JPH022411A - Optional unit attaching/detaching device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To miniaturize the shape of the title device by transmitting data from the light emitting/receiving parts of a body to that of an optional unit as optional signals. CONSTITUTION:The optional unit attaching/detaching device optionally attaches/ detaches the optional unit 20 to/from the body 1. A guide rib 3 is formed on the periphery of the bottom 2 of the body 1 and two fitting angles 4, 5 to be holding members are also formed to hold the optional unit 20. Three transmission light emitting elements 10 and five reception light receiving elements 11 are aligned between the fitting angles 4, 5 to transmit/receive data based upon optional signals between the body 1 and the optional unit 20. The device is also provided with power supply terminals 7, 8 and a signal terminal 9. Said unit 20 is also provided with transmission/reception light emitting/receiving elements 30, 29 fitting angles 23, 24 and so on. Thus, the fitting angles 4, 5 and 23, 24 of the body 1 and the unit 20 are engaged and locked with each other and a fixing lever 26 is inserted and locked into/with a fixing hole 6 to attach the unit 20 to the body 1.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an option unit attaching/detaching device, and in particular,
The present invention relates to an optional unit attaching/detaching device for detachably attaching a main body such as a handy terminal and an optional unit such as a printer unit.

[Prior Art] Recently, handheld terminals called pocket computers have been used for various purposes.

This kind of handy terminal has a CPU and memory.

It has a built-in printer as well as a keyboard and display, and when data is input from the keyboard, the data is calculated by the CPU, displayed on the display, and can be printed by the printer.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, when a printer is built into a handy terminal, it not only becomes larger in size but also becomes heavier, resulting in poor operability and inconvenience in carrying. On the other hand, depending on the purpose of the handy terminal, a printer is not necessarily required. however,
The printer is housed in the same cabinet as the main body and is screwed to the main body, so it cannot be easily removed.

Therefore, we removed the printer from the main body of the handy terminal.
It is conceivable to provide the printer as an optional unit, and this optional unit to be detachably attached to the main body. In that case, it is necessary to electrically connect the main unit and the optional unit, but if a connector is provided for this purpose,
When the option unit is removed, the contacts of the connector are exposed, and there is a problem in that dirt and the like can adhere to the contacts, resulting in poor contact.

Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide an optional unit attaching/detaching device in which an optional unit is detachably attached to a main body, and signals can be transmitted between the main body and the optional unit by optical signals. be.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention is an optional unit attaching/detaching device for detachably attaching an optional unit to a main body, and the main body has a guide rib that serves as a guide when attaching the optional unit, and a retaining device for holding the optional unit. A power supply terminal for supplying power to the optional unit, and a first light-emitting light-receiving section for transmitting data between the optional unit and the main body using light.

On the other hand, the optional unit includes a receiving rib that is guided by a guide rib when it is attached to and removed from the main body, a locking member that is locked by a holding member, and a power supply receiver that is provided opposite to the power supply terminal and receives the power supply. The device is configured to include a terminal, and a second light emitting light receiving portion that is provided opposite to the first light emitting light receiving portion and for transmitting data with the main body using light.

[Function] The option unit attachment/detachment device according to the present invention installs the option unit while guiding the receiving rib to the guide rib of the main body, holds the locking member of the option unit by the holding member of the main body, and connects the option unit from the power supply terminal of the main body. Power is supplied to the power receiving terminal of the optional unit, and data is transmitted between the first light-emitting light-receiving section of the main body and the second light-emitting light-receiving section of the optional unit using optical signals.

[Embodiment of the Invention] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a main part of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the option unit.

First, the external configuration of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In the option unit mounting device of this embodiment, an option unit 20 is detachably attached to the main body 1. Bottom surface 2 of main body 1
A protruding guide rib 3 is provided around the periphery of the guide rib 3 except in one direction.

This guide rib 3 serves as a guide when installing the option unit 20. Two mounting angles 4 and 5 serving as holding members are provided at a constant interval in the longitudinal direction of the bottom surface 2. These mounting angles 4 and 5 are for holding the option unit 20. Three transmitting light emitting elements 10 and five receiving light receiving elements 11 are arranged in a row between these mounting angles 4 and 5.

These transmitting light emitting elements 10 and receiving light receiving elements 11
This unit transmits and receives data to and from the option unit 20 using optical signals.

At the bottom of the transmitting light emitting element 10 and the receiving light receiving element 11,
A power supply terminal 7.8 and a signal terminal 9 are provided. The power terminals 7 and 8 are for supplying power from the main body 1 to the option unit 20, and the signal terminal 9 is for electrically detecting that the option unit 20 is attached to the main body 11. A fixing hole 6 is formed between the power supply terminals 7 and 8 and the signal terminal 9. This fixing hole 6 has
The fixed lever provided in the option unit 20
25 is inserted to fix the option unit 20 to the main body 1.

On the other hand, the option unit 20 is configured by, for example, a thermal printer or an impact printer.
In addition, it may be a card reader for reading data on a card. As shown in FIG. 2, a receiving rib 22 is formed around the front surface 21 of the option unit 20 facing the main body 1. As shown in FIG. This receiving rib 22 is attached to the guide rib 3 when the optional unit 20 is attached to the main body 1.
It is guided by Furthermore, mounting angles 23 and 24 are provided on the front surface 21 at regular intervals. This mounting angle 23. 24 is the mounting angle 4 of the main body 1. It is locked by the handle.

Between these mounting angles 23 and 24, three receiving light receiving elements 29 and five transmitting light emitting elements 30 are arranged in a row. The receiving light receiving element 29 receives the optical signal from the transmitting light emitting element 10 of the main body 1, and transmits the light signal from the transmitting light emitting element 30.
transmits an optical signal to the receiving light receiving element 11 of the main body 1. Power terminals 26 and 27 and signal terminals 28 are provided in a protruding manner below the receiving light-receiving element 29 and the transmitting light-emitting element 30. The power terminals 26 and 27 contact the power terminals 7 and 8 of the main body 1 to receive power supply, and the signal terminal 28 contacts the signal terminal 9 of the main body 1. moreover,
A fixed lever 25 is slidably provided between the power terminals 26 and 27 and the signal terminal 28.
When it is slid so that 5 protrudes, it can be locked. Therefore, the option unit 20 is fixed to the main body 1 by inserting the fixing lever 25 into the fixing hole 6 of the main body 1 and sliding and locking it.

Note that when the option unit 20 is not attached to the main body 1, the bottom surface 21 of the main body 1 is covered with M2O to protect the power terminals 7, 8 and the signal terminal 9 from adhering to dust or the like.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the electrical configuration of an embodiment of the present invention will be described. A keyboard 4 is on the surface of the main body 1.
1 and a display 43 are provided, a keyboard 41 and a display 4
3 is connected to a CPU 42 built into the main body 1. C.P.
A memory 44 is connected to U42. This memory 44 stores programs as well as data input from the keyboard 41 and data calculated by the CPU 42.

The transmitting light emitting element 10 and the receiving light receiving element 11 shown in FIG. 1 are connected to the CPU 42 via an interface 45. Furthermore, power is supplied from the power supply section 46 to the power supply terminal 7 via the switch circuit 47. switch circuit 4
7 is turned on and supplies power to the power terminal 7 when the option unit 20 is attached to the main body in response to a signal from the CPU 42, and is turned off when the option unit 20 is removed from the main body 1. The power supply to the power terminal 7 is stopped. This is to prevent the power terminals 7 and 8 from being inadvertently shorted when the option unit 20 is not attached to the main body 1. Further, the signal terminal 9 is connected to the CPU 42.

On the other hand, the option unit 20 includes a controller 31, a driver 32, a printer 33, and a lock switch 34. Then, two receiving light receiving elements and a transmitting light emitting element 30
and lock switch 34 are connected to controller 31. The controller 31 converts the optical signal transmitted from the main body 1 into an electrical signal and supplies it to the driver 32, and the driver 32 drives the printer 33. Further, the controller 31 gives a signal to the transmitting light emitting element 30 to notify that the printer 33 is ready for printing. Further, the power supplied to the power terminal 26 is connected to the controller 31 and the driver 3.
2, and the power supply terminal 27 and signal terminal 28 are grounded. The lock switch 34 is turned on when the option unit 20 is attached to the main body 1 and the fixing lever 25 is locked in the fixing hole 6 of the main body 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the specific operation of one embodiment of the present invention.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, a specific operation of an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

When installing the option unit 20 on the main body 1,
The inner surface of the receiving rib 22 of the optional unit 20 is attached to the main body 1.
The option unit 20 is moved in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 while being guided by the guide ribs. Then, the mounting angles 23 and 24 of the option unit 20 are aligned with the main body 1.
It is engaged and locked with the mounting angle 4.5. moreover,
The option unit 2-0 is attached to the main body 1 by sliding the fixing lever 25, inserting it into the fixing hole 6 of the main body 1, and locking it.

At this time, the power terminal 26.2 of the option unit 20
7 contacts the power terminals 7 and 8 of the main body 1, the signal terminal 28 of the option unit 20 contacts the signal terminal 9 of the main body 1, and the signal terminal 9 is grounded.

Further, the receiving light-receiving element 29 of the option unit 20 faces the transmitting light-emitting element 10 of the main body 1, and the transmitting light-emitting element 30 of the option unit 20 faces the receiving light-receiving element 11 of the main body 1.

The signal terminal 9 is grounded when it comes into contact with the signal terminal 28 of the option unit 20, and the CPU 20 determines that the option unit 20 is attached to the main body 1 because the signal terminal 9 is grounded. And CPU4
2 gives a control signal to the switch circuit 47 to turn on the switch circuit 47. Thereby, the switch circuit 47. Power is supplied to the option unit 20 via the power terminal 7. Further, the CPU 42 sends a command signal to the interface 45.

Based on the command signal, the interface 45
The transmitting light emitting element 10 is caused to emit light. The receiving light receiving element 29 of the option unit 20 receives the optical signal and provides it to the controller 31.

When the controller 31 determines that the lock switch 34 is on and that a command signal has been sent, it applies an optical signal based on the status to the transmitting light emitting element 30 to cause it to emit light. This status optical signal is detected by the receiving light receiving element 11 of the main body 1, and the status is given to the CPU 42 via the interface 45. Based on the status, the CPU 42 determines the model of the installed option unit 20 and stores the corresponding program in the memory 44.
and execute the program.

Then, the CPU 42 transfers the print data to the interface 4.
5, an optical signal based on this print data is emitted from the transmitting light emitting element 10, and the receiving light receiving element 29 of the option unit 20 receives it. The light reception output is given to the controller 31, and the controller 31 gives the print data to the driver 32. Accordingly, driver 3
2 drives the printer 33.

When removing the option unit 20 from the main body 1,
Slide the fixing lever 25 toward the option unit 20 and pull it out from the fixing hole 6 (. Then, when the option unit 20 is moved in the direction opposite to the direction of arrow A in FIG. Mounting angle 4
．． 5, and the option unit 20 is removed.

Then, in order to prevent dust from adhering to the power terminals 7, 8 and signal terminals 9 of the main body 1, M2O is covered.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the receiving rib of the option unit is guided by the guide rib of the main body, the locking member is held by the holding member, the option unit is attached to the main body, and power is supplied from the main body. In addition to supplying power to the optional unit via the terminal, data is transmitted from the light-emitting/receiving part of the main unit to the light-emitting/receiving part of the optional unit as an optical signal, so the shape of the main body itself can be made smaller, and it can be used as needed. This makes it possible to install optional units. Furthermore, since data transmission between the main body and the optional unit is based on optical signals, poor contact can be eliminated compared to the case where a connector is provided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of essential parts of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the option unit. FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram for explaining the operation of one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is the main body, 2 is the bottom surface, 3 is the guide rib, 4
, 5, 23.24 is the mounting angle, 6 is the fixing hole, 7.8
．． 26. 27 is a power supply terminal, 9.28 is a signal terminal, 1
0.30 is a light emitting element for transmission, 11.29 is a light receiving element for reception, 20 is an option unit, 22 is a receiving rib, 25
is a fixed lever, 31 is a controller, 32 is a driver,
33 is a printer, 34 is a lock switch, 40 is a lid, 4
1 is a keyboard, 42 is a PU, 43 is a display, 44 is a memory, 45 is an interface, 46 is a power supply unit, 47
indicates a switch circuit. Diagram

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An optional unit attaching/detaching device for detachably attaching an optional unit to a main body, the main body comprising: a guide rib serving as a guide when attaching/detaching the optional unit; and a guide rib for holding the optional unit. a holding member; a power supply terminal for supplying power to the optional unit; and a first light-emitting light-receiving section for transmitting data between the optional unit and the main body using light; The option unit includes: a receiving rib that is guided by the guide rib when being attached to and detached from the main body; a locking member that is locked by the holding member; and a locking member that is provided opposite to the power supply terminal and that is connected to the power supply terminal. comprising: a power receiving terminal receiving power supply; and a second light emitting light receiving section provided opposite to the first light emitting light receiving section for transmitting data with the main body using light; Optional unit attachment/detachment device.