Docking station for a tablet computer and device for sewer pipe inspection and / or rehabilitation with such a docking station

Abstract

Docking station (10) for a tablet computer (200) with a plurality of threaded holes arranged on its rear for attaching a screen mount (20), wherein the docking station (10) has a receptacle (30) with an interface (40) arranged in the receptacle (30) for connection with the tablet computer (200), a screen mount (20) provided for attachment to the tablet computer (200) and an arm (50) extending from the receptacle (30) with a locking element (60) cooperating with the screen mount (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a docking station for a tablet computer. In particular, the invention relates to a device for sewer pipe inspection and / or rehabilitation with a docking station for a tablet computer.

[0002] Docking stations come in a variety of designs and are primarily used to connect portable devices, especially laptops, to a wired network. However, docking stations are also available for sewer pipe inspection and / or rehabilitation. These docking stations feature interfaces to tablet computers, enabling the control of sewer pipe inspection and / or rehabilitation devices. Ideally, such docking stations not only provide power and controls for the connected tablet computer but also allow for software-controlled data acquisition and / or intervention during sewer pipe inspection and / or rehabilitation procedures.In particular, such a docking station allows cameras connected to a docking station for sewer pipe inspection to be connected to a tablet computer and the recordings to be stored, displayed and / or analyzed on the tablet computer.

[0003] The disadvantage of common docking stations for such tablet computers often lies in their design: they form a tray-like recess into which the tablet is placed and secured by a clamp that grips the edge of the tablet. This clamp, which covers part of the tablet's display, reduces the usable screen area. Furthermore, the complete coverage of the tablet's back results in reduced heat dissipation and makes it difficult to access components located on the back, such as the camera, battery compartment, or storage device connector. These components can only be accessed when the tablet is removed from the docking station.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to create a docking station that ensures good cooling of the tablet computer as well as good accessibility to components located on the back of the tablet computer. At the same time, with regard to its specific use in sewer pipe inspection and / or rehabilitation, particularly on a construction site or during transport to the work site, the docking station must ensure that the tablet computer is stored in the docking station in a manner that is as secure as possible against vibrations.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by the docking station with the features of claim 1. The dependent claims describe advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0006] The basic idea of ​​the invention is to attach a tablet computer to a docking station, instead of using a docking station with a clamp that grips the tablet, by means of a screen mount attached to the back of the tablet computer that interacts with the docking station. The screen mount, which is specifically designed as a VESA screen mount, covers only a small area on the back of the tablet computer, so that the cooling of the tablet computer is largely unaffected by the docking station and the accessibility and use of rear-mounted components of the tablet computer are largely preserved. At the same time, the screen area is not reduced, so that the entire screen remains unobstructed and fully visible.

[0007] The advantages of the docking station according to the invention lie in particular in its small size, low weight and - in a particularly preferred embodiment - the ease of mounting control elements not only next to the tablet computer, but also above the tablet computer.

[0008] According to the invention, a docking station for a tablet computer is proposed, comprising a plurality of threaded holes arranged on its rear for attaching a screen mount, wherein the docking station has a receptacle with an interface arranged in the receptacle for connection with the tablet computer, a screen mount designed for attachment to the tablet computer, and an arm extending from the receptacle with a locking element cooperating with the screen mount.

[0009] Preferably, the interface is designed as a plug connection, with the arm extending in the opposite direction to the insertion direction required to connect the tablet computer to the interface. In any case, the interface is configured at least for (bidirectional) data exchange between the docking station and the tablet computer, and preferably, the tablet computer is also powered via the interface shared by the tablet computer and the docking station. For electrical contact, the plug connection preferably has spring-loaded contact pins, which are largely secured against lateral movement by the locking element.

[0010] The docking station preferably includes a seal that is arranged around the interface. Specifically, the tablet computer inserted into the docking station is positioned against the seal, so that the interface is completely protected against moisture ingress by the docking station and the tablet computer inserted therein.

[0011] The locking element can, for example, be designed as a rigid tab that is inserted into a pocket provided on the screen mount. Advantageously, however, the locking element is movably mounted on the arm and, in a first position, allows the tablet computer to be inserted into or removed from the docking station, while in a second position it locks the tablet computer in the docking station. Most preferably, the locking element is a spring-loaded pin that engages in a recess provided on the screen mount. Due to this particularly preferred design, it is possible to insert the tablet computer into the docking station against the force of the spring, with the pin engaging in the recess on the screen mount locking the tablet computer in the docking station.To unlock, the pen has an element that can be manually operated against the force of the spring, allowing the tablet computer to be unlocked and removed from the docking station.

[0012] A particularly advantageous embodiment is achieved when the locking element is a locking coupling specifically designed with a spring-loaded ball. Designed in this way, the tablet computer can be inserted into the docking station by overcoming the spring force acting on the ball, with the spring-loaded ball, located on the screen mount, forming a positive fit with a half-shell arranged on the arm. This particularly preferred embodiment not only ensures that the spring-loaded locking element, i.e., the ball, generates a clamping force that presses the tablet computer into the docking station and precisely against the interface, but also that, due to the positive fit, the tablet computer is positioned securely and accurately within the docking station with respect to the interface.Specifically, to ensure the safe operation of the docking station and to minimize stress on the tablet computer during use, for example on a construction site, two locking couplings arranged symmetrically to the interface are provided.

[0013] The docking station preferably has at least one control element designed to control a tablet computer held by the docking station. Specifically, control elements are provided on both sides of the docking station. The at least one control element allows not only direct control of the tablet computer, but also of tools connected to the tablet computer within a device for sewer pipe inspection and / or rehabilitation, for example, an inspection camera or a milling tool.

[0014] The invention enables a specific embodiment in which a control element is arranged on the arm. The arm can therefore serve not only to fix the tablet computer to the docking station, but also as a carrier for additional control elements or interfaces. These additional control elements or interfaces can be accessible from the rear, or from the front, namely in the case where the arm extends beyond the tablet computer held by the docking station, or from above the tablet computer, particularly in the form of an (emergency stop) button.

[0015] The screen mount is preferably a VESA screen mount. The screen mount therefore conforms to the VESA Flat Display Mounting Interface (FDMI) standard, and is specifically designed as a plate. Particularly preferably, the screen mount has at least one recess providing free access to at least one component of the tablet computer, in particular the camera located on the back of the tablet computer, the battery compartment, ventilation openings, or other interfaces of the tablet computer, for example, for connecting a storage medium.

[0016] Additionally, the screen mount can have a section designed to grip an edge of the tablet computer. This section is shaped as a right-angled profile, not a U-shaped one, so care must be taken to ensure that the front of the screen is not covered by the screen mount. This design ensures that the forces absorbed by the screen mount do not act solely on the threaded holes for attaching the screen mount, but are transferred directly into the tablet computer's housing.

[0017] Furthermore, according to the invention, the aforementioned docking station is provided with a tablet computer connected to the docking station. In particular, the arm extends beyond the tablet computer, with a control element arranged on the arm extending towards the front of the tablet computer or transversely away from the tablet computer. In this way, all control elements can be reached from the front of the tablet computer. These can be any control elements such as buttons or rotary knobs, with the arrangement of a control element as an "emergency stop switch" extending transversely away from the tablet computer, i.e., accessible from above on the top of the tablet computer, being particularly suitable.

[0018] Furthermore, the docking station is specially designed so that the holder covers less than 50% of the tablet computer's back. If the tablet computer has a camera, ventilation grille, and / or battery compartment on its back, these components remain easily accessible. At the same time, heat dissipation is ensured without being significantly obstructed by the docking station.

[0019] Finally, a device for sewer pipe inspection and / or rehabilitation with the docking station according to the invention is also proposed. The device specifically includes a reel support frame, to which the docking station is detachably connected. Furthermore, the device for sewer pipe inspection and / or rehabilitation includes known means and tools for sewer pipe inspection and / or rehabilitation, in particular a camera or a milling tool, which can be controlled by the docking station via a tablet computer.

[0020] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to a particularly preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a particularly preferred embodiment of the docking station with a tablet computer inserted therein, from the front; Fig. 2 the particularly preferred embodiment from Fig. 1 in a perspective view from behind; Fig. 3 den in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 tablet computers shown with attached VESA screen mount without the other components of the docking station in a perspective view from the rear; Fig. 4 a sectional view through the docking station and the tablet computer connected to the docking station in the area of ​​the locking element designed as a spring-loaded pin in an overview (a), in a detail view in the area of ​​the locking element arranged on the arm (b) and in a detail view in the area of ​​the interface (c); and Fig. 5 a cutaway view through the docking station and the tablet computer connected to the docking station in the area of ​​the locking element designed as a locking coupling.

[0021] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a particularly preferred embodiment of the docking station with a tablet computer inserted therein, from the front. In particular, it shows Fig. 1 A particularly preferred docking station 10 with a tablet computer 200 connected to the docking station 10. The tablet computer 200, which has a screen 220 embedded in a housing and a handle 210 arranged on the housing, is inserted in a receptacle 30 formed by the docking station 10, wherein an interface 40 is provided in the receptacle 30 for connecting the docking station 10 to the tablet computer 200, which ensures the power supply and data exchange between the docking station 10 and the tablet computer 200 by means of electrical lines.

[0022] The docking station 10 has control elements 100 arranged on the front of the tablet computer 200 on both sides of it, which are set up to control the tablet computer 200 or to control devices connected to the tablet computer 200 via other interfaces.

[0023] The Tablet Computer 200 preferably has a handle on its top surface, which allows for easy transport of the Tablet Computer 200 independently of the Docking Station 10. In any case, it shows Fig. 1 clearly shows that the visibility of the display of the tablet computer 200 is not restricted by the docking station 10 - rather, the docking station 10 is designed in such a way that the tablet computer 200 can be received by the docking station 10 in such a way that the components of the docking station 10 do not extend in front of the tablet computer 200.

[0024] This will be - as Fig. 2 is illustrated in a perspective view from the rear – in particular, this is achieved by attaching the tablet computer 200 to the docking station 10 by means of a screen holder 20 attached to the rear of the tablet computer 200, without requiring a clamping device known from the prior art that extends over the edge of the tablet computer 200. For this purpose, the tablet computer 200 as such has, as a standard feature, a plurality of threaded holes arranged on its rear side, which are designed for attaching the screen holder 20.

[0025] Furthermore, it is from Fig. 2. It is evident that components of the tablet computer 200 located on the back are freely accessible even after connection to the docking station 10. In particular, these components are a camera 230 built into the tablet computer 200, ventilation slots 240 for cooling the tablet computer 200, a battery compartment 250 (or replaceable batteries) and an on / off switch 260 for switching the tablet computer 200 on or off.

[0026] The tablet computer 200 is now secured in the docking station 10 by an arm 50 extending from the mount 30, which has a plurality of locking elements 60 cooperating with the screen mount 20. The - in Fig. 3. A clearly visible screen mount 20, designed in particular as a VESA screen mount, which is connected to the tablet computer 200 by means of screws and is preferably designed in the form of a simple plate, accordingly has a means for cooperation with a first locking element 60, so that the screen mount 20 can be connected to the arm 50 connected to the mount 20.

[0027] Fig. Figure 4 shows that the first locking element 60 is specifically a spring-loaded pin 90 engaging in a recess 80 provided on the screen mount 20. The tablet computer can therefore be easily inserted into the receptacle 20 of the docking station 10 against the force of the spring, with the spring-loaded pin 90 securing the tablet computer 200 in the docking station 10 against falling out.

[0028] At the same time, it can be seen that the interface 40 is surrounded by a seal 70, which ensures sufficient sealing of the interface 40 against moisture.

[0029] Finally, it shows Fig. Figure 5 shows a sectional view through the docking station and the tablet computer connected to the docking station in the area of ​​a further locking element 60, which is designed as a locking coupling 90' and has a spring-loaded ball. Designed in this way, the tablet computer 200 can be inserted into the docking station 10 by overcoming the spring force acting on the ball, the ball being arranged on the screen mount 20 forming a positive fit with a half-shell arranged on the arm 50. This particularly preferred embodiment not only ensures that the spring-loaded locking element generates a clamping force that presses the tablet computer 200 into the docking station 10 and precisely against the interface 40, thus ensuring a good seal (see Figure 5). Fig.4a), but that due to the positive locking, a secure and precise positioning of the tablet computer 200 in the docking station 10 with regard to the interface 40 is also achieved.

Claims

[1] Docking station (10) for a tablet computer (200) with a plurality of threaded holes arranged on its rear for attaching a screen mount (20), wherein the docking station (10) - a recording (30) with an interface (40) arranged in the recording (30) for connection to the tablet computer (200), - a screen mount (20) designed for attachment to the tablet computer (200) and - has an arm (50) extending from the mount (30) with a locking element (60) cooperating with the screen mount (20). [2] Docking station (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the interface (40) is designed as a plug connection and the arm (50) extends in the opposite direction to the plugging direction required to connect the tablet computer (200) to the interface (40). [3] Docking station (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bya seal (70) arranged in the receptacle (30) and circumferential around the interface (40). [4] Docking station (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the locking element (60) on the arm (50) is movably arranged and in a first position enables the insertion or removal of the tablet computer (200) into or out of the docking station (10) and in a second position is arranged to lock the tablet computer in the docking station (10). [5] Docking station (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the locking element (60) is a spring-loaded pin (90) engaging in a recess (80) provided on the screen mount (20). [6] Docking station (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the locking element (60) is a locking body coupling (90'). [7] Docking station (10) according to claim 6, characterized by, that the locking element coupling (90') has a spring-loaded ball. [8] Docking station (10) according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized by two locking element couplings (90') arranged symmetrically to the interface (40). [9] Docking station (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one control element (100) set up for controlling a tablet computer picked up by the docking station (10). [10] Docking station (10) according to claim 9, characterized by Control elements (100) arranged on both sides of the recording (40). [11] Docking station (10) according to claim 9, characterized by at least one control element arranged on the arm (50). [12] Docking station (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the screen mount (20) is a VESA screen mount. [13] Docking station (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the screen mount (20) is designed as a plate. [14] Docking station (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the screen mount (20) has at least one recess providing free access to at least one component of the tablet computer (200). [15] Docking station (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the screen mount (20) has a section designed to grip an edge of the tablet computer (200). [16] Docking station (10) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by a tablet computer (200) connected to the docking station (10). [17] Docking station (10) according to claims 11 and 16, characterized by , that the control element arranged on the arm (50) extends towards the front of the tablet computer (200) or across the plane of the tablet computer (200) away from it. [18] Docking station (10) according to one of claims 16 and 17, characterized by , that the recording (20) covers less than 50% of the back of the tablet computer (200). [19] Docking station (10) according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized by that the tablet computer (200) has a camera, a ventilation grille, a battery compartment or other interfaces on its rear side, wherein the camera, the ventilation grille, the battery compartment and / or the other interfaces of the tablet computer (200) connected to the docking station (10) are freely accessible. [20] Device for sewer pipe inspection and / or rehabilitation with a docking station (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [21] Device for sewer pipe inspection and / or rehabilitation according to claim 20 characterized by a reel carrier frame, wherein the docking station (10) is detachably connected to the reel carrier frame.

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