Charging aid

Abstract

Charging aid with a first male plug (1) which is firmly connected to a coupling element (5) which is further firmly connected to a second male plug (2) and has transmission elements for transmitting current.

Description

[0001] Cell phones and other electronic devices with rechargeable batteries are typically charged using a charger. There are also various auxiliary devices available for charging such devices. For example, power banks that connect to the device via a cable or charging pads that can charge the device via induction.

[0002] The invention is based on the object of creating a charging aid that is so compact that it can be carried at any time and is capable of charging a device such as a mobile phone, iPad, wireless headphones and the like on the go with the help of a power bank or other electronic device.

[0003] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. The claimed charging aid comprises a first male plug that is firmly connected to a coupling element, which is further firmly connected to a second male plug. Furthermore, the coupling element comprises transmission elements for transmitting power. This charging aid is extremely compact and can be carried at any time, for example, in a wallet. It allows the electrical connection of a first device to a second device, thus recharging one device by providing power from the other device.

[0004] Which device is charged by which depends on the order in which the two devices are connected. The energy-supplying device is connected to the charging aid first. Only then is the energy-consuming device, i.e., the device being charged, connected. This way, current flows only from the energy-supplying device to the device being charged. Only in the case where one of the devices has a completely empty battery and is therefore turned off does the order of connection not matter, and the empty device is automatically charged by the device whose battery still has capacity.

[0005] Due to the widespread adoption of the USB-C standard, male connectors are more advantageous than USB-C connectors. However, all other common connectors are also possible, as are combinations of different connectors, such as a first connector as a USB-C connector and a second connector as a Lightning connector. Adapters can also be used to connect various devices.

[0006] Advantageously, the transmission elements are connected to the plugs in such a way that only charging current can be transferred from one device to the other in order to avoid unwanted data transmission.

[0007] The transmission elements can be wires. However, a circuit board with conductive tracks is advantageously used for this purpose. Such a circuit board can also form the actual coupling element, so that the two connectors are connected to each other via the circuit board, which also enables power transmission.

[0008] Advantageously, fork-like holders are provided on the back of both connectors to hold the coupling element, for example the aforementioned circuit board. In principle, it is sufficient for each connector to be provided with such a holder. However, two opposing fork-like holders can also be provided on each connector to enable a stronger connection between the connector and the coupling element. The fork-like holder can also be used to transmit power from the connector to the circuit board. Independently of this, each connector can have pins on the back that engage with the circuit board and are suitable for transmitting power. These pins are advantageously rectangular or square and engage in corresponding extensions or slots in a circuit board, whereby these are electrically connected to conductor tracks.

[0009] To protect against environmental influences, the coupling element is preferably enclosed in a housing. However, it can itself be designed as a housing, eliminating the need for a separate housing. Advantageously, the housing also surrounds the rear part of the connectors and is firmly connected to them.

[0010] An LED can be provided on the outside of the case to indicate the charging process. This allows for immediate confirmation of whether a charging process has been completed, especially when charging a device with a completely empty battery. A display can also be provided on the outside of the case to indicate the charging process and charge level.

[0011] The LED or display can also be provided on the circuit board and a recess or a transparent element in the housing at the appropriate location.

[0012] Protective caps are advantageously provided to protect the outward-facing electrical contacts of the plugs from dirt or damage. These protective caps are removed before use and replaced after use. The invention is described in more detail using a specific embodiment. Fig. 1 shows a view of the loading aid. Fig. 2 shows the charging aid in three-dimensional representation without housing. Fig. 3 shows the charging aid without housing in a top view. Fig. 4 shows the charging aid without housing from the side. Fig. 5 shows the charging aid with protective caps.

[0013] Good looking Fig. 1 you can see the two male USB-C connectors 1 and 2. These are connected to each other in their rear part, as can be seen from the Fig. 2 to 4. The rear part and the coupling element 5 for connecting the two USB-C connectors 1, 2 are enclosed by a housing 3, which is provided with a lightning-shaped LED element 4 in its central area. This illuminates red upon successful charging, signaling the charging process to the user.

[0014] In Fig. 2 shows a three-dimensional representation of the coupling element 5 in the form of a circuit board. This connects the rear parts of the USB-C connectors 1 and 2 and establishes the contact between them. The electrical contact is established via pins 6 of the USB-C connectors 1, 2 and corresponding recesses 7 in the circuit board 5. Only one contact is established between the elements required for transmitting charging current. Data transmission is thus excluded. Furthermore, Fig. 2 shows an element of the fork-like support 8. This will be particularly mentioned when explaining the Fig. 4 in more detail.

[0015] In Fig. In Figure 3, the previously discussed elements of the charging aid are clearly visible in a top view. In the right part of the illustration, the fork-like holders 8 are clearly visible, one of which is provided for each of the USB-C connectors 1 and 2. These holders 8, as can be clearly seen Fig. 4, the circuit board 5 and serve to hold it, especially when installing the charging aid.

[0016] In Fig. 4 clearly shows that the holder 8 has two arms that are firmly connected to the respective USB-C connectors 1, 2 and clamp the circuit board 5 between them. During final assembly, the Fig. 2 to 4 is provided with the housing 3, which ensures additional strength.

[0017] Fig.5 shows the charging aid with a protective cap 9 attached and a protective cap 9 removed.

Claims

[1] Charging aid with a first male plug (1) which is firmly connected to a coupling element (5) which is further firmly connected to a second male plug (2) and has transmission elements for transmitting current. [2] Loading aid according to claim 1, characterized by that the male plugs (1, 2) are common plugs (1, 2) on mobile phones, iPads, wireless headphones, preferably both plugs (1, 2) are USB-C plugs. [3] Loading aid according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the transmission elements are connected to the plugs (1, 2) in such a way that only power for charging devices but no data can be transmitted. [4] Loading aid according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the transmission elements are wires or conductor tracks on a circuit board. [5] Loading aid according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the coupling element (5) is a circuit board having conductor tracks. [6] Loading aid according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the coupling element (5) is held by means of a fork-like holder (8) which is provided on the back of both plugs (1, 2). [7] Loading aid according to claim 6, characterized by that two fork-like holders (8) are provided on each of the two plugs (1, 2). [8] Loading aid according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that the fork-like holder (8) also serves to transmit current from plugs (1, 2) to the circuit board. [9] Loading aid according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that each connector (1, 2) has pins (6) on the back which engage with the circuit board and are suitable for transmitting current. [10] Loading aid according to claim 9, characterized bythat the pins (6) have a rectangular or square shape and engage in corresponding recesses (7) or slots of a circuit board, wherein the recesses (7) or slots of the circuit board are electrically connected to conductor tracks. [11] Loading aid according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that the coupling element (5) is surrounded by a housing (3). [12] Loading aid according to claim 11, characterized by that the housing (3) also surrounds a rear part of the plugs (1, 2) and is firmly connected to them. [13] Loading aid according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by that an LED (4) for indicating a charging process is provided on the coupling element (5) or on the outside of the housing. [14] Loading aid according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by that a display for indicating the charging process and the charging status is provided on the coupling element (5) or on the outside of the housing (3). [15] Loading aid according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by that protective caps are provided for plugging onto the plugs (1, 2).

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