WO1998042060A2

WO1998042060A2 - Battery self-charger integrated in battery pack for a portable telephone set

Info

Publication number: WO1998042060A2
Application number: PCT/KR1998/000055
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seung An Yoo
Original assignee: Seung An Yoo
Priority date: 1997-03-20
Filing date: 1998-03-20
Publication date: 1998-09-24
Also published as: WO1998042060A3; AU6636798A

Abstract

A battery pack having at least one rechargeable battery cell for a portable telephone set comprises a battery self-charging module (76) built in the battery pack (74) for charging the battery cell (82). Preferably, the battery self-charging module (76) includes a motion transfer assembly (90) for changing external force from a handle (78) to the corresponding rotation motion to be transferred to a transmission mechanism (108), and a battery charging means (126) responsible to the rotation of said transmission mechanism (108) for generating the charging voltage to be supplied to said battery cell (82).

Description

BATTERY SELF-CHARGER INTEGRATED IN BATTERY PACK FOR A PORTABLE TELEPHONE SET

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a battery self-charger integrated in a rechargeable battery pack for a portable telephone set, such as a personal communications service(PCS) phone, a cellular phone and so on, more particularly to a battery self-charger integrated in the battery pack which has a mechanical structure generating a current for charging a battery cell or battery cells in the battery pack detachable to the portable telephone set, without the introduction of an external charging current, ensuring the stability in power supply voltage of the portable telephone set.

Background Art

Recently, a portable telephone set, such as a personal communications service (PCS) telephone and a cellular phone, is being watched with keen interest, due to the advanced mobility permitted to a subscriber. And, a battery pack is advantageously used for such a portable telephone set. Usually, such a battery pack comprises a rechargeable battery cell or rechargeable battery cells for assuring the regular voltage of such a portable telephone set .

Such a battery pack can be repeatedly charged by using an only-purpose charger. However, if the battery pack detachably used for such a portable telephone set is discharged below a predetermined level, the portable telephone set cannot receive a telephone call from the other subscriber.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a battery self-charger integrated in a rechargeable battery pack detachable to a portable telephone set, the battery self-charger having a magneto generator mechanism generating a charging voltage for a battery cell or battery cells in the battery pack.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery self-charger packed into a rechargeable in the form of module which generates a charging voltage for a battery cell (or battery cells) in the battery pack.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a battery self-charger is integrated with a battery cell built in a battery pack. The battery self-charger comprises a magneto generator mechanism for generating AC voltage, a battery charging means for converting the AC voltage into DC voltage to be supplied the battery cell, and a controller for controlling the charge operation to the battery cell by using the DC voltage.

Preferably, the magneto generator mechanism has a rotary plate having a nob, a movable first shaft extended between a front panel and a rear panel of the battery pack and connected to said rotary plate, a rotary gear installed at the first shaft and cooperated with the rotary plate, a transmitting gear engaged with the rotary gear and installed at a fixed second shaft, and a generator cooperated with the transmitting gear for producing the AC voltage.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a battery self-charger is integrated in a battery pack. The battery self-charger has a battery charging mechanism for generating the charging voltage to be supplied to the battery cell on the basis of the force to be externally applied thereto, and a battery charging means for charging the battery cell by the charging voltage from the battery charging mechanism. The battery charging mechanism comprises a rack which is straight ly moved in response to the external force and has a rack gear formed at a side surface thereof, a spring for providing tension force to the rack to be moved reciprocally, a transmitting gear which is engaged with the rack gear of the rack, and a driving gear which is selectively engaged with the transmitting gear for driving a generator to obtain the charging voltage to be supplied the battery cell.

Advantageously, a rotation axis of the transmitting gear is movable to be engaged with and disengaged from the driving gear in response to the reciprocation of the rack.

According to further embodiment of the present invention, a battery self-charging module is built in said battery pack for charging a battery cell. The battery self-charging module comprises a motion transfer assembly for changing external force applied from a handle to the corresponding rotation motion to be transferred to a transmission mechanism, and a battery charging means responsible to the rotation of the transmission mechanism for generating the charging voltage to be supplied to the battery cell.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the motion transfer assembly comprises a rod connected to the handle, a piston which is fixedly connected to the rod and has a teeth end formed at a front side thereof, and a rotary gear which is engaged with the teeth end of the piston only if the handle is pressed and transfers the rotation motion to a plurality of transmitting gears of the transmission mechanism.

Desirably, a rotational axis of the rotary gear is set in an elongated hole formed at an auxiliary plate extended from a lower side of the piston. The rod is supported by a rod supporting bracket, and a spring for returning the rod tensionally is arranged in the rod supporting bracket.

In another aspect of the present invention, the motion transfer mechanism comprises a rod responsible to the external force acted through the handle, a rack which is fixedly connected to the rod and has a rack gear formed at a side surface thereof, and a latch gear for transferring the external force to a rotation motion to be relayed to the transmission mechanism.

Preferably, the latch gear comprises a first gear member which is normally engaged with the rack gear of the rack member and has a first ring-shaped projection formed at an upper side thereof, a second gear member which is normally engaged with the first transmitting gear of the transmission mechanism and has a second ring-shaped projection which can be received in the first ring-shaped projection, and a plurality of latch pieces fixedly inserted into slits formed at a peripheral of the second ring-shaped projection, an end of each of the latch pieces properly curved to be contacted on the inner surface of the first ring-shaped projection.

According to further aspect of the present invention, the motion transfer assembly comprises a rod member which is responsible to the external force and has a pivot formed at an end thereof, a rack member having an end connected to the opposite end of a first link connected to the pivot through a first pin and another end connected to an end of a second link through a second pin, a rack gear formed at a side of the rack so as to be engaged with or disengaged from the first transmitting gear of the transmission mechanism, a plate spring for supporting the first and second links tensionally.

These and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show for purposes of illustration only, several embodiments in accordance with the present invention.

Brjef Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a view showing a block diagram of a battery self-charger integrated in a rechargeable battery pack according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view showing an exemplary structure of a magneto generator mechanism of the battery self-charger according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the battery pack integrated with the magneto generator mechanism shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view showing an exemplary structure of a battery self-charger assembly integrated in a rechargeable battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a planar sectional view of the battery pack integrated with the battery self-charger assembly shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a battery pack integrated with a modular self-charger according to further embodiment of the present, combined to a conventional portable telephone set .

Fig. 7 is a schematic view showing a battery self-charging module combined with a battery cell in the battery pack shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the battery self-charging module shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a plan view showing an assembled construction of the battery self-charging module shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along A-A line of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 a block diagram showing a battery charging circuitry of the battery self-charging module according to the present invention.

Figs. 12 and 13 are views for explaining the operation of a motion transfer mechanism of the battery self-charging module shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 14 is an exploded view showing the battery self-charging module built with a motion transfer mechanism modified according to another example of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a latch gear of the motion transfer mechanism shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view illustrating the structure of the latch gear shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken along a B-B line of Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view showing the battery self-charging module built with a motion transfer mechanism further modified according to a further example of the present invention.

Fig. 19 is a plan view showing an assembled construction of the battery self-charging module shown in Fig. 18.

Figs. 20 and 21 are views for explaining the operation of the motion transfer mechanism shown in Fig. 19.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Fig. 1 is a view showing a block diagram of a battery self-charger integrated in a rechargeable battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the drawing, 10 denotes a well-known rechargeable battery pack for a portable telephone set, such as a personal communications service(PCS) set, a cellular phone set and so on. 20 denotes a magneto generator mechanism which generates alternating current (AC) for charging a battery cell or battery cells built in the battery pack 10. 30 is a battery charging circuitry block which basically includes a bridge-diode rectifier for rectifying the AC voltage from the magneto generator mechanism 20 and a voltage regulator for converting DC voltage obtained by rectifying the AC voltage to a regular charging voltage level of the battery pack 10. 40 denotes a controller which serves to control the battery charging state indication and/or the charging voltage level of the battery charging circuitry block 30.

Fig. 2 is a view of an exemplary structure of a magneto generator mechanism 20 according to the present invention shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 a sectional view of the battery pack integrated with the magneto generator mechanism 20 shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the magneto generator mechanism 20 integrated in the battery pack 10 has a rotary plate 21 disposed rotatably on a front panel 12 of the battery pack 10. A nob 23a for rotating the rotary plate 21 is formed at an end of a rod 23. Another end 23b of the rod 23 is collapsible connected to a rotation hinge 21a of the rotary plate 21 by way of a pin-shaped connecting member 22. The rotary plate 21 is combined to a first rotating shaft 24 which is expanded through the front panel 12 of the battery pack 10 and supported rotatably on a predetermined position of a rear panel 14 of the battery pack 10. On the first rotating shaft 24, a rotary gear 25 of a relative large diameter is disposed in the vicinity of the inner side of the front panel 12. A transmission gear 26 of a relative small diameter is engaged with the rotary gear 25. Preferably, the transmission gear 26 is disposed on a second rotating shaft 26a which is rotatable extended between the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 of the battery pack 10. On the second rotating shaft 26a, a generator 27 including a rotator and stators disposed around the rotator (not shown) is disposed below the transmission gear 26. According to the battery self-charger including the magneto generator mechanism 20 constructed as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, when the nob 23a of the rod 23 combined with the rotation hinge 21a of the rotary plate 21 is artificially rotated, the rotary plate 21 is also rotated and, thus, the first rotating shaft 24 expanded between the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 of the battery pack 10 is simultaneously rotated by way of the rotating action of the rotary plate 21. Accordingly, the rotary gear 25 is rotated by the rotating action of the first rotating shaft 24 and, simultaneously, the transmission gear 26 engaged with the rotary gear 25 can be rotated in rotating speed higher than the rotary gear 25 on the basis of the diameter difference between the transmission gear 26 and the rotary gear 25.

At this case, the rotor of the generator 27 disposed on the second rotating shaft 26a is rotated around the stators of the generator 27 in proportion to the number of rotations of the transmission gear 27. Thus, an AC voltage of approximately 100 Volts can be obtained from the generator 27, as well known and supplied to the battery charging circuitry block 30.

The rectifier of the battery charging circuitry block 30 rectifies the AC voltage from the generator 27 and the voltage regulator of the battery charging circuitry block 30 converts DC voltage obtained by rectifying the AC voltage to the desired charging level of the battery pack 10 under the control of the controller 40.

The battery charging voltage from the battery charging circuitry block 30 is supplied to the battery pack 10 and the controller 40 monitors the charging state of the battery pack 10 and, if necessary, controls the battery charging voltage level from the battery charging circuitry block 30 to the battery pack 10.

As described above, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack 10 can be charged by the charging voltage obtained from the magneto generator mechanism 20 built in the battery pack 10, enabling to assure the advanced function of the portable telephone set.

Fig. 4 is a view showing an exemplary structure of a battery self-charger assembly integrated in a rechargeable battery pack according to another embodiment of the present invention and Fig. 5 is a planar sectional view of the battery pack integrated with the battery self-charger assembly shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, a battery self-charger assembly 40 integrated in a battery pack 50 for a portable telephone set, corresponding to the magneto generator mechanism 20, has a press lever 41 which can be received in a press lever receiving recess 51 formed at a side panel of the battery pack 50. Preferably, the press lever receiving recess 51 may be formed in such a that, when the press lever 41 is received in the press lever receiving recess 51, an end of the press lever 41 is positioned at a level with the side panel 52 of the battery pack 50.

According to the battery self-charger assembly 40, a rack member 42 joined with the press lever 41 can be reciprocally moved on the basis of the pressing force artificially acted on the press lever 41. A rack gear 43 is formed over a certain area of a side surface of the rack member 42. A stopper 44 defining the reciprocation limit of the rack member 42 is formed at the other end of the rack member 42. A rod 45 of a predetermined length is extended from the stopper 44 of the rack member 42.

A spring 46 resiliently returning the rack member 42 and the press lever 41 has an end securely fixed to the extended rod 45. Also, the spring 46 has another end secured to an inner partition 53.

A transmission gear 47 rotating in accordance with the reciprocation of the rack member 42 is normally engaged with the rack gear 43 of the rack member 42. A movable shaft 48 for the transmission gear 47 is extended through an elongated hole 49 formed at an auxiliary plate 55. Preferably, the movable shaft 48 has an end of which a diameter is set to prevent withdrawal of the movable shaft 48 from the elongated hole 49. That is, the transmission gear 47 on the movable shaft 48 can be moved in the elongated hole 49 in accordance with the reciprocation of the rack member 42.

A rotary gear 61 is secured on an axle 60 of a generator 62 disposed between the rear panel 54 and the auxiliary panel 55 of the battery pack 50. The rotary gear 44 can be engaged with the transmission gear 47 moved in the elongated hole 49 only if the press lever 41 is artificially pressed.

According to the battery self-charger thus constructed, the press lever 41 is usually received in the press lever receiving recess 51 under assistance of a proper locking mechanism (not shown) .

Alternatively, if the locking state of the press lever 41 is released in order to charge the battery pack 50, the press lever 41 secured with the rack member 42 comes out of the battery pack 50 by way of the spring 46 and, simultaneously, the movable shaft 48 is retreated in the elongated hole 49 by the transmission gear 47 engaged with the rack gear 43 of the rack member 42. At this case, the transmission gear 47 is advantageously disengaged from the rotary gear 61 fixed on the axle 60 of the generator 62.

At this state, if the press lever 41 externally retreated is artificially pressed, then the rack member 42 is entered into the battery pack 50. Thus, the transmission gear 47 normally engaged with the rack gear 43 of the rack member 42 is rotated according to the move of the rack member 42 and the rotary gear 61 can be engaged with the transmission gear 47. Accordingly, the rotary gear 61 drives the generator 62 and, thus, AC voltage can be generated from the generator 62. Preferably, the AC voltage from the generator 62 can be rectified and regulated through a proper battery charging circuitry, for example, the battery charging circuitry block 30 shown in Fig. 1.

As described above, according to the preferred another embodiment of the present invention, the battery pack 50 can be charged by the charging voltage obtained from the battery self-charger assembly 40 built in the battery pack 50, enabling to assure the advanced function of the portable telephone set.

Figs. 6 to 21 show a modular battery self-charger according to further embodiment of the present invention. First, referring to Fig. 6 which illustrates a battery pack integrated with a modular self-charger according to further embodiment of the present, a conventional portable telephone set denoted by a reference numeral 70 is provided a detachable battery pack 74 having a rechargeable battery cell or several rechargeable battery cells. A battery self-charging module 76 is integrated with a typical battery cell 82 (see Fig. 7) in the battery pack 74. A handle 78 of the battery self-charging module 76 can be artificially operated to produce electrical energy for charging the battery cell 82 of the battery pack 74. Advantageously, the handle 78 can be reciprocally moved through a handle penetrating slit 80. Usually, according to the present embodiment, the handle 78 is level with a surface of the battery pack 74 or is properly received in the handle penetrating slit 80 by way of a proper locking mechanism (not shown). Alternatively, the handle 78 is externally exposed from the surface of the battery pack 74 by a predetermined length under the elastic force of a proper elastic member so as to enable the battery self-charging module 76 to generate the charging voltage of the battery cell 80.

Referring to Fig. 7. the battery self-charging module 76 including the handle 78 is sized similar to the battery cell 82 and, further, disposed over the battery cell 82. A printed circuit board (PCB) 76a is designed with a battery charging circuitry suitable to produce direct current (DC) voltage from alternating current (AC) produced by the battery self-charging module 76 and an additional printed circuit board (PCB) 80a is designed with a conventional charging circuitry .

According to the present invention, the battery self-charging module 76 is electrically connected to the battery cell 82 by way of a connector 84 through which the battery charging voltage is supplied to the battery cell 82.

If necessary, a proper buffer made of rubber or plastic resin may be applied so as to protect the battery cell 82 from the vibration and/or the heat generated during the operation of the battery self-charging module 76 and/or to protect the battery self-charging module 76 from the heat generated during the charge and the discharge of the battery cell 82.

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the battery self-charging module shown in Fig. 7, Fig. 9 is a plan view showing an assembled construction of the battery self-charging module shown in Fig. 7, and Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along A-A line of Fig. 9.

Referring to the drawings, the battery self-charging module 76 has a box-shaped lower case 86 and an upper cover 88 covering the upside of the lower case 86. In the battery self-charging module 76 built in the lower case 86, a motion transfer mechanism 90 includes a rod 92 reciprocally moving in accordance with the operation of the handle 78, a piston 94 integrally secured to another end of the rod 92 and having a teethed end 96. In addition, the battery self-charging module 76 includes a rotary gear 98 selectively engaged with the teethed end 96 of the piston 94 for changing the rectilinear motion of the rod 92 to the rotary motion of a transmission mechanism 108 and a rod support bracket 100 having a spring 102 for assuring the elastic restoring force of the rod 92.

Advantageously, a guide projection 98a (see Fig. 7) which is formed at a lower side of the rotary gear 98 is penetrated through an elongated hole 106 formed at an auxiliary plate 104 of an expanded length and can be freely moved in a guide slit 86A (see Fig. 7) formed at a bottom of the lower case 86. Preferably, the auxiliary plate 104 is integrated with the lower side of the piston 94. The transmission mechanism 108 for transmitting the rectilinear motion of the rod 92 to the rotary motion of a battery charging assembly 106 is designed on the lower case 86. In the transmission mechanism, a first transmitting gear 110 is rotatably installed at a first axis 112 such that, when the handle 18 is artificially pressed, the gear 110 can be engaged with the rotary gear 98.

A second transmitting gear 114 of the transmission mechanism 108 is rotatably installed at a second axis 116 having a gear receiving position corresponding to that of the first axis 112. Substantially, the second transmitting gear 114 comprises a first gear 114a of a relative small diameter, which is normally engaged with the first transmitting gear 110 and a second gear 114b of a relative large diameter.

In addition, a third transmitting gear 118 of the transmission mechanism 108 is rotatably installed at a third axis 120 having a gear receiving position corresponding to that of the second axis 116. Also, the third transmitting gear 118 comprises a first gear 118a of a relative small diameter, which is normally engaged with the first gear 114b of the first transmitting gear 114 and a second gear 118b of a relative large diameter.

Further, a fourth transmitting gear 122 of the transmission mechanism 108 is rotatably installed at a fourth axis 124 having a gear receiving position corresponding to that of the third axis 120. Substantially, the fourth transmitting gear 122 has a first gear 122a of a relative small diameter, which is normally engaged with the first gear 118b and a second gear 122b of a relative large diameter. Here, the number and/or the size of the gears can be properly changed in order to ensure the optimized transmission condition of the transmission mechanism 108.

Moreover, the battery charging unit 126 designed on the lower case 86 generates the charging voltage to be supplied to the battery cell 82 on the basis of the transmitted rotation of the transmission mechanism 108. The battery charging unit 126 comprises a driven gear 128 normally engaged with the second gear 122b of the fourth transmitting gear 122, a generator 130 rotating cooperatively with the driven gear 128 for outputting the AC charging voltage to be applied to the battery cell 82 and a battery charging circuitry 132 designed on the PCB 76a (see Fig. 8) for rectifying the AC charging voltage to provide DC charging voltage to be battery cell 82 and converting the DC charging voltage to be supplied to the regulated voltage level of the battery cell 82. The DC charging voltage from the battery charging circuitry 132 can be supplied to the battery cell 82 through the connector 84. Here, as shown in Fig. 11 the battery charging circuitry 132, for example, includes a rectifier 132a for rectifying the AC charging voltage from the generator 130 and a voltage regulator 132b for converting the AC charging voltage into the regulated DC voltage to be supplied to the battery cell 82 through the connector 84.

According to the battery self-charger assembly 76 of the present example thus constructed, the motion transfer mechanism 90, the transmission mechanism 108 and the battery charging circuitry 126 are integrally built in the lower case 86 which, in turn, is covered by the upper cover 88 and, then, the battery self-charger assembly 76 is electrically connected to the battery cell 82 via the connector 84 as shown in Fig. 7. The assembled battery self-charger 76 and battery cell 82 is integrally moulded by a proper resin selected so as to form the battery pack 70 shown in Fig. 6.

Now, when the charged voltage of the battery cell 82 is discharged below the voltage level allowable to the portable telephone set 70, if the handle 78 is inwardly pressed, then the piston 94 connected to the rod 92 is moved as illustrated in Fig. 12. At this time, the rotary gear 98 is engaged with the teeth end 94a of the piston 94 and slid in the elongated hole 106 formed at the auxiliary plate 104. Subsequently, the rotary gear 98 engaged with the teeth end 94a of the piston 94 rotates the first transmitting gear 110 of which the first gear 114a is normally engaged with the first gear 114a of the second transmitting gear 114.

According to the rotation of the second transmitting gear 114, the third and fourth transmitting gears 118 and 122 can be subsequently rotated and the driven gear 128 of the battery charging unit 126 can be cooperatively rotated to operate a rotor of the generator 130. At this case, the generator 130 outputs the AC voltage which is rectified and converted into the DC charging voltage by the rectifier 132a and the voltage regulator 132b of the battery charging circuitry 72. Accordingly, the battery cell 82 can be charged by the DC charging voltage supplied from the battery charging circuitry 72 through the connector 84 in a predetermined vo11age 1 eve1.

During the charging operation of the battery cell 82, if the handle 78 is released, the rod 92 is outwardly retreated by the spring 102 received in the rod support bracket 100 and, subsequently, the teeth end 94a of the piston 94 is disengaged from the rotary gear 98. At this case, the auxiliary plate 104 is retreated cooperatively with the rod 92 while the rotary gear 92 is positioned at the rear side of the elongated hole 106. Even if the rotary gear 92 is partially contacted with the first transmitting gear 110, the former 92 can be freely rotated within the elongated hole 106 in the contrary direction of the first transmitting gear 110 without the interference in rotation of the first transmitting gear 110.

As a result, if the handle 78 is repeatedly pressed, the battery charging voltage for charging the battery cell 82 can be generated as described above, thereby preventing the deterioration in function of the portable telephone set caused by the over-discharging of the battery cell built in the battery pack.

Fig. 14 is an exploded view showing the battery self-charging module built with a motion transfer mechanism modified according to another example of the present invention, Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a latch gear of the motion transfer mechanism shown in Fig. 14, Fig. 16 is a sectional view illustrating the structure of the latch gear shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken along a B-B line of Fig. 16.

According to the present example shown in the drawings, the motion transfer mechanism 90 is modified while the transmission mechanism 108 and the battery charging unit 106 are constructed similar to those of the above-mentioned example.

That is, in the modified motion transfer mechanism 90 a rack member 140 is provided at the end of the rod 92 and a rack gear 140a is formed at a side surface of the rack member 140. A latch gear 142 is arranged in the vicinity of the rack gear 140a in such - a manner that, when the rack member 140 is reciprocally entered in and retreated from the battery pack 74, the reciprocal motion of the rack member 140 can be intermittently relayed to the transmission mechanism 90.

Preferably, the latch gear 142 includes a first gear member 150 which is installed on a gear receiving position 148a of a first axis 148 formed on the bottom 86b of the lower case 86. The latch gear 142 is normally engaged with the rack gear 140a of the rack member 140. A ring-shaped projection 152 of a predetermined diameter is formed on an upper side of the first gear member 150.

In addition, the latch gear 142 includes a second gear member 154 which is disposed at the upper side of the first gear member 150. The second gear member 154 is normally engaged with the first transmitting gear 110 of the transmission mechanism 98. According to the latch gear 140, the second gear member 154 can be rotated cooperatively with the second gear member 154 only when in a direction to be transferred the motion of the rod 92 to the transmission mechanism 98. Further, a ring-shaped projection 156 of a smaller diameter than that of the projection 152 is formed at the lower side of the second gear member 154. A plurality of latch pieces 160 are fixedly inserted into a corresponding one of slits 158 which are formed at a peripheral surface of the ring-shaped projection 156.

Advantageously, each of the latch pieces 100 has a curved end which, when the first and second gear members 150 and 154 are assembled to form the latch gear 140, is contacted with the inner surface of the ring-shaped projection 152 of the first gear member 150. According to the construction of the latch gear 140, when the handle 78 is pressed, the second gear member 154 can be cooperated with the rotation of the first gear member 150 because the end of each of latch pieces 160 is tightly closed to the inner surface of the ring-shaped projection 152 of the first gear member 150. Alternatively, when the handle 78 is released, the first gear member 150 can be rotated by sliding the curved end of each of the latch pieces 160 while the second gear member 154 is freely rotated.

In the present example thus constructed, if the handle 78 is pressed, then the rack member 140 integrated with the rod 92 is moved into the battery pack 74. As a result, the first gear member 150 of the latch gear 142, normally engaged with the rack gear 140a of the rack member 140, can be rotated so that the second gear member 154 of the latch gear 142 can be rotated depending on the latching action between the latch pieces 100 and the inner side of the ring-shaped projection 152 of the first gear member 150. That is, the first and second gear member 150 and 154 of the latch gear 140 are rotated in the same direction such that the straight motion of the rod 92 can be transferred to the transmission mechanism 98.

Accordingly, the first to fourth transmitting gears 110, 114, 118 and 122 are subsequently rotated to drive the driven gear 148 of the battery charging unit 146 having the generator 130 and the battery charging circuitry 132.

The DC charging voltage generated by rectifying and regulating the AC charging voltage from the generator 130 is supplied to the battery cell 82 through the connector 84.

On the contrary, if the handle 78 is released, the motion transfer assembly 80 is retreated outwardly and, at this time, the first gear member 150 of the latch gear 140 can be slid on the curved end of each of latch pieces 160. That is, the first gear member 150 can be operated in not connection with the second gear member 154 by sliding on the curved ends of the latch pieces 160.

Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view showing the battery self-charging module built with a motion transfer mechanism further modified according to a further example of the present invention, Fig. 19 is a plan view showing an assembled construction of the battery self-charging module shown in Fig. 18, and Figs. 20 and 21 are views for explaining the operation of the motion transfer mechanism shown in Fig. 19.

Referring to the drawings, the motion transfer mechanism 90 is modified while the transmission mechanism 108 and the battery charging unit 106 are constructed similar to those of the above-mentioned example. That is, according to the modified motion transfer mechanism 90 an end of a first link 172 is connected to an end of the rod 92 through a pivot 170. A rack member 176 is connected to another end of the first link 172 through a first pin 174. A rack gear 176a is formed over a certain region of a side surface of the rack member 176. The rack gear 176a can be engaged with the first transmitting gear 110 of the transmission mechanism 108 only if the handle 78 is pressed. An end of a second link 180 is connected to an opposite end of the rack member 176 by way of a second pin 178.

Advantageously, a stopper 182 is provided at a portion 176b expanded from the rack member 176 so as to assure the rack gear 176a of the rack member 176 to be stably engaged with the first transmitting gear 110 of the transmission mechanism 98. When the handle 78 is pressed or relaxed, a lower end of the pivot 110 connected to the rod 92 and a guide projection 184 formed at an end of the second link 180 are slidably moved along a guide groove 186 defined on the bottom of the lower case 86.

In addition, a spring 188 is provided between the rack member 116 and a side panel of the lower case 86. When the handle 78 is released, the spring 188 draws the rack member 176 to disengaged the rack gear 176a of the rack member 176 from the first transmitting gear 110 of the transmission mechanism 98. Further, an end of a plate spring 190 is securely fixed at a rear side of the lower case 86 a plate spring 130 and another end the plate spring 130 is extended to the opposite end of the second link 180. When the handle 78 is pressed, the plate spring 190 tensionally supports the second link 180 so as to engage the rack gear 176a of the rack member 176 with the first transmission mechanism 98. Alternatively, when the handle 78 is released, the plate spring 190 serves to return the motion transfer assembly 90 to the initial place defined on the lower case 76.

According to the present example thus constructed, when the handle 78 is pressed, the second link 180 is supported by the initial tension of the plate spring 190. At this time, the first and second links 172 and 180 are rotated in a predetermined range. Thus, the rack gear 176a of the rack member 176 is engaged with the first transmitting gear 110 of the transmission mechanism 98 with the assistance of the stopper 182. Simultaneously, the lower end of the pivot 170 and the guide projection 184 are slid along the guide groove 186 such that the first transmitting gear 110 can be rotated by the straight motion of the rack member 176.

Subsequently, by the rotation of the first transmitting gear 110, the second to fourth transmitting gears 114, 118 and 122 are rotated in order, and, finally, the driven gear 128 of the battery charging unit 126 is also rotated, thereby producing the AC charging voltage from the generator 130. The AC charging voltage is rectified and regulated by the battery charging circuitry 132 as the DC charging to be charged in the battery cell 82.

When the handle 78 is released, the first and second links 172 and 180 are returned in the initial place by the plate spring 190 and, at the same time, the lower end of the pivot 170 and the guide projection 184 of the second link 180 are slid and retreated along the guide groove 186. As a result, the first transmitting gear 110 can be disengaged from the rack gear 176a of the rack member 170.

As described above, according to battery self-charger apparatus of the present invention, even if the charge voltage level of the battery cell of the battery pack is dropped out below a level allowable for the portable telephone set, the battery cell can be charged by the battery self-charger integrated in the battery pack.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of a number of preferred embodiments, it will be understood that numerous other modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is :

1. A battery pack having at least one rechargeable battery cell for a portable telephone set, comprising ^'Γûá a battery self-charger integrated with said battery cell in said battery pack; said battery self-charger having a magneto generator mechanism for generating AC voltage, a battery charging means for converting said AC voltage into DC voltage to be supplied said battery cell, and a controller for controlling the charge operation to said battery cell by using the DC voltage.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein said magneto generator mechanism comprises a rotary plate having a nob, a movable first shaft extended between a front panel and a rear panel of said battery pack and connected to said rotary plate, a rotary gear installed at said first shaft and cooperated with said rotary plate, a transmitting gear engaged with said rotary gear and installed at a fixed second shaft, and a generator which is cooperated with said transmitting gear for producing said AC vo11age .

3. A battery pack having at least one rechargeable battery cell for a portable telephone set, comprising : a battery self-charger integrated in said battery pack, said battery self-charger having a battery charging mechanism for generating the charging voltage to be supplied said battery cell on the basis of the force to be externally applied thereto, and a battery charging means for charging said battery cell by the charging voltage from said battery charging mechanism, said battery charging mechanism including a rack being straight ly moved in response to the external force and having a rack gear formed at a side surface thereof, a spring for providing tension force said rack to be moved reciprocally, a transmitting gear being engaged with said rack gear of said rack, and a driving gear being selectively engaged with said transmitting gear for driving a generator to obtain said charging voltage to be supplied to said battery eel 1.

4. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein a rotation axis of said transmitting gear is movable to be engaged with and disengaged from said driving gear in response to the reciprocation of said rack.

5. A battery pack having at least one rechargeable battery cell for a portable telephone set, comprising ΓÇó a battery self-charging module built in said battery pack for charging said battery cell, said battery self-charging module including a motion transfer assembly for changing external force from a handle to the corresponding rotation motion to be transferred to a transmission mechanism, and a battery charging means responsible to the rotation of said transmission mechanism for generating the charging voltage to be supplied said battery cell.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein said motion transfer assembly comprises a rod connected to said handle, a piston fixedly connected to said rod and having a teeth end formed at a front side thereof, and a rotary gear being engaged with said teeth end of said piston only if said handle is pressed and transferring the rotation motion to a plurality of transmitting gears of said transmission mechanism.

7. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein a rotational axis of said rotary gear is set in an elongated hole formed at an auxiliary plate extended from a lower side of said piston.

8. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein said rod is supported by a rod supporting bracket, and a spring for returning said rod tensional .

9. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein said motion transfer mechanism comprises a rod responsible to the external force acted through said handle, a rack fixedly connected to said rod and having a rack gear formed at a side surface thereof, and a latch gear for transferring the external force to a rotation motion to be relayed to said transmission mechanism.

10. The battery pack according to claim 9, wherein said latch gear comprises a first gear member normally engaged with said rack gear of said rack and having a first ring-shaped projection formed at an upper side thereof, a second gear member normally engaged with said first transmitting gear of said transmission mechanism and having a second ring-shaped projection which can be received in said first ring-shaped projection, and a plurality of latch pieces fixedly inserted into slits formed at a peripheral of said second ring-shaped projection, an end of each of said latch pieces properly curved being contacted on the inner surface of said first ring-shaped projection.

11. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein said motion transfer assembly comprises a rod member responsible to the external force and having a pivot formed at an end thereof, a rack member having an end connected to the opposite end of a first link connected to said pivot through a first pin and another end connected to an end of a second link through a second pin, a rack gear formed at a side of said rack so as to be engaged with and disengaged from said first transmitting gear of said transmission mechanism, a plate spring for supporting said first and second links tensionally.