JP2004014418A

JP2004014418A - Battery housing structure

Info

Publication number: JP2004014418A
Application number: JP2002169418A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Kota Nagano; 長野　耕太
Original assignee: Sony Corp
Current assignee: Sony Corp
Priority date: 2002-06-11
Filing date: 2002-06-11
Publication date: 2004-01-15

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery housing structure advantageous in saving cost and miniaturizing size, surely separating one battery from another, and enhancing usability. <P>SOLUTION: A partition plate 38 is installed so as to be swingable around a shaft center extending in the depth direction in a portion displaced on one side in the width direction from the center in the width direction of a second front wall 3404. In a state that the partition wall 38 is positioned in a neutral position while being inclined from the second front wall 3404 displaced on one side in the width direction toward the center in the width direction and standing, and when two first batteries are housed in a housing space 36, a standing state where the partition plate 38 is interposed between the outer peripheral surfaces of two first batteries 10 comes out. In a state that the partition plate 38 is positioned in the neutral position, when one second battery 20 is inserted into the battery housing space36 from an opening 32, the second battery 20 comes in contact with a slope of the partition plate 38, the partition plate 38 is swung toward the second front wall 3404, and a falling state comes out. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、異なる形状を有する２種類の電池を収容する電池格納構造に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来から、２つの単三電池をそれらの長さ方向を平行させて収容できるように構成されるとともに、１つのＣＲ−Ｖ３リチウム電池を収容できるように構成された電池格納構造がある。
図９（Ａ）、（Ｂ）に示すように、前記電池格納構造は、前記電池を収容する収容空間を形成する収容壁２を有して構成され、該収容壁２には、２つの単三電池同士を離間した状態で前記収容空間に収容するため、これら収容される２つの単三電池の間に位置するようにスペーサ部材４が設けられ、このスペーサ部材４は単三電池の長さ方向に間隔をおいて２つ設けられている。
前記各スペーサ部材４は、前記長さ方向と直交する方向に延在する軸心回りに揺動可能に設けられ、（Ａ）に示す起立位置と（Ｂ）に示す倒伏位置とをとり、かつ、前記起立位置となるように付勢されている。
したがって、前記２つの単三電池の前記収容空間への収容は、前記各スペーサ部材４が（Ａ）に示す起立位置にある状態で前記２つの単三電池を各スペーサ４の両側のそれぞれに矢印Ａ方向から前記収容空間内に挿入することによってなされる。
また、前記１つの１つのＣＲ−Ｖ３リチウム電池の前記収容空間への収容は、前記各スペーサ部材４が（Ａ）に示す起立位置にある状態で前記１つのＣＲ−Ｖ３リチウム電池を矢印Ａ方向から前記収容空間内に挿入することによって前記各スペーサ部材４を押し倒して（Ｂ）に示す倒伏位置にさせることによってなされる。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、このような従来の電池格納機構においては次のような欠点がある。
１）スペーサ部材４を２つ設けなくてはならないため、部品点数および組立て工数が多く、また、占有スペースも大きいものとなり、コスト削減および小型化を図ることが難しい。
２）前記ＣＲ−Ｖ３リチウム電池を前記収容空間に挿入する際の姿勢を誤った場合、ＣＲ−Ｖ３リチウム電池に設けられている凹部が前記スペーサ部材４に引っかかってしまい、前記収容空間から取出しにくくなることも考えられ、改良の余地があった。
本発明は、このような実状に鑑みてなされたものであり、コスト削減および小型化を図る上で有利であり、電池同士の分離を確実に行なうことができ、使い勝手に優れた電池格納構造を提供することにある。
【０００４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の電池格納構造は上記目的を達成するため、幅、高さ、深さを有し前記深さ方向の端部に開口が設けられた電池収容空間を備え、前記電池収容空間は、幅および高さに対して大きな寸法の長さを有する細長形状の２つの第１の電池を、それらの幅方向を電池収容空間の幅方向に合わせ、かつ、２つの第１の電池をそれらの長さ方向を平行させた状態で前記深さ方向に沿わせて収容できるように構成され、さらに、高さよりも大きな寸法の幅を有するとともに、この幅よりも大きな寸法の長さを有する１つの第２の電池を、その幅方向を電池収容空間の幅方向に合わせ、かつ、１つの第２の電池をその長さ方向を前記深さ方向に沿わせて収容できるように構成された電池格納構造であって、前記電池収容空間を構成する収容壁は、前記電池収容空間の高さ方向の両側に位置する２つの正面壁を備え、２つの正面壁のうちの１つの正面壁の幅方向の中央から幅方向の一方の側に変位した箇所で前記深さ方向に沿って延在する軸心の回りに揺動可能な仕切り板が設けられ、前記仕切り板は前記深さ方向に延在する長さを有し、前記仕切り板の前記開口寄りの部分は、前記開口から離れるに従い前記１つの正面壁からの高さが次第に大きくなる傾斜部として形成され、前記仕切り板を、前記一方の側に変位した正面壁箇所から幅方向の中央に向けて傾斜しつつ起立した状態の中立位置とする中立位置形成手段が設けられ、前記仕切り板の中立位置で、電池収容空間に２つの第１の電池を収容するとこれら２つの第１の電池の外周面間に仕切り板が介在する起立状態となり、かつ、前記仕切り板の中立位置で、前記電池収容空間に１つの第２の電池を収容するとこの収容された第２の電池の外面により前記１つの正面壁側に倒される倒伏状態となるように構成されていることを特徴とする。
【０００５】
そのため、本発明によれば、前記仕切り板が中立位置にある状態で、前記第１の電池を、前記開口から仕切り板の両側で電池収容空間に挿入することにより、前記電池収容空間に２つの第１の電池がそれらの長さ方向を平行させた状態で、かつ、長さ方向を深さ方向に沿わせた状態で収容される。２つの第１の電池が電池収容空間に収容された状態では、前記仕切り板は前記起立状態となり、前記２つの第１の電池の外周面間に前記仕切り板が介在することによりこれら２つの第１の電池の外周面間が分離される。
また、前記仕切り板が前記中立位置にある状態で、前記１つの第２の電池を前記開口から前記長さ方向を前記電池収容空間の深さ方向に沿わせて該電池収容空間に挿入することにより、前記仕切り板が第２の電池により倒されて退避位置となり、前記電池収容空間に１つの第２の電池がその長さ方向を深さ方向に沿わせた状態で収容される。
【０００６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明による電池格納構造の実施の形態を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。
まず、本実施の形態の電池格納構造で収容される電池について説明する。
本実施の形態の電池格納構造に収容される電池は、２つの第１の電池と、１つの第２の電池の２種類である。
図７に示すように、前記第１の電池１０は、幅および高さに対して大きな寸法の長さを有する細長形状の電池であり、本実施の形態では円柱状の外形を有し、長さ方向の両端のそれぞれにプラス電極１００２、マイナス電極１００４が設けられた単三電池である。
図８（Ａ）、（Ｂ）に示すように、前記第２の電池２０は、高さＨ１よりも大きな寸法の幅Ｗ１を有するとともに、この幅Ｗ１よりも大きな寸法の長さＬ１を有する電池であり、本実施の形態ではＣＲ−Ｖ３リチウム電池である。
（Ａ）に示すように、第２の電池２０の前部２００１にはプラス電極２００２、マイナス電極２００４が前記幅方向に間隔をおいて外方に臨んで設けられている。
また、（Ｂ）に示すように、第２の電池２０の下部には、前記高さ方向に凹状をなす凹部２００６が前部から長さＬ１の中間位置まで延在形成されている。
なお、第１の電池１０と第２の電池２０は、一次電池であるかあるいは二次電池であるかを問わない。
【０００７】
図１は本実施の形態の電池格納構造の構成を示す斜視図、図２は本実施の形態の電池格納構造の平面図である。
実施の形態に係る電池格納構造３０は、電池収容空間３６、収容壁３４、仕切り板３８、中立位置形成手段４０などで構成されている。
前記電池収容空間３６は、開口３２を有し収容壁３４によって幅Ｗ、高さＨ、深さＤを有して形成されている。前記開口３２は電池収容空間３６の深さＤ方向の端部に設けられている。
前記収容壁３４は、高さ方向の両側に位置し幅および長さを有し互いに対向する第１、第２正面壁３４０２、３４０４と、幅方向の両側に位置し高さおよび長さを有し互いに対向する両側の側面壁３４０６、３４０８と、前記開口３２に対向しこれら第１、第２正面壁３４０２、３４０４、側面壁３４０６、３４０８の端部を接続する底壁３４１０とで構成されている。
【０００８】
具体的には、前記収容壁３４は、互いに分割可能な第１部材３４Ａと第２部材３４Ｂとで構成されている。
第１部材３４Ａは、前記第１正面壁３４０２と、前記両側の側面壁３４０６、３４０８と、前記底壁３４１０とで構成されている。
前記第２部材３４Ｂは、前記第２正面壁３４０４を含んで構成されている。
そして、第２正面壁３４０４の幅方向の一方の端部の係止孔３４０４Ａに前記側面壁３４０８の爪部３４０８Ａが係合され、第２正面壁３４０４の幅方向の端部の取付片３４０４Ｂが前記側面壁のボス部３４０６Ａにねじにより取着されることで第１部材と第２部材は組付けられている。
【０００９】
図５（Ａ）に示すように、前記底壁３４１０には、前記第１の電池１０のプラス電極１００２および第２の電池２０のプラス電極２００２に接触する接点３４１０Ａと、前記第１の電池１０のマイナス電極１００４および第２の電池２０のマイナス電極２００４に接触して電気的に導通する接点３４１０Ｂが前記電池収容空間３６に臨んで設けられている。
また、前記開口３２を開閉する不図示の蓋部には、前記２つの第１の電池１０のプラス電極１００２およびマイナス電極１００４に接触する接点が前記電池収容空間３６に臨んで設けられている。
【００１０】
前記電池収容空間３６は、２つの第１の電池１０を、それらの幅方向を電池収容空間３６の幅方向に合わせ、かつ、２つの第１の電池１０をそれらの長さ方向を平行させた状態で開口３２から前記深さ方向に沿わせて収容できるように構成されている。
また、前記電池収容空間３６は、１つの第２の電池２０を、その幅方向を前記電池収容空間３６の幅方向に合わせ、かつ、１つの第２の電池２０をその長さ方向を前記深さ方向に沿わせて開口３２から収容できるように構成されている。
前記第１正面壁３４０２の上面には、幅方向の中間で長さ方向の中間から後端にわたって電池収容空間の内部に突出する凸部３４１４が延在形成されている。この凸部３４１４は、前記第２の電池２０の電池収容空間３６への誤挿入を防止するためのものである。
すなわち、前記第２の電池２０を、その上部を第２正面壁３４０４に向け、かつ、前記前部２００１を前記底壁３４１０に向けた状態で前記開口３２から電池収容空間３６に挿入した場合には、前記凸部３４１４が第２の電池２０の凹部２００６の部分に位置することで前記第２の電池２０の挿入が許容され、前記第２の電池２０の姿勢が前記と異なる場合には、前記凸部３４１４が前記第２の電池２０の部分に当接して、第２の電池２０の電池収容空間３６への挿入ができないように構成されている。
【００１１】
図６は収容壁３４の第２正面壁３４０４および仕切り板３８を下方から見た状態を示す斜視図である。
前記第２正面壁３４０４には、前記仕切り板３８を収容する欠部３４１２が第２正面壁３４０４の幅方向のほぼ中間で長さ方向の前方寄りの箇所から後方寄りの箇所にわたって延在形成されている。
前記仕切り板３８は、前記欠部３４１２に配設され、前記仕切り板３８は前記第２正面壁３４０４の幅方向の中央から幅方向の一方の側に変位した箇所で前記深さ方向に沿って延在する軸心の回りに揺動可能に設けられている。
前記仕切り板３８は前記深さ方向に延在する長さを有し、長さ方向の両端に設けられた支軸３４１６がそれぞれ第１正面壁３４０４の軸受部３４１８に挿通されることで前記軸心の回りに揺動可能に支持されている。
また、前記仕切り板３８は、前記第１正面壁３４０４から起立した状態で前記電池収容空間３６の高さのほぼ１／２程度に至る高さを有し、図４に示すように、前記仕切り板３８の前記開口３２寄りの部分は、前記開口３２から離れるに従い第１正面壁３４０２からの高さが次第に大きくなる傾斜部３８０２として形成され、また、該傾斜部３８０２よりも後方の部分は一律の高さで形成されている。
また、前記仕切り板３８の高さ方向の先部寄りに位置する部分は、前記電池電池収容空間３６の前記幅方向の一方の側に収容される第１の電池の外周面に合致する円筒面で形成されている。
【００１２】
前記中立位置形成手段４０は、前記仕切り板３８を、前記第２正面壁３４０４の幅方向の一方の側に変位した箇所から幅方向の中央に向けて傾斜しつつ起立した状態の中立位置とするもので、本実施の形態では、ねじりスプリング４００２（特許請求の範囲の付勢手段に相当）と突起４００４（特許請求の範囲のストッパに相当）とにより形成されている。
前記ねじりスプリング４００２は、そのコイル部に、前記軸心に沿って延在する前記仕切り板３８部分に設けられたボス部３４２０が挿通され、その一端の直線部が第２の正面壁３４０４に取着され、他端の直線部が仕切り板３８に係止されている。
前記突起４００４は、前記軸心に沿って延在する前記仕切り板３８部分あるいは前記ボス部３４２０に設けられ、図５（Ａ）に示すように、前記仕切り板３８が前記中立位置となったときに前記第２正面壁３４０４の欠部３４１２の縁部に当接し、これにより前記仕切り板３８の前記中立位置を越える方向への揺動を規制するストッパとして機能している。なお、前記突起４００４は、図５（Ｃ）に示す倒伏状態では、前記電池収容空間３６から開口３４０２内に退避するように構成されている。
【００１３】
前記仕切り板３８が中立位置に位置した状態で、図５（Ａ）に示すように、仕切り板と一方の側面３４０６により１つの第１の電池１０が収容されるスペースが画成され、また、仕切り板３８と側面壁３４０８により１つの第１の電池１０が収容されるスペースが画成される。
そして、前記仕切り板３８が前記中立位置に位置した状態で、２つの第１の電池１０を、それらの幅方向を電池収容空間３６の幅方向に合わせ前記開口３２から前記長さ方向を該電池収容空間３６の深さ方向に沿わせ仕切り板３８の両側に挿入し電池収容空間３６に収容すると、図５（Ｂ）に示すように、前記仕切り板３８が前記２つの第１の電池１０の外周面間に介在する起立状態となるように構成されている。
また、前記仕切り板３８が前記中立位置に位置した状態で、前記第２の電池２０を、その幅方向を前記電池収容空間３６の幅方向に合わせ、かつ、前記長さ方向を前記電池収容空間３６の深さ方向に沿わせ、上部を第２正面壁３４０４に向けて前記前部２００１を開口３２から電池収容空間３６に挿入すると、前記第２の電池２０の前部２００１（外面）が前記仕切り板３８の傾斜部３８０２に当接し、これにより図３、図４、図５（Ｃ）に示すように、仕切り板３８は第２正面壁３４０４に向け揺動されて倒伏状態となり、前記電池収容空間３６の外部で前記欠部３４１２内に退避した退避位置となるように構成されている。
【００１４】
なお、第１部材、第２部材、前記仕切り板３６は、例えば合成樹脂を型成形することで得られる。また、前記支軸３４１６は、仕切り板３６と一体に合成樹脂により型成形してもよく、あるいは、鋼製のピンで構成してもよい。
【００１５】
次に、上述のように構成された前記電池格納構造３０の作用について説明する。
前記電池収容空間３６に何も収容されていない状態では、図１、図２、図５（Ａ）に示すように、前記仕切り板３８が前記中立位置形成手段により前記中立位置とされている。
前記第１の電池１０を電池格納構造３０に収容する際には、図５（Ａ）に示すように、前記仕切り板３８が中立位置にある状態で、前記第１の電池１０を、前記開口３２から仕切り板の両側で電池収容空間３６に挿入し、前記第１の電池１０のプラス電極１００２、マイナス電極１００４のそれぞれが前記底壁３４１０の接点３４１０Ａ、３４１０Ｂにそれぞれ接触するまで押し入れる。これにより、前記電池収容空間３６に２つの第１の電池１０がそれらの長さ方向を平行させた状態で、かつ、長さ方向を深さ方向に沿わせた状態で収容される。
そして、２つの第１の電池１０が電池収容空間３６に収容された状態では、図５（Ｂ）に示すように、前記仕切り板３８は前記起立状態となり、前記２つの第１の電池１０の外周面間に前記仕切り板３８が介在することによりこれら２つの第１の電池１０の外周面間が分離される。ここで、前記起立状態にある前記仕切り板３６は、前記電池収容空間３６の高さのほぼ１／２程度の高さを有しているので、２つの第１の電池１０の外周面間に確実に位置することになり、前記２つの第１の電池１０の外周面間の分離がより確実となる。
この状態で、前記開口３２を前記蓋部によって閉塞することにより、２つの第１の電池１０が前記電池収容空間３６に収容された状態が保持される。
【００１６】
前記第２の電池２０を電池格納構造３０に収容する際には、図５（Ａ）に示すように、前記仕切り板３８が前記中立位置にある状態で、前記１つの第２の電池２０を前記開口３２から前記長さ方向を前記電池収容空間３６の深さ方向に沿わせて該電池収容空間３６に挿入し、前記第２の電池２０のプラス電極２００２、マイナス電極２００４のそれぞれが前記接点３４１０Ａ、３４１０Ｂにそれぞれ接触するまで押し入れる。これにより、図３、図４、図５（Ｃ）に示すように、前記仕切り板３８が第２の電池２０により倒されて退避位置となり、前記電池収容空間３６に１つの第２の電池２０がその長さ方向を深さ方向に沿わせた状態で収容される。
前記第２の電池２０によって前記仕切り板３８が倒されるが、前記仕切り板３８の中立位置では、仕切り板３８は正面壁箇所から幅方向の中央に向けて傾斜しつつ起立しており、しかも、仕切り板３８の開口寄り部分に傾斜部３８０２が形成されているので、仕切り板３８の中立位置から退避位置への揺動は円滑になされる。
この状態で、前記開口３２を前記蓋部によって閉塞することにより、第２の電池２０が前記電池収容空間３６に収容された状態が保持される。
【００１７】
以上説明したように、本実施の形態によれば、前記仕切り板３８が前記中立位置に位置した状態で、電池収容空間３６に２つの第１の電池１０を収容するとこれら２つの第１の電池１０の間に仕切り板３８が介在する起立状態となり、かつ、前記仕切り板３８が前記中立位置にある状態で、前記電池収容空間３６に１つの第２の電池２０を収容するとこの収容された第２の電池２０の外面により倒される退避位置となるように構成されている。
したがって、２つの第１の電池１０が収容されるとともに、１つの第２の電池が収容されることは無論のこと、２つの第１の電池２が収容された状態で、１つの仕切り板３８によって２つの第１の電池１０を分離することができるので、従来よりも部品点数が少なく、コスト削減および小型化を図る上で有利である。
【００１８】
また、前記仕切り板３８は、前記電池収容空間３６の前記深さ方向に沿って、すなわち、２つの第１の電池１０の長さ方向に沿って延在して２つの第１の電池１０の外周面間に介在するため、電池同士の分離を確実に行なうことができる。特に、前記第１の電池１０を１つずつ順番に前記電池収容空間３６に挿入する際、１つの第１の電池１０が収容された状態で、もう一つの第１の電池１０を挿入する際、このもう一つの第１の電池１０の部分が既に収容されている第１の電池１０の部分に誤って接触することも前記仕切り板３８によって防止される。
また、前記仕切り板３８の高さ方向の先部寄りに位置する部分が、前記第１の電池１０の外周面に合致する円筒面で形成されているので、前記起立状態にある仕切り板３８は電池収容空間３６に収容された第１の電池１０の外周面に沿って位置することになり、前記仕切り板３８と第１の電池１０の外周面との間に無駄な隙間が生じないため、電池格納構造３０を小型化する上で有利となる。
【００１９】
また、前記第２の電池２０を前記電池収容空間３６に誤挿入した場合、すなわち、前記第２の電池２０の凹部２００６が前記第１正面壁３４０２の凸部３４１４に臨まないような姿勢で該第２の電池２０を電池収容空間３６に挿入した場合には、前記凸部３４０２が第２の電池２０の部分に当接してそれ以上の挿入ができないので第２の電池２０が誤った姿勢で装填されることを防止することができる。
このように前記第２の電池２０の電池収容空間３６への誤装填が確実に防止されるので、従来と違って、第２の電池２０の凹部２００６が仕切り板３８の部分にひっかかり第２の電池２０を電池収容空間３６から取出しにくくなるといったことを未然に防ぐことができ、使い勝手を向上させる上で有利となる。
【００２０】
なお、前記中立位置形成手段４０は、本実施の形態に限定されず、例えば、ねじりスプリングのみによって構成することができる。すなわち、ねじりスプリングの一方の端部を前記仕切り板３８に取着し、ねじりスプリングの他方の端部を前記収容壁３４に取着し、前記中立位置を、前記ねじりスプリングの自然長状態により形成するように構成してもよい。この場合には、前記仕切り板３８の中立位置を越える方向への揺動を規制するストッパが不要となるため、部品点数や加工を減らすことができ、コストを低減する上で有利となる。
【００２１】
また、本実施の形態では、２つの単三電池と、１つのＣＲ−Ｖ３リチウム電池とのいずれも収納できる電池格納構造について説明したが、本発明はこれに限定されるものではなく、様々な大きさの乾電池や一次電池、二次電池（リチャージブル・バッテリー）に応用可能であることは言うまでもない。
また、本発明の電池格納構造は、２つの第１の電池でなく、３つ以上のＮ個の第１の電池を収容できるように構成してもよい。この場合には、前記仕切り板を（Ｎ−１）個設け、これら第１の電池を電池収容空間に収容した状態で前記仕切り板のそれぞれを互いに隣接する第１の電池の間のそれぞれの間に介在させる起立状態が形成できるように構成すればよい。
このように３つ以上のＮ個の第１の電池を収容する場合には、互いに隣接して収容される２つの第１の電池毎に前記電池収容空間が存在していると考えることで本発明は適用されるものである。例えば、３つの第１の電池を収容する場合には２つの仕切り板が設けられるが、この２つの仕切り板の前記起立状態は、電池収容空間の深さ方向から見て、ハの字をなすように傾斜して起立する状態、あるいは、逆ハの字をなすように傾斜して起立する状態、あるいは、互いに平行を保ちつつ傾斜して起立する状態となる。
また、この電池格納構造は、電子スチルカメラなどの電子機器に用いられて好適なものであるが、このような電子機器に限らず、ライトやシェーバーなどの家庭用電気機器などにも好適に使えるものであることは勿論である。
【００２２】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように本発明によれば、コスト削減および小型化を図る上で有利であり、電池同士の分離を確実に行なうことができ、使い勝手に優れた電池格納構造を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本実施の形態の電池格納構造において仕切り板が中立位置にある状態を示す斜視図である。
【図２】本実施の電池格納構造において仕切り板が中立位置にある状態を示す平面図である。
【図３】本実施の形態の電池格納構造において仕切り板が退避位置にある状態を示す斜視図である。
【図４】本実施の電池格納構造において仕切り板が退避位置にある状態を示す平面図である。
【図５】（Ａ）は本実施の形態の電池格納構造において仕切り板が中立位置にある状態を示す説明図、（Ｂ）は電池収容空間に第１の電池が収容された状態を示す説明図、（Ｃ）は電池収容空間に第２の電池が収容された状態を示す説明図である。
【図６】収容壁の第２正面壁および仕切り板を下方から見た状態を示す斜視図である。
【図７】第１の電池の斜視図である。
【図８】（Ａ）第２の電池を上方から見た斜視図、（Ｂ）第２の電池を下方から見た斜視図である。
【図９】
（Ａ）は従来の電池収容構造においてスペーサ部材が起立位置にある状態を示す説明図、（Ｂ）は従来の電池収容構造においてスペーサ部材が倒伏位置にある状態を示す説明図である。
【符号の説明】
１０……第１の電池、２０……第２の電池、３０……電池格納構造、３２……開口、３４……収容壁、３４０２……第１正面壁、３４０４……第２正面壁、３４０６、３４０８……側面壁、３４１０……底壁、３６……電池収容空間、３８……仕切り板、４０……中立位置形成手段。[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a battery storage structure for storing two types of batteries having different shapes.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a battery storage structure configured to be able to accommodate two AA batteries with their length directions parallel and to accommodate one CR-V3 lithium battery.
As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the battery storage structure is configured to include a storage wall 2 that forms a storage space for storing the battery, and the storage wall 2 includes two unit cells. In order to accommodate the three batteries in the accommodation space in a separated state, a spacer member 4 is provided so as to be located between the two AA batteries to be accommodated. Two are provided at intervals in the direction.
Each of the spacer members 4 is provided so as to be capable of swinging about an axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the length direction, and has a standing position shown in FIG. , Are urged to be in the upright position.
Therefore, when the two AA batteries are accommodated in the accommodation space, the two AA batteries are placed in the upright position shown in FIG. This is performed by inserting the housing space from the direction A.
Further, the one CR-V3 lithium battery is accommodated in the accommodation space when the one CR-V3 lithium battery is placed in the upright position shown in FIG. The spacer member 4 is pushed down by inserting the spacer member 4 into the accommodation space from below to bring the spacer member 4 to the falling position shown in FIG.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, such a conventional battery storage mechanism has the following disadvantages.
1) Since two spacer members 4 must be provided, the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are large, the occupied space is large, and it is difficult to reduce the cost and reduce the size.
2) If the CR-V3 lithium battery is inserted in the accommodation space in an incorrect posture, the recess provided in the CR-V3 lithium battery is caught by the spacer member 4 and is difficult to remove from the accommodation space. It was possible, and there was room for improvement.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is advantageous in reducing costs and miniaturization, and can reliably separate batteries from each other, and provides a user-friendly battery storage structure. To provide.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the battery housing structure of the present invention includes a battery housing space having a width, a height, and a depth and having an opening at an end in the depth direction, wherein the battery housing space has a width. And two elongated first batteries having a large dimension with respect to the height, the width direction of the first batteries being aligned with the width direction of the battery accommodating space, and the two first batteries being connected to their length. Is configured so as to be accommodated along the depth direction in a state where the height direction is parallel, and further, has one width having a dimension larger than the height and one length having a length larger than this width. The battery storage structure is configured such that the width direction of the second battery can be accommodated in the width direction of the battery accommodating space, and the length of the second battery can be accommodated along the depth direction. Wherein the housing wall forming the battery housing space is Two front walls located on both sides in the height direction of the accommodation space, the depth direction at a position displaced from the center in the width direction of one of the two front walls to one side in the width direction. A partition plate that can swing around an axis extending along is provided, the partition plate has a length extending in the depth direction, and the portion of the partition plate near the opening is As the distance from the opening increases, the height from the one front wall gradually increases, and the partition plate is inclined toward the center in the width direction from the front wall portion displaced to the one side. Neutral position forming means for setting a neutral position in an upright state is provided, and when two first batteries are accommodated in the battery accommodating space at the neutral position of the partition plate, a partition is formed between the outer peripheral surfaces of the two first batteries. It becomes an upright state with a plate interposed, and When one of the second batteries is accommodated in the battery accommodating space at the neutral position of the cutting plate, the outer surface of the accommodated second battery is configured to fall down to the one front wall side so as to fall down. It is characterized by having.
[0005]
Therefore, according to the present invention, in a state where the partition plate is in the neutral position, the first battery is inserted into the battery storage space on both sides of the partition plate from the opening, whereby two battery storage spaces are provided. The first batteries are accommodated in a state where their length directions are parallel and the length direction is along the depth direction. In a state where the two first batteries are housed in the battery housing space, the partition plate is in the upright state, and the two first batteries are interposed between the outer peripheral surfaces of the two first batteries so that these two first batteries are interposed. The outer periphery of the battery 1 is separated.
In addition, in a state where the partition plate is in the neutral position, the one second battery is inserted into the battery housing space so that the length direction extends along the depth direction of the battery housing space from the opening. Thereby, the partition plate is tilted down by the second battery to be in the retracted position, and one second battery is accommodated in the battery accommodating space in a state where the length direction thereof extends along the depth direction.
[0006]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of a battery storage structure according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
First, a battery housed in the battery storage structure of the present embodiment will be described.
The batteries accommodated in the battery storage structure of the present embodiment are two types, two first batteries and one second battery.
As shown in FIG. 7, the first battery 10 is an elongated battery having a length that is large with respect to the width and the height. In the present embodiment, the first battery 10 has a cylindrical outer shape, and has a long shape. This is an AA battery provided with a plus electrode 1002 and a minus electrode 1004 at both ends in the vertical direction.
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the second battery 20 has a width W1 larger than the height H1 and a length L1 larger than the width W1. In this embodiment, the battery is a CR-V3 lithium battery.
As shown in (A), a positive electrode 2002 and a negative electrode 2004 are provided at the front part 2001 of the second battery 20 so as to face outward with an interval in the width direction.
Further, as shown in (B), a concave portion 2006 having a concave shape in the height direction is formed at a lower portion of the second battery 20 so as to extend from a front portion to an intermediate position of a length L1.
It should be noted that the first battery 10 and the second battery 20 do not matter whether they are primary batteries or secondary batteries.
[0007]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the battery storage structure of the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the battery storage structure of the present embodiment.
The battery housing structure 30 according to the embodiment includes a battery housing space 36, a housing wall 34, a partition plate 38, a neutral position forming means 40, and the like.
The battery housing space 36 has an opening 32 and is formed by a housing wall 34 to have a width W, a height H, and a depth D. The opening 32 is provided at an end of the battery housing space 36 in the depth D direction.
The housing wall 34 has first and second front walls 3402 and 3404 which are located on both sides in the height direction and have a width and a length, and are opposed to each other, and have a height and a length located on both sides in the width direction. And side walls 3406 and 3408 on both sides facing each other, and a bottom wall 3410 facing the opening 32 and connecting the ends of the first and second front walls 3402 and 3404 and the side walls 3406 and 3408. I have.
[0008]
Specifically, the housing wall 34 is composed of a first member 34A and a second member 34B that can be divided from each other.
The first member 34A includes the first front wall 3402, the side walls 3406 and 3408 on both sides, and the bottom wall 3410.
The second member 34B includes the second front wall 3404.
Then, the claw portion 3408A of the side wall 3408 is engaged with the locking hole 3404A at one end in the width direction of the second front wall 3404, and the mounting piece 3404B at the end of the second front wall 3404 in the width direction is engaged. The first member and the second member are assembled by being screwed to the boss 3406A of the side wall.
[0009]
As shown in FIG. 5A, the bottom wall 3410 has a contact 3410A that contacts the positive electrode 1002 of the first battery 10 and the positive electrode 2002 of the second battery 20; A contact 3410B that is in contact with the negative electrode 1004 of the second battery 20 and the negative electrode 2004 of the second battery 20 to be electrically connected is provided facing the battery housing space 36.
In addition, on a lid (not shown) that opens and closes the opening 32, contacts for contacting the plus electrode 1002 and the minus electrode 1004 of the two first batteries 10 are provided facing the battery housing space 36.
[0010]
In the battery housing space 36, the two first batteries 10 have their width directions aligned with the width direction of the battery housing space 36, and the two first batteries 10 have their length directions parallel. In this state, it is configured to be accommodated along the depth direction from the opening 32.
In the battery housing space 36, the width direction of one second battery 20 is adjusted to the width direction of the battery housing space 36, and the length direction of one second battery 20 is set to the depth. It is configured so that it can be accommodated from the opening 32 along the direction of the arrow.
On the upper surface of the first front wall 3402, a convex portion 3414 is formed extending from the middle in the width direction to the rear end from the middle in the length direction to the rear end. The protrusion 3414 is for preventing the second battery 20 from being erroneously inserted into the battery housing space 36.
That is, when the second battery 20 is inserted into the battery housing space 36 from the opening 32 with the upper portion thereof facing the second front wall 3404 and the front portion 2001 facing the bottom wall 3410. When the convex portion 3414 is located in the concave portion 2006 of the second battery 20, insertion of the second battery 20 is allowed, and when the posture of the second battery 20 is different from the above, The protruding portion 3414 is configured so as to abut on the portion of the second battery 20 so that the second battery 20 cannot be inserted into the battery housing space 36.
[0011]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state where the second front wall 3404 of the storage wall 34 and the partition plate 38 are viewed from below.
In the second front wall 3404, a cutout 3412 for accommodating the partition plate 38 is formed so as to extend from a portion closer to the front in the length direction to a portion closer to the rear in the middle of the width of the second front wall 3404 in the width direction. ing.
The partition plate 38 is disposed in the notch 3412, and the partition plate 38 is displaced from the center in the width direction of the second front wall 3404 to one side in the width direction along the depth direction. It is provided so as to be swingable around an extending axis.
The partition plate 38 has a length extending in the depth direction, and the support shafts 3416 provided at both ends in the length direction are inserted into bearings 3418 of the first front wall 3404, respectively. It is swingably supported around the heart.
Further, the partition plate 38 has a height that is approximately half of the height of the battery housing space 36 in a state of standing from the first front wall 3404, and as shown in FIG. The portion of the plate 38 near the opening 32 is formed as an inclined portion 3802 whose height from the first front wall 3402 gradually increases as the distance from the opening 32 increases, and the portion behind the inclined portion 3802 is uniform. It is formed at the height of.
The portion of the partition plate 38 located near the front end in the height direction has a cylindrical surface that matches the outer peripheral surface of the first battery housed on one side in the width direction of the battery battery housing space 36. It is formed with.
[0012]
The neutral position forming means 40 sets the partition plate 38 to a neutral position in which the partition plate 38 stands up from a position displaced to one side in the width direction of the second front wall 3404 toward the center in the width direction. In the present embodiment, the torsion spring 4002 (corresponding to the urging means in the claims) and the projection 4004 (corresponding to the stopper in the claims) are formed.
The torsion spring 4002 has a coil portion into which a boss 3420 provided on the partition plate 38 extending along the axis is inserted, and a straight portion at one end thereof is connected to the second front wall 3404. The linear portion at the other end is locked to the partition plate 38.
The protrusion 4004 is provided on the partition plate 38 or the boss 3420 extending along the axis, and when the partition plate 38 is in the neutral position as shown in FIG. Abuts against the edge of the notch 3412 of the second front wall 3404, thereby functioning as a stopper for restricting swinging of the partition plate 38 in a direction beyond the neutral position. Note that the projection 4004 is configured to retreat from the battery housing space 36 into the opening 3402 in the falling state shown in FIG. 5C.
[0013]
In a state where the partition plate 38 is located at the neutral position, as shown in FIG. 5A, a space for accommodating one first battery 10 is defined by the partition plate and one side surface 3406, The partition plate 38 and the side wall 3408 define a space for accommodating one first battery 10.
Then, in a state where the partition plate 38 is located at the neutral position, the two first batteries 10 are aligned with the width direction of the battery housing space 36 in the width direction of the battery housing space 36 and the length direction of the two When inserted in both sides of the partition plate 38 along the depth direction of the storage space 36 and stored in the battery storage space 36, as shown in FIG. 5B, the partition plate 38 is attached to the two first batteries 10. It is configured to be in a standing state interposed between the outer peripheral surfaces.
In a state where the partition plate 38 is located at the neutral position, the width direction of the second battery 20 is adjusted to the width direction of the battery housing space 36, and the length direction is aligned with the battery housing space 36. When the front part 2001 is inserted into the battery housing space 36 from the opening 32 with the upper part facing the second front wall 3404 along the depth direction of the second battery 36, the front part 2001 (outer surface) of the second battery 20 The partition plate 38 comes into contact with the inclined portion 3802 of the partition plate 38, whereby the partition plate 38 is swung toward the second front wall 3404 to fall down as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 (C). It is configured such that it is located at a retracted position retracted into the notch 3412 outside the accommodation space 36.
[0014]
The first member, the second member, and the partition plate 36 are obtained by, for example, molding a synthetic resin. Further, the support shaft 3416 may be molded with synthetic resin integrally with the partition plate 36, or may be formed of a steel pin.
[0015]
Next, the operation of the battery storage structure 30 configured as described above will be described.
In a state where nothing is stored in the battery storage space 36, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5A, the partition plate 38 is set to the neutral position by the neutral position forming means.
When the first battery 10 is accommodated in the battery storage structure 30, as shown in FIG. 5A, the first battery 10 is opened with the partition plate 38 in the neutral position. From 32, the partition plate is inserted into the battery housing space 36 on both sides thereof, and is pushed in until the positive electrode 1002 and the negative electrode 1004 of the first battery 10 contact the contacts 3410A and 3410B of the bottom wall 3410, respectively. Thus, the two first batteries 10 are accommodated in the battery accommodation space 36 in a state where their length directions are parallel and the length direction is along the depth direction.
Then, in a state where the two first batteries 10 are housed in the battery housing space 36, as shown in FIG. 5B, the partition plate 38 is in the upright state, and the two first batteries 10 With the partition plate 38 interposed between the outer peripheral surfaces, the outer peripheral surfaces of these two first batteries 10 are separated. Here, since the partition plate 36 in the upright state has a height of about の of the height of the battery housing space 36, the partition plate 36 is located between the outer peripheral surfaces of the two first batteries 10. As a result, the separation between the outer peripheral surfaces of the two first batteries 10 becomes more reliable.
In this state, by closing the opening 32 with the lid, the state where the two first batteries 10 are accommodated in the battery accommodation space 36 is maintained.
[0016]
When the second battery 20 is housed in the battery storage structure 30, as shown in FIG. 5A, the one second battery 20 is held in the state where the partition plate 38 is in the neutral position. The length direction is inserted from the opening 32 into the battery housing space 36 along the depth direction of the battery housing space 36, and each of the positive electrode 2002 and the negative electrode 2004 of the second battery 20 is connected to the contact point. Push in until it contacts 3410A and 3410B respectively. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5C, the partition plate 38 is tilted down by the second battery 20 to the retracted position, and one second battery 20 is stored in the battery housing space 36. Are accommodated in a state where the length direction thereof is along the depth direction.
The partition plate 38 is tilted down by the second battery 20, but in a neutral position of the partition plate 38, the partition plate 38 is erected while being inclined from the front wall portion toward the center in the width direction. Since the inclined portion 3802 is formed at a portion near the opening of the partition plate 38, the swing of the partition plate 38 from the neutral position to the retracted position is performed smoothly.
In this state, by closing the opening 32 with the lid, the state in which the second battery 20 is housed in the battery housing space 36 is maintained.
[0017]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the two first batteries 10 are accommodated in the battery accommodation space 36 in a state where the partition plate 38 is located at the neutral position, these two first batteries 10 When one second battery 20 is accommodated in the battery accommodating space 36 in a state in which the partition plate 38 is in the upright state in which the partition plate 38 is interposed between the second battery 10 and the partition plate 38 is in the neutral position, The second battery 20 is configured to be in a retracted position where the battery 20 is retracted by the outer surface.
Therefore, it is a matter of course that two first batteries 10 are accommodated and one second battery is accommodated, and one partition plate 38 is accommodated in a state where the two first batteries 2 are accommodated. Thus, the two first batteries 10 can be separated from each other, so that the number of parts is smaller than in the conventional case, which is advantageous for cost reduction and size reduction.
[0018]
In addition, the partition plate 38 extends along the depth direction of the battery housing space 36, that is, extends along the length direction of the two first batteries 10. Since the battery is interposed between the outer peripheral surfaces, the batteries can be reliably separated from each other. In particular, when inserting the first batteries 10 one by one into the battery accommodating space 36 one by one while inserting another first battery 10 in a state where one first battery 10 is accommodated. The partition plate 38 also prevents the other part of the first battery 10 from accidentally contacting the part of the first battery 10 already housed.
In addition, since the portion of the partition plate 38 located near the front end in the height direction is formed of a cylindrical surface that matches the outer peripheral surface of the first battery 10, the partition plate 38 in the upright state is Since it is located along the outer peripheral surface of the first battery 10 accommodated in the battery accommodating space 36, there is no useless gap between the partition plate 38 and the outer peripheral surface of the first battery 10, This is advantageous in reducing the size of the battery storage structure 30.
[0019]
Further, when the second battery 20 is erroneously inserted into the battery housing space 36, that is, in a posture such that the concave portion 2006 of the second battery 20 does not face the convex portion 3414 of the first front wall 3402. When the second battery 20 is inserted into the battery accommodating space 36, the protrusion 3402 abuts on the portion of the second battery 20 and cannot be inserted any more. Loading can be prevented.
As described above, since the erroneous loading of the second battery 20 into the battery housing space 36 is reliably prevented, the concave portion 2006 of the second battery 20 is caught by the partition plate 38 and the second battery 20 is different from the related art. It is possible to prevent the battery 20 from being difficult to remove from the battery housing space 36, which is advantageous in improving usability.
[0020]
Note that the neutral position forming means 40 is not limited to the present embodiment, and may be constituted only by a torsion spring, for example. That is, one end of the torsion spring is attached to the partition plate 38, the other end of the torsion spring is attached to the housing wall 34, and the neutral position is formed by the natural length of the torsion spring. May be configured. In this case, since there is no need to provide a stopper for restricting the swing of the partition plate 38 beyond the neutral position, the number of parts and processing can be reduced, which is advantageous in reducing costs.
[0021]
Further, in the present embodiment, a battery storage structure capable of storing both two AA batteries and one CR-V3 lithium battery has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various structures may be used. Needless to say, it can be applied to a dry battery, a primary battery, and a secondary battery (rechargeable battery) having a large size.
Further, the battery storage structure of the present invention may be configured to accommodate not less than two first batteries but three or more N first batteries. In this case, the (N-1) number of the partition plates are provided, and each of the partition plates is placed between the adjacent first batteries in a state where the first batteries are stored in the battery storage space. What is necessary is just to comprise so that the erect state interposed in this may be formed.
When three or more N first batteries are accommodated in this manner, the battery accommodation space is considered to exist for every two first batteries accommodated adjacent to each other. The invention applies. For example, when three first batteries are housed, two partition plates are provided, and the upright state of the two partition plates forms a C shape when viewed from the depth direction of the battery housing space. In this state, the vehicle stands in a state of being inclined and rising, or in a state of standing in an inverted C-shape, or in a state of standing inclined while keeping parallel to each other.
Further, the battery storage structure is suitable for use in electronic devices such as an electronic still camera, but is not limited to such electronic devices and can also be suitably used for household electric devices such as lights and shavers. Of course.
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is advantageous in reducing costs and miniaturizing, and it is possible to reliably separate batteries from each other, and to provide a battery storage structure excellent in usability.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a partition plate is at a neutral position in a battery storage structure according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which a partition plate is in a neutral position in the battery storage structure according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a partition plate is in a retracted position in the battery storage structure of the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which a partition plate is in a retracted position in the battery storage structure according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5A is an explanatory view showing a state in which a partition plate is in a neutral position in the battery storage structure of the present embodiment, and FIG. 5B is an explanatory view showing a state in which a first battery is housed in a battery housing space. FIG. 7C is an explanatory view showing a state in which the second battery is housed in the battery housing space.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a second front wall of a storage wall and a partition plate are viewed from below.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first battery.
8A is a perspective view of the second battery as viewed from above, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the second battery as viewed from below.
FIG. 9
(A) is an explanatory view showing a state in which a spacer member is in an upright position in a conventional battery housing structure, and (B) is an explanatory view showing a state in which a spacer member is in a down position in a conventional battery housing structure.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference numeral 10: first battery, 20: second battery, 30: battery storage structure, 32: opening, 34: housing wall, 3402: first front wall, 3404: second front wall, 3406, 3408 ... side wall, 3410 ... bottom wall, 36 ... battery housing space, 38 ... partition plate, 40 ... neutral position forming means.

Claims

A battery accommodating space having a width, a height, and a depth and having an opening at an end in the depth direction is provided, and the battery accommodating space has an elongated shape having a length larger than the width and the height. The two first batteries having the shapes are aligned with the width direction of the battery housing space, and the two first batteries are aligned along the depth direction with their length directions parallel. In addition, one second battery having a width larger than the height and having a length larger than the width can be accommodated in the width direction of the battery housing space. A battery storage structure that is configured to be able to accommodate one second battery along its length direction along the depth direction,
The housing wall constituting the battery housing space includes two front walls located on both sides in the height direction of the battery housing space,
A partition plate that can swing about an axis extending along the depth direction at a position displaced from the center in the width direction of one of the two front walls to one side in the width direction is provided. Provided,
The partition plate has a length extending in the depth direction,
The portion of the partition plate near the opening is formed as an inclined portion whose height from the one front wall gradually increases as the distance from the opening increases,
Neutral position forming means is provided for setting the partition plate to a neutral position in a state where the partition plate is displaced to the one side and is erected toward the center in the width direction from a front wall portion displaced to the one side.
When the two first batteries are accommodated in the battery accommodating space at the neutral position of the partition plate, a partition plate is interposed between the outer peripheral surfaces of the two first batteries, and the neutral position of the partition plate is established. When one second battery is stored in the battery storage space, the battery is configured to fall down to the one front wall side by an outer surface of the stored second battery,
A battery storage structure, characterized in that:

The portion of the partition plate located near the front end in the height direction is formed of a cylindrical surface that matches the outer peripheral surface of the first battery housed on one side in the width direction of the battery housing space. The battery storage structure according to claim 1, wherein:

The neutral position forming means includes an urging means for urging the partition plate from the laid state to the neutral position, and a biasing means provided on the partition plate for abutting on the front wall and extending in a direction exceeding the neutral position of the partition plate. 2. The battery storage structure according to claim 1, further comprising a stopper for restricting swing.

The neutral position forming means is constituted by a torsion spring, one end of the torsion spring is attached to the partition plate, the other end of the torsion spring is attached to the housing wall, and the neutral position is the neutral position. 2. The battery housing structure according to claim 1, wherein the battery housing structure is formed by a natural length state of the torsion spring.

A notch is provided in the front wall, and the partition plate is configured to be in a retracted position located in the notch outside the battery housing space in a state where the partition plate is laid down. Item 2. The battery storage structure according to Item 1.

2. The battery storage structure according to claim 1, wherein the partition plate has a height that is approximately の of a height of the battery housing space when standing up from the front wall. 3.

The battery storage structure according to claim 1, wherein the first battery is an AA battery.

The battery storage structure according to claim 1, wherein the second battery is a CR-V3 lithium battery.