WO2020161570A1

WO2020161570A1 - Charging station for portable electronic device battery and furnishing element provided with such charging station

Info

Publication number: WO2020161570A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/050727
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claudio Checchin
Original assignee: Arper S.P.A.
Priority date: 2019-02-06
Filing date: 2020-01-30
Publication date: 2020-08-13
Also published as: DE112020000704T5; IT201900001699A1

Abstract

A charging station (12) for a battery of a portable electronic device comprises a base module (14) suitable to be provided on a furnishing element (16), a charging module (18), and a release key (20). The charging module (18) comprises fixing means (22) suitable to allow: an engagement position wherein the charging module (18) is hooked to the base module (14); and a disengagement position allowed as a result of interaction with the release key (20), wherein the charging module (18) is disengaged from the base module (14).

Description

"CHARGING STATION FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE BATTERY

AND FURNISHING ELEMENT PROVIDED WITH SUCH CHARGING

STATION"

DESCRIPTION SCOPE

[0001] The present invention concerns a charging station for batteries of portable electronic devices and a furnishing element comprising such a charging station. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] As is known, portable electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, are equipped with high- performance batteries that allow for a certain autonomy.

[0003] If the device is subjected to intensive use, or if the battery is worn out as a result of several charge- discharge cycles, one is unfortunately forced to recharge the battery of the device frequently.

[0004] Unfortunately, the need to have a charging source available may also be caused by the user's forgetfulness or, for example, if, when the device is new, the user proceeds to recharge the device diligently with full discharge/charge cycles so as not to wear it out prematurely .

[0005] To recharge the device, it is therefore necessary to have a battery charger connected to the electricity grid or to an external high-capacity battery (a so-called power bank) to recharge the device without the need of an electricity grid to attain the necessary power.

[0006] An alternative to these systems is represented by furnishing elements in public places wherein is integrated a charging station for batteries of portable electronic devices.

[0007] Such a system is shown for example in the European patent EP2754368. The system comprises a wireless charging station obtained on the lower surface of a furnishing element. In this way, the support surface of the furnishing element remains free. The battery of the electronic device is recharged wirelessly by placing the electronic device on the support surface above the area occupied by the charging station.

[0008] The solutions of the prior art, although widely used, are not without drawbacks.

[0009] First of all, even if one is in possession of a battery charger, it is not always possible to find a power outlet to which it may be connected.

[0010] Moreover, even if one has a power bank available, it must be periodically recharged.

[0011] With regard to charging devices integrated in furnishing elements, they very often have to be wired to be connected to a power outlet or, if they are not wired, they must be disassembled in order to be recharged. [0012] However, as also shown in the European patent mentioned above, these devices are usually arranged in locations that are difficult to access, such as, for example, the lower part of a table, to prevent them from being easily removed to be stolen.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The need is therefore felt to resolve at least partially the drawbacks and limitations cited with reference to the prior art.

[0014] Therefore, the need is felt to provide a charging station for portable electronic devices that may be easily integrated in a furnishing element.

[0015] Moreover, the need is felt for a furnishing element provided with a charging station for batteries of portable electronic devices that allows the batteries of portable electronic devices to be recharged in a simple and immediate way.

[0016] Furthermore, the need is felt for a furnishing element wherein the charging station is not connected to the electricity grid, but may be easily recharged.

[0017] In addition, the need is felt for a charging station that is difficult to detach from the respective furnishing element to be stolen, but at the same time allows the charging unit to be cleaned, recharged or replaced with a charged unit. [0018] These requirements are satisfied by a charging station for batteries of portable electronic devices in accordance with claim 1, and by a furnishing element arranged with a charging station for batteries of portable electronic devices in accordance with claim 11. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of the preferred and non-restrictive examples of embodiment thereof, wherein:

- Figure 1 shows schematically a perspective view of a furnishing element provided with a charging station for batteries of portable electronic devices according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 shows schematically the furnishing element in

Figure 1 in a possible configuration of use;

- Figure 3 shows schematically the furnishing element in Figures 1 and 2 in a further configuration of use;

Figure 4 shows schematically a charging station according to the present invention in a partially disassembled configuration; and

Figure 5 shows schematically an exploded view of a charging station according to the present invention.

[0020] The elements or parts of elements in common between the embodiments described hereinafter will be indicated at the same numerical references.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Figure 1 shows a charging station according to the present invention, for a battery of a portable electronic device, which is indicated collectively at reference 12.

[0022] The charging station 12 comprises a base module 14 adapted to be provided on a furnishing element 16, a charging module 18, and a release key 20.

[0023] The charging module 18 comprises fixing means 22 adapted to allow:

- an engagement position wherein the charging module 18 is hooked to the base module 14; and

a disengagement position allowed as a result of interaction with the release key 20, wherein the charging module 18 is disengaged from the base module 14.

[0024] According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the base module 14 comprises a shaped pin 24.

[0025] With reference to Figure 3, the shaped pin 24 may comprise a stem 26 arranged with a first end 28 and a second end 30, wherein the first end 28 is adapted to be provided on a furnishing element 16, and the second end 20 comprises an enlarged head 32.

[0026] The shaped pin 24 is adapted to be hooked by the fixing means 22. Advantageously, the coupling between the shaped pin 24 and the fixing means 22 is adapted to prevent at least the relative movements between the two elements. According to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the coupling between the shaped pin 24 and the fixing means is adapted to prevent a relative movement between the two elements.

[0027] The furnishing element 16 may be provided with a seat 34 adapted to accommodate partially the base module 14. In particular, in the case of the shaped pin 24, the seat 34 may be a hole.

[0028] In accordance with a possible embodiment, which may be seen in the example shown in Figure 5, the base module 14 may comprise a cup 36 adapted to be arranged inside the seat 34, and a shaped pin 24.

[0029] In accordance with a possible embodiment, the shaped pin 24 may be movable for example inside the cup 36 between an extracted and a retracted position. Advantageously, in the retracted position, the shaped pin 24 is substantially flush with the surface of the furnishing element 16.

[0030] In accordance with a possible embodiment, a snap mechanism (not shown) may be arranged between the cup 36 and the shaped pin 24 which, after pressing a first time, assumes the retracted position and, after pressing a second time, the extracted position.

[0031] In this regard, alternative embodiments are possible wherein the shaped pin 24 is placed externally with respect to the attachment to the surface of the furnishing element. In this case, the snap mechanism may be contained, for example, within the shaped pin itself.

[0032] In accordance with possible alternative embodiments, the shaped pin may be shaped differently, for example, it may comprise at least one portion with a larger diameter between the two ends .

[0033] In accordance with a possible embodiment, the charging module 18 comprises a battery pack (not shown) adapted to be connected to an electric power source to be recharged .

[0034] The charging module 18 further comprises connection means (not shown) adapted to connect the charging module 18 and thus the charging station to a portable electronic device .

[0035] In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, the connection means may comprise one or more USB ports or a wireless charging device.

[0036] The charging module 18 comprises a support structure

38. The support structure 38 may further comprise at least one opening 39 to access a USB socket that may be used to connect a cable (not shown) for recharging the battery of a portable electronic device, or to recharge the charging module itself. [0037] In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, the support structure may comprise a slot 4 0 for the insertion of the release key 2 0.

[0038] In this respect, the engagement and disengagement position may be defined by a coupling between the shaped pin 24 and the fixing means 22.

[0039] With reference to Figures 3 and 4, a possible embodiment of the fixing means 22 will be described.

[0040] The fixing means 22 may comprise at least one elastically deformable element 42, 44. Advantageously, there may be two of said elastically deformable elements.

[0041] In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, said at least one elastically deformable element is a U-shaped element, comprising two ends 422, 424; 442, 444. Both ends 422, 424; 442, 444 may be locked in position with respect to a base of the support structure 38.

[0042] The two elastically deformable U-shaped elements 42, 44 may have, in use, a position substantially perpendicular to the shaped pin 24. Advantageously, the portions of the elastically deformable elements 42, 44, which are facing each other may have a claw shape 42 6, 44 6. In particular, the elastically deformable elements 42, 44 may have a cam portion 42 8, 44 8 adapted to act in conjunction with an operating portion 2 02 of the release key 20. The cam portions 428, 448 may thus be moved due to the elasticity of the two elastically deformable U- shaped elements 42, 44, in particular, they may be moved away from each other.

[0043] In accordance with a possible embodiment, the insertion of the release key 20 involves the distancing of the cam portions 428, 448 from each other.

[0044] In accordance with alternative embodiments, the fixing means 22 may be manufactured in another way, for example, with spring mechanisms, snap mechanisms, etc. In particular, the release key could also be manufactured in a different way, for example, with magnetic portions, or with coupling surfaces similar to those of the usual keys for locks. The support structure may comprise an intermediate element 384 positioned above the fixing means 22 adapted to hold them in place.

[0045] In accordance with a possible embodiment of the present invention, the support structure 38 may comprise an upper element 382, on which a suitable symbol may be placed to indicate the charging station.

[0046] The charging station 12 for a battery of a portable electronic device may therefore be provided on a furnishing element 16 such as a table, counter, etc. In particular, it may be provided on the upper part of a support surface of a furnishing element. [0047] Advantageously, the present charging station may be provided on any furnishing element with sufficient surface area to support the charging station, such as a shelf, a ledge, a coffee table, etc.

[0048] The operation of the charging station 12 is very simple, and in particular allows an operator to disconnect it and recharge it without the need for wiring or modification of the furnishing element.

[0049] In accordance with a possible embodiment, the operator may insert the key, for example as shown in the sequence of Figures 1-3, and detach the charging module from the base module which instead remains fixed to the furnishing element.

[0050] Thus, the charging station for portable electronic devices may be easily integrated into a furnishing element .

[0051] Moreover, the charging station for batteries of portable electronic devices allows the batteries of portable electronic devices to be recharged in a simple and immediate way.

[0052] Again, the charging station is not connected to the electricity grid, but may be easily recharged.

[0053] Furthermore, the charging station cannot be easily detached from the respective furnishing element to be stolen and operates as an anti-theft system for the charging station.

[0054] To the embodiments described above, the person skilled in the art may, in order to satisfy specific needs, make changes to or replacements of the described elements with equivalent elements without thereby departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. Charging station (12) for portable electronic device battery comprising a base module (14) adapted to be installed on a furnishing element (16), a charging module (18), and a release key (20);

said charging module (18) comprising fixing means (22) adapted to allow:

an engagement position wherein said charging module (18) is hooked to said base module (14); and

- a disengagement position allowed as a result of interaction with the release key (20), wherein said charging module (18) is disengaged from said base module (14) .

2. Charging station (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that said base module (14) comprises a shaped pin (24 ) .

3. Charging station (12) according to claim 2, characterized in that the shaped pin (24) comprises a stem (26) provided with a first end (28) and a second end (30), wherein said first end (28) is adapted to be arranged on a furnishing element (16), and said second end (20) comprises an enlarged head (32) .

4. Charging station (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base module (14) comprises a cup (36) and a shaped pin (24), wherein said shaped pin (24) is movable within the cup (36) between an extracted position and a retracted position.

5. Charging station (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base module (14) is adapted to be installed on the surface of furnishing elements on which the charging station may be rested .

6. Charging station (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging module (18) comprises a battery pack adapted to be connected to an electric power source to be recharged.

7. Charging station (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the charging module (18) comprises connection means adapted to connect the charging module (18) and thus the charging station to a portable electronic device.

8. Charging station (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection means comprise one or more USB ports or a wireless charging device.

9. Charging station (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support structure may comprise a slot (40) for inserting said release key (20).

10. Charging station (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening means (22) comprise at least one elastically deformable element (42, 44), said at least one elastically deformable element, being a U-shaped element comprising two ends (422, 424; 442, 444) locked in place with respect to a base of the support structure (38), wherein said at least one elastically deformable element (42, 44) has a claw shape (426, 446) .

11. Charging station (12) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the elastically deformable elements (42, 44) may have a cam portion (428, 448) adapted to act in conjunction with an operating portion (202) of the release key (20) to cause the cam portions (428, 448) to move away from each other to achieve the disengagement position.

12. Furnishing element (16) comprising a charging station according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. Furnishing element (16) according to claim 12, characterized in that it is a support comprising a support surface above which a base module (14) for said charging station (12) is provided.