WO2013072794A1

WO2013072794A1 - Docking device

Info

Publication number: WO2013072794A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/055811
Authority: WO
Inventors: Deng Jian CHEN; Raymond KM LUI
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2011-11-04
Filing date: 2012-10-23
Publication date: 2013-05-23

Abstract

The present invention relates to a docking device (1) allowing an electronic product (112) to be docked, which comprises a supporting unit (11) for supporting the electronic product and a receiving unit (12) adapted for suspending and receiving the supporting unit, the supporting unit together with the electronic product being operatively movable into and out of the receiving unit, thus having a retracted state and an extended state respectively, wherein the supporting unit together with the electronic product, in the extended state, can rotate sideward around a first pivot (A). The main advantage of this invention is that the overall docking device is neat in exterior appearance and users can operate and view the electronic product in a convenient manner.

Description

DOCKING DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of docking devices allowing an electronic product to be docked, and more particularly to a docking device used in a vehicle audio device.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In the market there are several kinds of in-car docking devices allowing an electronic product (especially a portable electronic product, such as an iPod, an iPhone, a GPS and a palmtop) to be docked. For instance, there is an in-car docking device that uses a tray to store the electronic product into a compartment of a vehicle audio device. However, with this kind of docking device, a user cannot operate and view the electronic product in a convenient manner. Another kind of in-car docking device uses a backrest to hold the electronic product, wherein the backrest is joined with the vehicle audio device by a connecting rod and a ball pivot. With this kind of docking device, the electronic product can be rotated and tilted together with the backrest, but cannot be hidden in the compartment of the vehicle audio device. Accordingly, it is difficult to achieve a neat exterior appearance of the audio device when the electronic product is removed. Also, when, for example, an owner of the vehicle leaves the vehicle without removing the electronic product from the docking device, it can be seen through the windows of the vehicle that the electronic product is in the vehicle unattended. Disadvantageously, this increases the risk of theft. Accordingly, there is a need to improve such a docking device in terms of operating convenience and exterior appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a docking device allowing an electronic product to be docked, which can operate and display the electronic product in a convenient manner and provides it with a neat exterior appearance.

To this end, a docking device allowing an electronic product to be docked is provided, which comprises:

- a supporting unit for supporting the electronic product; and

- a receiving unit adapted for suspending and receiving the supporting unit, the supporting unit together with the electronic product being operatively movable into and out of the receiving unit, thus having a retracted state and an extended state respectively; wherein the supporting unit together with the electronic product, in the extended state, can rotate sideward around a first pivot.

According to an example of the invention, the supporting unit, in the extended state, can also rotate backward and forward around a second pivot perpendicular to the first pivot.

According to an example of the invention, the supporting unit together with the electronic product, in the extended state, can rotate sideward around the first pivot through an angle in the range of 0° to 90°.

According to an example of the invention, the supporting unit, in the extended state, can rotate backward around the second pivot through an angle in the range of 0° to 30° and can rotate forward around the second pivot through an angle in the range of 0° to 90°.

According to an example of the invention, the rotation of the supporting unit around the first and/or second pivot is performed manually or automatically by an electromotor.

According to another example of the invention, the receiving unit comprises a housing and a control module arranged in the housing for controlling the supporting unit together with the electronic product to move into and out of the housing.

According to an example of the invention, the control module comprises a mechanical transmission mechanism for driving the supporting unit together with the electronic product to move into and out of the housing.

According to yet another example of the invention, the mechanical transmission mechanism comprises an upper rack arranged adjacent to an upper surface of the housing, a pinion arranged in a middle part of the housing and a lower rack arranged adjacent to a lower surface of the housing and engaging with the pinion, and during the time that the supporting unit together with the electronic product is moved into the receiving unit, the supporting unit can push the upper rack inward to engage with the pinion and the pinion then drives the lower rack outward.

According to a further example of the invention, the control module further comprises a movable door coupled to the lower rack such that when the supporting unit together with the electronic product moves back into the receiving unit, the door can be pushed outward and closed to store the supporting unit and the electronic product safely, and when the supporting unit together with the electronic product moves out of the receiving unit, the door can be slid and accommodated into the housing.

According to an example of the invention, the housing comprises a first stopper arranged at the front side thereof, and when the door is pushed outward and contacts the stopper the door will pivot around a shaft defined therein so as to be closed.

According to an example of the invention, the housing comprises a second stopper arranged at a rear side thereof for stopping the upper rack.

According to another example of the invention, the housing comprises one or two rails fixed adjacent to the upper surface of the housing, and the upper rack and the supporting unit can suspend from and slide on the rails.

According to an example of the invention, the first pivot has a damping mechanism for anchoring the supporting unit at any rotational angle in the range of 0° to 90°.

According to another example of the invention, the docking device is embedded in a compartment of a vehicle audio device.

According to still another example of the invention, the vehicle audio device is comprised in a vehicle.

Since the supporting unit together with the electronic product, in the extended state, can rotate sideward around a first pivot and/or rotate backward and forward (up and down) around a second pivot perpendicular to the first pivot, this docking device enables the connected electronic product to be operated and viewed either in a landscape mode or in a portrait mode at a desirable viewing angle. Moreover, the supporting unit together with the electronic product can be integrally moved into the receiving unit, enabling the supporting unit together with the electronic product to be stored safely and providing the overall docking device with a neat exterior appearance.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic isometric view of a docking device in an extended state according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic isometric view of the docking device of Fig. 1 in a retracted state;

Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of a docking device in an extended state showing a supporting unit together with an electronic product thereof which is rotated backward around a second pivot through an angle of 30 degrees;

Figs. 4-7 are four sectional side views of a docking device according to the present invention showing the retraction process; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional back view of a docking device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference to Figs. 1 , 2, 3 and 8, a docking device 1 is shown allowing an electronic product 1 12 to be docked, which docking device includes a supporting unit 1 1 for supporting the electronic product 1 12 and a receiving unit 12 adapted for suspending/supporting and receiving the supporting unit 1 1. The supporting unit 1 1 together with the electronic product 1 12 is operatively movable into and out of the receiving unit 12, thus having a retracted state and an extended state respectively, wherein the supporting unit 1 1 together with the electronic product 1 12, in the extended state, can rotate sideward (leftward or rightward) around a first pivot A. The supporting unit 1 1 (as shown in Fig. 1) in this embodiment is shaped as a backrest including a pair of width adjustable sliding arms 1 1 1 arranged on both sides thereof for clamping the electronic product 1 12 and a bottom plate 1 1 12 for supporting the electronic product 1 12 in a portrait mode. In this embodiment, the supporting unit 1 1 is for instance configured such that it can rotate sideward around the first pivot A through angle θχ in the range of 0° to 90° (i.e., leftward), so that the electronic product 1 12 can be operated and viewed in a landscape mode (horizontal mode) or a portrait mode (vertical mode). During rotation, one side of the width adjustable sliding arms 1 1 1 is rotated downwards while the other is rotated upwards. The width adjustable sliding arm 1 1 1 , when rotated downwards, can provide adequate physical support from the bottom side to prevent the electronic product 1 12 from falling. Besides rotating sideways, the supporting unit 1 1 (referring to Figs. 3 and 8) can also rotate backward and forward (upside down) around a second pivot B perpendicular to the first pivot A to enable different viewing angles. In this embodiment, the supporting unit 11 is for instance configured such that it can rotate backward around the second pivot B through an angle By in the range of 0° to 30° and rotate forward around the second pivot B through an angle By in the range of 0° to 90°. The rotation of the supporting unit 1 1 around the first or second pivot A, B is performed manually or automatically by an electromotor (not shown).

With joint reference to Figs. 4-7, the receiving unit 12 in this embodiment includes a housing 121 and a control module 122 arranged in the housing 121 for controlling the supporting unit 1 1 together with the electronic product 1 12 to move into and out of the housing 121. The control module 122 includes a mechanical transmission mechanism 125 for driving the supporting unit 1 1 together with the electronic product 1 12 to move into and out of the housing 121. The mechanical transmission mechanism 125 comprises an upper rack 1221 arranged adjacent to an upper surface of the housing 121 , a pinion 1222 arranged in a middle part of the housing 121 and a lower rack 1223 arranged adjacent to a lower surface of the housing 121 and engaging with the pinion 1222. As shown in Fig.4, in operation, when the supporting unit 1 1 rotates forward around the second pivot B through an angle By of 90°, the supporting unit 1 1 together with the electronic product 1 12 can be pushed by hand or automatically moved by an electromotor towards the receiving unit 12 (in the direction as shown by arrow C), the supporting unit 1 1 can push the upper rack 1221 inward to engage with the pinion 1222 (see Fig. 5) and the pinion 1222 then drives the lower rack 1223 outward (see Fig. 6). The control module 122 further comprises a movable door 1228 coupled to the lower rack 1223 such that when the supporting unit 1 1 together with the electronic product 1 12 moves back into the receiving unit 12, the door 1228 can be pushed outward and closed to store the supporting unit 1 1 and the electronic product 1 12 safely, and when the supporting unit 1 1 together with the electronic product 1 12 moves out of the receiving unit 12, the door 1228 can be slid and accommodated into the housing 121. The housing 121 includes a first stopper (not shown) arranged at the front side thereof, and when the door 1228 is pushed outward and contacts the stopper the door 1228 will pivot around a shaft 12281 (labeled in Fig. 3) defined therein, so as to be closed.

Preferably, the housing 121 includes a second stopper 127 arranged at a rear side thereof for stopping the upper rack 1221. The housing 121 includes one or two rails 1225 (labeled in Figs. 1 and 2) fixed adjacent to the upper surface thereof. The upper rack 1221 and the supporting unit 1 1 can be suspended from and slide on the rails 1225. For instance, the supporting unit 1 1 can be connected with the upper rack 1221 by a support arm 126 which is pivotally (shown in Fig. 3) coupled to the second pivot B. Or alternatively, the supporting unit 1 1 can be directly connected with the housing 121. For example, the supporting unit 1 1 can be suspended, in front of the upper rack 1221 , and slide on the rails 1225.

Preferably, the first pivot A has a damping mechanism (not shown) for anchoring the supporting unit 1 1 at any rotational angle in the range of -90° (clockwises) to +90° (anti-clockwise), preferably at a rotation angle of 0-90° and more preferably at discontinuous rotation angles of 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75° and 90°.

Preferably, the integral docking device 1 is embedded in a compartment of a vehicle audio device and the vehicle audio device is comprised in a vehicle.

It should be noted that although only a description has been given of the process of how the supporting unit 1 1 of the docking device 1 is pushed/driven inward towards the receiving unit 12 of the docking device 1 to assume a retracted state, the person skilled in the art will clearly and easily understand the process how the supporting unit 1 1 extends outward from the receiving unit 12 since the retracting process is the reverse process of the extending process.

The main advantage of this invention is that: Since the supporting unit 1 1 together with the electronic product 1 12, in the extended state, can rotate sideward around a first pivot A and/or rotate backward and forward (up and down) around a second pivot B perpendicular to the first pivot A, this docking device 1 enables the connected electronic product 1 12 to be operated and viewed either in a landscape mode or in a portrait mode at a desirable viewing angle. Moreover, the supporting unit 1 1 together with the electronic product 1 12 can be integrally moved into the receiving unit 12, enabling the supporting unit 1 1 together with the electronic product 1 12 to be stored safely and the overall docking device 1 achieved is neat in exterior appearance.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, number, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

It should be noted that the abovementioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention and that those skilled in the art will be able to design alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For instance, the structure for connecting/suspending the upper rack 1221 and/or the supporting unit 1 1 is not limited to the sliding rails 1225; a sliding groove or the like can also be adopted.

Moreover, the integral docking device 1 cannot only be applied in a compartment of a vehicle audio device, but also can be applied in other electrical and electronic products, especially Audio/Video (?) products.

In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps not listed in a claim or in the description. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In the apparatus claims enumerating several units, several of these units can be embodied by one and the same item of hardware or software. The usage of the words first, second and third, et cetera, does not indicate any ordering. These words are to be interpreted as names.

Claims

1. A docking device allowing an electronic product to be docked, comprising:

a supporting unit for supporting the electronic product; and

a receiving unit adapted for suspending and receiving the supporting unit, the supporting unit together with the electronic product being operatively movable into and out of the receiving unit, thus having a retracted state and an extended state respectively;

characterized in that the supporting unit together with the electronic product, in the extended state, can rotate sideward around a first pivot.

2. The docking device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the supporting unit, in the extended state, can also rotate backward and forward around a second pivot perpendicular to the first pivot.

3. The docking device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the supporting unit together with the electronic product, in the extended state, can rotate sideward around the first pivot through an angle in the range of 0° to 90°.

4. The docking device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the supporting unit, in the extended state, can rotate backward around the second pivot through an angle in the range of 0° to 30° and rotate forward around the second pivot through an angle in the range of 0° to 90°.

5. The docking device as claimed in claim 2, wherein rotation of the supporting unit around the first and/or second pivot is performed manually or automatically by an electromotor.

6. The docking device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the receiving unit comprises a housing and a control module arranged in the housing for controlling the supporting unit together with the electronic product to move into and out of the housing.

7. The docking device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the controlling module comprises a mechanical transmission mechanism for driving the supporting unit together with the electronic product to move into and out of the housing.

8. The docking device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mechanical transmission mechanism comprises an upper rack arranged adjacent to an upper surface of the housing, a pinion arranged in a middle part of the housing and a lower rack arranged adjacent to a lower surface of the housing and engaging with the pinion, and during the time that the supporting unit together with the electronic product is moved into the receiving unit, the supporting unit can push the upper rack inward to engage with the pinion and the pinion then drives the lower rack outward.

9. The docking device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control module further comprises a movable door coupled to the lower rack such that when the supporting unit together with the electronic product moves back into the receiving unit, the door can be pushed outward and closed to store the supporting unit and the electronic product safely, and when the supporting unit together with the electronic product moves out of the receiving unit, the door can be slid and accommodated into the housing.

10. The docking device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the housing comprises a first stopper arranged at the front side thereof, and when the door is pushed outward and contacts the stopper the door will pivot around a shaft defined therein, so as to be closed.

1 1. The docking device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the housing comprises a second stopper arranged at a rear side thereof for stopping the upper rack.

12. The docking device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the housing comprises one or two rails fixed adjacent to the upper surface thereof, and the upper rack and the supporting unit can be suspended and slide on the rails.

13. The docking device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first pivot has a damping mechanism for anchoring the supporting unit at any rotational angle in the range of 0° to 90°.

14. The docking device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the docking device is embedded in a compartment of a vehicle audio device.

15. The docking device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the vehicle audio device is comprised in a vehicle.