POP-UP CONNECTOR AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE

The application discloses a pop-up connector and an electronic device, comprising: a plugging part, a buckling part, and a locking part, where the plugging part is provided with a slot, and the slot is suitable for plugging and mating with a plug; where the buckling part is installed on the plugging part, and the buckling part is movable along an axial direction of the slot relative to the plugging part; the locking part is suitable for switching between a locked state and an unlocked state; where in the locked state, the buckling part is buckled with the locking part; and in the unlocked state, the locking part is separated from the buckling part.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application belongs to the technical field of electronic products, and in particular relates to a pop-up connector and an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

With the continuous development of science and technology and the continuous improvement of people's living standards, electronic devices have gradually integrated into people's daily life. The TYPE-C connector has a much smaller volume than the Type-A connector and the Type-B connector, and is the latest USB interface standard. This interface has no difference between the front and back directions and can be plugged and unplugged at will.

TYPE-C connectors are widely used in mobile phones, tablets, notebook computers and other electronic products. TYPE-C connectors are standard devices, and the plug length is fixed at 6.65 mm. In this way, the TYPE-C connector occupies basically the same space in various electronic products along the direction of the plug while ensuring reliability.

In the process of implementing this application, the inventor found that in order to ensure the connection effect of the existing TYPE-C connector, a section of matching space is set between the plug and the tongue. Since this section of matching space is set inside the electronic device, it affects utilization of the internal space of the electronic product.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, the embodiment of this application proposes a pop-up connector, including:a plugging part, where the plugging part is provided with a slot, and the slot is suitable for plugging and mating with a plug;a buckling part, where the buckling part is installed on the plugging part, and the buckling part is movable along an axial direction of the slot relative to the plugging part; anda locking part, provided on the plugging part and suitable for switching between a locked state and an unlocked state; wherein the locked state, the buckling part is buckled with the locking part, and the buckling part at least partially overlaps with the plugging part; andin the unlocked state, the locking part is separated from the buckling part, and the buckling part is movable away from the plugging part along an axial direction of the slot.

In a second aspect, the embodiment of this application proposes an electronic device, including:a device body, where the device body is provided with an interface; anda pop-up connector, where the pop-up connector is installed in the interface; wherein the locked state, the buckling part is located in the interface; and in the unlocked state, the buckling part is ejected out of the interface.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following describes in detail the embodiments of the present invention. Examples of the embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Reference numerals which are the same or similar throughout the accompanying drawings represent identical or similar elements or elements having identical or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary, and are only intended to explain the present invention and should not be understood as a limitation of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this application.

Features of terms “first” and “second” in the specification and claims of this application may explicitly or implicitly include one or more such features. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, “a plurality of” means at least two.

In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless expressly specified and defined otherwise, terms such as “mounted”, “connected with each other”, and “connected with” should be understood in a broad sense. For example, “connection” may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; or may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; or may be a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or a connection between two elements. A person of ordinary skill in the art may understand specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on a specific situation.

The following describes the pop-up connector proposed according to the embodiment of the present invention with reference toFIG.1toFIG.4. According to user needs, the pop-up connector can be set as a Type-A connector, a Type-B connector or a Type-C connector.

As shown inFIG.1andFIG.2, according to some embodiments of the present invention, a pop-up connector is provided, and the pop-up connector includes: a plugging part1, a buckling part2and a locking part3.

Specifically, the plugging part1is used for direct connection with a plug, and a slot11is provided in the plugging part1, and the slot11is suitable for plugging and mating with the plug. The buckling part2is mounted on the plugging part1, and the buckling part2is movable relative to the plugging part1along the axial direction of the slot11. The locking part3is provided on the plugging part1, and the locking part3is used to lock the telescopic length of the buckling part2relative to the plugging part1, and can control the plugging part1and the buckling part2to switch between the unlocked state and unlocked state when the plug is inserted.

When the plug is not inserted into the pop-up connector, as shown inFIG.1andFIG.3, the locking part3is in a locked state for locking the plugging part1and the buckling part2, and the buckling part2and the plugging part1overlap at least partially. At this time, the locking part3locks the distance between the buckling part2and the plugging part1.

When the plug is inserted into the pop-up connector, as shown inFIG.2andFIG.4, the locking part3is unlocked under the pressing force of the plug and is separated from the buckling part2, the buckling part2is movable away from the plugging part1along the axial direction of the slot11, after the buckling part2moves to the farthest distance relative to the plugging part1, the ejected buckling part2and the plugging part1constitute a complete connector structure, the buckling part2is sheathed on the plug as a matching space for plug insertion, and the plug is inserted into the slot11through the matching space and connected with the plugging part1.

It should be noted that, in order to reduce the length of the pop-up connector, in the locked state, according to the lengths of the plugging part1and the buckling part2, the entire buckling part2and a part of the plugging part1can overlap, or the entire plugging part1and a part of the buckling part2can overlap, or the entire buckling part2and the entire plugging part completely overlap. Since the plugging part1is directly used to connect to the plug, generally the length of the plugging part1is greater than the length of the buckling part2. On this basis, in order to reduce the length of the pop-up connector, in the locked state, the entire buckling part2and a part of the plugging part1can overlap.

According to the pop-up connector of the embodiment of the present invention, by splitting the connector into a plugging part and a buckling part connected by an elastic member, the buckling part can be ejected or retracted relative to the plugging part, and the locking part is provided to lock or unlock the plugging part and the buckling part, so that the connector can eject the buckling part when the plug is inserted, and the mating space used for connecting the plug originally and set inside the electronic device can be set outside the electronic device. In this way, the internal space of the electronic product is saved, and the utilization of the internal space of the electronic product is improved.

According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, as shown inFIG.5, the pop-up connector further includes: an elastic member4installed between the buckling part2and the plugging part1.

In the locked state, the buckling part2compresses the elastic member4and buckles with the locking part3, the elastic member4is in a compressed state and is compressed between the buckling part2and the plugging part1, and the buckling part2and the plugging part1overlap at least partially. At this time, the locking part3locks the distance between the buckling part2and the plugging part1.

In the unlocked state, the elastic member4drives the buckling part2to move away from the plugging part1along the axial direction of the slot11. After the buckling part2moves to the farthest distance relative to the plugging part1, the elastic member4resets, so that the plugging part1ejects the buckling part2along the deformation direction of the elastic member4. At this time, the elastic member4is in a partially compressed state or in a natural state, is supported between the buckling part2and the plugging part1, the ejected buckling part2and the plugging part1form a complete connector structure, and the buckling part2is sheathed on the plug.

The plugging part1is provided with a limiting step17, and the limiting step17is used to cooperate with the buckling part2to fix the elastic member4. A first end of the elastic member4abuts against the buckling part2, and a second end of the elastic member4abuts against the limiting step17. In the unlocked state, the first end of the elastic member4abuts against the buckling part2to drive the buckling part2to move relative to the plugging part1through elastic force.

The elastic member4can use a reed41, and the reed41is sheathed on the plugging part1. In the locked state, the reed41is supported between the limiting step17and the buckling part2in a compressed state. In the unlocked state, the reed41resets, and the reed41is supported between the limiting step17and the buckling part2in a partially compressed state or in a natural state. The first end of the reed41abuts with the buckling part2, and the second end of the reed41abuts against the limiting step17.

In order to enhance the external thrust of the elastic member4, a plurality of reeds41can generally be set, and adjacent reeds41have opposite elastic directions. In this embodiment, two reeds41are provided, so that after the plugging part1and the buckling part2are unlocked, the two reeds41deform in opposite directions, increasing the overall deformation of the elastic member4, thereby increasing the external thrust of the elastic member4.

Based on the above-mentioned embodiments, according to the pop-up connectors provided by some other embodiments of the present invention, as shown inFIG.5, a side wall of the plugging part1is provided with the installation opening12connected with the slot, the locking part3is rotatably connected with a side wall of the installation opening12, and the locking part3controls the plugging part1and the buckling part2to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state according to the rotating position of the locking part3.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG.6, when the plug is not inserted into the pop-up connector, the locking part3engages the plugging part1and the buckling part2, and the plugging part1and the buckling part2are in a locked state.

When the plug is just inserted into the pop-up connector, as shown inFIG.7, the plug5is in contact with the locking part3, causing the locking part3to rotate in the installation opening12.

When rotating to a certain angle, as shown inFIG.8, the locking part3is unlocked, and at this time, the elastic member4exerts an outward thrust on the buckling part2, the plugging part1and the buckling part2are in the unlocked state, and the buckling part2is ejected relative to the plugging part1until the buckling part2is ejected to the maximum telescopic length. As shown inFIG.9, the buckling part2is fixed relative to the plugging part1. The buckling part2is sheathed on the plug and serves as a matching space for the plug5to be inserted into. The plug5passes through the matching space and is inserted into the slot11to connect with the plugging part1.

If the plug5is pulled out at this time, the plugging part1and the buckling part2are not ejected back automatically, and the plugging part1and the buckling part2are still in the unlocked state. The elastic member4can be compressed to the initial state by pressing the buckling part2, and at the same time the locking part3is pressed by the buckling part2to return to the original rotation angle. At this time, the locking part3can lock the plugging part1and the buckling part2again, causing the entire pop-up connector to be locked again.

Further, as shown inFIG.5toFIG.10, the locking part3includes: a locking body31and a reset part32. At least one side of the locking body31is provided with a rotating shaft33, and the locking body31is hinged with the side wall of the installation opening12through the rotating shaft33. The reset part32is connected with the locking body31, the reset part32is bent toward one side of the plugging part1, and a contact position is formed at the bent position, so that when the plug5is inserted into the slot11, the contact position can contact the plug5.

In this embodiment, each component in the locking part3can adopt metal injection molding (MIM). After components are formed, they are combined with the stamping technology to form the locking body31and the reset part32. Finally, the locking body31and the reset part32are welded through a welding process.

The two opposite sides on the locking body31are hinged with the side wall of the installation opening12through a rotating shaft33. The reset part32can be an elastic piece, the elastic piece is bent, and a bent position of the elastic piece toward the plugging part1is a contact position.

When the plug5is not inserted into the slot11, the reset part32is in a natural state, and its contact position extends into the slot11, and the locking body31is buckled with the buckling part2, so that the plugging part1and the buckling part2are in the locked state, and the elastic member4is compressed between the inserting part1and the buckling part2.

When the plug5is fully inserted into the slot11, the contact position abuts against the plugging part1, the contact position is pressed outwards from the plugging part1, the reset part32is deformed in the direction of the force, and is bent and is close to the side wall of the slot11, the plug5is pressed tightly in the slot11at the same time, and the rotating shaft33is used as the support of the locking body31and the reset part32. Under the action of the moment, the locking body31rotates along a direction opposite to the force of the reset part32, so that the locking body31is separated from the buckling part2. Under the action of the elastic member4, the buckling part2is ejected relative to the plugging part1. At this time, the plugging part1and the buckling part2are in the unlocked state.

In order to ensure that the force of the plug5in the slot11is balanced and stable, the coaxiality of the plugging part1and the buckling part2is improved at the same time. Further, a plurality of installation openings12communicating with the slot11can be provided on the same plugging part1, and the plurality of installation openings12are symmetrically arranged on the same plane of the plugging part1, ensuring that each installation opening12is far from the buckle part2are the same distance.

Correspondingly, a plurality of locking parts3are provided to lock the plugging part1and the buckling part2. In order to enable each locking part3to be locked or unlocked at the same time, each locking part3is in one-to-one correspondence with the installation opening12. When the plug5is not inserted into the slot11, all the locking parts3are used to lock the plugging part1and the buckling part2. When the plug5is fully inserted into the slot11, all locking parts3are unlocked, and the buckling part2is ejected relative to the plugging part1.

Optionally, as shown inFIG.5toFIG.10, one of the locking body31and the buckling part2is provided with a locking protrusion310, and the other is provided with a limiting groove21that cooperates with the locking protrusion310, one of the locking protrusion310and the limiting groove21is disposed on the locking body31, and the other of the locking protrusion310and the limiting groove21is disposed on the buckling part2.

In this embodiment, the locking protrusion310is disposed on the locking body31, and the limiting groove21is disposed on the buckling part2. Since the locking body31is in contact with the side wall of the installation opening12through the rotating shaft33, when the locking protrusion310is located in the limiting groove21, the locking body31fixes the buckling part2and the plugging part1. When the locking protrusion310is located outside the limiting groove21, under the action of the elastic member4, the buckling part2is ejected relative to the plugging part1.

Specifically, as shown inFIG.6, when the plug5is not inserted into the pop-up connector, the locking projection310of the locking body31is located in the limiting groove21, the locking body31fixes the buckling part2and the plugging part1, and the plugging part1and the buckling part2are in a locked state.

When the plug5is just inserted into the pop-up connector, as shown inFIG.7, the plug5is in contact with the contact position, the reset part32is deformed under pressure in the direction of the force, the rotating shaft33is used as a support for the locking body31and the reset part32, and under the action of the moment, the locking body31starts to rotate in the direction opposite to the force of the reset part32.

When rotating to a certain angle, as shown inFIG.8, the locking projection310of the locking body31rotates out of the limiting groove21, the elastic member4exerts an outward thrust on the buckling part2, the plugging part1and the buckling part2are in the unlocked state, and the buckling part2is ejected relative to the plugging part1until the buckling part2is ejected to the maximum telescopic length. As shown inFIG.9, the buckling part2is fixed relative to the plugging part1. The buckling part2is sheathed on the plug5and serves as a matching space for the plug5to be inserted into. The plug5passes through the matching space and is inserted into the slot to connect with the plugging part1.

If the plug5is pulled out at this time, the plugging part1and the buckling part2are not ejected automatically, and the plugging part1and the buckling part2are still in the unlocked state. By pressing the buckle part2, the elastic member4can be compressed to the initial state, and at the same time, the locking body31returns to the initial rotation angle, and the locking protrusion310of the locking body31rotates into the limiting groove21. At this time, the locking part3locks the plugging part1and the buckling part2again, so that the whole pop-up connector is in the locked state again.

In an example according to the present invention, as shown inFIG.5toFIG.9, the buckling part2is a bushing, and the bushing is made by metal injection molding process combined with numerical control machining.

The bushing generally adopts the form of an outer bushing, and the outer bushing is telescopically sheathed outside the plugging part1. The inner wall of the outer bushing is provided with a limiting groove21that cooperates with the locking protrusion310. When the locking protrusion310is located in the limiting groove21, the locking body31fixes the outer bushing and the plugging part1.

If the form of the outer bushing is adopted, as shown in the above-mentioned embodiment, the outer bushing is arranged outside the slot11, and the locking part3is rotatably connected with the side wall of the installation opening12by arranging, on the side wall of the plugging part1, the installation opening12connected with the slot11, so that when the plug5is inserted into the slot11, the plugging part1and the outer bushing are unlocked.

The bushing can also be in the form of an inner bushing according to needs, and the inner bushing is telescopically sheathed in the plugging part1. The outer wall of the inner bushing is provided with a limiting groove21that cooperates with the locking protrusion310. When the locking protrusion310is located in the limiting groove21, the locking body31fixes the inner bushing and the plugging part1.

If the inner bushing is used, the inner bushing pops out of the slot11in the unlocked state, and at least a part of the inner bushing is located in the slot11in the locked state. At this time, the side wall of the plugging part1is provided with the installation opening12communicating with the slot11, or the side wall of the inner bushing is provided with the installation opening12communicating with the slot11, and the locking part3is rotatably connected with the side wall of the installation opening12correspondingly, so that when the plug5is inserted into the slot11, the plugging part1and the inner bushing are unlocked.

Optionally, in order to limit the maximum telescopic length of the plugging part1and the buckling part2, a first limiting buckle16can be provided on the plugging part1, and a second limiting buckle22cooperating with the first limiting buckle16may be set on the buckling part2correspondingly. In the unlocked state, the first limiting buckle16is engaged with the second limiting buckle22to lock the maximum telescopic length between the plugging part1and the buckling part2.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, as shown inFIG.5toFIG.9, the plugging part1includes: a base13. A first end of the base13is provided with a slot11for inserting a plug, and the buckling part2is telescopically connected with the first end of the base13, and a second end of the base13is used for connecting with the device body. The base13can be in the form of a bracket and supported and connected in the device body.

The plugging part further includes: a tongue14, the tongue14is connected with the base13, the connection end of the tongue14and the plug5is located in the slot11, and a safety distance is set between the tongue14and the end surface of the buckling part2, to avoid the tongue14from being exposed and damaged. The tongue14is provided with a plurality of connection pins and a plurality of connection terminals electrically connected with each other. When the plug5is fully inserted into the slot11, the plug5is electrically connected with each connection terminal in the tongue14. Under the condition that the tongue14is not exposed, the pop-up connector can be ejected relative to the device body by about 2 mm, which is equivalent to saving about 2 mm of internal space of the device body.

In order to ensure the tightness between the pop-up connector and the device body, as shown inFIG.5, a sealing ring15can also be added to the plugging part1. By setting the limit structure of the sealing ring15on the base13, the sealing ring15is sheathed on the base13and fixed by the limit structure, so that the sealing ring15seals the gap between the base13and the device body, so as to avoid that the internal components of the device body are in direct contact with the outside.

An electronic device is proposed according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic device can be a mobile phone, a tablet, a computer, an electronic watch and the like.

Now taking a mobile phone as an example, as shown inFIG.11toFIG.14, the electronic device includes: a device body6and a pop-up connector7. One side of the device body6is provided with an interface, and the pop-up connector7is installed in the interface.

As shown inFIG.1toFIG.4, the pop-up connector7includes: a plugging part1, a buckling part2and a locking part3. The plugging part1is used for direct connection with a plug, and the plugging part1is provided with a slot11suitable for inserting a plug. The buckling part2is movable along the axial direction of the slot11relative to the plugging part1. The locking part3is provided on the plugging part1, and the locking part3is used to lock the telescopic length of the plugging part1and the buckling part2, and can control the plugging part1and the buckling part2to switch between the unlocked state and unlocked state when the plug is inserted.

When the plug5is not inserted into the pop-up connector7, as shown inFIG.11, the locking part is in a locked state for locking the plugging part and the buckling part, and the buckling part compresses the elastic member and buckles with the locking part, the elastic member is in a compressed state and is compressed between the buckling part and the plugging part, and the buckling part and the plugging part overlap at least partially. At this time, the locking part locks the distance between the buckling part and the plugging part, and the buckling part is located at the interface.

When the plug is just inserted into the pop-up connector7, as shown inFIG.12, the buckling part is still located in the interface.

When the plug is fully inserted into the pop-up connector7, as shown inFIG.13andFIG.14, the locking part is separated from the buckling part, and the elastic member resets and the buckling part is ejected relative to the plugging part. At this time, the elastic member is in a partial compressed state or natural state and is supported between the buckling part and the plugging part, the ejected buckling part and the plugging part constitute a complete connector structure, the buckling part is sheathed on the plug as a matching space for plug insertion, the plug is inserted into the slot through the matching space and connected with the plugging part, and the buckling part is ejected out of the interface.

It can be understood that, for the specific structure of the pop-up connector7, refer to the relevant text descriptions in the above-mentionedFIG.1toFIG.10, and details will not be repeated here.

According to the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the electronic device is provided with the above-mentioned pop-up connector, the connector can eject the buckling part when the plug is inserted, so that the matching space originally provided inside the electronic device for connecting the plug can be arranged outside the electronic device, so as to save the internal space of the electronic product and improve the utilization of the internal space of the electronic product.

It can be understood that other components and operations of the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention, such as a tablet and a computer, are known to those skilled in the art, and will not be described in detail here.

In the description of this specification, the description with reference to terms such as “an embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “a schematic embodiment”, “an example”, “a specific example”, or “some examples” means that specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in combination with the embodiments or examples are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic descriptions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a proper way in any one or more embodiments or examples.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that various changes, modifications, replacements, and variants may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principle and purpose of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is limited by the claims and their equivalents.