Electronic devices

Abstract

An electronic device includes a housing, a stylus, an annular sleeve, a charging switch, and a pair of hooks. The housing has a receiving groove and a base. The receiving groove has an open end, and the base is disposed adjacent to the receiving groove, having a central post projecting along its axial direction. The stylus is adapted to enter and be received within the receiving groove from the open end, and the leading edge of the stylus has a groove. The annular sleeve is fitted onto the central post and has a first protrusion and a second protrusion projecting from its circumferential surface. The first protrusion is located along the path of the stylus from the open end to its complete entry into the receiving groove. The charging switch is disposed adjacent to the base, with the charging switch and the receiving groove located on opposite sides of the base, and the second protrusion is adapted to contact the charging switch. The hooks are located on opposite sides of the receiving groove and are adapted to engage with the groove.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device with a stylus. Background Technology

[0002] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the insertion of a stylus into the casing of an electronic device, as is commonly known. Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the charging process triggered when the stylus is engaged. Please also refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The stylus 110 is inserted into an electronic device 100, such as a laptop or tablet. A known design uses a locking structure 120 on one side to hold the stylus 110 in place. Pressure applied to the stylus 110 by the locking structure 120 pushes it towards a latching structure 130 on the other side, which contacts the charging switch 140 to trigger the charging cycle of the charging device (not shown). This design avoids the risk of the charging switch 140 being damaged by direct contact with the stylus 110.

[0003] However, during the insertion of the stylus 110, it must be ensured that the stylus 110 is inserted to a depth sufficient to trigger the charging state before the charging switch 140 is activated (i.e., the latch structure 130 precisely contacts the charging switch 140 of the charging device). If charging is initiated prematurely by triggering the charging switch 140, it may cause overcurrent in the circuit board of the charging device, thereby damaging the circuit board. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an electronic device that can prevent the charging process from being triggered prematurely.

[0005] An electronic device according to the present invention includes a housing, a stylus, an annular sleeve, a charging switch, and a pair of hooks. The housing has a receiving groove and a base. The receiving groove has an open end, and the base is disposed adjacent to the receiving groove, having a central post protruding along its axial direction. The stylus is adapted to enter from the open end and be received within the receiving groove, and the leading edge of the stylus has a groove. The annular sleeve is sleeved on the central post and has a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding from its circumferential surface. The first protrusion is located on the path of the stylus from the open end to its complete entry into the receiving groove. The charging switch is disposed adjacent to the base, and the charging switch and the receiving groove are located on opposite sides of the base. The second protrusion is adapted to contact the charging switch. The hooks are located on opposite sides of the receiving groove and are adapted to engage with the groove.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the stylus enters the receiving groove from the open end and pushes the first protrusion to drive the annular sleeve to rotate in the first direction around the central post, while the second protrusion contacts and pushes the charging switch, thereby triggering the charging cycle.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing further includes a stop portion located on the movement path of the first protrusion, the stop portion being adapted to limit the rotation angle of the annular sleeve.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the top surface of the base and the bottom surface of the annular sleeve are helical surfaces, and the top surface of the base contacts the bottom surface of the annular sleeve.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the top surface of the base and the bottom surface of the annular sleeve are only in partial contact.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the stylus is disengaged from the receiving groove from the open end, the groove on the leading edge of the stylus is released from interference with the hook, and the annular sleeve rotates in the opposite direction in the first direction around the central post by its own weight, thereby causing the second protrusion to separate from the charging switch.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the charging switch described above provides a second protrusion that is pushed by an elastic restoring force.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the hook is spaced a distance from the inner surface of the housing along the axial direction.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing has a groove located below a hook disposed adjacent to the base.

[0014] Based on the above, the present invention provides an electronic device with a novel architecture. Compared to known electronic devices that may prematurely trigger the charging cycle before the stylus is inserted to the predetermined depth, the electronic device of the present invention uses an annular sleeve instead of a latch structure. The annular sleeve is only pushed and rotated according to the insertion depth of the stylus, and its second protrusion touches the charging switch to trigger the charging cycle. Therefore, the electronic device of the present invention can prevent the charging switch from being prematurely triggered, avoiding overcurrent damage to the circuit board. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a known stylus inserted into the casing of an electronic device.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating the charging process triggered when the stylus is engaged.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a partial perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Top view.

[0019] Figure 5This is an exploded view of the electronic device, omitting the stylus and charging switch.

[0020] Figure 6 A three-dimensional schematic diagram showing how the rotating sleeve rotates when the stylus contacts the first protrusion.

[0021] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Top view.

[0022] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0023] 100: Electronic devices

[0024] 110: Stylus

[0025] 120: Snap-fit ​​structure

[0026] 130: Latch structure

[0027] 132: Spinning arm

[0028] 140: Charging switch

[0029] 200: Electronic devices

[0030] 210: Shell

[0031] 210a: Inner surface

[0032] 212: Receiving slot

[0033] 212a: Open end

[0034] 214: Base

[0035] 214a: Central column

[0036] 214b: Top surface

[0037] 216: Groove

[0038] 218: Stop section

[0039] 220: Stylus

[0040] 222: Trench

[0041] 230: Annular sleeve

[0042] 230a: Bottom surface

[0043] 232:First convex part

[0044] 234:Second convex part

[0045] 240: Charging switch

[0046] 252: Hook / First Hook

[0047] 254: Hook / Second Hook

[0048] A: Axial direction

[0049] D1: First Direction Detailed Implementation

[0050] The electronic device in this embodiment is, for example, a laptop or a tablet computer, but is not limited thereto.

[0051] Figure 3 This is a partial perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 for Figure 3 Top view. Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the electronic device, omitting the stylus and charging switch.

[0052] Please also refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The electronic device 200 includes a housing 210, a stylus 220, an annular sleeve 230, a charging switch 240, and a pair of hooks 252 and 254.

[0053] The housing 210 has a receiving groove 212 and a base 214. The receiving groove 212 has an open end 212a. The base 214 is disposed adjacent to the receiving groove 212 and is located between the charging switch 240 and the receiving groove 212. The base 214 has a central post 214a protruding along the axial direction A.

[0054] The stylus 220 can be stored in the housing 210. Specifically, when the stylus 220 is to be stored in the housing 210, the stylus 220 is inserted into the receiving groove 212 from the opening end 212a and placed therein, wherein the direction in which the stylus 220 enters the receiving groove 212 is perpendicular to the axial direction A.

[0055] The annular sleeve 230 is fitted onto the central post 214a, so the annular sleeve 230 can rotate with the central post 214a as the axis of rotation. The annular sleeve 230 has a first protrusion 232 and a second protrusion 234 protruding from its circumferential surface, wherein the first protrusion 232 is located on the movement path of the stylus 220 from the opening end 212a to fully entering the receiving groove 212, and the second protrusion 234 is adapted to contact the charging switch 240.

[0056] The stylus 220 has a groove 222 at its leading edge, and hooks 252 and 254 for engaging with the groove 222 of the stylus 220 are provided on opposite sides of the receiving groove 212. The hooks 252 and 254 can be integrally formed with the housing 210 during the injection molding process.

[0057] Specifically, a first hook 252 is provided on the side of the receiving groove 212 closer to the base 214, and a second hook 254 is provided on the other side of the receiving groove 212 farther from the base 214. Furthermore, along the axial direction A, both the first hook 252 and the second hook 254 are spaced a distance from the inner surface of the housing 210. The positions of the first hook 252 and the second hook 254 are spaced a distance from the inner surface of the housing 210 along the axial direction A (as shown in...). Figure 5 This can prevent the hooks 252 and 254 from generating surface friction due to contact with the inner surface of the housing 210 when they are in operation, which would affect the proper engagement of the hooks 252 and 254 with the groove 222.

[0058] In addition, the housing 210 also has a groove 216, which is located below the first hook 252 provided adjacent to the base 214. The groove 216 is formed during the injection molding of the housing 210 using a mold.

[0059] The housing 210 also includes a stop 218 located on the movement path of the first protrusion 232, wherein the stop 218 is used to limit the movement distance of the first protrusion 232, thereby limiting the rotation angle of the annular sleeve 230.

[0060] In this embodiment, the top surface 214b of the base 214 and the bottom surface 230a of the annular sleeve 230 are both helical surfaces, and the top surface 214b of the base 214 contacts the bottom surface 230a of the annular sleeve 230. The top surface 214b of the base 214 and the bottom surface 230a of the annular sleeve 230 may only partially contact each other.

[0061] The purpose of designing the top surface 214b of the base 214 and the bottom surface 230a of the annular sleeve 230 to only partially contact each other is to reduce surface friction, so that the annular sleeve 230 can rotate smoothly around the central column 214a as the rotation center.

[0062] Please refer to Figure 5 Incidentally, to ensure that the top surface 214b of the base 214 and the bottom surface 230a of the annular sleeve 230 only partially contact each other, a step can be provided on the bottom surface 230a of the annular sleeve 230. When the annular sleeve 230 is fitted onto the central column 214a, along the axial direction A, the height of one part of the bottom surface 230a is higher than the height of the other part. Simultaneously, the step can also help limit the range of rotation angle of the annular sleeve 230.

[0063] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram showing how a stylus contacting the first protrusion causes the rotating sleeve to rotate. Figure 7 for Figure 6 A top view. Please also refer to... Figure 6 and Figure 7 After the stylus 220 enters the receiving groove 212, as the stylus 220 enters the receiving groove 212 deeper, the leading edge of the stylus 220 contacts and pushes the first protrusion 232, thereby causing the annular sleeve 230 to rotate around the central column 214a in the first direction D1 (i.e. the direction in which the stylus 220 enters the receiving groove 212).

[0064] As the stylus 220 enters the receiving slot 212 and reaches its position, the first hook 252 and the second hook 254 engage with the groove 222 of the stylus 220, and the first protrusion 232 of the annular sleeve 230 contacts the stop portion 218; at this time, the annular sleeve 230 can no longer rotate, and the second protrusion 234 contacts and pushes the charging switch 240, thereby triggering the charging stroke.

[0065] It should be noted that since the first hook 252 and the second hook 254 are separated from the inner surface 210a of the housing 210 by a certain distance in the axial direction A, when the first hook 252 and the second hook 254 are actuated, the actuation of the first hook 252 and the second hook 254 will not interfere with the inner surface 210a of the housing 210 or generate surface friction.

[0066] In particular, the electronic device 200 of the present invention uses an annular sleeve 230 having a first protrusion 232 and a second protrusion 234 instead of the latch structure 130 used in the known electronic device 100, thus preventing the problem of elastic fatigue of the spring arm 132 in the latch structure 130.

[0067] Furthermore, since the first hook 252 and the second hook 254 are located on opposite sides of the receiving groove 212, they provide better engaging force to the stylus 220, preventing the stylus 220 from falling out of the housing 210 during drop tests. Additionally, this solves the problem in the known electronic device 100 where, due to a difference in engaging strength between the unilateral engaging structure 120 and the spring arm 132 of the latching structure 130, uneven force is applied to the engaging structure 120 and the latching structure 130, potentially causing the stylus 220 to fail to position correctly after insertion into the receiving groove 212. In addition, in this embodiment, the first hook 252 and the second hook 254 are integrally formed with the housing 210 during the injection molding process, rather than assembling the other hooks 252 and 254 onto the housing 210. Therefore, there will be no problem of affecting the overall appearance of the stylus 220 after it is inserted due to assembly tolerance.

[0068] When removing the stylus 220 from the housing 210, please refer to the following steps: Figure 7 and Figure 4The stylus 220 disengages from the receiving groove 212 from the opening end 212a in the opposite direction of the first direction D1. The groove 222 on the leading edge of the stylus 220 is no longer interfered with by the hooks 252 and 254, and the leading edge of the stylus 220 no longer contacts the first protrusion 232 of the annular sleeve 230. At this time, the annular sleeve 230 rotates about the central post 214a in the opposite direction of the first direction D1 (i.e., the direction in which the stylus 220 exits the opening end 212a) by its own weight and the inclined spiral surface, thereby causing the second protrusion 234 to separate from the charging switch 240.

[0069] Incidentally, when the annular sleeve 230 rotates in the opposite direction of the first direction D1 around the central column 214a by its own weight and the inclined helical surface, the charging switch 240 provides an auxiliary elastic restoring force to push the second protrusion 234, causing the annular sleeve 230 to rotate.

[0070] In summary, the electronic device of the present invention has at least the following advantages compared with known electronic devices:

[0071] 1. Replace the latch structure used in known electronic devices with an annular sleeve having a first protrusion and a second protrusion, wherein the annular sleeve does not have a spring arm, thus avoiding the problem of elastic fatigue of the spring arm in the latch structure.

[0072] Second, since the first and second latches are located on opposite sides of the receiving slot, the first and second latches provide better engaging force to the stylus, which can prevent the stylus from falling out of the housing during drop tests of the electronic device.

[0073] Third, it can also solve the problem in known electronic devices where the difference in the locking strength of the locking structure on one side and the spring arm strength of the latch structure may lead to uneven force applied on both sides of the locking and latching structures, which may affect the correct positioning of the stylus after it is inserted into the receiving slot.

[0074] Fourth, the first and second hooks are integrally formed with the housing during the injection molding process, rather than assembling additional hook parts onto the housing. Therefore, there will be no issue of assembly tolerances affecting the overall appearance after the stylus is inserted into the receiving slot.

[0075] 5. After the stylus reaches the positioning point, the first protrusion is restricted in its movement and rotation distance by the stop part, and the second protrusion is triggered only after it accurately contacts and pushes the charging switch to the positioning point. Therefore, the charging switch can be prevented from being triggered prematurely, thus avoiding overcurrent damage to the circuit board of the charging device.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized in that, include: A housing having a receiving groove and a base, the receiving groove having an open end, the base being disposed adjacent to the receiving groove, and the base having a central column protruding along an axial direction of the base; A stylus is adapted to enter from the opening end and be received in the receiving groove, the leading edge of the stylus having a groove; An annular sleeve is fitted onto the central post. The annular sleeve has a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding from its circumferential surface. The first protrusion is located on the movement path of the stylus from the open end to when it is fully inserted into the receiving groove. A charging switch is disposed adjacent to the base, the charging switch and the receiving groove are located on opposite sides of the base, and the second protrusion is adapted to contact the charging switch; and A pair of hooks are located on opposite sides of the receiving groove, the pair of hooks being adapted to engage with the groove.

2. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The stylus enters the receiving groove from the opening and pushes the first protrusion to cause the annular sleeve to rotate around the central post in the first direction. The second protrusion contacts and pushes the charging switch, thereby triggering the charging process.

3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that, The housing also includes a stop located on the movement path of the first protrusion, which is adapted to limit the rotation angle of the annular sleeve.

4. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The top surface of the base and the bottom surface of the annular sleeve are helical surfaces, and the top surface of the base contacts the bottom surface of the annular sleeve.

5. The electronic device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, The top surface of the base and the bottom surface of the annular sleeve are in only partial contact.

6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that, When the stylus detaches from the receiving groove from the opening end, the groove on the leading edge of the stylus is released from interference with the pair of hooks, and the annular sleeve rotates in the opposite direction in the first direction around the central post by its own weight, thereby causing the second protrusion to separate from the charging switch.

7. The electronic device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, The charging switch provides a resilient restoring force to push the second protrusion.

8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, Along the axial direction, the pair of hooks are spaced a distance from an inner surface of the housing.

9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, The housing has a groove located below one of the pair of latches disposed adjacent to the base.

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