JP2013175471A - Battery unit and electronic device system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a battery unit which can achieve good attachment/detachment characteristics and portability without sacrificing battery capacity while maintaining reliability of power supply to an electronic device.SOLUTION: A socket type connector 70, which comprises a positive electrode terminal contact 72 and a negative electrode terminal contact 76 in a state that the socket type connector 70 does not project from a case of a battery unit 50, is arranged on an edge part formed between two cylindrical battery cells 54 and formed of an upper surface 50a and a side surface 50b.

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery unit and an electronic device system.

  Battery units (battery packs) using secondary batteries are widely used as power sources for electronic devices such as cameras. As an electrical connection means between the battery unit and the electronic device main body, there is one in which a leaf spring-like contact piece provided on the electronic device main body is brought into contact with a terminal provided on the battery unit using a plate spring force. However, since the leaf spring-like contact piece is still movable even if it is pressed against the terminal of the battery unit by the leaf spring force, the leaf spring-like contact piece is instantaneously separated from the terminal by an impact or vibration and electrically disconnected ( (Instantaneous interruption)

  In view of this, a device using a plug-type connector and a socket-type connector as an electrical connection means between the battery unit and the electronic device main body has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In this connection means, the direction in which the battery unit moves relative to the electronic device when the plug-type connector of the electronic device body is inserted into the socket type connector of the battery unit is the same as the direction in which the battery unit and the electronic device body are connected It is. For this reason, if the movement of the battery unit is restricted, the electrical connection is also maintained. Further, the plug-type connector is fixed in the electronic device, unlike the leaf spring-shaped contact piece. As a result, the reliability of the electrical connection between the battery unit and the electronic device can be stably maintained against vibration and impact.

JP 2006-172969 A JP 2006-059689 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, the socket-type connector of the battery unit is protruded in the insertion direction (longitudinal direction) from the front surface of the battery unit case and disposed at the left end with respect to the insertion direction of the front surface of the case. For this reason, the plug-type connector of the main body of the electronic device inevitably enters the inside of the electronic device, deteriorating the utilization efficiency of the space inside the electronic device, and thus hindering the downsizing of the electronic device. Further, when the socket type connector protrudes from the case of the battery unit, the portability of the battery unit is deteriorated and the possibility that the socket type connector is damaged is increased. Furthermore, providing the socket-type connector at the end of the front surface of the case means providing it at the upper part in the insertion direction of the battery cell housed in the case, and the battery capacity is reduced as in Patent Document 2 described later.

  In Patent Document 2, the socket type connector of the battery unit is not protruded from the front surface of the case of the battery unit, but is provided in the upper part in the insertion direction of the battery cell housed in the case. For this reason, when the size of the battery unit is determined, the battery cell must be reduced in size by the thickness of the socket type connector, and the battery capacity is reduced.

  In addition to the positive and negative terminals that supply power to the electronic device, the rechargeable battery unit terminals include a battery temperature detection terminal that transmits the internal temperature of the battery unit during battery charging to the charger, There is also a battery level detection terminal that transmits the amount to the electronic device. If a plug-type connector and a socket-type connector are used for all electrical connections between the battery unit and the electronic device, the attachment and removal force of the battery unit to and from the electronic device increases, and the detachability of the battery unit deteriorates.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a battery unit that can achieve good detachability and portability to an electronic device body without sacrificing battery capacity while maintaining the reliability of power supply to the electronic device body. For illustrative purposes.

  A battery unit according to an aspect of the present invention is a battery unit that is detachably stored in a battery chamber of an electronic device, and stores two cylindrical battery cells that generate an electromotive force. A case having an upper surface perpendicular to the attaching / detaching direction attached to and detached from the battery chamber, and a side surface in contact with the upper surface and perpendicular to the upper surface, and a plug-type connector provided so as to protrude in the attaching / detaching direction inside the battery chamber A socket-type connector electrically connected to the socket-type connector, wherein the socket-type connector is provided at an edge of the upper surface and the side surface of the case so as not to protrude from the upper surface and the side surface. Has a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal connected to the battery cell, and the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal pass through the upper surface from the attaching / detaching direction, and the two electric terminals. And it is provided in a region that does not overlap with the two battery cells among the cell.

  An electronic device system according to another aspect of the present invention is an electronic device system including an electronic device and a battery unit that is detachably housed in a battery chamber formed in the electronic device. A plug-type connector that protrudes into the battery chamber in an attaching / detaching direction in which the battery unit is attached to and detached from the battery chamber; and a leaf spring function that protrudes into the battery chamber in a direction perpendicular to the attaching / detaching direction. The battery unit houses two cylindrical battery cells that generate electromotive force, and is in contact with the top surface perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction and the top surface. A case having an orthogonal side surface, and a socket type connector electrically connected to the plug type connector when the battery unit is housed in the battery chamber. Has a positive terminal and a negative terminal connected to the battery cell, and the positive terminal and the negative terminal are located between the two battery cells when viewed through the top surface from the attachment / detachment direction. It is provided in the area | region which does not overlap with the said 2 battery cell.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the battery unit which can implement | achieve favorable attachment / detachment to an electronic device and portability, without sacrificing battery capacity, maintaining the reliability of the power supply to an electronic device can be provided.

It is a front view of the camera in which a battery unit is loaded. It is a bottom view of the camera shown in FIG. It is a side view of the camera main body shown in FIG. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is a perspective view of the battery chamber unit of the camera shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the battery chamber unit shown in FIG. It is BB sectional drawing shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the battery unit shown in FIG. It is a top view of the battery unit shown in FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the state which the connector of the battery unit and the battery chamber unit fitted. It is a cross-sectional view of a state in which the connectors of the battery unit and the battery chamber unit are fitted.

  1, 2, and 3 are a front view, a bottom view, and a side view of a digital still camera (imaging device, electronic device) that is an example of the electronic device and the electronic device system of this embodiment, respectively. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

  Reference numeral 1 denotes a camera body (electronic device body), and 2 denotes a camera grip. Reference numeral 3 denotes a battery cover that opens and closes, and is configured to be able to open and close approximately 90 ° by a hinge shaft 3a as shown in FIG. A battery chamber unit 4 is provided inside the grip 2.

  The battery chamber unit 4 has an opening provided below the camera and a battery chamber 30 connected thereto. The battery chamber 30 is opened and closed by opening and closing the battery lid 3. 5 and 6 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the battery chamber unit 4, respectively. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG.

  The battery chamber 30 can detachably store the battery unit 50. The battery chamber 30 includes battery guide rails 30a and 30b and guide ribs 30e. A flexible printed circuit board 40 having openings 30c and 30d on the top surface and a contact portion for electrical connection with an accessory such as an external power supply device is exposed.

  Reference numeral 31 denotes a plug-type connector that fits into the socket-type connector 70 of the battery unit 50, and includes a positive electrode terminal contact piece 32 and a negative electrode terminal contact piece 33. The positive electrode terminal contact piece 32 and the negative electrode terminal contact piece 33 of the plug-type connector 31 protrude into the battery chamber 30 in the Z direction. The Z direction is an attaching / detaching direction in which the battery unit 50 is attached to / detached from the camera body 1 as will be described later. A power harness 44 having a wire connection crimp connector is soldered to each base end portion of the positive electrode terminal contact piece 32 and the negative electrode terminal contact piece 33 of the plug-type connector 31, and the power harness 44 has various voltages necessary for the camera. Is connected to a power supply board (not shown). The plug-type connector and the socket-type connector have the same connection direction as the attachment / detachment direction (Z direction).

  Reference numeral 34 denotes a battery remaining amount detecting contact piece that is electrically connected to the battery remaining amount detecting terminal 82 of the battery unit 50, and is connected to the battery remaining amount detecting contact piece 34 by a flexible printed board (not shown). The battery remaining amount information is transmitted to the main board 11 shown in FIG. More specifically, the battery remaining amount detecting contact piece 34 protrudes into the battery chamber 30 in a direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the attaching / detaching direction (Z direction) of the battery unit 50 and has a leaf spring function. 34a. The direction in which the leaf spring force of the distal end portion 34a acts (or the connection direction) is the Y direction, not the attaching / detaching direction (Z direction). In this way, the battery remaining amount detection contact piece 34 is connected to the battery remaining amount detecting terminal 82 of the battery unit 50 so that the tip end 34a having a leaf spring function is electrically connected. The connection force is weaker than the connection means using. For this reason, the detachability of the battery unit 50 to the battery chamber 30 is not impaired.

  Reference numeral 35 denotes a battery lock lever for fixing the battery unit 50 at the loading position when the battery unit 50 is loaded in the battery chamber unit 4, and has a rotating shaft 35a. The rotation shaft 35a is engaged with the lock lever plate 36 and the battery chamber unit 4, is configured to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6, and is urged to the position shown in FIG. The battery lock lever 35 is provided with a guide taper 35b. When the battery unit 50 is pushed in, the battery lock lever 35 is automatically avoided and returned to the initial position by the lock spring 37 again at the loading position. Lock.

  A discharge spring 38 applies a biasing force to the battery unit 50 downward in the Z direction in order to discharge the battery unit 50. When the user rotates the battery lock lever 35 with a finger, the engagement of the battery unit 50 is released, and the battery unit 50 is pushed out of the battery chamber 30 by the discharge spring 38 and can be taken out.

  Reference numeral 41 denotes a pressing plate for fixing the discharge spring 38 and the flexible printed circuit board 40.

  1 to 4 again, reference numeral 5 denotes a mirror box to which a rotatable main mirror composed of a half mirror for guiding the light beam from the photographing lens to the viewfinder is attached. 6 is a mirror driving unit for driving the main mirror, 7 is a mirror driving motor for driving the mirror driving unit 6, 8 is a shutter unit, and 9 is a shutter driving motor for driving the shutter unit.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes an image sensor using a CMOS sensor for taking a photographed image arranged behind the shutter unit. A main board 11 on which various electric circuits are mounted is a board that controls the operation of the camera body. Reference numeral 12 denotes a recording medium for recording a photographed image such as a CF card. A liquid crystal monitor 13 displays captured images and various types of shooting information.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the battery unit 50, and FIG. 9 is a top view of the battery unit 50. The battery unit 50 is detachably housed in the camera body 1 and includes a case, a socket-type connector 70, and a terminal portion 80.

  In the battery unit 50, the Z direction (upward) shown in FIG. 8 is the insertion direction of the camera body 1 into the battery chamber 30. When the camera body 1 is removed from the battery chamber 30, it is moved downward in the Z direction. Thus, the Z direction is an attaching / detaching direction in which the battery unit 50 is attached to and detached from the battery chamber 30 of the camera body 1.

  The case is composed of two exterior members, an upper case 51 and a lower case 52. 53 is a boundary part between the two, and is parallel to the X direction when viewed from above in the Z direction. The case has an upper surface 50a perpendicular to the attaching / detaching direction and a side surface 50b. Both the upper surface 50a and the side surface 50b are flat surfaces. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the upper surface 50a, and shows the outline of the battery cell 54 with a dotted line. As shown in FIG. 9, the upper surface 50 a is an XY plane straddling the upper case 51 and the lower case 52. The side surface 50b is in contact with the upper surface 50a and orthogonal to the upper surface 50a. The side surface 50b is an XZ plane of the lower case 52 as shown in FIG.

  The lower case 52 is formed with an engagement groove 52b that engages with the battery guide rail 30a provided in the battery chamber unit 4 and 52a that engages with the battery guide rail 30b. By engaging the engagement grooves 52a and 52b with the battery guide rails 30a and 30b, the battery unit 50 is guided to be stored in the battery chamber 30 of the battery chamber unit 4 in the correct position and posture. The backlash of the battery unit 50 in the chamber unit 4 is suppressed.

  Since the battery unit 50 is a battery unit dedicated to the camera and is not compatible with other similar batteries, it is necessary to prevent other similar batteries from being loaded into the camera. 52c and 52d are erroneous loading prevention grooves, and the battery chamber unit 4 can be loaded only into the camera by providing later-described guide ribs corresponding to the erroneous loading prevention grooves 52c and 52d. 52e is a locking groove for preventing the battery unit 50 from falling off when charging the battery unit 50, and is configured to be fitted to a locking claw protruding from the charger.

  Each case generates an electromotive force and houses rechargeable battery cells 54 made of two lithium ion batteries having a cylindrical shape in parallel. As shown in FIG. 9, the two battery cells 54 are arranged in parallel in the X direction. The longitudinal direction of the battery cell 54 is a direction parallel to the Z direction. The Y direction is a direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Z direction.

  The socket-type connector 70 supplies power to the camera body 1 from the battery cell 54, and has a positive terminal contact piece 72 and a negative terminal contact piece 76 connected to the battery cell 54. As shown in FIG. 8, on the side surface 50 b, a plus mark is written under the positive electrode terminal contact piece 72, and a minus mark is written under the negative electrode terminal contact piece 76.

  The socket-type connector 70 is provided at the edge of the upper surface 50a and the side surface 50b so as not to protrude from the upper surface 50a and the side surface 50b. Since the socket type connector 70 does not protrude from the upper surface 50a and the side surface 50b, it is possible to prevent the portability from being lowered and the socket type connector 70 from being damaged.

  In the socket type connector 70, the length L1 in the Y direction of the exposed portion exposed at the upper surface 50a is equal to the length L2 in the Z direction of the exposed portion exposed at the side surface 50b. The openings in the upper surface 50a of the socket-type connector 70 (the opening 73 of the positive terminal contact piece 72 and the opening 77 of the negative terminal contact piece 76) function as a receptacle into which the plug-type connector 31 of the camera body 1 is inserted.

  As will be described later, the socket-type connector 70 applies a force in a direction perpendicular to the Z direction to the plug-type connector 31 of the camera body 1 to contact and electrically connect to the plug-type connector 31. As described above, the present embodiment uses the plug type (male type) connector and the socket type (female type) connector as the electrical connection means. Since the connector structure composed of the plug-type connector and the socket-type connector has a stronger connection force to the impact and vibration than the plate spring structure connector, the reliability of power supply to the camera body 1 is improved.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the positive electrode terminal contact piece 72 and the negative electrode terminal contact piece 76 overlap the two battery cells 54 between the two battery cells 54 when viewed through the upper surface 50a from the Z direction. It is provided in a region that does not become necessary (a region P that is hatched in FIG. 9). Since the region P is a dead space in the case, even if both the positive electrode terminal contact piece 72 and the negative electrode terminal contact piece 76 are provided in the region P, the case does not increase in size and the camera body 1 does not increase in size. Further, if the positive electrode terminal contact piece 72 and the negative electrode terminal contact piece 76 are provided on the upper part of the battery cell 54 as viewed from the Z direction, the battery capacity of the battery cell 54 is reduced or the size of the camera body 1 is increased. In this embodiment, such a problem is avoided.

  The terminal portion 80 includes a terminal that can detect the state of the battery unit 50 by allowing the leaf spring-shaped piece to be pressed and electrically connected by the leaf spring force. Specifically, the terminal unit 80 includes a battery remaining amount detection terminal 82 for detecting the remaining amount of the battery cell 54 in real time in the camera body 1, and a battery temperature detection terminal 86 for detecting the internal temperature of the case. Have. The battery temperature detection terminal 86 transmits the internal temperature of the battery unit 50 at the time of battery charging to a charger (not shown) and performs charging control to prevent excessive heating, ignition, rupture, etc. of the battery unit 50 due to abnormal charging. To do. As shown in FIG. 8, on the side surface 50 b, a C mark is written below the battery remaining amount detection terminal 82, and a T mark is written below the battery temperature detection terminal 86.

  The terminal portion 80 is provided at the edge of the upper surface 50a and the side surface 50b so as not to protrude from the upper surface 50a and the side surface 50b. Since the terminal portion 80 does not protrude from the upper surface 50a and the side surface 50b, it is possible to prevent portability deterioration and damage to the terminal portion 80.

  In the battery remaining amount detection terminal 82 and the battery temperature detection terminal 86, the length L3 in the Z direction of the exposed portion of the side surface 50b is the length L4 in the Y direction of the exposed portion of the upper surface 50a at the edge where the socket type connector 70 is disposed. It is arranged in an L shape so as to be longer. Thereby, when the battery unit 50 is accommodated in the battery chamber unit 4, the battery temperature detection terminal 86 can directly contact the battery remaining amount detection terminal 82 without interfering with the lower case 52 of the battery unit 50. Generation of garbage can be prevented. The battery temperature detection terminal 86 is used for the charger when charging the battery unit 50, and does not connect to the camera body 1.

  The opening 83 in the side surface 50b of the battery remaining amount detection terminal 82 functions as a receiving port into which the leaf spring-shaped tip 34a of the battery remaining amount detecting contact piece 34 of the camera body 1 is inserted. The main part of the battery remaining amount detection terminal 82 configured in an L shape extends in parallel to the side surface 50b (parallel to the Z direction), and the main part of the battery temperature detection terminal 86 configured in an L shape is a side surface. It extends parallel to 50b (parallel to the Z direction). Accordingly, the leaf spring-shaped tip 34a of the battery remaining amount detection contact piece 34 of the camera body 1 can contact the main part of the battery remaining amount detection terminal 82 in a sufficiently wide range in the Z direction.

  In this embodiment, the battery temperature detection terminal 86 is disposed between the socket-type connector 70 and the battery remaining amount detection terminal 82, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the battery remaining amount detection terminal 82 may be disposed between the socket type connector 70 and the battery temperature detection terminal 86, or the battery remaining amount detection terminal 82 and the battery temperature detection terminal 86 are sandwiched between the socket type connector 70. May be.

  The battery unit 50 further includes a circuit board (not shown) arranged on the upper surface of the battery cell 54. The circuit board is connected to the electrode of the battery cell 54, the positive terminal contact piece 72 and the negative terminal contact piece 76 of the socket type connector 70, the battery remaining amount detection terminal 82, and the battery temperature detection terminal 86.

  When the battery unit 50 is mounted, the battery lid 3 shown in FIG. 1 is opened at a position indicated by a dotted line, and the battery unit 50 is inserted into the battery chamber 30 of the battery chamber unit 4 from below the camera body 1 and the spring of the discharge spring 38. The battery cover 3 is closed by wearing it against the force. FIG. 10 corresponds to the CC cross-sectional view of FIG. FIG. 11 corresponds to the DD cross-sectional view of FIG. FIGS. 10 and 11 are views for explaining a state where the plug-type connector 31 of the battery chamber unit 4 and the socket-type connector 70 of the battery unit 50 are fitted.

  10 and 11, the positive terminal contact piece 72 and the negative terminal contact piece 76 of the socket type connector 70 are hemispherical contacts (contacts) with the positive terminal contact piece 32 and the negative terminal contact piece 33 of the plug type connector 31. Part) 74 and 78 have two so as to face each other. When the battery unit 50 is to be loaded into the battery chamber unit 4, the contacts 74 and 78 rub the both surfaces of the positive electrode terminal contact piece 32 and the negative electrode terminal contact piece 33, and the distance between the section D and the section E in the Z direction shown in FIG. To move. In the section D and the section E, the contact piece cleaning action works, and the contact reliability is improved. In order to improve the reliability of the electrical connection between the battery unit 50 and the camera body 1, a step is provided at the attachment position of the positive terminal contact piece 32 and the negative terminal contact piece 33 with respect to the plug-type connector 31. First, the negative electrode terminal contact piece 33 and the contact point 74 are brought into contact with each other, and then the positive electrode terminal contact piece 32 and the contact point 78 are brought into contact with each other.

  When removing the battery unit 50, the battery cover 3 shown in FIG. 1 is opened at a position indicated by a dotted line. Then, the battery unit 50 is discharged from the battery chamber 30 of the battery chamber unit 4 by the spring force of the discharge spring 38. Thereafter, the battery lid 3 is closed. The tip 34a of the battery remaining amount detection contact piece 34 and the battery remaining amount detection terminal 82 are in contact with each other by the spring force of the tip 34a, and the discharge of the battery unit 50 is stable without increasing the spring force of the discharge spring 38. Done.

  Moreover, since the socket type connector 70 and the terminal part 80 do not protrude from the upper surface 50a and the side surface 50b, there is no possibility of being damaged, and the portability of the battery unit 50 is improved.

  Although the present embodiment has been described above, the shape and configuration of the electronic device, the shape and configuration of the battery unit, the shape and configuration of the connector of the battery unit and the battery chamber, and the installation location are not limited, and depart from the gist of the present invention. Various modifications are possible without departing from the scope.

1 Camera body (electronic equipment, electronic equipment system)
4 Battery chamber unit 30 Battery chamber 31 Plug type connector 32 Positive electrode terminal contact piece 33 Negative electrode terminal contact piece 34 Battery remaining amount detection contact piece 34a Tip 50 Battery unit 53 Battery cell 70 Socket type connector 72 Positive electrode terminal contact piece 76 Negative electrode terminal contact Piece 80 Terminal portion 82 Battery remaining amount detection terminal 86 Battery temperature detection terminal

Claims (3)

A battery unit detachably stored in a battery chamber of an electronic device,
A case containing two cylindrical battery cells for generating electromotive force, and having an upper surface perpendicular to an attaching / detaching direction in which the battery unit is attached to and detached from the battery chamber, and a side surface in contact with the upper surface and perpendicular to the upper surface ,
A socket-type connector to which a plug-type connector provided so as to protrude in the attaching / detaching direction inside the battery chamber is electrically connected;
With
The socket type connector is provided at the edge of the upper surface and the side surface of the case so as not to protrude from the upper surface and the side surface,
The socket-type connector has a positive terminal and a negative terminal connected to the battery cell,
The positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are provided in a region that does not overlap the two battery cells between the two battery cells when viewed through the upper surface from the attachment / detachment direction. Battery unit to be used. An electronic device system having an electronic device and a battery unit that is detachably stored in a battery chamber formed in the electronic device,
The electronic device is
A plug-type connector that protrudes into the battery chamber in an attaching / detaching direction in which the battery unit is attached to and detached from the battery chamber;
A battery remaining amount detecting contact piece projecting into the battery chamber in a direction orthogonal to the attaching / detaching direction and having a leaf spring function;
With
The battery unit is
A case containing two cylindrical battery cells for generating electromotive force, and having an upper surface perpendicular to the attaching / detaching direction and a side surface in contact with the upper surface and perpendicular to the upper surface;
A socket-type connector electrically connected to the plug-type connector when the battery unit is housed in the battery chamber;
With
The socket-type connector has a positive terminal and a negative terminal connected to the battery cell,
The positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are provided in a region that does not overlap the two battery cells between the two battery cells when viewed through the upper surface from the attachment / detachment direction. Electronic equipment system. A positive electrode terminal contact piece of the plug type connector connected to the positive electrode terminal of the socket type connector and a negative electrode terminal contact piece of the plug type connector connected to the negative electrode terminal of the socket type connector are stepped in the attaching / detaching direction. The electronic device system according to claim 2, wherein the electronic device system is arranged so as to have