Charging device for a mobile device and mobile device with the charging device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a charging device for a mobile device and a mobile device having the same, the charging device including a plurality of charging connectors to which an external charger is connected and which are located at different positions on the mobile device, and a charging unit disposed inside the mobile device and connected to the plurality of charging connectors, wherein each of the plurality of charging connectors includes a first terminal connected to the charging unit and a second terminal electrically separated from the first terminal and configured to contact a connector of the external charger.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0038622, filed on March 26, 2025, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to charging devices for mobile devices and mobile devices having the charging devices. Background Technology

[0004] The charging device for the mobile device can be connected to an external charger to charge the charging unit of the mobile device using electrical power. The external charger can be installed in a building, residence, or charging station, and the connector to which the external charger is connected via a power cord can be connected to a connector located in the charging port of the mobile device.

[0005] Meanwhile, the charging port can be located in multiple locations within the mobile device. For example, the charging port can be located at the front and rear of the mobile device. Alternatively, in addition to a charging port that is manually connected directly, there is a charging method in which, as an unmanned charging concept, the connector of the external charger and the connector of the mobile device's charging port automatically connect without human intervention when the charging port of the mobile device is aligned with the connector of an external charger mounted on the floor.

[0006] However, while this arrangement of multiple charging ports offers great convenience, it also poses a very high risk of safety accidents. Because current flows through the charging port on one side while charging is being done on the other, there is a potential risk of electric shock.

[0007] The information disclosed in this background section is only for understanding the background of this disclosure, and therefore may contain information that does not constitute prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This disclosure relates to a charging device for a mobile device that can prevent accidents even when multiple charging ports are provided for connection to an external charger, and a mobile device having the charging device.

[0009] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a charging device for a mobile device includes: a plurality of charging connectors, an external charger configured to connect to any one of the plurality of charging connectors, and the plurality of charging connectors being located at different positions on the mobile device; and a charging unit disposed inside the mobile device and connected to the plurality of charging connectors. Specifically, each of the plurality of charging connectors includes: a first terminal connected to the charging unit, and a second terminal electrically isolated from the first terminal, the second terminal being configured to contact a connector of the external charger.

[0010] The first terminal can come into contact with the second terminal when the external charger is plugged in, so that the external charger and the charging unit are electrically connected.

[0011] The second terminal can be fixed to the housing of the charging connector, and the first terminal can be formed to be elastically deformable.

[0012] The first terminal can be located around the second terminal.

[0013] The first terminal may include: a first electrode connected to the charging unit; a second electrode bent away from the first electrode; and a third electrode bent away from the second electrode and closer to the first electrode.

[0014] When the first electrode or the second electrode is deformed by contact with an external charger, the second electrode or the first electrode can contact the second terminal, and the external charger and the charging unit can be electrically connected.

[0015] The multiple charging connectors may include: a front charging connector located at the front of the mobile device, and a rear charging connector located at the rear of the mobile device.

[0016] The first terminal can be fixed to the first housing of the charging connector, the second terminal can be fixed to the second housing of the charging connector, and the second housing can be formed to slide along the first housing.

[0017] The second housing can be coupled to the first housing so that it can slide in the vertical direction.

[0018] The second terminal can move toward the first terminal and make contact with the first terminal when it is lifted upward by the external charger, so that the external charger and the charging unit are electrically connected.

[0019] The first and second terminals can be located at the bottom of the mobile device.

[0020] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a mobile device includes a charging device connected to an external charger, wherein the charging device includes: a plurality of charging connectors, the external charger being configured to connect to any one of the plurality of charging connectors, and the plurality of charging connectors being located at different positions on the mobile device; and a charging unit disposed inside the mobile device, and the charging unit being connected to the plurality of charging connectors. Specifically, each of the plurality of charging connectors includes: a first terminal connected to the charging unit, and a second terminal electrically isolated from the first terminal, and the second terminal being configured to contact a connector of the external charger.

[0021] Some of the multiple charging connectors may be located at the front of the mobile device, and the other multiple charging connectors may be located at the rear of the mobile device.

[0022] Some of the multiple charging connectors can be located on the bottom of the mobile device.

[0023] The multiple charging connectors may include: a front charging connector located at the front of the mobile device, and a rear charging connector located at the rear of the mobile device. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The above and other objectives, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a mobile device that is charged via a charging connector located at its front, according to an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a mobile device that is charged via a charging connector located at its rear, according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a charging device for a mobile device according to an embodiment;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the connector of an external charger and the charging connector of a charging device according to an embodiment;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the connector of the external charger is inserted into the charging connector;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the rear charging connector and the state of the front charging connector when charging is performed via the rear charging connector.

[0031] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing an unmanned external charger and a charging device for a mobile device according to an embodiment;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a charging device for a mobile device according to another embodiment;

[0033] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram showing the connector of an unmanned external charger and the charging connector of a charging device according to an embodiment; and

[0034] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the connector of the unmanned external charger is inserted into the charging connector. Detailed Implementation

[0035] This disclosure can be modified in various ways and has various embodiments. Specific embodiments are shown and described in detail in the accompanying drawings. However, this is not intended to limit this disclosure to the specific embodiments, but should be understood to include all variations, equivalents, or substitutions included within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0036] Ordinal terms such as "second," "first," etc., may be used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by the terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, a second component may be named a first component, and similarly, a first component may be named a second component. The term "and / or" includes any combination of multiple related / descriptive items or any one of multiple related / descriptive items.

[0037] When a component is “connected” or “linked” to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or linked to the other component, or there may be other components in between. On the other hand, when a component is said to be “directly connected” or “directly linked” to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between. When components, controllers, devices, elements, equipment, etc., of this disclosure are described as having a purpose or performing an operation or function, the components, controllers, devices, elements, equipment, etc., should be considered herein as being “configured” to satisfy that purpose or perform that operation or function.

[0038] The terminology used in this application is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be understood in this application that terms such as “comprising” and “having” are intended to specify the presence of features, quantities, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in this specification, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0039] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical or scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this application, terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries shall be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant field and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formalized sense.

[0040] In the following description, embodiments are illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regardless of the reference numerals, identical or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0041] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a mobile device that is charged via a charging connector 100B located at its front, according to an embodiment. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing a mobile device that is charged via a charging connector 100A located at its rear, according to an embodiment.

[0042] According to the implementation method, refer to Figure 1 The mobile device may include charging connectors 100 in multiple charging ports located at different positions. For example, the mobile device M may include a front charging connector 100B located at the front of the mobile device M and a rear charging connector 100A located at the rear of the mobile device M. The connector of the external charger 10 may be connected to the front charging connector 100B located at the front of the mobile device M. This can be determined by the user taking into account the parking location or shape of the mobile device M and the location of the external charger 10.

[0043] refer to Figure 2 The connector of the external charger 10 can be connected to the rear charging connector 100A located at the rear of the mobile device M. This can also be determined by the user taking into account the parking position or shape of the mobile device M and the position of the external charger 10. For example, the position of the front charging connector 100B can be located around the position opposite to that of the rear charging connector 100A.

[0044] In this way, when the mobile device M is equipped with multiple charging connectors 100 in different locations, multiple charging connectors 100 can be selected by taking into account the external charger 10 and the parking environment, thereby improving the convenience of charging.

[0045] Each charging connector 100 can be electrically connected to the charging unit 200 of the mobile device M. The charging connector 100 can be a low-speed charging connector for low-power charging using a standard household connector. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the charging connector 100 can also be a charging connector for high-speed charging. The charging unit 200 of the mobile device M may include a battery and means for managing the battery.

[0046] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a charging device for a mobile device according to an embodiment.

[0047] refer to Figure 3 A charging device for a mobile device according to an embodiment may include a charging connector 100 and a charging unit 200. The charging device for the mobile device includes a plurality of charging ports, and each charging port may be provided with a charging connector 100. The charging connector 100 may include a first terminal 110 and a second terminal 120. Each of the first terminal 110 and the second terminal 120 may be made of a conductive material. Furthermore, the first terminal 110 and the second terminal 120 may be physically separate from each other. The first terminal 110 may be electrically connected to the charging unit 200. The second terminal 120 may not be electrically connected to the charging unit 200 and may be physically separate from the first terminal 110. The second terminal 120 may be fixed to the housing 101 of the charging connector.

[0048] When the external charger 10 is inserted into the charging connector 100, the first terminal 110 can be elastically deformed and can contact the second terminal 120, thereby electrically connecting the external charger 10 and the charging unit 200. The first terminal 110 may include a first electrode 111, a second electrode 112 and a third electrode 113.

[0049] The first electrode 111 can be electrically connected to the charging unit 200. The first electrode 111 can be implemented in various shapes in which a space is formed, such as a cylindrical, polygonal cylindrical, or elliptical cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the first electrode 111 can be formed from multiple separate segments. The second electrode 112 can be formed to bend outward from the first electrode 111 and away from the end of the first electrode 111. The second electrode 112 can be bent from the first electrode 111 to form an acute angle relative to the first electrode 111. For example, the second electrode 112 can be formed from multiple segments that bend and extend from the first electrode 111. The third electrode 113 can be bent from the second electrode 112 to approach the first electrode 111. For example, the third electrode 113 can be formed to form an obtuse angle relative to the second electrode 112. When the corner formed by the second electrode 112 and the third electrode 113 is pressed, the first electrode 111 can elastically deform and contact the second terminal 120.

[0050] The first terminal 110 may be located deep inside the housing of the charging connector 100 so that it is not visible from the outside of the housing of the charging connector 100.

[0051] The second terminal 120 can be fixed to the housing 101 of the charging connector. The second terminal 120 can be physically separated from the first terminal 110. A portion of the second terminal 120 can be located inside the first electrode 111 of the first terminal 110. The second terminal 120 can be formed as a single segment or multiple segments. The second terminal 120 can be inserted into the terminal 1a of the connector of the external charger 10.

[0052] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the connector of the external charger 10 and the charging connector 100 of the charging device according to an embodiment.

[0053] refer to Figure 4 The connector of the external charger 10 can be inserted into the charging connector 100 of the charging device according to the embodiment. The connector of the external charger 10 may include a housing 1 and terminals 1a disposed inside the housing 1. During the coupling of the connector of the external charger 10 to the charging connector 100, the terminals 1a of the connector of the external charger 10 may be coupled to the second terminals 120 of the charging connector 100, and the inner wall of the housing 1 of the connector of the external charger 10 may contact the first terminals 110. In other words, the first terminals 110 may fit tightly into the housing 1 of the connector of the external charger 10.

[0054] During the coupling of the connector of the external charger 10 to the charging connector 100, in order to cause elastic deformation of the first terminal 110, the maximum width D1 of the first terminal 110 can be greater than the width D2 of the inner wall of the housing 1 of the external charger 10 connector. Furthermore, the width D3 of the first electrode 111 of the charging connector 100 can be smaller than the width D2 of the inner wall of the housing 1 of the external charger 10 connector.

[0055] Before the connector of the external charger 10 is coupled to the charging connector 100, the first terminal 110 and the second terminal 120 of the charging connector 100 can be physically separated from each other. Therefore, the user (or driver) can avoid contact with the second terminal 120 and accidents such as electric shock will not occur.

[0056] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the connector of the external charger 10 is inserted into the charging connector 100.

[0057] refer to Figure 5When the connector of the external charger 10 is inserted into the charging connector 100, the external charger 10 and the charging unit 200 can be electrically connected and charging can proceed. When the connector of the external charger 10 is inserted into the charging connector 100, terminal 1a of the external charger 10's connector can be coupled to the second terminal 120 of the charging connector 100. Furthermore, the boundary portion between the second electrode 112 and the third electrode 113 of the charging connector 100 can elastically deform toward the second terminal 120 while being pressed against the inner wall of the housing 1 of the external charger 10's connector.

[0058] In this way, when the first terminal 110 elastically deforms, the first terminal 110 and the second terminal 120 can be electrically connected. Therefore, the external charger 10 and the charging unit 200 can be electrically connected, and the mobile device M can be charged.

[0059] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the rear charging connector 100A and the state of the front charging connector 100B when charging is performed via the rear charging connector 100A.

[0060] refer to Figure 6 When charging the mobile device M, which includes a rear charging connector 100A and a front charging connector 100B, and charging can be performed via the rear charging connector 100A, the external charger 10 and the charging unit 200 can be electrically connected to allow charging to proceed when the first terminal 110 elastically deforms and contacts the second terminal 120. On the other hand, in the front charging connector 100B, since the first terminal 110 and the second terminal 120 are separated from each other, no current flows to the second terminal 120. Furthermore, since no current flows from the front charging connector 100B to the second terminal 120, user safety can be ensured even if the user's hand touches the second terminal 120 of the front charging connector 100B when the charging port at the front of the mobile device M is open.

[0061] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing an unmanned external charger 10 and a charging device for a mobile device according to an embodiment.

[0062] refer to Figure 7In response to the unmanned external charger 20 being located on the ground, the charging device for the mobile device according to the embodiment may include a lower charging connector 100C. The unmanned external charger 20 may be located on the ground. The connector 2a of the unmanned external charger 20 can be lifted upward from the body 2 of the unmanned external charger 20 and contact the lower charging connector 100C of the mobile device M. When the mobile device M approaches the unmanned external charger 20, and when the unmanned external charger 20 and the lower charging connector 100C of the mobile device M are aligned together in the vertical direction, the connector 2a of the unmanned external charger 20 can be lifted upward and electrically connected to the lower charging connector 100C. Therefore, the charging unit 200 can be automatically charged via the lower charging connector 100C without connecting a separate cable. For example, when the mobile device M approaches the unmanned external charger 20, the body 2 of the unmanned external charger 20 can be lifted manually or automatically.

[0063] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a charging device for a mobile device according to another embodiment.

[0064] refer to Figure 8 According to an embodiment, a charging device for a mobile device includes a first terminal 110 and a second terminal 120. The first terminal 110 is electrically connected to a charging unit 200. The first terminal 110 is fixed to a housing 101 (also referred to as the "first housing") of a charging connector 100. The second terminal 120 is vertically spaced from the first terminal 110. The second terminal 120 is fixed to a sub-housing 102 (also referred to as the "second housing"). The sub-housing 102 is coupled to the housing 101 of the charging connector 100 to be slidable in the vertical direction. In other words, the sub-housing 102 of the second terminal 120 can be tightly fitted into the housing 101 of the charging connector 100. The first terminal 110 and the second terminal 120 can be aligned in the vertical direction.

[0065] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram showing the connector 2a of the unmanned external charger 20 and the charging connector 100 of the charging device according to an embodiment.

[0066] refer to Figure 9The connector 2a of the unmanned external charger 20 can contact the lower charging connector 100C of the charging device according to the embodiment. The connector 2a of the unmanned external charger 20 may include a body 2 and a connector 2a that rises upward from the body 2. When the moving device M is brought above the unmanned external charger 20 and aligned vertically with the lower charging connector 100C, the connector 2a of the unmanned external charger 20 can rise toward the lower charging connector 100C. The sub-housing 102 of the lower charging connector 100C may be formed to correspond to the shape of the connector 2a of the unmanned external charger 20. The size and shape of the first terminal 110 and the size and shape of the second terminal 120 may be formed to correspond to the shape of the connector 2a of the unmanned external charger 20. The second terminal 120 may be formed as a cylinder, an ellipse, or a combination of multiple parts.

[0067] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the connector 2a of the unmanned external charger 20 is inserted into the charging connector 100.

[0068] refer to Figure 10 The connector 2a of the unmanned external charger 20 can be lifted upwards and brought into contact with the second terminal 120 of the lower charging connector 100C. While the lifting operation continues with the connector 2a of the unmanned external charger 20 in contact with the second terminal 120, the sub-housing 102 slides and moves upwards due to the connector 2a of the unmanned external charger 20. As the sub-housing 102 moves upwards, the second terminal 120 can come into contact with the first terminal 110.

[0069] When the mobile device M, including the lower charging connector 100C, is being charged, the second terminal 120 can move upward and contact the first terminal 110. Therefore, the unmanned external charger 20 and the charging unit 200 can be electrically connected, and charging can proceed. Meanwhile, in the rear charging connector 100A, since the first terminal 110 and the second terminal 120 are separated from each other, no current can flow to the second terminal 120. In the front charging connector 100B, since no current flows to the second terminal 120, water or foreign matter can be prevented from entering the charging connector 100 located at the bottom of the mobile device M, thereby avoiding accidents.

[0070] According to the embodiment, when charging is performed through one of the multiple charging ports, the charging connector located in another charging port is configured to disconnect from the charging unit of the mobile device, thereby having the advantage of preventing accidents.

[0071] According to the embodiment, since the first terminal and the second terminal of the charging unit connected to the mobile device are physically separated from each other, and the first terminal and the second terminal are configured to contact each other by the force of inserting an external charger, it has the advantages of convenient charging and prevention of accidents.

[0072] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to some embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A charging device for a mobile device, the charging device comprising: Multiple charging connectors are provided, an external charger is configured to connect to any one of the multiple charging connectors, and the multiple charging connectors are located at different positions on the mobile device; as well as A charging unit is disposed inside the mobile device, and the charging unit is connected to the plurality of charging connectors. Each of the plurality of charging connectors includes: The first terminal is connected to the charging unit, and The second terminal is electrically isolated from the first terminal, and the second terminal is configured to contact the connector of the external charger.

2. The charging device for a mobile device according to claim 1, wherein, The second terminal is fixed to the housing of the charging connector, and the first terminal is formed to be elastically deformable.

3. The charging device for a mobile device according to claim 2, wherein, The first terminal is located around the second terminal.

4. The charging device for a mobile device according to claim 2, wherein, The first terminal includes: a first electrode connected to the charging unit; a second electrode bent away from the first electrode; and a third electrode bent away from the second electrode and closer to the first electrode.

5. The charging device for a mobile device according to claim 4, wherein, If the first electrode or the second electrode is deformed by contact with the external charger, the second electrode or the first electrode contacts the second terminal, and the external charger and the charging unit are electrically connected.

6. The charging device for a mobile device according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of charging connectors includes: a front charging connector located at the front of the mobile device, and a rear charging connector located at the rear of the mobile device.

7. The charging device for a mobile device according to claim 1, wherein, The first terminal comes into contact with the second terminal when the external charger is inserted, thereby electrically connecting the external charger and the charging unit.

8. The charging device for a mobile device according to claim 1, wherein, The first terminal is fixed to the first housing of the charging connector, the second terminal is fixed to the second housing of the charging connector, and the second housing is configured to slide along the first housing.

9. The charging device for a mobile device according to claim 8, wherein, The second housing is coupled to the first housing so that it can slide in the vertical direction.

10. The charging device for a mobile device according to claim 9, wherein, When the second terminal is lifted upward by the external charger, it moves toward the first terminal and comes into contact with the first terminal, thereby electrically connecting the external charger and the charging unit.

11. The charging device for a mobile device according to claim 10, wherein, The first terminal and the second terminal are located at the bottom of the mobile device.

12. A mobile device comprising a charging device connected to an external charger, wherein, The charging device includes: A plurality of charging connectors, wherein the external charger is configured to connect to any one of the plurality of charging connectors, and the plurality of charging connectors are located at different positions on the mobile device; and A charging unit is disposed inside the mobile device, and the charging unit is connected to the plurality of charging connectors. Each of the plurality of charging connectors includes: The first terminal is connected to the charging unit, and The second terminal is electrically isolated from the first terminal, and the second terminal is configured to contact the connector of the external charger.

13. The mobile device according to claim 12, wherein, Some of the multiple charging connectors are arranged at the front of the mobile device, and The other charging connectors among the plurality of charging connectors are arranged at the rear of the mobile device.

14. The mobile device according to claim 12, wherein, Some of the multiple charging connectors are located at the bottom of the mobile device.

15. The mobile device according to claim 12, wherein, The plurality of charging connectors includes: a front charging connector located at the front of the mobile device, and a rear charging connector located at the rear of the mobile device.

16. The mobile device according to claim 12, wherein, The first terminal comes into contact with the second terminal when the external charger is inserted, thereby electrically connecting the external charger and the charging unit.

17. The mobile device according to claim 12, wherein, The second terminal is fixed to the housing of the charging connector, and the first terminal is formed to be elastically deformable.

18. The mobile device according to claim 12, wherein, The first terminal is located around the second terminal.

19. The mobile device according to claim 12, wherein, The first terminal includes: a first electrode connected to the charging unit; a second electrode bent away from the first electrode; and a third electrode bent away from the second electrode and closer to the first electrode.

20. The mobile device according to claim 19, wherein, If the first electrode or the second electrode is deformed by contact with the external charger, the second electrode or the first electrode contacts the second terminal, and the external charger and the charging unit are electrically connected.

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