JP2001006636A - Pack battery - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pack battery including electrode terminals installed in the specified positions on a case without displacement of the position while the structure remains very simple. SOLUTION: A pack battery includes a case 1 in which a printed circuit board 3 and a secondary battery 4 are accommodated, and electrode terminals 2 are fixed to the printed circuit board 3 and led to outside the case 1 from an electrode window 5 provided in the case 1. Each electrode terminal 2 with its end folded is fixed to the printed circuit board 3 in such an arrangement that an engagement gap 8 is generated between the folded end and the board edge. The case 1 is internally furnished with board fixing ribs 6 to support the inner surface of the board 3. Each rib 6 has an engaging pawl 7 to be fitted in the gap 8, and the inner surface of the board 3 is supported by fitting the pawl 7 in the gap 8 and the board 3 is installed in the specified position inside the case 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a battery pack having electrode terminals exposed to the outside of a case fixed to a printed circuit board.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A battery pack containing a battery protection circuit and the like has a printed circuit board. Further, in the battery pack, electrode terminals are exposed outside the case for connection to electric equipment. The electrode terminals need to be arranged at the correct positions on the case. If the position is displaced, it causes a contact failure when the battery pack is mounted on the electric device.

[0003] When a battery pack is mounted on an electric device, the electrode terminals slide on the terminals of the device or the electrode terminals are pressed. This is for electrically connecting the terminals of the electric device to the electrode terminals of the battery pack. If the position of the electrode terminal shifts when the terminal of the electric device is slid or pressed, contact failure may occur. For this reason, it is important that the electrode terminals disposed at fixed positions do not shift even if they are slid or pressed by the terminals of the electric device.
In particular, battery packs with built-in rechargeable batteries
It is frequently attached to and detached from electrical equipment for charging. When detaching, the electrode terminal slides on the terminal of the electrical equipment, and a force that is elastically pressed acts, so even in this state, make sure that the electrode terminal does not displace It is extremely important to arrange them in place.

A battery pack in which electrode terminals are fixed at fixed positions on a printed circuit board is described in JP-A-9-45298. FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the battery pack of this publication, and FIG. 2 shows a holder for mounting electrode terminals on a printed circuit board.
Is shown in In the battery pack of FIG. 1, the electrode terminals 2 are mounted on the holder 13 shown in FIG. 2, and the holder 13 is mounted on the printed circuit board 3. The holder 13 is provided with a fitting projection 13a to be mounted at a fixed position on the printed circuit board 3. The fitting projection 13a is inserted into a fitting hole of the printed circuit board 3, and the holder 13 is mounted at a fixed position on the printed circuit board 3. The electrode terminal 2 is also mounted at a fixed position on the printed circuit board 3 via the holder 13.

[0005] In the battery pack having this structure, the electrode terminals can be fixed at an accurate position on the printed circuit board. However, when the printed circuit board moves in the case, the positions of the electrode terminals also shift. In order to prevent displacement of the printed circuit board, the printed circuit board is connected to the battery by a lead plate. However, even with this structure, the printed board and the battery may be displaced together in the case.

[0006] In order to prevent the displacement of the battery or the printed circuit board, a battery pack incorporating a dedicated part has been developed. However, the battery pack having this structure requires special parts for disposing the electrode terminals in fixed positions. For this reason, there is a disadvantage that the number of parts used increases.

Further, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 3, a battery pack having a structure in which the electrode terminals 2 protrude from the printed circuit board 3 and the protruding portions are fitted into the electrode windows 5 of the case 1 has been developed. In the battery pack having this structure, the electrode window 2 can prevent the electrode terminal 2 from being displaced. However, the battery pack having this structure has a disadvantage that the electrode terminals are liable to short-circuit when detached from the electric device. This is because the electrode terminal fitted to the electrode window approaches the surface of the case.

[0008] The present invention has been developed for the purpose of solving such a conventional disadvantage. An important object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack having an extremely simple structure and capable of disposing electrode terminals at predetermined positions of a case so as not to be displaced.

[0009]

The battery pack of the present invention comprises:
A printed circuit board 3 and a secondary battery 4 are built in the case 1, and the electrode terminals 2 are fixed to the printed circuit board 3, and the electrode terminals 2 are exposed outside the case 1 through electrode windows 5 opened in the case 1. Let me out. Further, the battery pack has all the following configurations. (A) An electrode terminal 2 having a bent end is fixed to a printed circuit board 3. (B) The electrode terminal 2 is mounted on the printed circuit board 3 such that a locking gap 8 is formed between the bent end 2 a and the edge of the printed circuit board 3.
It is fixed to. (C) The case 1 has board fixing ribs 6 that support the inner surface of the printed board 3 inside. (D) The board fixing rib 6 has a locking claw 7 inserted into the locking gap 8, and the locking claw 7 is inserted into the locking gap 8 to support the inner surface of the printed board 3 and 3 is arranged at a fixed position in the case 1.

In the battery pack according to a second aspect of the present invention, the printed circuit board 3 is disposed at a fixed position between the board fixing rib 6 and the inner surface of the case 1.

In the battery pack according to a third aspect of the present invention, the electrode terminal 2 is provided inside the electrode window 5 and on the same plane as the inner surface of the case 1.

In the battery pack according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the first case 1A in which the printed circuit board 3 has the electrode window 5 opened.
And a second case 1B having a support rib 11 for supporting the inner surface of the printed circuit board 3 and a first case 1A
It is arranged in a posture parallel to the surface of.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below illustrate a battery pack for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the present invention does not specify the battery pack as follows.

Further, in this specification, in order to make it easier to understand the claims, the numbers corresponding to the members shown in the embodiments will be referred to as “claims” and “ In the column of “means”.
However, the members described in the claims are not limited to the members of the embodiments.

The perspective view of FIG. 4 and the sectional view of FIG. 5 show perspective views of the battery pack. 6 and 7 are perspective views showing the printed circuit board 3 and the secondary battery 4 built in the battery pack. The battery pack shown in the figure has a case 1 molded of plastic,
A rectangular secondary battery 4 and a printed circuit board 3 are incorporated.

Case 1 comprises a first case 1A and a second case 1B. The first case 1A and the second case 1B
The peripheral edges are connected to each other by a structure such as welding, bonding, or fitting. The first case 1A has an electrode window 5 opened. The electrode window 5 exposes the electrode terminal 2 fixed to the printed circuit board 3 to the outside of the case 1. First case 1A shown in the figure
Is provided with a protruding portion 1a which is formed thin with a step at the end. Four electrode windows 5 are provided on the surface of the protrusion 1a.
Are opened in parallel.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the opening of the electrode window 5. The first case 1A in this figure has an electrode window 5 extending from the surface of the protrusion 1a to the end face. The end opening edge 5 a of the electrode window 5 is not flush with the electrode terminal 2, but is opened so as to be lower than the electrode terminal 2. further,
The end opening edge 5 a is an inclined surface which is inclined upward toward the electrode terminal 2. The electrode window 5 having this structure slides the contacts of an electric device or a charger on an inclined surface to smoothly guide the battery terminal to the electrode terminal 2 when the battery pack is detached.

The first case 1A has a board fixing rib 6 for supporting the inner surface of the printed board 3 protruding inside. The printed circuit board 3 is held between the board fixing rib 6 and the inner surface of the case 1 and held at a fixed position. Therefore,
The distance between the board fixing rib 6 and the inner surface of the case 1 is substantially equal to the thickness of the printed board 3. The substrate fixing rib 6 is provided so as to protrude inward from the end surface of the case 1. Board fixing rib 6
Can have an elongated shape extending along the edge of the printed circuit board 3, but the first case 1A shown in FIG.
Has a plurality of substrate fixing ribs 6 provided at predetermined intervals. FIG. 9 shows a state where the first case 1A excluding the second case 1B is viewed from below. First case 1A in this figure
Are provided with substrate fixing ribs 6 at four locations.

The board fixing rib 6 has a locking claw 7 protruding toward the printed board 3 at its tip. Locking claw 7
Is provided integrally with the substrate fixing rib 6 made of plastic. As shown in FIG. 8, the locking claw 7 is provided with a locking gap 8 between the edge of the printed circuit board 3 and the bent end 2 a of the electrode terminal 2.
To prevent the electrode terminals 2 and the printed circuit board 3 from being displaced from each other. The locking claw 7 in this figure is formed in a mountain shape having a pointed tip. The locking claw 7 can be smoothly inserted into the narrow locking gap 8 between the printed board 3 and the electrode terminal 2. Further, the locking claw 7 shown in the figure has a surface facing the electrode terminal 2 as a vertical surface and a surface facing the printed circuit board 3 as an inclined surface. The locking claw 7 of this structure
There is a feature that the electrode terminal 2 is sandwiched between the case 1 and can be securely held.

Further, the first case 1A has side walls 9 on both sides of the printed board 3 in order to prevent the printed board 3 from shifting in the horizontal direction. The printed circuit board 3 in FIG.
The lateral displacement shown by the arrow A is prevented by the side walls 9 on both sides, and the vertical displacement shown by the arrow B is prevented by the locking claw 7 of the substrate fixing rib 6. Further, the printed circuit board 3 is connected to the secondary battery 4 via the lead plate 10, and the secondary battery 4 also prevents the displacement.

As shown in FIG. 8, the second case 1B is provided with a support rib 11 protruding from the inner surface. Support rib 11
Is integrally formed and provided on a second case 1B made of plastic. The support ribs 11 prevent the printed circuit board 3 from being displaced in a direction indicated by an arrow C, that is, a direction orthogonal to the surface. The distance between the tip of the support rib 11 and the inner surface of the first case 1A is substantially equal to the thickness of the printed circuit board 3, and the printed board 3 is sandwiched between the tip of the support rib 11 and the inner surface of the first case 1A. To be installed in In the case 1 in which the support rib 11 is provided on the second case 1B, the second case 1B is connected to the first case 1A.
Can be fixed in place without moving.

The secondary battery 4 built in the case 1 is a lithium ion secondary battery. However, the secondary battery can be a secondary battery such as a nickel-cadmium battery or a nickel-hydrogen battery. Although the battery pack shown in the figure has a thin rectangular secondary battery 4 built in the case 1, the battery pack of the present invention does not necessarily specify the secondary battery in this shape.

The printed circuit board 3 fixes an electronic component 12 for implementing a protection circuit and the electrode terminals 2. The electrode terminals 2 are fixed to the printed circuit board 3 by soldering. The electrode terminal 2 is fixed to a position exposed from the electrode window 5 of the first case 1A to the outside of the case 1. The electrode terminal 2 is formed by bending an elongated rectangular metal plate at its tip and processing it into an L-shape. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG.
The printed circuit board 3 is fixed to the printed circuit board 3 with a locking gap 8 formed between the bent end 2a and the edge of the printed circuit board 3. This is because the locking claw 7 of the board fixing rib 6 is inserted into the locking gap 8 so that the printed circuit board 3 and the electrode terminals 2 are arranged at fixed positions.

The printed circuit board 3 shown in the figure fixes a plurality of electrode terminals 2 and inserts the locking claws 7 of the board fixing ribs 6 into the locking gaps 8 between each electrode terminal 2 and the printed circuit board 3. are doing. The battery pack having this structure has the feature that the displacement of the electrode terminals 2 can be prevented most reliably. However, in the battery pack of the present invention, a plurality of electrode terminals 2
Is fixed, and a locking gap 8 is provided between all the electrode terminals 2 and the printed circuit board 3, and it is not necessary to insert the locking claw 7 into the locking gap 8. For example, it is also possible to fix four electrode terminals to the printed circuit board, provide a locking gap between the two electrode terminals and the printed circuit board, and insert locking claws to fix the electrode terminals in place.

[0025]

The battery pack according to the present invention has such a simple structure that the electrode terminals can be arranged so as not to be shifted to a predetermined position of the case. This is because the battery pack of the present invention provides a locking gap between the printed circuit board and the electrode terminal, and inserts the locking claw of the substrate fixing rib into the gap to prevent the electrode terminal from being displaced. In the battery pack having the electrode terminals arranged in a fixed position in this structure, it is not necessary to use a dedicated part such as a holder for positioning the electrode terminals.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional battery pack.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a holder for mounting the electrode terminals of the battery pack shown in FIG. 1 on a printed circuit board.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another conventional battery pack.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the battery pack shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a printed circuit board and a secondary battery incorporated in the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the printed circuit board and the secondary battery shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of the battery pack shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state where the first case of the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present invention except for the second case is viewed from below.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Case 1A: First case 1
B: second case 1a ... projecting part 2 ... electrode terminal 2a ... bent end 3 ... printed circuit board 4 ... secondary battery 5 ... electrode window 5a ... end opening edge 6 ... board fixing rib 7 ... locking claw 8 ... engagement Stop gap 9 ... Side wall 10 ... Lead plate 11 ... Support rib 12 ... Electronic component 13 ... Holder 13a ... Fitting protrusion

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A printed circuit board (3) and a secondary battery (4) are built in a case (1), and an electrode terminal (2) is mounted on the printed circuit board (3).
Is a battery pack in which this electrode terminal (2) is exposed out of the case (1) from the electrode window (5) opened in the case (1), and has all the following configurations. A battery pack characterized in that: (A) An electrode terminal (2) having a bent end is fixed to a printed circuit board (3). (B) Electrode terminal (2) is bent end (2a) and printed circuit board (3)
It is fixed to the printed circuit board (3) so that a locking gap (8) is formed between the edge and the edge of the printed circuit board. (C) The case (1) has a board fixing rib (6) for supporting the inner surface of the printed board (3) inside. (D) The board fixing rib (6) has a locking claw (7) to be inserted into the locking gap (8), and the locking claw (7) is inserted into the locking gap (8) to (3) Support the inner surface of the printed circuit board
(3) is arranged at a fixed position in the case (1). 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board (3) is disposed at a fixed position between the substrate fixing rib (6) and the inner surface of the case (1). 3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the electrode terminal (2) is located inside the electrode window (5) and is flush with the inner surface of the case (1). 4. A second case in which a printed board (3) has a first case (1A) in which an electrode window (5) is opened and a support rib (11) for supporting an inner surface of the printed board (3). 2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the battery pack is disposed between the first case and the first case in a posture parallel to the surface of the first case.