device further comprises an ejection spring 34. The ejection spring is a compression spring. The electronic device 10 further comprises a biasing spring 36 for biasing the pin in a direction which is substantially orthogonal to the direction of action of the ejection spring.
The biasing spring has a connection end 38 at one side which is configured for connection with the movable part as discussed below. The biasing spring is integral with a pin 40 via a bend 41. The pin 40 forms an end of the biasing spring and extends in a direction transverse to the biasing spring 36 itself. The biasing spring is based on bending.
The electronic device 10 further comprises a movable part 50. The movable part 50 fits in the cavity 26. The movable part is elongate and has an inner end 51 and an outer end 52.
The movable part further has a UDP cavity 54 configured for holding a UDP. The UDP cavity is defined in an upper side 55 of the movable part 50.
The movable part further comprises a connector 57 which allows connection of the biasing spring 36 to the movable part 50. The biasing spring is connected to the lower side 58 of the movable part 50.
The electronic device 10 further comprises a UDP 60. A UDP is an abbreviation for Usb Disk in Package, and indicates that the USB connector and the memory chip are provided as a small, integral component. The UDP comprises all the required components to function as a USB stick, i.e. the connector strips 61, a controller, a flash memory IC, and passive components. UDP’s are known in the field of the art. The UDP 60 is rectangular and fits in the UDP cavity 54.
The part of the movable part 50 where the UDP cavity is located has a slightly greater height 56a as the height 56b of the part wherein the biasing spring is located. The reduced height 56b near the biasing spring creates room for the biasing spring.
The end 52 of the movable part together with the UDP form a male connector which fits in a female USB port of a computer. This is discussed further below.
The movable part is positioned in the cavity 26. The ejection spring is positioned between the blind end wall 29 of the cavity and the inner end 51 of the movable part 50. The biasing spring 36 is connected to the connector 57 and positioned underneath the movable part 50. The UDP is positioned inside the cavity 54. The movable part is capable of sliding in the cavity.
The electronic device 10 further comprises a lid 64. The lid is a substantially rectangular plate and is configured to close the top side of the cavity 26. The lid comprises downward protruding ridges 65 which fit in the grooves 28 of the housing. The lid 64 is positioned on top of the cavity and closes the cavity 26. The lid may be glued in the housing during assembly.
Turning to figures 2, 3, 4, 5, the electronic device 10 is shown in its assembled condition. The movable part 50 is in its retracted (or inserted) position.
The UDP 60 and the end 52 of the movable part 50 together form the male connector 59. Almost the entire movable part 50 is inside the cavity 26. Only a very small portion of the connector 59 protrudes from the cavity, in particular over a distance 180, see figure 4. The movable part 50 may also be completely flush with the side of the housing.
The ejection spring 34 is shown in its compressed state. The ejection spring exerts an outward force on the movable part 50 and urges the movable part 50 out of the cavity.
The biasing spring 36 is shown with the pin 40 inside the cam track 32. The pin travels through the cam track 32. The exact functioning of the cam track 32 is explained further below.
Turning to figures 6, 7, 8 and 9, the electronic device 10 is shown with the movable part in the ejected position. In this position the male connector can be inserted into a standard female port of a computer, in particular a USB port.
The ejection spring 34 is in the expanded state and does not exert a force on the movable part 50 or exerts only a minimal force. The pin 40 has moved through the cam track 32.
Turning to figures 10, 11, 12 and 13, the movable part is in its over-ejected state. The connector protrudes further from the side wall 22 of the housing than in the ejected state. The movable part can reach this position by pulling by the user of the male connector 59. The pin 40 is in the over-extended position in the cam track 32.
Turning to figures 14, 15 and 16, a close-up of the cam track 32 and the biasing spring 36 and the pin 40 is shown. Turning in particular to figure 14, a retracted lock position 100 is formed in the cam track 32. The pin 40 is positioned in the retracted lock position. The movable part 50 is locked from movement by the ejection spring 34. This is achieved by a stop surface 102 against which the pin 40 bears. A first locking mechanism 200 is formed by the retracted lock position 100 in the cam track, the pin 40 and the biasing spring 36.
Furthermore, a zero force axis 104 is shown which indicates the zero force position of the biasing spring 36. In the zero force axis, the biasing spring does not exert a sideways force on the cam track via the pin 40. The bias spring is constructed for biasing the pin 40 in a direction 99, indicated with an arrow in figures 14-16, which is substantially orthogonal to the direction 98 of movement of the movable part, indicated with an arrow in figures 14-16. The direction 99 is always directed toward the zero force axis 104.
At least a part of the cam track is located on the first side 106 and wherein at least a part of the cam track is located on the second, opposite side 107 of the zero force axis.
It can be seen that in the retracted lock position 100 of figure 14, the biasing spring 36 is biased to a first side 106 of the zero force axis 104 and is inclined back to the zero force axis 104. Therefore, when a user exerts an insertion force on the outer end 52 of the movable part 50, the pin moves away from the retracted lock position along a back section 105 to a first over-retracted position 108, wherein the cam track makes a turn 110 at the first over-retracted position.
It may also be that the distance over which the end 52 of the movable part protrudes from the housing in the retracted position is equal to or approximately equal to the distance over which the movable part is retracted during the movement from the retracted lock position to the over-retracted position. In this way the outer end 52 of the movable part protrudes slightly from the housing in the retracted position and is flush with the housing in the over-retracted position.
From the turn an ejection section 112 extends towards the ejected lock position 114. The ejection tract section 112 of the cam track 32 extends from the first side 106 of the zero force axis 104 to the opposite side 107 of the zero force axis 104. This means that the biasing spring will now exert a force in the opposite direction, again toward the zero force axis.
During the movement along the ejection track section 112, the biasing spring is gradually brought under more tension. At least the last part of the ejection track section 112 is at an opposite side of the zero force axis 104 of the biasing spring as the retracted lock position 100.
It is shown that the movable part 50 moves over a distance 182 from the retracted position to the over retracted position. This distance may be the same as distance 180.
Turning to figure 15, the ejected lock position 114 is formed as a recess in an ejection track section 112 of the cam track, wherein the recess is in particular formed in the bias direction 99 of the biasing spring 36, so that the pin 40 is urged into the recess under the action of the biasing spring when it reaches the ejected lock position. When the pin reaches the ejected lock position 114, it jumps into said ejected lock position under the force of the biasing spring 36. At the ejected lock position 114 the cam track has a stop face 116 which prevents the pin 40 from moving back in the direction of the retracted lock position, or rather the turn 110. A second locking mechanism 202 is formed by the ejected lock position 114 in the cam track, the pin 40 and the biasing spring 36.
The male connector 59 can now be inserted into a female port of a computer. If the male connector is engaged with a resistance force from the female port, it cannot retract back into the cavity due to the stop surface 116 at the ejected lock position.
The ejected lock position 114 is also at or near a zero force position of the ejection spring 34. Therefore, the ejection spring 34 exerts little or no force on the movable part when it is in the ejected position.
The cam track 32 further comprises an oblique part 120 which extends from the ejected lock position in an oblique direction relative to the main direction of movement of the movable part toward an over-ejected position 122. The oblique part 120 prevents the pin 40 from moving toward the over-ejected position 122 by itself while at the same time allowing the user to pull the pin along the oblique part toward the over-ejected position 122, thereby moving the pin against the biasing direction of the biasing spring 36.
When the pin 40 passes the tip 124 of the oblique section 120, it jumps toward the zero force axis 104. The pin 40 is now in the over-ejected position 122. At the over-ejected position 122, the cam track 32 makes a turn.
Turning to figure 16, the cam track 32 comprises an insertion track section 126 which extends in a direction against the action of the ejection spring 34 from the over-ejected position 122 to a second over-retracted position 130. The biasing spring becomes gradually more biased during the movement along the insertion track section.
At the second over-retracted position 130 the cam track 32 makes a turn 132. Here, the biasing spring 36 is biased back to the zero force axis 104 in the direction of the retracted lock position 100. A return section 134 extends from the second over-retracted position 130 to the retracted lock position 100. When the pin reaches the turn, it jumps back toward the retracted lock position under the influence of the biasing force.
Therefore, the cam track 32 defines: - a retracted lock position 100 for the pin in which the male connector 59 is locked in the retracted position against the action of the ejection spring, - a first over-retracted position 108 for the pin in which the male connector 59 is retracted further into the housing than in the retracted position, - an ejected lock position 114 for the pin in which the male connector 59 is locked in the ejected position against an inward force on the male connector, - an over-ejected position 122 in which the male connector 59 protrudes further from the housing than in the ejected position, - a second over-retracted position 130 in which the male connector 59 is retracted further into the housing than in the retracted position, wherein the pin 40 travels through the cam track 32 consecutively from one position to the next position until the pin 40 returns in the retracted lock position.
Turning to figures 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, the housing 12 is shown in more detail. It can be seen that the housing is substantially flat. Other shapes are also possible. The cavity is closed with a lid but a cavity is possible which is inside the housing so that a lid is not required. The movable part may be manufactured from a synthetic material such as various kinds of plastic.
Figures 18 and 21 shows the side wall 22 and the edges 20 along the rim of the upper side 16 and lower side 18.
Turning to figures 22, 23 the movable part 50 is shown in more detail. The movable part is elongate. The movable part may be manufactured from a synthetic material such as various kinds of plastic.
The movable part further has two grooves 140 through which the notches 35 slide. A recess 142 is further provided to accommodate the biasing spring. The recess is wide enough to accommodate the deflection of the biasing spring.
The cavity 54 for the UDP is surrounded by upstanding rims 144.
Turning to figure 24, the electronic device 10 is shown with the movable part 50 in the retracted position 204. It is noted that “retracted position 204” refers to the position of the movable part 50 whereas the term “retracted lock position” refers to the position of the pin 40, although the two terms are closely related to one another. The same applies for the ejected position 205 and the ejected lock position 114.
The end 52 of the movable part protrudes a small distance from the housing 12. The end 52 acts as a push button for the user. By pressing on the push button 52, the movable part is inserted deeper into the housing to the over-retracted position. The first locking mechanism 200 is unlocked by the pushing action of the user. The male connector 59 then ejects.
Turning to figure 25, the male connector 59 is in the ejected position 205 and locked in this position. The electronic device is ready to be used.
Turning to figure 26, the male connector can be returned to the retracted position by pulling the male connector 59 outward, followed by pushing the male connector inward, as indicated by arrows 111 and 222.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.
The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language, not excluding other elements or steps). Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims or the invention.
The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims (14)

1. Elektronische inrichting (10) omvattende: een behuizing (12) die een holte (26) omvat, een beweegbaar deel (50) dat een mannelijke connector (59) omvat die past in een standaard vrouwelijke poort van een computer, in het bijzonder een vrouwelijke USB poort, waarbij de holte het beweegbare deel (50) herbergt, waarbij het beweegbare deel beweegbaar is ten opzichte van de behuizing tussen een ingetrokken positie (204) waarin de mannelijke connector zich in de behuizing bevindt en een geëjecte positie (205) waarbij de mannelijke connector uitsteekt vanuit de behuizing en in de standaard vrouwelijke poort van de computer kan worden ingestoken, een ejectieveer (34) die werkt op het beweegbare deel (50), waarbij de ejectieveer het beweegbare deel vanuit de ingetrokken positie uit de holte duwt, een eerste vergrendelmechanisme (200) voor het vergrendelen van het beweegbare deel in de teruggetrokken positie tegen een beweging naar buiten toe, waarbij het eerste vergrendelmechanisme het toestaat dat de mannelijke connector door een gebruiker tegen de werking van de ejectieveer in wordt geduwd vanuit de ingetrokken positie verder naar binnen toe de holte in naar een over-ingetrokken positie, met als resultaat dat het eerste vergrendelmechanisme wordt ontgrendeld en de mannelijke connector wordt geëjecteerd vanuit de holte naar de geëjecteerde positie onder de werking van de ejectieveer, een tweede vergrendelmechanisme (202) voor het vergrendelen van de mannelijke connector in de geëjecteerde positie tegen een beweging de holte in, waarbij het tweede vergrendelmechanisme het mogelijk maakt dat de gebruiker de mannelijke connector uittrekt vanuit de geëjecteerde positie verder naar buiten toe naar een over-geëjecteerde positie, met als resultaat dat het tweede vergrendelmechanisme wordt ontgrendeld en de mannelijke connector vrij is om terug in de holte te worden gebracht naar de ingetrokken positie door een duwende actie van de gebruiker tegen de werking van de ejectieveer in.An electronic device (10) comprising: a housing (12) comprising a cavity (26), a movable member (50) comprising a male connector (59) that fits into a standard female port of a computer, in particular a female USB port, the cavity accommodating the movable member (50), the movable member being movable relative to the housing between a retracted position (204) in which the male connector is located in the housing and an ejected position (205) wherein the male connector protrudes from the housing and can be inserted into the standard female port of the computer, an ejection spring (34) acting on the movable member (50), the ejection spring pushing the movable member out of the recessed position from the cavity , a first locking mechanism (200) for locking the movable member in the retracted position against an outward movement, the first locking mechanism allowing that the male connector is pushed by a user against the action of the ejection spring from the retracted position further inward into the cavity to an over-retracted position, with the result that the first locking mechanism is unlocked and the male connector is ejected from the cavity to the ejected position under the action of the ejection spring, a second locking mechanism (202) for locking the male connector in the ejected position against movement into the cavity, the second locking mechanism allowing the user to connector extends from the ejected position further out to an over-ejected position, with the result that the second locking mechanism is unlocked and the male connector is free to be brought back into the cavity to the retracted position by a pushing action of the user against the operation of the ejection spring in. 2. Inrichting volgens conclusie 1 omvattende een eindloos geleidingsspoor (32) en een pin (40) die door het geleidingsspoor beweegt, waarbij het eerste vergrendelmachisme en het tweede vergrendelmechanisme vergrendelposities (100, 114. omvatten die worden gedefinieerd door het geleidingsspoor en waarbij de pin wordt vergrendeld in ten minste een richting.The apparatus of claim 1 comprising an endless guide track (32) and a pin (40) moving through the guide track, wherein the first locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism comprise locking positions (100, 114) defined by the guide track and wherein the pin is locked in at least one direction. 3. Inrichting volgens conclusie 1 of 2, waarbij het geleidingsspoor definieert: een ingetrokken vergrendelpositie (100) van de pin waarin de mannelijke connector in de ingetrokken positie wordt vergrendeld tegen de werking van de ejectieveer, een eerste over-ingetrokken positie (108) voor de pin waarin de mannelijke connector verder in de behuizing is ingetrokken dan in de ingetrokken positie, een geëjecteerde vergrendelpositie (114) voor de pin waarin de mannelijke connector is vergrendeld in de geëjecteerde positie tegen een inwaartse kracht op de mannelijke connector, een over-geëjecteerde positie (122) waarin de mannelijke connector verder uit de behuizing steekt dan in de geëjecteerde positie, een tweede over-ingetrokken positie (130) waarin de mannelijke connector (59) verder in de behuizing is ingetrokken dan in de ingetrokken positie, waarbij de pin (40) door het geleidingsspoor (32) beweegt en achtereenvolgens van een positie naar de volgende positie beweegt totdat de pin (40) terugkeert in de ingetrokken vergrendelpositie.The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide track defines: a retracted locking position (100) of the pin in which the male connector is locked in the retracted position against the action of the ejection spring, a first over-retracted position (108) for the pin in which the male connector is retracted further into the housing than in the retracted position, an ejected locking position (114) for the pin in which the male connector is locked in the ejected position against an inward force on the male connector, an over-ejected position (122) in which the male connector protrudes further from the housing than in the projected position, a second over-retracted position (130) in which the male connector (59) is retracted further into the housing than in the retracted position, the pin (40) moves through the guide track (32) and successively moves from one position to the next position until the pin (40) returns to the retracted locking position. 4. Inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij bij de geëjecteerde positie het geleidingsspoor een stopvlak (116) heeft dat voorkomt dat de pin terug beweegt in de richting van de ingetrokken vergrendelpositie.Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at the projected position the guide track has a stop surface (116) that prevents the pin from moving back in the direction of the retracted locking position. 5. Inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, omvattende een voorspanningsveer (36) voor het geven van een voorspanning aan de pin in een richting (99) die in hoofdzaak loodrecht staat op de richting (89) van de werking van de ejectieveer.Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a biasing spring (36) for biasing the pin in a direction (99) that is substantially perpendicular to the direction (89) of the operation of the ejection spring. 6. Inrichting volgens conclusies 5, waarbij de pin wordt voorgespannen door de voorspanningsveer, waarbij de voorspanningsveer een nulkrachtpositie (104) heeft en waarbij de pin naar beide zijden (106, 107) van de nulkrachtpositie (104) kan worden bewogen, en waarbij aan een eerste zijde (106) van de nulkrachtpositie de pin wordt voorgespannen in de ene richting naar de nulkrachtpositie toe en waarbij aan een tweede, tegenovergelegen zijde (107) de pin wordt voorgespannen in de tegenover gestelde richting naar de nulkrachtpositie toe, waarbij ten minste een deel van het geleidingsspoor zich bevindt aan de eerste zijde (106) en waarbij ten minste een deel (107) van het geleidingsspoor zich bevindt aan de tweede, tegenovergelegen zijde van de nulkrachtpositie.The device of claim 5, wherein the pin is biased by the biasing spring, the biasing spring having a zero force position (104) and wherein the pin can be moved to both sides (106, 107) of the zero force position (104), and wherein a first side (106) of the zero force position the pin is biased in one direction towards the zero force position and wherein on a second opposite side (107) the pin is biased in the opposite direction towards the zero force position, wherein at least one part of the guide track is on the first side (106) and wherein at least a part (107) of the guide track is on the second opposite side of the zero force position. 7. Inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de geëjecteerde vergrendelpositie is gevormd als een terug liggend gedeelte in een ejectiespoor-deel (112) van het geleidingsspoor, waarbij het terug liggend gedeelte in het bijzonder gevormd is in de voorspanningsrichting (99) van de voorspanningsveer, zodat de pin (40) het terug liggende gedeelte in wordt geduwd onder de invloed van de voorspanningsveer wanneer de pin de geëjecteerde vergrendelpositie bereikt.The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ejected locking position is formed as a recessed portion in an ejection track portion (112) of the guide track, the recessed portion being particularly formed in the biasing direction (99) of the biasing spring so that the pin (40) is pushed into the recessed portion under the influence of the biasing spring when the pin reaches the ejected locking position. 8. Inrichting volgens conclusie 6 of 7, waarbij het geleidingsspoor verder een schuin gedeelte (120) omvat dat zich uitstrekt vanuit de geëjecteerde vergrendelpositie in een schuine richting ten opzichte van de hoofdbewegingsrichting van het beweegbare deel naar de over-geëjecteerde positie (122) toe, waarbij het schuine gedeelte verhindert dat de pin op zich zelf naar de over-geëjecteerde positie (122) beweegt terwijl het tegelijkertijd wel mogelijk is voor de gebruiker om de pin langs het schuine deel naar de over-geëjecteerde positie (122) te trekken, en daarbij de pin tegen de voorspanningsrichting van de voorspanningsveer in te bewegen.The device of claim 6 or 7, wherein the guide track further comprises an oblique portion (120) extending from the ejected locking position in an oblique direction relative to the main direction of movement of the movable member to the over-ejected position (122) wherein the inclined portion prevents the pin on its own from moving to the over-ejected position (122) while at the same time it is possible for the user to pull the pin along the inclined portion to the over-ejected position (122), and thereby moving the pin against the biasing direction of the biasing spring. 9. Inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij bij de ingetrokken vergrendelpositie (100) het geleidingsspoor (32) een stopvlak (102) heeft dat verhindert dat de pin naar buiten toe beweegt, en waarbij het geleidingsspoor een terugkeergedeelte (105) heeft dat zich uitstrekt vanuit de ingetrokken vergrendelpositie tegen de werking van de ejectieveer in naar de eerste overingetrokken positie (108) waarbij het geleidingsspoor een bocht (110) maakt bij de eerste over-ingetrokken positie (108), en waarbij het geleidingsspoor een ejectiespoorgedeelte (112) heeft dat zich uitstrekt vanuit de bocht (110) bij de eerste over-ingetrokken positie naar de geëjecteerde vergrendelpositie (114) toe.Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at the retracted locking position (100) the guide track (32) has a stop surface (102) that prevents the pin from moving out, and wherein the guide track has a return section (105) that extends from the retracted locking position against the action of the ejection spring to the first over-retracted position (108) with the guide track making a bend (110) at the first over-retracted position (108), and with the guide track an ejection track portion (112) has that extends from the bend (110) at the first over-retracted position to the ejected locking position (114). 10. Inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij het geleidingsspoor een insteekspoorgedeelte (126) omvat dat zich uitstrekt in een richting tegen de werking van de ejectieveer in vanuit de over-geëjecteerde positie (122) naar de tweede over-ingetrokken positie (130), en waarbij bij de tweede over-ingetrokken positie (130) het geleidingsspoor een bocht (132) maakt, en waarbij de terugkeergedeelte (134) zich uitstrekt vanuit de tweede over-ingetrokken positie (130) naar de ingetrokken vergrendelpositie (100) toe.The device of any preceding claim, wherein the guide track includes an insertion track portion (126) extending in a direction opposed to the action of the ejection spring from the over-ejected position (122) to the second over-retracted position (130 ), and wherein at the second over-retracted position (130) the guide track makes a bend (132), and wherein the return portion (134) extends from the second over-retracted position (130) to the retracted locking position (100) . 11. Inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij bij de bocht bij de eerste over-ingetrokken positie (108) de bewegingsrichting verandert van een richting tegen de werking van de ejectieveer in naar een richting met de werking van de ejectieveer mee, en waarbij bij de bocht (132) van de tweede over-ingetrokken positie (130) de richting van beweging verandert van een richting tegen de werking van de ejectieveer in naar een richting met de werking van de ejectieveer mee, en waarbij bij de over-geëjecteerde positie (122) het geleidingsspoor een bocht maakt, waarbij bij de bocht de bewegingsrichting verandert van een richting met de werking van de ejectieveer mee naar een richting tegen de werking van de ejectieveer in.The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at the bend at the first over-retracted position (108) the direction of movement changes from a direction opposed to the action of the ejection spring to a direction along with the action of the ejection spring, and wherein at the bend (132) of the second over-retracted position (130) the direction of movement changes from a direction opposed to the action of the ejection spring to a direction along with the action of the ejection spring, and wherein at the over-ejected position (122) the guide track makes a turn, the direction of movement at the turn changing from a direction with the action of the ejection spring to a direction against the action of the ejection spring. 12. Inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de geëjecteerde vergrendelpositie (114) zich bevindt nabij een nulkrachtpositie van de ejectieveer (34).The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the ejected locking position (114) is located near a zero force position of the ejection spring (34). 13. Inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij in de ingetrokken vergrendelpositie een einde (52) van het beweegbare deel effen is met de behuizing of vanuit de behuizing uitsteekt over een afstand (180) die vergelijkbaar is met de afstand (182) waarover het beweegbare deel beweegt vanuit de ingetrokken vergrendelpositie naar de over-ingetrokken positie.Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the retracted locking position an end (52) of the movable part is flush with the housing or protrudes from the housing over a distance (180) that is comparable to the distance (182) over which the movable member moves from the retracted locking position to the over-retracted position. 14. Inrichting volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de inrichting vrij is van knoppen of bedieningsorganen voor het bedienen van de beweegbare deel, ander dan het beweegbare deel zelf.Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the device is free of buttons or operating members for operating the movable part, other than the movable part itself.
NL2012183A 2014-01-31 2014-01-31 Electronic device with a retractable connector. NL2012183C2 (en)

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WO2018142003A1 (en) * 2017-02-01 2018-08-09 More Travila Javier Improved portable electronic communication device

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