CN111067423B

CN111067423B - Replaceable accumulator

Info

Publication number: CN111067423B
Application number: CN201811222317.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A.索尔沃尔德; F.蒂斯; M.塞尔奈奇; H-P.阿诺德; 钟瑜; 刘王桥; V.贝兹索诺夫; T.埃尔纳
Original assignee: Vorwerk and Co Interholding GmbH
Current assignee: Vorwerk and Co Interholding GmbH
Priority date: 2018-10-19
Filing date: 2018-10-19
Publication date: 2022-07-19
Anticipated expiration: 2038-10-19
Also published as: CN111067423A; DE102019125704B4; DE102019125704A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a replaceable battery (2) for an electric household appliance, having a first end face (11) and a second end face (12), a top side (13) and a bottom side (14), and two side faces (15, 16), wherein a plurality of electrical line contacts are provided on the first end face (11), wherein, as also seen in a front view of each end face (11, 12), the contour of the side faces (15, 16) runs in a rounded manner into the top and bottom sides (13, 14), and furthermore the straight sections of the side faces (15, 16) formed in the contour run parallel. In order to achieve an advantageous operability and reliability of the predetermined insertion state, the invention proposes that, in the front view, the transitions of the side faces (15, 16) into the top side (13) have a more gradual rounding than the transitions of the side faces into the bottom side (14), or that the transitions of the side faces (15, 16) into the bottom side (14) have a more gradual rounding than the transitions of the side faces into the top side (13).

Description

Replaceable accumulator

Technical Field

The invention relates to a replaceable battery for an electric household appliance, having a first and a second end face, a top and a bottom side, and two side faces, wherein a plurality of electrical line contacts are provided on the first end face, wherein, as also seen in a front view of each end face, the side faces have a rounded contour extending over the top and bottom sides, and furthermore straight sections of the side faces formed in the contour extend in parallel.

Background

An exchangeable battery is known, for example, from DE 102012108652 a 1.

Disclosure of Invention

Based on the prior art described, the object of the invention is to provide a battery which is advantageously designed with regard to the suitability of the domestic appliance and which is designed in particular for easy and secure fastening.

This object is achieved in the solution of claim 1, wherein provision is made for the transition of the side surface to the top side to have a more gradual rounding than the transition of the side surface to the bottom side in the front view, or for the transition of the side surface to the bottom side to have a more gradual rounding than the transition of the side surface to the top side.

Preferably, the battery, which is also substantially cubic in design, therefore has a more or less rounded transition to the bottom side or top side with reference to this view. If the transitions to the bottom side are formed opposite one another, the same are preferably of a gently or sharply rounded design, and correspondingly the transitions to the top side are also formed opposite one another. However, it is also possible for the differently rounded transitions to be arranged differently on only one side, i.e., in height, above one another, while the other side has transitions arranged above one another in height and arranged identically, i.e., for example, very sharply rounded transitions.

The battery has a corresponding six surfaces, wherein the side faces and the top and bottom sides are substantially planar and parallel to one another, i.e. preferably form a right angle with one another in cross section.

While the end sides are preferably configured differently from one another. The first end side is preferably also substantially perpendicular to the top side or the bottom side in the longitudinal section, while the second end side is preferably inclined or largely rounded between the top side and the bottom side in its extension in the longitudinal section. By means of this configuration of the second end face, an advantageous diversion of the suction air can be achieved with regard to a preferred configuration of the accumulator in the suction air flow.

In order to be able to be inserted advantageously into a receptacle of a household appliance (i.e., for example, the vacuum cleaner), a latching connection is provided. For this purpose, latching projections preferably project laterally opposite one another, which can also be retracted by actuating the removal element, wherein the latching connection can be cancelled.

Drawings

For further details, reference will be made to the following description of embodiments. In the drawings:

figure 1 shows a battery-powered electric vacuum cleaner in a perspective view;

FIG. 2 shows the vacuum cleaner according to FIG. 1 after removal of the housing part connected to the filter bag and the accumulator;

fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the battery as seen facing the second end side;

fig. 4 shows the view according to fig. 3, viewed facing the first end side;

fig. 5 shows the first end side in a front view;

fig. 6 shows a theoretical overlapping view of the contour of the storage battery and the receptacle in the housing during a positional mismatch;

fig. 7 shows a view of a cross section of the accumulator inserted in the casing, taken along the line VII-VII in fig. 1;

fig. 8 shows a view of a longitudinal section of the battery inserted into the housing, taken along the line VIII-VIII in fig. 7.

Detailed Description

First, an electric vacuum cleaner 1 which can be driven by an accumulator 2 as an energy source is shown and described with reference to fig. 1 and 2. The accumulator 2 is removably arranged in the vacuum cleaner.

The vacuum cleaner 1 is only one example of a domestic appliance in which a battery, also the battery 2 described in detail below, is or can be used. The household appliance can also be, for example, a mobile autonomous traveling cleaning device, such as in particular a cleaning robot. It can also be a floor care device in the sense of a wiping device or a polishing device, for example. It may also be a kitchen machine.

The cleaner 1 has a housing 3. The housing part 4 is arranged detachably in the vacuum cleaner, see fig. 2. Preferably, in this embodiment, the dust filter bag 5 can be plugged into the housing part 4.

Furthermore, an accumulator 2 is arranged in the vacuum cleaner 1. The battery 2 can be arranged in the housing receptacle 7 in the use state. In this exemplary embodiment, housing receptacle 7 can be exposed and is exposed only after housing part 4 is removed, and therefore in this exemplary embodiment after dust filter bag 5 has been removed, for removing battery 2.

The vacuum cleaner 1 further comprises a suction opening 8 and an exhaust area 9, which is not shown in detail. Through the suction opening 8, and possibly also first through an accessory device or an accessory suction nozzle, not shown, dust-laden suction air is sucked in and through the dust filter bag 5. The dust-free air then flows on to the exhaust region 9 by means of a suction fan 6, not shown in detail, having an associated electric motor. In this case, the suction air preferably flows around the battery 2.

The battery 2 is described in more detail with reference to fig. 3 to 6.

The battery 2 can have a plurality of individual battery cells inside in the usual manner.

In particular, the battery 2 has a first end side 11, a second end side 12, a top side 13, a bottom side 14 and two side faces 15, 16. The accumulator 2 is preferably designed to be elongated, i.e. to have a greater dimension (length) in the insertion direction, which is set in the direction from one end side to the other end side, transversely to the side (width). The battery 2 is inserted into the housing in the insertion direction. Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, the insertion direction is directed from the second end side 12 to the first end side 11.

As shown in fig. 5, a plurality of

electrical line contacts

17, 18, 19, 20 are formed on the first end side 11. In this case, the electrical line contact 17 is preferably used for discharging, the electrical line contact 18 for charging, the electrical line contact 19 as a ground contact and the electrical line contact 20 as a control line contact.

As can be further seen from fig. 5, in the visible contour of the view in fig. 5, the side faces 15 or 16 respectively merge into the top side 13 and the bottom side 14 in a rounded manner. The rounding 21, 22, 23, 24 is formed here.

It is further seen in the representation according to fig. 5 that the transition of the side 15 to the top side 13 has a more gradual rounding 23 than the transition of the side 15 to the bottom side 14. In the same way, the rounding 24 of the flanks 16 into the top side 13 is more gradual than the rounding 22 of the flanks 16 into the bottom side 14.

A more gradual rounding means that, in the case of a round shape, the rounding has a significantly larger diameter than a sharper rounding, in which case, also with reference to the round shape, it has a significantly smaller diameter. The ratio of larger diameter to smaller diameter is for example 1.5:1 or more up to 10: 1. The rounding can also be different from a circle, for example a part of an ellipse. It is important that the approximately 90 ° transition of the side faces to the base side 14 is associated with a significantly smaller extent E in a sharper rounding than in a more gradual rounding. The extension E or E corresponds to the dimension which is formed in an imaginary straight-line extension of the contour lines of the

flanks

15, 16 from the point at which the extension starts to leave the actual flank (due to the start of the rounding) to the point at which it intersects the respective straight imaginary extension of the bottom side 14 or the top side 13. With reference to this embodiment, in a gentle rounding the dimension E is up to the point of intersection with the respective extension of the top side 13 and in a sharp rounding the dimension E is up to the point of intersection with the respective extension of the bottom side 14.

With regard to the side view, as can be seen in fig. 3 or 4, it can be seen that the second end side 12 has a pronounced inclination, i.e. extends obliquely from the top side 13 to the bottom side 14.

Such an inclination is advantageous, since in the mounted state a flow channel 10 for the air flowing out of the dust filter bag can be formed on the bottom side 14 (see, for example, fig. 8) and is explained in the exemplary embodiment. As explained in detail below, the flow channel 10 interacts with ribs provided in the receptacle of the housing.

The air is thus deflected by the inclination towards the bottom side 14 of the battery 2.

Referring also to fig. 3, this inclination can also be described in that a projection of a straight section 25 of the contour of the top side 13 vertically in a straight section 26 of the contour of the bottom side 14 or of the second end side 12 results in a projection 27, wherein the contour of the end side 12 always extends below this projection 27 in the side view. The profile of the second end side 12 extends below the projection 27 along an imaginary line which approaches the projection 27 in the height direction, i.e. starting from the straight section 25 and increasing toward the straight section 26. Furthermore, it is preferred that the incremental dimensioning with reference to the accumulator 2 in the insertion direction is stronger in a first half of the height than in a second half of the height.

It is further preferred that a plurality of grooves 28 are also formed on the top side 13 and/or the bottom side 14. These recesses 28 are parallel to each other and to the edge of the top or bottom side. Preferably, three recesses 28 are referred to herein, respectively. The recess 28 is also preferably open in correspondence with the first end side 11. As described in detail below, the ribs of the receptacle in the housing move into the open ends when the battery 2 is inserted into the receptacle of the housing. The recess 28 corresponding to the second end side 12 is preferably closed. The recess is advantageous for gripping when handling the battery, i.e. to prevent slipping of the hand. Furthermore, this can be achieved by: in addition to the support on the latching projection 31 and/or the latching rib 37, the inserted battery 2 (also visible below) is supported only in the region of the recess, and in addition the battery is arranged "free-floating" in the receptacle.

More preferably, a rotatable handle 29 is provided associated with the second end side 12. The handle 29 can be moved between a rest position (as shown in fig. 3) and a pivoted position in which it is pivoted through approximately 90 ° and extends essentially with its side arms 16 in the same direction as the top or bottom extension. By means of the handle, the catch projection 31, still described below, can also be moved between a protruding position provided in the rest state and a retracted position as can be seen in fig. 3.

A preferably further charging contact 39 can also be provided in the second end side 12. The charging contact 39 is additional if, in the preferred case, a charging contact is also formed in the first end side 11. In particular when the battery 2 is removed, the further charging contact 39 can advantageously be used by a stationary charger, which does not necessarily have to have the same contact configuration as the first charging contact in the end side 11.

The locking projections 31 are provided on both side surfaces 15, 16 so as to project therefrom and can be pushed in against a spring force. The locking projections 31 may be directly opposed to each other with reference to a layout perpendicular to the insertion direction of the battery 2.

In this case, the insertion direction of the rechargeable battery 2 is here a direction perpendicular to the linearly running region of the first end side 11 for connecting the line contacts of the rechargeable battery 2 to corresponding counter contacts of the household appliance (here, also the vacuum cleaner).

The latching projections 31 are also preferably formed in the lateral regions, which are each associated with the second end face. More preferably, they are formed in the region of the

flanks

15, 16 in which, when a straight line segment on the top side or bottom side is vertically projected in a further straight line segment, a part of the second end side 12 also extends below a part of this projected straight line segment.

The design of the side-to-top or bottom transition with different strength radii is of particular importance in ensuring the correct positional insertion of the battery 2 into the corresponding receptacle in the housing. The installation in the correct position is necessary because the

wire contacts

17, 18, 19, 20 are arranged off-center with respect to the height of the battery (the vertical extension from the bottom side 14 to the top side 13). In this respect, the wire contacts are arranged offset towards the top side 13, preferably near the top side 13.

The interaction of the accumulator 2 with the housing is further described with reference to fig. 6 to 8.

Fig. 6 shows a simplified illustration, which is the illustration of the battery 2 inserted into the receptacle 32 of the housing 3 when the user attempts to rotate it by 180 ° about the longitudinal axis formed by its respective insertion direction, starting from a predetermined insertion position. The receptacle 32 is shown here in dashed lines and the corresponding contour of the battery 2 is a solid line. It can be seen that the battery 2 cannot be inserted so far that it is displaced downward that it does not reach the upper limit edge of the receptacle 32. This occurs because of the coincidence of the relatively

sharp radii

21, 22 with the corresponding relatively gentle radii in the receptacle. Therefore, the battery 2 cannot be lowered to the bottom 33 of the receiving portion 32, and therefore its region with the gentle rounding 23, 24 is inevitably made to protrude from the receiving portion contour and cannot be inserted into the receiving portion 32.

As can be further seen from the cross-sectional view in fig. 7,

ribs

35, 36 are formed in the receptacle 32 below or above the receiving contour 34, with which ribs the inserted battery 2 interacts. In this case, the rib 35 interacts with the bottom side 14 of the battery 2 and the rib 36 interacts with the top side 13 of the battery 2.

The

ribs

35, 36 cooperate in their position with the groove 28. Thus, contact with the housing is made only at the recesses 28 of the top or

bottom side

13, 14 when the battery is inserted.

The ribs 35 associated with the bottom side 14 have a free height H which is equal to two times or more the free height H of the ribs 35 associated with the top side 13 of the battery 2.

As shown in fig. 8, a pressure sensor 37 is preferably associated with the top side 13 of the battery 2. Due to the associated space between the top side and the bottom side, it can also be monitored by means of a pressure sensor located at the top side whether a desired underpressure is formed on the bottom side. The filling degree of the filter bag can also be inferred, for example, by an increase in the negative pressure.

A stop rib 38 is preferably also provided in the receptacle 32 of the vacuum cleaner or household appliance. This stop rib cooperates with the first end side 11 when the accumulator 2 is inserted. This advantageously makes it possible and ensures that the

wire contacts

17, 18, 19, 20 come into contact with corresponding contacts in the receptacle, but without excessive pressure or preferably without a stop being formed inside the contacts in the insertion direction.

The realization and retention of the stop configuration can also be advantageously supported by a latching projection 34 located in the latching opening.

Corresponding contacts 39 for the

wire contacts

17, 18, 19, 20 are also formed in the receptacles and are preferably designed as tongues. In order to be able to advantageously access the

line contacts

17, 18, 19, 20 designed as sockets, an adapter strip 40 extending over the width of the battery 2 is also formed on the battery above the

line contacts

17, 18, 19, 20 (i.e. facing the bottom side 14). The strip has a slope in cross-section toward the wire contacts.

List of reference numerals

1 vacuum cleaner

2 storage battery

3 case

4 shell parts

5 dust filtering bag

6 suction fan

7 housing accommodating part

8 suction port

9 exhaust area

10 fluid channel

11 end side

12 end side

13 top side

14 bottom side

15 side surface

16 side face

17 wire contact

18 wire contact

19 wire contact

20 wire contact

21 radius

22 radius

23 radius

24 radius

25 straight line segment

26 straight line segment

27 projection

28 groove

29 handle

30 side arm

31 stop lug

32 accommodating part

33 bottom

34 containment profile

35 Rib

36 fins

37 pressure sensor

38 stop rib

39 corresponding contact

40 adapting strip

e amount of elongation

h height

E elongation

Height H

Claims

1. An exchangeable battery (2) for an electric household appliance, having a first end face (11) and a second end face (12), a top side (13) and a bottom side (14) and two side faces (15, 16), wherein a plurality of electrical line contacts are provided on the first end face (11), wherein, as is also seen in a front view of each end face (11, 12), the contour of the side faces (15, 16) runs in a rounded manner into the top side (13) and the bottom side (14), and furthermore straight sections of the side faces (15, 16) formed in the contour run in parallel, characterized in that, in the front view, the transition of the side faces (15, 16) into the top side (13) has a more gradual rounding than the transition of the side faces into the bottom side (14) or the transition of the side faces (15, 16) into the bottom side (14) has a more gradual rounding than the transition of the side faces into the top side (13), wherein, from the two side surfaces (15, 16) opposite each other, respectively protrude a locking protrusion (31) which can be pressed in against a spring force, and wherein the locking protrusion (31) is configured in the area of the side surfaces (15, 16) in which, when one straight line section of the top side (13) or the bottom side (14) is vertically projected on the other straight line section, a part of the second end side (12) still extends in a part of the projected straight line section.

2. Accumulator according to claim 1, characterized in that in a side view towards one of the side faces (15, 16) the second end side (12) extends due to an inclination formed for the second end side (12) and shown in the side view into a transition region which still extends in a part of one straight line segment (25, 26) of the top side (13) or bottom side (14) when projected perpendicularly to the other straight line segment (25, 26).

3. Accumulator according to claim 1, characterized in that recesses (28) extending perpendicularly to the first end face (11) and the second end face (12) are formed on the top side (13) and/or the bottom side (14).

4. The accumulator according to claim 1, characterized in that a charging contact is formed on the second end face (12).

5. Accumulator according to claim 1, characterized in that a rotatable handle (29) is arranged associated with the second end side (12).

6. An accumulator (2) which is inserted in a receptacle of an electric household appliance in an exchangeable manner and has a first end face (11) and a second end face (12), a top side (13) and a bottom side (14) and two side faces (15, 16), wherein the accumulator (2) can be inserted in the direction of the first end face (11), on which a plurality of electrical line contacts are provided, wherein, as is also seen in a front view of each end face (11, 12), the side faces (15, 16) have a rounded contour which transitions into the top side (13) and the bottom side (14), and the straight line segments of the side faces (15, 16) extend in parallel, characterized in that, in this front view, the transition of the side faces (15, 16) into the top side (13) has a more gradual rounding than the transition of the side faces into the bottom side (14), or the side faces (15, 16) have a more gradual rounding than the transition of the side faces into the bottom side faces (14), or the side faces (15, 16), 16) The transition to the underside (14) is more gently rounded than the transition from the side to the top (13), and the receptacle has a correspondingly configured receptacle contour, wherein ribs (35, 36) extending in the insertion direction are configured in the receptacle for interacting with the top (13) and the bottom (14), wherein the ribs (35) associated with the bottom (14) have a free height which is twice or more the free height of the ribs (36) associated with the top (13).