TW201737016A - Electronic device having battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic device including a main body and a battery module is provided. The main body has a housing. The battery module is installed at the housing and includes a casing, a battery and a latch. The casing has a stopping portion. The battery is disposed in the casing. The latch is movably disposed at the casing. When the latch is located at a first position, the latch is interfered with the housing to position the battery module at the main body, and the latch is stopped by the stopping portion so as to prevent the latch moving along a first direction. When the latch is received a force along a second direction, the latch is separated from the stopping portion and adapted to move to a second position along the first direction, such that the latch is separated from the housing, and the battery module is adapted to be separated from the main body. The second direction is not parallel to the first direction.

Description

Electronic device with battery module

The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to an electronic device having a battery module.

With the advancement of display technology and communication technology, portable electronic devices such as smart phones, tablet PCs, and notebook computers have gradually spread to the mass market and become consumers' lives. An indispensable portable device.

Generally, the portable electronic device has a battery module to provide power required for operation when the portable electronic device is not connected to an external power source. The battery modules of some portable electronic devices are designed to be detachable and replaceable, so that the user can directly replace the battery module with another battery module when the power of the battery module is exhausted or is about to be exhausted. The detachable and replaceable battery module can be positioned on the main body of the portable electronic device by a latch. However, when the portable electronic device falls, the card latch is easily moved and unlocked by the impact force generated by the fall, resulting in the battery module unintentionally coming off the body of the portable electronic device. In order to solve this problem, the conventional design increases the elastic force of the spring for resetting to prevent the latch from unintentionally sliding. However, this allows the user to easily injure the finger due to excessive resistance provided by the spring when the user operates the latch.

The present invention provides an electronic device that can prevent its battery module from being unintentionally detached from the main body.

The electronic device of the present invention includes a main body and a battery module. The body has a casing. The battery module is assembled on the outer casing and includes a casing, a battery and a latch. The housing has a stop. The battery is disposed in the housing. The latch is movably disposed in the housing. When the latch is in a first position, the latch hooks the outer casing to position the battery module to the main body and stops the latch from moving in a first direction with the stop stop latch. When the latch is forced in a second direction, the latch disengages from the stop and is adapted to move in a first direction to a second position to disengage the latch from the housing to disengage the battery module from the body. The second direction is not parallel to the first direction.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

In an embodiment of the invention, the latch has an end surface and is adapted to be stopped by the end surface. When the latch is biased in the second direction, the end surface of the latch and the stop are in the second Displaced in the direction to disengage the latch from the stop.

In an embodiment of the invention, the latch has a convex portion, and the convex portion abuts against the top casing. When the latch is biased in the second direction, the latch moves with the convex portion as a fulcrum and disengages from the stop portion. .

In an embodiment of the invention, the latch has a pressing portion adapted to be biased in a second direction to move the latch, and the pressing portion is located between the convex portion and the stopper portion.

In an embodiment of the invention, the convex portion of the latch is abutted against a bearing surface of the top casing, and a gap is formed between the other portion of the latch and the bearing surface.

In an embodiment of the invention, the battery module further includes an elastic member connected between the housing and the latch, and the latch is adapted to move in the first direction against the elastic force of the elastic member. Two positions, and the latch is adapted to be reset from the second position to the first position by the elastic force of the elastic member.

In an embodiment of the invention, the latch has an end surface and is adapted to be stopped by the stop by the end surface, and the elastic member is coupled to the end surface.

In an embodiment of the invention, the end surface has a cylinder, and the elastic member is a spring and is sleeved on the cylinder.

In an embodiment of the invention, the stop portion is formed on an inner surface of the housing.

In an embodiment of the invention, the housing has a first section and a second section adjacent to each other, the thickness of the first section is greater than the thickness of the second section, and in the first section A stop is formed at the junction with the second section.

Based on the above, in the structural design of the electronic device of the present invention, the housing of the battery module has a stopping portion for preventing the latch from moving in the unlocking direction (ie, the first direction), and thus the card The latch does not move and unlock due to the impact force generated by the falling of the electronic device to prevent the battery module from unintentionally escaping from the body of the electronic device. When the user wants to disassemble and replace the battery module, the latch may be pressed in an operating direction different from the unlocking direction (ie, the first direction) (ie, the second direction) to disengage the latch from the stop. When the latch is no longer restricted from moving in the unlocking direction, the user can push the latch in the unlocking direction (ie, the first direction) to release the interference between the latch and the outer casing and remove the battery module.

The above described features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

1 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1 , the electronic device 100 of the embodiment is, for example, a tablet PC or a personal digital assistant (PDA) and includes a main body 110 and a battery module 120 . The body 110 has a housing 112. The battery module 120 is disposed in the receiving recess 112a of the housing 112 and includes a housing 122 and a battery 124. The battery 124 is disposed in the housing 122 for providing power required for the operation of the electronic device 100. In other embodiments, the electronic device 100 can be a smart phone, a notebook computer, a mini mobile computer (UMPC), a global positioning system (GPS) device, or the like. The electronic device of the battery module is not limited by the present invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the electronic device of Figure 1 taken along line I-I. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , the battery module 120 further includes a latch 126 . The latch 126 is movably disposed on the housing 122 and configured to position the battery module 120 to the main body 110 . For example, the latch 126 can interfere with the positioning slot 112b of the housing 112 by its positioning post 126a to prevent the battery module 120 from being detached from the main body 110. However, the present invention does not limit this, and the latch 126 and the outer casing 112 can mutually interfere with each other to achieve a positioning effect.

As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 122 has a stop portion 122a, and the latch 126 has an end surface 126d and is adapted to be stopped by the stop portion 122a by the end surface 126d. When the latch 126 is located at a first position P1 shown in FIG. 2 such that the positioning post 126a of the latch 126 interferes with the positioning slot 112b of the housing 112, the stop portion 122a of the housing 122 stops the end surface 126d of the latch 126. In order to prevent the latch 126 from moving in a first direction D1, the latch 126 is not moved and unlocked in the first direction D1 due to the impact force generated by the falling of the electronic device 100, so as to prevent the battery module 120 from being unintentionally detached. The body 110 of the electronic device 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates the latch release stop of FIG. 2. Figure 4 illustrates the latch of Figure 3 removed from the housing. FIG. 5 illustrates the battery module of FIG. 1 being removed. When the user wants to disassemble and replace the battery module 120, the latch 126 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 can be pressed in a second direction D2 that is not parallel to the first direction D1, so that the latch 126 is along the path shown in FIG. The second direction D2 is forced downward by the force, so that the end surface 126d of the latch 126 and the stopper portion 122a are displaced in the second direction D2, so that the latch 126 is disengaged from the stopper portion 122a. At this time, the latch 126 is no longer restricted from moving in the first direction D1, so the user can push the latch 126 in the first direction D1 as shown in FIG. 4, so that the latch 126 moves to the first direction D1. The second position P2 releases the interference of the positioning post 126a of the latch 126 with the positioning groove 112b of the outer casing 112 to disengage the latch 126 from the outer casing 112. When the latch 126 is disengaged from the housing 112 as shown in FIG. 4, the user can remove the battery module 120 from the main body 110 as shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the second direction D2 is, for example, perpendicular to the first direction D1. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the second direction D2 may be inclined to the first direction D1.

The specific structure of the battery module 120 and its latch 126 of the present embodiment will be described in detail below. Referring to FIG. 2, the latch 126 of the embodiment has a convex portion 126b and a pressing portion 126c. The pressing portion 126c is located between the convex portion 126b and the stopping portion 122a. The projection 126b abuts a bearing surface 122b of the top housing 122 with a gap between the other portion of the latch 126 and the bearing surface 122b to provide a space for the latch 126 to move downward.

When the user presses the pressing portion 126b of the latch 126 such that the pressing portion 126b is forced in the second direction D2, the latch 126 moves downward and disengages from the housing 122 with the convex portion 126b as a fulcrum as shown in FIG. Block 122a. For example, when the pressing portion 126c of the latch 126 is biased in the second direction D2, the latch 126 is elastically deformed, for example, by using the convex portion 126b as a fulcrum, and the end surface 126d is moved downward to disengage from the stopper portion 122a. . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. When there is sufficient space in the casing 122 for the card latch 126 to rotate, when the pressing portion 126c of the latch 126 is forced in the second direction D2, the latch 126 is, for example, convex. The portion 126b is rotated and tilted as a fulcrum, and the end surface 126d is moved downward to disengage from the stopper portion 122a.

As shown in FIG. 2, the stopper portion 122a of the present embodiment is formed on the inner surface of the casing 122 and hidden in the casing 122. The housing 122 has a first section S1 and a second section S2 adjacent to each other, the thickness of the first section S1 is greater than the thickness of the second section S2, and the first section S1 and the second section The junction of S2 constitutes a stepped structure, whereby a stopper portion 122a is formed. In other embodiments, the housing 122 can be formed by other suitable structures, and the invention is not limited thereto.

In this embodiment, the battery module 120 further includes an elastic member 128. The elastic member 128 is, for example, a spring and is connected between the housing 122 and the end surface 126d of the latch 126. The end surface 126d of the latch 126 has a column. Body C, the elastic member 128 is sleeved on the cylinder C. When the user applies the pressing portion 126c of the latch 126 in the first direction D1, the latch 126 compresses the elastic member 128 against the elastic force of the elastic member 128 as shown in FIG. 4, and moves to the first direction D1. Two positions P2. When the user no longer applies the pressing portion 126c of the latch 126, the latch 126 is automatically reset from the second position P2 shown in FIG. 4 to the elastic position of the elastic member 128 to the second position P2 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. The first position P1. In other embodiments, the latch 126 can be automatically reset by other suitable elastomers or mechanisms, and the invention is not limited thereto. Since the present embodiment prevents the latch 126 from sliding unintentionally by the stopper portion 122a of the housing 122 of the battery module 120 as described above, it is not necessary to use a resilient elastic member having a large elastic force as in the conventional design. The card latch is prevented from sliding unintentionally, so that the user can avoid the finger injury caused by the excessive resistance provided by the elastic member when the user operates the latch 126.

Fig. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing the battery of Fig. 1 molded to a pressing portion; Referring to FIG. 6 , the pressing portion 126 c of the latch 126 of the present embodiment has, for example, an unlocking icon 126 e to prompt the user to unlock the step of “applying the pressing portion 126c downwards and then pushing the pressing portion 126c laterally”. . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the pressing portion 126c may prompt the user to unlock the step by text or other appropriate indication, or may not have any unlocking icon and indication.

In summary, in the structural design of the electronic device of the present invention, the housing of the battery module has a stopping portion for preventing the latch from moving in the unlocking direction (ie, the first direction), Then, the latch does not move and unlock due to the impact force generated by the falling of the electronic device, so as to prevent the battery module from unintentionally escaping from the main body of the electronic device. When the user wants to disassemble and replace the battery module, the latch may be pressed in an operating direction different from the unlocking direction (ie, the first direction) (ie, the second direction) to disengage the latch from the stop. When the latch is no longer restricted from moving in the unlocking direction, the user can push the latch in the unlocking direction (ie, the first direction) to release the interference between the latch and the outer casing and remove the battery module. Since the present invention prevents the latch from unintentionally sliding by the stopper of the housing of the battery module as described above, it is not necessary to increase the elastic force of the elastic member for resetting to prevent the latch from unintentionally sliding as conventionally designed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the finger from being injured due to excessive resistance provided by the elastic member when the user operates the latch.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some changes and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

100‧‧‧Electronic devices
110‧‧‧ Subject
112‧‧‧Shell
112a‧‧‧ accommodating grooves
112b‧‧‧ positioning slot
120‧‧‧Battery module
122‧‧‧Shell
122a‧‧‧stop
122b‧‧‧ bearing surface
124‧‧‧Battery
126‧‧‧Latch
126a‧‧‧Positioning column
126b‧‧‧ convex
126c‧‧‧ Pressing Department
126d‧‧‧ end face
126e‧‧‧Unlock icon
128‧‧‧Flexible parts
C‧‧‧Cylinder
D1‧‧‧ first direction
D2‧‧‧ second direction
P1‧‧‧ first position
P2‧‧‧ second position
S1‧‧‧ first section
S2‧‧‧Second section

1 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the electronic device of Figure 1 taken along line I-I. FIG. 3 illustrates the latch release stop of FIG. 2. Figure 4 illustrates the latch of Figure 3 removed from the housing. FIG. 5 illustrates the battery module of FIG. 1 being removed. Fig. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing the battery of Fig. 1 molded to a pressing portion;

100‧‧‧Electronic devices

110‧‧‧ Subject

112‧‧‧Shell

112a‧‧‧ accommodating grooves

112b‧‧‧ positioning slot

120‧‧‧Battery module

122‧‧‧Shell

122a‧‧‧stop

122b‧‧‧ bearing surface

126‧‧‧Latch

126a‧‧‧Positioning column

126b‧‧‧ convex

126c‧‧‧ Pressing Department

126d‧‧‧ end face

128‧‧‧Flexible parts

C‧‧‧Cylinder

D1‧‧‧ first direction

D2‧‧‧ second direction

P1‧‧‧ first position

S1‧‧‧ first section

S2‧‧‧Second section

Claims (11)

An electronic device comprising: a main body having a casing; and a battery module mounted on the casing and comprising: a casing having a stopping portion; a battery disposed in the casing; and a latch Removably disposed in the housing, wherein when the latch is in a first position, the latch interferes with the outer casing to position the battery module to the main body, and stops the latch with the stop And preventing the latch from moving in a first direction; when the latch is forced in a second direction, the latch is disengaged from the stop and adapted to move in the first direction to a second position, so that The latch is disengaged from the housing to disengage the battery module from the body, wherein the second direction is not parallel to the first direction. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the latch has an end surface and is adapted to be stopped by the stop portion, and the card is loaded when the latch is biased in the second direction The end face of the latch is offset from the stop in the second direction to disengage the latch from the stop. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the latch has a convex portion that abuts the housing, and the latch latches when the latch is biased in the second direction The part moves as a fulcrum and leaves the stop. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the latch has a pressing portion adapted to be forced in the second direction to move the latch, the pressing portion being located at the convex portion and the Between the stops. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the protrusion of the latch abuts a bearing surface of the housing, and a gap is formed between the other portion of the latch and the bearing surface. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the battery module further comprises an elastic member connected between the housing and the latch, the latch being adapted to resist the elasticity of the elastic member The force moves to the second position, and the latch is adapted to be reset from the second position to the first position by the elastic force of the elastic member. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the latch has an end surface and is adapted to be stopped by the stop portion, the elastic member being coupled to the end surface. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the end surface has a cylinder, and the elastic member is a spring and is sleeved on the cylinder. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the stop is formed on an inner surface of the housing. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the housing has a first section and a second section adjacent to each other, the thickness of the first section being greater than the thickness of the second section, The stop is formed at the junction of the first section and the second section.