JP2003331813A - Battery with a plurality of output terminals and battery-compatible equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery interchangeable with a standard battery and capable of outputting, with a single unit, a voltage or a current a plurality of times the outputted from the standard battery, and equipment compatible with the battery. <P>SOLUTION: This battery is the same in size and shape as the standard battery, has a plurality of cells therein, and has a plurality of terminals taken out to the outside for each cell. The battery compatible equipment incorporates a circuit for selecting a parallel connection or a series connection between the output terminals of the battery. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a battery having a plurality of output terminals and a device corresponding to the battery.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional 1.5V standard batteries are widely used in various devices including portable AV devices. For various devices, for example, one 1.5V standard battery is used for a device operating at 1.5V, and two identical 1.5V standard batteries are connected in series for a device operating at 3.0V. It corresponds.

[0003]

However, for example, for a device operating at 3.0 V, it is necessary to use two 1.5 V standard batteries, so that the space of the holder portion in which the battery is mounted is doubled. Therefore, there are restrictions on downsizing of devices. Further, for example, in the case of a device that uses two 1.5V standard batteries, it is not recommended to use batteries having different remaining capacities such as a combination of a new product and a used product. In particular, in the case of a secondary battery, it is a considerable burden on the user to use the two batteries while keeping them in the same charged state. However, giving priority to space, 1.5V
When a 3.0 V battery having the same battery shape as the standard battery is prepared, the inconvenience arises in that the batteries must be properly used for the 3.0 V operating device and the 1.5 V operating device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and is compatible with a standard battery, and a battery capable of outputting a plurality of times of voltage or current although it is a single battery,
It is intended to provide a device corresponding to such a battery.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems As a result of intensive studies to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present inventors have made it compatible with the current standard battery and have a plurality of battery cells inside the battery. It was found that the above-mentioned conventional problems can be solved all at once by using a battery structure in which each output terminal is taken out to the outside so that selection for connection between the output terminals is made by an external device. That is, in a battery that constitutes a plurality of battery cells, the output terminal of each battery cell is taken out to the outside to form a battery structure having a plurality of positive and negative output terminals, respectively, and the battery cells are connected in parallel or by connecting the output terminals. By making it possible to select the series connection on the external device side, it is possible to obtain a battery that can supply multiple output voltages or output currents in the space for one battery and a device that does not limit the downsizing of the device. I found out. Further, the present inventors, by providing a notch or a protrusion in the battery having the plurality of output terminals, and by correspondingly providing a protrusion or a notch on the device side,
It was found that it is possible to obtain a battery and a corresponding device that can distinguish the current standard battery from a new battery and can handle accidents such as a mistaken insertion of the battery into the device or a short circuit after the insertion. The present inventors have made further studies and completed the present invention.

That is, the present invention is: (1) A battery composed of at least two or more unit cells, characterized by having at least two or more positive and negative output terminals. (2) A battery composed of at least two or more unit cells, and by connecting the output terminals of the battery having at least two or more positive and negative output terminals, the current capacity remains n (however, n is an integer of 2 or more.) A battery-compatible device characterized by being able to select whether to multiply it or to multiply the voltage by n times the reference voltage. (3) The battery according to (1) above, wherein the size, shape, and connection terminal of the battery are compatible with the standard battery, and can be used in devices compatible with the current standard battery at the reference voltage. (4) It has notches or protrusions that allow distinguishing between current standard batteries and batteries with multiple output terminals, and also has a function to prevent accidents such as incorrect insertion prohibition or short circuit when inserted. The battery according to (1) above. (5) It has notches or protrusions that allow distinguishing between current standard batteries and batteries with multiple output terminals, and also has a function to prevent accidents such as incorrect insertion prohibition or short circuit when inserted. The battery-compatible device according to (2) above. (6) The battery according to (4) above, which has a function of preventing rotation of the battery after mounting by combining the notch and the protrusion. (7) The battery-compatible device according to (5) above, which has a function of preventing rotation of the battery after mounting by combining the notch and the protrusion. (8) The battery according to (4) above, wherein the notches or protrusions are arranged diagonally to each other. (9) The battery-compatible device according to (5) above, wherein the notches or protrusions are arranged diagonally to the battery holder.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described based on a gum type battery used as a power source for a portable tape recorder. FIG. 1 shows a 2-cell, 4-terminal structure of a gum type battery 1 according to the present invention. The battery case 2 of the gum type battery 1 contains two single cells 3 and 4. The positive electrode and the negative electrode (not shown) of each of the unit cells 3 and 4 are connected to the outside of the case 2 by the plus terminal 5,
6 and minus terminals 7 and 8 are taken out separately.

The gum-type battery 1 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that it is apparently one battery but operates as two assembled batteries. That is, the conventional assembled battery is
The connection of each cell is already fixed in the battery case,
The external terminals are one each of a positive terminal and a negative terminal, whereas the gum-type battery 1 according to the present embodiment does not connect the single cells 3 and 4 as the assembled battery inside the case 2 and Two cells are taken out to the outside as plus terminals 5 and 6 and minus terminals 7 and 8 for each cell, and they can operate as two assembled batteries. In addition, the external terminal is divided into two positive terminals 5 and 6 on the positive side and two negative terminals 7 and 8 on the negative side, and is divided into two parts. However, the structure is compatible with the current standard battery so that the new gum type battery 1 can be used.

The unit cells 3 and 4 of the gum type battery 1 are, for example,
It is composed of a nickel-hydrogen battery or a nickel-cadmium battery and has a nominal voltage of 1.2V, but it is used as a battery for 1.5V equipment. In FIG. 1, the unit cells 3 and 4 are divided into two parts on the left and right sides of the case 2, but they may be arranged in a laminated form or any other form.

The gum-type battery 1 according to the present embodiment is composed of 1.
Whether to use for 5V or 3.0V is determined by the selection on the external device side. That is,
An external device selects connection between the positive terminals 5 and 6 and the negative terminals 7 and 8 so that the built-in cell batteries 3 and 4 are connected in parallel or in series.

FIG. 2 shows a gum type battery 1 according to this embodiment.
2. 1.5V operation device 9 (set) corresponding to 3 and 3.
A device 10 (set) operating at 0 V and an example of connection between these devices and the gum type battery 1 are shown. In the case of the 1.5V operation device 9, there is one plus terminal 11 and one minus terminal 12 provided on the device side, respectively.
When the device 9 is loaded into the device 9, the built-in cell batteries 3 and 4 are connected in parallel and output a voltage of 1.5V. On the other hand, in the case of the 3.0 V operation device 10, two positive terminals 13 and 14 and two negative terminals 15 and 16 are provided on the device side. When the gum type battery 1 is loaded into the device 10, Built-in cell battery 3, 4 by the connection circuit 17 built in
Are connected in series to output a voltage of 3.0V.

In FIG. 2, when the built-in cell batteries 3 and 4 are connected in parallel, the voltage remains the cell voltage and the output current is 2
Can be doubled. When the built-in cell batteries 3 and 4 are connected in series, the output voltage can be double the cell voltage.

Next, FIG. 3 shows the problems when the current gum type standard battery is used for the 1.5V operating device 9 and the 3.0V operating device 10 according to the present embodiment. In the case of the 1.5V operation device 9, since the gum type battery 1 and the 1.5V standard battery 18 according to the present embodiment have the same battery size and shape, they have compatibility and no problem occurs. . However, in the case of the 3.0 V operating device 10, 3.0 V
When the standard battery 19 is loaded, the built-in connection circuit 17
As shown in the terminal connection relationship of (3), the positive terminal and the negative terminal are connected, and an electrode short circuit occurs.

As described above, 3.0 according to the present embodiment.
In order to solve the problems that occur when the conventional standard battery is used for the V-operating device 10, the following measures have been taken for the device and the battery. That is, as shown in FIG.
At the bottom of the battery holder (not shown) of the 0V operating device 20,
The protrusions 21 are provided so that they will hit when a conventional standard battery is loaded. As a result, when a conventional standard battery is loaded into the device 20, the battery collides with the protrusion 21 and the terminals of the device 20 and the battery do not come into contact with each other, and the battery lid does not close, thereby preventing an accident.

Further, as shown in FIG.
In addition to the protrusion 21, a switch 23 that mechanically opens and closes the connection circuit 22 is provided. In this case, when a battery without a notch is installed in the lower part of the battery, the protrusion 21 hit at the lower part of the battery is moved by a moving mechanism (not shown) and pushes the switch 23 to connect the positive terminal and the negative terminal. The connecting circuit 22 is cut off to disconnect the terminal connection. As a result, even if the conventional standard battery is loaded into the device 20, no accident such as a short circuit occurs because the terminals are not connected.

On the other hand, for a battery having a plurality of output terminals, cutouts 25 are provided at both ends of the lower portion of the battery 24. As a result, when the battery 24 is loaded into the device 20, the battery 2
Since the notch 25 is provided in the device 4, it does not collide with the protrusion 21 of the device 20. Further, since the notches 25 are provided at both ends of the lower portion of the battery 24, the battery 24 can be loaded even when the battery 24 is rotated by 180 ° C.

The cutouts and protrusions provided on the device and the battery may be formed as a pair on the device and the battery. If there is a protrusion on the device side, the cutout and the protrusion are formed on the battery side. On the other hand, the cutout and the protrusion are formed on the device side. For example, a protrusion may be provided on the battery side. If there is a protrusion on the battery side, this protrusion pushes a switch provided on the device side. Therefore, as a connection circuit built in the device, the terminal connection on the device side may be performed when the switch is pressed.

When the battery 1 having a plurality of output terminals according to the present invention is loaded into a current 3.0 V operating device,
As shown in FIG. 5, since the positive and negative terminals of the device are one for each 1.5V battery, the battery 1 is always used.
Side two positive terminals 5 and 6 and negative terminals 7 and 8
Since they will be used in the shorted state, no problem will occur.

In the above embodiments, the gum type battery is described as an object, but even in the case of a cylindrical battery such as an AA battery, it has a two-cell, four-terminal structure and two batteries in a battery case. The single cell is included, and the positive and negative terminals of each single cell are taken out to the outside of the case as two positive terminals and two negative terminals, respectively.

Unlike the gum type battery, the cylindrical type battery rotates in the battery holder of the device and may cause a short circuit between terminals. Also in this case, as in the case of gum type battery,
As shown in FIG. 6, a cutout 27 is formed at the bottom of the cylindrical battery 26.
By providing a protrusion (not shown) on the device side, the two fit together to prevent the cylindrical battery 26 from rotating.

The rotation prevention of the cylindrical battery 26 can also be achieved by providing a protrusion 28 between two terminals on the device side, as shown in FIG. This protrusion 28 is used for the battery 2
Do not rotate the battery by fitting it between the two terminals on the 6 side. And, short circuit between terminals can be prevented.
In the case of gum type batteries, there is no risk of rotation,
As shown on the left side of FIG. 6, it is not necessary to provide a protrusion between the two terminals on the device side.

In the above embodiments, the battery having a plurality of output terminals is described as a battery having a two-cell and four-terminal structure. However, the number of cells is two or more and n cells (n is an integer). The number of terminals is 4n or more and 2n (n is an integer), that is, a positive terminal n and a negative terminal n can be configured as a battery. Then, similarly to the case described in the embodiment, devices corresponding to these batteries are provided.

In addition, n cell, 2n terminal structure (n is an integer)
In the case of the battery, the current capacity is increased by n times with the cell reference voltage as it is, or the voltage is changed to n times the reference voltage by the connection circuit built in the external device for the connection between the positive and negative output terminals of the battery. You can choose whether to double.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiments, an example in which the battery 1 having a plurality of output terminals is used in a portable device has been shown, but in the case of a charger for charging the battery, it is not compatible. The same can be said. That is, when the battery 1 is loaded in the existing charger, it is charged as the battery 1 for 1.5 V as shown in FIG. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately prepare a dedicated charger corresponding to the new battery 1.

In the above embodiment, nickel-
Although the description has been made for the secondary battery of 1.5 V using a hydrogen battery or a nickel-cadmium battery, a lithium battery, another secondary battery, a primary battery, a solar battery, or the like is also considered to be a battery having a plurality of output terminals. Corresponding devices are possible, and various modifications can be carried out without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0026]

According to the present invention, a battery is composed of a plurality of cells, and each cell is provided with a plurality of output terminals by taking out a terminal to the outside, and connecting the cells in parallel or in series to an external device. Since the configuration is performed on the side, it is possible to obtain a plurality of output voltages with one battery.

Therefore, for example, for a 3.0 V operating device, only one battery is required for the conventional 1.5 V battery, but only one battery is required, and there is no restriction on downsizing of the device.

Further, since the size, shape and connection terminals of the battery have a structure compatible with the current standard battery, the new battery can be used for the current device and the conventional standard battery for the new device. Can be used.

Further, since the battery and the device are provided with the protrusion and the notch as a pair, there is no accident such as erroneous loading of the battery into the device or short circuit when the battery is loaded.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a gum-type battery having a two-cell, four-terminal structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a terminal connection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an example of loading a standard battery according to an embodiment of the present invention into a new device.

FIG. 4 is an example of loading a battery into a 3.0 V operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an example of loading a new battery according to an embodiment of the present invention into a conventional 3.0 V operating device.

FIG. 6 is an example of a terminal, a battery shape, and a short circuit between terminals according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Gum-type battery according to the present invention 2 battery case 3, 4 single cells 5,6 Positive terminal (battery side) 7,8 Negative terminal (battery side) 9 1.5V operation equipment 10 3.0V operation equipment 11 Positive terminal (device side) 12 Negative terminal (device side) 13, 14 Positive terminal (device side) 15, 16 Negative terminal (device side) 17 Connection circuit 18 1.5V standard battery 19 3.0V standard battery 20 Conventional battery compatible 3.0V operating equipment 21 Protrusion 22 Connection circuit (conventional battery compatible 3.0V operating device) 23 Switch Batteries with 24 notches 25 notches 26 Cylindrical battery according to the present invention 27 Notches (for cylindrical batteries) 28 Anti-rotation protrusion

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A battery composed of at least two or more unit cells, comprising at least two or more positive and negative output terminals. 2. A battery composed of at least two or more unit cells, the current capacity of which is kept at a reference voltage (n (however) by a connection between output terminals of a battery having at least two or more positive and negative output terminals). , N is an integer of 2 or more.) A battery-compatible device characterized by being able to select whether to multiply it by n times the reference voltage. 3. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the size, shape, and connection terminal of the battery are compatible with the standard battery and can be used in devices compatible with the current standard battery at the reference voltage. 4. A notch or a protrusion for distinguishing a current standard battery from a battery having a plurality of output terminals, and a preventive function for preventing accidents such as erroneous insertion prohibition or a short circuit when inserted. The battery according to claim 1, comprising: 5. The battery has a notch or a protrusion for distinguishing a current standard battery from a battery having a plurality of output terminals, and has a preventive function for preventing accidents such as erroneous insertion prohibition or a short circuit when inserted. The battery-compatible device according to claim 2, characterized by comprising. 6. The battery according to claim 4, wherein the battery has a function of preventing rotation of the battery after mounting by combining the notch and the protrusion. 7. The battery-compatible device according to claim 5, which has a function of preventing rotation of the battery after attachment by combining a notch and a protrusion. 8. The battery according to claim 4, wherein the notches or protrusions are arranged diagonally to each other. 9. The battery-compatible device according to claim 5, wherein the cuts or protrusions are arranged diagonally to the battery holder.