JP4234054B2 - Charger holder - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a charger holder, and more particularly to a charger holder for charging a battery of a portable wireless device.

In a portable wireless device (hereinafter simply referred to as a wireless device) such as a conventional mobile phone, a rechargeable battery (hereinafter simply referred to as a battery) is used as a power source, and a battery comprising a plurality of unit cells (cells) is used. A battery pack that is housed in a plastic case is attached to the radio. As a method of connecting a battery pack and a charger to charge a battery, a charger holder that fits with a part of a radio with a battery pack attached and ensures electrical connection with the radio or the battery pack There are known a method (method A) for providing a (charging stand) or a method (method B) using a charger holder fitted to a battery pack removed from a wireless device.
There is also known a charger equipped with two pockets for charging and discharging a portable radio telephone (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In addition, a charging / communication cradle for a portable data collection terminal is known, in which both the terminal and its spare battery can be mounted simultaneously, and the terminal and the spare battery are charged alternately (for example, Non-Patent Document 1). reference.).
In addition, in a battery having a memory effect, there is known a charger capable of recovering a charge capacity by charging after sufficiently discharging the battery (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Design Registration No. 1112277 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-33221 http://www.unitech-japan.co.jp/support/pdf/pt016.pdf

Particularly in an explosion-proof radio, a nickel-metal hydride battery using nickel, which is chemically more stable than lithium, as an electrode material is often used. However, since the nickel-metal hydride battery has a memory effect, non-patent document 1 in which only charging is performed. However, the cradle has a problem that the apparent battery capacity is reduced while being used. In addition, when discharging the remaining charge before charging the battery, the remaining battery level is almost zero during discharge and immediately after discharge. In order to secure a wireless device that can be used even in the middle, it is assumed that two wireless devices are prepared, and there is a problem that the operating rate of the wireless device is poor.

In addition, if the charger of method A and the charger of method B are prepared separately, there are problems that the manufacturing cost of the charger increases and the installation and handling become complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an inexpensive charger holder that increases the operating rate of a wireless device.

The charger holder of the present invention is in contact with a battery pack in which a charging electrode and a discharging electrode are provided in a substantially vertical relationship with each other on a surface provided with the discharging electrode and surrounds the charging electrode. A charger holder that is mounted with the battery pack and that is operated by being supplied with power from the discharge electrode, and charging the wireless device, wherein the wireless is in a state in which the battery pack is mounted A first pocket for charging by mounting a machine, a second pocket for discharging and charging by mounting the battery pack, and protruding from the first pocket to ensure electrical connection with the charging electrode A first metal contact that protrudes from the second pocket, and a second metal contact that secures electrical connection with the charging electrode; the second contact that protrudes from the second pocket; Electrode and electrical contact A third contactor made of metal that secures the main surface, a main board that is fixed substantially horizontally to the installation surface, and that mounts the first contactor and the second contactor, and is connected to the main board substantially vertically A sub-board on which the third contactor is mounted, (a cover (upper case 11) supporting the radio device mounted in the first pocket, and the battery mounted in the second pocket). A holder for supporting the pack), and the first to third contacts are made of the same shape member.

According to the present invention, the contacts are provided on the main board and the sub board which are substantially perpendicular to each other so as to correspond to the charging electrode and the discharging electrode on the battery pack side which are substantially perpendicular to each other. The positional relationship between the electrode and the contact can be made the same, and the same member can be used for the contact. Thereby, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 13, the charger holder 11 has a wireless device pocket for charging a battery by mounting the wireless device, and a battery pack pocket for charging and discharging the battery by mounting the battery pack.

As an example of use of the charger holder 11, a case where a wireless device is used for communication with a factory operator will be described. The user prepares one wireless device and two battery packs (A and B) as a set. At the end of the day, the operator replaces the battery pack A that was installed in the battery pack pocket the previous day with the battery pack B that is currently installed in the radio, and the battery pack B is installed in the battery pack pocket. The wireless device is installed in the pocket for the wireless device. Battery pack B is discharged and fully charged within 24 hours. Since the wireless device is trickle or float charged so as to supplement the battery self-discharge or the standby power of the wireless device, the wireless device maintains a fully charged state.
As another example, battery packs A and B for memory effect refreshing may be replaced every other day or weekend, and may be simply mounted in a pocket for a radio device when not being exchanged (nighttime). . The charging method is the same for both the wireless device pocket and the battery pack pocket. When using a nickel metal hydride battery, the charging is basically constant current, and the time differential of the charging voltage V becomes zero (that is, the peak of V) is detected. Or it is detected that the time derivative of the battery temperature T exceeds a threshold value, and charging is terminated.

FIG. 1 is a central cross-sectional view of the charger holder 1 in the present embodiment, and shows a state in which the wireless device 2 and the battery pack 3 are respectively mounted in the pockets. 2 is a top view of the charger holder 1 with the upper case 11 removed, and FIG. 3 is a left side view of the charger holder 1 with the upper case 11 removed. In FIG. 1, the charger holder 1 is installed and used on a substantially horizontal plane. The upper surface of the charger holder 1 is composed of the upper case 11, and when the wireless device 2 and the battery pack 3 are inserted from obliquely above from the holes constituting the two pockets provided in the upper case 11, they are fitted. Thus, the wireless device 2 and the battery pack 3 are held. The two pockets are arranged at the front and rear as viewed from the front of the charger holder 1, the front is for the wireless device 2 and the back is for the battery pack 3. It is locked so as to be slightly inclined. A connector for connecting a power source such as an AC adapter is provided on the rear side (back side) of the charger holder 1.
In FIG. 3, 12 is a lower case, 13 is a main board, 14 is a sub board, 15a and b are charging holders, 16 is a connector, 17 is a discharging holder, and 18a, b and c are contacts.
The lower case 12 is made of plastic, and is screwed to be bonded to the upper case 11 by screws screwed into the screw fixing holes of the upper case 11, whereby the main board 13 is connected to the upper case 11 and the lower case 12. It is sandwiched and fixed between cases 12.
In addition to the charging holder 15 and the like, the main board 13 mainly mounts circuit components necessary for charging. The main board 13 is cut at the peripheral edge thereof, and a through hole for screwing is provided at the center, and these are fitted and positioned with the upper case 11 or the lower case 12.
The sub-board 14 mainly mounts electronic components of a discharging circuit. The sub board 14 is mounted on the main board 13 via the connector 16 substantially perpendicular to the main board 13. The connector 16 not only performs electrical connection between the main board 13 and the sub board 14, but also fixes the main board 13 and the sub board 14 substantially vertically.
The charging holders 15a and 15b are mounted on the main board 13, and a plurality of contacts 18a and 18b arranged in a horizontal row are supported so as to be sandwiched from both sides to ensure insulation, and the contacts 18a and 18b are elastically deformed in the vertical direction. Prevents misalignment while making it possible. The charging holders 15a and 15b support the vicinity of the bottom surface of the battery pack 3 in the mounted state, and in addition to ensuring the electrical contact between the tip of the contact protruding from the charging holders 15a and 15b and the charging electrode of the battery pack, this embodiment As an example feature, a protrusion that fits to the side surface of the battery pack 3 is provided to prevent the wireless device 2 and the battery pack 3 from falling off.
The discharge holder 17 is coupled to the sub-board 14 by fitting, and similarly to the charge holder 15, the plurality of contacts 18c are accommodated so as to be elastically deformable while ensuring insulation, and only the tips of the contacts protrude from the holes. Acts as a cover. Further, the discharge holder 17 is positioned with the charge holder 15b by a frame portion that is engaged so as to cover the charge holder 15b, and the discharge holder 17 supports the front surface of the battery pack 3 in the mounted state, thereby cooperating with the charge holder 15b. Then, the battery pack 3 is supported.
The contacts 18a, 18b and 18c are phosphor bronze electrodes whose surfaces are subjected to gold plating, and are soldered to the main board 13 or the sub board 14.

4 and 5 are perspective (modeling) views of the charging holder 15. The charging holders 15a and 15b are the same parts, and the wireless device 2 and the battery pack 3 are supported at substantially the same height from the bottom surface of the charger holder 1. In FIG. 4, the slit portion 151 functions as a contact surface for preventing displacement of the contact and the main substrate. The claw portion 152 is inserted into a square hole formed in the main board 13, so that the charging holder 15 is hooked on the main board 13. The dowel 153 is inserted into a circular hole formed in the board, thereby positioning the main board 13 and preventing the main board 13 from being bent by releasing the load of the battery pack 3 to the lower case 12. To do. The semicircular protrusion 154 fits with the semicircular recess 31 provided on the side surface of the battery pack when the battery pack is attached, and performs positioning with the battery pack 3. The rib 155 supports the battery pack 3 in contact with the battery pack at the time of mounting. The height of the rib 155 is designed so that the contact load of the contact point is optimized in consideration of the weight of the battery pack 3 and the shape of the charging electrode 32 of the battery pack.

6 and 7 are perspective views of the discharge holder 17. The discharge holder 17 is a member constituting the front side surface and the bottom surface of the battery pack pocket. The slit portion 171 functions as a contact surface between the contact and the main board. The claw portion 172 is inserted into a square hole or a drill hole provided in the sub-board 14, thereby hooking the discharge holder 17 to the sub-board 14. The hole 173 is a through hole for projecting the tip of the contact 18c. The rib 174 supports the vicinity of the bottom surface of the mounted battery pack 3. The height of the rib 174 is designed so that the contact load is optimized in the same manner as the height of the rib 155.

8 is a top view of the upper case 11, FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the upper case 11, and FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the upper case 11. The upper case 11 is a plastic member that forms an upper surface, a front surface, a back surface, and both left and right side surfaces characterized by a curved surface whose upper portion swells upward in the outer shape of the charger holder 1. In FIG. 9, one rib 111 is provided on each side corresponding to the vicinity of the sub-board 14 to prevent the sub-board 14 from falling to the battery pack 3 side (rear). As a design example, the length (height) of the rib 111 in the vertical direction is about 20 to 30 mm, the width is about 5 to 10 mm, the thickness is about 1 mm, and the rib 111 and the sub 111 are in a normal position. The distance from the substrate 14 is set to about 0.2 to 0.5 mm.
One rib 112 is provided on the top surface of the portion corresponding to the vicinity of the sub-board 14, and prevents the sub-board 14 from falling to the radio device 2 side (front). As a design example, the rib 112 has a left and right length of about 30 to 40 mm, a height of about 10 mm, and a thickness of about 1 mm. When the sub board 14 is in a normal position, the distance between the rib 112 and the sub board 14 is It should be about 0.2 to 0.3 mm. The shapes of the rib 111 and the rib 112 may be interchanged.
In FIG. 8, the ribs 113 are provided one by one on the left and right sides in contact with the back surface of the battery pack 3 when the battery pack 3 is mounted, and the contact surface with the battery pack 3 is reduced to prevent the battery pack from being damaged. As a design example, the length of the rib 113 is the same as the depth (pocket depth) into which the battery pack is inserted, and the width is about 2 to 5 mm. In addition, the top surface is slanted so that the battery pack is guided to the pocket, and there is a gap between it and the battery pack in the vicinity of the entrance of the pocket. When the protrusion 154 and the semicircular recess 31 are fitted), the gap between the rib and the back of the battery pack 3 is set to zero.
The ribs 111, 112, and 113 are tapered as necessary so that they can be punched out, as in the case of ordinary ribs, and also serve to increase the strength of the injection molded article.
In FIG. 10, the rib 114 forms a side surface of a pocket, which is a portion where the wireless device 2 is fitted and attached to the charger holder 1. The rib 114 is mounted and positioned even when the thickness of the wireless device 2 including the battery pack becomes thicker than expected due to variations in the assembly of the wireless device 1 itself or the fitting condition of the battery pack. Determine the width of the front and back of the pocket so that you can.
The rib 115 is in contact with the vicinity of the front side of the bottom surface of the wireless device 2 in the mounted state and plays a role of positioning. The height of the rib 115 is designed so that the contact load is optimized in the same manner as the height of the rib 155. The ribs 114 and the ribs 115 may be interchanged in shape.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the battery pack 3. In the present embodiment, the battery pack 3 is hooked on the back surface of the wireless device 2 with the rear half exposed, so that the lower portion of the battery pack 3 has a protrusion and an upper portion for engaging with the recess of the wireless device 2. Is provided with a recess for engaging with the claw of the wireless device 2. Further, on both side surfaces of the battery pack 3, a semicircular recess 31 is provided that engages with the semicircular protrusion 154 of the charging holder. In addition, the battery pack 3 is exposed to the charging electrode 32 which is exposed and takes electrical contact for charging even when the wireless device is mounted, and the wireless device surface is connected to the wireless device 2 for power supply. A discharge electrode 33 is provided for supplying and discharging the battery when the battery pack alone.
The charging electrode 32 is a gold-plated metal plate and is often exposed, so the electrode is placed in a deep position. Further, since it is connected to the battery in the battery pack 3 through a backflow prevention diode for preventing a short circuit, the charging electrode 32 can be charged but not discharged. As charging electrode 132, in addition to two terminals for supplying charging current to the battery, a terminal for detecting charging current and battery voltage (excluding current consumption of the wireless device), or the wireless device 2 separately from the battery Only a terminal for supplying power supply current, a terminal for detecting battery temperature, and the like may be provided. In addition, when the wireless device 2 includes an auxiliary battery therein so that the reception operation can be performed even when the battery pack 3 is being replaced, a terminal for charging the auxiliary battery may be provided.
The discharge electrode 33 is a gold-plated metal plate, and as shown in the enlarged view of the A part in FIG. So that the contact surface is arranged at substantially the same height as the outer surface of the battery pack 3. The discharge electrode 33 is connected to the internal battery via a three-stage U-shaped current limiting circuit so that the battery temperature does not exceed the specified value of the explosion-proof standard even if the electrode is short-circuited.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the contact 18, and the feature of this embodiment is that the same members are used for the contacts 18a, 18b, and 18c. The contact 18 includes a mountain-shaped portion 181 for making contact with the charging electrode 32 or the discharging electrode 33, and a curved portion 182 that returns to its original shape in a non-contact state even when contact with the battery pack is repeated. A hemispherical protrusion is provided at the apex of the chevron 181 so as to make point contact with the partner electrode. When the wireless device 2 or the battery pack is attached to the charger holder 1, since the contact electrode rubs the charging electrode 32 or the discharging electrode 33, self-cleaning of the contact can be expected. FIG. 14 shows an example without a hemispherical projection.

According to the present embodiment, the rib 115, the rib 155, and the rib 174 are provided, and the support structure of the wireless device 2 and the battery pack 3 is partially changed, so that the parts of the charging holder 15 and the contact 18 are made common. However, the optimal contact load can be set for the wireless device 2 and the battery pack 3. A charger for discharging memory effect refresh through a discharge electrode 33 connecting the battery pack 3 and the wireless device 2, and a contactor 18c for the discharge between the wireless device pocket and the battery pack pocket. Since the holder 1 is accommodated in the central space, the contact 18c can use the same member as the other contacts. In addition, since the opening of the pocket is widened and the rib 113 is provided so as not to be displaced when the pocket is installed to the bottom of the pocket, the battery pack can be easily attached.

Central cross-sectional view of the charger holder 1 of Example 1 Top view of the charger holder 1 with the upper case 11 removed from the first embodiment. Left side view of charger holder 1 with upper case 11 removed from embodiment 1 The perspective view of the charging holder 15 of Example 1. FIG. The perspective view of the charging holder 15 of Example 1. FIG. The perspective view of the discharge holder 17 of Example 1. The perspective view of the discharge holder 17 of Example 1. Top view of the upper case 11 of the first embodiment Back side perspective view of the upper case 11 of the first embodiment Front side perspective view of upper case 11 of Example 1 The perspective view of the battery pack 3 of Example 1. FIG. The perspective view of the contactor 18 of Example 1. FIG. The perspective view of the charger holder 1 which concerns on the best form and Example 1 The perspective view of the contact 18 in the other example of Example 1

Explanation of symbols

1: charger holder, 2: wireless device, 3: battery pack,
11: Upper case, 12: Lower case, 13: Main board,
14: Sub-board, 15: Charging holder, 16: Connector
17: Holder for discharge, 18: Contact

Claims (1)

A battery pack in which a charging electrode and a discharging electrode are respectively provided on substantially vertical surfaces;
The battery pack is mounted so as to be in contact with the surface provided with the discharge electrode and not surround the charging electrode, and a wireless device that operates by being supplied with electric power from the discharging electrode is mounted and charged. A charger holder,
A first pocket for charging by charging the wireless device with the battery pack mounted;
A second pocket for discharging and charging by mounting the battery pack;
A first metal contact that protrudes from the first pocket and secures electrical connection with the charging electrode;
A second metal contact that protrudes from the second pocket and secures electrical connection with the charging electrode;
A third metal contact that protrudes from the second pocket and secures electrical connection with the discharge electrode;
A main board mounted substantially horizontally on an installation surface and mounting the first contact and the second contact;
A sub-board connected to the main board substantially vertically and mounting the third contact;
And a charger holder using a member having the same shape as the first to third contacts.