CN111509482B

CN111509482B - Foldable plug assembly and device comprising the same

Info

Publication number: CN111509482B
Application number: CN202010247093.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 童水波
Original assignee: Anker Innovations Co Ltd
Current assignee: Anker Innovations Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-31
Filing date: 2020-03-31
Publication date: 2021-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-31
Also published as: CN111509482A

Abstract

The present invention provides a foldable plug assembly and a device including the same, comprising: at least two pins arranged at intervals; the plug pin fixing device comprises a shell, wherein an accommodating space is formed in the shell, a support for fixing plug pins is arranged in the accommodating space, and the at least two plug pins are rotatably fixed on the support through rotating shafts; the first locking piece is movably arranged in the accommodating space and is configured to limit the rotating shaft to rotate to open the pin when the pin is in a folded state, and part of the first locking piece is inserted into the positive and negative connecting holes to prevent foreign matters from falling into the positive and negative connecting holes; the positive and negative electrode connecting holes are arranged on the shell and configured to: allowing the positive and negative electrodes of the device body to be electrically inserted from the positive and negative connection holes when the foldable plug assembly is mounted to the device body, and simultaneously unlocking the first locking member to release the restriction of the rotating shaft.

Description

Foldable plug assembly and device comprising the same

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of electronic product accessories, in particular to a foldable plug assembly and a device comprising the same.

Background

At present, charger products are popular and various, the plug design and the requirement of most of the American-Japanese standards are similar, and most of the plugs are provided with folding designs, the plug pins can be folded and unfolded or folded according to the using condition, the storage is convenient, meanwhile, in order to meet the plug requirements of different global specifications, the user can freely replace the design scheme of the plug according to the requirement, so that the folding plug can be applied in a larger range, the replaceable folding plug can be widely applied under the background, but the design is limited by safety regulations, the volume of almost all the detachable folding plugs is larger, and the design of limiting the appearance of the product is under the condition of not being connected with a main body, a single plug can be inserted into and connected with strong electricity, and the safety is also poor.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a novel foldable plug assembly and a device including the same to solve the above-mentioned problems.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides, in one aspect, a foldable plug assembly comprising:

at least two pins arranged at intervals;

the plug pin fixing device comprises a shell, wherein an accommodating space is formed in the shell, a support for fixing plug pins is arranged in the accommodating space, and the at least two plug pins are rotatably fixed on the support through rotating shafts;

the plug pin receiving groove is formed in the shell, and when the plug pin is in a folded state, the plug pin is received in the plug pin receiving groove;

the first locking piece is movably arranged in the accommodating space and is configured to limit the rotating shaft to rotate to open the pin when the pin is in a folded state, and part of the first locking piece is inserted into the positive and negative connecting holes to prevent foreign matters from falling into the positive and negative connecting holes;

the positive and negative electrode connecting holes are arranged on the shell and configured to: allowing the positive and negative electrodes of the device body to be electrically inserted from the positive and negative connection holes when the foldable plug assembly is mounted to the device body, and simultaneously unlocking the first locking member to release the restriction of the rotating shaft.

Illustratively, the first locking member includes a first detent structure movably disposed in the receiving space for limiting the pivot shaft from pivoting open the prongs when the foldable plug assembly is not mounted to the device body and the prongs are in the folded state.

Illustratively, the first retaining structure includes an extension portion, the extension portion is disposed opposite to the positive and negative electrode connection holes, and is configured to be inserted into the positive and negative electrode connection holes when the foldable plug assembly is not mounted to the device main body and when the plug pins are in the folded state, so as to prevent foreign matter from falling into the positive and negative electrode connection holes.

The first clamping structure abuts against the limiting part to limit the rotation of the rotating shaft, so as to limit the rotation of the rotating shaft.

Illustratively, the stopper includes a recessed structure provided on the rotation shaft.

The first locking member may further include a first reset structure for resetting the first locking structure, a free end of the first reset structure is connected to the first locking structure, and a fixed end of the first reset structure abuts against the housing.

Illustratively, the foldable plug assembly further comprises:

and a second locking member provided in the accommodation space to be movable up and down, the second locking member being connected to the device body when the foldable plug assembly is mounted to the device body and the prongs are in an open state, to restrict the foldable plug assembly and the device body from being separated.

Illustratively, the second locking element is disposed below the swivel shaft.

Illustratively, the second locking member includes a second detent structure that engages the device body when the foldable plug assembly is mounted to the device body and the prongs are in the open position, such that the foldable plug assembly and the device body cannot be separated.

The second locking member may further include a fixing member disposed in the accommodating space of the housing, and the fixing member is connected to a first end of the second blocking structure located in the accommodating space, so as to limit the second blocking structure from being disengaged from the housing.

The second locking element may further comprise a second reset structure, one end of the second reset structure abuts against the fixing element, and the other end of the second reset structure abuts against the bottom of the housing, so as to reset the second clamping structure.

Illustratively, a through hole is provided on the bottom of the housing, the through hole penetrating the bottom of the housing and configured to allow the second detent structure to move up and down therein.

Illustratively, the pivot shaft is a camming structure that engages the second locking member to couple the second locking member to the device body when the foldable plug assembly is mounted to the device body and the prongs are open.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus including a foldable plug assembly, the apparatus comprising:

the foregoing foldable plug assembly;

the device main part, the device main part with collapsible plug subassembly detachable installation, wherein, the device main part includes positive negative pole collapsible plug subassembly when assembling the device main part, positive negative pole is used for unblock first locking piece to make participating in rotatable opening and packing up.

For example, when the device body is connected with the foldable plug assembly, the positive electrode and the negative electrode penetrate through positive and negative electrode connecting holes on the foldable plug assembly and abut against a first locking piece of the foldable plug assembly, so that the first locking piece is unlocked and the pins can be rotated to be opened and retracted.

Illustratively, a fixing position matched with the second locking piece of the foldable plug assembly is further arranged on the device main body, and when the pins are opened, the second locking piece extends into the fixing position to be connected with the device main body, so that the foldable plug assembly and the device main body cannot be separated.

Illustratively, the fixing location is a groove provided at the bottom of the device body.

The foldable plug assembly in the embodiment of the invention comprises a first locking piece which is movably arranged in the accommodating space and is configured to limit the rotating shaft to rotate to open the pin when the pin is in a folded state, and part of the first locking piece is inserted into the positive and negative connecting holes to prevent foreign matters from falling into the positive and negative connecting holes, the first locking piece is arranged to limit the rotating shaft to rotate to open the pin when the pin is in the folded state, so that the pin is in the folded state and cannot be opened without violent damage and cannot be normally inserted into the positive and negative connecting holes to be communicated for use, thereby ensuring higher safety and reliability, and the first locking piece is inserted into the positive and negative connecting holes to seal the positive and negative connecting holes of the pin assembly, thereby preventing the foreign matters from falling into the positive and negative connecting holes and avoiding the problem that the normal function of the pin assembly is influenced by the falling of the foreign matters, and then provide better user experience function, the pin subassembly outward appearance is succinct.

The device comprising the foldable plug assembly comprises the foldable plug assembly and a device body, wherein the device body and the foldable plug assembly are detachably mounted, the device body comprises a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and when the foldable plug assembly is assembled into the device body, the positive electrode and the negative electrode are used for unlocking the first locking piece to enable the pins to be rotatably opened and retracted, so that the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the device body can be used for unlocking the first locking piece to remove the limitation on the rotating shaft and enable the pins to be rotatably opened and retracted besides the function of conducting the positive electrode and the negative electrode as the electric connection with the pin assembly, and the reliability of the connection between the pin assembly and the device body can be enhanced.

Drawings

The following drawings of the invention are included to provide a further understanding of the invention. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first perspective view of a foldable plug assembly with the prongs in a folded state, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a second perspective view of the prongs of the foldable plug assembly in a folded state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a first perspective view of a foldable plug assembly with the prongs in an open position, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a second perspective view of the prongs of the foldable plug assembly in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a foldable plug assembly in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the prongs of the foldable plug assembly in a folded state, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the prongs of the foldable plug assembly in a folded state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an enlarged schematic view of the prongs of a foldable plug assembly in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a foldable plug assembly in one embodiment of the present invention when not mounted to a device body and with prongs in a folded state;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of a device body in one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic view of a foldable plug assembly inserted into a device body in one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of a foldable plug assembly in one embodiment of the invention mounted to a device body with prongs in a folded state;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial schematic view of the positive and negative poles of the device body with the foldable plug assembly mounted thereto in one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 shows a schematic view of a foldable plug assembly in one embodiment of the invention mounted to a device body with prongs in a folded state;

FIG. 15 shows a schematic view of a foldable plug assembly in one embodiment of the invention mounted to a device body with prongs in an open state;

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of a foldable plug assembly mounted to a device body with prongs in a folded state, in one embodiment of the invention;

fig. 17 shows a first schematic cross-sectional view of a foldable plug assembly in an embodiment of the invention in a separated state from a device body;

fig. 18 illustrates a second cross-sectional view of the foldable plug assembly in an embodiment of the invention in a detached state from the device body.

Detailed Description

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in order to avoid obscuring the invention.

It is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "adjacent to," "connected to," or "coupled to" other elements or layers, it can be directly on, adjacent to, connected or coupled to the other elements or layers or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly adjacent to," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" other elements or layers, there are no intervening elements or layers present. It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Spatial relational terms such as "under," "below," "under," "above," "over," and the like may be used herein for convenience in describing the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, then elements or features described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary terms "under" and "under" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatial descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of the associated listed items.

In order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, a detailed structure will be set forth in the following description in order to explain the present invention. The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, however, the invention is capable of other embodiments in addition to those detailed.

In order to solve the technical problems of large volume, poor safety and the like of the existing foldable plug, the invention provides a foldable plug assembly, which comprises:

at least two pins arranged at intervals;

the positive and negative electrode connecting holes are arranged on the shell and configured to: when the foldable plug assembly is installed on the device body, the positive and negative electrodes of the device body are allowed to be inserted into the positive and negative connecting holes to realize electric connection, and the first locking piece is unlocked to release the limitation on the rotating shaft.

The foldable plug assembly provided by the embodiment of the invention has the advantages that the size is small, the degree of freedom of product appearance design is larger, the first locking piece is arranged, when the plug pin is in a folded state, the rotating shaft is limited to rotate to open the plug pin, so that the plug pin is in the folded state, the plug pin cannot be opened under the condition of non-violent damage, and cannot be normally inserted into and connected with strong electricity for use, so that the safety and reliability are higher, in addition, the problem that the normal function of the plug pin assembly is influenced due to the falling of foreign matters can be avoided because part of the first locking piece is inserted into the positive and negative connecting holes to seal the positive and negative connecting holes of the plug pin assembly, so that the better user experience function is provided, and the appearance of the plug pin assembly is concise.

The foldable plug assembly and the device including the foldable plug assembly of the present invention will be explained and explained with reference to fig. 1 to 18.

In one embodiment of the invention, a foldable plug assembly includes a housing having a receiving space formed therein. In the specific example shown in fig. 1 and 2, the housing includes a front shell 101 and a bottom shell 108, and the front shell 101 has an accommodating space therein for accommodating various devices, such as a conductive elastic sheet, a locking member, and the like.

The front shell 101 and the bottom shell 108 are engaged, and the bottom shell 108 covers the accommodating space in the front shell 101, so that the accommodating space is formed in the combined shell, wherein the front shell 101 and the bottom shell 108 can be engaged by any suitable means, such as a snap-fit manner, a tight-fit manner, a welding manner, or a screwing manner, and the like, wherein in this embodiment, the front shell and the bottom shell 108 are engaged by the snap-fit manner to form a complete shell, and the combination between the two is firm, can be regarded as an integral non-detachable piece, and cannot find a relative displacement therebetween.

In one example, as shown in fig. 2, positive and negative electrode connection holes 1083 are provided on the housing, and the positive and negative electrode connection holes 1083 are configured to allow the positive and negative electrodes of the device body to be inserted therethrough to be electrically connected when the foldable plug assembly is mounted to the device body, and simultaneously unlock the first locking member to release the restriction of the rotation shaft. Alternatively, the positive and negative electrode connecting holes 1083 may be provided on a side wall of the case, for example, on a side wall of the bottom case 108, or may also be provided on a side wall of the face case. Alternatively, the positive and negative electrode connecting holes 1083 are typically 2 holes, one corresponding to the positive electrode and one corresponding to the negative electrode, wherein the axial direction of the positive and negative electrode connecting holes 1083 may also be parallel to the insertion direction of the foldable plug assembly when mounted to the device body.

Illustratively, as shown in fig. 5, the housing is provided with a pin receiving slot 103, and more specifically, the pin receiving slot 103 is provided on the face shell 101, and the pin is received in the pin receiving slot 103 when the pin is in a folded state. Wherein the size of the pin receiving groove 103 is matched with and larger than the size of the pin so as to receive the pin therein.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the foldable plug assembly includes at least two prongs 102 spaced apart from each other. The pins 102 may include pins complying with safety standards of various countries, for example, pins complying with safety standards of countries such as china, the united states, japan, the united kingdom, and the like. In the present embodiment, the foldable plug assembly of the present invention is mainly explained and illustrated by taking the structure of two pins 102 spaced apart from each other as an example, but it should be noted that the structure of the pins is not limited to the above structure, and other suitable structures are also possible.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 3, at least two pins 102 spaced apart from each other are connected by a rotation shaft 104, and the pins 102 are rotated by the rotation of the rotation shaft. Wherein the rotation shaft 104 is disposed at one end of the pin 102 for electrically connecting with the conductive elastic sheet, and is away from one end of the pin 102 for electrically connecting with the power source.

In one example, as shown in fig. 8, the rotation shaft 104 is a cam structure, and the rotation shaft of the cam structure needs to have enough space under it during rotation, otherwise rotation cannot be achieved, and in addition, when the foldable plug assembly is mounted to the device body and the pins are opened, the cam structure abuts against the second locking member, so that the second locking member is moved downward to be connected to the device body, and the foldable plug assembly and the device body cannot be separated. Optionally, the rotating shaft 104 of the cam structure includes a cam 1041 protruding outward in the radial direction of the rotating shaft, and the cam 1041 is disposed eccentrically to the axis of the rotating shaft.

In one example, as shown in fig. 8, a limiting member 1042 is further disposed on the rotation shaft 104 for limiting the rotation of the rotation shaft 104. Alternatively, the limiting member 1042 includes a concave structure disposed on the rotation shaft, such as the concave structure disposed at the rotation shaft 1/4. In the present embodiment, the case where the stopper 1042 has a recessed structure provided on the rotating shaft 104 is mainly taken as an example.

Participate in 102 can be at the bottom surface vertical to parallel range with the drain pan and rotate folding, can rotate at 0 ~ 90 within range, can make the bottom surface of participating in the perpendicular to drain pan when using conveniently be connected with the power electricity through the rotation of participating in, can fold when not using simultaneously and pack up, conveniently carries.

In one example, as shown in fig. 5, the foldable plug assembly includes a first locking member movably disposed in the accommodating space and configured to restrict the rotation shaft from rotating to open the pins when the pins are in the folded state, so that the pins are in the folded state, and cannot be opened without violent damage, and cannot be normally inserted into the strong electricity for use, so that the safety and reliability are improved, and a portion of the first locking member is inserted into the positive and negative connecting holes to prevent foreign objects from falling into the positive and negative connecting holes, and to close the positive and negative connecting holes 1083, so that the foreign objects are prevented from falling into the positive and negative connecting holes.

Specifically, the first locking member includes a first locking structure 105, and the first locking structure 105 is movably disposed in the accommodating space of the housing, and further disposed on the bottom shell 108, and is used for limiting the rotation shaft to rotate to open the prongs when the foldable plug assembly is not mounted to the device body and the prongs are folded.

For example, as shown in fig. 9, the first latching structure 105 can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotation shaft 104, so that the first latching structure 105 is close to or away from the rotation shaft. Alternatively, when the foldable plug assembly is not mounted to the device body and the plug pins are in the folded state, as shown in fig. 9, the first latching structure 105 abuts against the limiting member 1042 to limit the rotation of the rotating shaft 104, for example, as shown in fig. 9, one end of the top of the first latching structure 105 facing the rotating shaft is provided with a latching portion 1054 matching with the limiting member 1042 on the rotating shaft, and the latching portion 1054 can be inserted into the limiting member 1042 to limit the rotation of the rotating shaft 104.

Illustratively, as shown in fig. 5 and 7, the first latching structure 105 further includes an extension portion 1052, for example, two extension portions 1052, where the extension portions 1052 are disposed opposite to the positive and negative electrode connecting holes 1083, and are configured to be inserted into the positive and negative electrode connecting holes 1083 to prevent foreign matters from falling into the positive and negative electrode connecting holes 1083 when the foldable plug assembly is not mounted to the device body and the pins are in the folded state, as shown in fig. 6 and 7, so as to avoid the problem that the normal function of the pin assembly is affected by the falling of the foreign matters, thereby providing a better user experience function. The extension portion 1052 can extend into the positive and negative electrode connecting holes 1083, or can extend out of the positive and negative electrode connecting holes 1083, as long as it can be ensured that the extension portion 1052 can seal the positive and negative electrode connecting holes 1083 when the foldable plug assembly is not mounted to the device body and the pins are in the folded state, so as to prevent the foreign matter from falling in.

In one example, as shown in fig. 5, the first locking member further comprises a first reset structure 106 for resetting the first detent structure 105, such as when the foldable plug assembly is detached from the device body, the first reset structure resets the first detent structure 105, such that the first detent structure 105 abuts against the limiting member 1042 to limit the rotation of the pivot shaft, thereby locking the prongs in the folded state and not being opened.

Optionally, the free end of the first resetting structure 106 is connected to the first latching structure 105, and the fixed end of the first resetting structure 106 abuts against the housing, for example, the front shell 101 or the bottom shell 108. Specifically, the fixed end abuts against the sidewall of the panel 101 or the sidewall of the bottom case 108 according to the actual structure of the two, if the panel 101 has a downwardly-suspended sidewall and the bottom case 108 is fastened to the bottom end of the sidewall, the fixed end of the first restoring structure 106 abuts against the sidewall of the panel 101, and if the bottom case has an upwardly-protruded sidewall and is fastened to the panel, the fixed end of the first restoring structure 106 may abut against the sidewall of the bottom case 108.

Illustratively, the first reset structure 106 includes a reset spring, wherein one end of the first detent structure 105 connected to the first reset structure has a protrusion, and a free end of the reset spring is connected to the protrusion, for example, the free end of the reset spring is sleeved on the protrusion, so as to connect the first reset structure 106 and the first detent structure 105.

In one example, as shown in fig. 5, a recess 1053 is provided at an end of the first detent structure 105 connected to the first reduction structure 106, and the first reduction structure 106 extends into the recess 1053. The radial dimension of the groove 1053 is larger than that of the first reduction structure, and the cross-sectional shape of the groove may be circular, square, other polygonal shapes, etc. Alternatively, a projection may be provided in the groove, the axial length of which is less than the axial length of the groove 1053, so that the entire projection is located within the groove 1053, or a partial length of the projection may be located outside the groove 1053.

As shown in fig. 9, in the folded state, the first locking member located below the rotating shaft acts on the cam 1041 on the rotating shaft to assist in synchronously restricting the rotation of the rotating shaft, so that the folded pins cannot be unfolded and a strong insertion connection power cannot be normally used, thereby being in a safe state.

Illustratively, as shown in fig. 5, a fixing structure 1080 is disposed in the accommodating space in the housing, and the fixing structure 1080 is disposed in the accommodating space of the housing, and more specifically, the fixing structure is disposed on the bottom shell 108, and the fixing structure 1080 can be fixed on the bottom shell 108 by any suitable manner, such as by bonding, welding, screwing, and the like, in the example shown in fig. 5, the fixing structure 1080 is fixed on the bottom shell 108 by screws 1081, and the number of the screws 1081 may be 3, or any other suitable number, which is not limited herein.

A support 1082 for fixing the pins is disposed in the accommodating space, the at least two pins are rotatably fixed on the support 1082 through the rotation shaft 104, in a specific example, as shown in fig. 5, a support 1082 for fixing the pins 102 is disposed on the bottom case 108, and the at least two pins are fixed on the support 1082 through the rotation shaft 104, wherein the support 1082 may be two supports 1082 spaced apart from each other, and the top end of the support is concave and circular to match with the rotation shaft 104. Wherein after the rotation shaft 104 is fixed on the support 1082, the rotation shaft is fixed on the support. More specifically, the fixing structure 1080 is further provided with a bracket 1082 for fixing the pins, and the fixing structure 1080 is provided on the bottom case 108, and the bracket is correspondingly provided on the bottom case 108.

In one example, as shown in fig. 5, the foldable plug assembly 100 further includes a conductive spring 107, the conductive spring 107 is disposed below the pins 102, one end (contact end) of the pins is in contact with the conductive spring 107 and electrically connected to the power transmission assembly when the pins are in the open state, and the pins are not in contact with the conductive spring 107 when the pins 102 are in the folded state.

Optionally, the conductive elastic sheet 107 is provided with a fixing portion, the fixing portion is provided with a fixing hole, the bottom case 108 is provided with an elastic sheet fixing seat, and the fixing hole is matched with the elastic sheet fixing seat, so that the conductive elastic sheet 107 is fixed on the bottom case 108.

The conductive elastic sheet 107 may be any suitable metal elastic sheet, such as a copper elastic sheet, an aluminum elastic sheet, etc., and may be configured into a suitable shape according to actual needs, which is not limited herein.

The number of the conductive spring 107 may be determined according to the number of the pins 102, for example, when the pins 102 are two, the number of the conductive spring 107 is also two, and a general plug assembly has two pins, and the two pins are respectively connected to the live wire or the neutral wire, so that the number of the conductive spring is two.

Alternatively, the bottom shell 108 may be any suitable shape, wherein the bottom shell 108 may include only a bottom plate to cover the opening in the bottom of the face shell 101, or the bottom shell 108 may further include a bottom plate and a vertically disposed mounting plate disposed at one end of the bottom plate, the mounting plate and the face shell being snap-coupled.

In one example, as shown in fig. 5, the foldable plug assembly 100 further includes a second locking member movably disposed up and down in the receiving space of the housing, the second locking member being coupled to the device body when the foldable plug assembly is mounted to the device body and the pins are in the open state, so that the foldable plug assembly and the device body cannot be separated from each other, thereby securing the coupling therebetween, and optionally, the second locking member is disposed below the pivot shaft.

In one example, as shown in fig. 5, the second locking member includes a second detent structure 1091, the second detent structure 1091 engaging the device body when the foldable plug assembly is mounted to the device body and the prongs are in the open position such that the foldable plug assembly and the device body cannot be separated. As shown in fig. 2, a through hole 1084 is disposed on the bottom of the housing, the through hole 1084 penetrates through the bottom of the housing and is configured to allow the second detent structure 1091 to move up and down therein, for example, the through hole 1084 is disposed on the bottom housing 108.

The shape of the second detent structure 1091 may be any suitable shape, such as a cylinder, for example, a first end of the second detent structure 1091 located in the accommodating space of the housing has a smaller size than a second end opposite to the first end.

In one example, as shown in fig. 5, the second locking member further includes a fixing member 1093 disposed in the accommodating space of the housing, and the fixing member 1093 is connected to a first end of the second detent structure 1091 located in the accommodating space, so as to limit the second detent structure 1091 from being disengaged from the housing. For example, the second blocking structure 1091 passes through the through hole 1084 from the outside of the housing and is connected to the fixing member 1093 disposed in the accommodating space of the housing, so that the second blocking structure 1091 does not fall off from the housing. The fixing member 1093 may be connected by any suitable means, such as welding, bonding, screwing, etc., and in this embodiment, the fixing member 1093 and the second detent structure 1091 are connected by a screw 1094.

In one example, as shown in fig. 5, the second locking element further comprises a second reset structure 1092, wherein one end of the second reset structure 1092 abuts against the fixing member 1093, and the other end abuts against the bottom of the housing, so as to reset the second detent structure 1091. Wherein the second return structure 1092 may comprise a return spring, or other suitable return structure, wherein the return spring may be in a compressed state or a naturally extended state in an initial state, i.e., without the second locking element being subjected to other external forces.

In one example, as shown in fig. 9, when the foldable pin assembly is not mounted to the device body and the pins are in the folded state, the top end of the second locking member can abut against the pivot shaft 104 to assist in limiting the pivot of the pivot shaft, e.g., by urging the second locking member (e.g., the top end of the fixing member 1094) against the lower end of the pivot shaft 104 by the second restoring structure 1092 to assist in limiting the pivot of the pivot shaft so that the pins cannot be opened and the strong insertion connection force cannot be used normally, i.e., in the safe state. Alternatively, in other embodiments, it is also possible that the top end of the second locking member has a predetermined distance from the rotating shaft, which is smaller than the pivoting space of the cam of the rotating shaft, so that the cam of the rotating shaft can apply downward pressure to the second locking member to couple the second locking member to the device body when the prongs are opened.

As shown in fig. 2 and 9, when the foldable prong assembly is not mounted to the device body and the prongs are in the folded state, the second locking member is in the stowed state under the action of the second return structure 1092, which does not protrude outside the housing, i.e., the second detent structure 1091 does not protrude outside the housing.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, if the prongs 102 are not restrained by the first locking member and can be opened, the cam 1054 of the pivot shaft exerts a downward force on the second locking member to cause a portion of the second detent structure 1091 to partially protrude out of the housing and thereby be available for connection to the device body.

In one example, the foldable plug assembly further comprises a mounting assembly (not shown) disposed on the housing for detachably mounting the foldable plug assembly to a device body. Wherein, the mounting assembly can be arranged on the bottom shell or the face shell. For example, the mounting assembly is disposed on the fixed structure 1080.

Optionally, the mounting assembly includes a power transfer assembly (not shown) electrically connected to the pins, when mounted to the device body, to a power input interface of the device body.

As shown in fig. 7 and 9, when the foldable plug assembly is not connected to the device body (i.e. mounted to the device body), the front shell 101 and the bottom shell 108 are firmly combined to form a housing of the foldable plug assembly, which can be regarded as an integral non-detachable member, and no relative displacement occurs, and at this time, the pins 102 are kept in a folded and retracted state, i.e. a locked state, if the pins 102 need to be opened, as shown in fig. 9, the rotating shaft 104 needs to rotate 90 ° in a counterclockwise direction indicated by an arrow in the figure, so as to open the pins 102, but at this time, under the action of the first resetting structure 106, the first blocking structure 105 is in a pop-out state against the limiting member 1042 (e.g. the limiting member 1042 is a concave structure, and part of the first blocking structure 105 (e.g. the blocking portion 1054) is inserted into the concave structure to limit the rotation of the rotating shaft) so as to limit the rotation of the rotating shaft, and at the same time, under the action of the second reset mechanism 1092, the second locking member (e.g., the top end of the fixing member 1094) is abutted against the lower end of the rotating shaft 104 to assist in synchronously limiting the rotation of the rotating shaft, so that the pins cannot be opened and normally inserted to conduct the use of strong electricity, which is a safe state, so that when the foldable plug is alone, the folded pins are locked, cannot be opened without violent damage, cannot be normally inserted to conduct the use of strong electricity, and thus the safety and reliability are higher, and the volume of the foldable plug assembly is smaller. In addition, as shown in fig. 7, the first blocking structure 105 further includes an extension portion 1052, which is configured to be inserted into the positive and negative electrode connecting holes 1083 when the foldable plug assembly is not mounted to the device body and the pins are in the folded state, so as to prevent foreign matters from falling into the positive and negative electrode connecting holes 1083, as shown in fig. 6 and 7, thereby avoiding the problem that the normal function of the pin assembly is affected by the falling of the foreign matters, and further providing better user experience.

In another embodiment, the invention also provides a device comprising the foldable plug assembly in the previous embodiment, which may be any device comprising a plug assembly, for example, the device may comprise a charging device, wherein the charging device may comprise a mobile phone charger, an adapter, a mobile power supply, etc.

Specifically, in one example, the apparatus of the present invention comprising a foldable plug assembly, the apparatus comprising: the structure of the foldable plug assembly 100, which includes the face housing, the pins, etc., can be referred to the description of the previous embodiments and will not be repeated here.

As shown in fig. 10, the device further includes a device main body 200 detachably mounted with the foldable plug assembly, and in this drawing, only a partial structure of the device main body 200 is shown, wherein a housing of the device main body 200 is formed with a receiving dock (not shown) for mounting the foldable plug assembly 100, a power receiving assembly is provided in the receiving dock, the power receiving assembly being electrically connected to a circuit structure provided in the device main body 200, and an electric power transmitting assembly provided in the foldable plug assembly 100 for transmitting electric power on the pins 102 to the circuit structure when mounted. The device body 200 may be connected to the collapsible plug assembly by snap-fit, ultrasonic weld, or other suitable means.

In one example, as shown in fig. 10 and 11, the device main body 200 is further provided with positive and negative electrodes 201, for example, extending directions of the positive and negative electrodes are parallel to an inserting direction (direction shown by arrow in fig. 11) of the foldable plug assembly 100, when the foldable plug assembly is assembled into the device main body, the positive and negative electrodes 201 are used for unlocking the first locking elements to make the pins rotatably open and fold and retract, for example, as shown in fig. 12 and 14, when the foldable plug assembly is assembled into the device main body (i.e., when the device main body and the foldable plug assembly are in a connected state), the positive and negative electrodes pass through positive and negative connecting holes on the foldable plug assembly to abut against the first locking elements of the foldable plug assembly, and apply a transverse force to the first locking elements (e.g., the blocking portion 1054) to cause the blocking portion 1054 of the first blocking structure 105 abutting against the limiting member 1042 to be separated from the limiting member 1042 to release the limitation on the rotating shaft, to unlock the first locking member to allow the prongs to be rotatably opened and folded for stowage.

Meanwhile, the positive and negative electrodes 201 pass through the positive and negative electrode connecting holes 1083 to be connected with the power transmission assembly in the foldable plug assembly 100 so as to be conducted when the pins are powered on, for example, as shown in fig. 13, the positive and negative electrodes 201 are connected with the conductive elastic sheet 107 so as to be conducted when the pins are powered on. Therefore, the positive and negative electrodes of the device main body can be used for conducting as the electric connection between the positive and negative electrodes and the pin assembly, and can also be used for unlocking the first locking piece to release the limitation on the rotating shaft, so that the pin can be rotatably opened, folded and folded, and the connection reliability between the pin assembly and the device main body can be enhanced.

As shown in fig. 15, the device body 200 includes a fixing portion 202 for engaging with the second locking member of the foldable plug assembly, for example, an end portion of the second locking member protruding from the housing, and optionally, the fixing portion 202 may be disposed at the bottom of the housing of the device body 200, and when the pins are opened, the second locking member (for example, an end portion of the second locking member protruding from the housing) protrudes into the fixing portion 202 under the action of the cam 1041 of the rotation shaft to be coupled with the device body, thereby locking the foldable plug assembly and preventing the foldable plug assembly and the device body from being separated. Under the condition that the pins are opened, the foldable plug assembly is locked with the device body and cannot be separated under the condition of non-violent damage, and the connection is more reliable and safe. When participating in the subassembly and breaking away from the device main part, must fold and pack up to participate in and just can make and participate in subassembly and the separation of device main part, guarantee to participate in to pack up and be convenient for accomodate, user experience is better.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 10, 11, and 14, the fixing position 202 is a groove structure disposed on the device main body, and a portion of the second detent structure 1091 protruding from the housing extends into the groove structure, or the fixing position 202 is a protrusion structure disposed on the device main body, and a groove structure matching the protrusion structure is disposed on the second detent structure 1091 protruding from the housing. Alternatively, other configurations may be used which match each other.

The device obtained after mounting the foldable plug assembly 100 to the device body 200 is shown in fig. 16.

As shown in fig. 14, in the case of the prong opening, which locks the foldable plug assembly to the device body, the connection is more secure and the prong 102 is folded to separate the two, the cam 1054 of the pivot shaft no longer applies force to the second locking member, the pivot shaft gives way to the displacement distance, the second locking structure 1091 is moved upward by the second reset structure 1092 to retract, i.e., no longer protrudes out of the housing, and thus disengages from the fixed position 202 on the device body, and the locking between the foldable plug assembly and the device body is released, so that the foldable plug assembly can be separated from the device body. Therefore, when the foldable plug assembly is separated from the device body, the pin assembly and the device body can be separated only by folding and retracting the pins, so that the pins are ensured to be retracted conveniently, and the user experience is better.

After the pins are folded, the second locking piece is reset under the action of the second reset structure, the foldable plug assembly is not limited by the fixed position of the device main body any more, and the foldable plug assembly can be separated from the device main body, as shown in fig. 18, in the separation process, the positive electrode 201 and the negative electrode 201 of the device main body 200 are gradually contacted with the lateral displacement of the first locking piece of the foldable plug assembly to limit, the positive electrode 201 and the negative electrode 201 are separated from the positive electrode connecting hole and the negative electrode connecting hole of the foldable plug assembly, under the action of the first reset structure, as shown in fig. 17, the first clamping structure is inserted into the limiting piece 1042 on the rotating shaft to limit the rotation of the pins, and meanwhile, the second locking piece assists in limiting the rotating shaft, and the pins cannot be opened before unlocking.

In summary, in the foldable plug assembly according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first locking element is arranged to limit the rotation shaft to rotate to open the plug pin when the plug pin is in the folded state, so that the plug pin is in the folded state, and cannot be opened without violent damage, and cannot be normally inserted into a strong current for use, so that the safety and reliability are higher.

The device comprising the foldable plug assembly comprises the foldable plug assembly and a device body, wherein the device body and the foldable plug assembly are detachably mounted, the device body comprises a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and when the foldable plug assembly is assembled into the device body, the positive electrode and the negative electrode are used for unlocking the first locking piece to enable the pins to be rotatably opened and folded and retracted, so that the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the device body can be used for conducting as the electric connection between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and the pin assembly, the first locking piece can be unlocked to release the limitation on the rotating shaft, the pins can be rotatably opened and folded and retracted, and the reliability of the connection between the pin assembly and the device body can be enhanced.

Although the illustrative embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the foregoing illustrative embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention thereto. Various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the pertinent art without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the implementation. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described device embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the units is only one logical functional division, and other divisions may be realized in practice, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be omitted, or not executed.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. It is understood, however, that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the invention and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. However, the method of the present invention should not be construed to reflect the intent: that the invention as claimed requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that all of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and all of the processes or elements of any method or apparatus so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where such features are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that while some embodiments described herein include some features included in other embodiments, rather than other features, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention and form different embodiments. For example, in the claims, any of the claimed embodiments may be used in any combination.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the unit claims enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The usage of the words first, second and third, etcetera do not indicate any ordering. These words may be interpreted as names.

Claims

1. A foldable plug assembly, comprising:

at least two pins arranged at intervals;

2. The foldable plug assembly of claim 1, wherein the first locking member comprises a first detent structure movably disposed in the receiving space for limiting the pivot axis from pivoting open the prongs when the foldable plug assembly is not mounted to the device body and the prongs are in the folded position.

3. The foldable plug assembly of claim 2, wherein the first detent structure comprises an extension portion disposed opposite the positive and negative connection holes and configured to be inserted into the positive and negative connection holes when the foldable plug assembly is not mounted to the device body and the pins are in the folded state to prevent foreign objects from falling into the positive and negative connection holes.

4. The foldable plug assembly of claim 2, wherein the pivot shaft further comprises a stop member for limiting rotation of the pivot shaft, and the first detent structure abuts against the stop member to limit rotation of the pivot shaft.

5. The foldable plug assembly of claim 4, wherein the retaining member comprises a recessed structure disposed on the pivot shaft.

6. The foldable plug assembly of claim 2, wherein the first locking member further comprises a first reset structure for resetting the first detent structure, a free end of the first reset structure being coupled to the first detent structure, and a fixed end of the first reset structure abutting the housing.

7. The foldable plug assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

8. The foldable plug assembly of claim 7, wherein the second locking member is disposed below the pivot shaft.

9. The foldable plug assembly of claim 7, wherein the second locking member includes a second detent structure that engages the device body when the foldable plug assembly is mounted to the device body and the prongs are in the open position such that the foldable plug assembly and the device body cannot be separated.

10. The foldable plug assembly of claim 9, wherein the second locking member further comprises a securing member disposed within the receiving space of the housing, the securing member engaging a first end of the second detent structure within the receiving space for limiting disengagement of the second detent structure from the housing.

11. The foldable plug assembly of claim 10, wherein the second locking member further comprises a second reset feature, the second reset feature abutting the securing member at one end and the bottom of the housing at the other end for resetting the second detent feature.

12. The foldable plug assembly of claim 9, wherein a through hole is provided on a bottom of the housing, the through hole extending through the bottom of the housing and configured to allow the second detent structure to move up and down therein.

13. The foldable plug assembly of claim 7, wherein the pivot shaft is a camming structure that engages the second locking member to couple the second locking member to the device body when the foldable plug assembly is mounted to the device body and the prongs are open.

14. An apparatus including a foldable plug assembly, the apparatus comprising:

a foldable plug assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13;

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the positive and negative electrodes extend through positive and negative connecting holes in the foldable plug assembly and abut against the first locking member of the foldable plug assembly when the device body is connected to the foldable plug assembly, so that the first locking member is unlocked to allow the pins to be rotatably opened and retracted.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein a securing position is provided on the device body for engaging with a second locking member of the foldable plug assembly, the second locking member extending into the securing position for engaging with the device body when the prongs are opened to restrict the foldable plug assembly and the device body from being separated.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the securing location is a groove disposed in a bottom portion of the device body.