Patent Publication Number: US-2023163516-A1

Title: Assembled waterproof and dustproof structure for a charging device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE STATEMENT 
     The present application is based on, and claims priority from, Taiwan Patent Application Serial Number 111145314, filed Nov. 25, 2022, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to technology field of assembled structure for charging devices, and more particularly, an assembled waterproof and dustproof structure for a charging device. 
     Related Art 
     With the development of science and technology, more and more types of electronic products are announced and widely used in people&#39;s daily life. At present, most electronic products or power tools have equipped with a USB interface for charging or connecting and communicating with other electronic computing devices. The charging devices that provide power for these electronic products or power tools also need to be charged through the corresponding USB ports. 
     When the charging device is in use, the charging or communication with other electronic devices is performed through the USB interface, which is the weak spot of the entire device being waterproof and dustproof. In order to prevent the charging device from malfunctioning due to moisture or dust entering through the USB interface, a USB protective cover is generally designed to cover the USB interface. 
     To solve this issue, U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/770,830 B2 proposed a USB cover connecting structure for an electronic product, which includes a USB cover, covering a USB port of an electronic product, and disposed on a case of the electronic product. A first extending part and a second extending part are disposed on opposite ends of the USB cover, and a first gap and a second gap are formed between the first extending part, the second extending part, and sidewalls of the USB cover. 
     CN Patent number 201766226 U proposed a USB cover, which comprises holder and the cover that is arranged on the holder, the cover protrudes towards the holder direction and is extended with limit column, the limit column end is provided with limit stop, the holder is provided with the clamping breach, the limit column is arranged in the clamping breach, and the cover is positioned at one side of the clamping breach, and the limit stop is positioned at the opposite side of the clamping breach. 
     Although the above prior arts disclosed that the USB cover can achieve a dustproof effect, it does not disclose specific waterproof measures or structures. 
     However, it is important and indispensable to provide a firmed and tightly sealed dustproof and waterproof structure for the casing of a charging device to supply electric power to electronic products or electric tools. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the above problems, an assembled waterproof and dustproof structure for a charging device, which includes a charging device casing with a first opening, a cable cover assembly including a base provided with an USB connection interface and an accommodating space, a bracket structure with a second opening, and a cover covering the USB connection interface to form a waterproof and dustproof protective cover. The first opening, the USB connection interface and the second opening are aligned with each other. The cable cover assembly, the charging device casing and the bracket structure utilize a set of snap-type components respectively disposed on the cable cover assembly and the bracket structure to form a waterproof and dust-proof snap-fit structure that closely fits in sequence from outside to inside. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the set of snap-type components includes: a plurality of snap hooks disposed on inner side of the cable cover assembly and located around the USB connection interface; a plurality of slots disposed on corresponding locations around the second opening of the bracket structure, wherein the plurality of snap hooks buckled on the plurality slots to form snap-fit structure. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the cover includes a rubber cover body with a plug structure, a cylinder extends outward from the rubber cover body, and end of the cylinder has a limit stop portion, and the plug structure has a plurality of waterproof ring. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the cover is fixed on the USB connection interface by the plug structure to block external dust and moisture. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the cover is rotationally connected to the USB connection interface through an elliptical slot from outside of the cable cover assembly. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the USB connection interface is electrically coupled to a USB circuit board assembly including a USB connector and a corresponding driving circuit. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the USB circuit board assembly is fixed on an inner side of the cable cover assembly, and the USB connector penetrates the USB connection interface through a USB opening provided in the USB connection interface. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the accommodating space provided on the base of the cable cover assembly is used for accommodating externally connected DC power cords and the USB circuit board assembly. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the USB circuit board assembly is electrically connected to battery pack and its peripheral circuit disposed in the charging device casing through the first opening and the second opening. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the charging device casing further comprises an embedded groove disposed on outer side thereof for accommodating the DC power cords. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The components, characteristics and advantages of the present invention may be understood by the detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments outlined in the specification and the drawings attached: 
         FIG.  1 ( a )  illustrates an exploded schematic diagram of the assembled waterproof and dustproof structure for a charging device according to one aspect of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  1 ( b )- 1 ( c )  respectively show the combined diagrams of the assembled waterproof and dustproof structure for a charging device from different viewing angles according to one aspect of the present invention. 
         FIGS.  2 ( a )- 2 ( b )  respectively show the combined diagrams corresponding to the closed state and the open state of the rubber USB cover proposed by the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic diagram showing the assembly steps of the rubber USB outer cover of the present invention installed on the cable cover assembly. 
         FIG.  4 ( a )  is a schematic diagram showing the assembly steps of the cable cover assembly, the charging device casing and the bracket structure proposed by the present invention. 
         FIG.  4 ( b )  shows a rear view of the assembled waterproof and dustproof structure for a charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  4 ( c )  shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled waterproof and dustproof structure for a charging device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail. However, it should be recognized that the preferred embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration rather than limiting the present invention. In addition, the present invention can be practiced in a wide range of other embodiments besides those explicitly described, and the scope of the present invention is not expressly limited except as specified in the accompanying claims. 
     The purpose of the present invention is to provide an assembled waterproof and dustproof structure for a charging device. 
     In order to achieve the above object, the present invention utilizes a set of snap-type components to connect a cable cover assembly with a waterproof and dustproof cover outside the housing of the charging device and a bracket structure located inside the housing, and develop a new opening and closing structure design at the USB interface to increase space to install USB interface related PCB circuit board and DC cords. The casing of the overall charging device can reduce the use of screws and increase the internal space, and has the functions of waterproof and dustproof. 
       FIG.  1 ( a )  illustrates an exploded schematic diagram of the assembled waterproof and dustproof structure for a charging device according to one aspect of the present invention. Please also refers to  FIGS.  1 ( b )- 1 ( c ) , which respectively show the combined diagrams of the assembled waterproof and dustproof structure for a charging device from different viewing angles. Buckle-type components are used to couple the cable cover assembly  103  having waterproof and dustproof cover located outside the charging device casing  101  and a bracket structure  105  inside the charging device casing  101 . The buckle-type components (not shown) are disposed on the inner side of the cable cover assembly  103 . The waterproof and dustproof cover is a rubber USB outer cover  106 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 ( a ) , the cable cover assembly  103  includes a base  103   a , and the base  103   a  has an accommodating space for accommodating an externally connected DC power cord  103   b  and the USB PCB circuit board assembly  104 , the base  103   a  also has an extended alignment connection portion  103   c  for aligning the charging device casing  101 , and the base  103   a  is disposed with a USB connection interface  103   d  for connecting a USB PCB circuit board assembly  104  in an accommodating space inside the device casing  101  and a rubber USB cover  106  snap-sealed from the outside. 
     In one embodiment, the USB connection interface  103   d  is disposed with a USB port and an oval slot, and the USB port is used for accommodating the USB connector installed on the USB PCB circuit board assembly  104 . The oval slot is used for rotationally connecting the rubber USB cover  106 , which is waterproof and dustproof. 
     In one embodiment, the buckle-type components disposed on the inner side of the cable cover assembly  103  are a plurality of snap hooks, where the snap hooks are arranged around the USB connection interface  103   d.    
     In one embodiment, the USB PCB circuit board assembly  104  includes a USB connector and a corresponding driving circuit. 
     In one embodiment, the externally engaged rubber USB cover  106  includes a rubber cover body  106   a  having a plug structure and a cylinder  106   b  extending outward from the rubber cover body  106   a , and the end of the cylinder has a limit stop portion  106   c . The plug structure includes a plurality of waterproof rings. 
     In one embodiment, the USB PCB circuit board assembly  104  is fixed to the inner side of the USB connection interface  103   d  of the cable cover assembly  103  through a plurality of screws  107 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 ( a ) , the portion of the charging device casing  101  that is engaged with the cable cover assembly  103  and the bracket structure  105  at least includes: a casing  101   a , an outer cover platform  101   b  extends from the casing  101   a  and a square opening  101   c  disposed on the casing  101   a . The USB PCB circuit board assembly  104  can be electrically connected to the battery pack and its peripheral circuits disposed in the casing  101   a  through the square opening (the first square opening)  101   c  and the second square opening  105   a.    
     Referring to  FIG.  1 ( a ) , the portion of the charging device casing  101  assembled with the cable cover assembly  103  and the bracket structure  105  further includes an embedded groove  101   d  (disposed in the outside) for embedding the cable cover assembly  103  including a DC cord  103   b.    
     According to the embodiment of the present invention, when the charging device casing  101  is assembled with the cable cover assembly  103 , the alignment connecting portion  103   c  of the cable cover assembly  103  and the embedded groove  101   d  of the charging device casing  101  can be used to align the charging device casing  101  and the cable cover assembly  103 , enabling that the USB connection interface  103   d  of the cable cover assembly  103  can be aligned with the square opening (first square opening)  101   c  of the charging device casing  101 . The alignment connecting portion  103   c  of the cable cover assembly  103  is aligned with and bears against the outer cover platform  101   b  of the charging device casing  101  during assembly. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 ( a ) , the bracket structure  105  is disposed with a square through hole (second square opening)  105   a , and a plurality of corresponding slots  105   b  are arranged around it. The bracket structure  105  has an L-shaped profile. 
     How to use snap-type components to connect the cable cover assembly  103  with the waterproof and dustproof cover and the bracket structure  105  located outside the charging device casing  101  will be described in the following paragraphs. 
       FIGS.  2 ( a )- 2 ( b )  respectively show the combined diagrams of the assembled waterproof and dustproof structure for a charging device corresponding to the closed state and the open state of the rubber USB cover proposed by the present invention. 
       FIG.  2 ( a )  shows that the rubber USB cover  106  is inserted into the oval slot of the USB connection interface  103   d  through its cylinder  106   b  (refer to  FIG.  2 ( b ) ), and then is buckled by the plug structure of the rubber USB cover  106  to fix on the USB connection interface  103   d  for blocking external dust and moisture. 
       FIG.  2 ( b )  shows the open state of the rubber USB cover  106 , and the top view of  FIG.  2 ( b )  shows that the rubber USB cover  106  is pulled outward from the closed state, because the cylinder  106   b  has a certain length, the rubber USB cover  106  may not be immediately separated from the USB connection interface  103   d ; the lower diagram of  FIG.  2 ( b )  shows that the rubber USB cover  106  is pulled outward and then rotated 90 degrees. Due to the design of the limit stop  106   c  at the end thereof, the limit stop  106   c  can be caught by the oval slot of the USB connection interface  103   d  and the rubber USB cover  106  will not fall off. 
       FIG.  3    shows the assembly steps of the rubber USB cover  106  being mounted on the cable cover assembly  103 , first of all, as shown in  FIG.  1   , the USB PCB circuit board assembly  104 , including the USB connector and the corresponding driving circuit, is fastened to the inner side of the cable cover assembly  103  by screws, and the USB connector is passed through the USB port of the connection interface  103   d , wherein an oval slot  103   f  is disposed beside the USB port  103   e  of the USB connection interface  103   d ; next (step  1 ), the cylinder  106   b  of the rubber USB cover  106  is inserted into the oval slot  103   f  beside the USB port  103   e  from the limit stop  106   c  at the end, wherein the limit stop  106   c  on the cylinder is of oval-shaped design for enabling it to pass through the oval slot  103   f  in a specific direction, and in the remaining directions the limit stop  106   c  will be stuck by the oval slot  103   f , and the limit stop  106   c  on the cylinder is designed to be used for positioning; in the next step (step  2 ), the rubber USB outer cover  106  is rotated 90 degrees to cover, and the way of fixing it is to use the plug (4-layer waterproof ring) of the rubber USB cover  106  to fasten and seal. Since the cylinder  106   b  of the rubber USB cover  106  is designed to be off-center and has an oval limit stop  106   c , when the rubber USB cover  106  is closed, the oval limit stop  106   c  can pass the USB PCB circuit board assembly  104 , and this configuration can be used in designs with space constraints. 
     Finally, the assembly method of the cable cover assembly  103 , the charging device casing  101  and the bracket structure  105  will be described. Please refer to  FIG.  4 ( a )  for details. Following the description in the previous paragraph, after the cable cover assembly  103  and the rubber USB outer cover  106  are assembled, that is, after step  1  and step  2  are completed; in step  3 , the bracket structure  105  is coupled to the charging device casing  101  (inside it), and the way of engaging is through the alignment platform  105   c  of the bracket structure  105  against the inner lower edge of the outer cover platform  101   c  of the charging device casing  101 , then positioned and fixed by screws, so that the square through hole (second square opening)  105   a  of the bracket structure  105  is aligned with the square opening (first square opening)  101   c  of the charging device casing  101 ; the size of the first square opening  101   c  is larger than that of the second square opening  105   a . After the bracket structure  105  is engaged in the charging device casing  101 , the plurality of slots  105   b  disposed around the second square opening  105   a  can be exposed to the first square opening  101   c ; next, the cable cover assembly  103  is buckled to a plurality of slots  105   b  disposed on the bracket structure  105  through the first square opening  101   c  by a plurality of snap hooks  103   g  disposed on the inner side of the cable cover assembly  103  surround the corresponding positions of the USB connection interface  103   d  to form a tight fitted waterproof and dustproof buckle structure  100  that engages the cable cover assembly  103 , the charging device casing  101  and the bracket structure  105  in sequence from outside to inside. 
       FIG.  4 ( b )  is a rear view of the assembled waterproof and dustproof structure  100  for a charging device, and the figure shows that a plurality of snap hooks  103   g  are correspondingly buckled to a plurality of slots  105   b.    
       FIG.  4 ( c )  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG.  4 ( a )  along the B-B direction, in which a plurality of snap hooks  103   g  are shown to be engaged with a plurality of corresponding slots  105   b  of bracket structure  105 ; the figure clearly shows that when the plurality of snap hooks  103   g  are engaged with the corresponding plurality of slots  105   b , the alignment platform  105   c  of the bracket structure  105  is against the bottom of the outer cover platform  101   c  of the charging device casing  101 , thereby improving the strength of overall structure, enabling that the USB interface can be supported by the structure, and the assembled structure is not easily loosen after multiple plugging and unplugging. 
     According to the embodiment of the present invention, when the tight fitted waterproof and dustproof buckle structure  100  is formed, which engages the cable cover assembly  103 , the charging device casing  101  and the bracket structure  105  in sequence from the outside to the inside, the first square opening  101   c  of the charging device casing  101  is aligned with the second square opening  105   a  of the bracket structure  105  and the USB connection interface  103   d  of the cable cover assembly  103 . 
     The waterproof and dustproof buckle structure design proposed by the present invention has the advantages of reducing the use of screws, simplifying the mold design and improving the assembly strength. 
     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by a way of example and not limitation. Numerous modifications and variations within the scope of the invention are possible. The present invention should only be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.