JP4040915B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic device that can be used as a power source by interchangeably connecting different types of batteries with different electrode configurations and outer shapes, and in particular, a plurality of types of batteries are interchangeably mounted in battery storage rooms of various electronic devices. The present invention relates to an electronic device that prevents an increase in the number of terminals, complicated wiring, and the like, which are problems that have occurred in the past.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Various types of electronic devices that operate on batteries are available on the market, but the number of types of batteries that can be used by mounting on electronic devices is usually limited to one, and can be used as a power source by setting different types of batteries interchangeably. There are few. The reason for this is that while many electronic devices that are powered by batteries are portable and light and lightweight, it is possible to avoid increasing the size and weight of the device in order to configure multiple types of batteries that can be used interchangeably. Because it disappears.
In general, portable electronic devices are required by the market needs to be compatible with secondary batteries that can be used repeatedly by charging, but on the other hand, if the secondary battery is used up at the destination and cannot be charged immediately, It is clear that if a AA battery that can be easily purchased instead of a secondary battery can be set and used as a power source, the usability of the portable electronic device will be greatly improved and the commercial value will increase. Therefore, an increasing number of portable electronic devices are compatible with not only secondary batteries but also AA batteries. For example, among commercially available electronic still cameras, there are types in which AA batteries and lithium batteries (secondary batteries) can be set and used interchangeably.
In portable electronic devices that can be used interchangeably with different types of batteries that are currently on the market, they can be connected to storage structures for storing different types of batteries of different shapes and numbers, and to battery-side electrodes at different positions. It was necessary to provide a battery chamber provided with a plurality of terminal members. As a result, the number of parts such as terminal members and wiring increases, which not only increases the cost, but also increases the number of terminal members, which makes it difficult to place the terminal members in a limited space in the battery chamber. The part which supports a member had to be expanded, and as a result, the apparatus was enlarged.
[0003]
Next, the configuration of a conventional battery chamber that enables compatible use of different types of batteries will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 shows a case where two AA batteries are juxtaposed in the battery chamber, and FIG. 4 shows a case where one secondary battery is stored.
The portable electronic device 100 includes a main body 101 that includes a power-supplied portion that operates by receiving power supplied from a battery, and a battery chamber 102 that is connected to the main body 101. The battery chamber 102 opens and closes a storage space 105 for storing different types of batteries B1 and B2 interchangeably, an outer peripheral wall 106 that forms the storage space 105, and an opening 107 for attaching and detaching the battery provided on one side surface of the outer peripheral wall 106. In order to achieve this, the battery lid 108 pivotally supported by the shaft 108a and the dissimilar electrode T positioned at one end of the two AA batteries B1 fixed to the inner surface of the battery lid 108 and juxtaposed in opposite directions Direct connection terminal member 110 that directly connects (+) and T (−), different electrodes T (+) and T (−) on the other end side of both AA batteries B1, and electrode t (+) of secondary battery B2 , T (−) are individually connected to the four terminal members 111, 112, 113, 114 disposed on the outer peripheral wall 106 on the side opposite to the direct connection terminal member 110, and the terminal members 111 to 114. Each lead wire 111a to 1 drawn out Includes a 4a, the minus side terminal members 111 and 113 and lead wires connected 111a of the lead wires 111a to 114a, and respectively inserted security circuit 120, 121 113a, a.
As shown in FIG. 3, when two AA batteries B1 are juxtaposed so that their electrode positions are opposite to each other, the electrode T (-) on the other end side of each AA battery B1 is on the negative side. The other end side electrode T (+) is connected to the plus side terminal member 112. At this time, the remaining terminal members 113 and 114 do not contact any of the electrodes and are not in use.
[0004]
Next, when one secondary battery B2 is set in the accommodation space 105 as shown in FIG. 4, two electrodes t (+) and t (-) arranged only at one end edge of the secondary battery. The negative electrode t (−) is connected to the negative terminal member 113, and the positive electrode t (+) is connected to the positive terminal member 114. At this time, the remaining terminal members 111 and 112 do not contact any of the electrodes and are not in use.
In the conventional battery terminal mechanism having compatibility between different types of batteries as described above, four terminal members are arranged at positions near one end of the battery housing space 105 and provided to various batteries. In addition, each electrode has an individual correspondence. For this reason, the number of terminal members becomes four, which not only increases the cost, but also increases the battery compartment in order to secure a space for arranging the terminal members, resulting in an increase in the size of the entire device.
Next, a safety circuit for preventing accidents such as ignition, explosion, and heat generation is required for electronic devices regardless of normal use or abnormal use of the user. In the meantime, a safety circuit having a similar purpose is required.
Therefore, if a safety circuit is provided in the conventional example shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it is necessary to insert the safety circuit on the lead wire extending from the terminal electrode on the plus or minus side. In this example, safety circuits 120 and 121 made of fuses or the like are provided on the negative lead wires 111a and 112a, respectively. In other words, in a terminal mechanism that can use different types of batteries interchangeably, the safety circuit is inserted separately on the positive or negative electrode side of each of the two or more types of batteries, so that the number of terminals corresponding to each battery is secured. A circuit is required. Although this is necessary for safety, an increase in the number of safety circuits has caused an increase in cost, an increase in size of the apparatus, and a decrease in reliability.
[0005]
Next, in a device that allows compatible use of different types of batteries as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, one positive terminal member can be used in common for the positive electrodes of a plurality of batteries to reduce the number of terminal members. In addition, it is possible to reduce costs, simplify the arrangement of contacts, and reduce the size. As described above, there is a merit of using one terminal member in common for the electrodes of a plurality of types of batteries having different shapes and electrode arrangements, but different from different types of batteries along the same wiring connected to the same terminal member. Therefore, it is necessary to have a special configuration. That is, it is necessary to add a circuit for determining which type of battery the input on the same wiring is from. By adding such a circuit, not only the cost increases, but there is a possibility that a safety problem may occur when the terminal member is used in common. For example, when a secondary battery is included among the different types of batteries that are used interchangeably and the secondary battery is stored in the battery compartment of the electronic device, the electronic device uses the wrong type of battery. If charging is performed with the voltage and electrical characteristics appropriate for the misjudged battery, battery leakage, heat generation, and, in the worst case, explosion and fire may occur, which is fatal. May cause serious problems.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and reduces the number of terminal members in an electronic device having a battery terminal mechanism that can be used interchangeably with different types of batteries having different electrode arrangements, shapes, sizes, and numbers. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device that can reduce cost, reduce size, and increase safety.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1 includes a first type battery having a first electrode and a second electrode, and a third electrode having the same polarity as the first electrode. And a second electrode having a fourth electrode having the same polarity as the second electrode and having a different electrode arrangement from the first type battery. A first terminal connected to the first electrode and the third electrode, a second terminal connected only to the second electrode, and a third terminal connected only to the fourth electrode. And a terminal.
For example, a battery having different electrodes at two opposite ends of the battery body, such as a primary battery, and a battery having positive and negative electrodes arranged at one end of the battery body, such as a secondary battery, are interchangeable. When constructing a battery chamber that can be used for a battery, it is easy to provide a number of terminal members corresponding to the total number of electrodes included in each battery. It is necessary to reduce the size of the battery chamber and avoid it. For that purpose, for example, it is necessary to commonly use each one electrode (same electrode) of the electrodes of two types of batteries by one terminal member. In this case, if a determination circuit for determining the type of battery is provided, the cost is increased and the size is increased, and if it is erroneously detected and energized, an accident is caused. Therefore, in the present invention, in addition to the commonly used first terminal, a second terminal dedicated to the first type of battery and a third terminal dedicated to the second type of battery are provided. In other words, in addition to the commonly used terminal members, the same number of terminal members dedicated to each type of battery are provided as many as interchangeable battery types, and when the type of battery corresponding to a certain dedicated terminal member is not installed The dedicated terminal member was configured to be in non-contact with the electrode of the mounted battery. Therefore, it is possible to determine the type of battery by determining unused terminal members while reducing the number of terminal members.
The commonly usable terminal member may be a negative terminal member that is used in common with the negative electrode of each battery, or may be a positive terminal member that is used in common with the positive electrode of each battery. .
The invention of claim 2 comprises a power-supplied part that receives power supply through the first terminal and the second terminal or the first terminal and the third terminal in claim 1, The first terminal, the second terminal, and the third terminal are connected to the power-supplied part by separate wirings, respectively.
In the present invention, since the first terminal, the second terminal, and the third terminal are connected to the power-supplied part by separate wirings, respectively, the number of wiring members can be reduced, cost reduction, and compactness. Can be realized.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, when the first type battery is mounted, the third terminal is not in contact with any electrode, and the second type battery is mounted. When this is done, the second terminal is not in contact with any electrode.
The control unit on the device body side can accurately determine which type of battery is mounted based on the presence or absence of voltage (current) from the dedicated terminal member. In addition, no special determination circuit is required. Further, since erroneous determination does not occur, problems such as liquid leakage, heat generation, explosion, and ignition due to filling with voltage and electrical characteristics that do not match the attached battery can be prevented.
[0008]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the battery pack includes a control unit that determines the type of battery based on the presence / absence of current from the second terminal and the third terminal. To do.
Since the control unit of the present invention determines the type of battery based on the presence or absence of current from the second terminal and the third terminal, it is not necessary to provide a special determination circuit, and the cost can be reduced. Moreover, by having a control part, the kind of battery can be determined reliably and safety can be improved.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the second to fourth aspects, a safety circuit is provided only on the wiring between the first terminal and the power-supplied part.
By providing the safety circuit only on the wiring extending from the common terminal member, the number of safety circuits can be reduced and the configuration can be simplified.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect , the safety circuit includes a fusing fuse or a thermal fuse.
By using a fusing fuse or a thermal fuse as a means for interrupting an abnormal current such as an overcurrent, safety can be further ensured.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.
1 and 2 are diagrams showing a configuration of a battery terminal mechanism provided in an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 shows a state in which two AA batteries are housed, and FIG. 2 shows a secondary battery. The state which stored one is shown.
The portable electronic device 0 is a portable electronic device such as a video camera, a digital camera, or a laptop computer. The portable electronic device 0 includes a main body 1 including a power-supplied portion that operates by receiving power supplied from a battery, and a battery chamber 2 that is continuously arranged on the main body 1. The battery chamber 2 includes a storage space 5 that stores different types of batteries B1 (first type of battery) and B2 (second type of battery) interchangeably, an outer peripheral wall 6 that forms the storage space 5, and an outer peripheral wall 6 A battery lid 8 that is pivotally supported by a shaft 8a to open and close a battery opening / closing opening 7 provided on one side surface of the battery lid, and two that are fixed to the inner surface side of the battery lid 8 and arranged in opposite directions. Direct connection terminal member 10 which is a metal plate for connecting in series between different electrodes T (+) and T (-) located on one end side of the AA battery B1 and the different electrode on the other end side of both AA batteries B1 In order to individually connect T (+), T (-) and the electrodes t (+), t (-) of the secondary battery B2, they are arranged on the outer peripheral wall 6 portion opposite to the direct connection terminal member 10. The three terminal members 11, 12, 13 and the lead wires 11a to 13a led out from the respective terminal members 11 to 13 are different from each other. And a, a safety circuit 20 which is inserted only to the negative side of the terminal member 11 and the lead wires connected 11a which are commonly used between cells.
The terminal member 11 is a common terminal member commonly used for specific electrodes of different types of batteries, and the terminal member 12 (first positive terminal member) and the terminal member 13 (second positive terminal member) are different types. It is a dedicated terminal member used individually for each electrode of the battery.
In the illustrated example, one of the different types of batteries B1 and B2 is a first type battery provided with a plus electrode and a minus electrode at opposite ends of the battery body. The other type of battery B2 is a second type of battery having a plus electrode and a minus electrode at the same end of the battery body.
As shown in FIG. 1, when two AA batteries B1 are juxtaposed in the battery chamber 2 so that their electrode positions are opposite to each other, the electrode T on the other end side of each AA battery B1. (−) Is connected to the minus side terminal member 11, and the other end side electrode T (+) is connected to the plus side terminal member 12. At this time, the remaining terminal member 13 is a terminal member dedicated to the secondary battery that does not contact any electrode. The terminal member 12 is a positive terminal member dedicated to AA.
In this way, when the two AA batteries B1 are alternately housed so that the electrode positions are reversed, they are connected in series, and power is supplied from each electrode terminal to the power-supplied portion of the portable electronic device 0. be able to.
[0010]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the secondary battery B <b> 2 is arranged in the battery chamber 2, and the side edges of the electrodes t (−) and t (+) are provided with the terminal members 11, 12 and 13. Of the secondary battery B2 is connected to the positive terminal member 11, and the electrode t (+) of the secondary battery B2 is connected to the secondary battery B2. It is connected to a negative terminal member 13 dedicated to the battery. At this time, the AA dedicated terminal member 12 does not come into contact with any of the electrodes and does not cause a problem.
Thus, when one secondary battery B2 is accommodated in a direction in which each electrode corresponds to each terminal member, power can be supplied from each electrode terminal to the power-supplied portion of the portable electronic device 0.
That is, in the present embodiment, the terminal members 11 and 12 are arranged at positions corresponding to the two electrodes T (−) and T (+) of the two AA batteries B1, respectively. The position is determined to be a position corresponding to the negative electrode t (−) of the secondary battery. The positive electrode t (+) of the secondary battery is provided at a position that can be connected only to the positive electrode terminal 13 dedicated to the secondary battery provided at a position avoiding the terminal member 12 dedicated to AA.
Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the minus side terminal member 11 is commonly used for the minus electrode in different types of batteries, so the number of terminal members can be reduced by one, and the number of parts can be reduced accordingly. Furthermore, since the number of lead wires extending from each terminal member can be reduced, the configuration can be simplified to reduce the cost, and the size can be further reduced. In particular, since the electrode terminal 13 dedicated to the secondary battery is disposed in the play space between the electrode terminals 11 and 12, the space of the battery storage chamber can be effectively used without increasing the size.
[0011]
In addition, since the control unit on the device body side determines the distinction between the battery B1 and the battery B2 based on the presence / absence of current from the dedicated terminals 12 and 13 on the plus side, a special determination circuit may be provided, There is no risk of judgment. That is, when the battery B1 is mounted, the current from the terminal member 13 is not output, but is output only from the terminal member 12, so that it can be determined that the battery type is B1. On the contrary, when the battery B2 is mounted, since the current from the terminal member 12 is not output but only from the terminal member 13, it can be determined that the battery type is B2. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an increase in cost by adding a determination circuit or an accident that occurs due to erroneous detection.
In the above embodiment, an AA battery is illustrated as the battery B1 which is a primary battery. However, this is only an example, and any primary battery may be used.
Further, the negative electrodes T (−) and t (−) are illustrated as the respective electrodes on the side of the batteries B1 and B2 to which the common terminal member is connected. However, the positive electrodes T (+) and t (−) of the respective batteries B1 and B2 are illustrated. +) May be connected by a common terminal member, and the negative electrodes T (−) and t (−) of the batteries B1 and B2 may be connected by individual dedicated terminal members.
[0012]
Next, the feature of the present invention is that only one safety circuit 20 is provided. That is, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the terminal members 12 and 13 corresponding to the positive electrodes T (+) and t (+) of the different types of batteries B1 and B2 are provided individually one by one. On the other hand, the common one terminal member 11 is utilized about the minus electrode of each battery B1 and B2. Since the protection circuit 20 is inserted and arranged on the lead wire 11a extending from the one terminal member 11, only one safety circuit 20 is required.
Also in this case, the number of safety circuits can be reduced compared to the case where a safety circuit is provided on each negative lead wire as in the prior art, and the cost and size can be reduced.
Instead of the configuration in which the negative electrodes T (−) and t (−) of both batteries B1 and B2 are connected by a common terminal member, the positive electrodes T (+) and t (+) of the batteries B1 and B2 are connected. In the case of adopting a configuration in which a single common terminal member is used for connection, the safety circuit may be disposed only on the lead wire extending from the common terminal member.
In addition, as a current interruption element which comprises a safety circuit, a fusing fuse may be used and a thermal fuse may be used.
In addition, the terminal mechanism of the present invention can be applied not only to two types of batteries but also to a terminal structure that can be commonly used for three or more types of batteries, and as the number of types of different types of batteries that can be applied increases, The effect is increased. Further, the secondary battery may not be included in the compatible different types of batteries.
The present invention is not limited to portable devices, and can be applied to devices that can use different types of batteries interchangeably.
[0013]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in an electronic device having a battery terminal mechanism that can be used interchangeably with different types of batteries having different electrode arrangements, shapes, sizes, and numbers, the number of terminal members can be reduced. Cost reduction, downsizing, and safety can be improved. Further, it is possible to reduce the cost and size by eliminating the need for a special circuit for determining the type of battery, and to eliminate the possibility of erroneous determination.
That is, according to the first aspect of the invention, in addition to the first terminal commonly used, the second terminal dedicated to the first type of battery and the third terminal dedicated to the second type of battery are provided. It was. That is, in addition to the commonly used terminal member, the same number of terminal members dedicated to each type of battery are provided as many as the number of battery types, and when the type of battery corresponding to a certain dedicated terminal member is not mounted, It comprised so that it might become non-contact with the electrode of the battery with which it was mounted | worn. Therefore, it is possible to determine the type of battery by determining unused terminal members while reducing the number of terminal members.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the first terminal, the second terminal, and the third terminal are respectively connected to the power-supplied portion by separate wirings, the number of wiring members can be reduced, and the cost is reduced. Downsizing and downsizing can be realized.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the first type battery is mounted, the third terminal is not in contact with any electrode, and when the second type battery is mounted, the second terminal is These electrodes are also configured to be non-contact. That is, each dedicated terminal member is configured to be in non-contact with an electrode of a battery other than the dedicated battery. For this reason, in the control part by the side of an apparatus main body, what kind of battery is mounted | worn can be determined correctly based on the presence or absence of the voltage (current) from a dedicated terminal member. In addition, no special determination circuit is required. Further, since erroneous determination does not occur, problems such as liquid leakage, heat generation, explosion, and ignition due to filling with voltage and electrical characteristics that do not match the attached battery can be prevented. In the example of the embodiment, the plus-side terminal member is aligned with the minus electrode of each corresponding battery and is a separate member, so that the plus-side terminal member is not in contact with the corresponding electrode of the battery. For this reason, it is completely protected for the safety of the power supply, and a structure in which an accident such as a short circuit or reverse discharge cannot occur.
[0014]
Since the controller of the invention of claim 4 determines the type of battery based on the presence or absence of current from the second terminal and the third terminal, it is not necessary to provide a special determination circuit, and the cost can be reduced. Can do. Moreover, by having a control part, the kind of battery can be determined reliably and safety can be improved.
According to the invention of claim 5 , by providing the safety circuit only on the wiring extending from the shared terminal member, the number of the safety circuits can be reduced and the configuration can be simplified.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the use of a fusing fuse or a thermal fuse as means for interrupting an abnormal current such as an overcurrent further ensures safety.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a first type battery (AA) is mounted in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state where a secondary battery is mounted in an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which an AA battery is mounted in the prior art.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state where a secondary battery is mounted in the prior art.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 0 Portable electronic device, 1 main body, B1 battery (1st type battery), B2 battery (2nd type battery), 5 accommodation space, 6 outer peripheral wall, 7 opening, 8 battery cover, 8a axis, 10 direct connection terminal member , 11 Common terminal member, 12, 13 Dedicated terminal member, 11a, 12a, 13a Lead wire (wiring), 20 Security circuit.

Claims (6)

A first type of battery having a first electrode and a second electrode;
A third electrode having the same polarity as the first electrode, and a fourth electrode having the same polarity as the second electrode, and the first type battery is an electrode arrangement A second type of battery with different
Which can be used electronic equipment,
A first terminal connected to the first electrode and the third electrode;
A second terminal connected only to the second electrode;
A third terminal connected only to the fourth electrode;
An electronic device characterized by comprising: A power-supplied portion that receives power supply via the first terminal and the second terminal, or the first terminal and the third terminal;
2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal, the second terminal, and the third terminal are connected to the power-supplied part through separate wirings. When the first type battery is mounted, the third terminal is not in contact with any electrode,
3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when the second type of battery is attached, the second terminal is not in contact with any electrode.   4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that determines a type of a battery based on presence / absence of current from the second terminal and the third terminal. 5.   5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a safety circuit only on a wiring between the first terminal and the power-supplied part.   The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the safety circuit includes a fusing fuse or a thermal fuse.

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