WO2011080653A2

WO2011080653A2 - Docking station and multimedia systems comprising said docking station

Info

Publication number: WO2011080653A2
Application number: PCT/IB2010/055903
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kwok Lai Lee
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2010-01-04
Filing date: 2010-12-17
Publication date: 2011-07-07
Also published as: WO2011080653A3; CN201663335U; DE202010013105U1

Abstract

The present invention provides a docking station for portable devices, wherein the station comprises a base portion; a docking component for docking a portable device and being mounted on said base portion in a rotatable way; a supporting element mounted on said base portion and comprising a rubber bumper, for supporting via said rubber bumper, the portable device when docked in said docking component. The present invention allows easy docking of a portable device having potentially different sizes, while guarantying the stability of the portable device after docking.

Description

DOCKING STATION AND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEMS COMPRISING

SAID DOCKING STATION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to multimedia systems, particularly to docking stations, in the multimedia system, for docking portable electronic devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Nowadays, there are various portable electronic devices, for example mobile phones, Portable-Digital-Assistants (PDAs), audio/video players, Digital Cameras (DCs) and game consoles on the market. Such portable electronic devices, for example iPod® by Apple® Inc. often needs to be docked into a docking station, for example for establishing electrical connection with loudspeakers, external powers.

[003] Considering that nowadays, there exists a large range of portable devices which are designed/manufactured by different designer and manufacturer, and which may have different length, width and/or thickness, docking one of those portable devices in a given docking station is not possible because there is size incompatibility those two types of products. The user may buy a separate adapter, but this solution is costly, and not user-friendly. Moreover, even if the portable device can be docked in the docking station, the stability and protection of the portable device still must be ensured at the same time.

[004] Therefore, a new docking station is highly desired to solve the above technical problems. OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] It is an object of the invention to propose an improved docking station for solving the above-mentioned limitations. According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a docking station for portable devices, wherein the station comprises a base portion; a docking component for docking a portable device and being mounted on said base portion in a rotatable way; a supporting element mounted on said base portion and comprising a rubber bumper, for supporting via said rubber bumper, the portable device when docked in said docking component.

[006] When the portable device is docked on the docking component and contacts with said supporting element, the portable device leans on the supporting element via the rubber bumper.

[007] Further, the above docking station further comprises a first bracket connected to said base portion in a rotatable way; said docking component is mounted in said first bracket and rotatable together with said first bracket, whereby said docking component indirectly connects to said base portion in a rotatable way.

[008] Still further, the above docking station further comprises an elastic component, a first part of said elastic component contacts with said first bracket and a second part of the elastic component contacts with said base portion, and said portable device leans on said supporting element due to the force exerted by said elastic component on the first bracket when said portable device is connected to said docking component and contacts with said supporting element.

[009] Still further, the above first bracket has a projected portion, said elastic component is a first torsion spring mounted on a rotation shaft between said first bracket and said base portion, the first part of said first torsion spring is the first arm of the first torsion spring, the second part of said first torsion spring is the second arm of the first torsion spring, and said first arm contacts with said projected portion.

[0010] As an optional solution, the center of gravity of said portable device and the supporting element are on the same side of the rotation shaft between the first bracket and said base portion when said portable device is docked on said docking component and contacts with said supporting element, whereby said portable device leans on said supporting element under the effect of the gravity of the portable device itself.

[0011] Further, the above docking station further comprises a limiting portion for limiting the rotary angle of the first bracket.

[0012] Still further, the above limiting portion is consisted of a second bracket mounted below said first bracket and fixed on said base portion, and said first bracket contacts with said second bracket so as to limit further rotation of the first bracket when the first bracket rotates to a predefined angle.

[0013] Further, the above supporting element has a plane structure and is mounted on said base portion in a rotatable way, and the supporting element covers over said first bracket and said docking components when said supporting element rotates to a close state.

[0014] Still further, the root of said supporting element has an arm structure with a hinge and mounted on said base portion in a rotatable way via the hinge, wherein said docking station further comprises a second torsion spring which is mounted on said hinge at the root of said supporting element, said second torsion spring has a first arm and a second arm, the first arm is mounted on said base portion and said second arm is mounted on the end of said arm structure; the deformation of said second torsion spring increases when said supporting element rotates towards the open direction from the close state, the deformation of said second torsion spring reaches an extreme value when said supporting element rotates to a predefined angle towards the open direction, and said second torsion spring drives said supporting element to rotate to an open state in order to overcome the deformation if said supporting element keeps rotating towards the open direction.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a multimedia system wherein the system comprises a portable device and the above docking station.

[0016] By using the docking station provided by the present invention, users do not need to purchase multiple adaptors for portable devices in different sizes, and users do not need great efforts to find a suitable adaptor in case that the docked portable device varies. The present invention is simple to use and has low costs, and it is also quite reliable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are detailed in the following description of non-limiting embodiments with the aid of appended drawings. Wherein, same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar features.

[0018] Fig.l shows the exploded view of one docking station according to one embodiment of the present invention as well as one portable device targeted by the docking station;

[0019] Fig. 2 shows a side cross section view of the docking station in idle state, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Fig.3 shows the front cross section view of the docking station according to one embodiment of the present invention as well as the portable device targeted by the docking station; [0021] Fig. 4a show a simplified view of the cross section view shown in Fig. 2;

[0022] Fig. 4b is a schematic view of the flip door, of Fig. 4a, in its rotating procedure;

[0023] Fig. 4c is a schematic view of the flip door, of Fig. 4a, after keeping rotating to its open state;

[0024] Fig. 5 shows a schematic view when a thicker portable device is docked in the docking station according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0025] Fig. 6 shows the final state of the docking procedure shown in Fig. 5;

[0026] Fig. 7 shows a schematic view when a portable device, thinner than that in figures 5 and 6, is docked in the docking station according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0027] Fig. 8 schematically illustrates a side cross-section view of the docking station according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be elucidated by referring to the drawings. Those skilled in the art could understand that the illustration is just for explaining instead of being considered as any limitation to the protection scope of the claims of the present invention, even though the portable device illustrated in the drawings has a shape of iPod® and the docking station, illustrated in the drawings for docking the portable device, has a structure matching iPod®.

[0029] According to the embodiments of the present invention, it is desired that the docking station is suitable for portable devices in different thickness, without depending on adapters specific to portable device of each model, and it ensures that the portable devices are maintained in the docking station in a stable way after being docked.

[0030] The following components are included in the docking station according to the embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] 1. Base portion

[0032] The function of the base portion lies mainly on supporting and receiving other components, and provides a connection and mounting base for some components so as to integrate them.

[0033] 2. Docking component [0034] In the present citations, the docking component implements electrical connection to connect to an external portable device, and its purpose is for example the above mentioned goal of charging, externally connecting with a loudspeaker. The present invention, however, is not limited to a given purpose of docking between the docking station and the portable device. For example, according to one embodiment of the present invention, providing a docking station may be for just storing already used portable devices, and the connection between them is not electrical. The docking component may have suitable functions depending on the different purposes of docking.

[0035] It is important that the docking component according to the present invention is mounted on the base in a rotatable way. Please note that the rotatable way includes direct contact mounting method as well as indirect mounting method:

- In the direct contact mounting method, the docking component generally has a design that permits axial rotation relative to the base, for example hinges on two sides, and the base also has a design corresponding to the aforesaid design, for example apertures suitable for the hinges, and relative rotation can be realized by the pin connection between the hinges and apertures.

- In the indirect mounting method, the docking component does not necessarily have the design that permits axial rotation relative to the base, instead, the docking component is mounted on an additional component for realizing the aforesaid rotational function, and rotatable mounting between the additional component and the base is established by means of hinges..

Those aspects will be discussed in a greater detail in the following description in conjunction with the drawings.

[0036] 3. Supporting element

[0037] The above docking component contributes to the stability for the portable device along the gravity direction, to some extent. However, based on a rotatable design, a supporting element is needed to support the portable device along its rotation direction so as to establish the stable state, after the portable device has been docked with the docking component.

[0038] By means of the above essentials, the traditional scheme to prepare adapter in different model for device in different model will be replaced. For portable devices having different thickness, the difference after docking only lies in that the relative positions between the docking component and the base portion along rotation direction are different, after they are docked in the stable state. This difference will be further described in the following part by referring to the drawings specifically.

[0039] Each non-limiting embodiment will be described in the followings in combination with the drawings.

[0040] First, referring to Fig. 1, it is shown the exploded view of one docking station according to one embodiment of the present invention, as well as a portable device that can be used along with the docking station.

[0041] The portable device 5 typically is a portable media player, and it has at its lower part an interface, for example a slot (not shown in the figures for the sake of angle), used to connect the connector 3 in the docking station 0, and when it is docked with the connector 3, the portable device 5 can for example be charged or connected to the external power amplifier or loudspeaker via the docking station.

[0042] The remaining parts in the Fig. 1 comprise a docking station 0. Of course, other commonly used components configured for realizing the specific docking purpose, such as wires, are not shown for simplicity. However, such simplified figure should not be considered as that the docking station of the present invention does not have the capacity to realize the corresponding functions.

[0043] The base portion 11 is used to support other components, and is connected with at least part of them to be integrated as a whole.

[0044] Each of the components for realizing the function of the supporting element is on the top of the base portion 11 , wherein the flip door 7 realizes the function of the supporting element.

The flip door 7 has an arm structure 71 at its root. A pin 10 connects with a hinge 711 on the arm structure 71 and connects to the base portion 11. When the flip door 7 opens to a certain angle, it contacts with a projection 112 on the base portion 11 and is stabilized at this position by the projection 112. In the following part, this position is referred to as the open position, and the state of the flip door 7 at this position is referred to as the open state.

[0045] A rubber bumper 6 as shown in Fig. 1 is provided on the flip door 7, so as to prevent the portable device from being scratched due to the direct contact with the flip door 7. The rubber bumper 6 can be fixed on a proper position on the flip door 7 by means of for example adhesion, so as to ensure that the rubber bumper 6, instead of the flip door 7, contacts with the docked portable device 5. In this case, the flip door 7 and the rubber bumper 6 as a whole form the above supporting element. Besides, the rubber bumper 6 can increase the stability of the portable device 5 along its docking direction, due to the coarse surface of the rubber bumper 6.

[0046] The connector 3 can be solely considered as a docking component, or can be considered together with the PCB 2, as a whole, as the docking component. The docking component is mounted within the first bracket 4, and at least part of the connector 3 extends out of the slot aperture 42 at the upper of the first bracket 4, and further extends out of the slot aperture 111 at the upper surface of the base 11, so as to dock the portable device 5 which is mounted downwardly from above. The second bracket 1 is fixed to the base 11 from below via the circular aperture 101 on the second bracket 1, fastens two hinges 41 (only one of which is labelled in the drawing) of the first bracket 4 in a sandwich-like way via the rib portion 102 on the second bracket 1 and corresponding designs on the base 11 , and permits the first bracket 4 to drive the docking component, mounted therein, to together rotate around the hinges 41.

[0047] An elastic component can be provided to increase the stability of the portable device 5 along the rotation direction after docking. A first part of the elastic component contacts with the first bracket 4, and a second part of the elastic component contacts with the base portion 11. The portable device 5 leans on the supporting element due to the force exerted by the elastic component on the first bracket 4 when the portable device 5 is connected to the docking component and contacts with the flip door 7. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the elastic component is specifically embodied as a first torsion spring 9, the first part of the first torsion spring 9 is specifically the first arm 91 and presses upon the projected portion 43 of the first bracket 4; and the second part of the first torsion spring 9 is specifically the second arm 92 and is against the inner surface of the top of the base portion 11 (not shown in Fig. 1 due to the angle of view). Thus the first torsion spring 9 drives the first bracket 4 to rotate towards the direction that makes the portable device close to the flip door 7 due to the existing elastic potential energy of the first torsion spring 9. More details will be given in the the following part of the description.

[0048] It should be understood that although the number of the first and second torsion spring shown in the drawings respectively is one, those skilled in the art may provide two symmetric first torsion springs and two second torque springs for the docking station, thereby strengthening their corresponding effects. Correspondingly, when the number of the first torsion springs is two, the first bracket 4 will have two projected portions 43 at two substantially symmetric positions.

[0049] After all the components are assembled, the docking station 0 shown in Fig. 2 is obtained, wherein some components may be occluded in Fig. 2 by other components due to angle of view thus not shown, but those components will be well shown in other drawings.

[0050] Fig. 2 shows a side cross section view of the docking station 0 in idle state. It can be seen from this figure that, the connector 3 and the PCB 2 are fixed to each other and a part of the connector 3 extends out of the top of the first bracket 4 into a cavity 12 defined by the flip door 7 and the top of the base portion 11.

[0051] The first bracket 4 is mounted on the base portion 11 in a rotatable way, which can be realized in multiple ways.

- one way is to set apertures, whose size matches that of the hinge 41, in the inner surface on both sides of the base portion 11 and allows the hinge 41 to rotate freely; or

- as shown in Fig. 3, the rib portion 102 of the second bracket 1 and the rib portion 115 of the base portion 11 oppositely form a structure with which the hinge 41 can be connected in a rotatable way; or

- since the second bracket 1 is fastened to the base portion 11 via the circular- shaped aperture 101, the second bracket 1 and the first bracket 4 can form a rotatable connection relationship, so that the first bracket 4 can be mounted to the base portion 11 indirectly in a rotatable way.

[0052] Those skilled in the art could understand by reading the description that, the first torsion spring 9 shown in Fig. 1 can be omitted. Thus, in the idle state shown in Fig. 2, the first bracket 4 with the docking component deviates towards the X direction due to the effect of gravity, and contacts with the second bracket 1 at the position P as shown. Thus, the first bracket 4 is in a stabilized state. Alternatively, Referring to Fig. 8, the first bracket 4 could obtain this stabilized state by contacting with a project 115 configured on the base portion 11. Alternatively, the first bracket 4 can also be stabilized at a proper position through the configuration of a flexible wirelike or band-like connecting component between position Q and position S. The rotation shaft can be positioned such that the center of gravity of the portable device 5 and the flip door 7 are on the same side of the rotation shaft, namely the hinge 41 between the first bracket 4 and the base portion 11, when the portable device 5 is docked on the docking component and contacts with the supporting element, namely the flip door 7, whereby the portable device 5 is made to lean on the flip door 7 under the effect of the gravity of the portable device 5 itself.

[0053] In case that the first torsion spring 9 is provided, in the state shown in Fig. 2, the first torsion spring 9 can be in either un-deformed state or deformed state.

In case that the first torsion spring 9 in Fig. 2 is in the deformed state, due to that the first torsion spring 9 intends to restore the initial state, it applies force upon the first bracket 4 to make the first bracket 4 rotates towards X direction. Thus, the first bracket 4 obtains the stabilized state depending on the contact at position P with the second bracket 1 fixed on the base portion 11 , or depending on the contact with the project 115.

In case that the first torsion spring 9 in Fig. 2 is in the un-deformed state, if the user tries to rotate, for example by hands or by the portable device 5, the bracket 4 towards the opposite direction of

X direction after he opens the flip door 7, the first torsion spring 9 would generate a force, so as to make the portable device 5, docked on the connector 3 thus rotated together with the first bracket 4, lean on the rubber bumper 6 of the opened flip door 7, due to the action of torsions towards X direction.

[0054] Those skilled in the art could understand that the first torsion spring 9 can be replaced.

For example, an ordinary spring can be configured between position S and position Q. In case that the first bracket 4 starts rotating from the position shown in Fig.2 towards the opposite direction of X, the spring is compressed thus applies downward force upon the first bracket 4 at position S, so as to make the docked portable device 5 lean on the rubber bumper 6 of the opened flip door 7, under the effect of torsions towards X direction acted on the first bracket 4.

[0055] Those skilled in the art can further understand that the aforesaid contact of the first and second brackets at the position p, the contact of the first bracket 4 and the projection 115, and the flexible connection portion between the position S and Q can play the role of stabilizing the first bracket 4 in the state shown in Fig. 2 when using the first torsion spring 9 or other alternatives.

[0056] It is noted that the position of the first bracket 4 as shown in Fig. 2 on the rotary direction is just a preferred embodiment, and the present invention does not limit that the first bracket 4 in the idle state definitely makes the connector 3 to face substantially upward. Alternatively, for example, after the first bracket 4 is mounted in a rotatable way by the hinge 41 which thread through holes configured on the inner surface of the base portion 11, in case that there are no limiting structures, including the second bracket 1, as shown in the figures, the first bracket 41 continues to rotate towards X direction from the location shown in Fig. 2 under the effect of its gravity until its center of gravity and the hinge 41 are in the same vertical line, and the first bracket reaches the stabilized state. When the first bracket 41 is used, the user needs to rotate the first bracket 41 over and then docks the portable device 5. After that, the portable device 5 contacts with the flip door 7 effectively due to that portable device 5 has a certain length, thus the first bracket 4 would not rotate freely as it does in the idle state.

[0057] Fig. 4a shows a simplified view of the cross-section view shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4b-4c further show the procedure of rotating the flip door. The following part will detail the specific embodiment of the support element, namely the flip door 7, along with with these figures.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 4a, in case that the docking station 0 is in idle state, the flip door 7 is preferably in the close state. It could well cover over the other components due to its plane structure, so as to achieve the effect of dustproof and prevent any damages. It is noted that this also provides a visual experience of simplicity to a viewer.

[0059] The second torsion spring 8 in Fig. 4a can be in the un-deformed state. In this case, if the user tries to open the flip door 7 towards X direction, the angle between the first arm 81 and the second arm 82 of the second torsion spring 8 decreases gradually, so as to generate a force. This force reaches an end value in the state shown in Fig. 4b, that is to say, the angle between the first arm 81 and the second arm 82 of the second torsion spring 8 reaches the minimum value. When the flip door 7 continues to rotate, because the angle between the two arms of the second torsion spring 8 increases gradually, the flip door 7 reaches the open position shown in Fig. 4c as the second torsion spring 8 restores its initial state. After reaching the open position, the flip door 7 contacts with the projection 112 shown in Fig. 1 so as to reach the stabilized state, or the back of the flip door 7 contacts a certain position on the base portion 11 so as to reach the stabilized state.

[0060] The second torsion spring 8 in Fig. 4a can also be in the deformed state. In this case, since the angle between the first and the second arms is less than that formed in initial state of the second torsion spring 8, the close status of the flip door 7 is more stable, and is easier to maintain the close state shown in the figure in case of being shocked or other situation. In this case, the flip door 7 maintains the close state in Fig. 4a due to the contact between the rubber bumper 6 and the base portion 11 and/or the surface contact between the arm structure 71 at the root of the flip door 7 and the base portion 11. [0061] Those skilled in the art may understand that the flip door 7 is just one of the various embodiments of the supporting element. A replacing embodiment for flip door 7 is a supporting element mounted on the base portion 11 in a fixed way, which cannot rotate but just provides a back support after the portable device is docked. Besides, the supporting element is not necessarily with the plane structure but could be a supporting rod or a supporting bar. As long as it can support the portable device effectively after the portable device is docked, this structure meets the requirement of the invention for the supporting element.

[0062] Referring to Fig. 5, it shows a schematic view when a thicker portable device is docked in the docking station according to an embodiment of the invention. Generally speaking, due to that the facing direction of the connector 3 in the idle state does not meet the requirement of docking the portable device as shown, for the convenience of docking the portable device, the user could easily adjust the facing direction of the connector 3, namely the angle of the first bracket 4, by using the interface part of the portable device, or his hand. In case that neither the first torsion spring 9 nor its replacement is configured, if the user rotates the first bracket 4 towards the opposite direction of X direction excessively when he docks the portable device, the center of gravity of the portable device and the flip door 7 are made on different side of the hinge 41. In this case, in order to stabilize the docking of the portable device, the user might need to adjust the docked portable device to drive the freely rotatable first bracket 4 and finally make the back of the portable device contact with the flip door 7 and lean on the flip door 7 under the effect of the gravity of the portable device. As shown in Fig. 6. It should be understood that the description does not differentiate the case where the portable device directly contacts with the flip door 7 and the case that the portable device contacts with the rubber bumper 6 mounted on the flip door 7, and this would not result in that the technical solutions of the invention have not been disclosed clearly and sufficiently.

[0063] Fig. 7 shows another docking scenario corresponding to that shown in Fig. 6. Wherein, a portable device, thinner than that shown in Fig. 6, is docked in the docking station 0. Due to different thickness of the portable devices, the angles of the first bracket 4 along the x direction differ slightly when the portable devices are docked on the docking station and contact with the supporting element.

[0064] Fig. 8 schematically illustrates a side cross-section view of the docking station according to one embodiment of the invention, and it can be seen that the state illustrated is such that the portable device 5 contacts with the contacting element, namely the integrity of the rubber bumper 6 and the flip door 7, after being docked. Wherein, the aforesaid first torsion spring 9 is provided and it is mounted on the hinge 41, shown by the shade, on the first bracket 4, the first arm 91 contacts with the projected portion 43 and the second arm 92 contacts with the inner surface of the top of the base portion 11. In this state, the distance between the end of the first arm and the end of the second arm of the first torsion spring 9 is less than that in the initial state, and in order to restore the initial state, the first torsion spring 9 maintains a force and applies this force upon the first bracket 4 and the base portion 11 through the first arm and the second arm. Due to the fact that the base portion 11 is fixed, the stress is completely used for form a trend of rotation towards the opposite direction of the X direction for the first bracket 4. Since the portable device 5 is docked on the docking station, it will thus lean on the rubber bumper 6 stably under the effect of the first torsion spring 9. After the user finishes using and is about to take-off the portable device 5, the user can rotate the portable device 5 towards X direction, then pulls it out and close the flip door 7 to store the docking station 0.

It is noted that for those skilled in the art, the present invention is not limited to the details of the schematic embodiment. The present invention can be implemented by other specific embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered as illustrative rather than limiting in whatever aspect. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope. Besides, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The words first, second, etc. are used to represent name, instead of to represent any specific order.

Claims

1. A docking station (0) for portable devices, comprising:

- a base portion (11);

- a docking component (3) for docking a portable device and being mounted on said base portion (11) in a rotatable way;

- a supporting element (7) mounted on said base portion (11) and comprising a rubber bumper (6), for supporting via said rubber bumper (6), the portable device when docked in said docking component (3).

2. A docking station according to claim 1, characterized in that the docking station further comprises a first bracket (4) connected to said base portion (11) in a rotatable way;

said docking component (3) is mounted in said first bracket and rotatable together with said first bracket, whereby said docking component (3) indirectly connects to said base portion (11) in a rotatable way.

3. A docking station according to claim 2, characterized in that the docking station further comprises an elastic component (9), a first part of said elastic component contacts with said first bracket and a second part of the elastic component contacts with said base portion, and said portable device leans on said supporting element due to the force exerted by said elastic component on the first bracket when said portable device is connected to said docking component and contacts with said supporting element.

4. A docking station according to claim 3, characterized in that said first bracket (4) has a projected portion, said elastic component is a first torsion spring mounted on a rotation shaft between said first bracket and said base portion, the first part of said first torsion spring is the first arm of the first torsion spring, the second part of said first torsion spring is the second arm of the first torsion spring, and said first arm contacts with said projected portion.

5. A docking station according to claim 2, characterized in that the position of the rotation shaft is such that the center of gravity of said portable device and the supporting element are on the same side of the rotation shaft when said portable device is docked on said docking component and contacts with said supporting element, whereby said portable device leans on said supporting element under the effect of the gravity of the portable device itself.

6. A docking station according to claim 2, characterized in that the docking station further comprises a second bracket (1) mounted below said first bracket (4) and fixed on said base portion, and said first bracket (4) contacts with said second bracket (1) so as to limit further rotation of the first bracket (4) when the first bracket rotates (4) to a predefined angle.

7. A docking station according to claim 1, characterized in that said supporting element has a plane structure and is mounted on said base portion in a rotatable way, and the supporting element covers over said first bracket and said docking components when said supporting element rotates to a close state.

8. A docking station according to claim 7, characterized in that the root of said supporting element has an arm structure with a hinge and is mounted on said base portion in a rotatable way via the hinge, wherein said docking station further comprises a second torsion spring which is mounted on said hinge at the root of said supporting element, said second torsion spring has a first arm and a second arm, the first arm is mounted on said base portion and said second arm is mounted on the end of said arm structure;

the deformation of said second torsion spring increases when said supporting element rotates towards the open direction from the close state, the deformation of said second torsion spring reaches an extreme value when said supporting element rotates to a predefined angle towards the open direction, and said second torsion spring drives said supporting element to rotate to an open state in order to overcome the deformation if said supporting element keeps rotating towards the open direction.

9. A multimedia system, characterized in that the system comprises a portable device and a docking station according to any one of claims 1 to 8.