JP2009021106A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent plastic deformation of a conductive member, and arrange that, while preventing reverse insertion of the battery, a properly inserted battery and the conductive member are crimped appropriately. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic equipment has in the battery chamber 2 the conductive members 1A, 1B contacting with electrode faces 9A, 9B of the batteries 3A, 3B having elasticity and housed in a battery chamber, and a battery receiving member 2a that receives the electrode faces of the batteries. The elastic deformation amount of the conductive element that is contacted with the electrode faces is restricted by the battery receiving member. Moreover, the electronic equipment has in the battery chamber 2, the conductive members 1A, 1B contacting with the electrode faces of the batteries having elasticity and housed in the battery chamber, and the battery receiving members 10, 25 mounted on the conductive member. The battery receiving member has contact allowing parts 10a, 25c in which contact of a convex electrode face 9B of the battery with the conductive member is allowed, and contact inhibiting parts 10b, 25d in which contact of a flat electrode face 9A of the battery with the conductive member is inhibited. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device in which a battery can be loaded, and more particularly to a configuration in a battery chamber into which a battery is inserted.

  An electronic device using a battery as a power source is provided with a battery chamber that houses the battery, and a conductive member (contact piece) that contacts the electrode surface of the battery is provided in the battery chamber. Generally, the contact piece is manufactured by a member such as a leaf spring having elasticity (spring property), and is configured to be able to contact the electrode surface of the battery with an appropriate contact pressure.

  Also, the contact portion of the contact piece with the battery electrode surface (hereinafter referred to as the tip of the contact piece) is formed with a sharp shape in order to reduce the conductive resistance by peeling off the oxide film formed on the electrode surface. There are many cases.

Also, when the battery is inserted into the battery chamber with the convex (+) electrode surface and the flat (−) electrode surface reversed, so-called reverse insertion is performed to prevent the wrong electrode surface from contacting the contact piece. Some electronic devices have a prevention structure. Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic device in which a reverse insertion preventing member is originally provided on the battery insertion opening side of a contact piece for contacting a convex electrode surface. The reverse insertion prevention member has an opening that penetrates the convex electrode surface of the battery that is properly inserted, and allows contact with the convex electrode surface that penetrates the opening, but penetrates the opening. It is formed so as to prevent contact between the flat electrode surface and the contact piece that cannot be performed.
JP-A-11-250883

  When the battery is forcibly pushed into the battery chamber, or when the battery is displaced in the battery chamber due to an impact applied to the electronic device with the battery stored in the battery chamber, the contact piece deforms beyond its elastic limit. there's a possibility that. In this case, the contact piece is plastically deformed, for example, the tip end portion of the contact piece is crushed or the bent portion of the contact piece is bent, and the elasticity for properly pressing the battery electrode surface is lost.

  Moreover, when the battery is correctly inserted, the reverse insertion preventing member disclosed in Patent Document 1 comes into contact with the outer peripheral portion (shoulder portion) rather than the convex electrode surface of the battery. However, since the dimensional tolerance between the convex electrode surface and the shoulder portion in a general dry battery is large, it is difficult to properly press the convex electrode surface and the contact piece in a state where the shoulder portion is in contact with the reverse insertion preventing member.

  The present invention provides an electronic device that can prevent plastic deformation of a conductive member. In addition, the present invention provides an electronic device that can properly press-contact a correctly inserted battery and a conductive member while preventing reverse insertion of the battery.

  An electronic apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a conductive member that contacts an electrode surface of a battery that is elastic and is housed in the battery chamber, and a battery receiving member that receives the electrode surface of the battery. . The battery receiving member limits the amount of elastic deformation of the conductive member in contact with the electrode surface.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus comprising: a battery member receiving an electrode surface of a battery; and a conductive member that has elasticity and contacts the electrode surface of the battery housed in the battery chamber. Member. The battery receiving member is formed so as to protrude from the battery chamber, and the protruding amount is set in a range in which the conductive member is not plastically deformed.

  Furthermore, an electronic device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a conductive member that contacts an electrode surface of a battery that has elasticity and is housed in the battery chamber, and a battery receiving member that is attached to the conductive member. And have. The battery receiving member includes a contact allowing portion that allows contact between the convex electrode surface of the battery and the conductive member, and a contact blocking portion that prevents contact between the flat electrode surface of the battery and the conductive member. To do.

  According to the present invention, the elastic deformation amount of the conductive member is limited by the battery receiving member, or the protruding amount of the battery receiving member is set in a range in which the conductive member is not plastically deformed, thereby exceeding the elastic limit of the conductive member. Deformation is prevented. For this reason, even when the battery is forcibly pushed into the battery chamber or when an impact is applied to the electronic device, plastic deformation of the conductive member can be prevented, and an appropriate pressure contact state between the conductive member and the battery can be maintained. .

  Moreover, according to this invention, the contact prevention part of a battery receiving member can prevent the contact with the electroconductive member and the flat electrode of a battery when a battery is reversely inserted. In addition, since the battery receiving member is attached to the conductive member and moves with the deformation of the conductive member, the convex electrode surface of the battery and the conductive member can be appropriately pressed against each other at the contact allowing portion.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of an electronic apparatus that is Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Here, a digital still camera (imaging device) is shown as an example. In addition, although a digital still camera is described in the embodiments including a second embodiment described later, the embodiments of the present invention are electronic devices other than the digital still camera such as a video camera (imaging device) and a portable device. Widely includes batteries.

  FIG. 3 shows a detailed shape of a conductive member (hereinafter referred to as a contact piece) provided in a battery chamber of the digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as a camera). In the following description, the direction indicated by F in FIG. 2 is the front, and the direction indicated by R is the rear. Also, the direction indicated by U is the top, and the direction indicated by D is the bottom.

  The substrate A (8) is stored in an upper space in the exterior members 23 and 24 that cover the internal structure of the camera from the front and the back. The connecting portions 1c and 1d of the two contact pieces 1A and 1B are soldered to the lower surface of the substrate A (8). The contact pieces 1A and 1B are formed of a material such as phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, and stainless steel plate having elasticity (spring property) and conductivity.

  Further, on the upper surface of the substrate A (8), a power button 16 for turning on / off the camera and a release unit for causing the image pickup unit 13 to start an image pickup preparation operation such as photometry and autofocus and an image pickup operation for recording. A button 22 is attached.

  The battery chamber 2 is formed by attaching a battery chamber cover 4 having a semi-cylindrical inner wall to two semi-cylindrical portions formed integrally with the chassis 11 constituting the main body of the camera. It is configured as a space that can be inserted (accommodated).

  The two contact pieces 1A and 1B are inserted into a groove 2c formed in a portion (hereinafter referred to as a ceiling surface of the battery chamber 2) 2b of the chassis 11 whose front and rear projecting portions constitute a ceiling surface of the battery chamber 2 in the chassis 11. As a result, the battery chamber 2 is fixed. A flat electrode surface (-electrode surface) 9A of the dry battery 3A is in contact with the contact piece 1A. In addition, the convex electrode surface (+ electrode surface) 9B of the dry battery 3B is in contact with the contact piece 1B.

  A battery receiving plate 10 that is one of battery receiving members that also function as a reverse insertion preventing member is attached to the contact piece 1B. The battery receiving plate 10 will be described in detail later.

  A battery lid 5 is attached to a lower portion of the chassis 11 by a shaft 7 so as to be opened and closed. The battery lid 5 opens and closes a battery insertion opening formed in the lower part of the battery chamber 2. A battery lid contact piece 6 is attached to the inner surface of the battery lid 5. The battery lid contact piece 6 connects two dry batteries 3A and 3B in series. The battery lid contact piece 6 is also formed of a material having springiness and conductivity, like the contact pieces 1A and 1B.

  The chassis 11 is mounted with the substrate A (8) and the imaging unit 13, the substrate B (14) to which the plurality of operation buttons 12 are attached, the flash unit 15, the substrate C (17), and the rear display 18. The display substrate 19 is supported.

  By operating the operation button 12, it is possible to make selections and settings related to various operations of the camera. The imaging unit 13 includes an optical element such as a lens and an imaging element such as a CCD sensor and a CMOS sensor, and has a function of imaging a subject.

  On the substrate C (17), an image processing circuit that processes an imaging signal from the imaging unit 13, and a microcomputer that controls the imaging unit 13, the image processing circuit, and the like are mounted. The image signal output from the image processing circuit is displayed on the display 18 via the display substrate 19 or recorded on a recording medium (not shown) (semiconductor memory or the like).

  The substrate A (8) and the substrate B (14) are connected by the flexible substrate 20. Further, the substrate B (14) and the substrate C (17) are connected by the flexible substrate 21.

  In FIG. 3, a battery receiving projection 2a, which is one of the battery receiving members, is integrally formed on the ceiling surface 2b of the battery chamber 2 in the chassis 11 (member forming the battery chamber) for each battery.

  The contact pieces 1A and 1B (hereinafter collectively referred to as contact pieces 1) have two curved portions 1b that generate elasticity. The contact piece 1 is a lower surface (second surface) formed with a contact portion 1a between a base surface (first surface) 1g that contacts the ceiling surface 2b of the battery chamber 2 and an electrode surface of the battery, with the curved portion 1b as a boundary. Surface) 1h and an intermediate surface (third surface) 1i connecting these surfaces.

  The contact portion 1a is formed as a standing bent portion such as a semicircular shape, and the tip end surface thereof is formed in a sharp shape suitable for peeling off the oxide film formed on the electrode surface of the battery.

  Further, a slit (opening) 1e for allowing the battery receiving projection 2a to pass is formed in the base surface 1g and the intermediate surface 1i of the contact piece 1. In addition, a hole (opening) 1f through which the battery receiving projection 2a is passed in a state where the contact piece 1 is elastically deformed as will be described later is also formed on the lower surface 1h. The contact portion 1a described above is formed outside the front and rear of the hole 1f.

  When the contact piece 1 is mounted in the battery chamber 2, the position of the contact piece 1 is determined by the inner end surface of the slit 1e in the base surface 1g abutting against the side surface of the battery receiving projection 2a.

  FIG. 1 shows a state in which the battery 3A is being inserted into the space on the contact piece 1A side in the battery chamber 2 (a state where the flat electrode surface 9A of the battery 3A is not yet in contact with the contact piece 1A). .

  In this state, most of the contact piece 1A including the contact portion 1a (about 2/3 of the intermediate surface 1i and the lower surface 1h) is below the battery receiving projection 2a (the direction opposite to the battery insertion direction). It extends.

  FIG. 4 shows a state in which the battery 3A is stored in the battery chamber 2 and the battery lid 5 is closed. The battery 3A is pushed by the battery lid 5, and the contact piece 1A is compressed and deformed (elastically deformed). The contact portion 1a of the contact piece 1A slides along the flat electrode surface 9A while in contact with the flat electrode surface 9A, and then peels off the oxide film on the flat electrode surface 9A.

  Further, the battery receiving protrusion 2a passes through the hole 1f formed in the contact piece 1A when the contact piece 1A is compressed and deformed. The lower end surface of the battery receiving projection 2a is in contact with a region on the inner side of the region of the flat electrode surface 9A where the contact portion 1a is in contact. That is, the battery receiving protrusion 2a contacts the flat electrode surface 9A of the battery 3A after the contact piece 1A is elastically deformed.

  The contact with the battery receiving projection 2a prevents the movement of the battery 3A in the ceiling surface direction, and the amount of elastic deformation of the contact piece 1A is limited to an amount that still allows some elastic deformation. .

  Therefore, even when the camera receives an impact or the battery 3A is forcibly pushed in before the battery cover 5 is closed, the elastic deformation amount of the contact piece 1A does not exceed its elastic limit. That is, plastic deformation such as bending of the curved portion 1b of the contact piece 1A or collapse of the contact portion 1a is prevented. The protruding amount of the protruding portion 2a formed protruding from the battery chamber 2 is set in a range that does not exceed the elastic limit of the contact piece 1A, that is, a range in which the contact piece 1A is not plastically deformed.

  Further, in this embodiment, as described above, the battery receiving projection 2a is a region inside the contact region with the contact portion 1a in the flat electrode surface 9A, more specifically, a region in the center of the flat electrode surface 9A. Abut (receive the region). Thereby, the battery receiving protrusion 2a can be provided by effectively utilizing the space between the contact portions 1a provided in pairs with respect to one contact piece 1A. As a result, a required space in the battery chamber 2 can be reduced, and the camera can be downsized.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which two batteries 3A and 3B are being inserted into the space on the contact piece 1A side and the contact piece 1B side of the battery chamber 2. In FIG. 5, the battery 3B inserted in the space on the contact piece 1B side has the convex electrode surface 9B facing the contact piece 1B.

  The battery receiving plate 10 described above is attached to the lower surface 1h of the contact piece 1B. The battery receiving plate 10 is attached to the contact piece 1B by inserting the lower surface 1h of the contact piece 1B in the in-plane direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the battery receiving plate 10 has a U-shaped opening (contact allowable portion) 10 a. As shown in FIG. 5, the opening 10a has a size that allows the convex electrode surface 9B of the battery 3B to be inserted. The contact portion 1a of the contact piece 1B is located inside the opening 10a of the battery receiving plate 10 and above the lower surface 10b of the battery receiving plate 10. That is, the lower surface 10b of the battery receiving plate 10 is positioned below the contact portion 1a.

  When the insertion of the battery 3B further proceeds from the state of FIG. 5 and the battery cover 5 is closed, the convex electrode surface 9B is inserted into the U-shaped opening 10a and comes into contact with the contact portion 1a of the contact piece 1B. The contact piece 1B is compressed and deformed (elastically deformed). When the contact piece 1B is in a compressed state similar to the contact piece 1A shown in FIG. 4, the battery receiving projection 2a formed integrally with the ceiling surface 2b on the contact piece 1B side is formed on the contact piece 1B. It passes through the hole 1f and comes into contact with the inner region of the convex electrode surface 9B than the contact region with the contact portion 1a. Also in this case, the battery receiving projection 2a contacts the convex electrode surface 9B of the battery 3B after the contact piece 1B is elastically deformed.

  The contact with the battery receiving projection 2a prevents the movement of the battery 3B in the direction of the ceiling surface, and the elastic deformation amount of the contact piece 1B is limited to an amount that still allows some elastic deformation. Is done. Therefore, even when the camera receives an impact or the battery 3B is forcibly pushed in before the battery cover 5 is closed, the elastic deformation amount of the contact piece 1B does not exceed its elastic limit. That is, plastic deformation such as bending of the curved portion 1b of the contact piece 1B or collapse of the contact portion 1a is prevented.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the thickness T of the battery receiving plate 10 is set to a height H from the tip surface of the convex electrode surface 9B in the battery 3B to the shoulder that is the outer peripheral portion of the convex electrode surface 9B. It is set to less than half. For this reason, even if the dimensional tolerance of the height H in various batteries is taken into account, the shoulder of the battery 3B is in contact with the contact portion 1a of the contact piece 1B while the convex electrode surface 9B is in contact with the lower surface 10b of the battery receiving plate 10. Will not abut. Therefore, even if the battery receiving plate 10 is present, an appropriate pressure contact state between the convex electrode surface 9B and the contact piece 1B is ensured.

  On the other hand, when the battery 3B is reversely inserted into the battery chamber space on the contact piece 1B side with the flat electrode surface facing the contact piece 1B, the flat electrode surface of the battery 3B is the lower surface of the battery receiving plate 10 (contact blocking portion). ) Abut against 10b. In this case, since there is a step between the lower surface 10b of the battery receiving plate 10 and the contact portion 1a of the contact piece 1B, the flat electrode surface of the battery 3B does not contact the contact portion 1a of the contact piece 1B. Therefore, a short circuit due to reverse insertion of the battery 3B is prevented.

  6 and 7 show the structure of the battery compartment in the digital still camera that is Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Since the basic configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, common constituent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment and are not described.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 26 denotes a battery receiving component which is one of the battery receiving members, and is attached as a separate member to the ceiling surface 2b 'on the contact piece 1A' side in the battery chamber 2 '. The battery receiving component 26 includes an engaging portion 26b that engages with the groove 2m formed on the ceiling surface 2b ', and a protrusion 26a that is formed at the end of the engaging portion 26b. The protrusion 26a has the same shape as the battery receiving protrusion 2a described in the first embodiment, and functions in the same manner as the battery receiving protrusion 2a described in the first embodiment with respect to the contact piece 1A 'and the battery 3A. To do.

  6 and 7, reference numeral 25 denotes a battery receiving plate that is one of the battery receiving members that also function as a reverse insertion preventing member, and the lower surface 1h of the contact piece 1B 'is inserted in the in-plane direction. And attached to the contact piece 1B '.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the battery receiving plate 25 has a U-shaped opening (contact allowable portion) 25c. As shown in FIG. 6, the opening 25 c has a size that allows the convex electrode surface 9 </ b> B of the battery 3 </ b> B to be inserted. A convex battery receiving surface 25a is provided at the center of the opening 25c. The battery receiving surface 25a is inserted into a slit (opening) 1f 'formed in the contact piece 1B'. The contact portion 1a of the contact piece 1B 'projects slightly below the battery receiving surface 25a inside the opening 25c and is positioned above the lower surface 25d of the battery receiving plate 25. That is, the lower surface 25b of the battery receiving plate 25 is positioned below the contact portion 1a. Further, a protrusion 25 b is formed on the upper surface of the battery receiving plate 25.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the battery 3B is inserted into the battery chamber 2 and the battery cover 5 is closed, the convex electrode surface 9B of the battery 3B is inserted into the U-shaped opening 25c, and the contact piece 1B ' While contacting the contact part 1a, the contact piece 1B 'is compressed and deformed (elastically deformed). At this time, the contact portion 1a is also slightly elastically deformed, and the battery receiving surface 25a of the battery receiving plate 25 comes into contact with the inner region (center region) of the convex electrode surface 9B than the contact region with the contact portion 1a. Further, the protruding portion 25b of the battery receiving plate 25 passes through the slit 1e formed in the contact piece 1B 'and comes into contact with the ceiling surface 2b' of the battery chamber 2 '.

  The protrusion 25b abuts against the ceiling surface 2b ', so that the battery 3B is prevented from moving in the direction of the ceiling surface, and the elastic deformation amount of the contact piece 1B' is still allowed to be slightly elastic. Limited to quantity. Therefore, even when the camera receives an impact or the battery 3B is forcibly pushed in before the battery cover 5 is closed, the elastic deformation amount of the contact piece 1B ′ does not exceed its elastic limit. That is, plastic deformation such as bending of the curved portion 1b of the contact piece 1B 'or collapse of the contact portion 1a is prevented. The protrusion amount of the protrusion 25b is set in a range that does not exceed the elastic limit of the contact piece 1B ', that is, a range in which the contact piece 1B' is not plastically deformed.

  In addition, one of the reasons for providing the battery receiving surface 25a (and the protruding portion 25b) of the battery receiving plate 25 so as to be in contact with a region inside the contact region with the contact portion 1a of the convex electrode surface 9B is as follows. This is the same as the reason for providing the battery receiving protrusion 2a in the first embodiment. In addition, if the battery receiving surface is provided so as to abut on the shoulder which is the outer peripheral portion of the convex electrode surface 9B in the battery 3B, the following inconvenience may also occur. One. That is, there is a possibility that the battery receiving plate 25 is inclined due to variation (non-uniformity) in the shape of the shoulder portion, and one of the pair of contact portions 1a displaced integrally with the battery receiving plate 25 does not contact the convex electrode surface 9B. This is because of this.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the step P between the battery receiving surface 25a and the lower surface 25d of the battery receiving plate 25 is a portion of the outer periphery of the convex electrode surface 9B from the tip surface of the convex electrode surface 9B in the battery 3B. It is set to less than half compared with the height H to the shoulder. For this reason, even if the dimensional tolerance of the height H in various batteries is taken into account, the shoulder of the battery 3B is the lower surface of the battery receiving plate 25 in a state where the convex electrode surface 9B is in contact with the contact portion 1a of the contact piece 1B ′. There is no contact with 25d. Therefore, even if the battery receiving plate 25 is present, an appropriate pressure contact state between the convex electrode surface 9B and the contact piece 1B ′ is ensured.

  On the other hand, when the battery 3B is reversely inserted into the battery chamber space on the contact piece 1B ′ side with the flat electrode surface facing the contact piece 1B ′, the flat electrode surface of the battery 3B is the lower surface (contact) of the battery receiving plate 25. Abutment part) 25d. In this case, since there is a step between the lower surface 25d of the battery receiving plate 25 and the contact portion 1a of the contact piece 1B ', the flat electrode surface of the battery 3B does not contact the contact portion 1a of the contact piece 1B'. . Therefore, a short circuit due to reverse insertion of the battery 3B is prevented.

  Each embodiment described above is only a representative example, and various modifications and changes can be made to each embodiment in carrying out the present invention.

Sectional drawing which shows the mode in the battery chamber in the middle of insertion of the battery in Example 1 of this invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the camera according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the battery chamber in the first embodiment. Sectional drawing explaining the mode in the battery chamber in the insertion completion state of the battery in Example 1. FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the mode in the battery chamber in the middle of insertion of the battery in Example 1. FIG. Sectional drawing explaining the mode in the battery chamber in the insertion completion state of the battery in Example 2 of this invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the battery compartment in Example 2.

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B, 1A ', 1B' contact piece 1a electrode contact portion 1b curved portion 1e, 1f 'slit 1f hole 2, 2' battery chamber 2a battery receiving projection 2b, 2b 'ceiling surface 2c groove 3A, 3B battery 4 battery Cover 5 Battery lid 6 Battery lid contact piece 9A Flat electrode surface 9B Convex electrode surface 10, 25 Battery receiving plate 11 Chassis 13 Imaging unit 26 Battery receiving component

Claims (8)

An electronic device having a battery chamber in which a battery is stored,
In the battery chamber,
A conductive member having elasticity and contacting the electrode surface of the battery housed in the battery chamber;
A battery receiving member for receiving the electrode surface of the battery,
The battery receiving member limits an amount of elastic deformation of the conductive member in contact with the electrode surface. An electronic device having a battery chamber in which a battery is stored,
In the battery chamber,
A conductive member having elasticity and contacting the electrode surface of the battery housed in the battery chamber;
A battery receiving member for receiving the electrode surface of the battery,
The battery receiving member is formed so as to protrude from the battery chamber, and the protruding amount is set in a range in which the conductive member is not plastically deformed.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the battery receiving member receives a region inside the contact surface with the conductive member on the electrode surface.   4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the battery receiving member contacts the electrode surface after the conductive member is elastically deformed. 5.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the battery receiving member is integrally formed with a member that forms the battery chamber. The battery receiving member is attached to the conductive member,
The contact permitting portion that allows contact between the convex electrode surface of the battery and the conductive member, and a contact blocking portion that prevents contact between the flat electrode surface of the battery and the conductive member. The electronic device according to any one of 1 to 3. An electronic device having a battery chamber in which a battery is stored,
In the battery chamber,
A conductive member having elasticity and contacting the electrode surface of the battery housed in the battery chamber;
A battery receiving member attached to the conductive member;
The battery receiving member includes a contact allowing portion that allows contact between the convex electrode surface of the battery and the conductive member, and a contact blocking portion that prevents contact between the flat electrode surface of the battery and the conductive member. Electronic equipment characterized by The electronic device according to claim 7, wherein when the convex electrode surface and the conductive member are in contact with each other, the contact blocking portion does not contact an outer peripheral portion of the battery than the convex electrode surface.