Adaptive docking station

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016091925-A1
Application number	US-201414502594-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 30, 2014
Priority date	Sep 30, 2014
Publication date	Mar 31, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An aesthetically pleasing docking station that is able to accommodate electronic devices with and without cases. An actuator within the docking station allows the connector plug of the docking station to retract a variable amount such that little or no gap exists between the electronic device and the surface of the docking station. Other embodiments enable the top surface of the housing to translate vertically such that little or no gap exists between the electronic device and surface of the docking station.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A docking station for a portable electronic device, the docking station comprising:
a housing having an exterior surface; a connector plug protruding from the exterior surface and configured to mate with the portable electronic device, the connector plug configured to retract within the housing after a mating event such that a distal end of the connector plug protrudes a first distance beyond the exterior surface after the mating event and protrudes a second distance, greater than the first distance, beyond the exterior surface before the mating event.

2 . The docking station of claim 1 further comprising an actuator disposed within the housing and coupled to the connector plug.

3 . The docking station of claim 2 wherein the actuator is configured to retain the connector plug in a first position before a mating event and allow the connector plug to move to a second position after a mating event.

4 . The docking station of claim 2 wherein the actuator is configured to retract and tilt the connector plug relative to the housing.

5 . The docking station of claim 2 wherein the actuator is coupled to a tension spring that resists retraction of the connector plug within the housing and is configured to return the connector plug to an unmated position after the electronic device is demated from the connector plug.

6 . The docking station of claim 2 wherein the actuator comprises a linkage secured to the connector plug having a pivot on a first end and a tension spring attached to a second end.

7 . The docking station of claim 6 wherein the pivot is configured to translate and rotate.

8 . The docking station of claim 2 wherein the actuator comprises a translatable plate secured to the connector plug and configured to allow the connector plug to move along a rectilinear path.

9 . The docking station of claim 8 wherein the actuator further comprises a solenoid configured to allow the connector plug to retract within the housing after a mating event and secure the connector plug in an extended position after a demating event.

10 . A docking station for a portable electronic device, the docking station comprising:
a housing having an exterior surface; a connector plug protruding from the exterior surface; an actuator coupled to the connector plug and adapted to position the connector plug in a first position in which a distal end of the connector plug protrudes a first distance beyond the exterior surface, and a second position in which the distal end of the connector plug protrudes a second distance beyond the exterior surface after the electronic device is mated with the connector plug wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.

11 . The docking station of claim 10 wherein the actuator is configured to retain the connector plug in the first position before a mating event and allow the connector plug to move to the second position after a mating event.

12 . The docking station of claim 10 wherein the actuator is configured to position the connector plug approximately perpendicular to the exterior surface in the first position and tilt the connector plug relative to the exterior surface in the second position.

13 . The docking station of claim 10 wherein the actuator comprises a solenoid configured to allow the connector plug to retract from the first position to the second position.

14 . A docking station for a portable electronic device, the docking station comprising:
an outer housing encompassing an inner base, the outer housing configured to vertically translate relative to the inner base; a connector plug secured to the inner base and protruding through an aperture in the outer housing such that a mating event of the portable electronic device to the connector plug causes the outer housing to vertically translate towards the inner base and a protrusion length of a distal end of the connector plug from the outer housing after the mating event is greater than a protrusion length of the distal end of the connector plug before the mating event.

15 . The docking station of claim 13 wherein the outer housing is configured to vertically translate away from the inner base during a demating event.

16 . The docking station of claim 13 wherein the outer housing has a temporary latch mechanism configured to secure the outer housing in a vertical position relative to the inner base after the mating event.

17 . The docking station of claim 16 wherein the temporary latch mechanism is released when a magnet is placed proximate the outer housing.

18 . The docking station of claim 16 wherein the temporary latch mechanism is released by pushing the outer housing towards the inner base.

19 . The docking station of claim 16 wherein the temporary latch mechanism is released by pushing a button on the outer housing.

20 . The docking station of claim 14 wherein the outer housing simultaneously translates vertically and horizontally.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Ardisana Ii John B
• Siahaan Edward
• Golko Albert J

Classifications

• G06F1/1626

  with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs] · CPC title

• G06F1/1632 Primary

  External expansion units, e.g. docking stations · CPC title