JP2006340449A - Charger - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To couple a plurality of chargers together easily and firmly. <P>SOLUTION: This charger is equipped with a housing 3 where a charge terminal 2 is arranged at the top and coupling structures 4 and 5 which are provided on both sides of this housing 3 and are to be engaged with coupling structures 4 and 5 provided in other housings 3. The above coupling mechanisms 4 and 5 are able to slide in a direction crossing the lateral direction into engagement with the coupling mechanisms 4 and 5 provided in the other housings 3. The above coupling mechanisms 4 and 5 and the coupling structures 4 and 5 provided in the other housings 3 engage vertically and laterally with each other in engagement state. Furthermore, it is equipped with a supporting plate 9 which is laid across both housings 3 and 3 in condition that the above housing 3 and another housing 3 are coupled with each other, and this supporting plate 9 can be attached to or detached from both housings 3 and 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a charger suitable for charging a plurality of charging objects at the same time, as in the case of charging commercial radios collectively.

  Conventionally, when charging a plurality of commercial radios at once, a charger connected to an AC adapter is connected to another charger to integrate the chargers. Linked chargers that electrically connect a charger and a downstream charger are used.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, there is a charger 50 in which the upper surface and the bottom surface of the housing 51 are formed in a flat shape, and the insert nut 52 is provided on the bottom surface. The two chargers 50, 50 are placed with the bottom surface of the housing 51 facing upward, a support plate 53 made of sheet metal is bridged between the bottom surfaces, and the support plate 53 and each charger 50 are fastened by an insert nut 52 and a screw 54. To be connected. Thereafter, both chargers 50 and 50 are electrically connected by a cord or the like.

  In the structure in which the charger 50 is connected by the support plate 53, when the whole is lifted as in the case where the worker moves the place of the connected charger during charging, the weights of the plurality of chargers and There is a problem that the support plate 53 is easily deformed or the cord is easily disconnected due to the weights of the plurality of commercial radio devices attached to the cable. Furthermore, the positioning operation is troublesome when the support plate 53 is screwed, and the connecting operation is troublesome because it is necessary to connect a cord or the like.

  Therefore, a charger has been proposed in which a plurality of slave chargers can be mechanically and electrically connected to a master charger that functions as an AC adapter. The cordless handset charger has a charging connection portion on which the commercial radio is mounted on the upper surface of the housing, and a connection structure portion that is engaged with the other housing and a coupling terminal portion that is connected to the other housing. It is provided on both sides of the housing.

  One side of the connection structure portion is a convex engagement portion, and the other side is a concave engagement portion into which a convex engagement portion formed on another housing is fitted from the side. One side of the coupling terminal portion is a male terminal portion, and the other side is a female terminal portion. When the connecting structure portion is engaged with the connecting structure portion provided in the other housing, the connecting terminal portion is connected to the connecting terminal portion provided in the other housing.

  In the charger of this example, first, after the concave engaging portion provided in the main battery charger and the female terminal portion are engaged and connected to the convex engaging portion and the male terminal portion of the child battery charger, this child The other chargers are sequentially connected to the charger. Thereby, it is comprised so that power may be supplied to the downstream charger from the connected upstream charger, and all the slave chargers can function with the AC adapter function of the master charger. (See Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-106137 (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 4)

  However, in the structure in which the chargers are connected by the convex engaging portion and the concave engaging portion, when the whole is pulled in both directions from the base unit side, the convex engaging portion can easily move in the pulling direction, There was a problem that the connection was easily disconnected. Further, when the whole is lifted from the base unit side, there is a problem that the middle charger is inclined obliquely and the concave and convex engaging portions are detached, so that they are easily dropped.

  Accordingly, a first problem of the present invention is to enable a plurality of chargers to be easily and firmly connected by engagement of the connecting structure portion, and a second problem is to easily support the support plate. It is possible to attach a plurality of chargers easily and firmly by a connecting structure using the support plate.

  In order to solve the first problem, the first means of the present invention is engaged with a housing having charging terminals disposed on the upper surface and a connecting structure provided on both sides of the housing and provided on another housing. A connecting structure portion, wherein the connecting structure portion is slidably engageable with the connecting structure portion provided in the other housing in a direction intersecting with both sides. The structure portion and the connecting structure portion provided in the other housing are configured to mesh with each other in the up-down direction and the both side directions in the engaged state.

  According to the configuration of the first means, by bringing the other housing side of the other charger closer to one side of the housing of a certain charger, and sliding a certain charger or other charger in the direction crossing both sides, Both chargers are connected. By bringing another charger (different from the other chargers) closer to the other side of the housing of a charger and sliding in the same manner as described above, both chargers are connected. As described above, the chargers can be connected to each other only by a sliding operation, and a plurality of chargers can be easily connected as compared with the case of connecting with the support plate 53.

  Further, in the above connection state, even if the whole is pulled in both directions, the connection structure portion and the connection structure portion provided in the other housing are engaged with each other in both directions. Therefore, it is prevented from coming off in both directions. Moreover, even if the whole is lifted from one end side and the middle charger is inclined, each connecting structure portion is prevented from coming off by meshing in the vertical direction and both side directions. For this reason, according to this structure, compared with the thing of patent document 1, a some charger can be connected firmly.

  In the above-described configuration, if the connection structure portion has a concavo-convex portion serving as a slide resistance, it is possible to give a click feeling that informs the operator that the slide engagement has been completed. In addition, after the slide engagement is completed, the concavo-convex portion becomes a resistance portion with respect to the removal direction, and a more reliable connection is obtained.

  In the above-mentioned configuration, it is provided with a coupling terminal portion provided on both sides of the housing and connected to a coupling terminal portion provided on the other housing, the coupling terminal portion is oriented in a direction intersecting with both side directions, If a configuration in which the coupling terminal portion and the coupling terminal portion provided in the other housing face each other in a state where the coupling structure portion is slid, an electrical operation is performed using a slide engagement operation of the coupling structure portion. The connection can be realized, and the connecting operation of the charger becomes easier.

  Specifically, the coupling terminal portion and the coupling terminal portion provided in the other housing are coupled by the slide of the coupling structure portion and the coupling structure portion provided in the other housing, If the configuration included in is adopted, electrical connection is also made when the sliding engagement of the connecting structure portion is completed. Further, in this state, the coupling terminal portion is protected by the connecting structure portion. For this reason, the safety | security with respect to the short circuit of a coupling terminal part increases.

  In order to solve the second problem described above, the second means of the present invention relates to a housing having charging terminals arranged on the upper surface, and a connecting structure provided on the other housing on both sides of the housing. A charger having a connecting structure united to each other, including a support plate that spans between the housings in a state where the housing and the other housing are connected, and the support plates can be attached to and detached from both housings. It was set as the structure.

  According to the configuration of the second means, the connecting structure portion prevents the two housings from being displaced, and the attachment work of the support plate can be easily performed as compared with the case of the charger 50. Can do. Further, the mechanical connection between the chargers has a double connection structure of the connection structure portion and the support plate, and can be connected more firmly than in the case of the charger 50.

  The configuration according to the second means is suitable for being employed in combination with the configuration according to the first means. That is, the configuration according to the first means includes a support plate that spans between the housings in a state where the housing and the other housing are connected, and the support plates are detachable from both housings. What is necessary is just to employ | adopt the structure which is.

  According to this configuration, since the connecting structure portion is slidably engaged, the connecting operation is not complicated even if the double connection is performed. Further, the connecting structure portion is engaged with the connecting structure portion in the vertical direction and the both side directions, so that the vertical load and the rotational load applied to the support plate are received by the connecting structure portion. For this reason, deformation of the support plate is prevented. On the other hand, when the battery is dropped, a shift movement between the chargers is prevented by the support plate. For this reason, the connection structure part which concerns on a said 1st means does not slide even at the time of dropping, and engagement is not disengaged.

  In the above configuration, if a configuration is adopted in which the housing is provided with a plate storage portion for holding the support plate, and the support plate is slidable toward the other housing, the connection structure portion is engaged. It is possible to bridge the support plate to another housing by simply sliding the support plate toward the other housing in the combined state, and the support plate can be easily attached. In particular, when it is adopted in combination with the configuration relating to the first means, the support plate is prevented from being deformed, and therefore the slide of the support plate becomes smooth.

  In the above configuration, if a configuration in which a fuse attachment / detachment opening is formed in a portion of the housing covered by the support plate, it is not necessary to provide a cover in the fuse attachment / detachment opening, and the cost is reduced accordingly. Become.

  In the above configuration, if a configuration is adopted in which a finger hook is formed on the support plate and the finger plate is exposed from the housing in a state where the support plate is held by the plate storage portion, a sliding operation of the support plate is performed. Becomes easier.

  In the above configuration, the housing has a receiving portion for positioning the supporting plate from the other housing, and the supporting plate from the other housing is formed by the receiving portion and a plate storage portion provided in the other housing. If the configuration held in the bridged state is adopted, the support plate does not need to be aligned, and is held in the bridged state, so that the work for attaching and detaching the support plate becomes easier.

  In the above configuration, if a tapping portion is formed on the support plate, and the receiving portion has a screw hole that communicates with a tapping portion formed on the support plate from the other housing, In comparison with the case where the insert nut is provided as in the case of the charger 50, it is only necessary to perform tapping, and accordingly, the cost can be reduced, and the alignment at the time of screwing becomes unnecessary, Mounting of the support plate becomes easier.

As described above, according to the present invention, the one side of the connection structure portion is a groove portion that can be slidably engaged with the connection structure portion provided in the other housing in a direction intersecting with both sides, and the connection structure The other side of the portion is a claw portion that is engaged with a groove portion provided in the other housing, and the connection structure portion and the connection structure portion provided in the other housing are in the up-down direction and in the engaged state. Since it comprised so that it might mesh in a both-side direction, a several charger can be connected easily and firmly.
Further, the present invention provides a battery charger comprising: a housing having charging terminals disposed on an upper surface thereof; and a connecting structure portion that is provided on both sides of the housing and is engaged with a connecting structure portion provided on another housing. Since the support plate is provided between the two housings in a state where the housing and the other housing are connected, and the support plate is configured to be detachable from both housings, the support plate can be easily attached. It is possible to connect a plurality of chargers easily and firmly by the connection structure using the support plate.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the best embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig.1 (a) has shown the state before the some charger 1, 1 which concerns on embodiment is connected from upper direction. The charger 1 includes a housing 3 having a charging terminal 2 disposed on the upper surface, connecting structure portions 4 and 5 provided on both sides of the housing 3, and coupling terminal portions 6 and 7 provided on both sides of the housing 3. Is provided.

  The housing 3 is made of a resin molded body, and has a side peripheral wall surrounding the charging port 8 from which the charging terminal 2 is exposed. The charging port 8 corresponds to a commercial radio, and the charging terminal 2 is connected to a known charging circuit, charging control circuit, etc. provided in the housing 3. The connection structures 4 and 5 are provided on the left and right sides of the housing 3 so as to sandwich the charging port 8.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the right connecting structure portion 4 includes a pair of rear groove portions 11 that open to both the upper and lower surfaces of the block portion 10 that protrudes rightward from the housing 3, and a front claw that is spaced forward from the rear groove portion 11. Part 12. In the block portion 10, the coupling terminal portion 6 is incorporated so as to be oriented in the front-rear direction and exposed from the rear end face.

  Each of the rear groove portions 11 is formed in a direction intersecting with the left and right sides, that is, in the front-rear direction, and is open at the rear end and closed at the front end. The front nail | claw part 12 is formed toward the front-back direction, and is comprised from a pair of ridge walls 13 and 13 which oppose up and down. The pair of ribs 13 and 13 are provided so that the front and rear sides and the right side are open, and recesses 13a are formed on the upper and lower end surfaces thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the left connecting structure portion 5 includes a pair of front groove portions 21 protruding leftward from the housing 3 and a rear claw portion 22 spaced rearward from the front groove portion 21.

  The front groove portion 21 is open vertically and is formed in the front-rear direction. Further, the front groove 21 is open at the front end and closed at the rear end. A convex portion 21 a is formed on the groove bottom surface of the front groove portion 21.

  The rear claw portion 22 is formed in the front-rear direction, and includes a pair of vertical walls 23 and 23 and a rear end wall 24 that are opposed to each other in the vertical direction. The pair of flange walls 23, 23 are provided so that the front and left sides are open. The rear end wall 24 is provided with the coupling terminal portion 7 oriented in the front-rear direction.

  The coupling terminal portions 6 and 7 are constituted by a DC jack and a DC plug. In the charger 1, the coupling terminal portion 6 is a DC jack and the coupling terminal portion 7 is a DC plug.

  As shown in FIG. 1 (a), the connecting structure portion 4 is a connecting structure portion 5 (hereinafter simply referred to as another connecting structure portion 5) provided in the housing 3 of another charger 1. All the configurations provided in the housing 3 of the container 1 are referred to in the same manner). In addition, since the said connection structure part 5 and the other connection structure part 4, the said connection terminal part 7, and the other connection terminal part 6 become the same relationship, description in this case is abbreviate | omitted.

  Specifically, the block portion 10 of the connection structure portion 4 is brought into contact with the separated portion between the front groove portion 21 and the rear claw portion 22 of the other connection structure portion 5. In this state, the rear groove portion 11 and the other rear claw portion 22, the front claw portion 12 and the other front groove portion 21, the coupling terminal portion 6 and the other coupling terminal portion 7 face each other in the front-rear direction.

  Then, when the two chargers 1 and 1 are relatively slid so as to approach the front-rear direction, FIG. 1 (b), FIG. 2 (a), FIG. 3 (a), and FIG. As shown, the connecting structure 4 and the other connecting structure 5 are slidably engaged with each other. In this state, as shown in FIG.1 (c), the collar wall 13 of the front nail | claw part 12 and the other front groove part 21 are engaged so that it may mesh | engage in the up-down direction and the both right-and-left direction. At the end of this sliding engagement, the concave portion 13a of the flange wall 13 and the convex portion 21a of the other front groove portion 21 are fitted with a slight resistance, thereby giving the operator a crisp feeling.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1 (d), the block portion 10 and the other rear claw portion 22 are fitted, and the rear groove portion 11 and the other flange walls 23, 23 are engaged in the vertical direction and the left and right side directions. Engaged to fit.

  By the above slide, the coupling terminal portion 6 and the other coupling terminal portion 7 are coupled and electrically connected as shown in FIG. In this state, the connecting terminal portion 6 and the other connecting terminal portion 7 are connected to the connecting structure portion 4 as shown in FIGS. 1B, 2A, 3A, and 4A. It is included in another connecting structure portion 5.

  Note that the DC jack constituting the coupling terminal portion 6 can be used between the power supply at the time of connection and the connection with the AC adapter A as shown in FIG. As a result, one AC adapter A is connected to the connecting terminal portion 6 of one of the chargers 1, and the other connecting terminal portion 6 is connected to the connecting terminal portion 7 of the charger 1. A plurality of chargers all exhibit their functions by connecting a connecting terminal portion 7 of another charger to the connecting terminal portion 6 of the charger 1.

  Note that the number of units that can be connected to one charger 1 is limited to the limit allowed by the internal circuit of the charger 1, but the AC adapter connection jack and connection cord are not required separately. Is achieved.

  Further, the connecting terminal portion 7 of the charger 1 at the most downstream side of the connection is exposed to the outside at the rear claw portion 22. Therefore, the charger 1 may be provided with a cap for closing the rear claw portion 22 so that the coupling terminal portion 7 can be shielded from the outside.

  The charger 1 further has a second mechanical coupling mechanism. That is, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the charger 1 includes a support plate 9 that spans between the housings 3 and 3 in a state where the housing 3 and the other housing 3 are connected. The support plate 9 can be attached to and detached from the housing 3 and another housing 3.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, a rectangular sheet metal is used for the support plate 9, and tapped portions 30 are formed at four centrally symmetric locations. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the housing 3 is provided with a plate storage portion 31 that holds the support plate 9.

  The plate storage portion 31 includes restriction walls 32 and 32 for guiding the support plate 9 in the left and right direction, a stopper wall 33 for stopping the support plate 9 from sliding, and a lower plate wall 34 for supporting the lower surface of the support plate 9. And is open to the bottom surface and the right side surface of the housing 3.

  The lower plate wall 34 supports the vicinity of the four corners of the support plate 9 in a state where the support plate 9 contacts the stopper wall 33, that is, in an unused state, and prevents this dropout. Further, in a state where the support plate 9 is in contact with the stopper wall 33, the tapped portions 30 at the two right corners of the support plate 9 and the screw holes 34 a of the lower plate wall 34 communicate with each other. Fastened to the lower plate wall 34 by 35, and the support plate 9 is held in the plate storage portion 31.

  When the screw 35 is removed, the support plate 9 can be slid toward the other housing 3, that is, to the right by the regulation walls 32, 32 and the lower plate wall 34.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the support plate 9 is formed with a finger hook 36 composed of a ridge portion in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the finger hook 36 is exposed from the bottom surface of the housing 3 in a state where the support plate 9 is held by the plate storage portion 31. For this reason, the operator can send out the support plate 9 from the plate storage part 31 with a fingertip. It should be noted that the finger hook 36 can also be constituted by a notch or a raised part.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a fuse attachment / detachment port 37 is formed in a portion of the housing 3 covered with the support plate 9 in a state where the support plate 9 is held in the plate storage portion 31. When the screw 35 is removed and the support plate 9 is pulled rightward from the plate storage portion 31, the fuse can be replaced.

  Moreover, the housing 3 has the receiving part 40 which positions the support plate 9 from the other housing 3, as shown to FIG. 3, FIG. The receiving portion 40 supports restriction walls 41 and 41 that guide the support plate 9 from the other housing 3 in the left and right direction, a stopper wall 42 that stops the support plate 9, and a lower surface of the support plate 9. It consists of a lower plate wall 43.

  Between the regulation walls 41 and 41 and the lower plate wall 43, the bottom surface and the left side surface of the housing 3 are opened, and the regulation walls 41 and 41 and the other regulation walls 32 and 32, the lower plate wall 43 and the other lower plate wall 34 are The connecting structure 4 and the other connecting structure 5 are engaged with each other in the left and right direction.

  The lower plate wall 43 has a threaded hole 43 a that communicates with the tapped portion 30 formed in the support plate 9 from the other housing 3. The screw hole 43a is formed in the bottom surface of the housing 3, and the screw 35 can be inserted therethrough.

  In the above configuration, the support plate 9 from the other housing 3 crosses the lower part of the connection structure parts 4 and 5 in a state where the connection structure part 4 and the other connection structure part 5 are connected by the slide engagement. It moves to the right while being restricted by the restriction walls 41, 41 and stops when it hits another stopper wall 42. In this stopped state, the lower plate wall 43 supports the right two corners of the support plate 9 from the other housing 3, and the other lower plate wall 34 supports the left two corners. That is, the support plate 9 from the other housing 3 is held in a bridged state by the lower plate wall 43 and the other plate storage portion 31.

  In this state, the tapped portions 30 at the four corners of the support plate 9 from the other housing 3 communicate with the lower plate wall 43 and the screw holes 34a and 43a of the other lower plate wall 34. Here, the support plate 9 from the other housing 3 is screwed at the four corners and fastened to the lower plate wall 43 and the other lower plate wall 34. Thus, the support plate 9 is attached to the housing 3 and the other housing 3, and the connection between the chargers 1 and 1 is completed.

  When all the screws 35 are removed, the support plate 9 can be removed from the housing 3 and the other housings 3 and is slid leftward until it hits the stopper wall 33 of the plate storage portion 31. Next, when the chargers 1 and 1 are relatively slid away from each other in the front-rear direction, the coupling structures 4 and 5 are disengaged. Thereby, the connection of the chargers 1 and 1 is completely released.

(A) Top view of the charger according to the embodiment, (b) a use state diagram showing the state in which the charger according to the embodiment is connected from above, (c) c- of the connection structure portion of FIG. The partial expanded sectional view of c line, (d) The partial expanded sectional view of the dd line of the connection structure part of FIG.1 (b) 1A is a rear view of the charger in FIG. 1B, FIG. 1B is a right side view of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is a partially enlarged perspective view of the connection structure portion in FIG. 1A is a front view of the charger of FIG. 1B, FIG. 1B is a left side view of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 1C is a partially enlarged perspective view of a connecting structure portion of FIG. (A) Bottom view of FIG. 1 (b), (b) Usage state diagram showing a state where the support plate is attached from the state of FIG. 4 (a). FIG. 4 (b) shows a state of use showing a state in which the support plate is pulled out from the plate housing portion of one housing. (A) Bottom view of the support plate of FIG. 5, (b) Cross-sectional view of line bb of FIG. 5 (a) Longitudinal section of the main part of the conventional example

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Charger 2 Charging terminal 3 Housing 4, 5 Connection structure part 6, 7 Connection terminal part 9 Support plate 13a Convex part 21a Concave part 30 Tap processing part 31 Plate storage part 36 Finger hook 37 Removable port 40 Receiving part 43a Screw through hole

Claims (11)

  A charger comprising a housing having a charging terminal disposed on an upper surface thereof, and a connecting structure portion provided on both sides of the housing and engaged with a connecting structure portion provided on another housing, wherein the connecting structure portion includes It can be slidably engaged with the connecting structure provided in the other housing in a direction intersecting with both sides, and the connecting structure provided in the other housing is engaged with the connecting structure. A charger characterized by meshing in a vertical direction and in both sides in a state.   The charger according to claim 1, wherein the connection structure portion has an uneven portion serving as a slide resistance.   A coupling terminal portion provided on both sides of the housing and connected to a coupling terminal portion provided on the other housing, wherein the coupling terminal portion is oriented in a direction intersecting with both sides, and the connection structure portion is The charger according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling terminal portion and the coupling terminal portion provided in the other housing face each other in a slid state.   The coupling terminal portion and the coupling terminal portion provided in the other housing are coupled by a slide of the coupling structure portion and the coupling structure portion provided in the other housing, and are included in both the coupling structure portions. Item 4. The charger according to item 3.   A charger comprising: a housing having charging terminals disposed on an upper surface; and a connecting structure portion provided on both sides of the housing and engaged with a connecting structure portion provided on another housing. And a support plate that is bridged between the two housings in a connected state, and the support plate is detachable from both housings.   5. The charger according to claim 1, further comprising a support plate that is spanned between the two housings in a state where the housing and the other housing are connected, and the support plates can be attached to and detached from the two housings. The charger characterized by being said.   The charger according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a plate housing portion for holding the support plate is provided in the housing, and the support plate is slidable toward the other housing.   The charger according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a fuse attachment / detachment opening is formed in a portion of the housing covered by the support plate.   The charger according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a finger hook is formed on the support plate, and the finger hook is exposed from the housing in a state where the support plate is held in the plate storage portion.   The housing has a receiving portion for positioning a support plate from the other housing, and the support plate from the other housing is bridged between the receiving portion and a plate storage portion provided in the other housing. The charger according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the charger is held.   The charger according to claim 10, wherein a tapped portion is formed in the support plate, and the receiving portion has a screw hole that communicates with a tapped portion formed in the support plate from the other housing.

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