TWM450105U - Connector mechanism and related electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A connecter mechanism includes a casing, a half socket and a door. The casing includes a first actuating portion, an opening and a pivot hole. The half socket is disposed inside the casing. The door is movably disposed on the door to cover the half socket. The door includes a body, at least one pivot shaft, a cover and a second actuating portion. The pivot shaft is disposed on a side of the body. The cover is connected to an edge of the body for covering the opening. The second actuating portion is connected to the other edge of the body opposite to the cover. Position of the cover relative to the opening is adjusted via the second actuating portion and the first actuating portion.

Description

Connector mechanism and related electronic device

The present invention provides a connector mechanism and related electronic devices, and more particularly to a thin connector mechanism and related electronic devices.

With the development of information and advances in computer technology, the size of computer systems is shrinking and the use of computers is becoming more diverse. In order to expand the functions of the computer system and adapt to the different needs of each user, a variety of external devices for computer systems have emerged. For example, an external hard disk or a portable storage device can expand the original limited memory capacity of the computer system; the external optical disk drive and the optical disk drive can expand the multimedia resource access function of the computer system, and Provide the ability to back up large-capacity data; or connect to the external network with a network route, and achieve the functions of surfing the Internet and browsing the web. However, today's notebook computers are moving toward a thin and light trend. The design of the space space for thickness is becoming more and more strict. The height of the connection on the side of the notebook computer tends to limit the overall thickness of the notebook computer, resulting in the design of the mechanism. The limit.

For example, an Ethernet connection (such as an RJ45 port) used to connect to a network route to provide wired network functions or an RJ11 port for connecting a telephone line may have a fixed opening due to its connector size. Dimensional specifications, so the design of the notebook computer must be increased in thickness with the size of the network port or the data port port, or the network port or the data port can be designed to be partially convex, but It will affect the aesthetic appearance. Therefore How to design a connector structure that meets the requirements of today's product specifications and meets the trend of thinness and thinness has become an issue for the design of today's electronics industry.

The present invention provides a thin connector mechanism and related electronic devices to solve the above problems.

The patent application scope of the present invention discloses a connector mechanism for connecting an external connector. The connector mechanism includes a housing, a half-cut slot, and a door cover. The housing has an opening, a pivot hole and a first actuation portion. The half slot is disposed within the housing. The door cover is movably disposed on the housing to shield the half-slot. The door cover includes a body, at least one pivot, a cover plate and a second actuation portion. The pivot is disposed on one side of the body. The pivot is rotatably inserted into the pivot hole. The cover is attached to one end of the body to cover the opening. The second actuating portion is coupled to the other end of the body opposite the cover. The second actuating portion cooperates with the first actuating portion to adjust a position of the cover plate relative to the opening.

The patent application scope of the present invention further discloses that the half-slot is suspended from an upper wall of the housing, and the door is pivotally connected to a lower wall of the interior of the housing. The opening is between the upper wall and the lower wall, and the pivot hole is formed in the lower wall.

The scope of the patent application of the present invention further discloses that a distance between the top end of the half-cut slot and the pivot is substantially greater than the thickness of one of the outer joints.

The patent application scope of the present invention further discloses that the first actuating portion is a stop block, the second actuating portion is a curved plate member, and one end of the curved plate member abuts In the stop block.

The scope of the patent application of the present invention further discloses that the curved plate member is composed of an elastic material. The curved plate member is configured to drive the body to rotate relative to the housing via the pivot to cover the cover plate.

The scope of the patent application of the present invention further discloses that the curved plate member is further used to drive the body to rotate relative to the housing such that the cover plate abuts against one of the outer joint pins.

The scope of the patent application of the present invention further discloses that the curved plate portion partially abuts the outer joint, restricting movement of the outer joint relative to one of the half-shaped slots.

The patent application scope of the present invention further discloses that the first actuation portion has a plurality of recessed structures, and the second actuation portion has at least one protrusion that is detachably engaged with the corresponding recessed structure.

The scope of the patent application of the present invention further discloses that the bump engages the recessed structure to position the cover plate relative to the opening.

The scope of the patent application of the present invention further discloses that the second actuating portion has a second plate portion. The two plate portions clamp the outer joint to restrict movement of the outer joint relative to one of the half slots.

The scope of the patent application of the present invention further discloses that the door cover further comprises a reinforcing rib and a stopping rib. The reinforcing rib is disposed on an inner surface of the body and connected to the cover. The retaining rib is disposed on the inner surface of the body and is connected to the reinforcing rib, and a height of the one of the resisting ribs is substantially greater than a structural height of the reinforcing rib.

The scope of the patent application of the present invention further discloses an electronic device including A housing and a connector mechanism. The housing is internally provided with at least one electronic component. The housing has an opening, a pivot hole and a first actuation portion. The connector mechanism is used to connect an external connector. The connector mechanism includes a housing, a half-cut slot, and a door cover. The housing has an opening, a pivot hole and a first actuation portion. The half slot is electrically connected to the electronic component and disposed within the housing. The door cover is movably disposed on the housing to shield the half-slot. The door cover includes a body, at least one pivot, a cover plate and a second actuation portion. The pivot is disposed on one side of the body. The pivot is rotatably inserted into the pivot hole. The cover is attached to one end of the body to cover the opening. The second actuating portion is coupled to the other end of the body opposite the cover. The second actuating portion cooperates with the first actuating portion to adjust a position of the cover plate relative to the opening.

The creation has the advantages of simple structure, easy operation and low cost. The connector mechanism of the present invention can effectively reduce the size and thickness without affecting the structural strength of the cover plate, improve the shortcomings of the conventional thin connector with insufficient structural strength, and better conform to the thin design trend of the electronic device on the market, and improve The market competitiveness of products.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the electronic device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device 10 includes a housing 12 having at least one electronic component 14 disposed therein, such as a motherboard, a processor, a hard disk drive, and the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 12 has an upper wall 16, a lower wall 18, and a first actuation portion 20. Upper wall 16 and lower wall 18 An opening 22 is formed therebetween, and the lower wall 18 is further formed with two pivot holes 24. The electronic device 10 further includes a connector mechanism 26 for connecting an external connector 28. In general, the electronic device 10 can be a notebook computer or a tablet computer, the connector mechanism 26 can be a universal serial bus (USB) slot, and the external connector 28 can be a universal serial bus (USB) plug. .

As shown in FIG. 1, the connector mechanism 26 includes a half-cut slot 30 and a door cover 32. The thickness of the half-cut slot 30 is shorter than that of a conventional slot, which facilitates installation in the housing 12 of the thin electronic device 10. The door cover 32 is movably disposed in the housing 12 for shielding the half-slot 30 to provide an aesthetic and dustproof function. Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a schematic view of the door cover 32 of the first embodiment of the present invention. The door cover 32 includes a body 34, two pivots 36, a cover 38 and a second actuating portion 40. The two pivots 36 are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the body 34, and the pivots 36 are rotatably inserted into the corresponding pivot holes 24 of the housing 12. The cover plate 38 and the second actuating portion 40 are respectively connected to opposite ends of the body 34. The cover plate 38 can cover the opening 22 or away from the opening 22 as the body 38 rotates relative to the housing 12. The second actuating portion 40 is then adapted to engage the first actuating portion 20, thereby adjusting the position (relative angle) of the cover plate 38 relative to the opening 22.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the half slot 30 can be suspended from the upper wall 16, and the door cover 32 is pivotally connected to the lower wall 18, that is, the half slot 30 and the door cover 32 are not in contact with each other. The gap between them can be used to accommodate the outer joint 28. The upper wall 16 can be the upper structural member of the casing 12, the lower wall 18 can be the lower structural member of the casing 12, and the opening 22 is interposed between the two structural members, and the size of the door cover 32 Substantially smaller than the size of the opening 22, the door cover 32 does not completely cover the opening 22, allowing the user to manually open the door cover 32 from its slot to expose the complete opening 22 for attachment of the outer joint 28. Moreover, a distance D between the top end 301 of the half slot 30 to the pivot 36 is substantially greater than the thickness T of the outer joint 28, ensuring that the outer joint 28 can be properly coupled to the connector mechanism 26. When the connector mechanism 26 is not in use, the door cover 32 is disposed on the opening 22 to form a bevel shape on the edge of the housing 12, so that the electronic device 10 of the present invention can have both a thin appearance and an adjustable connector mechanism 26. advantage.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the connector mechanism 26 of the first embodiment, the first actuating portion 20 can be a stop block, and the second actuating portion 40 can be a curved plate member. The curved plate member is composed of an elastic material, and the structure of the curved plate member can be a single-piece reflexed structure to further strengthen the material elasticity of the curved plate member. Please refer to Fig. 4, which is a schematic view of a door cover 32' according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, elements having the same reference numerals as those of the foregoing embodiments have the same structure and function, and will not be described herein. This embodiment is characterized in that the second actuating portion 40 of the door cover 32' can comprise a plurality of plate portions 401, such as the two plate portions 401 shown in Fig. 4. Each of the plate portions 401 may further form an arc-shaped curved structure in the intermediate portion, thereby reducing the material rigidity of the second actuating portion 40 to achieve the purpose of enhancing the material elasticity of the second actuating portion 40 (curved plate member).

Please refer to FIG. 5, which is a schematic view of the door cover 32 of FIG. 3 from another perspective. The door cover 32 further includes two reinforcing ribs 42 and two retaining ribs 44. The two reinforcing ribs 4 are disposed on the inner surface of the body 34 and are connected to the cover plate 38 for improving the structural strength of the cover plate 38. Each of the abutment ribs 44 is disposed on the inner surface of the body 34 The face is connected to the corresponding reinforcing rib 42. The structural height H1 of one of the abutment ribs 44 is substantially larger than the structural height H2 of one of the reinforcing ribs 42. Therefore, when the outer joint 28 is inserted into the connector mechanism 26, the abutment rib 44 abuts against the bottom surface of the outer joint 28, and the reinforcing rib 42 and the outer portion A gap is formed between the joints 28 (that is, a difference in structural height between the ribs 44 and the reinforcing ribs 42), and the pins 281 can be pressed between the gaps without causing the cover 38 to be displaced synchronously.

Please refer to FIG. 2 to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the electronic device 10 of FIG. 1 in another operational state. One end of the second actuating portion 40 (curved plate member) not connected to the body 34 can abut against the first actuating portion 20 (stop block). As shown in FIG. 2, the outer joint 28 is not yet mounted in the housing 12, and the elastic restoring force of the second actuating portion 40 is that the driving body 34 is rotated relative to the housing 12 by the combination of the pivot 36 and the pivot hole 24, The cover 38 is held in a position to cover the opening 22. As shown in Fig. 6, in order to install the outer joint 28, the user needs to apply an external force to the cover plate 38, and the second actuating portion 40 is correspondingly elastically deformed, and the door cover 32 is rotated relative to the housing 12 to expose the half slot 30. . The outer joint 28 is inserted into the opening 22 to engage with the half-shaped slot 30, and after the external force applied to the door cover 32 is removed, the elastic restoring force of the second actuating portion 40 drives the body 34 to rotate relative to the housing 12 in a counterclockwise direction. The cover 38 is brought into close contact with one of the pins 281 of the outer joint 28, and the abutment rib 44 abuts against the bottom surface of the outer joint 28.

The cover plate 38 can also be abutted against the latch 281 by a snap mechanism (not shown) to limit the movement of the outer joint 28 and prevent the outer joint 28 from coming off the connector mechanism 26. In addition, the second actuating portion 40 also abuts against the lower surface of the outer joint 28 by using a partial region, that is, the connector mechanism 26 can utilize the The second actuating portion 40 and the top end 301 of the half-cut slot 30 hold the outer joint 28 up and down, restricting the movement of the outer joint 28 relative to the half-slot 30. To pull out the outer joint 28, the latch 281 can be pressed close to the bottom surface of the outer joint 28, so that the latch 281 is disengaged from the aforementioned engaging mechanism of the cover 38, and the retaining rib 44 still abuts against the bottom surface of the outer joint 28, and the cover 38 The displacement of the latch 281 is applied to the outer joint 28 such that the outer joint 28 can be easily removed from the connector mechanism 26.

Please refer to FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 . FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the electronic device 10 and the door cover 32 ′′ according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 8 and 9 are respectively a second embodiment of the present invention. A schematic diagram of the electronic device 10 in different operating states. In the second embodiment, components having the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same structure and function, and the description thereof will not be repeated here. The second embodiment and the first embodiment The difference is that the first actuating portion 20 of the electronic device 10 can further have a plurality of recessed structures 201, and the second actuating portion 40 of the door cover 32" can further have at least one bump 403. The cover 32" rotates to move between the plurality of recessed structures 201.

Generally, the first actuation portion 20 preferably has two recessed features 201. As shown in Fig. 8, the projection 403 of the door cover 32" is engaged with the recess structure 201 below, and the cover 38 covers the opening 22 to maintain the state of the closed connector mechanism 26. When the external connector 28 is to be inserted, As shown in FIG. 9, the user applies an external force to pull the cover 38 so that the protrusion 403 of the door cover 32" is disengaged from the recessed structure 201 below and is engaged with the upper recessed structure 201. At this time, the door cover 32" is replaced by the first actuating portion 20 (recessed structure 201) and the second actuating portion 40 (bump) The combination of 403) is maintained in a state in which the opening 22 is completely exposed, so that the user can easily insert or pull out the external connector 28, and the external connector 28 does not interfere with the structure of the door cover 32". The second actuating portion 40 of the door cover 32" of the second embodiment may further have two plate portions 401 (plate portions different from those of the first embodiment). The plate portion 401 can be used to clamp the left and right sides of the outer joint 28, providing a restraining mechanism that prevents the outer joint 28 from coming off the half-slot 30.

In summary, the author uses a half-slot to reduce the thickness of the connector mechanism, and with the rotatable opening, manually expand the size of the opening when inserting the external connector, making the connector mechanism applicable. On thin electronic devices. The second actuating portion of the door cover also has a different type and function in conjunction with the first actuating portion of the housing. When the second actuating portion is a flexible curved plate member, the second actuating portion can drive the cover plate to automatically cover the opening when the external joint is not connected to the half-shaped slot, thereby effectively preventing dust, moisture and the like from falling into the opening. The housing damages the half-slot and electronic components. On the other hand, when the second actuating portion cooperates with the first actuating portion to form a set of positioning mechanisms, the second actuating portion can interfere with the structure of the first actuating portion to position the cover plate to cover the opening or away from the opening. s position. In addition, the present invention can further integrate the elastic mechanism and the positioning mechanism of the foregoing two embodiments, that is, the engaging protrusion of the second embodiment is disposed beside the curved plate member of the first embodiment, so that the convex block is When one of the recessed structures is separated from the recessed structure, the elastic restoring force of the curved plate member can be automatically moved to the other recessed structure, thereby saving labor and time. However, the structural combination and configuration thereof may not be limited to those described in the foregoing embodiments, depending on the design requirements.

Compared with the prior art, this creation has a simple structure and easy operation. The advantage of this low cost. The connector mechanism of the present invention can effectively reduce the size and thickness without affecting the structural strength of the cover plate, and improve the shortcomings of the conventional thin connector, which is often insufficient in structural strength, and can better conform to the thin design trend of electronic devices on the market. Improve the market competitiveness of products.

The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and all changes and modifications made by the scope of the patent application of the present invention should be covered by the present invention.

10‧‧‧Electronic devices

12‧‧‧ housing

14‧‧‧Electronic components

16‧‧‧Upper wall

18‧‧‧ Lower wall

20‧‧‧First Actuation Department

201‧‧‧ recessed structure

22‧‧‧ openings

24‧‧‧ pivot hole

26‧‧‧Connector mechanism

28‧‧‧External connector

281‧‧‧ latch

30‧‧‧Semi-slot slot

301‧‧‧Top

32‧‧‧ door cover

32’‧‧‧ Door Cover

32"‧‧‧ door cover

34‧‧‧Ontology

36‧‧‧ pivot

38‧‧‧ Cover

40‧‧‧Second Actuation Department

401‧‧‧ Board Department

403‧‧‧Bumps

42‧‧‧ reinforcing ribs

44‧‧‧

H1‧‧‧Structural height

H2‧‧‧Structural height

T‧‧‧ thickness

D‧‧‧Distance

1 is a schematic view of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the structure of the electronic device of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of the door cover of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of a door cover of another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic view of the door cover of Figure 3 in another perspective.

Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the electronic device of Fig. 1 in another operational state.

Figure 7 is a schematic view of the electronic device and the door cover of the second embodiment of the present invention.

8 and 9 are respectively schematic views of the electronic device of the second embodiment of the present invention in different operating states.

10‧‧‧Electronic devices

12‧‧‧ housing

16‧‧‧Upper wall

18‧‧‧ Lower wall

20‧‧‧First Actuation Department

22‧‧‧ openings

26‧‧‧Connector mechanism

28‧‧‧External connector

281‧‧‧ latch

30‧‧‧Semi-slot slot

301‧‧‧Top

32‧‧‧ door cover

40‧‧‧Second Actuation Department

T‧‧‧ thickness

D‧‧‧Distance

Claims (22)

A connector mechanism for connecting an external connector, the connector mechanism comprising: a housing having an opening, a pivot hole and a first actuation portion; and a half-cut slot, the housing is disposed And a door cover movably disposed on the housing to shield the half-slot, the door cover comprising: a body; at least one pivot disposed on one side of the body, the pivot being rotatably inserted a pivot hole; a cover plate connected to one end of the body for covering the opening; and a second actuating portion connected to the other end of the body opposite to the cover plate, the second actuating portion is matched The first actuating portion adjusts a position of the cover plate relative to the opening. The connector mechanism of claim 1, wherein the half-slot is suspended from an upper wall of the housing, the door is pivotally connected to a lower wall of the housing, the opening being located between the upper wall And the lower wall, and the pivot hole is formed on the lower wall. The connector mechanism of claim 1, wherein a distance between a top end of the half-cut slot and the pivot is substantially greater than a thickness of the outer joint. The connector mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first actuating portion is a a stop block, the second actuating portion is a curved plate member, and one end of the curved plate member abuts against the stop block. The connector mechanism of claim 4, wherein the curved plate member is composed of an elastic material for driving the body to rotate relative to the housing via the pivot to cover the cover plate At the opening. The connector mechanism of claim 5, wherein the curved plate member is further adapted to drive the body to rotate relative to the housing such that the cover plate abuts against one of the outer joint pins. The connector mechanism of claim 4, wherein the curved panel portion abuts the outer joint, restricting movement of the outer joint relative to one of the half slots. The connector mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first actuating portion has a plurality of recessed structures, and the second actuating portion has at least one protrusion that is detachably engaged in the corresponding recess structure. The connector mechanism of claim 8, wherein the bump engages the recessed structure to position the cover relative to the opening. The connector mechanism of claim 8, wherein the second actuating portion further has two plate portions, the two plate portions clamping the outer joint to restrict movement of the outer joint relative to one of the half-shaped slots. The connector mechanism of claim 1, wherein the door cover further comprises: a reinforcing rib disposed on an inner surface of the body and connected to the cover; and a retaining rib disposed on an inner surface of the body and Connecting the reinforcing rib, the height of one of the resisting ribs is substantially greater than the structure of the reinforcing rib degree. An electronic device includes: a housing having at least one electronic component disposed therein, the housing having an opening, a pivot hole and a first actuation portion; and a connector mechanism for coupling An external connector, the connector mechanism comprising: a half-cut slot electrically connected to the electronic component and disposed within the housing; and a door cover movably disposed on the housing to shield the half-slot The cover includes: a body; at least one pivot disposed on one side of the body, the pivot is rotatably inserted into the pivot hole; a cover plate connected to one end of the body for covering the opening; A second actuating portion is coupled to the other end of the body opposite the cover plate, and the second actuating portion cooperates with the first actuating portion to adjust a position of the cover plate relative to the opening. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the half-slot is suspended from an upper wall of the housing, the door is pivotally connected to a lower wall of the housing, the opening being interposed between the upper wall and the upper wall Between the lower walls, the pivot hole is formed in the lower wall. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the top of the half slot A distance between the end and the pivot is substantially greater than a thickness of the outer joint. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the first actuating portion is a stop block, the second actuating portion is a curved plate member, and one end of the curved plate member abuts the stop Piece. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the curved plate member is composed of an elastic material, the curved plate member is configured to drive the body to rotate relative to the housing via the pivot to cover the cover plate The opening. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the curved plate member is further adapted to drive the body to rotate relative to the housing such that the cover plate abuts against one of the outer joint pins. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the curved panel portion abuts the outer joint, restricting movement of the outer joint relative to one of the half slots. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the first actuating portion has a plurality of recessed structures, the second actuating portion having at least one bump, the bump being detachably engaged in the corresponding recessed structure . The electronic device of claim 19, wherein the bump engages the recessed structure to position the cover relative to the opening. The electronic device of claim 19, wherein the second actuating portion further has a second plate portion that clamps the outer joint to restrict movement of the outer joint relative to one of the half-shaped slots. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the door cover further comprises: a reinforcing rib disposed on an inner surface of the body and connected to the cover; A rib is disposed on the inner surface of the body and is connected to the reinforcing rib. The height of one of the ribs is substantially greater than the height of the structure of the reinforcing rib.