1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a battery charger that can charge an attached battery pack, to a battery pack docking module, and to a battery pack module.
2. Description of the Related Art
Battery chargers have been developed to charge battery packs. These battery chargers charge a battery pack by attaching the battery pack and connecting an alternating current (AC) adapter. Meanwhile, battery-powered devices such as digital cameras, video cameras, solid-state audio recorders, and MP3 players generally have a special-purpose battery pack designed for each device type. Consequently, the state-of-the-art has evolved using specially designed battery chargers that meet individual battery pack specifications such as battery pack size, electrode-terminal position, and charging current and voltage. However, from the perspective of the battery pack supplier, a special-purpose battery charger must be designed for each battery pack, and design cost is an issue. In particular, each time a new device type is developed, a battery charger for that device type must be made available, and supply for old device types must be supported for a given time period. Accordingly, the supplier is burdened with manufacture and administration of many different types of products made in small quantities. Further, from the perspective of the user, a special-purpose battery charger must be obtained for each battery-powered device, and the sheer volume of battery chargers makes it difficult to determine which battery charger charges which battery pack.
Refer to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication 2007-166825
The present invention was developed considering the prior-art problems described above. Thus, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a battery charger, battery pack docking module, and battery pack module that can avoid furnishing a specially designed battery charger for each different battery pack.
To achieve the object described above, the battery charger for the first aspect of the present invention is capable of charging a battery pack 2, is provided with a docking section 1 where the battery pack 2 can be attached for charging, and is provided with a charging section 3 having a charging circuit 40 to supply a given amount of charging power to the battery pack 2 attached in the docking section 1. The battery charger is characterized by the docking section 1 and charging section 3 having a detachable structure. Accordingly, a docking section is made for each battery pack corresponding to the battery pack shape and electrode configuration etc. Using a common charging section while exchanging docking sections avoids the requirement to provide a specially designed battery charger to charge each different battery pack.
In the battery charger for the second aspect of the present invention, the charging section 3 can have a connector 9 to receive external charging power to charge the battery pack 2, and that connector 9 can be a standardized connector that meets certain specifications. By supplying power through a standardized connector, provision of an external power supply such as an AC adapter becomes unnecessary, and this achieves the positive feature that the battery charger can be made compact.
In the battery charger for the third aspect of the present invention, the connector 9 can be a universal serial bus (USB) connector 9A. Accordingly, power can be supplied from a widely available USB port used as the power source. This makes the use of an external power supply such as an AC adapter unnecessary and achieves the positive feature that the battery charger can be made compact.
In the battery charger for the fourth aspect of the present invention, the USB connector 9A can extend out from the charging section 3 through a flexible cable 49, and the docking section 1 can be provided with a connector storing cavity 29 to hold the USB connector 9A. As a result, the USB connector is not mounted directly on the charging section, and extension via the cable improves handling and connect-ability. Further, when the charging section and docking section are connected, the connector can be stored to keep the cable out of the way.
In the battery charger for the fifth aspect of the present invention, the charging section 3 has a box-shaped exterior and one rectangular surface of the box-shaped charging section 3 can be a charging section-side attachment surface 30A for attachment with the docking section 1. The docking section 1 can have a docking section-side attachment surface 10A for attachment with the charging section 3 that has a long side, which is shorter than the length of the charging section-side attachment surface 30A, and a short side, which is approximately equal to the short side of the charging section-side attachment surface 30A. The end-plane at the opposite end of the docking section 1 from the docking section-side attachment surface 10A can be approximately the same size as the charging section-side attachment surface 30A. When the charging section 3 and the docking section 1 are connected, a recessed region 50 is formed along a side 1S of the battery charger, and the USB connector 9A can be disposed in that recessed region 50. By disposing the USB connector in the recessed region of the connected charging section and docking section, the flexible USB cable is prevented from jutting out from the surface of the battery charger allowing a neat assembly.
In the battery charger for the sixth aspect of the present invention, the charging section 3 can be provided with a charging section-side connector 5 for electrical connection with the docking section 1, and the docking section 1 can be provided with a docking section-side connector 7 for electrical connection with the charging section 3. The docking section-side connector 7 can be a female connector, the charging section-side connector 5 can be a male connector, and the docking section-side connector 7 and charging section-side connector 5 can be configured to fit together. A configuration with a female docking section-side connector on the docking section, where a battery pack can be attached, makes it difficult for the user to inadvertently touch the contacts, and this can improve safety.
In the battery charger for the seventh aspect of the present invention, the docking section 1 can be provided with a battery loading cavity 20 to attach a battery pack 2 in a given orientation. The battery loading cavity 20 can be provided with perimeter side-walls that surround a battery pack 2 attached in the battery loading cavity 20. The perimeter side-walls can include a first side-wall 22 that faces the terminal-end 2X of the battery pack 2 where output terminals 2S are established, and a second side-wall 24 at the opposite end of the battery loading cavity 20 from the first side-wall 22 that faces the bottom 2Y of the battery pack 2, which is at the opposite end of the battery pack 2 from the terminal-end 2X. The first side-wall 22 can be provided with an overhang 26 that protrudes out to cover the terminal-end 2X of a battery pack 2 attached in the battery loading cavity 20, and the second side-wall 24 can be provided with a battery pack removal slot 25 that exposes the bottom 2Y end of a battery pack 2 attached in the battery loading cavity 20. This achieves the positive features that battery pack output terminals and associated connecting terminals in the battery loading cavity can be protected from operator handling and dust or dirt ingress, and exposure of the bottom of the battery pack at the opposite end of the battery loading cavity allows the user to easily load and unload the battery pack.
The battery pack docking module for the eighth aspect of the present invention can connect with a charging section 3 capable of charging a battery pack 2 to form a battery charger, and is provided with a battery loading cavity 20 where a battery pack 2 can be loaded for charging, and a docking section-side connector 7 that connects in a detachable manner with the charging section 3 for electrical connection. The battery pack docking module is configured to attach a battery pack 2 in the battery loading cavity 20 with the charging section 3 connected via the docking section-side connector 7, and charge the battery pack 2 by receiving a prescribed amount of charging power supplied from the charging section 3. Accordingly, by exchanging the battery pack docking module to one conforming to the shape and electrode configuration etc. of the battery pack to be charged, and using a common charging section, the battery pack can be attached and charged. Further, each different battery pack does not require a special-purpose battery charger, and many different types of battery packs can be charged by exchanging only the battery pack docking module.
The battery pack module for the ninth aspect of the present invention is provided with a battery pack 2 that can be charged, and a docking section 1 that connects in a detachable manner with a charging section 3, which supplies a prescribed amount of charging power to the battery pack 2. The battery pack 2 is attached in the docking section 1, and the docking section 1 is connected with the charging section 3 to charge the battery pack 2. Accordingly, a battery pack and docking section conforming to the shape and electrode configuration etc. of that battery pack can be treated as an exchangeable modular unit that can be conveniently used with a common charging section to allow different types of battery packs to be charged. Further, each different battery pack does not require a special-purpose battery charger allowing many different types of battery packs to be charged. The above and further objects of the present invention as well as the features thereof will become more apparent from the following detailed description to be made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The following describes embodiments of the present invention based on the figures. However, the following embodiments are merely specific examples of a battery charger and battery pack module representative of the technology associated with the present invention, and the battery charger and battery pack module of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. Further, components cited in the claims are in no way limited to the components in the embodiments. In particular, in the absence of specific annotation, structural component features described in the embodiments such as dimensions, raw material, shape, and relative position are simply for the purpose of explicative example and are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention. Properties such as the size and spatial relation of components shown in the figures may be exaggerated for the purpose of clear explanation. In the descriptions following, components with the same name and label indicate components that are the same or have the same properties and their detailed description is appropriately abbreviated. Further, a single component can serve multiple functions and a plurality of structural elements of the invention can be implemented with the same component. In contrast, the functions of a single component can be divided among a plurality of components. In addition, explanations used to describe part of one embodiment can be used in other embodiments and descriptions.
A battery charger for the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in
The battery charger shown in these figures is made up of a docking section 1 where a battery pack 2 can be attached for charging, and a charging section 3 that has a charging circuit 40 to supply a prescribed amount of charging power to the battery pack 2 loaded in the docking section 1. As shown in
The docking section 1 accepts battery pack 2 attachment in a detachable manner, and connects with a charging section 3 in a detachable manner to charge the battery pack 2 with charging power supplied from the charging section 3. The docking section 1 is provided with a docking section case 10 that connects with the charging section 3 in a detachable manner. The docking section 1 connects to the charging section 3 with the docking section-side attachment surface 10A of the docking section case 10 facing the charging section-side attachment surface 30A of the charging section 3. To enable attachment and detachment of the docking section 1 with the charging section 3, the docking section case 10 docking section-side attachment surface 10A is provided with a connecting cavity 13 that accepts insertion of a charging section 3 connecting plug 33. In addition, the docking section 1 is provided with a battery loading cavity 20 in the top of the docking section case 10 to accept battery pack 2 attachment.
Further, the docking section 1 in the figures is provided with a docking section-side connector 7 to electrically connect with the charging section 3, and connecting terminals 8 that contact output terminals 2S on a battery pack 2 loaded in the battery loading cavity 20. In the docking section 1 of the figures, the docking section-side connector 7 and the connecting terminals 8 are mounted on a sub-circuit board 6, and the sub-circuit board 6 is housed inside the docking section case 10. The docking section-side connector 7 is disposed inside the connecting cavity 13 and the connecting terminals 8 are disposed in fixed positions in the battery loading cavity 20 by disposing the sub-circuit board in a fixed position inside the docking section case 10. Here, the docking section 1 that makes up the battery pack docking module is provided with a battery loading cavity 20 that can accept attachment of a battery pack for charging, and a docking section-side connector 7 that connects with the charging section 3 in a detachable manner for electrical connection. The battery pack docking module can be configured to attach a battery pack 2 in the battery loading cavity 20, and with the charging section 3 connected via the docking section-side connector 7, charge the battery pack 2 by receiving a prescribed amount of charging power supplied from the charging section 3.
The docking section case 10 is made of plastic and configured with a separately formed upper case 11 and lower case 12 that have an approximately square shape when viewed from above. The upper case 11 is formed as a top plate 11A with perimeter walls 11B, and the lower case 12 is formed with a bottom plate 12A with perimeter walls 12B. In the docking section case 10 of the figures, opposing perimeter walls 11B, 12B of the upper case 11 and lower case 12 are joined together and the sub-circuit board 6 is disposed inside the compartment 15 formed in the interior.
The connecting cavity 13 is established in the docking section-side attachment surface 10A of the docking section case 10 and has an inside shape that can accept insertion of the charging section-side attachment surface 30A connecting plug 33 of the charging section 3. The docking section case 10 has no perimeter walls 11B, 12B in the docking section-side attachment surface 10A making that end of the docking section 1 a hollow cylindrical shape, which is the connecting cavity 13 that accepts charging section 3 connecting plug 33 insertion. As shown in
The battery loading cavity 20 is established as an opening in the top of the upper case 11. The docking section case 10 is provided with a cavity in the top of the upper case 11 that is the battery loading cavity 20. The battery loading cavity 20 is made in a shape that can accept attachment in a detachable manner of a battery pack 2 of a particular type that is charged by that docking section 1. Since a rectangular battery attaches in the docking section 1 of the figures, the inside shape of the opening in the battery loading cavity 20 is (approximately) square with perimeter side-walls established on the four sides of a square base-plate 21. The four perimeter side-walls that form the square battery loading cavity 20 are a first side-wall 22 that faces the terminal-end 2X of the battery pack 2, a pair of side-walls 23 that face the two sides of the battery pack 2, and a second side-wall 24 that faces the bottom 2Y of the battery pack 2. These perimeter side-walls are formed approximately perpendicular to the base-plate 21. A battery loading cavity 20 with this configuration can hold a battery pack 2 in a manner that will not fall out.
The docking section case 10 of the figures is provided with a battery pack removal slot 25 in the second side-wall 24 to remove a battery pack 2 attached in the battery loading cavity 20. The battery pack removal slot 25 has a shape that widens towards the upper edges of the battery loading cavity 20. The user can insert a finger tip in the battery pack removal slot 25 to easily eject a loaded battery pack 2.
As shown in the cross-section of
The battery loading cavity 20 has connecting terminals 8 disposed on the first side-wall 22 that contact the output terminals 2S of the battery pack 2. To align the connecting terminals 8 in prescribed locations, the battery loading cavity 20 is provided with positioning slits 27 through which the wire connecting terminals 8 can move in and out. In the battery loading cavity 20 of
The connecting terminals 8 are made of wire that can deform in a resilient manner. One end of the connecting terminals 8 is fixed to the sub-circuit board 6 by an attachment method such as soldering. Further, each connecting terminal 8 wire is shaped with bends that establish a contact section 8A that makes contact with a battery pack 2 output terminal 2S, and a flexible arm 8B that resiliently presses the contact section 8A against the battery pack 2 output terminal 2S. The wires of the connecting terminals 8 pass through the positioning slits 27 in the first side-wall 22 and the contact sections 8A protrude outward in a flexible manner to press resiliently against the battery pack 2 output terminals 2S. Although one end of the wire connecting terminals 8 is attached to the sub-circuit board 6 in the figures, the connecting terminals can also be configured to make the contact sections flexibly protrude from the positioning slits with one end attached to the docking section case. Connecting terminals attached to the docking section case can connect with the sub-circuit board via lead-wires (not illustrated), or they can directly connect to the docking section-side connector (described later) disposed in the connecting cavity to charge the battery pack.
With a battery pack 2 attached in the battery loading cavity 20 of the docking section 1, connecting terminals 8 protruding from the first side-wall 22 contact battery pack 2 output terminals 2S for charging. Accordingly, connecting terminals 8 are disposed in the docking section 1 in locations corresponding to the output terminals 2S positioned on the terminal-end 2X of the battery pack 2 to be charged. The connecting terminals 8 of the figures are made up of positive and negative charging terminals 8a and a temperature detection terminal 8b. The three connecting terminals 8 are disposed opposite corresponding positive and negative electrode terminals 2a and a temperature terminal 2b that are the output terminals 2S of the attached battery pack 2. Specifically, the positive and negative charging terminals 8a are disposed in positions opposite the positive and negative electrode terminals 2a of the battery pack 2, and the temperature detection terminal 8b is disposed in a position opposite the temperature terminal 2b.
The battery pack 2A in
In contrast, the battery pack 2B in
Although not illustrated, docking sections can be provided to charge various different types of battery packs. Here, each docking section has a battery loading cavity that can accept attachment (in a detachable manner) of a specific type of battery pack, and connecting terminals on the first side-wall of the battery loading cavity are disposed in positions opposite the output terminals of the attached battery pack. Specifically, by manufacturing docking sections with battery loading cavity sizes and shapes and connecting terminal configurations and locations that conform to the shapes and configurations of the targeted battery packs, various types of battery packs can be loaded in a docking section and charged.
The sub-circuit board 6 holds a plurality of connecting terminals 8 and the docking section-side connector 7 in specified positions. The sub-circuit board 6 is disposed in a fixed position inside the docking section case 10 to expose each connecting terminal 8 from a positioning slit 27 through the first side-wall 22 in the battery loading cavity 20, and dispose the docking section-side connector 7 inside the connecting cavity 13. Specifically, the sub-circuit board 6 disposes the connecting terminals 8 and the docking section-side connector 7 in fixed positions in the docking section case 10. The connecting terminals 8 and docking section-side connector 7 can be mounted on the sub-circuit board 6, and sub-circuit board 6 with the connecting terminals 8 and docking section-side connector 7 attached can be treated as a single assembly unit to be inserted in the docking section case 10. Consequently, this structure has the characteristic that the docking section 1 can be assembled in a simple and efficient manner. However, it is not always necessary to provide a sub-circuit board, and it is also possible to mount the docking section-side connector and connecting terminals directly on the docking section case and make electrical connections through conducting materials such as lead-wires.
The docking section case 10 in
The docking section-side connector 7 is mounted inside the connecting cavity 13 in an exposed manner. The docking section-side connector 7 connects with a charging section-side connector 5 established on the connecting plug 33 that inserts into the connecting cavity 13 to make electrical connection with the charging section 3. A docking section-side connector 7 connected with a charging section-side connector 5 receives battery pack 2 charging power supplied from the charging section 3 charging circuit 40. Charging power received by the docking section-side connector 7 is supplied to connecting terminal 8 charging terminals 8a via the sub-circuit board 6, and is supplied to the battery pack 2 via electrode terminals 2a in contact with the charging terminals 8a to charge the battery pack 2. In addition, the docking section-side connector 7 transmits battery temperature signals from the temperature detection terminal 8b in contact with the battery pack 2 temperature terminal 2b to the charging section 3 via the charging section-side connector 5.
The docking section-side connector 7 shown in the figures is a female connector that mates with the male charging section-side connector 5 on the connecting plug 33 for electrical connection. The female docking section-side connector 7 is provided with contacts 7a disposed between a plurality of insulating plates 7A arranged in parallel orientation. Output terminal blades 5a of the male charging section-side connector 5 insert between adjacent insulating plates 7A of the docking section-side connector 7 to electrically connect the contacts 7a with the output terminal blades 5a. Configuring the docking section-side connector 7 as a female connector can reliably prevent inadvertent detrimental current flow or leakage current through the docking section-side connector 7 from a battery pack 2 attached in the battery loading cavity 20 of the docking section 1. For example, operator electrical shock caused by touching the docking section-side connector exposed inside the connecting cavity 13, and battery pack short circuit caused by a foreign object contacting the docking section-side connector can be reliably prevented with a female connector.
The docking section-side connector 7 shown in
The charging section 3 connects with the docking section 1 in a detachable manner and supplies charging power to the docking section 1 to charge a battery pack 2 loaded in the docking section 1. The charging section 3 is provided with a box-shaped main case 30. The charging section 3 connects with the docking section 1 with the charging section-side attachment surface 30A of the main case 30 facing the docking section-side attachment surface 10A of the docking section 1. To connect with the docking section 1 in a detachable manner, the charging section 3 is provided with a connecting plug 33 in the charging section-side attachment surface 30A of the main case 30 that fits into the connecting cavity 13 in the docking section 1.
The charging section 3 is provided with a charging circuit 40 that supplies a prescribed amount of charging power to charge the battery pack 2 loaded in the docking section 1, a connector 9 to receive charging power from the outside to charge the battery pack 2, and a charging section-side connector 5 to electrically connect with the docking section 1. The charging section 3 shown in
The main case 30 is plastic and made up of a first case 31 and a second case 32. The first case 31 is a first surface plate 31A with surrounding perimeter walls 31B formed in single-piece construction, and the second case 32 is a second surface plate 32A with surrounding perimeter walls 32B formed in single-piece construction. The main case 30 of the figures forms an overall box-shape by joining together opposing perimeter walls 31B, 32B of the first case 31 and the second case 32.
The connecting plug 33 protrudes from the charging section-side attachment surface 30A of the main case 30 and is shaped to fit in the connecting cavity 13 in the docking section-side attachment surface 10A of the docking section 1. The main case 30 in
In the charging section 3 of
The circuit board 4 is housed in a storage area 35 formed inside the main case 30. The main case 30 of the figures is provided with a partition 34 connected to the inside surfaces of the first case 31 and second case 32, and the circuit board 4 storage area 35 is established between that partition 34 and the inside surfaces of the perimeter walls 31B, 32B. The partition 34 is vertically divided into sections formed in single-piece construction with first case 31 and the second case 32 and subsequently joined together. In the main case 30 in
To dispose the circuit board 4 in a fixed position, the main case 30 of the figures is provided with a plurality of alignment ribs 36, 37 on the inside surfaces of the perimeter walls 31B, 32B and partition 34 that establish the storage area 35. The alignment ribs 36, 37 of the figures are established in crossing configuration around the outside edges of the circuit board 4. The alignment ribs 36, 37 are disposed with their inside surfaces facing the outside edges of the circuit board 4 to align the circuit board 4 in a fixed position inside the storage area 35. Further, the alignment ribs 37 are formed in stepped shapes, and the wider step regions 37B act as supports that contact the circuit board 4 and support its upper and lower surfaces. This structure aligns the perimeter of the circuit board 4 via the alignment ribs 36, 37, and sandwiches the circuit board 4 from above and below with the step regions 37B of the alignment ribs 37 to retain it in a fixed position inside the main case 30. However, although not illustrated, the circuit board can also be disposed in a fixed position in the main case by attachment methods such as pressure fitting, snap-in hooks, or screw attachment.
As shown in the block diagram of
The charging circuit 40 converts power supplied from the connector 9, which is connected to an external power source, to charging power to charge the battery pack 2. In a battery charger for charging a battery pack 2 with lithium ion batteries, the charging circuit 40 charges the battery pack 2 with constant current and constant voltage. In a battery charger for charging a battery pack with nickel hydride batteries or nickel cadmium batteries, the charging circuit performs constant current charging to charge the battery pack. In addition, the charging circuit 40 detects full-charge of the battery pack 2 to terminate charging.
The protection circuit 41 detects battery temperature and voltage and controls charging while protecting the battery pack 2. Battery temperature is detected by a temperature sensor 46 housed in the battery pack 2 and is determined from a signal output from the temperature terminal 2b on terminal-end 2X of the battery pack 2. The protection circuit 41 is provided with memory 43 to store temperatures that limit battery pack charging current. The memory 43 stores allowable current corresponding to battery temperature. The allowable current is the maximum current that can be passed through the battery pack 2 at a given temperature, and a current lower than that is used. Accordingly, the protection circuit 41 protects the battery pack 2 by controlling battery pack 2 charging current lower than the allowable current corresponding to the battery temperature. In addition, the protection circuit can store the maximum and minimum temperatures that allow battery pack charging, and control can allow charging within those maximum and minimum temperatures. Optimum maximum temperature and minimum temperature are set according to the battery type. For example, for a lithium ion battery, the maximum temperature is approximately 60° C. to 70° C., and the minimum temperature is approximately −10° C. to 0° C.
The protection circuit 41 also detects battery pack 2 voltage to control charging. The protection circuit 41 terminates charging when the voltage of the battery pack 2 being charged reaches a maximum voltage. The protection circuit 41 shown in
The display section 42 receives battery pack 2 charging status and error signals from the charging circuit 40 and protection circuit 41 and displays that information to the outside. The display section 42 of the figures is provided with a light source that is a light emitting diode (LED) 44, and an illumination control circuit 45 that controls illumination of the LED 44. The display section 42 detects battery pack 2 charging by the charging circuit 40 and termination of charging when the battery pack 2 reaches full-charge to control illumination of the LED 44 via the illumination control circuit 45. When battery pack 2 charging begins, the illumination control circuit 45 lights the LED 44 to indicate charging in progress. When the battery pack 2 is fully-charged, the illumination control circuit 45 turns the LED 44 OFF to indicate completion of charging. Further, when battery pack 2 voltage or battery temperature rises abnormally, the LED 44 is blinked ON and OFF to indicate a battery pack 2 abnormality. This display section 42 can display information such as battery pack 2 charging status and abnormalities (errors) by controlling the state of illumination of a monochromatic LED 44.
However, the display section can also indicate battery pack charging status and errors by changing LED illumination color. For example, the display section can illuminate an orange LED during battery pack charging, and can change the periodicity of blinking illumination to indicate the amount of remaining battery pack capacity. In this type of display section, the LED blinking frequency can increase as the battery pack approaches full-charge to indicate the state of charge to the user. Further, when the battery pack becomes fully-charged, that can be indicated by green LED illumination. In addition, battery abnormalities can be indicated by blinking illumination of another color or multiple colors, or abnormalities can be indicated by a special pattern of blinking.
The circuit board 4 shown in
The charging section 3 has the charging section-side connector 5 connected to the output-side of the charging circuit 40. The charging section-side connector 5 shown in
The charging section-side connector 5 shown in the figures is disposed on the inside of the recessed section 33A and exposed to the outside through a connector window 33B opened through a wall of the recessed section 33A. To hold the charging section-side connector 5 in a fixed position inside the recessed section 33A, the connector window 33B is opened through a perimeter wall 32B of the second case 32, and a supporting projection 39 is formed in single-piece construction with the second case 32 to hold the backside of the charging section-side connector 5, which is in the storage area 35. The charging section-side connector 5 has its sides aligned in the connector window 33B by the edges of that opening, and has its backside held by the supporting projection 39 to dispose it in a fixed position in the second case 2.
The charging section-side connector 5 shown in the figures is a male connector that mates with the female docking section-side connector 7 to make electrical connection. The male charging section-side connector 5 is provided with a parallel arrangement of a plurality of output terminal blades 5a. To protect the externally exposed charging section-side connector 5, the connecting plug 33 shown in the figures is provided with a cover plate 33C formed in single-piece construction with the first case 31 that covers the top of the charging section-side connector 5. The cover plate 33C is established along the top of the output terminal blades 5a that make up the charging section-side connector 5. The charging section-side connector 5 is disposed in the lower recessed section 33A and is covered from above by the cover plate 33C to effectively prevent conditions such as short circuit due to insertion of a foreign object from above.
The input-side of the charging circuit 40 in the charging section 3 is connected to a connector 9 via a cable 49. The connector 9 is a standardized connector that makes it easy to supply power without having to provide an external power source such as an AC adapter (as required by prior art). The connector 9 shown in the figures is a USB connector 9A. A connector 9 that is a USB connector 9A uses a USB port (such as a USB charging port) as an external power source. With the connector 9 connected to an external power source, power supplied from that external power source is delivered to the circuit board 4 charging circuit 40 via the cable 49. However, the connector 9 does not necessarily have to be a USB connector, and any configuration that can supply power from a power source can be used. For example, power can also be supplied to the charging section from an externally connected AC adapter. In addition, the charging section can be provided with plug blades that connect with a commercial power outlet, and AC power supplied from the plug blades can be converted to direct current (DC) to charge the battery pack. In that case, the charging section is provided with a rectifying circuit that converts the input AC to DC, the rectified DC power is converted to charging power by the charging circuit, and that power is output to charge the battery pack.
The cable 49 is flexible and one end is inserted into the main case 30 to connect with the circuit board 4. The outer end of the cable 49 has the connector 9 attached to extend it outside away from the main case 30. The cable 49, which extends out from the main case 30, is aligned in a perimeter groove 51 established in the perimeter walls 31B, 32B of the main case 30. In the main case 30 of the figures, the perimeter groove 51 is established in the main case 30 surface at the opposite end from the docking section 1 and along the non-attachment region 30b side. The perimeter groove 51 is configured as a channel with a cross-section that can hold the cable 49. This structure forms the perimeter groove 51 along the outside of the main case 30 to store the cable 49 in a compact manner that does not increase the outline of the main case 30.
In addition, the docking section case 10 of the figures is provided with a case extension 1T at the opposite end of the docking section case 10 from the docking section-side attachment surface 10A, and that case extension 1T lines up with the non-attachment region 30b of the charging section-side attachment surface 30 of the charging section 3. A connector storing cavity 29 is provided in the case extension 1T to accept insertion of the front end of the connector 9. The connector storing cavity 29 is established on the surface of the case extension 1T that faces the opposing surface of the charging section 3, which is the non-attachment region 30b. As shown in
Further, since the charging section 3 non-attachment region 30b and the case extension 1T at the other end of the docking section 1 protrude out from a side 1S of the docking section 1, a recessed region 50 is formed along the side 1S of the battery charger. As shown in
The battery charger is also provided with insertion guides 52 on the charging section 3 connecting plug 33 and in the docking section 1 connecting cavity 13 to insure that the connecting plug 33 inserts into the connecting cavity 13 in the proper disposition. For the connecting plug 33 and connecting cavity 13 shown in the figures, a plurality of insertion guides 52 is established extending in the connecting plug 33 insertion direction. The insertion guides 52 shown in
In addition, the connecting plug 33 shown in
When the connecting plug 33 is inserted in the connecting cavity 13, the locking projection 59 of the locking mechanism 55 is inserted in the wide groove 53A. Inside the wide groove 53A, the locking hook 56 and locking projection 59 slide together along their opposing inclined surfaces and latch together when the connecting plug 33 is completely inserted in the connecting cavity 13. In this state, the connecting plug 33 is connected with the connecting cavity 13 in a manner that does not come apart. To separate the connecting plug 33 and connecting cavity 13, the release actuator 57 is pressed to release the locking hook 56 from the latched condition with the locking projection 59, and the docking section 1 and charging section 3 are separated to extract the connecting plug 33 from the connecting cavity 13. It should be apparent to those with an ordinary skill in the art that while various preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is contemplated that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, which are deemed to be merely illustrative of the inventive concepts and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention, and which are suitable for all modifications and changes falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The present application is based on Application No. 2011-239,785 filed in Japan on Oct. 31, 2011, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2011-239785 | Oct 2011 | JP | national |