Storage holder

Provided is a storage holder including: a case body having a peripheral wall portion forming a rectangular-parallelepiped-shaped storage space by two short-side side wall portions and two long-side side wall portions, a bottom wall portion closing a lower end of the storage space, and an opening for keeping an upper end of the storage space opened; a support mechanism that includes first and second support members which advance/retract and project into inside of the storage space through side wall openings formed in the short-side side wall portions, respectively, so as to oppose each other, and a support urging member for urging the support members into inside of the storage space; a power feeding coil disposed outside one long-side side wall portion; and a contact auxiliary unit for assisting in contacting the mobile device held in the storage space with an inner surface of the one long-side side wall portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a storage holder for holding, for example, a mobile device such as a smartphone.

BACKGROUND ART

To date, a storage holder attached to, for example, a center console of a vehicle has been known (for example, JP2018-75875A). The storage holder disclosed in JP2018-75875A has a peripheral wall portion that defines a storage space in which a mobile device is held, a bottom wall portion for holding the mobile device held in the storage space, and an opening by which an upper end of the storage space is kept open. The storage holder horizontally holds the mobile device such that the display screen of the mobile device faces upward or downward. The mobile device that is horizontally held in the storage holder is charged by power being supplied from a non-contact type power feeder disposed at a lower portion.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

However, in a horizontally-positioning structure in which the mobile device is held by the storage holder such that the display screen is horizontally disposed as disclosed in JP2018-75875A, although the mobile device is stably held, an area occupied on the surface of a center console or the like by the storage holder is increased. Therefore, a region to be occupied by switches, a cup holder, and the like becomes narrow. In the above-described horizontally-positioning structure, since a mobile device is likely to slide and move on the upper surface of the storage holder, stable power supply from the power feeder to the mobile device is difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a storage holder that stably holds a mobile device, and allows stable power supply to the mobile device to be assured while allowing space saving.

Solution to Problem

A first aspect of the present invention is directed to a storage holder that includes: a case body that includes a peripheral wall portion that forms a rectangular-parallelepiped-shaped storage space by two short-side side wall portions including short sides and two long-side side wall portions including long sides, a bottom wall portion that has a rectangular shape and closes a lower end of the storage space, and an opening formed in a rectangular shape for keeping an upper end of the storage space opened; a support mechanism that includes a first support member and a second support member, and a support urging member, the first support member and the second support member configured to advance and retract and to project into an inside of the storage space through first side wall openings formed in the two short-side side wall portions, respectively, so as to oppose each other, and the support urging member configured to urge the first support member and the second support member into the inside of the storage space; a power feeding coil configured to supply power in a non-contact manner to a mobile device held in the storage space, the power feeding coil being disposed outside the storage space at a first long-side side wall portion that is one of the two long-side side wall portions; and a contact auxiliary unit configured to assist in bringing the mobile device held in the storage space into contact with an inner surface of the first long-side side wall portion.

In this configuration, a mobile device in the storage space is held from both sides in the width direction by the support mechanism. Furthermore, the contact auxiliary unit allows the mobile device held in the storage space to contact with and along the inner surface of the first long-side side wall portion at which the power feeding coil is disposed, and also regulates movement of the mobile device in the storage space in the thickness direction. Therefore, a vertically-positioning structure in which a mobile device is vertically positioned and movement of the mobile device in the storage space in both the width direction and the thickness direction is regulated, is realized. Therefore, the storage holder saves a space, and stable holding of the mobile device is assured. Moreover, the mobile device is held in the storage space in contact with and along the inner surface of the first long-side side wall portion at which the power feeding coil is disposed. Accordingly, stable power supply from the power feeding coil to the mobile device is assured.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Specific embodiments of a storage holder according to the present invention are described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

A storage holder1according to a first embodiment is a holding device that mainly holds a rechargeable mobile device such as a smartphone and a mobile phone. The storage holder1is a holding device that has a vertically positioning structure for holding the mobile device such that the mobile device vertically extends. A mobile device to be held by the storage holder1is a device that has, for example, a thickness of 5 mm to 20 mm and a width of 60 mm to 90 mm. The storage holder1is attached to, for example, a center console in the interior of a vehicle. The storage holder1has a case body10, a support mechanism30, a power feeding coil50, and a contact auxiliary unit60, as shown inFIG. 1toFIG. 7.

The case body10has a quadrangular-tube-like shape having a bottom. The case body10has a storage space11. The storage space11is shaped in a rectangular parallelepiped in order to stably hold a mobile device. The case body10has an upper wall portion12, a peripheral wall portion13, a bottom wall portion14, and an opening15. The case body10is formed in a state where the upper wall portion12, the peripheral wall portion13, and the bottom wall portion14are integrated with each other. The storage space11of the case body10is formed by being surrounded by the peripheral wall portion13and the bottom wall portion14, and is open upward through the opening15.

The upper wall portion12is an upper panel portion that is formed as an upper surface of the storage holder1. The upper wall portion12has a thin-plate-like shape, and is almost horizontally formed. The upper wall portion12is formed in an almost quadrangular shape. A rib necessary for attaching the storage holder1to a center console or the like is disposed on the back side surface of the upper wall portion12.

The upper wall portion12has the opening15. The opening15communicates with the storage space11, and allows the upper end of the storage space11to open. The opening15is formed in a rectangular shape at almost the center of the upper wall portion12. The opening15has two short sides15S that extend parallel to each other, and two long sides15L that extend parallel to each other in the direction orthogonal to the short sides15S. A length of each short side15S, that is, a distance between the two long sides15L is, for example, 10 mm to 50 mm. A length of each long side15L, that is, a distance between the two short sides15S is, for example, 60 mm to 100 mm.

The peripheral wall portion13extends almost downward from the peripheral edge of the opening15. The peripheral wall portion13has a height (specifically, a height from the bottom wall portion14to the opening15) of, for example, 100 mm. The peripheral wall portion13has four side wall portions13S1,13S2,13L1, and13L2. The four side wall portions13S1,13S2,13L1, and13L2are each formed in a flat-plate shape. The four side wall portions13S1,13S2,13L1, and13L2form the rectangular-parallelepiped-shaped storage space11.

The side wall portions13S1,13S2are side walls that include the short sides15S, respectively, of the opening15. The side wall portion13S1and the side wall portion13S2oppose each other across the storage space11in a direction X orthogonal to the short sides15S. The side wall portions13L1,13L2are side walls that include the long sides15L, respectively, of the opening15. The side wall portion13L1and the side wall portion13L2oppose each other across the storage space11in a direction Y orthogonal to the long sides15L. Hereinafter, the side wall portions13S1,13S2are referred to as short-side side wall portions13S1,13S2, respectively, and the side wall portions13L1,13L2are referred to as long-side side wall portions13L1,13L2, respectively.

The bottom wall portion14extends from the lower end of the peripheral wall portion13in almost the horizontal direction. The bottom wall portion14closes the lower end of the storage space11. The bottom wall portion14is formed in a rectangular shape. The bottom wall portion14is brought into contact with the bottom portion of a mobile device, and holds the mobile device. The area of the bottom wall portion14may be equal to the area of the opening15or may be smaller than the area of the opening15. That is, the storage space11may have a trapezoidal cross-section such that, as shown inFIG. 6, each of the side wall portions13S1,13S2,13L1,13L2is tilted to widen the opening15side portion and narrow the bottom wall portion14side portion.

The support mechanism30assists in holding a mobile device in the storage space11by holding the mobile device stored in the storage space11from both the sides in the width direction. The support mechanism30has a centering function for holding the mobile device at almost the center of the storage space11in the direction X. The support mechanism30has two support members31,32, two arm members33,34, a rotary body40, and a support spring41.

The support members31,32advance and retract according to the width of a mobile device to be stored in the storage space11. The support members31,32are disposed so as to oppose each other across the storage space11as shown inFIG. 7. The short-side side wall portion13S1of the case body10has a short-side side wall opening21. The short-side side wall opening21is formed so as to correspond to the size of the support member31. The short-side side wall portion13S2of the case body10has a short-side side wall opening22. The short-side side wall opening22is formed so as to correspond to the size of the support member32.

The support member31is disposed in the short-side side wall opening21, and advances into or retracts out of the storage space11through the short-side side wall opening21in the inner-outer direction of the storage space11. The support member32is disposed in the short-side side wall opening22, and advances into or retracts out of the storage space11through the short-side side wall opening22in the inner-outer direction of the storage space11. That is, the support members31,32advance and retract such that projection distances by which the support members31,32project into the storage space11from the short-side side wall openings21,22change. The support members31,32advance or retract so as to be closer to or to separate from each other.

The support members31,32each have a body portion35and a flange portion36. The body portion35extends in the up-down direction, and has a U-shaped cross-section. The body portions35are disposed in the short-side side wall openings21,22in a state where the cross-sectional bottom portions face toward the inside of the storage space11and the cross-sectional openings face toward the outside of the storage space11. The body portions35have sizes less than the sizes of the short-side side wall openings21,22.

The body portions35have end faces35bwhich face toward the storage space11in the advancing-retracting direction, and the end faces35bface in the direction X in which the support members31,32oppose each other. The end face35bhas an inward-projecting portion35athat projects toward the inside of the storage space11. The inward-projecting portion35ais shaped such that a portion of the inward-projection portion35afrom the upper portion to the lower portion is diagonally tilted toward the inside of the storage space11to form a peak, and is then curved over the peak toward the outside of the storage space11. The inward-projecting portion35acontacts with the side surface, in the width direction, of the mobile device held in the storage space11to hold the mobile device. The inward-projecting portions35aare disposed at two portions so as to be separate from each other in the up-down direction in order to assure stable holding of the mobile device, as shown in, for example,FIG. 3. In the structure in which the inward-projecting portions35aare disposed at two portions in the body portion35, positions of the projection ends of the inward-projecting portions35amay be almost the same in the direction X.

The flange portion36is extended from the peripheral edge of the end portion of the body portion35on the side opposite to the storage space11side, so as to be flange-shaped. The flange portions36contact with the peripheral edge portions of the short-side side wall openings21,22of the case body10, and regulate the advancing of the support members31,32when the support members31,32have advanced to the innermost side of the storage space11.

The arm members33,34operate so as to link advancing and retracting of the support member31and advancing and retracting of the support member32with each other. The arm member33advances and retracts integrally with the support member31. The arm member33has one end connected to the support member31and has the other end that extends toward the support member32in the direction X. The arm member34advances and retracts integrally with the support member32. The arm member34has one end connected to the support member32and has the other end that extends toward the support member31in the direction X.

The height position at which the one end of the arm member33is connected to the support member31, and the height position at which the one end of the arm member34is connected to the support member32is almost the same. Both the arm members33,34extend in the direction X along the outer surface of the long-side side wall portion13L1, outside the storage space11, on the long-side side wall portion13L1which is one of the two long-side side wall portions13L1,13L2. The end portion of the arm member33and the end portion of the arm member34are bent so as to be displaced from each other in the up-down direction. For example, the end portion of the arm member33is disposed on the lower side, and the end portion of the arm member34is disposed on the upper side. The end portion of the arm member33and the end portion of the arm member34include portions that extend parallel to each other and overlap each other in the up-down direction.

The arm member33has a rack gear37at the end portion in the direction X. The arm member34has a rack gear38at the end portion in the direction X. The rack gears37,38are formed on opposing faces at which the arm members33,34overlap each other along the direction X. The rack gear37and the rack gear38oppose each other in the up-down direction. A gap is formed between the rack gear37and the rack gear38.

The rotary body40is disposed between the arm member33and the arm member34, that is, in the gap between the rack gear37and the rack gear38. The rotary body40is rotatably supported at almost the center of the long-side side wall portion13L1of the case body10. The rotary body40may have a damper function, for example, one-way clutch damper for reducing an advancing speed at which the support members31,32are returned toward the inside of the storage space11.

The rotary body40includes a pinion gear42that has projections and recesses formed on the outer side in the radial direction. The pinion gear42meshes with the rack gear37of the arm member33and the rack gear38of the arm member34. The rotary body40rotates to slide the arm member33and the arm member34in conjunction with each other, to eventually advance and retract the support members31and32in a synchronous manner.

The arm members33,34have engagement holes39. The long-side side wall portion13L1has engagement projections16. The engagement holes39and the engagement projections16engage with each other. The arm members33,34are guided by engagement of the engagement holes39and the engagement projections16with each other when sliding relative to the case body10. Thus, stable sliding of the arm members33,34relative to the case body10is assured.

The support members31,32each advance and retract between a predetermined projection position at which the flange portion36contacts with the case body10and the inward-projecting portion35athus projects into the storage space11to the innermost side, and a predetermined storage position at which the flange portion36is separated from the case body10toward the outside of the storage space11and the inward-projecting portion35ais flush with the inner surface of the short-side side wall portion13S1,13S2of the peripheral wall portion13.

The support spring41is disposed between the case body10and the arm member33, eventually between the case body10and the support member31. The support spring41is disposed so as to extend in the direction X. The support spring41is an urging member which generates a spring force in the direction X. The support spring41has one end supported by and fixed to the end portion (specifically the end portion of the arm member33) of the support member31. The support spring41has the other end supported by and fixed to the case body10. The support spring41generates an urging force for advancing the support member31toward the predetermined projection position, that is, toward the inside of the storage space11.

When the support member31advances toward the inside of the storage space11by the urging force of the support spring41, the support member31slides and advances integrally with the arm member33in the direction X in which the support member31approaches the other of the support members, that is, the support member32. This sliding and advancing rotates (rotates leftward inFIG. 1) the rotary body40, and the support member32slides and advances integrally with the arm member34in the direction X in which the support member32approaches the support member31. Thus, both the support members31,32advance in synchronization with each other by the urging force of the support spring41.

In a normal state, by the urging force of the support spring41and meshing of the gear of the rotary body40, the support member31is disposed at the predetermined projection position at which the inward-projecting portion35aprojects into the storage space11to the innermost side, and the support member32is disposed at the predetermined projection position at which the inward-projecting portion35aprojects into the storage space11to the innermost side. When, in this normal state, one of the support member31and the support member32is pressed in the direction X in which the support members31and32separate from each other, the pressed one of the support members31,32slides and retracts integrally with a corresponding one of the arm members33,34in the direction X in which both the support members31,32separate from each other. The sliding and retracting rotates (rotates rightward inFIG. 1) the rotary body40, and the other of the support members32,31also slides and retracts integrally with the other of the arm members34,33in the direction X in which both the support members31,32separate from each other. Thus, both the support members31,32retract in synchronization with each other by a pressing operation in the direction X for separating one of the support members31,32.

The power feeding coil50is a coil for feeding power to the mobile device held in the storage space11in a non-contact manner. The power feeding coil50is disposed outside the storage space11at the case body10. Specifically, among the two long-side side wall portions13L1,13L2of the peripheral wall portion13, the power feeding coil50is disposed outside the storage space11at the long-side side wall portion13L2that opposes the long-side side wall portion13L1on which the arm members33,34of the support mechanism30are disposed. The power feeding coil50is disposed through a buffer51on a printed board52. The printed board52is mounted and fixed by screws53so as to extend along the outer surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2. The power feeding coil50is disposed such that a magnetic flux flows in the direction orthogonal to the outer surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2.

The contact auxiliary unit60assists in holding a mobile device in the storage space11by the mobile device stored in the storage space11being brought into contact with the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2on which the power feeding coil50is disposed, among the two long-side side wall portions13L1,13L2of the peripheral wall portion13. The contact auxiliary unit60includes a pressing member61, a shaft62, and a press spring63.

The pressing member61advances and retracts in the direction Y in which the long-side side wall portions13L1,13L2oppose each other, and is thus brought into contact with the mobile device stored in the storage space11, to press the mobile device toward the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2. The long-side side wall portion13L1of the case body10has long-side side wall openings23,24. The long-side side wall opening23is formed at the upper center of the long-side side wall portion13L1. The long-side side wall opening24is formed at the lower center of the long-side side wall portion13L1.

The long-side side wall opening23is formed so as to correspond to the size of the pressing member61. Support wall portions25are disposed at outer edge portions on both end portions, in the direction X, of the long-side side wall opening23of the long-side side wall portion13L1. Both the support wall portions25project toward the outside of the storage space11from the edge portions, respectively, of the long-side side wall opening23and are formed so as to have faces opposing each other. A through hole25ais formed, at the center of each support wall portion25, so as to be open in the horizontal direction (direction X). The pressing member61is disposed at the long-side side wall opening23and advances and retracts through the long-side side wall opening23toward the inside and the outside of the storage space11.

The pressing member61is formed in a plate-like shape. Support wall portions61aare disposed in the upper portion of the pressing member61. The support wall portions61aproject toward the outside of the storage space11from the upper back surface of the pressing member61. Each support wall portion61ahas, at the center thereof, a through hole61bthat is open in the horizontal direction (direction X). The shaft62extends horizontally. The shaft62is disposed so as to penetrate through the through holes25aof the support wall portions25and the through holes61bof the pressing member61. The pressing member61oscillates (rotates) about the shaft62.

The pressing member61is supported by the long-side side wall portion13L1of the case body10so as to oscillate by the shaft62being inserted into the through holes61bin a state where the upper portion of the pressing member61is inserted in the long-side side wall opening23from the inside of the storage space11toward the outside of the storage space11. A portion from the upper portion to the lower portion of the pressing member61projects from the long-side side wall opening23toward the inside of the storage space11, and is disposed in the storage space11. The pressing member61has, at the center portion in the up-down direction, a protrusion61cpositioned on the innermost side of the storage space11. The protrusion61ccontacts with the mobile device held in the storage space11.

The pressing member61is curved toward the outside of the storage space11from the protrusion61cto the lower portion. The long-side side wall opening24of the long-side side wall portion13L1is formed so as to correspond to the size of the pressing member61. The end portion of the lower portion of the pressing member61projects toward the outside of the storage space11from the long-side side wall opening24, and is disposed outside the storage space11. The pressing member61has, at the lower end, a stopper portion61dthat is curved downward. The stopper portion61dcontacts with the lower back face of the long-side side wall portion13L1below the long-side side wall opening24and thus regulates oscillating of the lower end of the pressing member61to the inside of the storage space11, when the pressing member61oscillates toward the inside of the storage space11.

The pressing member61advances and retracts between a predetermined contact position at which the end of the protrusion61ctouches and contacts with the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2, and a predetermined separate position at which the end of the protrusion61cis disposed so as to be closest to the long-side side wall portion13L1in the storage space11.

The press spring63is disposed between the pressing member61and the case body10. The press spring63is disposed around the shaft62. The press spring63has one end supported and fixed at the upper portion of the pressing member61. The press spring63has the other end supported by and fixed to the case body10. The press spring63generates an urging force for oscillating the pressing member61in the direction in which the center portion and the lower portion of the pressing member61in the up-down direction approach the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2, that is, an urging force for bringing the protrusion61cof the pressing member61into contact with the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2, i.e., for urging the protrusion61cto the predetermined contact position.

Next, an operation of the storage holder1is described.

When the storage holder1is in a normal state in which nothing is stored in the storage space11, the support members31,32have advanced, by an urging force of the support spring41, to the predetermined projection position at which each inward-projecting portion35aprojects into the storage space11to the innermost side, and the pressing member61has oscillated, by an urging force of the press spring63, to the predetermined contact position at which the protrusion61ccontacts with the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2.

When a mobile device is to be held by the storage holder1, a person in the vehicle or the like inserts the mobile device into the storage space11in the vertical direction in which the thickness direction of the mobile device is aligned with the horizontal direction. When the mobile device to be held is inserted in the storage space11in the normal state, the bottom portion of the mobile device contacts with the tilted surfaces of the inward-projecting portions35aof the two support members31,32that oppose each other across the center of the storage space11. After the contact, downward insertion of the mobile device progresses. According to the progress of the insertion, the support members31,32are pressed, against the urging force of the support spring41, in the direction X in which the support members31and32separate from each other, and slide and retract. Then, the side surfaces of the mobile device in the width direction contact with the end surfaces of the inward-projecting portions35a, and the mobile device is held between the two support members31and32, to stop the sliding and retracting. In this case, the mobile device is held by and between the two support members31,32by the urging force of the support spring41. Thereafter, the insertion of the mobile device progresses in a state where the mobile device is held by and between the two support members31,32and the support members31,32are maintained so as to retract from the predetermined projection positions.

When the mobile device has been inserted into the storage space11, the mobile device is further inserted between the protrusion61cof the pressing member61and the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2which contacts with the protrusion61c. In this case, of the two end faces of the mobile device in the thickness direction, the end face opposing the long-side side wall portion13L1contacts with the protrusion61cof the pressing member61. When the mobile device is inserted between the protrusion61cof the pressing member61and the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2, the pressing member61oscillates so as to separate from the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2against the urging force of the press spring63. In this case, the mobile device is urged by the urging force of the press spring63through the pressing member61toward the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2. When the mobile device inserted in the storage space11is urged by the urging force of the press spring63toward the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2, the mobile device is pressed such that the end face opposing the long-side side wall portion13L2is brought into contact with and along the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2.

When the bottom portion of the mobile device contacts with the inner surface of the bottom wall portion14of the storage holder1, the bottom wall portion14holds the mobile device in a state where the two support members31,32hold the mobile device therebetween and the pressing member61causes the mobile device to contact with and along the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2. Thus, the mobile device is held in the storage space11of the storage holder1.

In the state where the mobile device is held in the storage space11of the storage holder1, the two support members31,32of the storage holder1hold the mobile device therebetween by the urging force of the support spring41. Therefore, the support mechanism30regulates movement of the mobile device held in the storage space11in the width direction in the storage space11.

Both the two support members31,32advance and retract according to the width of the mobile device. For example, for a mobile device having a relatively small width, each of the support members31,32is positioned at an advancement/retraction position close to the predetermined projection position. Meanwhile, for a mobile device having a relatively large width, each of the support members31,32is positioned at an advancement/retraction position close to the predetermined storage position. Therefore, the advancement/retraction position of each support member31,32is changed between the predetermined projection position and the predetermined storage position according to the width of the mobile device to be held in the storage space11. Therefore, a plurality of kinds of mobile devices having different width dimensions are appropriately held in the storage space11according to each mobile device. Furthermore, the two support members31,32advance and retract in conjunction with each other. Therefore, a position at which the mobile device is held in the storage space11is maintained at the center of the storage space11in the direction X.

In the state where the mobile device is held in the storage space11of the storage holder1, the pressing member61of the storage holder1presses the mobile device such that the mobile device is held between the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2and the pressing member61, and the mobile device is brought into contact with and along the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2. Therefore, the contact auxiliary unit60allows the mobile device held in the storage space11to contact with the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2of the case body10, and regulates movement of the mobile device held in the storage space11in the thickness direction in the storage space11, by the mobile device being maintained in the storage space11in the contact state.

Thus, the storage holder1allows achievement of the vertically positioning structure in which the mobile device is held so as to extend in the vertical direction, that is, so as to align the display screen along the direction orthogonal to the horizontal direction. The vertically positioning structure of the storage holder1allows reduction of a region occupied by the storage holder1on the surface of a center console or the like to which the storage holder1is attached, and allows space saving, as compared to a horizontally positioning structure in which the display screen of the mobile device is horizontally positioned.

The storage holder1regulates movement of the mobile device held in the storage space11in both the width direction and the thickness direction (that is, horizontal direction) in the storage space11. Therefore, even in the vertically positioning structure, the mobile device is inhibited from rattling in the storage space11, and the mobile device is stably held. For example, damage to the display screen of the mobile device due to the rattling is prevented.

The mobile device contacts with the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2in the case body10when the mobile device is held in the storage space11. The power feeding coil50for supplying power to the mobile device in a non-contact manner is disposed outside the storage space11at the long-side side wall portion13L2. Therefore, the storage holder1holds the mobile device in the storage space11in a state where the mobile device contacts with the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2at which the power feeding coil50is disposed so as to be close to the power feeding coil50, so that power is efficiently supplied to the mobile device in the storage space11from the power feeding coil50.

Accordingly, the storage holder1according to the present embodiment allows space saving, allows the mobile device to be stably held, and allows stable power supply to the mobile device to be assured.

In the first embodiment, the short-side side wall openings21,22correspond to “first side wall opening” recited in claims, the support members31,32correspond to “first support member” and “second support member” recited in claims, the support spring41corresponds to “support urging member” recited in claims, and the long-side side wall portion13L2corresponds to “first long-side side wall portion” recited in claims.

In the first embodiment, the long-side side wall portion13L1corresponds to “second long-side side wall portion” recited in claims, the arm members33,34correspond to “first arm portion” and “second arm portion” recited in claims, the rack gears37,38correspond to “first rack gear” and “second rack gear” recited in claims, and the press spring63corresponds to “press urging member” recited in claims.

In the first embodiment, the support mechanism30is structured such that rotation of the rotary body40advances and retracts the support members31,32in a synchronous manner. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The support mechanism30may be structured such that the support spring for generating an urging force by which the support members31,32advance and retract is provided for each of the support members31,32so as to advance and retract the support members31,32independently of each other.

Second Embodiment

In the storage holder1according to the first embodiment, the contact auxiliary unit60includes the pressing member61and the press spring63, and the mobile device which is held in the storage space11by an urging force of the press spring63through the pressing member61is urged so as to contact with and along the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2at which the power feeding coil50is disposed.

Meanwhile, a storage holder100according to a second embodiment is structured to have a contact auxiliary unit in which a predetermined portion of a support member of a support mechanism is tilted. The storage holder100includes a case body110, a support mechanism130, and a contact auxiliary unit160as shown inFIG. 8toFIG. 11. In the storage holder100according to the second embodiment, the same components as those in the storage holder1according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.

The case body110has a quadrangular tube-like shape having a bottom, similarly to the case body10according to the first embodiment. The case body110has the short-side side wall openings21,22. However, unlike the case body10, the case body110does not have the long-side side wall openings23,24. Furthermore, the contact auxiliary unit160does not have the pressing member61, the shaft62, and the press spring63, unlike the contact auxiliary unit60according to the first embodiment.

The support mechanism130assists in holding a mobile device in the storage space11by holding the mobile device stored in the storage space11from both the sides in the width direction. The support mechanism130has two support members131,132. The support members131,132have the same function as the support members31,32according to the first embodiment. The support members131,132each have a body portion135. An end face135bof the body portion135in the advancing-retracting direction faces toward the storage space11and has an inward projecting portion135athat projects toward the inside of the storage space11.

The end face135bof the body portion135faces in a direction different from the direction X in which the support members131,132oppose each other, unlike the end face35bof the body portion35according to the first embodiment. Specifically, the end face135bis tilted such that a distance between one of the support members131,132and the other of the support members132,131other than the one of the support members131,132increases toward the long-side side wall portion13L2. That is, the support members131,132are formed such that the end faces135bof the body portions135form a shape obtained by truncating an inverted V, as viewed from thereabove. The contact auxiliary unit160has a tilt structure in which the end faces135bof the support members131,132are tilted.

In the storage holder100, when the mobile device is inserted in the storage space11, the support members131,132are pressed in the direction X in which, at the inward projecting portions135a, the support members131and132separate from each other by the mobile device, and slide and retract in a synchronous manner, thereby holding the mobile device from both the sides by an urging force of the support spring41. Furthermore, the end faces135bof the support members131,132are tilted such that the distance between the support members131and132increases toward the long-side side wall portion13L2at which the power feeding coil50is disposed, as described above. Therefore, when the support members131,132hold the mobile device therebetween, an urging force of the support spring41acts on the mobile device, and the mobile device receives forces from the directions orthogonal to the end faces135b, from the end faces135bof the support members131,132, and is urged toward the long-side side wall portion13L2at which the distance between the support members131and132is greater. In this case, the mobile device is pressed such that the end surface that opposes the long-side side wall portion13L2contacts with and along the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2.

Therefore, the storage holder100also allows the same effect as that of the storage holder1to be obtained. Furthermore, the storage holder100has a structure in which the end faces135bof the support members131,132are tilted such that the distance between the support members131and132increases toward the long-side side wall portion13L2, and allows the structure to function as the contact auxiliary unit160. Therefore, the pressing member61, the shaft62, the press spring63, and the like of the contact auxiliary unit60of the storage holder1need not be provided, and the long-side side wall openings23,24need not be formed in the case body10. Accordingly, the storage holder100allows a mobile device in the storage space11to be held in contact with and along the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2at which the power feeding coil50is disposed, with a small number of components in a simple structure, and, thus, the storage holder100further saves a space.

In the second embodiment, the tilt structure in which the end faces135bof the support members131,132are tilted corresponds to “second tilt structure” recited in claims.

In the second embodiment, both the end faces135bof the support members131,132are tilted such that the distance between the support members131and132increases toward the long-side side wall portion13L2. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. At least one of the end faces135bof the support members131,132may be tilted such that a distance between the support members131and132increases toward the long-side side wall portion13L2.

Third Embodiment

The storage holder100according to the second embodiment has, as the contact auxiliary unit, a structure in which a predetermined portion of the support member of the support mechanism is tilted. Meanwhile, a storage holder200according to a third embodiment is structured to have a contact auxiliary unit in which a predetermined portion of a case body is tilted. The storage holder200includes a case body210and a contact auxiliary unit260as shown inFIG. 12. In the storage holder200according to the third embodiment, the same components as those in the storage holder1according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.

The case body210has a quadrangular tube-like shape having a bottom, similarly to the case body10according to the first embodiment. The case body210has the short-side side wall openings21,22. However, unlike the case body10, the case body210does not have the long-side side wall openings23,24. Furthermore, the contact auxiliary unit260does not have the pressing member61, the shaft62, and the press spring63, unlike the contact auxiliary unit60according to the first embodiment.

The case body210has a bottom wall portion214. The bottom wall portion214has a rectangular shape and closes the lower end of the storage space11. However, the bottom wall portion214extends so as to be tilted relative to the horizontal direction, unlike the bottom wall portion14. Specifically, the bottom wall portion214is tilted such that the position of the inner surface of the bottom wall portion214is lowered toward the long-side side wall portion13L2. The contact auxiliary unit260has a tilt structure in which the bottom wall portion214of the case body210is tilted.

In the storage holder200, when a mobile device is inserted in the storage space11, the mobile device contacts with the inner surface of the bottom wall portion214while being held by and between the support members31and32. The bottom wall portion214is tilted such that the position of the inner surface of the bottom wall portion214is lowered toward the long-side side wall portion13L2at which the power feeding coil50is disposed, as described above. Therefore, when the mobile device contacts with the inner surface of the bottom wall portion214, the mobile device moves so as to slide toward the long-side side wall portion13L2that has a lower surface in the bottom wall portion214due to the gravitational effect. In this case, the mobile device is pressed such that the end face opposing the long-side side wall portion13L2contacts with and along the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2.

Therefore, the storage holder200also allows the same effect as that of the storage holder1according to the first embodiment to be obtained. Furthermore, the storage holder200has a structure in which the bottom wall portion214is tilted such that the position of the inner surface of the bottom wall portion214of the case body210is lowered toward the long-side side wall portion13L2, and allows the structure to function as the contact auxiliary unit260. Therefore, similarly to the storage holder100of the second embodiment, the storage holder200need not have the pressing member61, the shaft62, and the press spring63of the contact auxiliary unit60of the storage holder1, and the case body210need not have the long-side side wall openings23,24. Accordingly, the storage holder200allows a mobile device in the storage space11to be held in contact with and along the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2at which the power feeding coil50is disposed, with a small number of components in a simple structure, and, thus, the storage holder200further saves a space.

In the third embodiment, the tilt structure in which the bottom wall portion214of the case body210is tilted corresponds to “first tilt structure” recited in claims.

The third embodiment is independent of the second embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The tilt structure of the second embodiment in which the end faces135bof the support members131,132are tilted and the tilt structure of the third embodiment in which the bottom wall portion214of the case body210is tilted may be combined as the storage holder. In the structure according to the modification, a mobile device in the storage space11is more assuredly held in contact with and along the inner surface of the long-side side wall portion13L2at which the power feeding coil50is disposed.

Fourth Embodiment

The storage holder1according to the first embodiment has two arm members33,34, the rotary body40, and the support spring41, as the support mechanism30. The support mechanism30assists in holding a mobile device in the storage space11by holding the mobile device stored in the storage space11from both sides in the width direction.

Meanwhile, a storage holder300according to a fourth embodiment has a plate spring as the support mechanism. The storage holder300has a support mechanism330as shown inFIG. 13toFIG. 15. In the storage holder300according to the fourth embodiment, the same components as those in the storage holder1according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.

The support mechanism330assists in holding a mobile device in the storage space11by holding the mobile device stored in the storage space11from both sides in the width direction. The support mechanism330has a centering function for holding the mobile device at almost the center of the storage space11in the direction X. The support mechanism330is different from the support mechanism30according to the first embodiment in that the support mechanism330does not have the two arm members33,34, the rotary body40, and the support spring41. The support mechanism330has two support members31,32and a plate spring member341.

The plate spring member341is disposed between the support member31and the support member32. The plate spring member341is formed into a plate-like shape and a U-like shape. The plate spring member341is an urging member for generating a spring force in the direction X. The plate spring member341has one end held and fixed on the rear surface side of the support member31. The plate spring member341has the other end held and fixed on the rear surface side of the support member32. The plate spring member341and the support members31,32are held and fixed by using screws or the like. The plate spring member341extends along the outer surface of the case body10(specifically, the outer surface of each of the short-side side wall portion13S1, the bottom wall portion14, and the short-side side wall portion13S2). The plate spring member341is held on the outer surface side of the bottom wall portion14of the case body10so as not to be removed from the case body10. The plate spring member341generates an urging force for advancing the support members31,32to the above-described predetermined projection position, that is, toward the inside of the storage space11.

In the normal state in which nothing is stored in the storage space11, the storage holder300is in a state where the support members31,32have advanced to the predetermined projection position at which the inward-projecting portions35aproject into the storage space11to the innermost side, by an urging force of the plate spring member341. When, in this normal state, the mobile device to be held is inserted in the storage space11, the support members31,32are pressed in the direction X in which the support members31and32separate from each other against the urging force of the plate spring member341according to the mobile device being inserted and advanced, and slide and retract. The side surfaces of the mobile device in the width direction contact with the end faces of the inward-projecting portions35a, and the mobile device is disposed between the two support members31and32, to stop the sliding and retracting. In this case, the mobile device is held by and between the two support members31and32by the urging force of the plate spring member341, and, thereafter, the mobile device is maintained at a position at which the mobile device is held by and between the two support members31and32, and the support members31,32have been retracted from the predetermined projection position.

Therefore, the storage holder300also allows the same effect as that of the storage holder1to be obtained. For example, movement of the mobile device held in the storage space11in the width direction in the storage space11is regulated due to the action of the plate spring member341. Furthermore, both the two support members31,32advance and retract according to the width of the mobile device. Therefore, the positions to which the support members31,32advance and retract is changed between the predetermined projection position and the predetermined storage position according to the width of the mobile device held in the storage space11. Therefore, the mobile device is appropriately held in the storage space11according to the width dimension of the mobile device.

Furthermore, in the storage holder300, the support mechanism330mainly includes the plate spring member341. Therefore, the storage holder300need not have the arm members33,34, the rotary body40, the support spring41, and the like of the support mechanism30of the storage holder1, and the arm members33,34, the rotary body40, the support spring41, and the like need not be combined. Accordingly, the storage holder300allows a mobile device in the storage space11to be held from both sides in the width direction, with a small number of components in a simple structure, and, thus, the storage holder300further saves a space.

Fifth Embodiment

The storage holder300according to the fourth embodiment has the plate spring as the support mechanism. Meanwhile, a storage holder400according to a fifth embodiment has a support mechanism430that is different from the support mechanism30according to the first embodiment and the support mechanism.330according to the fourth embodiment, as shown inFIG. 16toFIG. 19. In the storage holder400according to the fifth embodiment, the same components as those of the storage holder1according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.

The support mechanism430assists in holding a mobile device in the storage space11by holding the mobile device stored in the storage space11from both sides in the width direction. The support mechanism430has a centering function for holding the mobile device at almost the center of the storage space11in the direction X. The support mechanism430does not have the two arm members33,34, the rotary body40, and the support spring41, unlike the support mechanism30according to the first embodiment. The support mechanism430has two support members431,432and a rotary body433.

The support members431,432have the same functions as the support members31,32according to the first embodiment. The support members431,432have body portions35, flange portions36, and lower wall portions440,450. The support member431has the lower wall portion440. The support member432has the lower wall portion450. The lower wall portions440,450are plate-like portions that are integrated with the lower ends of the flange portions36disposed below the body portions35. The lower wall portions440,450extend in the direction X from the lower ends of the flange portions36along the outer surface of the bottom wall portion14to the center of the bottom wall portion14in the direction X.

The end of the lower wall portion440in the direction X and the end of the lower wall portion450in the direction X oppose each other in the direction X. At the lower wall portion440, a standing wall portion441is formed so as to extend along and parallel to the outer surface of the long-side side wall portion13L1that is different from the long-side side wall portion13L2at which the power feeding coil50is disposed. The end portion of the standing wall portion441is shaped as an arc such that that a point at which the flange portion36and the lower wall portion440connect to each other is the center of the circle to which the arc belongs. The standing wall portion441has a gear442at the end portion. At the lower wall portion450, a standing wall portion451is formed so as to extend along and parallel to the outer surface of the long-side side wall portion13L1. The end portion of the standing wall portion451is shaped as an arc such that a point at which the flange portion36and the lower wall portion450connect to each other is the center of the circle to which the arc belongs. The standing wall portion451has a gear452at the end portion. The gear442and the gear452mesh with each other. The lower wall portion440and the lower wall portion450are synchronously movable in the up-down direction.

Projections443,453are formed on the upper surfaces of the lower wall portions440,450so as to project upward. The projections443,453are disposed at the end sides of the lower wall portions440,450in the direction X. Projecting distances of the projections443,453exceed the thickness of the bottom wall portion14. The projections443,453are exposed to the storage space11from through holes14athat are opened in the bottom wall portion14. The projections443,453are moved through the through holes14aof the bottom wall portion14in the up-down direction according to the movement of the lower wall portions440,450in the up-down direction.

The rotary body433is rotatably supported by the long-side side wall portion13L1of the case body10. The rotary body433has a damper function, specifically, has a one-way clutch damper for reducing an advancing speed at which the support members431,432are returned to the inside of the storage space11. The rotary body433has a gear434having recesses and projections formed outward in the radial direction. The gear434meshes with the gear442of the lower wall portion440of the support member431. The rotary body433rotates to move the lower wall portion440of the support member431in the up-down direction.

In the normal state of the storage holder400in which nothing is stored in the storage space11, the support members431,432have advanced, by the rotary body433, to the predetermined projection position at which the inward-projecting portions35aproject into the storage space11to the innermost side. When a mobile device to be held is inserted into the storage space11in the normal state, the support members431,432are pressed by the mobile device in the direction X in which the support members431and432separate from each other, and slide and retract to a position corresponding to the width of the mobile device. The insertion progresses, and the bottom portion of the mobile device then contacts with the projections443,453that project upward from the inner surface of the bottom wall portion14of the storage holder400.

When the bottom portion of the mobile device presses the projections443,453downward, the ends of the lower wall portions440,450of the support members431,432oscillate (rotate) about the points at which the ends of the lower wall portions440,450connect to the flange portions36. When the oscillation occurs, the body portions35of the support members431,432are urged in the direction X in which the support members431,432approach each other. In this case, the mobile device inserted in the storage space11is held in the width direction by and between the support members431and432. When the bottom portion of the mobile device contacts with the inner surface of the bottom wall portion14, the bottom wall portion14holds the mobile device in a state where the two support members431,432hold the mobile device therebetween. Therefore, the mobile device is held in the storage space11of the storage holder400. Accordingly, the storage holder400also allows the same effect as that of the storage holder1to be obtained.

In each of the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment, the contact auxiliary unit160of the second embodiment or the contact auxiliary unit260of the third embodiment may be used instead of the contact auxiliary unit60of the first embodiment.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and may be modified in various manners without departing from the gist of the present invention.

The present application claims priority from Japanese patent application No. 2018-185585 filed on Sep. 28, 2018, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.