JP2004207137A - Portable electronic equipment and battery pack charging adapter fixed on it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low-cost excellent portable electronic equipment and a battery pack charging adapter fixed on the equipment, permitting charging a plurality of battery packs used for various kinds of portable electronic equipment at once. <P>SOLUTION: The battery pack charging adapter 2 is detachably fixed to the portable electronic equipment 1, and the equipment 1 charges at least two battery packs 3A, 3B set in the battery pack charging adapter 2 at once. The equipment 1 comprises an adapter chamber 1A detachably fixed on the battery pack charging adapter 2, a body side connection terminal 11 provided to the adapter chamber 1A and adapted to contact/conduct to an outer connection terminal of the battery pack charging adapter 2, and a connector connected to a connector 41 of an AC/DC conversion adapter 4 for connection to commercial power. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable electronic device capable of charging a plurality of battery packs used in the portable electronic device at low cost by using a charging circuit built in the portable electronic device body, and a battery pack to be mounted on the portable electronic device. Regarding charging adapter.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a battery charger, for example, the one shown in FIG. 4 is known. That is, in this battery charger, as shown in the figure, a home-use battery pack 103A that uses a AC / DC conversion adapter 102 while a battery pack 103A constituting a secondary battery is directly attached to a portable electronic device 101 is used. The battery pack 103A (hereinafter, referred to as a “built-in charging type”) is configured so that the AC plug 102A is inserted into a power outlet of the battery pack and directly connected to a commercial power source to perform charging. This is called “main battery pack”) in many cases.
That is, the battery charger of the built-in charging type generally includes a portable electronic device 101 and an AC / DC conversion adapter 102, and performs AC / DC conversion through a connector 102B connected to the portable electronic device 101. The main battery pack 103A is charged by receiving a DC input from the adapter 102 (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
On the other hand, in addition to such a built-in charging type battery charger, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a type using a dedicated charger separate from the portable electronic device (hereinafter referred to as a “dedicated charging type”) ") Is known.
That is, in this dedicated charging type battery charger, a dedicated battery pack charger 104 is used, and the battery pack 103B prepared separately from the main battery pack (hereinafter referred to as “spare battery”) is used. (Called “pack”). In this dedicated charging type battery charger, the AC / DC plug 104A of the battery pack charger 104 is directly inserted into a power outlet, and a built-in AC / DC conversion circuit (not shown) is mounted with the spare battery pack 103B mounted. In addition, the charging is performed by the battery pack alone without being attached to the portable electronic device by a charging circuit or the like (for example, see Patent Literature 2).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-327087 A (page 2, right column, upper stage [0007], FIG. 7)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-10-308803 (page 3, right column, middle section [0032], FIG. 3)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the conventional configuration, two types of battery chargers are often used selectively depending on the user's convenience or to charge a plurality of battery packs.
[0006]
However, in this case, since two battery chargers are used, a plurality of charging circuits are substantially required, and furthermore, the battery chargers can be electrically connected simultaneously (integrally). Unless otherwise, a plurality of AC / DC conversion circuits are required, which is uneconomical.
[0007]
That is, in the above-described dedicated charge type battery pack charger, when the user of the portable electronic device wants to simultaneously charge the spare battery pack separately from charging the main battery pack by the portable electronic device, In addition to the electronic device itself, a battery pack charger was separately required for a spare battery pack (having a dedicated charging circuit).
However, this battery pack charger is expensive because it has a charging circuit similar to the charging circuit provided in the built-in charging type battery pack charger, and is expensive.
[0008]
In recent years, with the multifunctionality of portable electronic devices and the like, the amount of electric power used in the portable electronic devices has also increased, and the need for high-capacity battery packs or spare batteries has increased. However, high-capacity battery packs inevitably increase the size, which impairs the design and portability of portable electronic devices. In addition, the cost is high. Ideally, it can be used as a battery pack.
[0009]
Under such circumstances, users who are inevitably forced to prepare expensive battery pack chargers and use them, but if not, users of portable electronic devices must separately charge battery packs. There is a problem that it is not only economically useless to prepare the container in a spare manner, but also an extra installation space is required.
[0010]
The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and makes it possible to simultaneously charge a plurality of battery packs including a spare battery pack at a low cost by using a charging circuit of a portable electronic device body. It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable electronic device that does not require an extra storage space for a battery pack charger and a battery pack charger adapter to be attached to the portable electronic device.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a portable electronic device of the present invention includes a battery pack charging adapter detachably mounted and a portable electronic device that simultaneously charges at least two or more battery packs set in the battery pack charging adapter. An adapter chamber for detachably mounting the battery pack charging adapter, a main body side connection terminal provided in the adapter chamber for contacting and conducting with an external connection terminal of the battery pack charging adapter, and for connecting to a commercial power supply. And a connector that connects to the connector of the AC / DC conversion adapter.
[0012]
As described above, an excellent portable electronic device that can simultaneously charge a plurality of battery packs including a spare battery pack using a charging circuit of the portable electronic device body without using an extra battery pack charger. Equipment is obtained.
[0013]
Also, the battery pack charging adapter of the present invention has at least two or more slots in which at least two or more battery packs can be mounted, and is removably mounted in the adapter room of the portable electronic device. And
An external connection terminal connected to the main body connection terminal provided in the adapter room on the portable electronic device side, and an internal connection terminal provided in each of the slots and connected to connection terminals of the plurality of battery packs. It is characterized by.
[0014]
This has the effect of making it possible to charge a plurality of battery packs including the spare battery pack using the charging circuit of the portable electronic device body.
[0015]
Further, the battery pack charging adapter of the present invention is characterized in that a battery pack mounting slot adapted to the shape of the battery pack is formed in an inclined state.
[0016]
Thus, when the battery pack is mounted on the battery pack charging adapter, the battery pack is fixed to the battery pack connection terminal, and the contact during charging is stabilized.
[0017]
Further, the battery pack charging adapter according to the present invention is characterized in that the plurality of battery pack connection terminals have a function of assigning a priority of charging by an electrical priority switching unit.
[0018]
Thus, there is an effect that charging can be completed one by one in order from the battery pack having the highest necessity in accordance with the priority order.
[0019]
Further, the battery pack charging adapter of the present invention is characterized in that the battery pack charging adapter includes an openable / closable cover for covering the slot.
[0020]
This has the effect that the battery pack charging terminal can be protected when carrying.
[0021]
Further, the battery pack charging adapter of the present invention is characterized in that it has a function of fixing the battery pack to a cover covering the slot.
[0022]
This assists the operation of fixing the battery pack only by the slot, more reliably prevents the battery pack from falling off, and has the effect of improving the stability of the electrical connection between the battery pack and the battery pack charging adapter.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0024]
FIG. 1 shows a battery pack charging adapter 2 attached to a portable electronic device main body 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Connection terminals 23 (hereinafter, referred to as “outside connection terminals”) (see FIG. 2) for making electrical connection with the battery pack 3 (see FIG. 3). And a plurality of connection terminals (hereinafter referred to as “inside connection terminals”) 24A and 24B (see FIGS. 2 and 24B for FIG. 3) for making an electrical connection with the power supply.
[0025]
The main body 1 of the portable electronic device is provided with an adapter room 1A for accommodating the battery pack charging adapter 2. The adapter room 1A includes the above-mentioned main body side connection terminal 11, a charging adapter fixing / release button 12, And charging adapter mounting holes 13A and 13B.
[0026]
On the other hand, the battery pack charging adapter 2 has a mounting structure similar to a conventional battery pack mounting structure to the portable electronic device body 1, that is, in the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. A concave portion 21 for receiving the fixing / release button 12 of the electronic device main body 1 and convex ribs 22A and 22B for insertion into the portable electronic device main body 1 are provided.
[0027]
Further, in addition to the above-described outer connection terminal 23, the battery pack charging adapter 2 is provided with slots 2A and 2B for mounting the battery pack 3 in two rows in an inclined state in a tandem state. The inside of the slots 2A, 2B is electrically connected to the connection terminals 31A, 31B on the battery pack 3 side (hereinafter referred to as "battery pack connection terminals") to be electrically connected to each other. Inside connection terminals 24A and 24B (however, 24B is shown in FIG. 3) are provided. In addition, covers 2C and 2D capable of covering the slot portion while the battery pack 3 is mounted in an oblique state are attached to the slots 2A and 2B for mounting the battery pack 3 in a rotatable (openable and closable) state. Have been.
[0028]
The covers 2C and 2D can be opened and closed around a shaft provided at one end. After the battery pack 3 (3A, 3B) is correctly set in the slots 2A, 2B, the covers 2C, 2D are removed. When the cover is closed, the fixing projections 2E and 2F (see FIG. 3; however, 2E is not shown) provided on the back surfaces of the covers 2C and 2D engage or fit into holes 32A and 32B described later of the battery pack 3. Thereby, since the covers 2C and 2D can hold the state in which the lids are firmly closed, the battery pack 3 (3A, 3B) can be reliably prevented from falling off.
[0029]
The battery pack 3 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is composed of two types, a main battery pack 3A and a spare battery pack 3B. Usually, only the main battery pack 3A is used for a portable electronic device. Although power can be supplied, when the main battery pack 3A is not mounted, when the main battery pack 3A is at a predetermined voltage or less, or when the power consumption of the portable electronic device 1 is increased. Is configured to be able to also supply power from the spare battery pack 3B.
[0030]
Each of the battery packs 3A and 3B has a battery pack for making electrical contact with the inside connection terminals 24A and 24B provided in the slots 2A and 2B of the battery pack charging adapter 2 by bringing them into contact. Holes 32A, 32B are formed in which the connection terminals 31A, 31B and the fixing projections 2E, 2F (2E not shown) provided on the covers 2C, 2D are engaged or fitted.
[0031]
The operation of the battery pack charging adapter 2 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
(1) First, when attaching the battery pack charging adapter 2 to the portable electronic device body 1, the convex ribs 22A and 22B shown in FIG. 2 are inserted into the battery adapter mounting holes 13A and 13B provided in the portable electronic device body 1. In such a state, the battery pack charging adapter 2 is set in each slot of the portable electronic device body 1.
[0032]
(2) Then, in FIG. 1, the concave portion 21 of the battery pack charging adapter 2 is hooked on the fixing / release button 12 of the portable electronic device body 1, so that the battery pack charging adapter 2 is firmly attached to the portable electronic device body 1. Be attached.
[0033]
(3) At that time, at the same time, the main body side connection terminal 11 on the side of the portable electronic device main body 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the outside connection terminal 23 on the side of the battery pack charging adapter 2 shown in FIG. It becomes.
[0034]
(4) Therefore, in FIG. 3, when the battery packs 3A and 3B are mounted on the battery pack charging adapter 2 mounted on the portable electronic device body 1, the respective battery pack connection terminals 31A and 31B are connected to the battery pack charging adapter 2 side. Connect to the inner connection terminals 24A, 24B. The order of steps (3) and (4) may be reversed.
[0035]
(5) Then, using the AC / DC conversion adapter 4, the connector 41 at one end of the AC / DC conversion adapter 4 is connected to a connector (not shown) of the portable electronic device main body 1, and the AC / DC conversion is performed. The AC plug 42 of the adapter 4 is inserted into an outlet provided in a room or the like.
[0036]
(6) Thereby, the battery packs 3A and 3B can be simultaneously charged through the battery pack charging adapter 2 by the charging voltage / current supplied from the charging circuit of the portable electronic device body 1 by the power supply from the commercial power supply, When the battery is fully charged, charging stops automatically.
[0037]
At this time, if an electric circuit (not shown) for giving priority to the inner connection terminals 24A and 24B on the side of the battery pack charging adapter 2 is provided inside the battery pack charging adapter 2, the battery pack having a high necessity is required. For example, in the present embodiment, charging can be completed in order from the main battery pack 3A.
[0038]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, since the battery pack charging adapter 2 is provided with the slots 2A and 2B for mounting the battery pack, when the battery packs 3A and 3B are mounted, the battery pack charging adapter is not used. Positioning of the inner connection terminals 24A, 24B on the second side and the battery pack connection terminals 31A, 31B on the battery pack 3 side can be performed more accurately, and the charging operation can be stabilized.
[0039]
Further, according to the present embodiment, slots 2A and 2B for mounting battery packs are provided with covers 2C and 2D, and dust to slots 2A and 2B is carried while carrying the portable electronic device and when not carrying. And the like, and the inside connection terminals 24A and 24B can be protected from these foreign substances.
[0040]
Further, according to the present embodiment, by providing the covers 2C and 2D with the function of fixing and holding the battery packs 3A and 3B, not only can the battery packs 3A and 3B be prevented from falling off, but also the charging operation can be performed. Further stability can be obtained.
For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the covers 2A and 2B are configured to be of a rotary type. For example, after the battery packs 3A and 3B are set on the covers 2A and 2B, the cover 2A , 2B to be mounted on the slot. With such a configuration, it is possible to more easily perform the connection work using the connection terminals of both the battery pack 3 and the battery pack charging adapter 2, and at the same time, the mounting operability of the battery pack 2, Usability is improved.
[0041]
Further, in the present embodiment, a projection is provided on the cover 2C, 2D side, and a recess is provided on the battery pack 3 side, so that both are fitted or engaged. Thereby, the fixed state of the battery packs 3A, 3B can be reinforced by the covers 2C, 2D, so that the depths of the slots 2A, 2B for mounting the battery packs can be reduced, and the battery pack charging adapter can be reduced. 2. By extension, the portable electronic device 1 can be made thinner and easier to carry.
[0042]
In the above embodiment, the battery pack charging adapter 2 is provided with two slots 2A and 2B for mounting battery packs. However, in addition to this, for example, three or more slots may be provided. It can be implemented similarly. The mounting direction of the battery pack mounting slot is arbitrary, and is determined by the stability after mounting the battery pack, and can be performed in any direction.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention is a portable electronic device in which a battery pack charging adapter is detachably mounted and at least two or more battery packs set in the battery pack charging adapter are simultaneously charged. By providing a detachably mounted adapter chamber, a main body-side connection terminal provided in the adapter chamber for contacting / conducting with an external connection terminal of the battery pack charging adapter, and a connector connected to an AC / DC conversion adapter connector. Using a charging circuit of the main body of the portable electronic device, one charging circuit and one AC / DC conversion circuit can simultaneously and simultaneously charge a plurality of battery packs including a spare battery pack as well as a main battery pack. It can be realized at a low cost and does not require extra storage space for the battery pack charger. It is obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view for schematically explaining a state when a battery pack charging adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a portable electronic device.
FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a battery pack charging adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a partially exploded perspective view of the battery pack charging adapter as viewed from the opposite side. is there.
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an operation when charging is performed by the battery pack charging adapter according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation when a main battery pack is charged by a portable electronic device without using a conventional battery pack charger.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation for charging a spare battery pack using a conventional battery pack charger.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile electronic device main body 1A Adapter room 11 Main body side connection terminal 12 Fix / release button 13A Battery pack mounting hole 13B Battery pack mounting hole 2 Battery pack charging adapter 23 Outside connection terminal 24A Inside connection terminal 24B Inside connection terminal 21 Fix / release button Receiving recess 22A (for insertion into main body of portable electronic device) Convex rib 22B (for insertion into main body of portable electronic device) Convex rib 2A (for mounting battery pack) Slot 2B (for mounting battery pack) Slot 2C (covering slot) ) Cover 2D (covers the slot) Cover 2E Fixing projection 2F Fixing projection 3 Battery pack 3A (Main) Battery pack 3B (Spare) Battery pack 31A Battery pack connection terminal 31B Battery pack side connection terminal 32A Hole 32B Hole 4 AC / DC conversion adapter 41 Connector 42 AC plug

Claims (6)

A portable electronic device that detachably attaches a battery pack charging adapter and simultaneously charges at least two or more battery packs set in the battery pack charging adapter,
An adapter chamber for detachably mounting the battery pack charging adapter,
A body-side connection terminal provided in the adapter chamber and in contact with and conducting to an external connection terminal of the battery pack charging adapter;
A portable electronic device comprising: a connector connected to a connector of an AC / DC conversion adapter for connecting to a commercial power supply. A battery pack charging adapter comprising at least two or more slots in which at least two or more battery packs can be mounted, and removably mounted in the adapter chamber of the portable electronic device according to claim 1,
An external connection terminal connected to the main body connection terminal, provided in the adapter room on the portable electronic device side,
An internal connection terminal provided in each of the slots and connected to connection terminals of the plurality of battery packs. The battery pack charging adapter according to claim 2, wherein a slot for mounting the battery pack, which is adapted to the shape of the battery pack, is formed in an inclined state. 4. The battery pack charging adapter according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of battery pack connection terminals have a function of assigning a priority of charging by an electrical priority switching unit. 5. The battery pack charging adapter according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising an openable / closable cover that covers the slot. The battery pack charging adapter according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a function of fixing the battery pack to a cover that covers the slot.

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