WO2006022466A1 - Sterilizing and charging apparatus for mobile communication terminals - Google Patents

Sterilizing and charging apparatus for mobile communication terminals Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006022466A1
WO2006022466A1 PCT/KR2004/002848 KR2004002848W WO2006022466A1 WO 2006022466 A1 WO2006022466 A1 WO 2006022466A1 KR 2004002848 W KR2004002848 W KR 2004002848W WO 2006022466 A1 WO2006022466 A1 WO 2006022466A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
terminal
sterilizing
mobile communication
mount
charging apparatus
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2004/002848
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Hyo-Jeong Baek
Original Assignee
Hyo-Jeong Baek
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
Priority claimed from KR20-2004-0023988U external-priority patent/KR200368424Y1/en
Priority claimed from KR1020040066219A external-priority patent/KR100606389B1/en
Priority claimed from KR1020040069878A external-priority patent/KR20050051536A/en
Priority claimed from KR1020040077695A external-priority patent/KR20060028830A/en
Priority claimed from KR20-2004-0027774U external-priority patent/KR200374503Y1/en
Application filed by Hyo-Jeong Baek filed Critical Hyo-Jeong Baek
Publication of WO2006022466A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006022466A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J7/00—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
    • H02J7/0042—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by the mechanical construction
    • H02J7/0044—Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries characterised by the mechanical construction specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2/00—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor
    • A61L2/02—Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor using physical phenomena
    • A61L2/08—Radiation
    • A61L2/10—Ultraviolet radiation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
    • H04M1/17—Hygienic or sanitary devices on telephone equipment

Definitions

  • the present invention relates, in general, to sterilizing and charging apparatuses for mobile communication terminals an4 more particularly, to a sterilizing and charging apparatus for mobile communication terminals which charges a battery fiinctioning as a power source for a mobile communication terminal and, simultaneously, sterilizes the mobile communication terminal, on which bacteria live.
  • mobile communication terminals such as cellular phones and personal digital assistants (PDA)
  • PDA personal digital assistants
  • the mobile communication terminals are easily spattered with saliva from the mouth of user.
  • the mobile communication terminals are in close contact with the faces of users, sweat or cosmetics of the users easily pollute the mobile communication terminals.
  • a polluted mobile communication terminal provides an environment suitable for propagation of various germs.
  • the polluted mobile communication terminal is harm&l to the respiratory system of a user and the skin of the user which is in direct contact with the polluted mobile communication terminal.
  • users hold mobile communication terminals with their hands while using the mobile com ⁇ munication terminals. Therefore, various harm&l germs, which live in the mobile communication terminals, are contagious to other persons through the hands of the users. In particular, babies may be easily infected with harm&l bacteria by contacting users having used the polluted mobile communication terminal.
  • a universal charging terminal cor ⁇ responding to a USB (universal serial bus) terminal of a mobile communication terminal for charging and data switching is fastened to a lower end of a terminal mount. Accordingly, there is difficulty in setting the mobile communication terminal on the terminal mount.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a sterilizing and charging apparatus fcr mobile communication terminals which can charge a battery fiinctioning as a power source fcr the mobile communication terminal and, simultaneously, sterilize the mobile communication terminal on which bacteria live.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a sterilizing and charging apparatus fcr mobile communication terminals in which a universal charging terminal corresponding to a USB (universal serial bus) terminal of a mobile communication terminal fcr charging and data switching can be led to the outside, and the mobile com ⁇ munication terminal is automatically fastened to a terminal mount when being placed on the terminal mount.
  • a universal charging terminal corresponding to a USB (universal serial bus) terminal of a mobile communication terminal fcr charging and data switching can be led to the outside, and the mobile com ⁇ munication terminal is automatically fastened to a terminal mount when being placed on the terminal mount.
  • the present invention provides a sterilizing and charging apparatus fcr a mobile communication terminal, including: a reception box comprising openable upper and lower cases; a sterilizing ultraviolet lamp provided on an inner surface of a front wall of the lower case; a terminal mount provided at a predetermined position opposite to the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp in the reception box, with a universal charging terminal provided at a predetermined position on the terminal mount to correspond to a USB (universal serial bus) terminal of the mobile communication terminal for charging and data switching; and an AC/DC converter to convert alternating-current power applied thereto by turning on a power switch into direct-current power and supply the direct-current power to both the universal charging terminal of the terminal mount and the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp.
  • a reception box comprising openable upper and lower cases
  • a sterilizing ultraviolet lamp provided on an inner surface of a front wall of the lower case
  • a terminal mount provided at a predetermined position opposite to the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp in the reception box, with a universal charging terminal provided at a predetermined position on the terminal mount to correspond to
  • the terminal mount may include a support groove to receive and support a lower end of the mobile communication terminal therein; and a seat depression provided on an inclined surface of the terminal mount to receive and support a rear part of the mobile communication terminal therein.
  • the universal charging terminal of the terminal mount may protrude from a central portion of a lower surface of the support groove.
  • the terminal mount may fiirther include a pair of rotating arms rotatably provided around opposite sides of the seat depression on the inclined surface of the terminal mount by hinges, the pair of rotating arms being elastically biased toward a center of the seat depression; and a pair of restraining units provided on ends of the rotating arms to be in close contact with opposite sides of the mobile communication terminal to hold the mobile communication terminal between them.
  • the terminal mount may fiirther include a pair of sliders having stoppers and being inserted into slider guide holes provided on opposite sidewalls of the seat depression, with at least one spring coupled to each of the sliders inside each of the slider guide holes. The pair of sliders is elastically biased toward a center of the seat depression.
  • the sliders are each tapered at an end thereof, so that, when the mobile communication terminal is inserted downwards into the seat depression, the ends of the sliders are pushed outwards by the mobile communication terminal and, thereafter, are elastically returned toward the center of the seat depression to hold opposite sides of the mobile communication terminal.
  • the sterilizing and charging apparatus may fiirther include a holding pad having a predetermined thickness and being attached to each inside surface of the retaining units or each of the ends of the sliders.
  • the sterilizing and charging apparatus may fiirther include a charge indicator lamp provided on a predetermined position of an outer surface of the front wall of the lower case to indicate a state of charging the mobile communication terminal using the universal charging terminal; and a sterilizing indicator lamp provided on a pre ⁇ determined position of the outer surface of the front wall of the lower case to indicate a state of sterilizing the mobile communication terminal using the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp.
  • the sterilizing and charging apparatus may fiirther include a timer operated by turning on the power switch to count elapsed time up to a predetermined time period; a control switch to interrupt the supply of the power to the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp according to output of the timer.
  • the terminal mount may include a seat depression provided on an inclined surface of a front part of a hollow mount body; a receiving groove having a through hole at a bottom thereof and provided on a lower end of the seat depression to receive the universal charging terminal of the terminal mount therein; a cable winder provided in the hollow mount body to allow a cable connected to the universal charging terminal to be wound around the cable winder while passing through the through hole of the receiving groove; a pair of sliders having stoppers and inserted into slider guide holes provided on opposite sidewalls of the seat depression; and a plate spring having a bent shape and being in contact at a predetermined portion thereof with each of the sliders inside the hollow mount body.
  • the cable winder may include a pair of support brackets provided on a lower part in the hollow mount body and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval; a drum wheel provided between the pair of support brackets by a hinge shaft; and a spiral spring coupled to an end of the hinge shaft exposed outside the support brackets.
  • the plate spring may be fastened to the mount body at an end thereof by a fastening pin.
  • the sterilizing and charging apparatus may fiirther include a band which has a pre ⁇ determined elasticity and is coupled at both ends thereof to the mount body while being supported around opposite sides of the seat depression, so that the mobile com ⁇ munication terminal is supported in the seat depression by the elasticity of the band.
  • the present invention provides a sterilizing and charging apparatus fcr mobile communication terminals which can charge a battery fiinctioning as a power source fcr a mobile communication terminal and, simultaneously, sterilize the mobile communication terminal on which bacteria live, thus preventing infection from the bacteria living on the mobile communication terminal.
  • a sterilizing ultraviolet lamp is automatically turned off after a pre ⁇ determined time period has passed thus prevent waste of electricity.
  • a universal charging terminal corresponding to a USB terminal of the mobile communication terminal fcr charging and data switching can be led outside a terminal mount.
  • the mobile communication terminal is automatically fastened to a terminal mount when being placed on the terminal mount.
  • the sterilizing and charging apparatus of the present invention is convenient to a user.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sterilizing and charging apparatus fcr mobile communication terminals, according to a first embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sterilizing and charging apparatus fcr mobile communication terminals, according to a second embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sterilizing and charging apparatus fcr mobile communication terminals, according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FlG. 4 is a sectional view of the sterilizing and charging apparatus of FlG. 1 ;
  • FlG. 5 is a sectional view of the sterilizing and charging apparatus of FlG. 2;
  • FlG. 6 is a sectional view of the sterilizing and charging apparatus of FlG. 3;
  • FlG. 7 is an enlarged view to show an important part of the sterilizing and charging apparatus of FlG. 1 ;
  • FlG. 8 is an enlarged view to show an important part of the sterilizing and charging apparatus of FlG. 2;
  • FlG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line A-A of FlG. 6;
  • FlG. 10 is a view showing an operation of the sterilizing and charging apparatus of
  • FIG. 3
  • FIG. 11 is a view showing a part of a sterilizing and charging apparatus for mobile communication terminals, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FlG. 12 is a block diagram to illustrate an electrical flow in the sterilizing and charging apparatus of the present invention.
  • FlG. 1 is a perspective view of a sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 for mobile communication terminals, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FlG. 2 is a perspective view of a sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 for mobile com ⁇ munication terminals, according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 for mobile com ⁇ munication terminals, according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FlG. 4 is a sectional view of the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 of FIG. 1.
  • FlG. 5 is a sectional view of the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 of FlG. 2.
  • FlG. 6 is a sectional view of the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 of FIG. 3.
  • FlG. 4 is a sectional view of the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 7 is an enlarged view to show an important part of the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 of FIG. 1.
  • FlG. 8 is an enlarged view to show an important part of the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 of FlG. 2.
  • FlG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 6.
  • FlG. 10 is a view showing an operation of the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 of FIG. 3.
  • FlG. 11 is a view showing a part of a sterilizing and charging apparatus for mobile communication terminals, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 12 is a block diagram to illustrate an electrical flow in the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 of the present invention.
  • the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 includes a reception box 10 to receive therein a mobile communication terminal 2, such as a cellular phone or a PDA.
  • the reception box 10 includes upper and lower cases 11 and 12 which are openable by hinges 13.
  • the upper case 11 is made of a transparent material to allow a user to observe the interior of the reception box 10.
  • An openable handle 111 protrudes forwards from a lower end of a front wall of the upper case 11 for ease in opening the reception box 10.
  • a locking part 112 having a locking protrusion 112a extends from the lower end of the front wall of the upper case 11 toward the lower case 12 to lock the upper case 11 to the lower case 12.
  • a locking groove 121 is provided on an upper end of a front wall of the lower case
  • a power switch 122 to turn on or off the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 a charge indicator lamp 123 and a sterilizing indicator lamp 124 are provided on an outer surface of the front wall of the lower case 12.
  • the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 further includes a sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125 which is provided on an inner surface of the front wall of the lower case 12 to sterilize the mobile communication terminal 2 on which bacteria live.
  • the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 further includes a terminal mount 14 which is provided at a predetermined position opposite to the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125 in the reception box 10 to allow the mobile communication terminal 2 to be mounted thereon.
  • the terminal mount 14 includes a support groove 141 to receive and support a lower end of the mobile communication terminal 2 therein, and a seat depression 142 which is provided on an inclined surface of the terminal mount 14 to receive and support a rear part of the mobile communication terminal 2 therein.
  • the seat depression 142 has a size suitable to receive therein a mobile communication terminal 2, such as a cellular phone or a PDA, which are formed in various sizes.
  • a universal charging terminal 143 protrudes upwards from a center of a bottom of the support groove 141 of the terminal mount 14 to correspond to a USB terminal of the mobile communication terminal 2 for charging and data switching.
  • the 145 is rotatably provided around opposite sides of the seat depression 142 on the inclined surface of the terminal mount 14 by hinges.
  • the rotating arms 144 and 145 are elastically biased toward a center of the seat depression 142.
  • Restraining units 144a and 145a are provided on ends of the rotating arms 144 and 145 to hold opposite sides of the mobile communication terminal 2 between them.
  • Holding pads 144b and 145b each having a predetermined thickness are attached to inside surfaces of the retaining units 144a and 145a to stably hold the mobile communication terminal 2.
  • FlG. 12 is a block diagram to illustrate electrical flow in the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 of the present invention.
  • the power switch 122 to turn on or off the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 is connected to a power inlet end through which utility power is applied.
  • the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 fiirther includes an AC/DC converter 151 which is connected to the power switch 122 to convert alternating-current power into direct-current power and supply the direct-current power to both the universal charging terminal 143 of the terminal mount 14 and the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125.
  • the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 fiirther includes a timer 152 which is operated by turning on the power switch 122 to count the elapsed time during a pre ⁇ determined time period.
  • the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 fiirther includes a control switch (SW) which is provided between the AC/DC converter 151 and the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125 to interrupt the supply of power to the sterilizing ul ⁇ traviolet lamp 125 according to the output of the timer 152.
  • SW control switch
  • the user holds the openable handle 111 of the upper case 11 and rotates the upper case 11 around the hinges 13 to open the reception box 10.
  • the mobile communication terminal 2 is mounted on the terminal mount 14 by being pushed downwards such that the lower end and the rear part of the mobile communication terminal 2 are respectively inserted into the support groove 141 and the seat depression 142 of the terminal mount 14.
  • the universal charging terminal 142 which protrudes into the support groove 141 of the terminal mount 14, is inserted into the USB terminal of the mobile communication terminal 2.
  • the rotating arms 144 and 145 rotate at predetermined angles while being pushed outwards by the opposite sides of the mobile communication terminal 2. Thus, a distance between the rotating arms 144 and 145 is increased to the width of the mobile communication terminal 2.
  • the upper case 11 is closed. Thereafter, the power switch 122 provided on the front wall of the lower case 12 is turned on. Then, alternating-current power supplied to the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 is converted by the AC/DC converter 151 into direct-current power.
  • the direct-current power is supplied to the mobile com ⁇ munication terminal 2 through the universal charging terminal 143 of the support groove 141, thus charging a battery of the mobile communication terminal 2.
  • the direct-current power is supplied to the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125 via the control switch (SW), when turned on, to allow the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125 to execute the sterilizing fiinction.
  • the charge indicator lamp 123 and the sterilizing indicator lamp 124 which are provided on the outer surface of the front wall of the lower case 12, emit light, for example, red light.
  • the timer 152 is operated by the connection of the power switch 122 to count elapsed time up to a predetermined time period sufficient to sterilize the mobile communication terminal 2.
  • SW is turned off by an output signal of the timer 152.
  • the supply of power to the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125 is intercepted to prevent waste of electricity.
  • the sterilizing indicator lamp 124 when the sterilization by the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125 is finished the sterilizing indicator lamp 124 emits, for example, green light, thus indicating the completion of the sterilization of the mobile communication terminal 2. In the same manner, when the charging of the battery is finished the charge indicator lamp 124 emits green light, thus indicating the completion of the charging of the battery.
  • a terminal mount 14 differs from the first embodiment.
  • the terminal mount 14 of the second embodiment includes a pair of sliders 146 and 147 which are inserted into opposite sidewalls of a seat depression 142 to be able to protrude toward the seat depression 142.
  • Springs 146a and 147a are coupled to each of the sliders 146 and 147, so that the sliders 146 147 are elastically biased toward the center of the seat depression 142.
  • the sliders 146 and 147 are each tapered at an end thereof.
  • the sliders 146 and 147 are pushed outwards by the contact with the mobile communication terminal 2 an4 thereafter, they are elastically returned toward the center of the seat depression 142 to hold opposite sides of the mobile com ⁇ munication terminal 2.
  • Holding pads 144b and 145b having predetermined thicknesses are respectively attached to inside surfaces of the ends of the sliders 146 and 147 to stably hold the mobile communication terminal 2 between them.
  • a method of placing the mobile com ⁇ munication terminal 2 onto the terminal mount 14 differs from the first embodiment, but otherwise, the operation is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefcre, only the method of placing the mobile communication terminal 2 onto the terminal mount 14 will be described herein below.
  • the user holds the openable handle 111 of the upper case 11 and rotates the upper case 11 around the hinges 13 to open the reception box 10. Thereafter, the user opens a mobile communication terminal 2 and places the opened mobile communication terminal 2 onto the terminal mount 14 along the seat depression 142. While the mobile communication terminal 2 is inserted into the seat depression 142, it is guided by the tapered parts of the opposite sliders 144 and 145. Therefore, a distance between the sliders 144 and 145 is increased to the width of the mobile communication terminal 2.
  • the sterilizing and charging apparatus of the present invention can be adapted to any mobile communication terminal 2 regardless of their size and width.
  • a lower end and a rear part of the mobile communication terminal 2 are respectively inserted into a support groove 141 and the seat depression 142 of the terminal mount 14 such that a universal charging terminal 142, which protrudes into the support groove 141, is inserted into a USB terminal of the mobile communication terminal 2.
  • the sliders 144 and 145 pushed outwards while the mobile communication terminal 2 is received in the seat depression 142 of the terminal mount 14, are elastically biased toward the center of the mobile communication terminal 2.
  • the holding pads 144b and 145b attached to the ends of the sliders 144 and 145 come into close contact with both sides of the mobile communication terminal 2. Accordingly, the mobile communication terminal 2 is stably placed in the seat depression 142 without being undesirably moved.
  • a universal charging terminal 143 is capable of being extracted to the outside, and a plate spring 165 is used instead of the springs 144a and 144b of the second embodiment.
  • a terminal mount 4 includes a seat depression 142 which is provided on an inclined surface of a front part of a hollow mount body 160.
  • the terminal mount 4 fiirther includes a receiving groove 162 which has a through hole 161 at a bottom thereof and is provided on a lower end of the seat depression 142 to receive the universal charging terminal 143 of the terminal mount 14 therein.
  • the terminal mount 4 fiirther includes a cable winder 170 which is provided in the hollow mount body 160 to allow a cable 171 connected to a lower end of the universal charging terminal 143 to be wound around the cable winder 170 while passing through the through hole 161 of the receiving groove 162.
  • the terminal mount 4 fiirther includes a pair of sliders 146 and 147 which have stoppers 164 and are inserted into slider guide holes 163 provided on opposite sidewalls of the seat depression 142.
  • the terminal mount 4 fiirther includes the plate spring 165 which has a bent shape and is in contact at a predetermined portion thereof with each of the sliders 146 and 147 inside the hollow mount body 160.
  • the cable winder 170 has a pair of support brackets 172 which is provided on a lower part in the hollow mount body 160.
  • the support brackets 172 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval.
  • a drum wheel 174 is provided between the support brackets 172 by a hinge shaft 173.
  • a spiral spring 175 is coupled to an end of the hinge shaft 173 exposed outside the support brackets 172. Therefore, when not in use, the cable 171 of the universal charging terminal 143 is wound around the cable winder 170 by the elasticity of the spiral spring 175 which is coupled to the hinge shaft 173 of the support brackets 172.
  • the universal charging terminal 143 is extracted to the outside while the cable 171 is unwound from the cable winder 170.
  • the plate spring 165 is fastened to the mount body 160 at only one end thereof by a fastening pin.
  • the universal charging terminal 143 extracted outside the seat depression 142 through the above-mentioned process is connected to the mobile communication terminal 2. Thereafter, the mobile communication terminal 2 is received onto the seat depression 142 by being pushed downwards. Simultaneously, the sliders 146 and 147 move outwards due to contact with both sides of the mobile communication terminal 2. Thus, the plate springs 165 are compressed. Therefore, even if the user lets go of the mobile communication terminal 2, the elasticity of the plate springs 165 prevents the mobile communication terminal 2 from undesirably moving. That is, each plate spring 165 is fastened at an end thereof to the hollow mount body 160 by a fastening pin 176. The other end of the plate spring 165 is not fastened to anything. Thus, the distance from one end of the plate spring 165 to the other end can vary due to elasticity.
  • the drum wheel 174 rotates in a reverse direction due to a restoring force of the compressed spiral spring 175.
  • the cable 171 connected to the lower end of the universal charging terminal 143 is retracted into the hollow mount body 160 through the through hole 161. Therefore, the user can conveniently use the sterilizing and charging apparatus.
  • the upper case 11 is closed. Thereafter, the power switch 122 provided on the lower case 12 is turned on. Then, power is applied to both the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125 and a battery of the mobile communication terminal 2 through the universal charging terminal 143. Thus, the mobile communication terminal 2 is sterilized and, simul ⁇ taneously, the battery is charged.
  • the user After the sterilizing and charging operations are completed the user removes the mobile communication terminal 2 from the reception box 10 and separates the mobile communication terminal 2 from the universal charging terminal 143 to use it.
  • the mobile communication terminal 2 which is placed in the seat depression 142 is held by the sliders 146 and 147 which are affected by the elasticity of the plate springs 165.
  • a band 177 is used in the sterilizing and charging apparatus according to the fcurth embodiment. As shown in FlG. 11, the band 177 having a predetermined elasticity is coupled at both ends thereof to a mount body 160 while being supported around opposite sides of a seat depression 142. Thus, the mobile communication terminal 2 is supported in the seat depression 142 by the elasticity of the band 177.
  • the present invention provides a sterilizing and charging apparatus for mobile communication terminals which can charge a battery fiinctioning as a power source for a mobile communication terminal and, simultaneously, sterilize the mobile communication terminal on which bacteria live, thus preventing infection from the bacteria living on the mobile communication terminal.
  • a sterilizing ultraviolet lamp is automatically turned off after a pre ⁇ determined time period has passed thus prevent waste of electricity.
  • a universal charging terminal corresponding to a USB terminal of the mobile communication terminal for charging and data switching can be led outside a terminal mount.
  • the mobile communication terminal is automatically fastened to a terminal mount when being placed on the terminal mount. Therefore, the sterilizing and charging apparatus of the present invention is convenient to a user.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
  • Telephone Function (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention provides a sterilizing and charging apparatus for mobile communication terminals which charges a battery of a mobile communication terminal and, simultaneously, sterilizes the mobile communication terminal. The sterilizing and charging apparatus (1) includes a reception box (10) having upper and lower cases (11) and (12), and a sterilizing ultraviolet lamp (125) which is provided on an inner surface of a front wall of the lower case (12). The sterilizing and charging apparatus (1) further includes a terminal mount (14) which is provided at a predetermined position opposite to the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp (125), and an AC/DC converter (151) to convert alternating-current power into direct-current power and supply the direct-current power to both the universal charging terminal (143) and the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp (125).

Description

Description STERILIZING AND CHARGING APPARATUS FOR
MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINALS
Technical Field
[1] The present invention relates, in general, to sterilizing and charging apparatuses for mobile communication terminals an4 more particularly, to a sterilizing and charging apparatus for mobile communication terminals which charges a battery fiinctioning as a power source for a mobile communication terminal and, simultaneously, sterilizes the mobile communication terminal, on which bacteria live.
Background Art
[2] Generally, mobile communication terminals, such as cellular phones and personal digital assistants (PDA), have a communication fiinction to receive the voice of a user and transfer it to another person through a mobile radio communication network. Due to this feature, the mobile communication terminals are easily spattered with saliva from the mouth of user. As well, because the mobile communication terminals are in close contact with the faces of users, sweat or cosmetics of the users easily pollute the mobile communication terminals.
[3] As such, a polluted mobile communication terminal provides an environment suitable for propagation of various germs. Thus, the polluted mobile communication terminal is harm&l to the respiratory system of a user and the skin of the user which is in direct contact with the polluted mobile communication terminal. Typically, users hold mobile communication terminals with their hands while using the mobile com¬ munication terminals. Therefore, various harm&l germs, which live in the mobile communication terminals, are contagious to other persons through the hands of the users. In particular, babies may be easily infected with harm&l bacteria by contacting users having used the polluted mobile communication terminal.
[4] Also, in the conventional charging apparatuses, a universal charging terminal cor¬ responding to a USB (universal serial bus) terminal of a mobile communication terminal for charging and data switching is fastened to a lower end of a terminal mount. Accordingly, there is difficulty in setting the mobile communication terminal on the terminal mount.
[5] Furthermore, because mobile communication terminals differ from each other in size and shape, a mobile communication terminal placed on a terminal mount in a sterilizing and charging apparatus may lean to one side. Thus, the efficiency of sterilizing the mobile communication terminal is decreased. Disclosure of Invention
Technical Problem
[6] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sterilizing and charging apparatus fcr mobile communication terminals which can charge a battery fiinctioning as a power source fcr the mobile communication terminal and, simultaneously, sterilize the mobile communication terminal on which bacteria live.
[7] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sterilizing and charging apparatus fcr mobile communication terminals in which a universal charging terminal corresponding to a USB (universal serial bus) terminal of a mobile communication terminal fcr charging and data switching can be led to the outside, and the mobile com¬ munication terminal is automatically fastened to a terminal mount when being placed on the terminal mount.
Technical Solution
[8] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a sterilizing and charging apparatus fcr a mobile communication terminal, including: a reception box comprising openable upper and lower cases; a sterilizing ultraviolet lamp provided on an inner surface of a front wall of the lower case; a terminal mount provided at a predetermined position opposite to the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp in the reception box, with a universal charging terminal provided at a predetermined position on the terminal mount to correspond to a USB (universal serial bus) terminal of the mobile communication terminal for charging and data switching; and an AC/DC converter to convert alternating-current power applied thereto by turning on a power switch into direct-current power and supply the direct-current power to both the universal charging terminal of the terminal mount and the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp.
[9] The terminal mount may include a support groove to receive and support a lower end of the mobile communication terminal therein; and a seat depression provided on an inclined surface of the terminal mount to receive and support a rear part of the mobile communication terminal therein. The universal charging terminal of the terminal mount may protrude from a central portion of a lower surface of the support groove.
[10] The terminal mount may fiirther include a pair of rotating arms rotatably provided around opposite sides of the seat depression on the inclined surface of the terminal mount by hinges, the pair of rotating arms being elastically biased toward a center of the seat depression; and a pair of restraining units provided on ends of the rotating arms to be in close contact with opposite sides of the mobile communication terminal to hold the mobile communication terminal between them. Alternatively, the terminal mount may fiirther include a pair of sliders having stoppers and being inserted into slider guide holes provided on opposite sidewalls of the seat depression, with at least one spring coupled to each of the sliders inside each of the slider guide holes. The pair of sliders is elastically biased toward a center of the seat depression. The sliders are each tapered at an end thereof, so that, when the mobile communication terminal is inserted downwards into the seat depression, the ends of the sliders are pushed outwards by the mobile communication terminal and, thereafter, are elastically returned toward the center of the seat depression to hold opposite sides of the mobile communication terminal.
[11] The sterilizing and charging apparatus may fiirther include a holding pad having a predetermined thickness and being attached to each inside surface of the retaining units or each of the ends of the sliders.
[12] The sterilizing and charging apparatus may fiirther include a charge indicator lamp provided on a predetermined position of an outer surface of the front wall of the lower case to indicate a state of charging the mobile communication terminal using the universal charging terminal; and a sterilizing indicator lamp provided on a pre¬ determined position of the outer surface of the front wall of the lower case to indicate a state of sterilizing the mobile communication terminal using the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp.
[13] The sterilizing and charging apparatus may fiirther include a timer operated by turning on the power switch to count elapsed time up to a predetermined time period; a control switch to interrupt the supply of the power to the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp according to output of the timer.
[14] The terminal mount may include a seat depression provided on an inclined surface of a front part of a hollow mount body; a receiving groove having a through hole at a bottom thereof and provided on a lower end of the seat depression to receive the universal charging terminal of the terminal mount therein; a cable winder provided in the hollow mount body to allow a cable connected to the universal charging terminal to be wound around the cable winder while passing through the through hole of the receiving groove; a pair of sliders having stoppers and inserted into slider guide holes provided on opposite sidewalls of the seat depression; and a plate spring having a bent shape and being in contact at a predetermined portion thereof with each of the sliders inside the hollow mount body.
[15] The cable winder may include a pair of support brackets provided on a lower part in the hollow mount body and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval; a drum wheel provided between the pair of support brackets by a hinge shaft; and a spiral spring coupled to an end of the hinge shaft exposed outside the support brackets.
[16] The plate spring may be fastened to the mount body at an end thereof by a fastening pin.
[17] The sterilizing and charging apparatus may fiirther include a band which has a pre¬ determined elasticity and is coupled at both ends thereof to the mount body while being supported around opposite sides of the seat depression, so that the mobile com¬ munication terminal is supported in the seat depression by the elasticity of the band.
Advantageous Effects
[18] As described above, the present invention provides a sterilizing and charging apparatus fcr mobile communication terminals which can charge a battery fiinctioning as a power source fcr a mobile communication terminal and, simultaneously, sterilize the mobile communication terminal on which bacteria live, thus preventing infection from the bacteria living on the mobile communication terminal.
[19] Furthermore, a sterilizing ultraviolet lamp is automatically turned off after a pre¬ determined time period has passed thus prevent waste of electricity.
[20] λfcreover, a universal charging terminal corresponding to a USB terminal of the mobile communication terminal fcr charging and data switching can be led outside a terminal mount. The mobile communication terminal is automatically fastened to a terminal mount when being placed on the terminal mount. Therefcre, the sterilizing and charging apparatus of the present invention is convenient to a user.
Description of Drawings
[21] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[22] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sterilizing and charging apparatus fcr mobile communication terminals, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[23] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sterilizing and charging apparatus fcr mobile communication terminals, according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[24] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sterilizing and charging apparatus fcr mobile communication terminals, according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
[25] FlG. 4 is a sectional view of the sterilizing and charging apparatus of FlG. 1 ;
[26] FlG. 5 is a sectional view of the sterilizing and charging apparatus of FlG. 2;
[27] FlG. 6 is a sectional view of the sterilizing and charging apparatus of FlG. 3;
[28] FlG. 7 is an enlarged view to show an important part of the sterilizing and charging apparatus of FlG. 1 ;
[29] FlG. 8 is an enlarged view to show an important part of the sterilizing and charging apparatus of FlG. 2;
[30] FlG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line A-A of FlG. 6;
[31] FlG. 10 is a view showing an operation of the sterilizing and charging apparatus of
FIG. 3;
[32] FIG. 11 is a view showing a part of a sterilizing and charging apparatus for mobile communication terminals, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and
[33] FlG. 12 is a block diagram to illustrate an electrical flow in the sterilizing and charging apparatus of the present invention.
Best Mode
[34] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[35] FlG. 1 is a perspective view of a sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 for mobile communication terminals, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FlG. 2 is a perspective view of a sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 for mobile com¬ munication terminals, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 for mobile com¬ munication terminals, according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FlG. 4 is a sectional view of the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 of FIG. 1. FlG. 5 is a sectional view of the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 of FlG. 2. FlG. 6 is a sectional view of the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 of FIG. 3. FlG. 7 is an enlarged view to show an important part of the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 of FIG. 1. FlG. 8 is an enlarged view to show an important part of the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 of FlG. 2. FlG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 6. FlG. 10 is a view showing an operation of the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 of FIG. 3. FlG. 11 is a view showing a part of a sterilizing and charging apparatus for mobile communication terminals, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a block diagram to illustrate an electrical flow in the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 of the present invention.
[36] As shown in the drawings, the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a reception box 10 to receive therein a mobile communication terminal 2, such as a cellular phone or a PDA. The reception box 10 includes upper and lower cases 11 and 12 which are openable by hinges 13.
[37] The upper case 11 is made of a transparent material to allow a user to observe the interior of the reception box 10. An openable handle 111 protrudes forwards from a lower end of a front wall of the upper case 11 for ease in opening the reception box 10. Furthermore, a locking part 112 having a locking protrusion 112a extends from the lower end of the front wall of the upper case 11 toward the lower case 12 to lock the upper case 11 to the lower case 12.
[38] A locking groove 121 is provided on an upper end of a front wall of the lower case
12 to correspond to the locking protrusion 112a provided on the lower end of the front wall of the upper case 11. In addition, a power switch 122 to turn on or off the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1, a charge indicator lamp 123 and a sterilizing indicator lamp 124 are provided on an outer surface of the front wall of the lower case 12.
[39] The sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 further includes a sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125 which is provided on an inner surface of the front wall of the lower case 12 to sterilize the mobile communication terminal 2 on which bacteria live. The sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 further includes a terminal mount 14 which is provided at a predetermined position opposite to the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125 in the reception box 10 to allow the mobile communication terminal 2 to be mounted thereon.
[40] The terminal mount 14 includes a support groove 141 to receive and support a lower end of the mobile communication terminal 2 therein, and a seat depression 142 which is provided on an inclined surface of the terminal mount 14 to receive and support a rear part of the mobile communication terminal 2 therein. Preferably, the seat depression 142 has a size suitable to receive therein a mobile communication terminal 2, such as a cellular phone or a PDA, which are formed in various sizes.
[41] A universal charging terminal 143 protrudes upwards from a center of a bottom of the support groove 141 of the terminal mount 14 to correspond to a USB terminal of the mobile communication terminal 2 for charging and data switching.
[42] In the first embodiment of the present invention, a pair of rotating arms 144 and
145 is rotatably provided around opposite sides of the seat depression 142 on the inclined surface of the terminal mount 14 by hinges. The rotating arms 144 and 145 are elastically biased toward a center of the seat depression 142. Restraining units 144a and 145a are provided on ends of the rotating arms 144 and 145 to hold opposite sides of the mobile communication terminal 2 between them. Holding pads 144b and 145b each having a predetermined thickness are attached to inside surfaces of the retaining units 144a and 145a to stably hold the mobile communication terminal 2.
[43] FlG. 12 is a block diagram to illustrate electrical flow in the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 of the present invention. Referring to FlG. 12, the power switch 122 to turn on or off the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 is connected to a power inlet end through which utility power is applied. The sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 fiirther includes an AC/DC converter 151 which is connected to the power switch 122 to convert alternating-current power into direct-current power and supply the direct-current power to both the universal charging terminal 143 of the terminal mount 14 and the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125.
[44] The sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 fiirther includes a timer 152 which is operated by turning on the power switch 122 to count the elapsed time during a pre¬ determined time period. The sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 fiirther includes a control switch (SW) which is provided between the AC/DC converter 151 and the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125 to interrupt the supply of power to the sterilizing ul¬ traviolet lamp 125 according to the output of the timer 152.
[45] The operation of the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment having the above-mentioned construction will be described herein below.
[46] The user holds the openable handle 111 of the upper case 11 and rotates the upper case 11 around the hinges 13 to open the reception box 10. Thereafter, the mobile communication terminal 2 is mounted on the terminal mount 14 by being pushed downwards such that the lower end and the rear part of the mobile communication terminal 2 are respectively inserted into the support groove 141 and the seat depression 142 of the terminal mount 14. At this time, the universal charging terminal 142, which protrudes into the support groove 141 of the terminal mount 14, is inserted into the USB terminal of the mobile communication terminal 2. Furthermore, the rotating arms 144 and 145 rotate at predetermined angles while being pushed outwards by the opposite sides of the mobile communication terminal 2. Thus, a distance between the rotating arms 144 and 145 is increased to the width of the mobile communication terminal 2.
[47] When the universal charging terminal 142 of the terminal mount 14 is completely inserted into the USB terminal of the mobile communication terminal 2, the holding pads 144b and 145b attached to the retaining units 144a and 145a come into close contact with both sides of the mobile communication terminal 2 while the rotating arms 144 and 145 are elastically biased toward the center of the mobile com¬ munication terminal 2. Thus, the mobile communication terminal 2 is stably placed in the seat depression 142 without undesirably moving.
[48] After the mobile communication terminal 2 is received on the terminal mount 14, the upper case 11 is closed. Thereafter, the power switch 122 provided on the front wall of the lower case 12 is turned on. Then, alternating-current power supplied to the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 is converted by the AC/DC converter 151 into direct-current power. The direct-current power is supplied to the mobile com¬ munication terminal 2 through the universal charging terminal 143 of the support groove 141, thus charging a battery of the mobile communication terminal 2. Simul¬ taneously, the direct-current power is supplied to the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125 via the control switch (SW), when turned on, to allow the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125 to execute the sterilizing fiinction.
[49] At this time, the charge indicator lamp 123 and the sterilizing indicator lamp 124, which are provided on the outer surface of the front wall of the lower case 12, emit light, for example, red light. Also, the timer 152 is operated by the connection of the power switch 122 to count elapsed time up to a predetermined time period sufficient to sterilize the mobile communication terminal 2.
[50] When the timer 152 has counted down the sterilization period the control switch
(SW) is turned off by an output signal of the timer 152. Thus, the supply of power to the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125 is intercepted to prevent waste of electricity.
[51] As such, when the sterilization by the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125 is finished the sterilizing indicator lamp 124 emits, for example, green light, thus indicating the completion of the sterilization of the mobile communication terminal 2. In the same manner, when the charging of the battery is finished the charge indicator lamp 124 emits green light, thus indicating the completion of the charging of the battery.
[52] In the sterilizing and charging apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, a terminal mount 14 differs from the first embodiment. In detail, the terminal mount 14 of the second embodiment includes a pair of sliders 146 and 147 which are inserted into opposite sidewalls of a seat depression 142 to be able to protrude toward the seat depression 142. Springs 146a and 147a are coupled to each of the sliders 146 and 147, so that the sliders 146 147 are elastically biased toward the center of the seat depression 142. The sliders 146 and 147 are each tapered at an end thereof. Thus, when the mobile communication terminal 2 is inserted downwards into the seat depression 142, the sliders 146 and 147 are pushed outwards by the contact with the mobile communication terminal 2 an4 thereafter, they are elastically returned toward the center of the seat depression 142 to hold opposite sides of the mobile com¬ munication terminal 2. Holding pads 144b and 145b having predetermined thicknesses are respectively attached to inside surfaces of the ends of the sliders 146 and 147 to stably hold the mobile communication terminal 2 between them.
[53] In the case of the second embodiment, a method of placing the mobile com¬ munication terminal 2 onto the terminal mount 14 differs from the first embodiment, but otherwise, the operation is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefcre, only the method of placing the mobile communication terminal 2 onto the terminal mount 14 will be described herein below.
[54] The user holds the openable handle 111 of the upper case 11 and rotates the upper case 11 around the hinges 13 to open the reception box 10. Thereafter, the user opens a mobile communication terminal 2 and places the opened mobile communication terminal 2 onto the terminal mount 14 along the seat depression 142. While the mobile communication terminal 2 is inserted into the seat depression 142, it is guided by the tapered parts of the opposite sliders 144 and 145. Therefore, a distance between the sliders 144 and 145 is increased to the width of the mobile communication terminal 2.
[55] Due to the above-mentioned structure, the sterilizing and charging apparatus of the present invention can be adapted to any mobile communication terminal 2 regardless of their size and width.
[56] In the above-mentioned operation of placing the mobile communication terminals
2 onto the terminal mount 14, a lower end and a rear part of the mobile communication terminal 2 are respectively inserted into a support groove 141 and the seat depression 142 of the terminal mount 14 such that a universal charging terminal 142, which protrudes into the support groove 141, is inserted into a USB terminal of the mobile communication terminal 2.
[57] The sliders 144 and 145, pushed outwards while the mobile communication terminal 2 is received in the seat depression 142 of the terminal mount 14, are elastically biased toward the center of the mobile communication terminal 2. Thus, the holding pads 144b and 145b attached to the ends of the sliders 144 and 145 come into close contact with both sides of the mobile communication terminal 2. Accordingly, the mobile communication terminal 2 is stably placed in the seat depression 142 without being undesirably moved.
[58] Otherwise, the operation of the second embodiment remains the same as the first embodiment, therefore fiirther explanation is deemed unnecessary.
[59] The sterilizing and charging apparatus according to the third embodiment different from the second embodiment, in that a universal charging terminal 143 is capable of being extracted to the outside, and a plate spring 165 is used instead of the springs 144a and 144b of the second embodiment. In the third embodiment, a terminal mount 4 includes a seat depression 142 which is provided on an inclined surface of a front part of a hollow mount body 160. The terminal mount 4 fiirther includes a receiving groove 162 which has a through hole 161 at a bottom thereof and is provided on a lower end of the seat depression 142 to receive the universal charging terminal 143 of the terminal mount 14 therein. The terminal mount 4 fiirther includes a cable winder 170 which is provided in the hollow mount body 160 to allow a cable 171 connected to a lower end of the universal charging terminal 143 to be wound around the cable winder 170 while passing through the through hole 161 of the receiving groove 162. The terminal mount 4 fiirther includes a pair of sliders 146 and 147 which have stoppers 164 and are inserted into slider guide holes 163 provided on opposite sidewalls of the seat depression 142. The terminal mount 4 fiirther includes the plate spring 165 which has a bent shape and is in contact at a predetermined portion thereof with each of the sliders 146 and 147 inside the hollow mount body 160.
[60] The cable winder 170 has a pair of support brackets 172 which is provided on a lower part in the hollow mount body 160. The support brackets 172 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval. A drum wheel 174 is provided between the support brackets 172 by a hinge shaft 173. Preferably, a spiral spring 175 is coupled to an end of the hinge shaft 173 exposed outside the support brackets 172. Therefore, when not in use, the cable 171 of the universal charging terminal 143 is wound around the cable winder 170 by the elasticity of the spiral spring 175 which is coupled to the hinge shaft 173 of the support brackets 172. When the user pulls the universal charging terminal 143, the universal charging terminal 143 is extracted to the outside while the cable 171 is unwound from the cable winder 170.
[61] Preferably, the plate spring 165 is fastened to the mount body 160 at only one end thereof by a fastening pin.
[62] The operation of the sterilizing and charging apparatus according to the third embodiment having the above-mentioned construction will be described herein below.
[63] To charge and sterilize a mobile communication terminal 2, in a state in which the upper case 11 is open, the user pulls the universal charging terminal 143, which has been inserted in the receiving groove 162 of the seat depression 142 of the hollow mount body 160, with his/her fingers. Then, the universal charging terminal 143 is extracted along with the cable 171 to the outside through the through hole 161 of the receiving groove 162.
[64] While the cable 171 connected to the universal charging terminal 143 is unwound from the drum wheel 174 of the cable winder 170, the hinge shaft 173 rotates along with the drum wheel 174, thus compressing the spiral spring 175.
[65] The universal charging terminal 143 extracted outside the seat depression 142 through the above-mentioned process is connected to the mobile communication terminal 2. Thereafter, the mobile communication terminal 2 is received onto the seat depression 142 by being pushed downwards. Simultaneously, the sliders 146 and 147 move outwards due to contact with both sides of the mobile communication terminal 2. Thus, the plate springs 165 are compressed. Therefore, even if the user lets go of the mobile communication terminal 2, the elasticity of the plate springs 165 prevents the mobile communication terminal 2 from undesirably moving. That is, each plate spring 165 is fastened at an end thereof to the hollow mount body 160 by a fastening pin 176. The other end of the plate spring 165 is not fastened to anything. Thus, the distance from one end of the plate spring 165 to the other end can vary due to elasticity.
[66] When the mobile communication terminal 2 is inserted into the seat depression
142, the drum wheel 174 rotates in a reverse direction due to a restoring force of the compressed spiral spring 175. Thus, the cable 171 connected to the lower end of the universal charging terminal 143 is retracted into the hollow mount body 160 through the through hole 161. Therefore, the user can conveniently use the sterilizing and charging apparatus.
[67] After the mobile communication terminal 2 is received on the terminal mount 14, the upper case 11 is closed. Thereafter, the power switch 122 provided on the lower case 12 is turned on. Then, power is applied to both the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp 125 and a battery of the mobile communication terminal 2 through the universal charging terminal 143. Thus, the mobile communication terminal 2 is sterilized and, simul¬ taneously, the battery is charged.
[68] After the sterilizing and charging operations are completed the user removes the mobile communication terminal 2 from the reception box 10 and separates the mobile communication terminal 2 from the universal charging terminal 143 to use it.
[69] As such, in the third embodiment, the mobile communication terminal 2 which is placed in the seat depression 142 is held by the sliders 146 and 147 which are affected by the elasticity of the plate springs 165.
[70] Unlike the rotating arms 144 and 145 and the sliders 146 and 147 used to hold the mobile communication terminals 2 in the first through third embodiments, a band 177 is used in the sterilizing and charging apparatus according to the fcurth embodiment. As shown in FlG. 11, the band 177 having a predetermined elasticity is coupled at both ends thereof to a mount body 160 while being supported around opposite sides of a seat depression 142. Thus, the mobile communication terminal 2 is supported in the seat depression 142 by the elasticity of the band 177.
[71] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modi¬ fications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.
Industrial Applicability
[72] As described above, the present invention provides a sterilizing and charging apparatus for mobile communication terminals which can charge a battery fiinctioning as a power source for a mobile communication terminal and, simultaneously, sterilize the mobile communication terminal on which bacteria live, thus preventing infection from the bacteria living on the mobile communication terminal.
[73] Furthermore, a sterilizing ultraviolet lamp is automatically turned off after a pre¬ determined time period has passed thus prevent waste of electricity.
[74] λforeover, a universal charging terminal corresponding to a USB terminal of the mobile communication terminal for charging and data switching can be led outside a terminal mount. The mobile communication terminal is automatically fastened to a terminal mount when being placed on the terminal mount. Therefore, the sterilizing and charging apparatus of the present invention is convenient to a user.

Claims

Claims
[1] A sterilizing and charging apparatus fcr a mobile communication terminal, comprising: a reception box comprising openable upper and lower cases; a sterilizing ultraviolet lamp provided on an inner surface of a front wall of the lower case; a terminal mount provided at a predetermined position opposite to the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp in the reception box, with a universal charging terminal provided at a predetermined position on the terminal mount to correspond to a USB (universal serial bus) terminal of the mobile communication terminal for charging and data switching; and an AC/DC converter to convert alternating-current power applied thereto by turning on a power switch into direct-current power and supply the direct-current power to both the universal charging terminal of the terminal mount and the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp.
[2] The sterilizing and charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the terminal mount comprises: a support groove to receive and support a lower end of the mobile com¬ munication terminal therein; and a seat depression provided on an inclined surface of the terminal mount to receive and support a rear part of the mobile communication terminal therein, wherein the universal charging terminal of the terminal mount protrudes from a central portion of a lower surface of the support groove.
[3] The sterilizing and charging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the terminal mount fiirther comprises: a pair of rotating arms rotatably provided around opposite sides of the seat depression on the inclined surface of the terminal mount by hinges, the pair of rotating arms being elastically biased toward a center of the seat depression; and a pair of restraining units provided on ends of the rotating arms to be in close contact with opposite sides of the mobile communication terminal to hold the mobile communication terminal between them.
[4] The sterilizing and charging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the terminal mount fiirther comprises: a pair of sliders having stoppers and being inserted into slider guide holes provided on opposite sidewalls of the seat depression, with at least one spring coupled to each of the sliders inside each of the slider guide holes, the pair of sliders being elastically biased toward a center of the seat depression, wherein the sliders are each tapered at an end thereof, so that, when the mobile com¬ munication terminal is inserted downwards into the seat depression, the ends of the sliders are pushed outwards by the mobile communication terminal and thereafter, are elastically returned toward the center of the seat depression to hold opposite sides of the mobile communication terminal.
[5] The sterilizing and charging apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, fiirther comprising: a holding pad having a predetermined thickness and being attached to each inside surface of the retaining units or each of the ends of the sliders.
[6] The sterilizing and charging apparatus according to claim 1, fiirther comprising: a charge indicator lamp provided on a predetermined position of an outer surface of the front wall of the lower case to indicate a state of charging the mobile com¬ munication terminal using the universal charging terminal; and a sterilizing indicator lamp provided on a predetermined position of the outer surface of the front wall of the lower case to indicate a state of sterilizing the mobile communication terminal using the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp.
[7] The sterilizing and charging apparatus according to claim 1, fiirther comprising: a timer operated by turning on the power switch to count elapsed time up to a predetermined time period; a control switch to interrupt the supply of the power to the sterilizing ultraviolet lamp according to output of the timer.
[8] The sterilizing and charging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the terminal mount comprises: a seat depression provided on an inclined surface of a front part of a hollow mount body; a receiving groove having a through hole at a bottom thereof and provided on a lower end of the seat depression to receive the universal charging terminal of the terminal mount therein; a cable winder provided in the hollow mount body to allow a cable connected to the universal charging terminal to be wound around the cable winder while passing through the through hole of the receiving groove; a pair of sliders having stoppers and inserted into slider guide holes provided on opposite sidewalls of the seat depression; and a plate spring having a bent shape and being in contact at a predetermined portion thereof with each of the sliders inside the hollow mount body. [9] The sterilizing and charging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cable winder comprises: a pair of support brackets provided on a lower part in the hollow mount body and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval; a drum wheel provided between the pair of support brackets by a hinge shaft; and a spiral spring coupled to an end of the hinge shaft exposed outside the support brackets. [10] The sterilizing and charging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the plate spring is fastened to the mount body at an end thereof by a fastening pin. [11] The sterilizing and charging apparatus according to claims 8 through 10, fiirther comprising: a band having a predetermined elasticity and coupled at both ends thereof to the mount body while being supported around opposite sides of the seat depression, so that the mobile communication terminal is supported in the seat depression by the elasticity of the band.
PCT/KR2004/002848 2004-08-23 2004-11-05 Sterilizing and charging apparatus for mobile communication terminals WO2006022466A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR10-2004-0066219 2004-08-23
KR20-2004-0023988 2004-08-23
KR20-2004-0023988U KR200368424Y1 (en) 2004-08-23 2004-08-23 Sterilizing and charging apparatus for mobile communication terminal
KR1020040066219A KR100606389B1 (en) 2004-08-23 2004-08-23 Sterilizing and charging apparatus for mobile communication terminal
KR10-2004-0069878 2004-09-02
KR1020040069878A KR20050051536A (en) 2004-09-02 2004-09-02 Sterilizing and charging apparatus for mobile communication terminal
KR10-2004-0077695 2004-09-30
KR1020040077695A KR20060028830A (en) 2004-09-30 2004-09-30 Sterilizing and charging apparatus for mobile communication terminal
KR20-2004-0027774 2004-09-30
KR20-2004-0027774U KR200374503Y1 (en) 2004-09-30 2004-09-30 Sterilizing and charging apparatus for mobile communication terminal

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