JP2009034488A - Pocketable body warmer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To highly efficiently conduct the heat of a heater to the whole surface of a case and to prevent an adverse effect on a battery by reducing the heat conduction to the battery stored in the case. <P>SOLUTION: This pocketable body warmer includes: a metallic outer casing 2 formed by processing a metal plate into a tube shape having a closed bottom end and an opened one end; a plastic-made inner casing 3 with an outer contour being formed to be inserted into the metallic outer casing and having a storage portion 5 of the battery 1 on its inside; the battery 1 loaded in the inner casing 3; and a heater 4 thermally connected to the metallic outer casing 2 for heating the metallic outer casing 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a squirrel furnace incorporating a heater heated by a battery.

A hood with a built-in battery and heating a heater with this battery has been developed and is described in Patent Document 1. FIG. 1 shows a firearm described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. This pocket furnace includes a rechargeable battery 91, a heater circuit 94 having a heater 93 that generates heat when energized by the battery 91, and a case 92 that houses the heater circuit 94. In this pocket furnace, cylindrical batteries 91 are arranged in parallel and housed in a case 92, and a heater 93 built in the case 92 is energized to generate heat.
JP-A-11-70137

  In the pocket furnace of Patent Document 1, in order to efficiently conduct heat generated by the heater 93 to the entire case 92, the case 92 is manufactured from a material having high thermal conductivity. However, the case 92 having a high thermal conductivity makes it easier to transfer heat to the battery 91 housed therein. In the illustrated furnace, the rechargeable battery 91 is built in the case 92, but it is not always preferable that the battery 91 built in the case 92 is heated by the heater 93. For example, it is never preferable that a nickel-metal hydride battery, which is a rechargeable battery, is used for a long time in a state of being heated to a high temperature. For this reason, reducing the heat conduction to the battery accommodated in the case while efficiently conducting the heat of the heater to the entire case is a contradictory characteristic, and it is difficult to satisfy both.

  In addition, the case of a squirrel can be efficiently heated by increasing the heat conduction by forming the entire case thin, but the case formed thinly has a low strength. On the contrary, if the case is formed thick and the strength is increased, the heat conduction is lowered and the whole cannot be efficiently heated. Therefore, a structure for increasing the overall strength while efficiently conducting the heat of the heater to the entire surface is also required for the case of the bonfire.

The present invention has been developed for the purpose of solving these problems. An important object of the present invention is to provide a hood that can efficiently conduct the heat of the heater to the entire surface of the case while reducing the conduction of heat to the battery housed in the case, thereby preventing adverse effects of the heat on the battery. It is to provide.
Another important object of the present invention is to provide a hood that can increase the strength of the case while efficiently heating the entire surface of the case.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention has the following configuration.
The pocket is formed in a metal outer case 2 formed by processing a metal plate into a cylindrical shape with the bottom closed and one end opened, and an outer shape to be inserted into the metal outer case 2, and the battery 1 inside. A plastic inner case 3 provided with a storage portion 5, a battery 1 stored in the inner case 3, and a heater 4 that is thermally coupled to the metal outer case 2 to heat the metal outer case 2. .

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the battery 1 is detachably accommodated in the inner case 3. Further, according to claim 3 of the present invention, the battery 1 is an AA battery.

  Further, according to claim 4 of the present invention, the inner case 3 is fixed to the metal outer case 2 and the main body 3A is detachably connected to the main body 3A. And a lid portion 3B for closing. In this pocket furnace, the lid 3B is removed and the battery 1 is replaced.

  Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the heater 4 is a PTC, and the PTC is disposed at the bottom of the metal outer case 2.

  Further, according to claim 6 of the present invention, the heater 4 is disposed between the metal outer case 2 and the inner case 3, and the holder plate 6 is disposed between the inner case 3 and the heater 4. In this pocket furnace, the heater 4 is sandwiched between the holder plate 6 and the inner surface of the metal outer case 2 to thermally couple the heater 4 to the metal outer case 2, and a gap 60 is provided between the holder plate 6 and the inner case 3. Is provided to suppress heat conduction from the heater 4 to the inner case 3.

  Furthermore, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the battery 1 is a nickel metal hydride battery.

  Further, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the heater 104 is disposed inside the both sides of the metal outer case 102.

  Further, according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the temperature sensor 152 is disposed in proximity to or in contact with the inside of the metal outer case 102.

  Further, according to claim 10 of the present invention, the inner case 3, 103 is detachably connected to the main body portions 3 A, 103 A fixed to the metal outer cases 2, 102, and the main body portions 3 A, 103 A, Lid portions 3B and 103B for closing the openings 20 and 120 of the metal outer cases 2 and 102 are provided, and the main body portions 3A and 103A and the lid portions 3B and 103B are electrically connected via the pin jacks 13 and 113. ing.

  Further, according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the lid portions 3B and 103B include the lid side contacts 12 and 112 that contact the electrodes of the batteries 1 and 101 housed in the main body portions 3A and 103A.

  The bonfire of the present invention has an advantage that the heat of the heater is efficiently conducted to the entire surface of the case, and the adverse effect of the heat on the battery stored in the case can be reduced. The heater of the present invention is a heater in which a plastic inner case is housed in a cylindrical metal outer case whose bottom is closed and one end is opened, and which is heated by a battery housed in the inner case. This is because the heat-bonded metal outer case is heated. In the furnace having this structure, a metal outer case formed by processing a metal plate into a cylindrical shape is heated by a heater, so that heat conduction is improved and the entire surface of the furnace can be heated extremely efficiently. In addition, a plastic outer case is housed in the metal outer case, and the battery is stored in this inner case, so the battery is protected from the heat of the metal outer case heated by the heater, and the battery temperature environment Can be maintained in a preferable state. In particular, since the inner case is made of plastic, heat conduction from the metal outer case is suppressed, and the battery temperature is prevented from becoming high. That is, the battery is not directly heated by the heater, and the heat conducted through the metal outer case is suppressed by the inner case, so it is effective that the temperature of the battery becomes abnormally high. It is blocked and the battery is protected. In addition, since the inner case for storing the battery is formed of an insulating plastic, the battery can be arranged in a state of being insulated from the metal outer case and the heater.

  Furthermore, since the hood of the present invention has a structure in which the inner case is accommodated in the metal outer case, the plastic outer case is accommodated inside the metal outer case while the metal outer case is thinly molded with a metal plate, so that the overall strength is improved. There is a feature that can raise. In particular, the metal outer case can be protected by the inner case housed in the metal outer case while the metal outer case formed of the metal plate is thinly formed so that the heat of the heater can be conducted quickly. Therefore, this hood can increase the strength of the case while efficiently heating the entire surface of the case.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the battery is detachably accommodated in the inner case, when the remaining capacity of the battery decreases, it can be replaced with a spare battery to extend the usage time. Particularly, since the battery according to claim 3 of the present invention is an AA type battery, it can be used not only for a charged secondary battery but also for a commercially available primary battery. Therefore, even when the spare battery is used up, the use time can be extended by using a readily available primary battery.

  Furthermore, the squirrel according to claim 4 of the present invention has a feature that the battery stored in the inner case can be easily and easily replaced. The inner case of this furnace has a main body part fixed to the metal outer case, and a lid part detachably connected to the main body part to close the opening of the metal outer case. This is because the battery is replaced. In particular, this hood has an inner case for storing the battery fixed to the metal outer case, and the battery is replaced through the opening of the metal outer case. Therefore, when replacing the battery, the inner case is removed from the metal outer case. Can be replaced without any change. For this reason, the battery can be replaced easily and easily, and there is also a feature that the battery can be replaced safely without exposing parts such as a heater mounted on the inner case from the metal outer case.

  Furthermore, since the heater according to claim 5 of the present invention is a PTC heater, the temperature can be set by the PTC itself and can be used safely. This is because when the PTC is energized and the temperature rises to the set temperature, the electrical resistance increases rapidly and substantially cuts off the current. By controlling the temperature below the set temperature with the PTC, this squirting furnace can make the maximum temperature lower than the set temperature with a simple structure without using a control circuit for controlling the temperature.

  In addition, since the heater, which is a PTC, is disposed on the bottom of the metal outer case, the heat generated from the heater is efficiently conducted from the bottom to the side surface of the metal outer case so that the entire metal outer case can be quickly transferred. In addition, there is a feature that can be heated evenly. In particular, the bottom of the metal outer case is a part that is not easily deformed by impacts such as dropping, so the structure in which the heater is placed in this part can stably maintain the heater and the inner surface of the metal outer case in a thermally coupled state. The metal outer case can be reliably heated over a period of time.

  Further, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the heater is disposed between the metal outer case and the inner case, and a holder plate is disposed between the inner case and the heater. Since the heater is sandwiched between the inner surface of the case and the heater is thermally coupled to the metal outer case, the heater can be reliably thermally coupled to the metal outer case. Furthermore, since this pocket has a gap between the holder plate and the inner case, the heat conduction from the heater to the inner case is suppressed, and the inner case is directly heated by the heat generated by the heater. It is possible to effectively prevent the battery stored in the battery from being heated.

  Furthermore, in the squirrel according to claim 7 of the present invention, the battery is a nickel metal hydride battery. This furnace can ideally heat the surface of the metal outer case while protecting the heat-resistant nickel-metal hydride battery from the heat of the metal outer case.

  Furthermore, since the heater according to claim 8 of the present invention is provided with heaters on both sides of the metal outer case, both sides of the metal outer case can be efficiently and quickly heated from the inside by the heater. is there.

  Furthermore, since the temperature sensor is arranged close to or in contact with the inner side of the metal outer case, the temperature detector according to the ninth aspect of the present invention detects the temperature outside the metal outer case with high sensitivity. Can be controlled within the optimum temperature range.

  Further, according to claim 10 of the present invention, the inner case has a main body part fixed to the metal outer case, and a lid part that is detachably connected to the main body part and closes the opening of the metal outer case. Since the main body portion and the lid portion are electrically connected via the pin jack, the main body portion and the lid portion can be electrically connected while being detachably connected with a simple structure.

  Furthermore, in the squirrel according to claim 11 of the present invention, since the lid portion has a lid side contact that contacts the electrode of the battery housed in the main body portion, the opening of the metal outer case is closed with the lid portion. Thus, the battery can be electrically connected to the lid part by reliably bringing the lid side contact into contact with the electrode of the battery.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the following examples illustrate a furnace for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the present invention does not specify the furnace as follows. Moreover, the member shown by the claim is not what specifies the member of an Example at all. Note that the size, positional relationship, and the like of the members shown in each drawing may be exaggerated for clarity of explanation. Further, in the following description, the same name and reference sign indicate the same or the same members, and detailed description will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, each element constituting the present invention may be configured such that a plurality of elements are constituted by the same member and the plurality of elements are shared by one member, and conversely, the function of one member is constituted by a plurality of members. It can also be realized by sharing.

  2 to 12 are formed in a metal outer case 2 formed by processing a metal plate into a cylindrical shape having a closed bottom and one end opened, and an outer shape inserted into the metal outer case 2. In addition, a plastic inner case 3 having a storage portion 5 for the battery 1 therein, a battery 1 stored in the inner case 3, and a metal outer case 2 are thermally coupled to the metal outer case 2. And a heater 4 for heating.

[Metal exterior case]
The metal outer case 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape in which one end of a cylindrical cylindrical portion 2A is closed with a bottom plate portion 2B and the other end is opened. The metal outer case 2 is manufactured by pressing a metal plate in order to realize excellent heat conduction. An aluminum plate is used as this metal plate. However, an iron plate, a copper plate, a shinchu plate, etc. can be used for the metal plate of the metal outer case. Furthermore, the metal exterior case can be provided with innumerable irregularities on the surface thereof. A squirrel that has innumerable irregularities on the surface of a metal outer case has a feature that can prevent a low-temperature failure.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the metal outer case 2 formed into a cylindrical shape is housed by inserting the inner case 3 into the inner side from the opening 20 at one end and housing the battery 1 in the inner case 3. ing. In the illustrated pocket furnace, two cylindrical batteries 1 are stored in two rows, so that the metal outer case 2 and the inner case 3 have a cylindrical shape with an oblong cross-sectional shape. However, the metal outer case and the inner case for storing two cylindrical batteries in two rows can be formed into a cylindrical shape having an elliptical cross section. These pocket furnaces have a feature that a wide contact area on the cylindrical side surface can be secured. Furthermore, although not shown in the drawings, a hood that houses cylindrical batteries in a row can have a metal outer case and an inner case in a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-sectional shape. However, a squirrel can also hold a square battery. In this pocket furnace, the metal outer case and the inner case have a shape that can accommodate a rectangular battery.

[Inner case]
The inner case 3 is inserted into the metal outer case 2 and houses the battery 1 therein. The inner case 3 is made of a plastic having a lower thermal conductivity than metal in order to protect the battery 1 housed therein from the heat of the heater 4 and the heat of the metal outer case 2 heated by the heater 4. ing. Further, the inner case 3 is formed of plastic which is an insulating material, so that the battery 1 housed therein is insulated from the metal outer case 2 and the heater 4. The illustrated inner case 3 is fixed to the metal outer case 2 and is detachably connected to a main body 3A in which the battery 1 is housed and an opening 30 of the main body 3A. And a lid portion 3B that closes the portion 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the main body 3 </ b> A is molded into a cylindrical shape along the inner surface of the metal outer case 2, and a housing 5 for housing the battery 1 is provided therein. The main body 3 </ b> A shown in the figure accommodates two cylindrical batteries 1, and therefore has two rows of accommodating portions 5. The main body 3 </ b> A has an outer shape substantially equal to the inner shape of the metal outer case 2, and is precisely a little smaller, and is fitted inside the metal outer case 2 and arranged at a fixed position. The main body 3 </ b> A shown in the figure is formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom plate 31 at one end and an opening at the other end, and the battery 1 can be inserted through the opening 30. As shown in FIG. 7, the main body portion 3 </ b> A is provided with intermediate walls 32 in parallel to the opening end surface at positions inside the opening 30 and away from the opening 30, and on both sides of the intermediate wall 32. The insertion opening 33 of the storage portion 5 into which the battery 1 is inserted is opened. As will be described in detail later, the pin jack 13 protrudes between the two insertion openings 33. The pin jack 13 is inserted into and connected to a pin terminal 14 provided in the insertion tube portion 40 of the lid portion 3B.

  The main body portion 3A shown in the figure is provided with two rows of storage portions 5 located on both sides of the main body portion 3A. The storage unit 5 of the main body 3A is formed in a cylindrical shape along the outer shape of the cylindrical battery 1 in order to place the stored battery 1 in a fixed position. In the illustrated main body 3A, two rows of storage portions 5 provided on both sides are partitioned by two rows of partition walls 34. These partition walls 34 have a facing surface on the battery side as a curved surface along the outer peripheral surface of the battery 1. Further, the main body 3 </ b> A is provided with a board storage part 35 for placing the circuit board 7 between two rows of partition walls 34. That is, the main body 3 </ b> A is located between the two batteries 1 stored in parallel with each other, and is provided with a substrate storage 35. The circuit board 7 disposed in the main body 3 </ b> A is connected to the battery 1 and the heater 4, and is mounted with electronic components (not shown) that realize a circuit that controls the supply of power to the heater 4. The circuit board 7 is fixed to a fixing boss 29 provided in the board storage portion 35 via a set screw 28.

  Further, the main body 3 </ b> A has a structure in which a side surface can be opened in order to arrange the circuit board 7 in the board storage part 35. The main body 3A shown in FIG. 6 includes a main body case 3a having a cylindrical side opening and a lid case 3b that closes the side opening 3c of the main body case 3a. The main body 3A opens the side surface opening 3c by removing the lid case 3b from the main body case 3a, thereby facilitating the fixing and wiring of the circuit board 7 to the board housing 35. As shown in FIG. 9, the lid case portion 3 b has an inner surface shape that follows the outer peripheral surface of the battery 1.

  Furthermore, the main body 3 </ b> A includes a case-side contact 11 that is located on the end surface of the storage unit 5 and is in contact with one electrode of the battery 1. The case-side contact 11 is disposed on the inner surface of the bottom plate 31 of the main body 3 </ b> A and is electrically connected to the electrode of the battery 1 inserted into the storage unit 5. The case-side contact 11 shown in FIGS. 7 and 11 is formed by bending an elastic metal plate, and is fixed to the inner surface of the bottom plate 31 and connected to the circuit board 7 by extending from the fixed portion 11A. A connecting portion 11B, and an elastic contact portion 11C that is bent toward the electrode of the battery 1 from the fixed portion 11A and elastically presses the electrode of the battery 1. The elastic contact portion 11 </ b> C in the figure is bent in a mountain shape at the contact point with the electrode of the battery 1. As described above, the case-side contact 11 including the elastic contact portion 11C that elastically presses the electrode of the battery 1 is in contact with the electrode of the battery 1 stored in the storage portion 5 in a pressed state, and can be reliably electrically connected. There are features.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the main body 3 </ b> A is inserted into the metal exterior case 2 at the side closed by the bottom plate 31, and the opening 30 is positioned in the opening 20 of the metal exterior case 2. It is connected to the metal outer case 2. Further, the main body 3 </ b> A is fixed to the metal outer case 2 with a set screw 21 so that the main body 3 </ b> A is inserted into the metal outer case 2 so as not to come off. The main body 3 </ b> A is provided with connecting bosses 36 into which the set screws 21 are screwed on both sides of the bottom plate 31 so as to protrude from the bottom plate 31 and integrally molded. The metal outer case 2 is provided with through holes 22 for inserting set screws 21 on both sides of the bottom plate portion 2B. The set screws 21 that penetrate the bottom plate portion 2B are screwed into the connecting boss 36 of the main body portion 3A. The main body 3 </ b> A is fixed to the metal outer case 2.

  Further, the main body 3 </ b> A fixes the heater 4 to the bottom plate 31 in order to dispose the heater 4 in a thermally coupled state inside the bottom plate 2 </ b> B of the metal exterior case 2. 5A and 6B, a holder plate 6 that fixes the heater 4 while positioning the heater 4 is fixed to the bottom plate 31, and the heater 4 is attached to the bottom plate of the metal exterior case 2 via the holder plate 6. It arrange | positions close to the part 2B.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 8, 10, and 11, the lid portion 3 </ b> B is connected to an insertion tube portion 40 that is inserted into the opening 30 of the main body portion 3 </ b> A and an end portion of the insertion tube portion 40. And a flange 41 that closes the opening 30 of the main body 3 </ b> A and the opening 20 of the metal exterior case 2. The lid 3B shown in the figure is provided with a hollow substrate housing portion 42 in which a circuit board 8 is disposed.

  The insertion cylinder part 40 is formed in an outer shape along the inner shape of the opening part 30 of the main body part 3A so that it can be inserted into the opening part 30 of the main body part 3A. Furthermore, the insertion cylinder part 40 is provided with the cover side contact 12 for contacting the other electrode of the battery 1 accommodated in the accommodating part 5 on the end surface on the side inserted into the main body part 3A. In the insertion cylinder portion 40, contact windows 44 are opened on both sides of an end face plate 43 which is an end face on the battery side, and the lid side contacts 12 are exposed from these contact windows 44. Furthermore, the insertion cylinder part 40 is located between the contact windows 44 and exposes and provides the pin terminal 14 into which the pin jack 13 protruding from the intermediate wall 32 of the main body part 3A is inserted. The lid side contact 12 and the pin terminal 14 are fixed to the circuit board 8 disposed inside the lid 3B. The lid 3B is electrically connected by bringing the lid-side contact 12 disposed on the end face plate 43 into contact with one electrode of the battery 1 in a state where the insertion cylinder portion 40 is inserted into the opening 30 of the main body 3A. The pin jack 13 protruding from the intermediate wall 32 of the main body 3A is inserted into the pin terminal 14 at the center of the end face plate 43 to connect the circuit board 8 of the lid 3B and the circuit board 7 of the main body 3A.

  The flange 41 has a cap shape in which a peripheral wall 41B is provided around the upper surface plate 41A serving as an operation surface. The flange 41 has an outer shape of the peripheral wall 41B that conforms to the outer shape of the metal outer case 2 so that the opening 20 of the metal outer case 2 can be closed while the lid 3B is connected to the main body 3A. 8, 10, and 11, the opening 3 </ b> B of the cylindrical insertion cylinder 40 is connected to the inside of the peripheral wall 41 </ b> B of the flange 41. In the lid portion 3B, the amount of protrusion of the insertion tube portion 40 protruding from the flange portion 41 is the amount of insertion into the opening 30 of the main body portion 3A. Therefore, the lid portion 3B is configured so that the lid side contact 12 of the insertion tube portion 40 and the case side contact 11 of the main body portion 3A can contact with each other while pressing the electrode of the battery 1 from both sides. Design the amount of protrusion. The insertion cylinder part 40 and the collar part 41 shown in the drawing are connected to each other by a locking structure. However, the insertion tube portion and the collar portion can be connected by a method such as adhesion or screwing.

  The lid 3B described above is detachably connected to the main body 3A while being inserted into the opening 30 of the main body 3A. The lid 3B and the main body 3A are connected by a locking structure in order to be detachably connected. The lid portion 3 </ b> B shown in the figure is provided with a locking convex portion 47 on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion tube portion 40, and the main body portion 3 </ b> A is a locking portion for locking the locking convex portion 47 on the inner surface of the opening 30. 37 is provided. The locking portion 37 shown in the figure is a through hole. However, the locking portion can be a recess. The lid 3 </ b> B is coupled to a fixed position by locking the locking projection 47 with the locking portion 37 in a state in which the insertion tube portion 40 is inserted into the opening 30. However, the inner case is provided with a locking projection on the inner surface of the opening of the main body, and a locking portion for locking the locking projection on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion tube portion of the lid. The part can be detachably connected to the main body part.

  Further, the illustrated inner case 3 includes a positioning mechanism in order to prevent the insertion tube portion 40 from being inserted into the main body portion 3A in the wrong direction. The positioning mechanism shown in the figure is a positioning protrusion 38 provided on the inner surface of the opening end of the main body 3A, and a guide groove 48 provided in the insertion cylinder 40 of the lid 3B. The positioning protrusions 38 and the guide grooves 48 are provided so as to extend in the insertion direction of the lid 3B. The lid 3B is connected to the main body 3A in an accurate posture by inserting the insertion cylinder 40 into the opening 30 of the main body 3 while guiding the positioning protrusion 38 in the guide groove 48. However, the positioning mechanism may be a positioning protrusion provided on the insertion tube portion of the lid portion and a guide groove provided on the inner surface of the opening end portion of the main body portion. Furthermore, the positioning mechanism of the inner case does not necessarily need to be configured by positioning ridges and guide grooves. The outer shape of the insertion tube portion of the lid portion and the inner shape of the opening end portion of the main body portion into which the lid is inserted are asymmetrical. As a result, the lid portion can be prevented from being inserted in the wrong direction.

  The inner case 3 stores the battery 1 in a fixed position of the inner case 3 in a state where the battery 1 is inserted into the storage portion 5 of the main body 3A and the lid 3B is attached to the opening 30 of the main body 3A. . In the case of this structure, by removing the cover 3B of the inner case 3, the opening 30 of the main body 3A is opened, and the battery 1 can be taken in and out through the opening 30 so that the battery 1 can be easily replaced. For this reason, regardless of the remaining capacity of the battery 1 housed inside, the squirting furnace can be used continuously by preparing a replacement battery. Further, the inner case 3 is arranged on the lid side contact 12 arranged on the end face plate 43 of the lid 3B and the bottom plate 31 of the body 3A by closing the opening 30 of the main body 3A with the lid 3B. The electrodes on both ends of the battery 1 are pressed from both sides with the case side contact 11 to electrically connect the battery 1 to the contact. That is, since the electrode of the battery 1 is directly connected to the case-side contact 11 and the lid-side contact 12 for electrical connection, it is possible to improve reliability while omitting unnecessary contacts and reducing manufacturing costs. . In particular, by closing the opening 30 of the inner case 3 with the lid 3B, the electrodes at both ends of the battery 1 housed inside are pressed so as to achieve electrical contact between the electrodes and the contacts. In addition, reliable electrical contact can be maintained, and reliability can be improved in this respect.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the lid 3 </ b> B is connected to an upper surface plate 41 </ b> A serving as an operation surface of the furnace, a connection terminal 15 for connecting to an external device, an operation unit 16 for operating on / off of the furnace, And a display unit 17 for displaying the remaining amount and an abnormal state.

[battery]
The battery 1 is stored in the storage portion 5 of the inner case 3. The illustrated battery 1 is an AA type cylindrical battery 1. The battery 1 can be a secondary battery or a primary battery. In this way, a hood that can store a battery of the same standard as a commercially available primary battery is replaced with a commercially available primary battery when there is no spare secondary battery in a state where the capacity of the battery is insufficient for a long time. be able to. The illustrated furnace stores AA batteries, but the furnace can also store AA batteries, AA batteries, or square batteries. As the secondary battery, for example, a nickel metal hydride battery or a nickel cadmium battery can be used.

  Furthermore, a squirrel containing a secondary battery can also incorporate a battery charging circuit. This pocket furnace has a connection terminal for charging, and is connected to an electric device such as a charger as an external device via this connection terminal to charge a secondary battery housed therein. In the pocket furnace shown in the drawing, the connection terminal 15 is provided on the upper surface plate 41A of the lid 3B. The connection terminal 15 is a USB terminal 15A for connecting a USB. This portable furnace can charge a battery 1 stored using a personal computer or the like by connecting a USB cord to the USB terminal 15A. In addition, communication information can be input from a personal computer to change the operating environment, setting conditions, etc. of the furnace.

  Since the battery of the present invention accommodates the battery 1 in a detachable manner, it is not always necessary to provide a circuit for charging the battery 1 in the body of the battery. For example, the battery 1 housed in the squirrel can be exchanged by charging with an external charger. For this reason, the battery 1 can be charged ideally with a simple structure of the hood. In particular, a battery to be charged tends to generate heat when charged, in particular, heat generation at the end of charging is large, and an increase in temperature in this state causes deterioration of the battery. By charging the battery with an external charger, it is not charged inside the furnace, so that the heat of the charged battery is not stored inside the furnace, in other words, the temperature rise of the stored battery is reduced and this temperature is reduced. It is possible to effectively prevent the deterioration of the battery due to the rise.

[heater]
The heater 4 is disposed between the metal outer case 2 and the inner case 3 and is thermally coupled to the metal outer case 2. The heater 4 thermally coupled to the metal outer case 2 warms the metal outer case 2 in an energized state. The heater 4 can be a plate-like heating element. In the illustrated furnace, a planar PTC is used as a plate-like heating element. The planar heater 4 that is a PTC is disposed in a thermally coupled state in proximity to the metal exterior case 2 in a posture facing the inner surface of the metal exterior case 2. Since the heater 4 which is a plate-like heating element can be thermally coupled to the inner surface of the metal outer case 2 with a large area, the heat generated by the heater 4 can be efficiently conducted to the metal outer case 2. However, the heater is not necessarily a plate-like heating element. A heater that is not plate-shaped is efficiently thermally coupled to the metal outer case via a thermal coupling resin or the like.

  Furthermore, when the heater 4 which is a PTC is energized and the temperature rises to a set temperature, the electrical resistance increases rapidly and the current is substantially cut off. Accordingly, the heater 4 which is a PTC has a function of controlling the temperature below the set temperature by itself, and the maximum temperature can be made lower than the set temperature without using a control circuit for controlling the temperature. However, the heater which is PTC can also control the temperature by controlling the current to be applied. However, as the heater, in addition to the planar PTC, a heater using the heat generated by the transistor, a resistor, or the like can be used.

  3, 5, 6, 10, and 11, the flat heater 4 is disposed on the bottom of the metal outer case 2. The heater 4 is disposed inside the bottom plate portion 2B of the metal outer case 2. The heater 4 disposed between the metal outer case 2 and the inner case 3 is disposed at a fixed position of the metal outer case 2 via the inner case 3 connected to the metal outer case 2. Are arranged in a thermally coupled state. Furthermore, in the illustrated furnace, a holder plate 6 for holding the heater 4 in a fixed position is disposed between the inner case 3 and the heater 4. In this pocket furnace, the heater 4 is sandwiched between the holder plate 6 and the inner surface of the metal outer case 2 so that the heater 4 is held at a fixed position and thermally coupled to the metal outer case 2. In the illustrated inner case 3, the holder plate 6 is fixed to the surface of the bottom plate 31, and the heater 4 is connected to the surface of the holder plate 6. Further, the bottom plate 31 on which the heater 4 is arranged is fixed to the bottom plate portion 2B of the metal outer case 2 with a set screw 21, and the heater 4 is arranged at a fixed position inside the bottom plate portion 2B. .

  Furthermore, the holder plate 6 also functions to suppress heat conduction from the heater 4 to the inner case 3. The holder plate 6 shown in FIG. 3 is arranged in such a manner that the heater 4 is arranged on the front surface and the back surface is opposed to the bottom plate 31 of the inner case 1. The holder plate 6 is made of a plastic having low thermal conductivity, and suppresses the heat of the heater 4 from being conducted to the inner case 3. Further, a gap 60 is provided between the holder plate 6 and the inner case 3 to prevent the heat of the heater 4 from being directly conducted to the bottom plate 31 of the inner case 3. The inner case 3 shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 11 is provided with a fixed boss 39 that is integrally formed on both sides of the bottom plate 31 so as to provide a gap 60 between the bottom plate 31 and the holder plate 6. ing. The holder plate 6 is provided with a through hole 62 into which a set screw 61 is inserted. A set screw 61 passing through the through-hole 62 is screwed into the fixing boss 36 of the bottom plate 31 to form a gap 60 with a predetermined gap between the holder plate 6 and the bottom plate 31, and the holder plate 6 is moved to the inner case 3. It is fixed to.

  In order to place the heater 4 at a fixed position, the holder plate 6 is provided with a positioning rib 63 formed integrally with the outer periphery of the heater 4 on the surface on which the heater 4 is mounted. Further, the holder plate 6 of FIG. 6 is integrally formed with a protrusion 64 for wiring so that the connection pieces 55A and 56A of the metal plates 55 and 56 connected to the heater 4 and the lead 57 do not contact the case side contact 11. Provided. The projecting portion 64 is provided so as to penetrate the bottom plate 31 from the holder plate 6 toward the substrate housing portion 35. The bottom plate 31 is located at the center between the two rows of storage portions 5 and is provided with an opening 31A. The opening 31A is disposed through the protruding portion 64 of the holder plate 6. ing. Furthermore, the protruding portion 64 of the holder plate 6 is integrally provided with an insulating wall 65 that insulates the connection pieces 55 </ b> A and 56 </ b> A of the metal plates 55 and 56 connected to both surfaces of the heater 4 at the center thereof.

  The flat heater 4 is a substantially disc-shaped PTC 4A, and silver-plated electrodes are formed on both sides thereof. The heater 4 supplies power by bringing the metal plates 55 and 56 into contact with the electrode surfaces on both sides in a pressed state. The metal plate 55 disposed on the inner surface of the heater 4 and on the surface of the holder plate 6 includes a connection piece 55A protruding in the outer peripheral direction, and the circuit board 7 is connected via a lead 57 connected to the connection piece 55A. Connected to. Further, the metal plate 55 includes a plurality of elastic pieces 55B protruding in the outer circumferential direction, and the heater 4 is pressed outward by the elastic force of the elastic pieces 55B, so that both sides of the heater 4 are securely attached to the metal plates 55 and 56. In addition, the heater 4 is reliably thermally coupled to the bottom plate portion 2B of the metal exterior case 2. The metal plate 56 disposed on the outer surface of the heater 4 and on the inner surface of the bottom plate portion 2B of the metal exterior case 2 includes a connection piece 56A protruding in the outer circumferential direction, and a lead 57 connected to the connection piece 56A. It is connected to the circuit board 7 via Further, the metal plate 56 includes connection pieces 56B protruding on both sides, and the connection piece 56B is connected to the holder plate 6 so that the metal plate 56 is connected to the holder plate 6 so as not to come off. The holder plate 6 shown in the figure is provided with insertion portions 66 that are positioned on both sides to insert and lock the distal end portion of the connecting piece 56B. The heater 4 is disposed inside the positioning rib 23 of the holder plate 6 in a state of being sandwiched between the metal plate 55 and the metal plate 56, and the leading end portions of the connecting pieces 56 </ b> B protruding on both sides of the metal plate 56 are disposed. It is inserted into the insertion portion 66 of the holder plate 6 and held in place. With the heater 4 connected to the surface of the holder plate 6 fixed to the bottom plate 31 of the inner case 3, the inner case 3 is inserted into the metal outer case 2, and the inner case 3 is fixed to the metal outer case 2. 4 is fixed to a fixed position of the metal outer case 2 in a thermally coupled state. Heat generated by the heater 4 is efficiently conducted to the bottom plate portion 2B of the metal exterior case 2 through the metal plate 56. Further, the metal plate 56 can be coated with a heat bonding paste such as silicon paste to increase the efficiency of heat conduction with the bottom plate portion 2B of the metal outer case 2.

  As described above, the heater 4 which is a planar PTC 4A is disposed on the inner surface of the bottom plate portion 2B of the metal outer case 2 in a thermally coupled state in a posture parallel to the bottom plate portion 2B. The pocket furnace having this structure can efficiently transfer the heat of the planar PTC heater 4A to the entire cylindrical portion 2A through the bottom plate portion 2B. As shown by the arrow in FIG. 10, the heater 4 thermally coupled to the bottom plate portion 2B of the metal outer case 2 conducts the generated heat to the bottom plate portion 2B, and further from the bottom plate portion 2B to the cylinder portion 2A. The entire surface of the metal outer case 2 is heated. Therefore, one heater 4 is disposed on the bottom of the metal outer case 2 so that the entire surface of the metal outer case 2 can be effectively and uniformly heated. The heater 4 is set, for example, so as to heat the metal outer case 2 to 42 ° C. to 46 ° C.

  The illustrated furnace has one heater 4 built-in, but a plurality of heaters can be incorporated. In a squirrel containing a plurality of heaters, the set temperature of each heater can be the same or different. A furnace with built-in heaters with different set temperatures can control the temperature of the metal outer case by switching the energized heater. For example, in a squirrel containing two heaters, the set temperature of one heater is 45 ° C., and the set temperature of another heater is 48 ° C. In this pocket furnace, a metal exterior case is heated to 45 ° C. by energizing a heater having a set temperature of 45 ° C. Moreover, it supplies with electricity to a 48 degreeC heater and heats a heater to 48 degreeC. Further, both the heaters are energized to quickly raise the temperature of the metal outer case and to warm to 48 ° C.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the heater can also be provided with a heater 74 inside the cylindrical portion 72 </ b> A of the metal exterior case 72. In the illustrated furnace, the heaters 4 are disposed inside the mutually opposing surfaces of the cylindrical portion 72A of the metal outer case 72 so that the entire metal outer case 72 is effectively and uniformly heated. . In the illustrated furnace, the heater 4 disposed on the inner side of the opposed surface of the cylindrical portion 72A is disposed between the two battery 1 accommodated in the accommodating portion 5 between the metal outer case 72 and the inner case 73. The effect of heat on the battery 1 is reduced. This warming furnace directly heats the cylindrical portion 72A of the metal outer case 72 with the heat generated from the heater 4, and quickly conducts the heat of the heater 4 to the entire cylindrical portion 72A as shown by the arrows in the figure. Increase the temperature to
In this figure, reference numeral 73A denotes a main body, 73a denotes a main body case, and 73b denotes a lid case.

  FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of the bonfire. The squirrel shown in this figure includes a switching element 51 connected between the battery 1 and the heater 4, and a control circuit 50 that controls on / off of the switching element 51 to control the power supplied from the battery 1 to the heater 4. And a temperature sensor 52 for detecting the ambient temperature of the battery temperature. Since the heater 4 which is PTC 4A is connected in series with the battery 1 via the switching element 51, the heater 4 is used in combination with the protection circuit of the battery 1. For example, even if the switching element is internally short-circuited or welded and kept in the ON state, the heater 4 that is PTC 4A has a sudden increase in electrical resistance when the set temperature is reached, thereby substantially blocking the current and protecting the battery 1. Because it does.

  The control circuit 50 controls the power supplied to the heater 4 to control the temperature of the heater 4, that is, the surface temperature of the metal outer case 2. The control circuit 50 includes a first control circuit 50A installed in the circuit board 8 built in the lid 3B of the inner case 3 and a second control installed in the circuit board 7 built in the main body 3A. Circuit 50B. The first control circuit 50A provided on the circuit board 8 and the second control circuit 50B provided on the circuit board 7 are connected via the pin jack 13 and the pin terminal 14.

  The second control circuit 50B controls the temperature of the metal outer case 2 by controlling the duty for switching the switching element 51 on and off at a predetermined cycle. The time for the second control circuit 50B to turn on the switching element 51 can be lengthened, and the temperature of the heater 4 can be increased, that is, the temperature of the metal outer case 2 can be increased. On the other hand, the second control circuit 50B can shorten the ON time of the switching element 51, and can lower the temperature of the heater 4 and the metal outer case 2. In addition, the second control circuit 50B controls the duty of the switching element 51 with a signal from the temperature sensor 52 that detects the ambient temperature of the battery 1 to set the heater 4 and the metal outer case 2 to a set temperature. it can.

  The second control circuit 50B includes a memory 53 that stores the set temperature. The second control circuit 50B controls the duty for switching the switching element 51 on and off so that the heater 4 has a set temperature stored in the memory 53. The second control circuit 50B does not necessarily need to control the temperature with the duty by switching the switching element 51 on and off at a predetermined cycle. The second control circuit 50B is a signal from the temperature sensor 52 that controls the switching element 51 to be turned off when the heater 4 becomes higher than the set temperature, and switches the switching element 51 to be turned on when the heater 4 becomes lower than the set temperature. Thus, the heater 4 can be held at a set temperature. 6 and 10 has a temperature sensor 52 disposed on the back surface of the heater 4 so that the temperature of the heater 4 can be detected quickly. The temperature sensor 4 is connected to the circuit board 7.

  The memory 53 of the second control circuit 50B stores an initial set temperature and a normal set temperature. The initial set temperature is higher than the normal set temperature. The second control circuit warms the heater 4 to the initial set temperature at the beginning of turning on the power switch 16B of the squirrel furnace, and then controls it to the normal set temperature. In this way, the squirt furnace in which the heater 4 heats the metal outer case 2 can be heated quickly in a short time, and warmed when the user cools. Thereafter, the temperature is set to the normal set temperature, so that the average current of the heater 4 can be reduced and used for a long time.

  Furthermore, the external temperature sensor can also be arrange | positioned in order to detect the state which is not used. Although this outside temperature sensor is not illustrated, it is arrange | positioned at a cover body, for example. This outside air temperature sensor can detect the outside air temperature by providing an opening in the lid and allowing outside air to be introduced into the inside through the opening. In this hood, the state where the hood is not used at the detected temperature which is the outside temperature detected by the outside temperature sensor, that is, the non-use state is determined, and the switching element is turned off.

  The first control circuit 50A connects the battery 1 housed in the main body 3A in a state where the lid 3B of the inner case 3 is coupled to the main body 3A, and various functions provided in the lid 3B. To control. 3 and FIG. 12 includes a connection terminal 15 for connecting to an external device, an operation unit 16 for operating on / off of the furnace, the remaining amount of the battery 1 and an abnormal state, on the upper surface plate 41A of the lid 3B. And a display unit 17 for displaying. Therefore, the first control circuit 50A is equipped with electronic components for controlling these.

  3 and 12 has a connection terminal 15 connected to the first control circuit 50A. The connection terminal 15 is a USB terminal 15A and is provided on the operation surface of the lid 3B. In the illustrated furnace, a cap 18 is attached to protect the connection terminal 15. The USB terminal 15A is connected to a computer via a USB cord. The first control circuit 50A is connected to the computer via the USB terminal 15A so that the set temperature stored in the memory 53 can be changed by a control signal input from the computer. This hood is connected to a computer and allows the user to adjust the temperature to the optimum setting. Furthermore, the squirrel can also charge the built-in battery 1 with power supplied via the USB terminal 15A. A squirrel furnace that realizes this can include a charging circuit in the first control circuit.

  The operation unit 16 for operating the squirrel on / off includes a power switch 16B and a push button 16A provided on the surface of the power switch 16B. The power switch 16B is an ON / OFF switch, and the plunger is operated via the push button 16A to switch the bonfire from the on state to the off state.

  3, 10, and 12, the display unit 17 that displays the remaining capacity of the battery 1 and the usage state of the furnace is provided on the upper surface plate 41 </ b> A of the lid 3 </ b> B. The display unit 17 includes an LED 17A fixed to the circuit board 8, and a light guide 17B that transmits the lighting of the LED 17A to the outside of the lid 3B. The LED 17A is fixed to the circuit board 8 built in the lid 3B, and the blinking state is controlled by the first control circuit 50A. The light guide 17B is a molded product such as translucent plastic or glass, and is disposed in the display opening 45 provided on the operation surface of the lid portion 3B. The light guide 17B guides the light emitted from the LED 17A to the outside of the lid portion 3B for display. ing. However, the lid part can be directly exposed from the display opening and displayed on the outside, or the whole or part of the lid part can be made of translucent plastic to transmit the light emitted from the LED. Can be displayed externally.

  The display unit 17 is controlled by the first control circuit 50A to display the exhausted state and temperature of the battery 1 or the abnormal state of the battery by changing the lighting state of the LED 17A, for example, the emission color or the blinking state. As described above, the hood that can display the battery state has the feature that it can quickly detect the battery replacement time, temperature abnormality, and the like. The first control circuit 50A stores in the memory 54 a lighting pattern for lighting the LED 17A. The lighting pattern of the LED 17A stored in the memory 54 of the first control circuit 50A is changed by a computer connected via the USB terminal 15A. This hood can be connected to a computer to control the lighting state of the LED 17A so that the user can change the lighting pattern to the user's preference.

  In the above-mentioned scallop, the first control circuit 50A is provided on the circuit board 8, and the second control circuit 50B is provided on the circuit board 7. However, it is not always necessary to divide the control circuit into the first control circuit and the second control circuit, and it can be realized by a control circuit provided on one circuit board.

  Further, FIGS. 14 to 21 show another embodiment of the present invention, which shows a squirrel furnace in which heaters 104 are fixed on both surfaces of a metal outer case 102. In these drawings, structures and configurations having functions equivalent to those of the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals in the last two digits, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  14 to 20 has heaters 104 disposed on both surfaces of the inner case 103, and a metal outer case 102 (for example, an aluminum material having a thickness of about 0.3 to 1.5 mm can be used. The heater 104 is disposed in a heat-bonded state on the inner surface of. The metal outer case 102 has a cylindrical shape that closes the bottom along the outer side of the inner case 103. The metal outer case 102 closes the bottom as a cylinder connecting the flat portions 102C on both sides with the curved surfaces 102D on both sides. The metal outer case 102 is heated by placing the heater 104 in a thermally coupled state inside the planar portions 102C on both sides. In the pocket furnace shown in the figure, heaters 104 made of a flat PTC 104A are arranged on both surfaces of the inner case 103, and the heaters 104 are arranged on the inner surface of the flat portion 102C of the metal outer case 102 in a thermally coupled state. .

  The inner case 103 includes a main body portion 103A in which the battery 101 is accommodated, and a lid portion 103B that is detachably connected to the opening portion 130 of the main body portion 103A and closes the opening portion 120 of the metal outer case 102. The main body 103 </ b> A is formed in a cylindrical shape along the inner surface of the metal outer case 102, and a storage unit 105 that stores the battery 101 inserted from the opening 130 is provided inside. The main body portion 103A shown in the figure has two rows of storage portions 105 provided on both sides of the main body portion 103A, and these storage portions 105 are partitioned by two rows of partition walls 134. Further, the main body 103 </ b> A is provided with a board storage part 135 for placing the circuit board 107 between the two rows of partition walls 134. As shown in FIGS. 14, 15, and 18, the main body portion 103 </ b> A is located between two batteries 101 that are housed in parallel with each other, and is on a plane that includes the axes of the two batteries 101. The circuit board 107 is arranged in a vertical posture. The circuit board 107 is supported at both sides by support ribs 127 provided so as to protrude from the board storage portion 135 and is arranged at a fixed position.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the main body portion 103A includes a main body case portion 103a having a cylindrical side surface and a side surface of the main body case portion 103a in order to dispose the circuit board 107 in the substrate storage portion 135. The lid case 103b closes the opening 103c. In the main body case 103A, the lid case portion 103b is removed from the main body case portion 103a and the side surface opening portion 103c is opened, so that the circuit board 107 can be easily fixed to the board storage portion 135 and wired. The main body case portion 103a and the lid case portion 103b shown in FIG. 14 are connected to each other by fitting protrusions 103x and connecting grooves 103y provided on the front end surfaces of the peripheral walls on both sides.

  Furthermore, the main body 103 </ b> A has a pair of case-side contacts 111 for contacting one electrode of the battery 101 inserted in the storage unit 105 on the inner surface of the bottom plate 131. The pair of case side contacts 111 are fixed to the circuit board 107. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the main body 103 </ b> A is provided with a pin jack 113 projecting in the insertion direction of the insertion tube portion 140 on the intermediate wall 132 inside the opening 130 and parallel to the opening end face. ing. The pin jack 113 is fixed to the intermediate wall 132 of the main body 103A and connected to the circuit board 107.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 18, the lid 103B includes a lid-side contact 112 that contacts the electrode of the battery 101 housed in the main body 103A. The lid portion 103B shown in the figure includes an insertion cylinder portion 140 that is inserted into the opening portion 130 of the main body portion 103A, and the two batteries 101 accommodated in the accommodation portion 105 are provided on both sides of the distal end surface of the insertion cylinder portion 140. A lid-side contact 112 that contacts the other electrode is provided. Further, the lid portion 103B is provided with a pin terminal 114 that is inserted and connected between the lid side contacts 112 to which the pin jack 113 is inserted. Although not shown, the lid-side contact 112 and the pin terminal 114 are fixed to the circuit board 108 built in the lid with the structure disclosed in FIG. 3 of the above-described embodiment.

  The inner case 103 stores the battery 101 in a fixed position of the inner case 103 in a state where the battery 101 is inserted into the storage portion 105 of the main body portion 103A and the lid portion 103B is attached to the opening portion 130 of the main body portion 103A. . In particular, by closing the opening 130 of the main body 103A with the lid 103B, the lid-side contact 112 of the lid 103B and the case-side contact 111 of the main body 103A press the electrodes at both ends of the battery 101 from both sides. Thus, the battery 101 can be electrically connected to the contacts. Further, the inner case 103 electrically connects the main body portion 103A and the lid portion 103B via the pin jack 113. In the structure as disclosed in FIG. 3 of the above-described embodiment, the inner case 103 is inserted with the pin jack 113 protruding from the intermediate wall 132 in the state where the lid portion 103B is inserted into the main body portion 103A and is closed. They are inserted into pin terminals 114 provided on the cylindrical portion 140 and connected to each other. This structure is a simple structure and can be electrically connected while detachably connecting the main body 103A and the lid 103B.

  Further, the inner case 103 is disposed on both surfaces of the main body portion 103A in order to dispose the heater 104 inside the flat surface portion 102C, which is both surfaces of the metal exterior case 102, and includes the main body case portion 103a and the lid case. A recess 103d is provided on the outer surface of the portion 103b, and a holder plate 106 that fixes the heater 104 while positioning is fixed to the recess 103d. In the main body 103A, the heater 104 is disposed on the inner surface of the flat surface portion 102C of the metal outer case 102 via the holder plate 106 fixed to the recess 103d and thermally coupled thereto. In the illustrated furnace, a heater 104 disposed inside a flat surface portion 102C of a metal outer case 102 is disposed between two batteries 101 accommodated in a storage portion 105 via a holder plate 106 and a main body portion 103A. By doing so, the influence of heat on the battery 1 is reduced.

  The heater 104 supplies power by bringing the metal plates 155 and 156 into contact with the surfaces of the electrodes on both sides in an elastically pressed state. As shown in FIGS. 16 to 20, the metal plates 155 and 156 project connection pieces 155 </ b> A and 156 </ b> A and elastic pieces 155 </ b> B and 156 </ b> B around the disk portion that contacts the electrode surface of the heater 104. The connection pieces 155A and 156A are connected to the circuit board 107 via a lead wire (not shown) and energized. The elastic pieces 155 </ b> B and 156 </ b> B are balanced around the disc portion and are provided at positions facing the disc portion in the drawing. The metal plate 155 disposed on the back surface of the heater 104, that is, on the inner case 103 side, elastically presses the disk portion against the electrode surface of the heater 104 with the elastic piece 155B, and the heater 104 is moved to the metal outer case 102. Is pressed against the inner surface of the flat portion 102C. The metal plate 156 disposed between the heater 104 and the outer case 102 is inserted into a locking portion 166 provided integrally with the tip of the elastic piece 156B on the surface of the holder plate 106. The metal plate 155, the heater 104, and the metal plate 156 on the inner case 103 side are connected to a fixed position of the holder plate 106. Further, positioning ribs 163 are integrally formed on the surface of the holder plate 106 so that the metal plate 155, the heater 104, and the metal plate 156 are stacked and arranged at a fixed position. The positioning rib 163 is provided with a notch 163A for guiding the elastic piece 155B and the connecting piece 155A of the metal plate 155 disposed between the heater 104 and the holder plate 106. The elastic piece 155B and the connecting piece 155A are guided to the notch 163A of the positioning rib 163, and the disk portion of the metal plate 155 and the heater 104 are laminated inside the positioning rib 163. . This structure can be arranged on the surface of the holder plate 106 so that the metal plate 155 and the heater 104 are not displaced. In this state, the heater 104, which is inserted into the metal outer case 102 and made of PTC 104A, is disposed on the inner surface of the metal outer case 102 in a thermally coupled state. The heater 104 thermally coupled to both planes of the metal outer case 102 conducts the generated heat to the flat portions 102C on both sides via the metal plate 156, and heats the entire surface of the metal outer case 102.

  Further, in the squirrel shown in the figure, the temperature sensor 152 is disposed in proximity to or in contact with the inside of the metal outer case 102. The temperature sensor 152 shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 passes through the through-hole 103e of the inner case 103 and the through-hole 106a of the holder plate 106, and the tip side thereof is disposed in the positioning recess 103f provided outside the inner case 103. is doing. Thereby, the temperature detection part of the temperature sensor 152 is disposed in proximity to or in contact with the metal outer case 102 and is in a thermally coupled state with the metal outer case 102. In this structure, when the temperature sensor 152 is close to or in contact with the inside of the metal outer case 102, the temperature sensor 152 touches the outside temperature, particularly low temperature outside air or a cold part of the human body (for example, a hand). 152 can be detected with high sensitivity. For this reason, it is possible to promptly detect whether or not the temperature drop or the descending gradient of the temperature drop is greater than the set value, in other words, whether or not there is a drop over the predetermined temperature for a predetermined time. Thereby, the electric power from a battery can be controlled so that it can control to the temperature range of each mode mentioned later.

  FIG. 21 shows a circuit diagram of the above squirrel furnace. The squirrel shown in this figure includes two heaters 104 connected in parallel to each other, two batteries 101 for supplying power to the heaters 104, and control for controlling the power supplied from these batteries 101 to the heaters 104. A circuit 150 and a temperature sensor 152 that detects the temperature of the metal outer case 102 are provided. In the illustrated furnace, a control circuit 150 is provided on a circuit board 108 built in the lid 103B of the inner case 103, and two heaters 104 and a temperature sensor 152 are provided on the circuit board 107 built in the main body 103A. In addition, one electrode of the two batteries 101 is connected to the circuit board 107 via the case side contact 111 and the other electrode is connected to the circuit board 108 via the lid side contact 112. Further, in the illustrated furnace, the circuit board 107 of the main body portion 103A and the circuit board 108 of the lid portion 103B are electrically connected via the pin jack 113 and the pin terminal 114. The pin jack 113 and the pin terminal 114 in FIG. 21 include four connection terminals 181 as will be described in detail later.

  In the pocket furnace shown in the figure, the heater 104 is a PTC 104A, which is connected in parallel to reduce the electrical resistance, thereby increasing the power consumption, that is, the heat generation amount. For example, if the electric resistance of the heater 104 composed of each PTC 104A is 1Ω and the total voltage of the batteries 1 connected in series is 2.4V, the power consumption of the heater 104 becomes 11.5W. Therefore, the metal outer case 102 can be quickly heated from the inside with the two PTCs 104A in a state where the heater 104 is energized.

  The two batteries 101 connect the electrodes connected to the lid side contact 112 in series with each other via the switching element 123 provided on the circuit board 108 and connect the electrodes connected to the case side contact 111 to the circuit. The switching element 151 mounted on the substrate 107 and the heater 104 connected in parallel are connected in series. The switching elements 123 and 151 are controlled to be turned on / off by the control circuit 150, and energization to the heater 104 is controlled. The switching element 151 mounted on the circuit board 107 is connected to the control circuit 150 via a control terminal 181B which is a connection terminal 181 of the pin jack 113 and the pin terminal 114. In this firearm, two batteries 101 are connected in series with the control circuit 150 turning on both the switching elements 123 and 151, and the two heaters 104 are energized. In addition, energization from the battery 101 to the heater 104 is stopped in a state where the control circuit 150 turns off both or one of the switching elements 123 and 151. That is, the control circuit 150 controls the switching elements 123 and 151 that are energized to the heater 104 to be turned on and off, thereby controlling the surface temperature of the metal outer case 102 to the set temperature.

  Further, the control circuit 150 stores a plurality of set temperatures in the memory 153. The memory 153 stores, for example, set temperatures for the turbo mode, the strong mode, and the weak mode. The set temperature stored in the memory 153 is higher in the order of the turbo mode, the strong mode, and the weak mode, for example, 45 ° C to 53 ° C in the turbo mode, 38 ° C to 43 ° C in the strong mode, and 35 ° C to 38 ° C in the weak mode. It is said. Furthermore, the control circuit 150 also stores in the memory 153 the turbo time for holding the metal outer case 102 at the set temperature in the turbo mode. The turbo time for continuing the turbo mode is set to, for example, 3 minutes to 10 minutes, preferably 4 minutes to 8 minutes.

  The power on / off, turbo mode, strong mode, and weak mode are switched by a push button switch 119 connected to the control circuit 150. For example, each time the push button switch 119 is pressed, the mode is switched to the strong mode, the weak mode, and the power off. When the push button switch 119 is continuously pressed for a predetermined time (so-called long press), the mode is switched to the turbo mode. The control circuit 150 is a signal input from the temperature sensor 152 via the temperature detection terminal 181C that is the connection terminal 181 of the pin jack 113 and the pin terminal 114, and detects a descending gradient in which the temperature of the metal outer case 102 decreases, When the descending gradient is larger than the set value, for example, when the temperature drop for 3 seconds is 2 ° C. or more, the turbo mode can be switched. Further, the control circuit 150 can detect the temperature of the metal outer case 102 and switch to the turbo mode when the detected temperature falls below a set value.

  21 has a structure in which the battery 101 housed in the main body 103A can be used as a secondary battery, and these batteries 101 can be charged. The squirrel shown in the figure includes an external power terminal 180 for charging (having a structure like the connection terminal 15 disclosed in FIG. 3 of the above-described embodiment), and a charger or the like via the external power terminal 180. To the external device, and the battery 101 housed therein is charged. 21 is provided with an external power terminal 180 on the lid 103B, and the AC adapter 109 is connected to the external power terminal 180. In the illustrated furnace, the switching elements 151, 123, 124, 125, and 126 are controlled by the control circuit 150, and the batteries 101A and 101B can be charged separately by the power input from the external power terminal 180. . In the illustrated furnace, the power supply line 182 connected to the external power terminal 180 is branched, and one side of the battery 101A is connected via the switching element 124 and the power supply terminal 181A which is the connection terminal 181 of the pin jack 113 and the pin terminal 114. While being connected to the + pole side, the other is connected to the + pole side of the battery 101 </ b> B via the switching element 125. Further, the negative electrode side of the battery 101A is connected to the earth line 183 via the switching element 126, and the negative electrode side of the battery 101B is grounded via the earth terminal 181D which is the connection terminal 181 of the pin jack 113 and the pin terminal 114. Connected to line 183. In this pocket furnace, when the battery 101A is charged, the control circuit 150 turns off the switching elements 151, 123, 125 and turns on the switching elements 124, 126. Further, when charging the battery 101B, the control circuit 150 switches off the switching elements 151, 123, 124, and 126 and switches on the switching element 125. Further, the control circuit 150 has a built-in circuit that detects the remaining capacity of the batteries 101A and 101B from the integrated value of the battery voltage and charge / discharge current, and turns off the switching elements 124 and 126 when the battery 101A is fully charged. When the battery 101B is fully charged, the switching element 125 is switched off to stop charging.

  The above-mentioned squirrel has a structure that can charge these batteries 101 as a secondary battery that can charge the batteries 101 housed in the main body 103A. Here, a primary battery can be used instead of the secondary battery. In this case, the primary battery is not charged. When charging power is supplied to the primary battery so that it is not accidentally charged, the control circuit 150 measures the battery voltage and the like to detect the primary battery from its characteristics and stop charging. I have. Furthermore, the squirrel does not necessarily have to have a structure capable of charging the battery to be stored. This scallop does not have electronic components such as switching elements for charging the battery on the circuit board of the lid, and also connects the circuit board of the main body to the power line and the earth line of the lid. Does not require a terminal. Therefore, this furnace can simplify the control circuit, and can reduce the manufacturing cost by using an inexpensive one having two connection terminals for the pin jack and the pin terminal.

  Further, the control circuit 150 has a built-in circuit for detecting the remaining capacity of the battery 101 from the voltage of the battery 101 and the integrated value of the charge / discharge current, and the battery 1 is turned on at a fixed time after the power is switched off. The remaining capacity of is displayed. In order to display the remaining capacity and the operation mode, a display unit 117 including an LED 117A is connected to the control circuit 150. For example, when displaying the remaining capacity by switching the strong mode to blinking red, the weak mode to blinking orange, and turning off the power supply, the display unit 117 displays the remaining capacity with the LED 117A being lit. For example, the remaining capacities of large, medium, and small are displayed in order of continuous green lighting, slow blinking, and fast blinking.

It is a perspective view which shows the internal structure of the conventional bonfire. 1 is a perspective view of a bonfire according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the bonfire shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the bonfire shown in FIG. 2. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the connection structure of the metal exterior case and inner case of the bonfire shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the main-body part of the inner case shown in FIG. It is a top perspective view of the main-body part of the inner case shown in FIG. It is a bottom perspective view of a lid part of an inner case. It is AA sectional view taken on the line of the pocket furnace shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the bonfire shown in FIG. 3 taken along the line BB. It is CC sectional view taken on the line of the bonfire shown in FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a bonfire according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a cross-sectional view of a bonfire according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is a cross-sectional view of a bonfire according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is an exploded cross-sectional view corresponding to a cross section taken along the line AA of the bonfire shown in FIG. 14. It is a disassembled perspective view of the flash furnace concerning the other Example of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the connection structure of the heater of the pocket furnace shown in FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the inner case of the pocket furnace shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the furnace shown in FIG. 16. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the connection structure of the heater of the pocket furnace shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a bonfire according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Battery 2 ... Metal exterior case 2A ... Cylindrical part
2B ... Bottom plate part 3 ... Inner case 3A ... Body part
3B ... lid
3a ... Main unit case
3b: Lid case part
3c ... Side opening 4 ... Heater 4A ... PTC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Storage part 6 ... Holder plate 7 ... Circuit board 8 ... Circuit board 11 ... Case side contact 11A ... Fixed part
11B ... connection part
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11C ... Elastic contact part 12 ... Cover side contact 13 ... Pin jack 14 ... Pin terminal 15 ... Connection terminal 15A ... USB terminal 16 ... Operation part 16A ... Push button
16B ... Power switch 17 ... Display 17A ... LED
17B ... light guide 18 ... cap 20 ... opening 21 ... set screw 22 ... through hole 28 ... set screw 29 ... fixing boss 30 ... opening 31 ... bottom plate 31A ... opening 32 ... intermediate wall 33 ... insertion opening 34 ... partition wall 35 ... Substrate storage part 36 ... Connecting boss 37 ... Locking part 38 ... Positioning projection 39 ... Fixed boss 40 ... Insertion cylinder part 41 ... Gutter 41A ... Top plate
41B ... Peripheral wall 42 ... Substrate storage part 43 ... End face plate 44 ... Contact window 45 ... Display opening 47 ... Locking convex part 48 ... Guide groove 50 ... Control circuit 50A ... First control circuit
50B ... Second control circuit 51 ... Switching element 52 ... Temperature sensor 53 ... Memory 54 ... Memory 55 ... Metal plate 55A ... Connection piece
55B ... elastic piece 56 ... metal plate 56A ... connection piece
56B ... Connection piece 57 ... Lead 60 ... Gap 61 ... Set screw 62 ... Through hole 63 ... Positioning rib 64 ... Protrusion 65 ... Insulating wall 66 ... Insertion part 72 ... Metal exterior case 72A ... Cylinder part 73 ... Inner case 73A ... Body part
73a ... Main body case
73b ... Lid case part 91 ... Battery 92 ... Case 93 ... Heater 94 ... Heater circuit 101 ... Battery 101A ... Battery
101B ... Battery 102 ... Metal exterior case 102C ... Plane
102D ... curved surface 103 ... inner case 103A ... main body
103B ... lid
103a ... Body case
103b ... Lid case part
103c ... Side opening
103d ... concave portion
103e ... through hole
103f ... Positioning recess
103x ... convex
103y ... connecting groove 104 ... heater 104A ... PTC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 105 ... Storage part 106 ... Holder plate 106a ... Through-hole 107 ... Circuit board 108 ... Circuit board 109 ... AC adapter 111 ... Case side contact 112 ... Cover side contact 113 ... Pin jack 114 ... Pin terminal 117 ... Display part 117A ... LED
119 ... push button switch 120 ... opening 123 ... switching element 124 ... switching element 125 ... switching element 126 ... switching element 127 ... support rib 130 ... opening 131 ... bottom plate 132 ... intermediate wall 134 ... partition wall 135 ... substrate storage part 140 ... Insertion cylinder 150 ... Control circuit 151 ... Switching element 152 ... Temperature sensor 153 ... Memory 155 ... Metal plate 155A ... Connection piece
155B ... Elastic piece 156 ... Metal plate 156A ... Connection piece
156B ... elastic piece 163 ... positioning rib 163A ... notch 166 ... locking part 180 ... external power terminal 181 ... connection terminal 181A ... power supply terminal
181B ... Power supply terminal
181C: Power supply terminal
181D ... Power supply terminal 182 ... Power supply line 183 ... Earth line

Claims (11)

  A metal outer case formed by processing a metal plate into a cylindrical shape with the bottom closed and one end opened, and an outer shape to be inserted into the metal outer case, and a battery housing portion provided therein. A furnace comprising a plastic inner case, a battery housed in the inner case, and a heater that is thermally coupled to the metal outer case to heat the outer case.   The squirrel furnace according to claim 1, wherein a battery is detachably stored in the inner case.   3. A furnace according to claim 2, wherein the battery is an AA type battery.   The inner case has a main body fixed to the metal outer case, and a lid that is detachably connected to the main body and closes the opening of the metal outer case, and the battery is replaced by removing the lid. The squirrel furnace according to claim 1, which is configured as described above.   The hood according to claim 1, wherein the heater is a PTC, and the PTC is disposed at the bottom of the metal outer case.   A heater is disposed between the metal outer case and the inner case, and a holder plate is disposed between the inner case and the heater. The heater is sandwiched between the holder plate and the inner surface of the metal outer case. The hood according to claim 1, wherein the heat conduction from the heater to the inner case is suppressed by thermally coupling the metal case to the metal outer case and providing a gap between the holder plate and the inner case.   2. A furnace according to claim 1, wherein the battery is a nickel metal hydride battery.   The squirrel furnace according to claim 1, wherein heaters are disposed inside both sides of the metal exterior case.   The squirrel furnace according to claim 1, wherein a temperature sensor is arranged close to or in contact with the inside of the metal outer case.   The inner case includes a main body fixed to the metal outer case, and a lid that is detachably connected to the main body and closes an opening of the metal outer case. The squirrel furnace according to claim 1, which is electrically connected via a pin jack.   The hood according to claim 4 or 10, wherein the lid portion includes a lid-side contact that contacts an electrode of a battery housed in the main body portion.

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