Expanded electronic device

Abstract

The present invention provides an expansion electronic device suitable for installation at the edge of a main frame, within which a motherboard is installed. The expansion electronic device comprises an expansion frame and a functional module. The expansion frame forms an expansion box, which has a mounting opening and an inner ring wall formed around the inner edge of the mounting opening. The mounting opening is covered by a protective cover, which has an outer ring wall formed around the outer edge of the protective cover. The outer ring wall matches the inner ring wall in shape, and an elastic ring surface is formed on the outer surface of the outer ring wall, which abuts the inner ring wall to seal the mounting opening. The functional module is installed within the expansion box and is electrically connected to a control wire that passes through the functional module and is used to electrically connect to the motherboard. The expansion electronic device of the present invention can connect its expansion box to a mobile electronic device via the expansion frame, and the expansion box can be equipped with corresponding functional modules according to different usage requirements.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging expansion electronic device arranged at the edge of a mobile electronic device, and in particular to a waterproof charging expansion electronic device with replaceable functions. [Background Technology]

[0002] Due to structural strength considerations, the design of current military-spec mobile electronic devices is difficult to modify. Any changes to the exterior design require a complete redesign of the housing to meet structural strength requirements. Consequently, it's difficult to directly install expansion modules onto existing military-spec mobile electronic devices while maintaining structural strength. Therefore, tailored designs must be developed for different applications.

[0003] In view of this, the present inventor has conducted intensive research on the above-mentioned prior art and applied theoretical knowledge to try his best to solve the above-mentioned problems, which has become the improvement goal of the present inventor. [Summary of the invention]

[0004] The invention provides a waterproof and expandable electronic device with replaceable functions.

[0005] The present invention provides an expansion electronic device suitable for installation at the edge of a main frame, wherein a motherboard is installed within the main frame. The expansion electronic device comprises an expansion frame and a functional module. The expansion frame forms an expansion box, which has a mounting opening and an inner annular wall formed at the inner edge of the mounting opening. The mounting opening is covered by a protective cover, which has an outer annular wall formed at the outer edge of the protective cover. The outer annular wall matches the outer shape of the inner annular wall, and an elastic annular surface is formed on the outer surface of the outer annular wall, which abuts the inner annular wall to seal the mounting opening. The functional module is installed within the expansion box and is electrically connected to a control cable, which passes through the expansion box and is used to electrically connect to the motherboard.

[0006] The expansion electronic device of the present invention has an expansion box with a control circuit board, a control wire connected to the control circuit board, and a functional module electrically connected to the control circuit board. The functional module is a fingerprint scanner, a barcode scanner, a magnetic stripe reader, or a communication port.

[0007] The expansion electronic device of the present invention has an expansion box with an operation port, and the functional module includes an operation interface, and the operation interface is exposed at the operation port. The expansion box has an operation port, and the functional module includes a water retaining wall surrounding the operation port, a waterproof sheet is stacked on the top edge of the water retaining wall, and the waterproof sheet closes the top edge of the water retaining wall, the waterproof sheet has a first opening, a pressure plate is stacked on the waterproof sheet, the sheet has a second opening, the first opening overlaps the second opening, and a cover is stacked on the pressure plate to close the second opening. The operation interface includes a magnetic head. The operation interface is connected to a serial wiring wire, the serial wiring wire passes through the cover plate, and the cover plate is sealed with a glue material at the point where the serial wiring wire passes through. A control circuit board is provided in the expansion box, and the serial wiring wire is connected to the control circuit board

[0008] The expansion electronic device of the present invention has an inner retaining wall protruding from the expansion box, an inner ring wall and the inner retaining wall are spaced apart, and an outer ring wall is sandwiched between the inner ring wall and the inner retaining wall. Functional modules are arranged within the range of the inner retaining wall.

[0009] The expansion electronic device of the present invention connects its expansion box to a mobile electronic device via an expansion frame. The expansion box can be equipped with functional modules tailored to specific needs. This design only requires changes to the expansion box, without significantly altering the overall structure of the mobile electronic device. Therefore, the mobile electronic device of the present invention is widely applicable to a wide range of applications. The mobile electronic device of the present invention can be easily modified to accommodate different applications, thereby reducing design modification costs and development time.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the expansion electronic device in use according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional exploded schematic diagram of the expansion electronic device in use according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the expansion electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is another exploded perspective view of the expansion electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 5 This is another exploded perspective view of the expansion electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a functional frame bar of an expanded electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Specific implementation method]

[0016] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first embodiment of the present invention provides an expansion electronic device, which is suitable for being set in a mobile electronic device. The mobile electronic device at least includes a main frame 10, a back cover 20 and a display panel 30. The structure thereof is summarized as follows. Generally speaking, the main frame 10 is a flat body that is roughly rectangular. However, the main frame 10 can also be configured as a flat body with different shapes according to different needs. The main board 11 is stacked on the main frame 10 and embedded in the main frame 10. The back cover 20 and the display panel 30 are respectively stacked on the main frame 10 on two sides to cover the two sides of the main frame 10. The display panel 30 is preferably fixed to the main frame 10 by adhesive bonding, so there is no need to provide a separate cover to fix it. In this way, the main frame 10 is clamped between the back cover 20 and the display panel 30 to close the two sides of the main frame 10.

[0017] The expansion electronic device of the present invention is suitable for installation at the edge of the aforementioned main frame 10. Specifically, the expansion electronic device of the present invention comprises an expansion frame 100 and a functional module 200. The expansion frame 100 is used to connect the functional module 200 to the mobile electronic device. The structure of the expansion electronic device of the present invention and its assembly with the mobile electronic device are described in detail below.

[0018] The expansion bar 100 is disposed on the edge of the main frame 10, preferably on one side of the edge of the main frame 10. The expansion bar 100 can be locked and connected to the main frame 10. The expansion bar 100 is long and has a pair of flanges 110 protruding from one side of the expansion bar 100. The pair of flanges 110 are a front flange 111 and a rear flange 112. The expansion bar 100 presses and secures the back cover 20 to the main frame 10 via the rear flange 112. The front flange 111 of the expansion bar 100 can be pressed against the main frame 10 and can also be further pressed against the edge of the display panel 30 to press and secure the display panel 30 to the main frame 10.

[0019] See Figures 3 to 5 An expansion box 120 is formed protruding from the expansion frame 100, and the expansion box 120 preferably protrudes from the other side of the expansion frame 100 relative to the pair of flanges 110. The expansion box 120 is formed with a mounting opening 101, and the inner edge of the mounting opening 101 is formed with an inner annular wall 121. The mounting opening 101 is covered by a protective cover 130, and the outer edge of the protective cover 130 is formed with an outer annular wall 131. The outer annular wall 131 matches the outer shape of the inner annular wall 121. The outer surface of the outer annular wall 131 is formed with an elastic annular surface 132, which abuts against the inner annular wall 121 to tightly fit the mounting opening 101.

[0020] The functional module 200 is disposed within the expansion box 120 and can be inserted into the expansion box 120 through the mounting opening 101 therein. The functional module 200 is electrically connected to a control cable 220, which passes through the expansion box 120 and is used to electrically connect to the motherboard 11. A wiring port 103 is formed within the expansion frame 100, communicating with the expansion box 120 and allowing the control cable 220 to pass through the expansion box 120 and electrically connect to the motherboard 11. The wiring port 103 is preferably located between the pair of flanges 110 of the expansion frame 100.

[0021] In this embodiment, the expansion box 120 houses two sets of functional modules 200 with distinct functions, enabling the electronic device to expand its capabilities. A control circuit board 140 is housed within the expansion box 120. Each functional module 200 is electrically connected to the control circuit board 140. The control circuit board 140, in turn, extends through the expansion box 120 and is electrically connected to the motherboard 11 via a control cable 220. This allows each functional module 200 to be electrically connected to the motherboard 11.

[0022] In this embodiment, the two functional modules 200a and 200b within the expansion box 120 are a fingerprint scanner and a magnetic stripe reader, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this and could also be a barcode scanner. The expansion box 120 has an operation port 102a and 102b corresponding to each functional module 200a and 200b, respectively. The fingerprint scanner's operation interface 210a covers the inside of the corresponding operation port 102a, thereby closing the operation port 102a. The operation interface 210a is then connected to the control circuit board 140 via a series of wiring cables 230a. A retaining wall 150 is provided within the expansion box 120. The retaining wall 150 cooperates with the inner wall of the expansion box 120 to surround the operation port 102b corresponding to the magnetic stripe reader. The operation interface 210b of the magnetic stripe reader includes a magnetic head 211b exposed from the corresponding operation port 102b and a guide plate 212b covering the magnetic head 211b. A gap is formed between the magnetic head 211b and the guide plate 212b to allow a card to pass through so that the magnetic stripe on the card can be read by the magnetic head 211b. The magnetic stripe reader's operating interface 210b has a magnetic head 211b positioned within the area enclosed by the water barrier 150. A waterproof sheet 160 is stacked on the top edge of the water barrier 150, enclosing the top edge of the water barrier 150. The waterproof sheet 160 defines a first opening 161, and a pressure plate 170 is stacked on the waterproof sheet 160. The pressure plate 170 defines a second opening 171, overlapping the first opening 161 and the second opening 171. A cover plate 180 is stacked on the pressure plate 170 to close the second opening 171. The magnetic head 211b is connected to a string wire 230b. The string wire 230b extends through the first opening 161, the second opening 171, and through the cover plate 180. The point on the cover plate 180 where the string wire 230b penetrates is sealed with an adhesive 231. The string wire 230b is further connected to the control circuit board 140.

[0023] Furthermore, an inner retaining wall 122 protrudes from the expansion box 120. The inner retaining wall 122 is positioned within the area enclosed by the inner annular wall 121. The inner annular wall 121 and the inner retaining wall 122 are spaced apart so that the outer annular wall 131 is sandwiched between the inner annular wall 121 and the inner retaining wall 122. The functional modules 200 are positioned within the area enclosed by the inner retaining wall 122. Therefore, when the expansion box 120 is impacted by external forces, the inner retaining wall 122 prevents the outer annular wall 131 from deforming inward and damaging the functional modules 200a and 200b.

[0024] A plurality of function keys 12 may be provided on the edge of the main frame 10. The function keys 12 may be disposed on one side of the main frame 10 or on an edge surface of the main frame 10. An expansion frame 100 may cover the function keys 12, and a plurality of keycaps 190 may be provided on the expansion frame 100 corresponding to each function key 12. Each keycap 190 is exposed on the surface of the expansion frame 100, allowing the user to press the function key 12. The function keys 12 may also be integrated with the keycaps 190 and disposed within the expansion frame 100, with each keycap 190 being exposed on the surface of the expansion frame 100. In this embodiment, the keycaps 190 are preferably exposed on the front flange 111 of the expansion frame 100. The front flange 111 of the expansion frame 100 may have holes for assembling the keycaps 190. Alternatively, the keycaps 190 may be bonded to the expansion frame 100 through double-injection molding for ease of assembly.

[0025] See Figure 6 The second embodiment of the present invention provides an expansion electronic device comprising an expansion frame 100 and a plurality of functional modules 200. The structure of the expansion frame 100 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. The similarities between this embodiment and the first embodiment will not be repeated here. The differences between this embodiment and the first embodiment are described in detail below.

[0026] In this embodiment, the two functional modules 200c and 200d within the expansion box 120 serve as a video communication port and a network communication port, respectively. The expansion box 120 includes an operation port 102c and 102d corresponding to each functional module 200c and 200d. The operation interface 210c for the video communication port is a VGA socket, while the operation interface 210d for the network communication port is an RJ45 socket. Each operation interface 210c and 210d is exposed through the corresponding operation port 102c and 102d, respectively, and each operation port 102c and 102d is sealed with a waterproof cover 123c and 123d, respectively.

[0027] The expansion electronic device of the present invention connects its expansion box 120 to a mobile electronic device via an expansion frame 100. The expansion box 120 can be equipped with corresponding functional modules 200a, 200b, 200c, and 200d to meet different usage requirements. This design only requires changes to the expansion box 120, without significantly altering the overall structure of the mobile electronic device. Therefore, the mobile electronic device of the present invention is widely applicable in a variety of applications. The mobile electronic device of the present invention can be easily modified to meet different applications, thereby reducing design modification costs and development time.

[0028] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. Other equivalent variations that apply the patent spirit of the present invention should all fall within the patent scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An expansion electronic device, adapted to be mounted on a main frame, wherein a mainboard is mounted within the main frame, wherein: The expansion electronic device comprises: An expansion frame bar is provided at the edge of the main frame and has an expansion box formed thereon. The expansion box has an installation opening formed therein, and an inner annular wall is formed at the inner edge of the installation opening. The installation opening is covered with a protective cover, and an outer annular wall is formed at the outer edge of the protective cover. The outer annular wall matches the outer shape of the inner annular wall. An elastic annular surface is formed on the outer surface of the outer annular wall, and the elastic annular surface abuts against the inner annular wall to seal the installation opening. as well as a functional module disposed in the expansion box, the functional module being electrically connected to a control wire that passes through the expansion box and is electrically connected to the motherboard; The expansion box is provided with an operation port, the functional module includes an operation interface, and the operation interface is exposed at the operation port, the functional module includes a water retaining wall surrounding the operation port, the top edge of the water retaining wall is stacked with a waterproof sheet, and the waterproof sheet closes the top edge of the water retaining wall, the waterproof sheet is provided with a first opening, a pressure plate is stacked on the waterproof sheet, the pressure plate is provided with a second opening, the first opening overlaps with the second opening, and a cover plate is stacked on the pressure plate to close the second opening.

2. The electronic device for expansion according to claim 1, wherein: A control circuit board is disposed in the expansion box, the control wire is connected to the control circuit board, and the function module is electrically connected to the control circuit board.

3. The electronic device for expansion according to claim 1, wherein: The functional module is a fingerprint scanner, a barcode scanner, a magnetic stripe reader or a communication port.

4. The electronic device for expansion according to claim 1, wherein: The operation interface includes a magnetic head.

5. The electronic device for expansion according to claim 1, wherein: The operation interface is connected to a series of wiring materials, which penetrate the cover plate, and the portion of the cover plate penetrated by the series of wiring materials is sealed with a glue material.

6. The electronic device for expansion according to claim 5, wherein: A control circuit board is arranged in the expansion box, and the serial wire is connected to the control circuit board.

7. The electronic device for expansion according to claim 1, wherein: An inner retaining wall is protruded from the expansion box. The inner annular wall is spaced apart from the inner retaining wall. The outer annular wall is sandwiched between the inner annular wall and the inner retaining wall.

8. The electronic device for expansion according to claim 7, wherein: The functional module is arranged within the enclosure of the inner retaining wall.

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