JP2002091616A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide electronic equipment in which the parting line of a lock cover and other components can be set as an arbitrary straight line or a curve and the degree of freedom of design is improved. SOLUTION: A battery pack is mounted on a battery mounting part formed at an equipment main body 10 so as to be freely attachable/detachable. The battery pack is provided with a battery main body 30 and a lock cover fixed to the battery main body, and the lock cover is mounted on the battery main body so as to be movable between the lock position where the battery main body is locked in the battery housing part and a lock releasing position where the battery pack is made removable from the battery housing part. The parting line formed of the side edge of the lock cover and the open side edge of the equipment main body at the lock position is extended so as to be inclined to the bottom face of the equipment main body. The battery main body is provided with guide faces 44a and 44b for guiding the movement of the lock cover, and those guide faces are inclined to the bottom face of the equipment main body more than the parting line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device such as a personal computer, and more particularly to an electronic device having a detachable battery pack.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, portable small computers called book-type personal computers or so-called mobile computers have become widespread.
In this type of computer, the size of the device itself has been reduced in order to enhance portability, and at the same time, further improvement in performance and multifunctionality are required.

[0005] Such a computer generally includes a substantially rectangular flat device body and a display unit rotatably provided on the device body. A printed circuit board on which a large number of electronic components are mounted, a hard disk drive as an information storage device, a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive, an optical disk drive, and the like are provided in the device body.

In addition, such a computer can be used in a state where it is disconnected from a commercial power supply, that is,
A battery is provided so that it can be carried and used. Normal,
This battery is configured as a battery pack that is detachable from the device body.

[0005] The main body of the computer is provided with a battery accommodating section for accommodating a battery pack. Further, the battery pack has a battery body having a shape corresponding to the battery storage portion, and a lock cover attached to the battery body. Then, the lock cover is moved to the lock position and engaged with the device main body while the battery main body is mounted on the battery housing portion of the device main body, whereby the battery pack is locked in the state of being mounted on the battery housing portion. In the mounted state, the lock cover forms a part of the wall surface of the device main body.
In addition, by moving the lock cover from the lock position to the unlock position and releasing the engagement with the device main body, the battery pack can be removed from the device main body.

[0006]

In the computer constructed as described above, the lock cover of the battery pack usually has a lock position and a lock position in a horizontal direction, that is, a direction substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the device body. It is slidably provided between the release position. In this case, the parting line formed by the side edge extending in the moving direction of the lock cover and the wall surface of the device main body in contact with the side edge extends in the horizontal direction, that is, almost parallel to the bottom surface of the device main body. There must be. Therefore, there is a problem that the design and design of the device main body including the lock cover are limited by the parting line, and the degree of freedom is reduced.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to set a parting line between a lock cover of a battery pack and other parts to be an arbitrary straight line or a curved line. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device capable of increasing the degree of freedom.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic apparatus according to the present invention comprises an apparatus main body having a wall, and a battery mounted on the apparatus main body and open to the wall. And a battery pack detachably mounted on the battery mounting portion, wherein the battery pack is mounted on the battery main body, and mounted on the battery main body and the battery mounting portion. A lock cover formed so as to be fitted into the opening of the unit, wherein the lock cover engages with the device main body, closes the opening, and locks the battery main body in the battery storage unit. And disengaged from the device main body and attached to the battery main body so as to be movable between an unlocked position where the battery pack can be removed from the battery storage portion,
A party line formed by a side edge of the lock cover extending along the moving direction of the lock cover, and an opening side edge of the device body facing the side edge of the lock cover located at the lock position. Extends obliquely with respect to the bottom wall of the device main body, the battery main body has a guide portion that guides the movement of the lock cover, and the guide portion is disposed on the bottom wall of the device main body from the parting line. Is also characterized by a large inclination.

According to the electronic device of the present invention,
The guide portion of the battery main body has first and second guide surfaces which are located side by side in the moving direction of the lock cover and are arranged with a step, and the lock cover has the first and second guide surfaces, respectively. It is characterized by comprising first and second guide claws slidably provided along the second guide surface.

[0010] According to the electronic device configured as described above, the guide portion provided on the battery main body for guiding the movement of the lock cover extends obliquely with respect to the bottom surface of the device main body. The moving direction of the lock cover between the unlock position and the unlock position is a direction inclined with respect to the bottom wall of the device main body. Thereby, the parting line between the lock cover and the device main body can also be an arbitrary straight line or curve inclined with respect to the bottom wall. As a result, the parting line is not limited to horizontal,
The degree of freedom of design and design of the device body and the entire electronic device can be increased.

[0011] Further, the guide portion provided on the battery main body includes:
The lock cover forms a parting line when the lock cover is moved between the lock position and the unlock position, even though the parting line is inclined, because it is inclined more than the parting line. The collision between the side edge of the device and the device body can be prevented, and the smooth operation of the lock cover can be ensured.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a portable personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the personal computer includes a flat rectangular box-shaped device body 10 and a flat rectangular display unit 12.
On the upper surface of the device main body 10, a keyboard 14, a power switch 16, a click switch 18, an indicator 20, and the like are provided. Then, the display unit 12
Is rotatably supported by a hinge portion 22 provided at a rear portion of the device main body 10 between an open position shown in the drawing in which an input operation of the keyboard 14 can be performed and a closed position covering the keyboard.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
0 has a bottom wall 24 and a pair of left and right side walls 26 erected continuously from the bottom wall. Further, in the device body 10, a drive unit such as a floppy disk drive 34 or an optical disk drive (not shown), a card slot 36, a battery pack 38, and other various electronic components are provided. The card slot 36 has a card insertion opening opened on one side wall of the device main body 10, and the floppy disk drive 34 has a front panel provided on the side wall 26 alongside the card insertion opening. I have.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG.
0 has a battery storage portion 28 formed of a substantially rectangular box-shaped recess opened in the bottom wall 24 and the side wall 26, and has a battery pack 38.
Is detachably attached to the battery storage section 28.
The battery pack 38 includes a rectangular box-shaped battery main body 30 having a size corresponding to the battery storage section 28, and a lock cover 32 attached to the battery main body. When the battery main body 30 of the battery pack 38 is attached to the battery housing 28, the bottom wall 24 of the device main body 10 is located inside the battery housing.
A part of the bottom wall is closed by closing the part that is opened. The lock cover 32 closes an opening 28 a opened in the side wall 26 of the device main body 10 in the battery storage section 28, and forms a part of the side wall.

The upper edge 29 of the opening 28a of the battery housing 28
Is formed adjacent to the upper edge 32 a of the lock cover 32 and forms a parting line 31 between the device body 10 and the lock cover 32. The parting line 31 extends from the rear end of the device main body 10 toward the front end toward the bottom wall 24 of the device main body.

The main body 10 has a battery housing 28.
An engagement projection 25 is formed at the front end of the opening 28a, and a pair of engagement holes 27 (see FIG. 11) are formed at the rear end of the opening 28a.

In the battery pack 38, the lock cover 32 is movably attached to the battery body 30 between a lock position and an unlock position, and is inclined with respect to the bottom wall 24 of the device body 10. It can be moved along the direction.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the battery main body 30 of the battery pack 38 is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape, and substantially the entire outer surface thereof is covered by a resin case. A guide portion 40 for guiding the movement of the lock cover 32 is provided on a side surface 30 a of the battery main body 30 which is opposed to the opening 28 a on the side wall 20 side of the device main body 10 when the lock cover 32 is mounted on the battery housing portion 28. The position restricting portion 42 facing the guide portion is formed integrally with the battery body.

The guide portion 40 is provided on the side surface 30 of the battery body 30.
a guide rib 44 protruding from the side surface 30a. The guide rib 44 extends in the longitudinal direction of the side surface 30a and is provided adjacent to the upper edge of the side surface, that is, the upper surface side of the device body 10. Further, the guide rib 44 has a step 45 at an intermediate portion thereof. The first guide surface 44a and the second guide surface 44b are formed by the upper surface of the guide rib 44.
Are formed.

First and second guide surfaces 44a, 44b
Are arranged in the direction of movement of the lock cover 32 across the step 45, that is, from the rear end to the front end of the device body 10. Also, the first and second guide surfaces 44
Each of a and 44b extends obliquely toward the bottom wall 24 of the device main body from the rear end side to the front end side of the device main body 10. In particular, in a state where the battery pack 38 is mounted in the battery storage section 28, the first and second guide surfaces 44a, 44b
Are inclined more greatly than the parting line 31, respectively. Further, first and second holding claws 46a and 46b for holding the engagement between the guide claws of the lock cover 32 and the first and second guide surfaces 44a and 44b, which will be described later, are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the guide ribs 44. It is protruded integrally.

The position restricting portion 42 is provided on the side surface 3 of the battery body 30.
It has a regulating rib 48 protruding from Oa, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the side surface 30a and is provided adjacent to the lower edge of the side surface, that is, the bottom wall 24 of the device body 10. The regulating rib 48 has first and second regulating claws 48a, 48 provided at both ends thereof.
b and a central claw 48c provided at an intermediate portion. The first and second restricting claws 48a and 48b and the center pawl 48c protrude from the restricting rib 48 toward the bottom wall 24. Then, the first and second regulating claws 48
The extension end faces a and 48b extend inclining toward the bottom wall 24 of the device main body from the rear end side to the front end side of the device main body 10, respectively. First and second regulating claws 48a, 48b
The inclination angle of the extension end surface of the first and second guide surfaces 44
a, 44b are set substantially equal to the inclination angles. Further, a stopper 51 protrudes from the side surface 30 a of the battery body 30 and is located between the rear end of the guide rib 44 and the rear end of the regulating rib 48.

On the other hand, the lock cover 32 is
The first and second guide claws 50a and 50b are integrally formed on the inner surface thereof so as to protrude. First and second guide claws 50a, 50
b are provided adjacent to the upper edge 32a of the lock cover 32 and are spaced apart from each other along the moving direction of the lock cover. The first and second guide claws 50a, 50b are in contact with the first and second guide surfaces 44a, 44b on the side of the battery main body 30.
51b, and these contact surfaces 51a, 51b
Extend obliquely like the first and second guide surfaces.

On the inner surface of the lock cover 32, first and second engagement projections 54a and 54b and a central projection 54c are integrally formed, and are located adjacent to the lower edge of the lock cover 32. The first and second engagement protrusions 54a and 54b are spaced apart from each other along the direction of movement of the lock cover, and are provided with a regulating claw 48 provided on the battery body 30.
a, 48b are formed so as to be in contact with the extended end faces. The first and second engagement protrusions 54a, 54b
Are inclined similarly to the extending surfaces of the first and second restricting claws 48a, 48b. The center projection 54c is located between the first and second engagement projections 54a and 54b, and is formed to be able to engage with a center claw 48c provided on the battery body 30.

Further, on the inner surface of the lock cover 32, a locking projection 56 which can be brought into contact with the stopper 51 of the battery body 30, and a first engagement member which engages with the engagement projection 25 of the device main body 10 when the lock cover is locked. A pair of second engaging claws 60 respectively engaging with the dowel 58 and the engaging hole 27 are formed.

The lock cover 32 thus formed
As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the first and second guide claws 50a and 50b are connected to the first and second guide claws 50a and 50b of the battery body 30.
Engage with the holding claws 46a, 46b, and respectively
a, 51b are in contact with the first and second guide surfaces 44a, 44b, and the first and second engagement protrusions 54 are provided.
a and 54b are the first and second regulating claws 48 of the battery body 30.
a, 48b while the central projection 54c is engaged with the central claw 48c.
Attached to.

The lock cover 32 is attached to the battery main body 30 so as to be movable between a lock position for storing the battery pack 38 in the battery storage portion 28 of the device main body 10 and an unlock position for releasing the lock. Have been. While moving between the lock position and the unlock position, the first and second guide claws 50a, 5a
The contact surfaces 51a, 51b of Ob slide on the first and second guide surfaces 44a, 44b, respectively. Further, the first and second engagement protrusions 54a, 54b also move in a state of contacting the extension surfaces of the first and second regulating claws 48a, 48b provided on the battery body 30, and the first and second guide surfaces 44 are provided.
The movement of the first and second guide claws 51a, 51b in the direction away from the first and second guide claws 51a, 51b is restricted.

Thus, the lock cover 32 moves between the locked position and the unlocked position while being guided by the first and second guide surfaces 44a and 44b. Since the first and second guide surfaces 44a and 44b are inclined toward the bottom wall 24 from the rear end to the front end of the device main body 10, the lock cover 32 is also moved along the inclined direction. You.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 9 and 10, in the locked position, the lock cover 32 has the first engagement claw 58 of the lock cover 32 on the engagement projection 25 of the device body 10, When the second engagement claws 60 are engaged with the engagement holes 27, respectively, the second engagement claws 60 are fitted to the device main body 10 in a state where the opening 28a of the battery housing portion 28 is closed, and the battery pack 38
Is locked.

When the battery pack 38 is to be removed from the battery housing portion 28 of the device body 10, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, the lock cover 32 is moved from the locked position to the unlocked position toward the front of the device body. Slide. The first and second guide claws 5 provided on the lock cover 32 while moving from the lock position to the unlock position.
The contact surfaces 51a and 51b of Oa and 50b are the first
And slide on the second guide surfaces 44a and 44b. The first and second engaging projections 54a, 54b are also provided on the first and second regulating claws 48a, 48b provided on the battery body 30.
The first and second guide claws 51a and 51b move in a direction away from the first and second guide surfaces 44a and 44b while being in contact with the extension surfaces of the first and second guide surfaces 44a and 44b.

Thus, the lock cover 32 moves between the locked position and the unlocked position while being guided by the first and second guide surfaces 44a and 44b. Since the first and second guide surfaces 44a and 44b are inclined toward the bottom wall 24 from the rear end to the front end of the device main body 10, the lock cover 32 moves along the inclined direction. .

When the lock cover 32 moves to the unlock position, the locking projection 56 is moved to the stopper 51 of the battery body 30.
And further movement is restricted. Further, the engagement between the first engagement claw 58 and the engagement protrusion 25 of the device main body 10 is released, and the second engagement claw 60 is engaged with the engagement hole 2 of the device main body.
7 is dismissed. Thereby, the fitting between the lock cover 32 and the device main body 10 is released, and the lock of the battery pack 38 is released. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the battery pack 38 can be taken out from the device main body by pulling the entire battery pack 38 out of the opening 28 a of the battery housing portion 28 and then pushing it down below the device main body 10.

According to the personal computer configured as described above, the first and second guide surfaces 44a, 44b of the guide portion 40 for guiding the movement of the lock cover 32.
Since the lock cover extends obliquely with respect to the bottom wall 24 of the device main body 10, the direction of movement of the lock cover between the lock position and the unlock position is a direction inclined with respect to the bottom wall of the device main body. Thereby, the parting line 31 between the lock cover 32 and the device main body 10 can also be an arbitrary straight line or curve inclined with respect to the bottom wall.
Therefore, the parting line 31 is not limited to a horizontal position, and the design of the apparatus body 10 and the personal computer as a whole and the degree of freedom in design can be increased.
For example, it is possible to adopt a design in which the front end of the upper surface of the device main body 10 is inclined obliquely downward.

The first and second guide surfaces 44a and 44b provided on the battery body 30 are inclined more than the parting line 31, so that the parting line is inclined even though the parting line is inclined. When the lock cover 32 is moved between the lock position and the unlock position, collision between the upper edge of the lock cover 32 forming the parting line and the opening edge 29 of the device main body 10 is prevented, and the lock cover is smoothly moved. Operation can be secured.

Further, the first and second guide surfaces 44a, 44a
4b, the first and second guide claws 50a, 50
Since the contact surfaces 51a and 51b of b are also inclined in accordance with the first and second guide surfaces, the movement of the lock cover 32 can be smoothly guided. Lock cover 3
2 while the first and second engagement protrusions 54a, 54
b is also the first and second regulating claws 4 provided on the battery body 30.
The first and second guide claws 51a, 51b move in a state of contacting the extension surfaces of the first and second guide surfaces 44a, 44b in a direction away from the first and second guide surfaces 44a, 44b. The contact surfaces 51a, 51b of the second guide claws 50a, 50b are always in contact with the first and second guide surfaces 44.
a, 44b. Thereby, the play of the lock cover 32 can be eliminated, and the lock cover can always be moved in a desired direction.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified within the scope of the present invention. For example, the parting line is not limited to a straight line but may be an arc. Further, the inclination angle of the parting line and the guide portion of the battery pack can be changed as necessary. In addition, the shapes, arrangement positions, and the number of guide claws, engagement protrusions, engagement claws, and the like can be variously modified.

[0037]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the guide part for guiding the movement of the lock cover is provided at an angle, so that the parting line between the lock cover of the battery pack and other parts can be arbitrarily set. Can be set as a straight line or a curved line, and it is possible to provide an electronic device capable of increasing the degree of freedom in design and design.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary perspective view showing a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a bottom portion and a battery pack of the personal computer.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lock cover of a battery pack has moved to a lock position in the personal computer.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary perspective view showing a state in which a lock cover of the battery pack is moved to an unlock position and the battery pack is partially pulled out from the device main body in the personal computer;

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in which a lock cover of a battery pack is removed in the personal computer.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing the back surface of the lock cover of the battery pack.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing one side of a battery body of the battery pack and a lock cover.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an engagement state between the battery body and the lock cover of the battery pack.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a state in which the lock cover has been moved to a lock position in the personal computer.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing an engagement state between the battery body and the lock cover at the lock position.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary perspective view showing a state in which the lock cover has been moved to an unlock position in the personal computer;

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a state in which the lock cover is moved to an unlock position in the personal computer.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing an engagement state between the battery main body and the lock cover at the lock release position.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Device main body 12 ... Disc play unit 14 ... Keyboard 24 ... Bottom wall 26 ... Side wall 28 ... Battery storage part 30 ... Battery main body 31 ... Parting line 32 ... Lock cover 40 ... Guide part 42 ... Position regulating part 44a ... First Guide surface 44b Second guide surface 48a First control claw 48b Second control claw 50a First guide claw 50b Second guide claw 54a First engagement protrusion 54b Second engagement protrusion

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page F term (reference) 4E360 AA02 AB08 AB13 AB16 AB20 AB22 AB42 BA04 BA08 BC03 BC04 BC05 BD03 EA18 EB04 EC11 EC12 ED03 ED13 ED14 ED23 ED27 EE02 FA02 FA08 FA12 GA51 GB46 GB95 GC08 5H040 AA00 CC14 CC CC15

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A device main body having a wall portion, a battery mounting portion provided on the device main body and opened to the wall portion, and a battery pack detachably mounted on the battery mounting portion,
The battery pack has a battery main body housed in the battery mounting portion, and a lock cover attached to the battery main body and formed so as to be fitted into an opening of the battery mounting portion. The lock cover engages with the device main body and closes the opening, and locks the battery main body in the battery housing, and releases the engagement with the device main body,
A side edge of the lock cover attached to the battery main body so as to be movable between a lock release position where the battery pack can be removed from the battery storage portion and extending along a direction in which the lock cover moves; An opening side edge of the device main body facing the side edge of the lock cover in the lock position;
The battery line has a guide portion that guides the movement of the lock cover, and the guide portion is formed on the bottom wall of the device main body. On the other hand, an electronic device characterized by being inclined more than the parting line. 2. The guide section of the battery body has first and second guide surfaces which are arranged side by side in the moving direction of the lock cover and are arranged with a step. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising first and second guide claws provided slidably along the first and second guide surfaces. 3. The first and second guide claws each have a contact surface slidably contacting the first and second guide surfaces, and each contact surface is opposed to a bottom surface of the device body. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the electronic device extends obliquely. 4. The battery body has a position restricting portion provided to face the guide portion, and the lock cover engages with the position restricting portion to form the first battery.
4. The electronic device according to claim 2, further comprising an engagement portion that restricts movement of the first and second guide claws in a direction away from the second guide surface. 5. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parting line and the guide portion extend from the locked position of the lock cover toward the unlocked position so as to be inclined toward the bottom wall of the device body. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. A device main body having a bottom wall and a side wall continuous with the bottom wall, a battery mounting portion provided on the device main body and opening on the bottom wall and the side wall, and detachably attached to the battery mounting portion. With the battery pack attached,
The battery pack includes a battery main body forming a part of the bottom wall, a lock mounted on the battery mounting portion, and a lock mounted on the battery main body and forming a part of the side wall. And a lock position, wherein the lock cover engages with the device main body and locks the battery main body in the battery storage portion, and releases the engagement with the device main body, and releases the lock from the battery storage portion. A side edge of the lock cover attached to the battery main body so as to be movable between a lock release position where the battery pack can be removed, and a lock cover at the lock position; An opening side edge of the device body facing the side edge of
The battery line has a guide portion that guides the movement of the lock cover, and extends inclining from the lock position toward the unlock position toward the bottom wall of the device main body. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the guide portion is more inclined than the parting line with respect to a bottom wall of the device main body.