TW201412226A - Latching structure and electronic assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A latching structure suited for an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a first body having a blocking hole and a second body movably connected to the first body. The latching structure includes a latching member, a first magnetic member, and a second magnetic member disposed in the second body with magnetism opposite to the first magnetic member. The latching member movably disposed on the first body has a receiving slot that the first magnetic member is movably disposed therein. The blocking hole is on a moving path of the receiving slot. When the first body move closely to the second body, the first magnetic member is kept in the receiving slot with the magnetic force interacted between the first and the second magnetic members. When the first body moves away from the second body, the first magnetic member is blocked between the blocking hole and the receiving slot.

Description

Latch structure and electronic components

The present invention relates to a latching structure, and more particularly to a latching structure that incorporates different electronic devices.

In today's information explosion era, human life is inseparable from electronic information. It is quite common for users to use portable electronic devices to transmit electronic messages and store electronic data to each other, especially mobile communication devices that can be carried around. tablet.

Take a tablet computer as an example, in order to reduce the burden on the user when carrying. Therefore, compared to laptops, tablets are designed to sacrifice some of their functionality for convenience. For example, the touch screen also replaces the physical buttons...etc.

In view of this, some manufacturers have designed a docking station for expansion, so that its expanded function is suitable for users to use the tablet at a fixed point. For example, in addition to the charging function, the docking station will design physical buttons or even speakers, so that the tablet can improve its operability and efficiency by expanding the base.

The present invention provides a latch structure to ensure the safety of the portable electronic device after being assembled to the docking station.

The invention provides an electronic component which has better operability and safety Fullness.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a latching structure, which is applicable to an electronic device. The electronic device has a first body, a second body, and a positioning hole. The positioning hole is located on the first body, and the first The body is movably assembled to the second body to move closer to or away from the second body. The latch structure includes a latch assembly, a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member. The latch assembly is movably disposed on the first body. The latch assembly has a receiving slot. The positioning hole is located on the moving path of the accommodating groove. The first magnetic member is movably disposed within the receiving groove. The second magnetic member is disposed on the second body and corresponds to the first magnetic member when the first body moves closer to the second body. The magnetic properties of the first magnetic member are the same as those of the second magnetic member. When the first body moves closer to the second body, the second magnetic member maintains the first magnetic member in the receiving groove by magnetic force. When the latch assembly moves to make the receiving slot and the positioning hole are opposite, and the first body is away from the second body, the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member do not interact with each other due to the magnetic force, and the first magnetic member is partially removed. The slot is clamped between the positioning hole and the receiving slot to move the stop latch assembly on the first body.

An embodiment of the present invention provides an electronic component including a portable electronic device, an expansion base, and a latch structure. The docking station includes a base and a frame that can be opened to each other. The latch structure includes a latch assembly, a first magnetic member and a second magnetic member. The latch assembly is movably disposed on the frame. The latch assembly has a receiving slot. The first magnetic member is movably disposed within the receiving groove. The second magnetic member is disposed on the base and corresponds to the first magnetic member. The magnetic properties of the first magnetic member are the same as those of the second magnetic member. The second magnetic member maintains the first magnetic force by the magnetic force when the frame and the base are closed to each other The component is disposed in the receiving slot, and the latching component is adapted to latch the portable electronic device on the frame or release the portable electronic device from the frame. When the latch assembly latches the portable electronic device on the frame, and the frame and the base are unfolded from each other, the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member do not interact with each other, and the first magnetic member is partially removed from the housing. The slot is snapped between the latch assembly and the frame to move the stop latch assembly over the frame.

In an embodiment of the invention, the frame has a positioning hole located on the moving path of the receiving groove. When the latch assembly latches the portable electronic device on the frame, the receiving slot and the positioning hole are opposite to each other, and when the frame and the base are unfolded from each other, the first magnetic member is locked in the receiving slot and the positioning hole.

In an embodiment of the present invention, an elastic member is disposed in the accommodating groove, the elastic member abuts between the first magnetic member and the latch assembly, and the elastic member constantly drives the first magnetic member away from the accommodating member. groove.

In an embodiment of the invention, the elastic member provides an elastic force of the first magnetic member, which is smaller than a magnetic force between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member.

In an embodiment of the invention, the latch assembly includes a body and a first hook. The body is slidably disposed in the first body. The body has a sliding slot and the receiving groove described above. The first hook has a pivoting portion and a sliding portion. The pivoting portion is pivotally connected to the first body. The sliding portion is coupled to the sliding slot. The body slides to drive the first hook to rotate to expose or hide the first body.

In an embodiment of the invention, the extending axial direction of the chute is kept at a distance from the pivoting portion.

In an embodiment of the invention, the axial direction of the sliding groove is consistent with the sliding axial direction of the body.

In an embodiment of the invention, a second hook is further disposed in the first body and located on the moving path of the body. When the body slides toward the second hook and the second hook is pushed out of the first body, the body drives the first hook to rotate and is hidden in the first body. When the body moves away from the second hook, the body drives the first hook to expose the first body.

In an embodiment of the invention, the body position is between the first hook and the second hook.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second hook includes a spring piece and a hook portion. One end of the elastic piece is fixed to the first body. The hook portion is at the other end of the shrapnel. The body slides toward the second hook to deform the elastic piece and push the hook portion out of the first body. When the body moves away from the second hook, the spring drive hook portion moves back to the first body.

In an embodiment of the invention, the range of motion of the first hook and the range of motion of the second hook are two geometric planes perpendicular to each other.

Based on the above, in the above embodiment of the present invention, the latch structure is configured to lock the frame to the base or to lock the portable electronic device to the frame by driving the first hook or the second hook. Furthermore, the magnetic component is further matched, and the frame and the base can be assembled or disassembled only in the closed state. When the expansion base is in the unfolded state, the second hook can still maintain its state of being locked in the portable electronic device without being affected by the external force, and the expansion base in the unfolded state can be maintained with the portable electronic device. Fixed connection, thus ensuring the safety and operability of electronic components

The above described features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are schematic diagrams of a docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 1 illustrates the docking station in an unfolded state, and FIG. 2 illustrates the docking station in a closed state. In this embodiment, the electronic component 10 is composed of a docking station 100 and a portable electronic device 200. The docking station 100 includes a base 110 and a frame 120, and is coupled thereto by a hinge 130 to allow the base 110 to be opened correspondingly to the frame 120 to be switched between the unfolded state of FIG. 1 and the closed state of FIG. . The portable electronic device 200, such as a tablet computer or a mobile phone, is configured to be assembled to the frame 120 and surround the frame 120 with the portable electronic device 200, and thus the portable electronic device 200 and the base 110 are electrically The connection is made to expand the function of the portable electronic device 200 by the docking station 100.

It should be noted that, in order to prevent the portable electronic device 200 from falling from the frame 120 due to user's accidental contact when the docking station 100 is in the unfolded state (as shown in FIG. 1 ), the electronic component 10 is further An insurance mechanism needs to be designed to allow the portable electronic device 200 to be assembled to or detached from the docking station 100 when it is not in use. Accordingly, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are partial enlarged views of the docking station of FIG. 2 in a relative view, respectively, in a portion A, where portions of the frame 120 are perspectived to facilitate identification and description of related components therein. 3 and FIG. 4 respectively show different states of the latch structure.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 simultaneously, the electronic component 10 further includes a latch structure 300 disposed on the docking base 100 for the bottom of the docking base 100. The seat 110 and the frame 120 are latched together in the closed state of FIG. 2, and the latch structure 300 can also latch the portable electronic device 200 on the frame 120 of the docking station 100. The structural features define the portable electronic device 200 to assemble the portable electronic device 200 to the frame 120 only when the docking station 100 is in the closed state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the present embodiment, the latch structure 300 includes a latch assembly 330 that is movably disposed on the frame 120. The latch assembly 330 includes a first hook 331 , a second hook 332 , a body 333 and a push button 334 . The body 333 is slidably disposed in the frame 120 and slid back and forth along an axial direction A1, and the first hook 331 and the second hook 332 are located at the opposite ends of the body 333 in this axial direction A1. The push button 334 is disposed outside the frame 120 and connected to the body 333 to allow the user to control the body 333 to slide within the frame 120 by applying a push button 334.

5 and 6 are side views of the latch assembly of FIG. 3, respectively, showing the first hook 331 in a different state as the body 333 slides. Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in the embodiment, the main body 333 has a sliding slot 333a extending along the axial direction A1, and the first hook 331 has a pivoting portion 331a and a sliding portion 331b. The pivoting portion 331 is pivotally connected to the frame 120 (shown in FIG. 3 ), and the sliding portion 331 b is coupled to the sliding slot 333 a of the body 333 . Since the sliding groove 333a and the pivoting portion 331a maintain a distance d1, when the body 333 slides back and forth along the axial direction A1, the sliding portion 331b is simultaneously moved in the axial direction A1 to apply torque on the first hook 331 to cause The first hook 331 rotates with respect to the frame 120 with its pivot portion 331a. Here, since the first hook 331 is equivalent to being rotated on the first geometric plane N1, it is exposed or Concealed in the frame 120, when the frame 120 and the base 110 are in a closed state (ie, when the first geometric plane N1 is perpendicular to the base 110), the first hook 331 exposing the frame 120 can be snapped to the base 110. The latching portion 112 allows the base 110 in the closed state to be fixed to the frame 120. In contrast, when the user pushes the main body 333 to rotate the first hook 331 and hide in the frame 120, the fixing relationship between the base 110 and the frame 120 can be released.

7 and FIG. 8 are schematic views showing the latch assembly of FIG. 4 in different states in a top view, wherein the state of FIG. 3 substantially corresponds to the state of FIG. Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, the second hook 332 is disposed in the frame 120 and is located on the moving path of the body 333. Further, the second hook 332 has a spring piece 332a and a hook portion 332b. One end E1 of the elastic piece 332a is fixed to the frame 120, and the hook portion 332b is located at the other end E2 of the elastic piece 332a. As shown in FIG. 7 , when the second hook 332 is unstressed, the other end E2 of the elastic piece 332 a extends from the frame 120 toward the portable electronic device 200 toward the portable electronic device 200 . As shown in FIG. 8 , when the body slides along the axial direction A1 toward the second hook 332 , the body 333 presses the other end E2 of the elastic piece 332 a , and then pushes the hook portion 332 b toward the portable electronic device 200 . The hook portion 332b is also pushed out of the frame 120 to be fastened to the buckle portion 210 of the portable electronic device 200 to fix the portable electronic device 200 to the frame 120. In other words, the second hook 332 is moved on a second geometric plane N2, and the assembled frame 120 and the portable electronic device 200 are also located on the second geometric plane N2, and when the frame 120 is When the base 110 is in a closed state, the second geometric plane N2 will Parallel to the base 110.

Based on the above, please refer to FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 simultaneously, the first hook 331 and the second hook 332 of the latch assembly 330 belong to the first geometric plane N1 and the second geometric plane N2 which are perpendicular to each other during the movement, and the first A hook 331 and a second hook 332 are located at opposite ends of the sliding path of the body 333. In other words, by the structure and motion characteristics of the first hook 331 , the body 333 and the second hook 332 , the user slides the body 333 to a first position P1 (as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 ). The base 120 can be latched by the first hook 331 and the portable electronic device 200 can be released from the frame 120. In contrast, when the user pushes the body 333 to slide to a second position P2 (as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 ), the frame 120 is released from the base 110 , and the portable electronic device 200 can be bolted with the second hook 332 . Locked on the frame 120.

Figure 9 is a schematic view of the latch assembly in another state. Referring to FIG. 5 , FIG. 6 and FIG. 9 , in the embodiment, the portable electronic device 200 can still be fixed to the frame 120 in the unfolded state of the base 110 and the frame 120 of the docking station 100 . The relationship is not affected by any external force and falls. The latching structure 300 further includes an elastic member 340, a first magnetic member 310 and a second magnetic member 320. The main body 333 has a receiving groove 333b. The first magnetic member 310 is movably disposed in the receiving groove 333b. The elastic member 340 is disposed in the receiving groove 333b and abuts between the first magnetic member 310 and the body 333. Here, the elastic member 340 constantly drives the first magnetic member 310 to move away from the accommodating groove 333b, that is, when the first magnetic member 310 is completely positioned in the accommodating groove 333b, the elastic member 340 is in a deformed state. The second magnetic member 320 is disposed in the base 110, and when the base 110 and the frame When the 120 is in the closed state, the first magnetic member 310 and the second magnetic member 320 are opposed to each other. Further, the magnetic properties of the first magnetic member 310 and the second magnetic member 320 of the embodiment are the same on the opposite sides thereof, so that the first magnetic member 310 and the second magnetic member 320 generate magnetic repulsion between each other in the closed state. .

In addition, the frame 120 further has a positioning hole 122 which is located on the moving path of the accommodating groove 333b. When the body 333 is slid to the second position P2, the positioning hole 122 is facing the receiving groove 333b, so that the elastic member 340 can push the first magnetic member 310 to the positioning hole 122, and the first magnetic member 310 is stuck in the positioning. The hole 122 is received in the groove 333b, and the blocking body 333 is slid relative to the frame 120.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation of the docking structure of the docking station and the portable electronic device of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 , FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 , in step S110 , the base 110 of the docking base 100 and the frame 120 are in a closed state, and the first hook 331 is locked to the base 110 to mount the base 110 . It is fixed to the frame 120. In step S120, the portable electronic device 200 is assembled to the frame 120. In step S130, the body 333 is pushed to release the first hook 331 from the latching relationship with the base 110, and the second hook 332 is driven to fix the portable electronic device 200 to the frame 120.

It should be noted that although the receiving groove 333b is opposite to the positioning hole 122, the magnetic repulsive force between the first magnetic member 310 and the second magnetic member 320 is greater than the magnetic repulsive force of the elastic member 340, so the first magnetic member 310 It is still maintained in the accommodating groove 333b. In step S140, since the latching relationship between the base 110 and the frame 120 has been released in the previous step, the user can thereby drive the frame 120 to be unfolded relative to the base 110. At this time, the first magnetic member 310 and the first The distance between the two magnetic members 320 is increased, so that the magnetic repulsion between the two magnetic members 320 is gradually reduced, so that the elastic member 340 can drive the first magnetic member 310 to move to the positioning hole 122, thereby being locked in the receiving groove 333b and positioned. Between the holes 122, the effect of blocking the body 333 from continuing to slide is caused.

In other words, after the base 110 and the frame 120 are unfolded from each other, the body 333 is no longer slid due to the locking action of the first magnetic member 310, so that the second hook 332 can maintain the buckle on the portable electronic device. State within 200. Accordingly, when the base 110 and the frame 120 are in the unfolded state, the portable electronic device 200 can maintain a fixed relationship with the frame 120, which is not affected by other external forces and avoids the possibility of falling from the frame 120.

In addition, when the portable electronic device 200 is detached from the frame 120, the above steps only need to be reversely operated, that is, the frame 120 and the base 110 are returned to the closed state, and the portable electronic device can be smoothly removed. Device 200.

In summary, in the above embodiment of the present invention, the latch structure drives the first hook or the second hook by sliding the body to lock the frame to the base or to latch the portable electronic device. The frame, and further with the magnetic components, allows the frame and the base to be assembled or disassembled only in the closed state. When the expansion base is in the unfolded state, the second hook can still maintain its state of being locked in the portable electronic device without being affected by the external force, and the expansion base in the unfolded state can be maintained with the portable electronic device. The connection is fixed, thus ensuring the safety and operability of the electronic components.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art does not deviate. In the spirit and scope of the present invention, the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

10‧‧‧Electronic components

100‧‧‧Expansion base

110‧‧‧Base

112, 210‧‧‧ Snaps

120‧‧‧Frame

122‧‧‧Positioning holes

130‧‧‧Hinges

200‧‧‧Portable electronic devices

300‧‧‧Lock structure

310‧‧‧First magnetic parts

320‧‧‧Second magnetic parts

330‧‧‧Latch assembly

331‧‧‧ first card hook

331a‧‧‧ pivotal department

331b‧‧‧Sliding section

332‧‧‧Second card

332a‧‧‧Shrap

332b‧‧‧K hook section

333‧‧‧ Ontology

333a‧‧ ‧ chute

333b‧‧‧ accommodating slot

334‧‧‧ push button

340‧‧‧Flexible parts

A1‧‧‧Axial

D1‧‧‧ spacing

E1‧‧‧ end

E2‧‧‧The other end

N1‧‧‧ first geometric plane

N2‧‧‧ second geometric plane

P1‧‧‧ first position

P2‧‧‧ second position

1 and 2 are schematic views of a docking station according to an embodiment of the invention, respectively.

3 and FIG. 4 are partial enlarged views of the docking station of FIG. 2 in a portion A in a relative view.

5 and 6 are side views of the latch assembly of Fig. 3, respectively.

7 and FIG. 8 are schematic views showing the latch assembly of FIG. 4 in different states in a plan view.

Figure 9 is a schematic view of the latch assembly in another state.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation of the docking structure of the docking station and the portable electronic device of the present invention.

10‧‧‧Electronic components

100‧‧‧Expansion base

110‧‧‧Base

120‧‧‧Frame

200‧‧‧Portable electronic devices

210‧‧‧Snaps

300‧‧‧Lock structure

N1‧‧‧ first geometric plane

Claims (20)

A latching structure is applicable to an electronic device. The electronic device has a first body, a second body and a positioning hole. The positioning hole is located on the first body, and the first body is movably assembled to the The second body is moved closer to or away from the second body. The latching structure includes: a latching assembly movably disposed on the first body, the latching assembly has a receiving slot, and the positioning hole is located at a movement path of the accommodating groove; a first magnetic member movably disposed in the accommodating groove; and a second magnetic member disposed on the second body and moving closer to the second body in the first body The body corresponds to the first magnetic member, wherein the magnetic property of the first magnetic member is the same as the magnetic property of the second magnetic member. When the first body moves closer to the second body, the second magnetic member is maintained by magnetic force. The first magnetic member is in the accommodating groove, and when the latching assembly is moved to make the accommodating groove face the positioning hole, and the first body is away from the second body, the first magnetic member and the first The two magnetic members do not interact with each other by magnetic force, and the first magnetic member Partially out of the card receiving slot and between the positioning holes disposed in the receiving groove to stop the latch assembly is moved over the first body. The latching structure of claim 1, further comprising: an elastic member disposed in the receiving groove, the elastic member abutting between the first magnetic member and the latch assembly, and the The elastic member constantly drives the first magnetic member away from the receiving groove. The latching structure of claim 2, wherein the elastic member provides an elastic force of the first magnetic member, and the first magnetic member and the second magnetic portion are smaller than when the first body moves closer to the second body The magnetic force between the pieces. The latching assembly of claim 1, wherein the latching assembly comprises: a body slidably disposed in the first body, the body having a sliding slot and the receiving slot; a first hook a pivoting portion is coupled to the first body, the sliding portion is coupled to the sliding slot, and the sliding body drives the first hook to rotate to expose or hide The first body. The latching structure of claim 4, wherein the extending axial direction of the sliding slot is spaced from the pivoting portion. The latching structure of claim 4, wherein the extending axial direction of the chute coincides with the sliding axial direction of the body. The latching structure of claim 4, further comprising: a second hook disposed in the first body and located on the moving path of the body, when the body slides toward the second hook When the second hook is pushed out of the first body, the body drives the first hook to rotate and is hidden in the first body. When the body moves away from the second hook, the body drives the first The hook is used to expose the first body. The latching structure of claim 7, wherein the body is located between the first hook and the second hook. The latching structure of claim 7, wherein the second hook comprises a resilient piece and a hook portion, one end of the elastic piece is fixed to the first body, and the hook portion is in the other of the elastic piece At one end, the body slides toward the second hook to deform the elastic piece and push the hook portion out of the first machine body. When the body moves away from the second hook, the elastic piece drives the hook portion to move back to the second hook. The first body. The latching structure of claim 7, wherein the range of motion of the first hook and the range of motion of the second hook are two geometric planes perpendicular to each other. An electronic component comprising: a portable electronic device; a docking base comprising a base and a frame that can be opened to each other; a latching structure comprising: a latching assembly movably disposed on the frame The latch assembly has a receiving slot; a first magnetic member movably disposed in the receiving slot; and a second magnetic member disposed on the base and corresponding to the first magnetic member, the first The magnetic property of the magnetic member is the same as the magnetic property of the second magnetic member. When the frame and the base are closed to each other, the second magnetic member maintains the first magnetic member in the receiving groove by magnetic force, and the plug The lock assembly is adapted to latch the portable electronic device on the frame or release the portable electronic device from the frame, when the latch assembly latches the portable electronic device on the frame, and the frame When the base is unfolded from each other, the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member have no magnetic force interacting with each other, so that a portion of the first magnetic member is removed from the receiving groove and is locked between the latch assembly and the frame. Between the stops to lock the latch assembly on the frame move. The electronic component of claim 11, wherein the frame has a positioning hole located on the moving path of the receiving groove, when the plug When the lock assembly latches the portable electronic device on the frame, the receiving slot and the positioning hole are opposite to each other, and when the frame and the base are unfolded from each other, the first magnetic member is locked in the receiving slot With the positioning hole. The electronic component of claim 12, wherein the expansion base further comprises: an elastic member disposed in the receiving groove, the elastic member abutting between the first magnetic member and the latch assembly And the elastic member constantly drives the first magnetic member away from the receiving groove. The electronic component of claim 13, wherein the elastic member provides an elastic force of the first magnetic member smaller than a magnetic force between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member. The electronic component of claim 11, wherein the latch assembly comprises: a body slidably disposed in the frame, the body having a sliding slot and the receiving slot; a first hook having a pivoting portion and a sliding portion pivotally connected to the frame, the sliding portion being coupled to the sliding slot, the sliding body sliding to drive the first hook to rotate to expose or hide the frame. The electronic component of claim 15, wherein the extending axial direction of the sliding slot is spaced from the pivoting portion, and the extending axial direction of the sliding slot is consistent with the sliding axial direction of the sliding body. The electronic component of claim 15, wherein the latch assembly further comprises: a second hook disposed in the frame and located in the moving path of the body In the path, when the body slides toward the second hook and pushes the second hook out of the frame, the body drives the first hook to rotate and hides in the frame, when the body moves away from the second card When hooked, the body drives the first hook to expose the frame. The electronic component of claim 17, wherein the body is located between the first hook and the second hook. The electronic component of claim 17, wherein the second hook comprises a spring piece and a hook portion, one end of the elastic piece is fixed to the frame, and the hook portion is at the other end of the elastic piece, The body slides toward the second hook to deform the elastic piece and push the hook portion out of the frame. When the body moves away from the second hook, the elastic piece drives the hook portion to move back into the frame. The electronic component of claim 17, wherein the range of motion of the first hook and the range of motion of the second hook are two geometric planes perpendicular to each other.