CHARGING CABLE

Abstract

The invention discloses a charging cable comprising a longitudinal cable body, an input end, and an output end electrically connected to two opposite ends of the cable body, respectively. The output end comprises a first housing, a first printed circuit board, an indicator device used to indicate a fast or slow charging state, and at least one output connector. The indicator device and each output connector are respectively connected to the first printed circuit board; the first printed circuit board is electrically connected to the cable body; and the first housing surrounds the first printed circuit board, the indicator device, and a portion of each output connector.The indicator device at the output end of the charging cable can display a fast charging status and a slow charging status during the charging process, and one can intuitively know if the electronic equipment is in the fast charging state.

Description

Title of the invention: CHARGING cable

[0001] CONTEXT OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical field

[0003] The invention relates to the technical field of electronic accessories, in particular to a charging cable.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Currently, charging cables / data cables on the market are often used to realize a connection between power supplies (such as power supplies) and electronic devices (mobile phones, tablets, etc.) in order to charge the electronic devices or realize data transmission. Current charging methods include fast charging and slow charging. However, in a fast charging process of the existing electronic equipment, a user cannot intuitively know whether the electronic equipment is in a fast charging state, and a technician cannot obtain the fast charging state in real time, so the electronic equipment is likely to be overcharged or even electrically damaged, resulting in poor fast charging safety of the electronic equipment.

[0006] BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the invention is to provide an improved charging cable addressing at least one defect in the underlying technology.

[0008] The technical scheme adopted by the invention to solve the technical problems is as follows: a charging cable comprises a longitudinal cable body, an input end and an output end which are electrically connected to the two opposite ends of the cable body respectively, wherein the output end comprises a first housing, a first printed circuit board, an indicating device for indicating a fast charging state or a slow charging state, and at least one output connector; the indicating device and each output connector are respectively connected to the first printed circuit board; the first printed circuit board is electrically connected to the cable body; and the first housing surrounds the first printed circuit board, the indicating device and a part of each output connector.

[0009] Preferably, the indicating device comprises an indicating light unit, and the indicating light unit is used to indicate a fast charging state and a slow charging state.

[0010] Preferably, the indicator light unit comprises a first indicator light and a second indicator light which are respectively connected to the first control board. circuit board; in the fast charging state, the first indicator light is on, and the second indicator light is off; in the slow charging state, the second indicator light is on, and the first indicator light is off.

[0011] Preferably, the charging cable further comprises an indicator lighting circuit and a current-voltage detection circuit.

[0012] The indicator light circuit comprises a first light emitting module and a second light emitting module, wherein the first light emitting module comprises the first indicator light, and the second light emitting module comprises the second indicator light.

[0013] The current-voltage detection circuit comprises a control chip, and the control chip is respectively connected to the first light-emitting module and the second light-emitting module.

[0014] Preferably, the first housing is provided with at least one through-hole; and all of the output connectors and the cable body respectively extend through the through-hole and are partially inserted into the first housing.

[0015] Preferably, the first housing is provided with a light transmitting portion.

[0016] Preferably, the light transmitting portion is a light transmitting hole.

[0017] Preferably, the charging cable also comprises a decorative element capable of transmitting light, and the decorative element is at least partially arranged in the light transmission hole.

[0018] Preferably, the first housing comprises at least two connected housing units.

[0019] Preferably, the output connector comprises at least one of a Micro-USB connector, a Type-C connector, and an Apple Lightning Dock connector.

[0020] The charging cable has at least the following beneficial effects: the indicating device at the output end can display the fast charging status and the slow charging status during the charging process to a user, so that the user can intuitively know whether the electronic equipment is in a fast charging status, and a technician can obtain a fast charging status in real time.

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The invention will now be further briefly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] [Fig.l] is a diagram of the overall structure of a charging cable according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] [Fig.2] is an overall exploded structural diagram of the charging cable illustrated in [Fig.l];

[0025] [Fig.3] is an exploded structural diagram of the output end of the charging cable shown in [Fig.l];

[0026] [Fig.4] is a schematic view of [Fig.3] from another perspective;

[0027] [Fig.5] is a diagram of an electrical connection structure of a cable of load according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] [Fig.6] is a circuit structure diagram of an indicator light circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] [Fig.7] is a circuit structure diagram of a current-voltage detection circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] In order to more clearly understand the technical characteristics, objectives and effects of the invention, the specific embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The charging cable described herein can also be understood as a data cable.

[0031] As illustrated in [Fig.l], a charging cable according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a longitudinal cable body 1, an input end and an output end electrically connected to the two opposite ends of the cable body 1 respectively.

[0032] The output end comprises a first housing 31, a first printed circuit board 33, an indicating device for indicating a fast charging state or a slow charging state, and at least one output connector 3. The indicating device and all the output connectors 3 are respectively connected to the first printed circuit board 33. The first printed circuit board 33 is electrically connected to the cable body 1. The first housing 31 surrounds the first printed circuit board 33, the indicating device and a part of each output connector 3.

[0033] An output connector 3 may be a Micro-USB connector, a Type-C connector, or an Apple Lightning Dock connector. For example, in the embodiment as shown in [Fig.l] and [Fig.2], the output end comprises two output connectors 3, and one of the output connectors 3 is a Type-C connector and another is an Apple Lightning Dock connector. The two output connectors 3 are located on the same plane, and the extension directions of the interfaces are mutually perpendicular.

[0034] The input end also comprises at least one input connector 2. As illustrated in [Fig.l] and [Fig.2], in one embodiment, the input end comprises two input connectors 2, and the two input connectors 2 are located on the same plane, and the extension directions of the interfaces are mutually perpendicular. One of the two input connectors 2 at the input end is a Micro-USB connector and another is a Type-C connector, which is more in line with the technological development of electronic products. Of course, in other embodiments, the input end may also comprise two Micro-USB connectors or two Type-C connectors. The distance between the two input connectors 2 of the input end is less than 3 cm, more preferably less than 2 cm.

[0035] The indicating device is used to indicate a fast charging state or a slow charging state. The fast charging state and the slow charging state may be defined by a voltage and / or a current flowing through the cable body 1. The first circuit board 33 may detect the voltage and current flowing through the cable body 1, so as to control the indicating device to indicate a fast charging state or a slow charging state to the user. For example, in one embodiment, when the current flowing through the cable body 1 is greater than 200 mA, but the voltage flowing through the cable body 1 is less than 6 V, the indicating device may indicate a slow charging state to the user; when the voltage flowing through the cable body 1 is greater than or equal to 6 V, the indicating device may indicate a fast charging state to the user.In a specific application scenario, the user connects one of the input connectors 2 of the charging cable to a fast charger with an output voltage of 9 V, the fast charger is connected to the power supply, and one of the output connectors 3 of the charging cable is connected to an electronic device. Then, the indication device at the output end indicates a fast charging state to the user. The user can intuitively know that the electronic equipment is in a fast charging state, and technicians can obtain the fast charging state in real time. In another example, the user connects one of the input connectors 2 of the charging cable to a slow charger with an output voltage of 5 V, the slow charger is connected to a power supply, and one of the output connectors 3 of the charging cable is connected to an electronic device.Then, the indicating device at the output end indicates a trickle charging status to the user. Therefore, the output voltage range of the device connected to the input end of the charging cable can be intuitively judged by using the indicating device.

[0036] To summarize, the invention has at least the beneficial effects that the indicating device at the output end can display the fast charging state and the slow charging state during the charging process to the user, so that the user can intuitively know whether the electronic device is in a fast charging state, and the technician can obtain the fast charging state in real time.

[0037] As illustrated in [Fig. 3] and [Fig. 4], in one embodiment, the indication device is an indication light unit 4, and the indication light unit 4 is used for indicating a fast charging state and a slow charging state. That is, the indication light unit 4 can send at least two different light source signals, and the different light source signals respectively correspond to the fast charging state and the slow charging state, so as to intuitively display the fast charging state and the slow charging state during the charging process to attract the user's attention.

[0038] Furthermore, as illustrated in [Fig. 3], in one embodiment, the indication light unit 4 comprises a first indicator light 41 and a second indicator light 42. The first indicator light 41 and the second indicator light 42 may be differentiated by the wavelength of the light. For example, in one embodiment, the first indicator light 41 is a green light, and the second indicator light 42 is a white light. Of course, the first indicator light 41 and the second indicator light 42 may be differentiated from each other in other forms. In a fast charging state, the first indicator light 41 is on and the second indicator light 42 is off. In a slow charging state, the second indicator light 42 is on and the first indicator light 41 is off.Therefore, the user can intuitively determine the fast charging status and the slow charging status during the charging process via the first indicator light 41 and the second indicator light 42.

[0039] It can be understood that in other embodiments, the indication light unit 4 may also indicate fast charging and slow charging by sending a fast and slow flashing light signal through an indicator light, for example, in the fast charging state, an indicator light of the indicator light unit 4 sends a fast flashing light signal, and in the slow charging state, an indicator light of the indicator light unit 4 sends a slow flashing light signal.

[0040] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the first indicator light 41 and the second indicator light 42 are mechanically and / or electrically connected to the first printed circuit board 33 respectively. In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], a first indicator light 41 and a second indicator light 42 are attached to the upper surface of the first printed circuit board 33. In other embodiments, a first indicator light 41 and a second indicator light 42 may be connected to the lower surface of the first printed circuit board 33, or a first indicator light 41 and a second indicator light 42 may be connected to the upper surface and the lower surface of the first printed circuit board 33, respectively.

[0041] As illustrated in [Fig.5], in one embodiment, the charging cable further comprises an indicator light ignition circuit 6, and a current-voltage detection circuit 7 electrically connected to the indicator light ignition circuit 6. The ignition circuit 6 and the current-voltage detection circuit 7 may be arranged on the first printed circuit board 33 by printing or the like.

[0042] As illustrated in [Fig.6] and [Fig.7], in one embodiment, the indicator lighting circuit 6 comprises a first light-emitting module 61 and a second light-emitting module 62, the first light-emitting module 61 comprises a first indicator light 41, and the second light-emitting module 62 comprises a second indicator light 42. The current-voltage detection circuit 7 comprises a control chip 71, and the control chip 71 is connected to the first light-emitting module 61 and the second light-emitting module 62 respectively.

[0043] The first indicator light 41 of the first light-emitting module 61 and the second indicator light 42 of the second light-emitting module 62 can respectively emit light signals under the control of the control chip 71. Specifically, the current-voltage detection circuit 7 can detect the current and voltage flowing through the cable body 1, and when the current flowing through the cable body 1 is less than 200 mA, the first indicator light 41 and the second indicator light 42 do not emit light. When the current flowing through the cable body 1 is greater than 200 mA and the voltage is less than 6 V, the control chip 71 controls the second indicator light 42 to emit light, and the first indicator light 41 does not emit light. Then from the user's perspective, white light can be seen flashing, indicating a trickle charging state.When the current flowing through the cable body 1 is greater than 200 mA and the voltage is greater than or equal to 6 V, the control chip 71 controls the first indicator light 41 to emit light and controls the second indicator light 42 not to emit light at the same time. Then, from the user's point, green light can be seen flashing, indicating a fast charging state.

[0044] Specifically, as illustrated in [Fig.6], in one embodiment, the first light-emitting module 61 comprises a connection end 63 (the connection end 63 is an LED_EN end), a Zener diode D6, a transistor Q3 (numbered SS8050), a first resistor R8, a second resistor R9, a third resistor RI 1 and a first indicator light 4L. The first indicator light 41 includes a light-emitting diode D5, the first end of the first resistor R8 and the first end of the second resistor R9 connected to the anode of the Zener diode D6, the second end of the first resistor R8 connected to the base of transistor Q3, and the second end of the second resistor R9 connected to the emitter of transistor Q3. The cathode of light-emitting diode D5 is connected to the collector of transistor Q3. The emitter of transistor Q3 and the second end of the second resistor R9 are grounded, the anode of light-emitting diode D5 is connected to the first end of the third resistor RI 1, and the second end of the third resistor RI 1 and the cathode of Zener diode D6 are connected to the connection end 63.

[0045] The second light-emitting module 62 comprises a connection end 63, a fourth resistor R12 and a second indicator light 42. The second indicator light 42 includes a light-emitting diode D4, the first end of the fourth resistor R12 is connected to the connection terminal 63, the second end of the fourth resistor R12 is connected to the anode of the light-emitting diode D4, and the cathode of the light-emitting diode D4 is grounded.

[0046] The first electroluminescent module 61 is connected to the second electroluminescent module 62.

[0047] Specifically, as illustrated in [Fig.7], in one embodiment, the current-voltage detection circuit 7 further comprises an input end 72 connected to the control chip 71, wherein the input end 72 is a VBUS end and is electrically connected to the cable body 1. The connection end 63 is also connected to the control chip 71. The current-voltage detection circuit 7 detects the current through a sampling resistor, and a functional amplifier is used as a comparator.

[0048] In the LED turn-on circuit 6, the Zener diode D6 is a Zener diode with a forward voltage of 5.1 V. The Zener diode D6 can maintain voltage stability after reverse breakdown. In the current-voltage detection circuit 7, the voltage at the connection end 63 is lower than the voltage at the input end 72 by about 1 V. Therefore, when the voltage of the input end 72 is greater than or equal to 6 V, the output end 63 outputs a voltage greater than or equal to 5.1 V, and the Zener diode D6 is turned on. When the control chip 71 detects that the current is less than or equal to 200 mA and the voltage of the input end 72 is greater than or equal to 6 V, the Zener diode D6 is turned on, and the transistor Q3 is turned on accordingly.Then, the cathode of the light emitting diode D5 and the anode of the light emitting diode D4 are at a low level, the first indicator light 41 is on and emits light, and the second indicator light 42 is off. On the other hand, when the voltage of the input end 72 is lower than 6 V, the Zener diode D6 is off and the transistor Q3 is off, the cathode of the light emitting diode D5 and the anode of the light emitting diode . D4 are at a high level, the first indicator light 41 is off and the second indicator light 42 is on and emitting light.

[0049] When the current of the input end 72 is less than 200 mA, the first indicator light 41 and the second indicator light 42 are both off.

[0050] As illustrated in [Fig.l] and [Fig.2], in one embodiment, the output end further comprises a first housing 31, and the first circuit board 33 and the indicating device are disposed in the first housing 31. The first housing 31 is provided with three through holes. The two output connectors 3 and the cable body 1 extend respectively through the through holes and partially into the first housing 31. Specifically, the type connector extends into the first housing 31 partially through the first through hole, the Apple Lightning Dock connector extends into the first housing 31 partially through the second through hole, and the cable body 1 extends into the first housing 31 partially through the third through hole.The three through holes are respectively located on three sides of the first housing 31, so that the cable body 1 and one of the output connectors 3 are arranged perpendicular to each other, and the two output connectors 3 are also arranged perpendicular to each other. Of course, the number of the through holes is not limited to three, but may be two or three or more depending on the number of the output connectors 3.

[0051] Further, as illustrated in [Fig.2], in one embodiment, the first housing 31 comprises at least two connected housing units 310. The two housing units 310 may be removably connected to each other by snap-fitting, magnetic connection, or the like, so as to facilitate maintenance and replacement of components in the first housing 31.

[0052] When the indication device is the indicator light unit 4, the first housing 31 may also be provided with a light-transmitting portion. The light-transmitting portion may transmit light from inside the first housing 31. Furthermore, in order to collect as much light as possible at the light-transmitting portion, the light-transmitting portion may be arranged just above the indication device. It should be noted that “just above the indication device” is perpendicular to the extension direction of the cable body 1.

[0053] As illustrated in [Fig.3], in one embodiment, the light-transmitting portion is a light-transmitting hole 311, which penetrates a surface of the first housing 31, such that the internal space of the first housing 31 communicates with the outside air, and thus the light inside the first housing 31 can be observed by the user through the light-transmitting hole 311. Of course, in other embodiments, at least a portion of the first housing 31 may be made of a transparent material (e.g., glass, transparent plastic, etc.) to form the light transmitting portion.

[0054] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], in one embodiment, the charging cable also comprises a decorative member 5 capable of transmitting light. The decorative member 5 may be made of a transparent material such as glass, transparent plastic, or the like. At least a portion of the decorative member 5 is disposed in the light-transmitting hole 311 to play a decorative and light-transmitting role. Preferably, the shape and size of the light-transmitting hole 311 are matched to the shape and size of the decorative member 5. For example, in one embodiment, the decorative member 5 has the shape of a heart, and the light-transmitting hole 311 also has the shape of a heart. However, the decorative member 5 and / or the light-transmitting hole 311 may also be in other regular or irregular shapes, which are not limited by the present invention.

[0055] Furthermore, in one embodiment, a portion of the decorative member is disposed in the first housing 31, and the other portion is disposed in the light-transmitting hole 311. As illustrated in [Fig. 3] and [Fig. 4], the portion of the decorative member 5 located in the first housing 31 is provided with a fixing hole 50. The surface of the first housing 31 facing the indicating device (i.e., the inner wall surface of the first housing 31) is provided with a protrusion, and the protrusion of the first housing 31 is engaged with the fixing hole 50 on the decorative member 5, so as to fix the decorative member 5 relative to the first housing 31.

[0056] As illustrated in [Fig.2], in one embodiment, the input end further comprises a second housing 20 and a second printed circuit board 21. The two input connectors 2 and the cable body 1 are electrically connected to the second printed circuit board 21, respectively. Similar to the first housing 31, the second housing 20 may also comprise at least two connected sub-units 201. The second housing 20 may be arranged relative to the first housing 31, and is not described again here.

[0057] As shown in [Fig.3] and [Fig.5], in one embodiment, one of the output connectors 3 of the output end is an Apple Lightning Dock connector with a Lightning plug, and the Lightning plug can be electrically connected to an Apple Lightning device externally and is connected to the first control circuit on the first circuit board 33. The other output connector 3 of the output end is a type-c connector, which has a type-c output end, and the type-c output end can be electrically connected to a type-c device externally, and is connected to the first control circuit on the first printed circuit board 33. The first control circuit is also connected to a current-voltage detection circuit 7.

[0058] As illustrated in [Fig.3] and [Fig.5], in one embodiment, one of the input connectors 2 of the input end is a Micro-USB connector, which has a male input end A, and the male input end A can be electrically connected to a USB-A interface charger externally, and is connected to the second control circuit on the second circuit board 21. The other input connector 2 of the input end is a Type-C connector, which has a Type-C input end, and the Type-C input end can be electrically connected to a USB-C interface charger externally, and is connected to the second control circuit on the second circuit board 21.

[0059] As illustrated in [Fig.5], in one embodiment, the cable body 1 is a five-core cable connected between the current-voltage detection circuit 7 on the first printed circuit board 33 and the second control circuit on the second printed circuit board 21.

[0060] It can be understood that the above embodiments represent only the preferred embodiments of the invention, and the description is more specific and detailed, but it cannot be interpreted as a limitation to the scope of the patent of the invention. It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, the above technical features can be combined freely, and a number of modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the invention, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the invention. Therefore, all equivalent transformations and modifications made within the scope of the claims of the invention should be covered by the claims of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. A charging cable, comprising a longitudinal cable body (1), an input end and an output end electrically connected to two opposite ends of the cable body (1) respectively, wherein the output end comprises a first housing (31), a first printed circuit board (33), an indicating device for indicating a fast charging state or a slow charging state, and at least one output connector (3); the indicating device and each output connector (3) are respectively connected to the first printed circuit board (33); the first printed circuit board (33) is electrically connected to the cable body (1); and the first housing (31) surrounds the first printed circuit board (33), the indicating device and a part of each output connector (3).

2. The charging cable according to claim 1, wherein the indicating device comprises an indicating light unit (4), and the indicating light unit (4) is used for indicating a fast charging state or a slow charging state.

3. The charging cable according to claim 2, wherein the indicator light unit (4) comprises a first indicator light (41) and a second indicator light (42) respectively connected to the first circuit board (33); in the fast charging state, the first indicator light (41) is on, and the second indicator light (42) is off; in the slow charging state, the second indicator light (42) is on, and the first indicator light (41) is off.

4. The charging cable according to claim 3, further comprising an indicator light circuit (6) and a current-voltage detection circuit (7) electrically connected to the indicator light circuit (6); the indicator light circuit (6) comprises a first light-emitting module (61) and a second light-emitting module (62), the first light-emitting module (61) comprises the first indicator light (41), and the second light-emitting module (62) comprises the second indicator light (42); the current-voltage detection circuit (7) comprises a control chip (71), and the control chip (71) is respectively connected to the first light-emitting module (61) and to the second light-emitting module (62).

5. The charging cable according to claim 1, wherein the first housing (31) is provided with at least one through hole, and all the output connectors (3) and the cable body (1) respectively extend partially into the first housing (31) through the through hole.

6. A charging cable according to claim 1, wherein the first housing (31) is provided with a light-transmitting portion.

7. The charging cable of claim 6, wherein the light-transmitting portion is a light-transmitting hole (311).

8. The charging cable of claim 7, wherein the charging cable further comprises a decorative member (5) capable of transmitting light; and the decorative member (5) is partially arranged in the light-transmitting hole (311).

9. The charging cable of claim 1, wherein the first housing (31) comprises at least two connected housing units (310).

10. The charging cable of claim 1, wherein the output connector (3) comprises at least one of a Micro-USB connector, a Type-C connector, and an Apple Lightning Dock connector.

11. 1 A charging cable according to claim 2, wherein the output connector (3) comprises at least one of a Micro-USB connector, a Type-C connector and an Apple Lightning Dock connector.

12. The charging cable of claim 3, wherein the output connector (3) comprises at least one of a Micro-USB connector, a Type-C connector, and an Apple Lightning Dock connector.

13. 13. The charging cable of claim 4, wherein the output connector (3) comprises at least one of a Micro-USB connector, a Type-C connector, and an Apple Lightning Dock connector.

14. 4The charging cable of claim 5, wherein the output connector (3) comprises at least one of a Micro-USB connector, a Type-C connector, and an Apple Lightning Dock connector.

15. 5The charging cable of claim 6, wherein the output connector (3) comprises at least one of a Micro-USB connector, a Type-C connector, and an Apple Lightning Dock connector.

16. 6A charging cable according to claim 7, wherein the output connector (3) comprises at least one of a Micro-USB connector, a Type-C connector and an Apple Lightning Dock connector.

17. 7A charging cable according to claim 8, wherein the output connector (3) comprises at least one of a Micro-USB connector, a Type-C connector and an Apple Lightning Dock connector.

18. A charging cable according to claim 2, wherein the first housing (31) comprises at least two connected housing units (310).

19. 19. The charging cable of claim 3, wherein the first housing (31) comprises at least two connected housing units (310).

20. 20. The charging cable of claim 4, wherein the first housing (31) comprises at least two connected housing units (310).