Expansion Dock

Abstract

This application relates to the field of automotive parts and provides an expansion dock installed in a vehicle's center console storage compartment. The center console storage compartment includes a cavity with an opening and a baffle that slides with the cavity to open and close the opening. The expansion dock includes a housing and an expansion dock module disposed within the housing. The housing is characterized by having a pressing member and a guiding member protruding from both sides along its length. The pressing member is used to press and fix against the cavity wall of the cavity, and the guiding member has a guiding surface inclined outward towards the pressing member. When the expansion dock is placed in the center console storage compartment, it is housed within the cavity, avoiding the opening and closing of the baffle. The expansion dock provided by this application, through the cooperation of the housing, pressing member, and guiding member, allows the expansion dock to be fixed within the center console storage compartment and housed within it, avoiding movement of the baffle, thereby allowing the center console storage compartment to maintain its original appearance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of automotive parts, and in particular relates to an expansion dock. Background Technology

[0002] The limited number of charging ports on existing cars cannot meet the needs of charging multiple electronic devices simultaneously, hence the emergence of docking stations for automobiles.

[0003] The existing expansion dock is mounted on the central control storage platform. Utilizing the platform's stepped or grooved design, it is attached to the steps or inserted into the grooves for support and fixation. After assembly, the expansion dock's exposed panel is roughly flush with the central control storage platform's baffle. While this facilitates power connection, it disrupts the platform's original shape, preventing the baffle from being moved into place and affecting the overall aesthetics. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide an expansion dock that aims to solve the problem that the exposed nature of existing expansion docks affects the movement of the baffles and thus affects the aesthetics.

[0005] This application provides an expansion dock installed in a vehicle's central control storage tray. The central control storage tray includes a cavity with an opening and a baffle that slides with the cavity to open and close the opening. The expansion dock includes a housing and an expansion dock module disposed on the housing. The housing is characterized in that a pressing member and a guiding member are protruding on both sides along its length. The pressing member is used to press and fix against the cavity wall of the cavity, and the guiding member has a guiding surface that is inclined outward toward the pressing member.

[0006] When the expansion dock is placed on the central control storage platform, the expansion dock is housed within the cavity to avoid the opening and closing of the baffle.

[0007] Optionally, the central control storage platform is equipped with a cup holder inside the cavity; when the expansion dock is placed on the central control storage platform, the panel of the housing is flush with the upper surface of the cup holder.

[0008] Optionally, the distance between the outermost edges of the two abutting members is not less than the distance between the outermost edges of the two guide members.

[0009] Optionally, the guide surface is provided with a resistance-increasing element.

[0010] Optionally, the resistance-increasing element is a plurality of strip-shaped protrusions extending along the width direction of the housing.

[0011] Optionally, the guide is a cantilever structure, having a connecting end connected to the housing and a free end opposite to the connecting end.

[0012] Optionally, the guide may further include a reinforcing member between the connecting end and the free end, with the two ends of the reinforcing member connected to the housing and the guide respectively.

[0013] Optionally, the pressing member includes an extension section and a pressing section. The extension section is connected to the housing and extends outward, while the pressing section is connected to the end of the extension section away from the housing and extends towards the guide, forming a pressing surface that presses against the cavity wall of the cavity.

[0014] Optionally, the docking station module includes a power plug and power interfaces. The power plug is used to connect to the vehicle body for power supply, and multiple power interfaces are used to connect to electronic devices for data transmission or charging. The housing has a panel, and the power interfaces are located on the panel.

[0015] Optionally, the docking station module further includes a charging connector, which is electrically connected to the power plug and used to charge electronic devices;

[0016] The charging connector is connected to a charging cable, and the housing has a receiving cavity for receiving the charging cable and an outlet communicating with the receiving cavity. The outlet is opened on the panel, and the size of the outlet is such that the charging cable can pass through while restricting the passage of the charging connector.

[0017] The housing has a storage slot on the panel, which is connected to the outlet and is used to accommodate the charging connector;

[0018] The charging connector can be accommodated in the storage slot in a flat position.

[0019] The housing is provided with a magnetic element in the storage slot to restrict the movement of the charging connector.

[0020] The expansion dock provided in this application, through the cooperation of the shell, the pressing part and the guide part, enables the expansion dock to be fixed in the central control storage platform and housed in the central control storage platform to avoid the movement of the baffle, so that the central control storage platform can maintain its original appearance. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the expansion dock being assembled onto the central control storage platform according to an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the expansion dock provided in an embodiment of this application, wherein the charging connector is in a vertical position;

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Another perspective view of the structure;

[0025] Figure 4 This is another three-dimensional structural diagram of the expansion dock provided in the embodiment of this application, wherein the charging connector is in a flat, stored state;

[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 Front view of the structure;

[0027] Figure 6 Figure 2 A magnified view of part A in the structure;

[0028] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A magnified view of part B in the structure;

[0029] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the pressing member and the guiding member in the embodiments of this application.

[0030] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0031] 10. Expansion dock; 11. Shell; 101. Panel; 103. Storage slot; 121. Power plug; 122. Power interface; 123. Charging connector; 13. Pressing component; 131. Extension section; 132. Pressing section; 14. Guide component; 102. Guide surface; 141. Connection end; 142. Free end; 143. Reinforcing component; 15. Resistance increasing component; 21. Cavity; 22. Baffle; 23. Cup holder; 201. Slide groove. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0033] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component.

[0034] In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise expressly and specifically defined.

[0035] It should also be noted that the directional terms such as left, right, up, and down in the embodiments of this application are only relative concepts or are based on the normal use state of the product, and should not be considered as restrictive.

[0036] Please refer to Figures 1 to 8 The expansion dock 10 provided in this application will now be described by way of example.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 1 The expansion dock 10 is installed in the vehicle's central control storage area, which includes a cavity 21 with an opening and a baffle 22 that slides onto the cavity 21 to open and close the opening. The cavity 21 has an open mouth and can be used to place miscellaneous items. The inside of the cavity 21 is provided with a power interface, which can be a USB interface, a Type-C interface, a Lightning interface, or a cigarette lighter interface, etc.

[0038] The docking station module includes a power connector 121 and a power interface 122. The power connector 121 is used to connect to the vehicle's power port to achieve power connection, and the power interface 122 is used to connect electronic devices to achieve data transmission or charging. There may be one or more power interfaces 122, and the type of power interface 122 can be a USB interface, a Type-C interface, or a Lightning interface, etc., which is not limited here.

[0039] In this embodiment, the power connection interface 122 is provided on the panel 101 of the housing 11 for convenient plug-in operation. Those skilled in the art may also provide the power connection interface 122 on the side of the housing 11, which is not limited here.

[0040] In this embodiment, the docking station module also includes a charging connector 123, which is used to connect to electronic devices to achieve data transmission or charging.

[0041] The charging connector 123 is connected to a data cable. The housing 11 has a receiving cavity for accommodating the data cable and an outlet communicating with the receiving cavity. The size of the outlet is sufficient to allow the charging cable to pass through while restricting the passage of the charging connector 123. In this embodiment, the housing 11 has a roller in the receiving cavity, around which the data cable can be wound. The roller has an elastic element. In use, the data cable is pulled out from the receiving cavity, the roller rotates, and the elastic element undergoes elastic deformation. After use, the roller rotates in the opposite direction under the elastic restoring force of the elastic element, driving the data cable back into the receiving cavity. The design of the roller and the elastic element can adopt existing designs and is not limited here.

[0042] In this embodiment, there are two receiving cavities arranged symmetrically. Correspondingly, there are two charging connectors 123, which can be USB, Type-C, or Lightning connectors. Preferably, the two charging connectors 123 are of different types to adapt to different electronic devices and improve applicability.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The housing 11 has a storage slot 103 on the panel 101, which communicates with the outlet and is used to accommodate the charging connector 123. The charging connector 123 can be accommodated in the storage slot 103 in a flat position. The housing 11 has a limiting member in the storage slot 103 to restrict the movement of the charging connector 123.

[0044] Figure 3 In the structure shown, the charging connector 123 is presented in a vertical position. Figure 4 In the structure shown, the charging connector 123 is placed flat and housed in the storage slot 103.

[0045] In this embodiment, the limiting member is a magnetic member. When the charging connector 123 approaches the storage slot 103, the magnetic member applies a magnetic force to the charging connector 123, forcing it into the storage slot 103 and fixing it within it. In other embodiments, the limiting member may also be a limiting protrusion or other structures, and is not limited to these specific features here.

[0046] In this embodiment, please refer to Figure 1 Figure 6 The shell 11 has a pressing member 13 and a guide member 14 protruding on both sides along its length. The pressing member 13 is used to press and fix against the cavity wall of the cavity 21, and the guide member 14 has a guide surface 102 that is inclined outward toward the pressing member 13. When the expansion dock 10 is placed on the central control storage platform, the expansion dock 10 is housed in the cavity 21 to avoid the opening and closing of the baffle 22.

[0047] For ease of description, the length direction of the expansion dock 10 is defined as the left-right direction, with the panel 101 of the shell facing upwards. The cavity 21 of the central control storage platform has an opening facing upwards, and the left and right side walls of the cavity 21 are provided with sliding grooves 201. The baffle 22 can open or close the opening of the cavity 21 by moving along the sliding grooves 201.

[0048] Both sides of the housing 11 are provided with pressing members 13 and guide members 14. During assembly, the expansion dock 10 is inserted into the cavity 21 from above and downwards. The guide members 14 on both sides abut against the cavity walls on both sides of the cavity 21. Under the downward pressure and the guiding action of the guide members 14, the expansion dock 10 continues to move downwards until it reaches the preset height. At this time, the pressing members 13 on both sides press against the cavity walls of the cavity 21 and are fixed. The expansion dock 10 is located below the horizontal position of the baffle 22 to avoid the movement of the baffle 22.

[0049] In this embodiment, the pressing member 13 and the guide member 14 are set independently. In other embodiments, the pressing member 13 and the guide member 14 can also be set as a whole, as long as they have a pressing surface that presses against the cavity wall of the cavity 21 and a guide surface 102 for guiding assembly.

[0050] As described above, the expansion dock 10 provided in this application, through the setting of the pressing member 13, achieves a fixed fit between the expansion dock 10 and the cavity 21 of the central control storage platform. The guide member 14 guides and ensures that the expansion dock 10 can move down to a preset height. It should be emphasized that the cooperation of the housing 11, the pressing member 13, and the guide member 14 jointly achieves the assembly and fixation of the expansion dock 10 with the central control storage platform and ensures its avoidance of the baffle 22. In this solution, the three are an indispensable whole. Through the cooperation of the housing 11, the pressing member 13, and the guide member 14, the expansion dock 10 can be fixed within the central control storage platform and housed within it, avoiding the movement of the baffle 22, thereby allowing the central control storage platform to maintain its original appearance.

[0051] In another embodiment of this application, please refer to Figure 1 The central control storage platform has a cup holder 23 inside the cavity 21; when the expansion dock 10 is placed on the central control storage platform, the panel 101 of the shell 11 is flush with the upper surface of the cup holder 23.

[0052] In this embodiment, the existing structural features of the central control storage platform are fully utilized, and the expansion dock 10 is set flush with the cup holder 23, which improves the aesthetics. It is important to emphasize that this technical effect requires the designer to pre-determine the usage environment when designing the expansion dock 10, using it as a design constraint. The specific dimensions and shapes of the housing 11, the pressing member 13, and the guide member 14 of the expansion dock 10 are adjusted and set according to the shape and size of that location. When a person presses the expansion dock 10 into the central control storage platform from above until their hand touches the upper surface of the cup holder 23, the expansion dock 10 and the cup holder 23 are roughly flush. In other words, in this operation, the cup holder 23 can serve as a limiting structure for hand operation. It can be understood that in this assembly, the panel 101 of the housing 11 and the upper surface of the cup holder 23 are roughly flush, and the assembler can apply further force to lower the expansion dock 10 further, or make it slightly higher than the cup holder 23.

[0053] In another embodiment of this application, please refer to Figure 5 The distance between the outermost edges of the two pressing members 13 is not less than the distance between the outermost edges of the two guiding members 14. Please refer to... Figure 8 There is a distance C between the outer surfaces of the pressing member 13 and the guide member 14 in the left and right directions, and the pressing member 13 protrudes more from the side of the housing 11 than the guide member 14.

[0054] The guide 14 primarily serves a guiding function to ensure relative movement between the docking station 10 and the cavity 21, reducing obstruction to movement. The core function of the pressing member 13 is to press against the cavity 21, achieving a secure fit between the docking station 10 and the cavity 21. The pressing member 13 is designed to protrude further from the side of the housing 11 than the guide 14, a reasonable design choice.

[0055] In another embodiment of this application, please refer to Figure 6 The guide member 14 has a resistance-increasing element 15 protruding from its guide surface 102. After the expansion dock 10 is assembled to the central control storage platform, the pressing member 13 presses against the cavity wall of the cavity 21, and the guide member 14 also abuts or presses against the cavity 21. In this embodiment, the resistance-increasing element 15 is provided on the guide surface 102 of the guide member 14, which can increase the frictional resistance between the expansion dock 10 and the central control storage platform, thereby improving the dynamic stability of the expansion dock 10 during vehicle operation.

[0056] In another embodiment of this application, please refer to Figure 6 and Figure 8 The friction-increasing element 15 consists of multiple strip-shaped protrusions extending along the width direction of the housing 11. Based on the aforementioned orientation definition, the width direction of the housing 11 is the front-to-back direction, and the strip-shaped protrusions extend along this direction. This arrangement effectively increases the friction between the expansion dock 10 and the central control storage platform in the vertical direction, thereby effectively improving the dynamic stability of the expansion dock 10 during vehicle operation.

[0057] In another embodiment of this application, please refer to Figure 6 and Figure 8 The guide 14 has a connecting end 141 connected to the housing 11 and a free end 142 opposite to the connecting end 141.

[0058] The guide 14 adopts a cantilever structure, with a gap between its free end 142 and the housing 11, allowing the free end 142 of the guide 14 a certain amount of elastic deformation space. This arrangement can alleviate the pressure on the guide 14 and the central control storage platform. When the guide 14 and the central control storage platform are in an interference fit, the guide 14 deforms under pressure, and its elastic force can provide continuous pressure to the central control storage platform, which is beneficial to the fastening of both.

[0059] In another embodiment of this application, please refer to Figure 6 The guide member 14 is further provided with a reinforcing member 143 between the connecting end 141 and the free end 142. The two ends of the reinforcing member 143 are respectively connected to the housing 11 and the guide member 14. The addition of the reinforcing member 143 increases the difficulty of deformation of the free end 142 of the guide member 14, thereby enhancing the rigidity of the guide member 14. In conjunction with the foregoing, with the material of the guide member 14 fixed, the cantilever structure design of the guide member 14, and the addition of a connection fixing point in the middle region of the cantilever, allows for fine-tuning of the elastic deformation capability of the guide member 14, balancing the requirements of assembly convenience and connection tightness.

[0060] In the illustrated structure, the guide 14 is sheet-like, with its lower edge connected to the housing 11, and the other three edges being free edges. Reinforcing members 143 are provided along the front and rear edges of the guide 14. These reinforcing members 143 are strip-shaped, with one end connected to the front / rear edge of the guide 14 and the other end connected to the housing 11. This arrangement facilitates production. Those skilled in the art can adjust the specific position, shape, and size of the reinforcing members 143 according to actual needs; no limitations are imposed here.

[0061] In another embodiment of this application, please refer to Figure 8 The pressing member 13 includes an extension section 131 and a pressing section 132. The extension section 131 is connected to the housing 11 and extends outward. The pressing section 132 is connected to the end of the extension section 131 away from the housing 11 and extends in the direction of the guide member 14, forming a pressing surface that presses against the cavity wall of the cavity 21.

[0062] Based on the aforementioned directional definition, the extension 131 of the pressure member 13 located on the left side of the housing 11 connects to the housing 11 and extends to the left, while the pressure section 132 connects to the left end of the extension 131 and extends downward. In other words, the pressure member 13 is a strip extending along the width direction of the housing 11, with an L-shaped cross-section. In other embodiments, the pressure member 13 can be multiple columnar or spherical protrusions, or it can be a strip with a rectangular or square cross-section; no single limitation is made here. Compared to other structural forms, the L-shaped pressure member 13 design allows the gap between the extension 131 and the housing 11 to serve as a pressure release space for the pressure member 13, which can, to some extent, alleviate the pressure on the expansion dock 10 and the cavity 21, thus protecting the cavity 21.

[0063] Please refer to Figure 6 The outer surface of the pressing section 132 is inclined inward at its end in the front-rear direction. Those skilled in the art may also make the end of the pressing section 132 a rounded chamfer transition.

[0064] In this embodiment, the two pressing members 13 are symmetrically arranged, and the two guiding members 14 are symmetrically arranged. This arrangement simplifies structural design and production, and reduces production costs.

[0065] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A docking station installed in a vehicle center console storage console, the center console storage console comprising a cavity having an opening, a shutter slidably connected to the cavity to open and close the opening, the docking station comprising a housing and a docking station module provided in the housing, characterized in that, The housing is provided with a pressing member and a guiding member on both sides along its length. The pressing member is used to press and fix against the cavity wall of the cavity, and the guiding member has a guiding surface that is inclined outward toward the pressing member. When the expansion dock is placed on the central control storage platform, the expansion dock is housed within the cavity to avoid the opening and closing of the baffle.

2. The docking station of claim 1, wherein, The central control storage platform is equipped with a cup holder inside the cavity; when the expansion dock is placed on the central control storage platform, the panel of the housing is flush with the upper surface of the cup holder.

3. The docking station of claim 1, wherein, The distance between the outermost edges of the two abutting members is not less than the distance between the outermost edges of the two guide members.

4. The docking station of claim 1, wherein, The guide surface is provided with a resistance-increasing element.

5. The expansion dock as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The resistance-increasing element consists of multiple strip-shaped protrusions extending along the width direction of the housing.

6. The expansion dock as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The guide is a cantilever structure, having a connecting end that connects to the housing and a free end opposite to the connecting end.

7. The expansion dock as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The guide is further provided with a reinforcing member between the connecting end and the free end, and the two ends of the reinforcing member are respectively connected to the housing and the guide.

8. The expansion dock as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pressing member includes an extension section and a pressing section. The extension section is connected to the housing and extends outward, while the pressing section is connected to the end of the extension section away from the housing and extends towards the guide, forming a pressing surface that presses against the cavity wall of the cavity.

9. The expansion dock as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The expansion dock module includes a power plug and power interfaces. The power plug is used to connect to the vehicle body to receive power, and there are multiple power interfaces for connecting electronic devices to achieve data transmission or charging. The housing has a panel, and the power interfaces are located on the panel.

10. The expansion dock as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The expansion dock module also includes a charging connector, which is electrically connected to the power plug and is used to charge electronic devices; The charging connector is connected to a charging cable, and the housing has a receiving cavity for receiving the charging cable and an outlet communicating with the receiving cavity. The outlet is opened on the panel, and the size of the outlet is such that the charging cable can pass through while restricting the passage of the charging connector. The housing has a storage slot on the panel, which is connected to the outlet and is used to accommodate the charging connector; The charging connector can be accommodated in the storage slot in a flat position. The housing is provided with a magnetic element in the storage slot to restrict the movement of the charging connector.

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