Charging method and charging apparatus

Abstract

A charging method and a charging apparatus. The charging apparatus comprises a cable, a first connector connected to a first end of the cable, a connector assembly connected to a second end of the cable, and a housing provided with an accommodating cavity. The connector assembly comprises a second connector and a third connector. The connector assembly is accommodated in the accommodating cavity and can move between a first position and a second position. When the connector assembly is located in the first position, the second connector can be plugged in an external device, and the third connector cannot be plugged in the external device; and when the connector assembly is located in the second position, the situation is just the opposite. The charging method comprises: plugging a first connector into a power adapter, and plugging a second connector or a third connector into an external device, allowing the external device to negotiate with the power adapter by means of the cable so as to increase the charging power. The present invention is applicable to different interfaces and has low costs.

Description

Charging method and charging device Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of charging, and in particular to a charging device with multiple connectors and a charging method. Background Art

[0002] Traditional charging cables have two connectors (for example, both are Type-C male) and a cable connected between them. One connector plugs into the charger (also called an adapter), while the other plugs into the device being charged, such as a mobile phone. The disadvantage of this type of cable is that it only works with devices with one interface type. If a user carries devices with different interfaces, they will need to carry multiple charging cables.

[0003] Figure 1 illustrates an improved existing solution. In this solution, the charging cable is split into two parts: a first connector 22 is provided at one end of the cable 20, and a second connector 24 and a third connector 26 are provided at the other end. The first connector 22 can be plugged into the charger, while the second and third connectors 24, 26 can be plugged into devices with different interface types. This solution offers the advantage of a single charging cable that can accommodate both types of devices. A disadvantage of this solution is that the cable is bulky. When the user uses the second connector 24, the third connector 26 and its cable may obstruct the user, making it less convenient and elegant. Another disadvantage of this solution is its inability to perform fast charging. This inability is due to the fact that existing fast charging solutions rely on the charger and the device negotiating a higher output voltage according to a fast charging protocol. For example, a charger defaults to a 5V charging voltage. Once the device is connected to the charger via the charging cable, the device negotiates with the charger to increase the charging voltage from the default 5V to 20V. If the second connector 24 boosts the voltage to 20V during fast charging, the voltage on the third connector 26 will also be boosted to 20V because the second connector 24 and the third connector 26 are connected in parallel. When the user connects the third connector 26 to another charged device, the device could be damaged by the excessive voltage. Therefore, to avoid damaging the user's device, the charging cable shown in Figure 1 does not offer fast charging functionality. Instead, all charged devices are charged at the default 5V voltage.

[0004] Figure 2 shows another improved solution. This solution, based on the solution shown in Figure 1, adds a charging management module 23. This module manages the charging of the second and third connectors 24 and 26. For example, it maintains the initial voltage of the second and third connectors 24 and 26 at 5V to avoid damaging the user's device. This solution still suffers from the drawbacks of being bulky, inconvenient, and unrefined. Another drawback of this solution is that the charging management module 23 often includes expensive chips and / or circuit components, resulting in higher costs.

[0005] Figure 3 shows another improved solution. This solution builds on the solution shown in Figure 1 by adding a fourth connector 29, a conversion structure, and a connector 27. The fourth connector 29 connects to the third connector 26 through the conversion structure, forming a single unit that connects to the second connector 24 or cable 20 via the connector 27. The fourth connector 29 can be plugged into the second connector 24, creating electrical connection between the second connector 24 and the third connector 26. In other words, either the second connector 24 or the third connector 26 can be used alternately. This solution offers the advantage of fast charging. However, one disadvantage is its bulkiness, lack of convenience, and lack of elegance. A second disadvantage is its high cost due to the addition of the fourth connector 29, conversion structure, and connector 27. A third disadvantage is its limited reliability. Firstly, the connector 27 can be easily pulled and broken, resulting in loss of the fourth connector 29, conversion structure, and first connector 26. Secondly, the third connector 26 needs to be electrically connected to the second connector 24 through the conversion structure and the fourth connector 29, resulting in a lengthy path. Technical issues

[0006] One purpose of the present invention is to provide a low-cost fast charging method that is applicable to different interface types. Technical Solutions

[0007] To this end, the present invention provides a charging method in a first aspect, comprising the following steps: plugging a first connector of a charging device into a power adapter, the charging device comprising a cable, the first connector connected to a first end of the cable, a connector assembly connected to a second end of the cable, and a housing having a receiving chamber; the connector assembly comprising a second connector and a third connector connected as an integral unit, the second connector being conductively connected to the first connector via the cable, and the third connector being conductively connected to the first connector via the cable; the connector assembly being received in the receiving chamber and reciprocating relative to the housing between a first position and a second position; moving the connector assembly to the first position or the second position; when the connector assembly is in the first position, the second connector extends relative to the housing to enable plugging with an external device, and the third connector retracts relative to the housing to prevent plugging with the external device; when the connector assembly is in the second position, the second connector retracts relative to the housing to prevent plugging with the external device, and the third connector extends relative to the housing to enable plugging with the external device; plugging corresponding connectors of the second and third connectors into the external device, so that the external device negotiates with the power adapter via the cable to increase charging power.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the connector assembly is further stabilized in the first position and / or the second position by a positioning structure; the positioning structure includes a positioning protrusion provided on one of the housing and the connector assembly, and a positioning recess provided on the other of the housing and the connector assembly; the positioning protrusion can enter the positioning recess to achieve positioning, and can leave the positioning recess to release positioning.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the reciprocating motion range of the connector assembly relative to the shell is limited by a limiting structure; the limiting structure includes a first limiting portion provided on one of the shell and the connector assembly, and a second limiting portion provided on the other of the shell and the connector assembly; the mechanical interference between the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion limits the reciprocating motion range of the connector assembly relative to the shell.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a device with low cost and applicable to different interface types.

[0011] To this end, the present invention provides a charging device, comprising a cable, a first connector connected to the first end of the cable, and also comprising: a connector assembly connected to the second end of the cable, the connector assembly comprising a second connector and a third connector connected into a whole, the second connector being conductively connected to the first connector through the cable, and the third connector being conductively connected to the first connector through the cable; a shell provided with a receiving cavity, the connector assembly being received in the receiving cavity and being reciprocatable between a first position and a second position relative to the shell; when the connector assembly is in the first position, the second connector extends relative to the shell so as to be plugged into an external device, and the third connector retracts relative to the shell so as to be unable to be plugged into an external device; when the connector assembly is in the second position, the second connector retracts relative to the shell so as to be unable to be plugged into an external device, and the third connector extends relative to the shell so as to be able to be plugged into an external device.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, a positioning structure is further included for stabilizing the connector assembly in the first position and / or the second position; the positioning structure includes a positioning protrusion provided on one of the shell and the connector assembly, and a positioning recess provided on the other of the shell and the connector assembly; the positioning protrusion can enter the positioning recess to achieve positioning, and can leave the positioning recess to release positioning.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the positioning recess comprises a first positioning recess and a second positioning recess; when the connector assembly is located at the first position, the positioning protrusion (48) enters the first positioning recess; when the connector assembly is located at the second position, the positioning protrusion (48) enters the second positioning recess.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the positioning protrusion includes a first positioning protrusion and a second positioning protrusion; when the connector assembly is located in the first position, the first positioning protrusion is engaged with the positioning recess; when the connector assembly is located in the second position, the second positioning protrusion is engaged with the positioning recess.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, a limiting structure is further included, which includes a first limiting portion provided on one of the shell and the connector assembly, and a second limiting portion provided on the other of the shell and the connector assembly; the mechanical interference between the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion limits the reciprocating motion range of the connector assembly relative to the shell.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first limiting portion includes a limiting protrusion extending outward from the connector assembly, and the second limiting portion includes a through hole provided to the shell; the limiting protrusion can slide back and forth in the through hole as the connector assembly moves back and forth.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second end of the cable is connected to the limiting protrusion.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the connector assembly is long and narrow, and the second connector and the third connector are respectively located at two ends of the connector assembly; the limiting protrusion extends outward from the middle of the connector assembly to form a T shape with the connector assembly.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cable is provided with a negotiation core for negotiating charging power to increase the charging power, and the first connector is provided with a terminal conductively connected to the negotiation core; the second connector and / or the third connector is provided with a terminal conductively connected to the negotiation core.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first connector is a USB A male connector or a USB Type-C male connector; the second connector and the third connector are different types of connectors and are selected from the following range: USB Type-C male connector, Lightning male connector, Mini B male connector, Micro B male connector.

[0021] The charging device provided by the present invention has a second connector and a third connector, thereby being applicable to different devices; the second connector and the third connector are connected as a whole, which has high reliability and low cost; the connector assembly composed of the second connector and the third connector can be accommodated in a housing and can reciprocate relative to the housing, is small in size, and is easy to use and elegant. Beneficial effects

[0022] The charging method provided by the invention can charge different devices through one charging device, and can achieve fast charging at a low cost, and is easy and elegant to use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] To further explain the specific technical content of this case, please first refer to the attached drawings, in which:

[0024] 1 to 3 are schematic diagrams of different types of existing charging devices;

[0025] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a charging device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the connector assembly of the charging device shown in FIG4 when it is in a first position;

[0027] FIG6 is a plan view of the connector assembly shown in FIG5 ;

[0028] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the connector assembly of the charging device shown in FIG4 when it is in a second position;

[0029] FIG8 is a plan view of the connector assembly shown in FIG7 ;

[0030] 9 and 10 are exploded schematic views of the connector assembly of the charging device shown in FIG. 4 from different viewing angles. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Referring to FIG4 , a charging device 100 provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a cable 40, a first connector 42 connected to a first end of the cable 40, a connector assembly connected to a second end of the cable 40, and a housing 60 for accommodating the connector assembly. The connector assembly includes a second connector 44 and a third connector 46, which are connected to form a whole. The second connector 44 is conductively connected to the first connector 42 via the cable 40, and the third connector 46 is conductively connected to the first connector 42 via the cable 40. It is understandable that the cable 40 may be provided with a set of wire cores for use by the second connector 44 and the third connector 46; alternatively, the cable 40 may be provided with two sets of wire cores for use by the second connector 44 and the third connector 46, respectively. The two sets of wire cores may be independent of each other, or a portion of the wire cores may be shared.

[0033] The housing 60 defines a receiving cavity 62 (see Figures 9 and 10 ), which houses the connector assembly. A through-hole 61 is defined on the outer wall of the housing 60 and communicates with the receiving cavity 62. Through-hole 61 allows the second end of the cable 40 to enter and electrically connect with the second connector 44 and the third connector 46 . The connector assembly can reciprocate within the receiving cavity 62 relative to the housing 60 between a first position and a second position. Figures 5 and 7 illustrate the connector assembly in the first and second positions.

[0034] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, when the connector assembly is in the first position, the second connector 44 extends relative to the housing 60, enabling connection with an external device, while the third connector 46 retracts relative to the housing, preventing connection with an external device. Specifically, when the connector assembly is in the first position, the extension length L1 of the second connector 44 relative to the housing 60 meets the relevant regulatory requirements for connection with an external device, while the extension length L2 of the third connector 46 is insufficient, preventing connection with an external device. It is understood that the extension length L2 can be zero or a negative value. A zero extension length L2 indicates that the outer end of the third connector 46 is flush with the housing 60, while a negative extension length L2 indicates that the outer end of the third connector 46 is retracted within the housing 60. In short, the present invention is not limited to any value for the extension length L2; it only requires that the extension length L2 of the third connector 46 is insufficient or obstructed by the housing 60, preventing connection with an external device. Similarly, the overhang length L1 can also be 0 or a negative value. The present invention is not limited to the value of the overhang length L1. It only requires that the overhang length L1 of the second connector 44 is long enough or not obstructed by the shell 60 so as to be plugged into an external device.

[0035] In this embodiment, the second connector 44 and the third connector 46 are fixedly connected to form a whole, and the second connector 44 and the third connector 46 are hard-connected. However, the invention is not limited to this case, and it only needs that the second connector 44 and the third connector 46 can move as a whole.

[0036] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, when the connector assembly is in the second position, the second connector 44 is retracted relative to the housing 60 and cannot be plugged into an external device, while the third connector 46 is extended relative to the housing 60 and can be plugged into an external device. Specifically, when the connector assembly is in this second position, the extension length L4 of the third connector 46 relative to the housing 60 meets the relevant regulatory requirements to be plugged into an external device, while the extension length L3 of the second connector 44 is insufficient to be plugged into an external device. It is understood that the extension length L4 can be zero or a negative value. A zero extension length L4 indicates that the outer end of the third connector 46 is flush with the housing 60, while a negative extension length L2 indicates that the outer end of the third connector 46 is retracted into the housing 60. In short, the present invention is not limited to any value for the extension length L4; it only requires that the extension length L4 of the third connector 46 is long enough or not obstructed by the housing 60 to be plugged into an external device. Similarly, the overhang length L3 can also be 0 or a negative value. The present invention is not limited to the value of the overhang length L3. It only requires that the overhang length L1 of the second connector 44 is not long enough or is blocked by the shell 60 so that it cannot be plugged into an external device.

[0037] Therefore, in the present invention, the "extension" of the second connector and the third connector relative to the shell 60 should be understood as the extended length of the connector can be a positive value, 0 and a negative value; correspondingly, the "retraction" of the second connector and the third connector relative to the shell 60 should be understood as the extended length of the connector can be a positive value, 0 and a negative value.

[0038] Through the above-mentioned setting, the second connector 44 and the third connector 46 are used selectively, that is, although the second connector 44 is conductively connected to the first connector 42 through the cable 40, and the third connector 46 is also conductively connected to the first connector 42 through the cable 40, the second connector 44 and the third connector 46 cannot be plugged into the external device at the same time.

[0039] In this embodiment, the housing 60 is long and narrow, and the first position and the second position are located at different positions in the length direction of the housing 60. However, the present invention should not be limited to this case. For example, the first position and the second position can be different positions in a certain rotation direction of the housing 60. Therefore, in the present invention, the "reciprocating motion" of the connector assembly between the first position and the second position should be understood as the connector assembly being able to move to the first position and to the second position, without limiting the form and direction of motion. For example, the form of motion can be linear motion, continued rotation in the same direction, rotation in different directions, etc.

[0040] The charging device 100 also includes a limiting structure for limiting the range of motion of the connector assembly relative to the housing 60. The limiting structure includes a first limiting portion provided on one of the housing 60 and the connector assembly, and a second limiting portion provided on the other of the housing and the connector assembly. Mechanical interference between the first and second limiting portions defines the range of reciprocating motion of the connector assembly relative to the housing 60. In the present invention, "mechanical interference" refers to the obstruction of one component by another. In this embodiment, the first limiting portion includes a limiting protrusion 41 extending outward from the connector assembly, and the second limiting portion includes a through-hole 61 provided in the housing 60. The limiting protrusion 41 can slide back and forth within the through-hole 61 as the connector assembly reciprocates. The through-hole 61 is long and narrow, and the limiting protrusion 41 is obstructed by the wall of the through-hole 61, thereby limiting the range of motion of the connector assembly relative to the housing 60.

[0041] In this embodiment, the connector assembly is elongated and narrow, with the second connector 44 and the third connector 46 located at either end. A retaining protrusion 41 extends outward from the center of the connector assembly, forming a T-shape with the connector assembly. The retaining protrusion 41 is flat to fit within the flat through-hole 61, enhancing the stability of the connector assembly. The second end of the cable 40 is connected to the retaining protrusion 41.

[0042] Referring to Figures 9 and 10 , the charging device 100 also includes a positioning structure for stabilizing the connector assembly in the first and / or second positions. The positioning structure includes a positioning protrusion provided on one of the housing 60 and the connector assembly, and a positioning recess provided on the other of the housing 60 and the connector assembly. In this embodiment, the outer surface of the connector assembly is provided with a positioning protrusion 48, while the wall of the receiving cavity 62 of the housing 60 is provided with a first positioning recess 68 and a second positioning recess 69. When the connector assembly is in the first position, the first positioning recess 68 engages with the positioning protrusion 48; when the connector assembly is in the second position, the second positioning recess 69 engages with the positioning protrusion 48. When the connector assembly moves from the first position to the second position, the positioning protrusion 48 disengages from the first positioning recess 68 and slides into the second positioning recess 69. Preferably, the positioning recess is a smooth concave to facilitate its sliding out; the positioning protrusion is provided with a smooth transition surface to facilitate its sliding out. In this embodiment, the housing 60 includes an upper shell 66 and a lower shell 67 , which are fastened together to form a receiving cavity 62 . A first positioning recess 68 and a second positioning recess 69 are provided in the lower shell 67 .

[0043] In an alternative solution, the positioning protrusion includes a first positioning protrusion and a second positioning protrusion; when the connector assembly is in the first position, the first positioning protrusion is engaged with the positioning recess; when the connector assembly is in the second position, the second positioning protrusion is engaged with the positioning recess.

[0044] Understandably, there can be one or more positioning protrusions; there can also be one or more positioning recesses. In the case where there is only one positioning protrusion and one positioning recess, the cooperation of the two stabilizes the connector assembly in the first position or the second position.

[0045] In this embodiment, the cable 40 is equipped with a negotiation core for negotiating charging power to increase charging power. The first connector 42 has a terminal electrically connected to the negotiation core, the second connector 44 has a terminal electrically connected to the negotiation core, and the third connector 46 also has a terminal electrically connected to the negotiation core. In this manner, when the first connector 42 is plugged into a fast-charging charger (i.e., a power adapter) and the second connector 44 is plugged into an external device, the external device can negotiate charging via the negotiation core, thereby increasing charging power and achieving fast charging. At this time, the third connector 46 is retracted relative to the housing 60, preventing it from being plugged into the external device. This eliminates the risk of the third connector 46 damaging the external device due to excessive initial voltage. Similarly, when the first connector 42 is plugged into a fast-charging charger (i.e., a power adapter) and the third connector 46 is plugged into the external device, the external device can negotiate charging via the negotiation core, thereby increasing charging power and achieving fast charging. At this time, the second connector 44 is retracted relative to the housing 60, preventing it from being plugged into the external device. This eliminates the risk of the second connector 44 damaging the external device due to excessive initial voltage. Therefore, by implementing the present invention, both the second connector 44 and the third connector 46 can support fast charging, and no management circuit or management chip is required to avoid damage to external devices. In addition, because the second connector 44 and the third connector 46 are used alternatively, no management circuit or management chip is required to manage the output power of the second connector 44 and the third connector 46.

[0046] It can be understood that when the cable 40 is provided with a negotiation core for negotiating charging power to increase charging power, and the first connector 42 is provided with a terminal conductively connected to the negotiation core, a terminal conductively connected to the negotiation core can be provided on one of the second connector 44 and the third connector 46, and the other connector is not provided with a terminal conductively connected to the negotiation core. Furthermore, the cable 40 may not be provided with a negotiation core, and each connector may not be provided with a terminal conductively connected to the negotiation core. That is, the invention can also be applied to occasions that do not have a fast charging function.

[0047] In this embodiment, the first connector 42 is a USB Type-C male connector, but the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, the first connector 42 can be any male or female connector, such as a USB A male connector. The second connector 44 and the third connector 46 are respectively a USB Type-C male connector and a Lightning male connector, but the present invention is not limited to this case. The second connector 44 and the third connector 46 can be the same type of connector or different types of connectors; they can be male or female connectors. Preferably, the second connector 44 and the third connector 46 are different types of connectors selected from the following range: USB Type-C male connector, Lightning male connector, Mini B male connector, and Micro B male connector.

[0048] When using the aforementioned charging device, the following steps are included:

[0049] Plug the first connector 42 of the charging device 100 into the power adapter. As described above, the charging device 100 includes a cable 40, a first connector 42 connected to a first end of the cable 40, a connector assembly connected to a second end of the cable 40, and a housing 60 having a receiving cavity 62. The connector assembly includes a second connector 44 and a third connector 46 connected as a whole. The second connector 44 is conductively connected to the first connector 42 via the cable 40, and the third connector 46 is conductively connected to the first connector 42 via the cable 40. The connector assembly is received in the receiving cavity 62 and is reciprocatable relative to the housing 60 between a first position and a second position.

[0050] Move the connector assembly to a first position or a second position; when the connector assembly is in the first position, the second connector 44 extends relative to the housing 60 so as to be plugged into an external device, and the third connector 46 retracts relative to the housing so as to be unable to be plugged into an external device; when the connector assembly is in the second position, the second connector 44 retracts relative to the housing 60 so as to be unable to be plugged into an external device, and the third connector 46 extends relative to the housing 60 so as to be able to be plugged into an external device;

[0051] Plug the corresponding connector of the second connector 44 and the third connector 46 into the external device to achieve charging.

[0052] If the cable 40 of the charging device 100 is provided with a core for negotiating to increase the charging power, the charging method further includes: causing the external device to negotiate with the power adapter via the cable 40 to increase the charging power. In this way, the present invention can charge devices with different interfaces through a single charging device, which is convenient and elegant to use. Fast charging can also be achieved at a low cost because the present invention does not require additional management circuits / chips to manage the charging voltage, charging power, etc. of the second and third connectors.

[0053] It is understood that the charging method created by the present invention may further include stabilizing the connector assembly in the first position and / or the second position by a positioning structure; the positioning structure includes a positioning protrusion provided on one of the housing 60 and the connector assembly, and a positioning recess provided on the other of the housing 60 and the connector assembly; the positioning protrusion can enter the positioning recess to achieve positioning, and can leave the positioning recess to release positioning.

[0054] It can be understood that the charging method created by the present invention can also include limiting the reciprocating motion range of the connector assembly relative to the shell 60 through a limiting structure; the limiting structure includes a first limiting portion provided on one of the shell 60 and the connector assembly, and a second limiting portion provided on the other of the shell and the connector assembly; the mechanical interference between the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion limits the reciprocating motion range of the connector assembly relative to the shell 60.

[0055] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation methods of the present application. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that a person of ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present invention, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A charging method, characterized in that: The steps include: Inserting a first connector of a charging device into a power adapter, the charging device comprising a cable, the first connector connected to a first end of the cable, a connector assembly connected to a second end of the cable, and a housing provided with a receiving cavity; the connector assembly comprising a second connector and a third connector connected as a whole, the second connector being conductively connected to the first connector through the cable, and the third connector being conductively connected to the first connector through the cable; The connector assembly is received in the receiving cavity and can reciprocate between a first position and a second position relative to the housing; Move the connector assembly to the first position or the second position; when the connector assembly is in the first position, the second connector is extended relative to the housing so as to be plugged into an external device, and the third connector is retracted relative to the housing so as to be unable to be plugged into an external device; when the connector assembly is in the second position, the second connector is retracted relative to the housing so as to be unable to be plugged into an external device, and the third connector is extended relative to the housing so as to be able to be plugged into an external device; Plug the corresponding connector of the second connector and the third connector into the external device, so that the external device negotiates with the power adapter through the cable to increase the charging power.

2. The charging method according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes stabilizing the connector assembly in the first position and / or the second position through a positioning structure; the positioning structure includes a positioning protrusion arranged on one of the shell and the connector assembly, and a positioning recess arranged on the other of the shell and the connector assembly; the positioning protrusion can enter the positioning recess to achieve positioning, and can leave the positioning recess to release positioning.

3. The charging method according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes limiting the reciprocating motion range of the connector assembly relative to the shell by a limiting structure; the limiting structure includes a first limiting portion arranged on one of the shell and the connector assembly, and a second limiting portion arranged on the other of the shell and the connector assembly; the mechanical interference between the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion limits the reciprocating motion range of the connector assembly relative to the shell.

4. A charging device, comprising a cable and a first connector connected to a first end of the cable, characterized in that: Also includes: a connector assembly connected to the second end of the cable, the connector assembly comprising a second connector and a third connector connected as a whole, the second connector being conductively connected to the first connector through the cable, and the third connector being conductively connected to the first connector through the cable; A housing having a receiving cavity, wherein the connector assembly is received in the receiving cavity and can reciprocate between a first position and a second position relative to the housing; When the connector assembly is in the first position, the second connector extends relative to the shell so that it can be plugged into an external device, and the third connector retracts relative to the shell so that it cannot be plugged into an external device; when the connector assembly is in the second position, the second connector retracts relative to the shell so that it cannot be plugged into an external device, and the third connector extends relative to the shell so that it can be plugged into an external device.

5. The charging device according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a positioning structure for stabilizing the connector assembly in the first position and / or the second position; the positioning structure includes a positioning protrusion arranged on one of the shell and the connector assembly, and a positioning recess arranged on the other of the shell and the connector assembly; the positioning protrusion can enter the positioning recess to achieve positioning, and can leave the positioning recess to release positioning.

6. The charging device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The positioning recess includes a first positioning recess and a second positioning recess; when the connector assembly is located at the first position, the positioning protrusion enters the first positioning recess; when the connector assembly is located at the second position, the positioning protrusion enters the second positioning recess.

7. The charging device according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a limiting structure, which includes a first limiting portion arranged on one of the shell and the connector assembly, and a second limiting portion arranged on the other of the shell and the connector assembly; the mechanical interference between the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion limits the reciprocating motion range of the connector assembly relative to the shell.

8. The charging device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The first limiting portion includes a limiting protrusion extending outward from the connector assembly, and the second limiting portion includes a through hole provided to the shell; the limiting protrusion can slide back and forth in the through hole along with the reciprocating motion of the connector assembly.

9. The charging device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The connector assembly is long and narrow, and the second connector and the third connector are respectively located at two ends of the connector assembly; the limiting protrusion extends outward from the middle of the connector assembly to form a T shape with the connector assembly, and the second end of the cable is connected to the limiting protrusion.

10. The charging device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cable is provided with a negotiation core for negotiating charging power to increase the charging power, and the first connector is provided with a terminal conductively connected to the negotiation core; the second connector and / or the third connector are provided with a terminal conductively connected to the negotiation core; the first connector is a USB A male connector or a USB Type-C male connector; the second connector and the third connector are different types of connectors and are selected from the following range: USB Type-C male connector, lightning male connector, Mini B male connector, Micro B male connector.

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