Patent Publication Number: US-2012026669-A1

Title: Portable networking device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The instant disclosure relates to a portable networking device; in particular, a device having a detachable power plug without external power adapter, is easy to carry, can be a storage device connecting individually to the network for storing, accessing, and data management, or can be a wireless networking device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Network Attached Storage (NAS) is developed as a more effective solution for data access over a computer network. As a data management device, the operating system and software of the NAS are specifically designed for file storage, file sharing, and other related purposes. The NAS acts as a data storage server between multiple computers and relieves the file serving responsibilities of a main server on a network. Thus, even in the event where the main servers are shut down or become unavailable for unforeseen reasons, data would remain accessible via the NAS. Also, by not relying on main servers and not competing for system/networking resources, the implementation of NAS allows faster data access over a network environment. 
     Component-wise, NAS usually has one or more hard disks arranged in an array known as RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks). The usage of multiple hard disks increases the storage capacity and availability for better data management. NAS has a broad scope of applications, ranging from personal and home office uses to enterprise-level applications. 
     Currently, there exists a supporting device called a NAS adapter for connecting a NAS unit onto the computer network. The NAS adaptor itself usually does not contain built-in storage device. Instead, having one or more USB ports, the NAS adapter is capable of connecting to any USB storage device and sharing the storage resources over a network. The separation of data storage functions from the main servers by the NAS devices/adaptors can make network storage more flexible and efficient than the traditional all-in-one server setup. Moreover, the development of portable NAS devices and adaptors may provide even more flexibility and adaptability for the data storage of a computer network. 
     However, external power adapters are often required to power the NAS or the NAS adapter, thus causing inconvenience in the stowing and transport of the NAS equipments. 
     To address the above issue, the inventor conducted research and applied engineering principles in proposing the following solution. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the instant disclosure is to provide a portable networking device, which has data storage capability or acts as an adapter for the storage device The device uses different power plugs for different settings. In particular, a detachable power plug is included to enhance portability. 
     The portable networking device comprises a casing, an internal power connector, a power adapting unit, an internal circuit board, and a network connector disposed on the circuit board. A receiving space is defined by a recessed side surface of the casing. The power adapting unit is fixed inside the casing and connected electrically to the power connector. The power connector can be attached to a detachable power plug, which has a rotatable member to hide or expose the pins. Alternatively, the power connector can be attached to a conventional power cord. 
     For advantages, the portable networking device has a compact design, a detachable power plug, and does not need an external power adapter. All of which enhance the portability of the networking device. 
     To further appreciate the characteristics and technical contents of the instant disclosure, references are hereunder made to the detailed descriptions and appended drawings in connection with the instant disclosure. However, the appended drawings are merely shown for exemplary purposes, rather than being used to restrict the scope of the instant disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a portable networking device of the instant disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a detachable power plug for the portable networking device of the instant disclosure 
         FIG. 2A  is an exploded view of a casing for the detachable power plug of the instant disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the portable networking device attached to a power cord of the instant disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the portable networking device with exposed pins of the instant disclosure 
         FIG. 5  is another isometric view of the portable networking device with exposed pins of the instant disclosure 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the portable networking device with concealed pins of the instant disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1 , which shows an exploded view of a portable networking device of the instant disclosure. The device comprises a rectangular casing  10 , a power connector  20 , a power adapting unit  30 , and a circuit board  60 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, the device further includes a data storage unit  62  disposed besides the circuit board  60 . The data storage unit  62  is usually a hard disk for storing and sharing data files. Optionally, a wireless transmission module  66  can be disposed next to the circuit board  60  for engaging wireless communication. The bottom of the circuit board  60  has a network interface  61 , such as a RJ45 female connector for computer networking, and at least one electrical interface  63 . The electrical interface  63  can be a standard USB port or a mini USB port  65 . 
     Noteworthy, the portable networking device of the instant disclosure can be a NAS by incorporating the data storage unit  62 . Alternatively, by dismissing the data storage unit  62 , the portable networking device becomes a NAS adapter instead. Through the network, the NAS adapter can allow multiple computers to access data files or be connected to an external hard disk, a flash drive, a printer, a webcam, or the like via the electrical interfaces  63  and  65 . In addition, when the network cable is unavailable, the instant disclosure can use the wireless transmission module  66 , to allow multiple computers to access data files or be connected to an external hard disk, a flash drive, a printer, a webcam, or the like via the electrical interfaces  63  and  65 . 
     The structural composition of the portable networking device is as follows. The casing  10  is made up by a first casing member  10   a  and a second casing member  10   b . A receiving space  105  is formed on the exterior side surface of the second casing member  10   b . A plurality of venting grids  107  are formed on the casing  10  for heat dissipation. 
     The power connector  20  is partially exposed of the casing  10 . For the instant disclosure, a detachable power plug  50  and a power cord  40  having a power plug  42  can be selectively attached to the power connector  20 . The power adapting unit  30  is enclosed by the casing  10  and electrically connected to the power connector  20 , thus providing power input to the circuit board  60 . 
     For the instant disclosure, the portable networking device has a compact design, which allows for easy stowing and transport. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the device can stand upright, or be laid down flatly (not shown). In  FIG. 1 , the power adapting unit  30  is disposed behind the power connector  20 , where both are located at the upper end within the casing  10 . Relative to the circuit board  60 , the power connector  20  and the power adapting unit  30  are located near the upper edge thereof. Meanwhile, a heat sink  64  is disposed on one side of the circuit board  60 . For the portable networking device, the maximum thickness is determined by the dimensional aspect of the detachable power plug  50 . The thicknesses of all other portions are thinner than the detachable power plug  50 . The overall thickness of the device is approximately twice the width of a 110 VAC power plug, and the venting grids  107  are disposed across the thickness of the casing  10  for heat dissipation. 
     Based on the surroundings, the portable networking device can either attach to a power cord  40  having a power plug  42  or a detachable power plug  50 . The option allows the device to have more flexibility in receiving electricity input. Meanwhile, the internal power adapting unit  30  converts the voltage from the line power for the device. The detachable power plug  50  includes a rotatable member  57  with a pair of conducting pins  55 , which can be received in the receiving space  105  of the casing  10  to hide therein. Therefore, no external power adapter is necessary, which enables the user to stow and transport the device more easily. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , which shows an exploded view of the detachable power plug  50 , and a detailed explanation is given here. The detachable power plug  50  includes an insulating body  51 , a pair of connecting members  53   a  and  53   b , a pair of conducting pins  55   a  and  55   b , and a rotatable member  57  sandwiched by the connecting members  53   a  and  53   b . The conducting pins  55   a  and  55   b  are partially received in the rotatable member  57 . The insulating body  51  comprises a cover  51   a  and a U-shaped holder  51   b.    
     The connecting members  53   a  and  53   b  are received inside the insulating body  51  for connecting to the power connector  20 . Specifically, the connecting members  53   a  and  53   b  are L-shaped and each has a contacting end  531  for connecting to the power connector  20 . Meanwhile, the connecting members  53   a  and  53   b  are interconnected to the conducting pins  55   a  and  55   b  via fixing ends  533 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, a pair of rivets  535  is used to interconnect the conducting pins  55   a  and  55   b  to the connecting members  53   a  and  53   b  at the fixing ends  533 . The rivets  535  run through the conducting pins  55   a  and  55   b  and the fixing ends  533 . A pair of receiving slots  570  is formed on the rotatable member  57  to receive the head portions of the rivets  535 . To secure the conducting pins  55   a  and  55   b  to the rotatable member  57 , a pair of locking pieces  551  is used. Specifically, each locking piece  551  has a protrusion  552  for engaging to the matching groove  550  on the conducting pins  55   a  and  55   b . A pair of slots  571  is formed on the rotatable member  57  to receive the locking pieces  551 . Thus, the conductng pins  55   a  and  55   b  are secured to the rotatable member  57 . In addition, interconnected by the rivets  535 , a pair of flexible members  553  is disposed in between the conducting pins  55   a  and  55   b  and the connecting members  53   a  and  53   b  respectively. The locking pieces  551  and the flexible members  553  are made of metallic materials. 
     The rotatable member  57  can be rotatably received inside the insulating body  51 . The rotational axis of the rotatable member  57  is parallel to the long axle of the casing  10 . The conducting pins  55   a  and  55   b  can be selectively rotated and be perpendicular to the adjacent side surface of the casing  10 . 
     For mounting the detachable power plug  50  to the casing  10 , a structural description is given here with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 2A . As for the casing  10 , an engaging member  101  is formed on the upper surface of the second casing member  10   b . Correspondingly, an engaging slot  511  is formed on the cover  51   a  of the insulating body  51  for the detachable power plug  50 . In the exemplary embodiment, the engaging member  101  is disposed on the upper surface of the second casing member  10   b , and the engaging slot  511  is formed on the cover  51   a . At least one set slot  512  is formed on the insulating body  51  of the detachable power plug  50 . At least one set piece  102  is formed on the casing  10  in corresponding to the set slot  512 . Please refer to  FIG. 2A , where in the exemplary embodiment, two set slots  512  and  513  are formed on the holder  51   b  in a diagonal orientation. Two set pieces  102  and  103  are formed on the casing  10 . The set pieces  102  and  103  guide and secure the detachable power plug  50 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 3 , which shows an isometric view of the portable networking device attached to the power cord  40 . The connector  44  of the power cord  40  is plugged to the power connector  20 , and the power plug  42  is connected to the line power. 
     Alternatively, the portable networking device can be attached to the detachable power plug  50  as shown in  FIG. 4 , where the rotatable member  57  is rotated to expose the conducting pins  55 . The conducting pins  55  can be selectively rotated to be perpendicular to the adjacent side surface of the casing  10 . Relative to the flat surface of the receiving space  105  of the casing  10 , the conducting pins  55  rotate in a parallel fashion. In other words, the exposed conducting pins  55  are perpendicular to the side surface of the casing  10 . 
     Likewise,  FIG. 5  shows another isometric view of the portable networking device attached to the detachable power plug  50 , where the conducting pins  55  are exposed at another orientation. In the figure, the conducting pins  55  of the detachable power plug  50  are rotated and perpendicular to the bottom face of the casing  10 . 
     For  FIG. 6 , the conducting pins  55  of the detachable power plug  50  are received in the receiving space  105  of the casing  10 , which makes easy for stowing and transport. By pressing the engaging member  101  on the casing  10 , the detachable power plug  50  can be released off to dismount from the casing  10 . 
     For advantages, the portable networking device of the instant disclosure has a compact design. Also, the detachable power plug has concealable conducting pins. In use, the conducting pins can be exposed at two orientations, and no external power adapter is needed. All of which allow for easy stowing and transport for the user. 
     The descriptions illustrated supra set forth simply the preferred embodiments of the instant disclosure; however, the characteristics of the instant disclosure are by no means restricted thereto. All changes, alternations, or modifications conveniently considered by those skilled in the art are deemed to be encompassed within the scope of the instant disclosure delineated by the following claims.