Cover, electronic device and connector unit removing method

Abstract

A cover for corresponding to and adjacent to a connector unit of an electronic device includes a first surface, a second surface, a pull portion, and at least a first engaging portion. The first surface faces an external space of the electronic device. The second surface is disposed opposite to the first surface and faces an internal space of the electronic device. The pull portion includes an opening extending through the first and second surfaces, which allows a cable to pass through and connect the connector unit when the connector unit is in a transmission state. The first engaging portion is disposed on the second surface. This maintains the aesthetics of the electronic device and facilitates the removal of the connector unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to a method for disassembling a cover, electronic device, and connector unit, and more particularly to a method for disassembling a cover, electronic device, and connector unit that facilitates the disassembly of a connector unit. [Previous Technology]

[0002] With the ever-increasing expectations of humankind for technological advancement, connectors with ever-higher processing speeds are needed to meet the demands for ever-increasing transmission speeds. Therefore, connectors need to be equipped with heat dissipation structures to solve their heat dissipation problems. However, when connectors need to be removed from electronic devices due to relocation or replacement requirements, users' fingers may be burned by accidentally touching the heat dissipation structure.

[0003] Based on the above, in today's market for electronic devices and their connectors, there is an urgent need to develop a technical solution that can smoothly remove the connector from the electronic device and avoid burns to the user. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] This disclosure provides a cover, an electronic device, and a method for disassembling a connector unit. The connector unit is disposed within the internal space of the electronic device, and the cover is disposed correspondingly to and adjacent to the connector unit. The cover is connected to the housing and protrudes from the outer surface of the housing. Furthermore, the cover can contact and move the connector unit, causing the connector unit to move from the internal space of the electronic device to the external space of the electronic device. Thus, the cover can maintain the aesthetics of the electronic device and facilitate the disassembly of the connector unit.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a cover is provided for corresponding to and adjacent to a connector unit of an electronic device, and includes a first surface, a second surface, a pull portion, and at least one first engaging portion. The first surface faces an external space of the electronic device. The second surface is disposed opposite to the first surface and faces an internal space of the electronic device. The pull portion includes an opening that extends through the first surface and the second surface, and when the connector unit is in a transmission state, the opening allows a cable to pass through to connect the connector unit. The first engaging portion is disposed on the second surface.

[0006] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided, including a housing, a connector unit, and a cover. The connector unit is disposed in an internal space of the electronic device. The cover is correspondingly disposed adjacent to and connected to the connector unit, and is exposed on an outer surface of the housing. The cover can contact and drive the connector unit, causing the connector unit to move from the internal space of the electronic device to an external space of the electronic device.

[0007] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a connector unit disassembly method is provided for disassembling a connector unit from an electronic device. The electronic device includes a connector unit and a cover. The connector unit is disposed in an internal space of the electronic device, and the cover is correspondingly disposed adjacent to and connected to a housing of the electronic device and exposed on an outer surface of the housing. The connector unit disassembly method includes an actuation step, a contact step, a driving step, and a connector unit disassembly step. The actuation step includes pivoting the cover relative to a cover axis or moving the cover along the outer surface of the housing. The contact step includes causing the cover to contact the connector unit. The driving step includes causing the cover to drive the connector unit. The connector unit disassembly step includes moving the connector unit from the internal space of the electronic device to an external space of the electronic device to disassemble the connector unit from the electronic device.

Implementation Method

[0009] Several embodiments of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. For clarity, many practical details will be described in the following description. However, it should be understood that these practical details should not be used to limit the disclosure. That is, these practical details are not essential in the embodiments of this disclosure. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity, some conventional structures and elements will be shown in the drawings in a simple schematic manner; and repeated elements may be denoted by the same number.

[0010] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used only to describe different components and do not limit the components themselves. Therefore, the first component can also be referred to as the second component. Moreover, the combination of components in this article is not a combination that is generally known, conventional, or familiar in this field. Whether the components themselves are familiar cannot be used to determine whether their combination relationship is easily completed by someone with ordinary knowledge in the technical field.

[0011] Figure 1A shows a perspective view of the electronic device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1B shows an exploded view of a portion of the electronic device 100 in Figure 1A; Figure 1C shows another exploded view of a portion of the electronic device 100 in Figure 1A; and Figure 1D shows a cross-sectional view along section line 1D-1D in Figure 1A. Referring to Figures 1A to 1D, the electronic device 100 includes a housing 110, a connector unit 140, and a cover 120. The connector unit 140 is disposed in an internal space of the electronic device 100. The cover 120 is corresponding to and adjacent to the connector unit 140, and the cover 120 is connected to the housing 110 and exposed on an outer surface 113 of the housing 110. The cover 120 can contact and drive the connector unit 140, causing the connector unit 140 to move from the internal space of the electronic device 100 to an external space of the electronic device 100. In this way, the cover 120 can maintain the aesthetics of the electronic device 100 and facilitate the removal of the connector unit 140.

[0012] In detail, the connector unit 140 may include a heat dissipation structure 149, which is connected to a connector body 148 and is made of metal, while the cover 120 is made of plastic. This allows the user to remove the connector unit 140 without touching it, by using the cover 120 to actuate and remove the connector unit 140, thus preventing burns from accidental contact with the heat dissipation structure 149 during the removal of the connector unit 140. In the first embodiment, the heat dissipation structure 149 is a finned heat dissipation structure, and this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0013] The connector unit 140 may be an optical fiber transmission connector unit 140. Therefore, the electronic device 100 and its cover 120 can be used with the connector unit 140, which needs to be removed when relocation or replacement is required. In the first embodiment, the electronic device 100 may be a router, and the connector unit 140 may further be an SFP (Small Form-Factor Pluggable) Stick for optical fiber transmission, and this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0014] Figure 1E illustrates the disassembly process of the connector unit 140 in the electronic device 100 in Figure 1A. Referring to Figures 1A to 1E, after a user 900 performs an action on the cover 120, the cover 120 can contact and move the connector unit 140, the action including at least one of rotation and movement. This balances the stability of the connector unit 140's installation with the ease of disassembly.

[0015] The action performed by the user 900 on the cover 120 may include rotation. The cover 120 may include a first surface 121, a second surface 122, a cover pivot 127, and a pressing part 128. The first surface 121 faces the external space of the electronic device 100, and the second surface 122 is disposed opposite to the first surface 121 and faces the internal space of the electronic device 100. The cover pivot 127 is pivotally connected to a groove (not shown) on the periphery 114 of an opening of the outer casing 110, and the pressing part 128 is disposed on the first surface 121.

[0016] Referring to Figure 1E, when the user 900 presses the pressing part 128, the pressing part 128 rotates from the external space of the electronic device 100 to the internal space relative to the cover pivot 127, causing the cover 120 to contact the connector unit 140. This facilitates the installation of the cover 120 onto the electronic device 100 and the movement of the connector unit 140 during removal.

[0017] The cover 120 may further include at least one first engaging portion 123 disposed on the second surface 122, the first engaging portion 123 being able to engage (lock) and drive the connector unit 140. This facilitates the linkage between the cover 120 and the connector unit 140 when disassembling it.

[0018] The connector unit 140 may include a connector body 148 and a second engaging portion 142. The second engaging portion 142 is connected to the connector body 148, and the first engaging portion 123 can engage the second engaging portion 142 to move the connector unit 140. This facilitates stable movement when disassembling the connector unit 140.

[0019] Specifically, the first engaging portion 123 can be a hook, and the second engaging portion 142 can be a handle. The second engaging portion 142 includes a handle body 143 and two handle pivot portions 144. The first engaging portion 123 can hook onto the handle body 143, and the two handle pivot portions 144 are respectively connected to the two ends of the handle body 143 and pivotally connected to the connector body 148. In this way, the first engaging portion 123 and the second engaging portion 142 can easily engage with each other after the cover 120 pivots. In other embodiments of this disclosure (not shown in the figures), the first engaging portion of the cover can be a handle, and the second engaging portion of the connector unit can be a hook. The first engaging portion can engage the second engaging portion to drive the connector unit, and this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0020] There may be two first engaging portions 123, and the two first engaging portions 123 are arranged along an extending direction of the pull handle body 143, as shown in Figure 1C. This helps the cover 120 to securely drive the connector unit 140. In other embodiments according to this disclosure (not shown), the number of first engaging portions may be one or more than two.

[0021] The cover 120 further includes a pull portion 125, which is an open structure and includes an opening 126 that extends through the first surface 121 and the second surface 122. When the connector unit 140 is in a transmission state, the opening 126 allows a cable 160 to pass through to connect the connector unit 140, and the first engaging portion 123 is used to prevent contact with the connector unit 140. The first engaging portion 123 is disposed on the second surface 122. Thus, the cover 120 allows the connector unit 140 to maintain the aesthetics of the electronic device 100 in the transmission state, and prevents the user 900 from touching the heated parts of the connector unit 140 during disassembly. Furthermore, in embodiments according to this disclosure, the connector unit and cable may include a male connector, a female connector, and a cable that can be fixedly connected for signal or power connection.

[0022] The pull part 125 and the first engaging part 123 are respectively provided on two sides perpendicular to the cover pivot 127, as shown on the left and right sides of the cover pivot 127 in Figure 1C. In this way, when the cover 120 pivots, the first engaging part 123 rotates to the internal space of the electronic device 100 for engaging, and the pull part 125 rotates to the external space of the electronic device 100 for the user 900 to pull, which can improve the smoothness of disassembling the connector unit 140.

[0023] Figure 1F illustrates another schematic diagram of the disassembly process of the connector unit 140 in the electronic device 100 in Figure 1A. Referring to Figures 1B to 1F, the pull part 125 and the press part 128 are respectively provided on two sides perpendicular to the cover pivot 127. When the user 900 presses the press part 128, the pull part 125 rotates relative to the cover pivot 127 to the external space of the electronic device 100 (as shown in Figure 1E), and the cover 120 can be further rotated to form a 90-degree angle with the outer surface 113. The pull part 125 is used for the user 900 to pull the cover 120, and the connector unit 140 is driven by the cover 120 to move from the internal space of the electronic device 100 to the external space of the electronic device 100 (as shown in Figure 1F). In this way, the user 900 can avoid touching the hot parts of the connector unit 140 during the entire disassembly process of the connector unit 140.

[0024] Referring to Figures 1E and 1F, when the connector unit 140 is being disassembled, the cable 160 is separated from the connector unit 140. The first engaging portion 123 can be used to hold the connector unit 140 in place, and the pulling portion 125 can be used by the user 900 to apply force (such as the user 900's finger being inserted into the opening 126 and hooked) and pull the cover 120, so that the connector unit 140 is moved by the cover 120. In this way, during the disassembly of the connector unit 140, the cover 120 of the electronic device 100 not only helps to avoid burns but also prevents electric shock.

[0025] Figure 2A shows a partial exploded view of the electronic device 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled portion of the electronic device 200 in Figure 2A. Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, the electronic device 200 includes a housing 210, a connector unit 140, and a cover 220. The connector unit 140 is disposed in an internal space of the electronic device 200. The cover 220 is corresponding to and adjacent to the connector unit 140, and the cover 220 is connected to the housing 210 and exposed on an outer surface 213 of the housing 210. The cover 220 can contact and drive the connector unit 140, so that the connector unit 140 moves from the internal space of the electronic device 200 to an external space of the electronic device 200.

[0026] Regarding the cover 220, the cover 220 is disposed adjacent to and corresponds to the connector unit 140 of the electronic device 200, and includes a first surface 221, a second surface 222, a pull portion 225, and a first engaging portion 223. The first surface 221 faces the external space of the electronic device 200, and the second surface 222 is disposed opposite to the first surface 221 and faces the internal space of the electronic device 200. The pull portion 225 is an open structure and includes an opening 226 that extends through the first surface 221 and the second surface 222. When the connector unit 140 is in a transmission state, the opening 226 allows a cable 160 to pass through to connect the connector unit 140. The first engaging portion 223 is disposed on the second surface 222. Furthermore, the cover 220 is made of plastic.

[0027] Figure 2C illustrates a schematic diagram of the disassembly process of connector unit 140 in electronic device 200 in Figure 2B. Referring to Figures 2A to 2C, after a user 900 performs an action on cover 220, cover 220 can contact and drive connector unit 140, the action including at least one of rotation and movement.

[0028] The user 900's action on the cover 220 includes movement. The cover 220 may include a movable part 238 and at least one protrusion 237. In this embodiment, the number of at least one protrusion 237 is two, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The movable part 238 is disposed on one side of the cover 220. The upper and lower sides of the periphery of an opening of the housing 210 (not labeled in the figure) respectively include two slide rails 217, and the two protrusions 237 are respectively disposed in the two slide rails 217. When the movable part 238 is subjected to force by the user 900, the protrusions 237 move along the slide rails 217, causing the cover 220 to move along the outer surface 213 of the housing 210, and causing the cover 220 to contact the connector unit 140. In this way, the cover 220 is convenient to install on the electronic device 200 and to move the connector unit 140 when disassembled.

[0029] The cover 220 further includes a first engaging portion 223 disposed on the second surface 222. The first engaging portion 223 can engage and drive the connector unit 140. Further, the second engaging portion 142 is connected to the connector body 148, and the first engaging portion 223 can engage the second engaging portion 142 of the connector unit 140 to drive the connector unit 140. In the second embodiment, the first engaging portion 223 can be a hook, which can hook the pull handle body 143 of the second engaging portion 142. The number of first engaging portions 223 can be two, and the two first engaging portions 223 are arranged along an extension direction of the pull handle body 143, as shown in Figure 2A.

[0030] Specifically, the action performed by the user 900 on the cover 220 includes a slight rotation. When the user 900 slightly presses the movable part 238 toward the internal space of the electronic device 200, the latch 236 on the cover 220 on the side opposite to the movable part 238 disengages from the engaged state inside the electronic device 200 and moves to the external space of the electronic device 200. Next, when the movable part 238 is subjected to force by the user 900 toward the right side of Figure 2C, the protrusion 237 moves along the slide rail 217, causing the cover 220 to move along the outer surface 213 of the outer casing 210 and contact the connector unit 140. Then, the pull part 225 is used for the user 900 to pull the cover 220, and the connector unit 140 is driven by the cover 220 to move from the internal space of the electronic device 200 to the external space of the electronic device 200 (similar to that shown in Figure 1F).

[0031] Figure 3 illustrates a flowchart of a connector unit disassembly method 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figures 1A to 1F and Figure 3, the connector unit disassembly method 300 is used to disassemble the connector unit 140 from the electronic device 100. The electronic device 100 includes the connector unit 140 and a cover 120. The connector unit 140 is disposed in the internal space of the electronic device 100, and the cover 120 is corresponding to and adjacent to the connector unit 140. The cover 120 is connected to the outer shell 110 of the electronic device 100 and is exposed on the outer surface 113 of the outer shell 110. The connector unit disassembly method 300 includes an actuation step 320, a contact step 330, a driving step 340, and a connector unit disassembly step 350. The actuation step 320 includes rotating the cover 120 relative to the cover pivot 127 (as shown in Figure 1E), or moving the cover 220 along the outer surface 213 of the outer shell 210 in Figure 2C of the second embodiment. Contact step 330 includes causing cover 120 to contact connector unit 140. Actuation step 340 includes causing cover 120 to actuate connector unit 140 (as shown in Figure 1F). Connector unit removal step 350 includes moving connector unit 140 from an internal space of electronic device 100 to an external space of electronic device 100 to detach connector unit 140 from electronic device 100. Thus, connector unit removal method 300 allows user 900 to remove connector unit 140 without contacting it.

[0032] In more detail, the connector unit disassembly method 300 may further include a cable separation step 310, which includes separating the cable 160 passing through the opening 126 from the connector unit 140, as shown in Figure 1E. Thereby, the opening 126 allows the connector unit 140 to maintain signal connection during transmission and also provides the connector unit 140 with a function to facilitate disassembly during the disassembly process.

[0033] The contact step 330 may include engaging at least one first engaging portion 123 of the cover 120 with a second engaging portion 142 of the connector unit 140. This facilitates stable movement when disassembling the connector unit 140.

[0034] The driving step 340 may include applying force through the pull portion 125 of the cover 120 to drive the connector unit 140. The pull portion 125 is an open structure and includes an opening 126, as shown in Figure 1F. In this way, the opening 126 allows the user 900 to avoid touching the hot parts of the connector unit 140 during the disassembly process.

[0035] Although the present invention has been disclosed above by way of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0008] Figure 1A shows a perspective view of an electronic device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1B shows an exploded view of a portion of the electronic device in Figure 1A; Figure 1C shows another exploded view of a portion of the electronic device in Figure 1A; Figure 1D shows a sectional view along section line 1D-1D in Figure 1A; Figure 1E shows a schematic diagram of the disassembly process of the connector unit in the electronic device in Figure 1A; Figure 1F shows another schematic diagram of the disassembly process of the connector unit in the electronic device in Figure 1A; Figure 2A shows an exploded view of a portion of an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2B shows a sectional view of a portion of the electronic device in Figure 2A after assembly; Figure 2C shows a schematic diagram of the disassembly process of the connector unit in the electronic device in Figure 2B; and Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a connector unit disassembly method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cover for corresponding to and adjacent to a connector unit of an electronic device and comprising: a first surface facing an external space of the electronic device; a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface and facing an internal space of the electronic device; a pull portion including an opening extending through the first surface and the second surface, wherein when the connector unit is in a transmission state, the opening is for a cable to pass through to connect the connector unit; at least one first engaging portion disposed on the second surface; and a cover pivot, wherein the pull portion and the at least one first engaging portion are respectively disposed on two sides perpendicular to the cover pivot.

2. An electronic device, comprising: a housing; a connector unit disposed in an internal space of the electronic device; and a cover corresponding to and adjacent to the connector unit, wherein the cover is connected to the housing and exposed on an outer surface of the housing, the cover comprising: a first surface facing an external space of the electronic device; a second surface disposed opposite to the first surface and facing the internal space of the electronic device; a pull portion including an opening extending through the first surface and the second surface; at least one first engaging portion disposed on the second surface; and a cover pivot, wherein the pull portion and the at least one first engaging portion are respectively disposed on two sides perpendicular to the cover pivot.

3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the cover is pivotally connected to the periphery of an opening in the housing, the cover further comprising: a pressing portion disposed on the first surface; wherein, When a user presses the pressing part, the pressing part pivots relative to the cover from the external space of the electronic device to the internal space, causing the cover to contact the connector unit.

4. The electronic device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pull portion and the press portion are respectively disposed on the two sides perpendicular to the pivot of the cover; wherein, When the user presses the pressing part, the pulling part pivots relative to the cover to the external space of the electronic device. The pulling part is used for the user to pull the cover, and the connector unit is driven by the cover to move from the internal space of the electronic device to the external space of the electronic device.

5. The electronic device as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the connector unit is in a transmission state, the opening is for a cable to pass through to connect the connector unit; wherein, When the connector unit is in a disassembly process, the cable is separated from the connector unit, and the pull part is used for the user to apply force and pull the cover.

6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one first engaging portion is capable of engaging and actuating the connector unit.

7. The electronic device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the connector unit comprises: a connector body; and a second engaging portion connected to the connector body, wherein the at least one first engaging portion is capable of engaging the second engaging portion to drive the connector unit.

8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second engaging portion comprises: a handle body, wherein the at least one first engaging portion is capable of hooking the handle body; and two handle pivot portions, respectively connected to two ends of the handle body and pivotally connected to the connector body.

9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the number of the at least one first engaging portion is two, and the two first engaging portions are arranged along an extension direction of the handle body.

10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connector unit is an optical fiber transmission connector unit.

11. The electronic device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connector unit includes a heat dissipation structure made of metal and the cover is made of plastic.

12. An electronic device comprising: a housing; a connector unit disposed within an internal space of the electronic device; and a cover corresponding to and adjacent to the connector unit, wherein the cover connects to the housing and protrudes from an outer surface of the housing; wherein, The cover can contact and move the connector unit, causing the connector unit to move from the internal space of the electronic device to an external space of the electronic device; wherein, the cover includes a movable part and at least one protrusion, the movable part is disposed on one side of the cover, the periphery of an opening of the housing includes at least one slide rail, and the at least one protrusion is disposed in the at least one slide rail; wherein, when the movable part is subjected to force by a user, the at least one protrusion moves along the at least one slide rail, causing the cover to move along the outer surface of the housing, and causing the cover to contact the connector unit.

13. The electronic device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the cover further comprises: a pull portion disposed on the other side of the cover, wherein the pull portion is for the user to pull the cover, and the connector unit is driven by the cover to move from the internal space of the electronic device to the external space of the electronic device.

14. A connector unit removal method for removing a connector unit from an electronic device, wherein the electronic device includes the connector unit and a cover, the connector unit is disposed in an internal space of the electronic device, the cover is corresponding to and adjacent to the connector unit, the cover is connected to a housing of the electronic device and protrudes from an outer surface of the housing, the connector unit removal method comprising: a moving step, including pivoting the cover relative to a cover pivot axis or moving the cover along the outer surface of the housing; a contacting step, including causing the cover to contact the connector unit, wherein at least one first engaging portion of the cover engages a second engaging portion of the connector unit; a driving step, including causing the cover to drive the connector unit by applying force through a pulling portion of the cover to drive the connector unit, wherein the pulling portion includes an opening; and a connector unit removal step, including moving the connector unit from the internal space of the electronic device to an external space of the electronic device to remove the connector unit from the electronic device.

15. The connector unit disassembly method as described in claim 14 further includes: a cable disconnection step, comprising disconnecting a cable passing through the opening from the connector unit.

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