[Name of Document] Specification
[Title of the Invention]
Battery, Charging Apparatus and Electronic
Apparatus
[Technical Field]
[0001]
This invention relates to a charging apparatus and
an electronic apparatus in which a battery is installed.
[Background Art]
[0002]
In recent years, together with the advancement of
miniaturization and reduction in weight of electronic
apparatus such as image pickup apparatus represented by a
digital camera and so forth, a battery installed in an
electronic apparatus is formed in a parallelepiped shape
advantageous for miniaturization and reduction in weight.
Meanwhile, it is necessary for an electronic apparatus to
which a battery is applied to be formed from a member
having rigidity sufficient to withstand a bending moment
in order to prevent erroneous insertion of the battery or
prevent damage to an image pickup apparatus, and this
makes an obstacle to miniaturization and reduction in
weight.
[0003]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 28, a battery 9
disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-317689 is
formed in a parallelepiped shape wherein the length of
the sides in an insertion direction is set longer than
the length of the sides in the widthwise direction in
order to prevent erroneous insertion into an electronic
apparatus while cutaway portions 91 are formed on the
sides of a sheath member 90 of the battery 9 to prevent
erroneous insertion with certainty and besides facilitate
miniaturization and reduction in weight of the electronic
apparatus into which the battery 9 is to be installed.
The sheath member 90 has terminals 92 provided thereon
for electrically connecting to terminals of the
electronic apparatus into which the battery 9 is to be
installed. The number and location of the cutaway
portions 91 are determined so that an end face 93 does
not have the center of symmetry. Meanwhile, a battery
holder in the electronic apparatus in which the battery 9
is accommodated has an internal shape substantially same
as an outer shape of the sheath member 90 and has
protrusions for engaging with the cutaway portions 91
when the battery holder is accommodated. It is to be
noted that, as batteries similar to the battery disclosed
in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-317689, batteries
disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 11-307072,
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-76700 and Japanese
Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 11-3692 are available.
The battery 9 is charged up suitably by a charging
apparatus. As the charging apparatus, a charging
apparatus disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent No.
2,508,447 is applicable. The charging apparatus mentioned
includes an installation section in which the battery 9
is removably installed. The installation section has
terminals provided thereon for electrically connecting to
the terminals 92 of the battery 9.
[Disclosure of the Invention]
[0004] . ,
Recently, from a demand for further miniaturization
and reduction in weight of electronic apparatus, further
miniaturization of a battery to be installed in the
electronic apparatus is required. Thus, in order to
further miniaturize the battery of the parallelepiped
shape described above, it should be formed in a shape
having substantially square faces opposing to each other.
However, batteries available heretofore do not have any
projecting portion on the side faces thereof, and on the
other hand, on the apparatus side, the locking location
for locking an accepted battery is not definite.
Therefore, a user is puzzled with high possibility about
the positional relationship between the battery and the
locking location for the battery, resulting in erroneous
installation of the battery into an apparatus into which
the battery is to be installed, that is, an electronic
apparatus and a charging apparatus.
[0005]
On the other hand, if a battery having faces of a
substantially square shape is formed, then where terminal
contacts of the battery and the image pickup apparatus
have an off-centered relationship, if the battery is in a
state wherein it is inserted in vertically inverted
orientation or in erroneous horizontal orientation, the
terminals of the battery do not contact with the
terminals of the electronic apparatus or the charging
apparatus and no electric connection is established
therebetween. However, since the battery housing contacts
with the terminals of the electronic apparatus or the
charging apparatus, there is the possibility that the
terminals of the electronic apparatus or the charging
apparatus may be damaged.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of such
circumstances as described above, and the object of the
present invention resides in provision of a battery whose
erroneous installation into an electronic apparatus or a
charging apparatus, which arises from miniaturization of
a battery for an electronic apparatus, can be prevented
and a charging apparatus and an electronic apparatus into
which the battery is to be installed.
[0007]
Thus, a battery of the present invention is a
battery including a battery cell formed in a flattened
substantially parallelepiped shape and a connection
terminal section electrically connected to the battery
cell, wherein, at one end in the longitudinal direction
of a face of the battery opposing to the face on which
the connection terminal section is provided, a projecting
portion which projects in the longitudinal direction of
the face is provided.
[0008]
Another battery of the present invention is a
battery including a battery cell formed in a flattened
substantially parallelepiped shape and a connection
terminal section electrically connected to the battery
cell, wherein, at each of the opposite ends in the
longitudinal direction of a face of the battery opposing
to the face on which the connection terminal section is
provided, a projecting portion which projects in the
longitudinal direction of the face is provided.
[0009]
The batteries may be configured such that the face
of the battery on which the connecting terminal section
is formed so as to include a frame section configured to
accommodate the battery cell, a terminal connection
section electrically connected to the battery cell, and a
cap section attached to one end side of the frame section
through a circuit board section and configured to expose
the terminal connection section.
[0010]
With the batteries of the present invention
described above, the insertion direction of the battery
into which an electronic apparatus or a charging
apparatus into which the battery is to be installed
becomes definite.
[0011]
The projecting portions formed at the opposite ends
in the longitudinal direction may have projecting lengths
different from each other. By this, the insertion
direction of the battery into which an electronic
apparatus or a charging apparatus into which the battery
is to be installed becomes more definite. The projecting
portions formed at the opposite ends in the longitudinal
direction may have projecting lengths and projecting
thicknesses different from each other. Also by this, the
insertion direction of the battery into which an
electronic apparatus or a charging apparatus into which
the battery is to be installed becomes more definite.
[0012]
A charging apparatus of the present invention is a
charging apparatus having an accommodating section in
which a battery including a battery cell formed in a
flattened substantially parallelepiped shape and a
connection terminal section electrically connected to the
battery cell and configured such that, at one end in the
longitudinal direction of a face of the battery opposing
to the face on which the connection terminal section is
provided, a projecting portion which projects in the
longitudinal direction of the face is provided is
removably accommodated and which includes charging
terminals configured to electrically contact with the
terminal connection section, wherein the accommodating
section includes a projection accommodating portion
configured to accommodate the projecting portion formed
on the battery, and the projection accommodating portion
is formed as a space configured to accommodate the
projecting portion based on the size of the projecting
portion.
[0013]
Another charging apparatus of the present invention
is a charging apparatus having an accommodating section
in which a battery including a battery cell formed in a
flattened substantially parallelepiped shape and a
connection terminal section electrically connected to the
battery cell and configured such that, at each of the
opposite ends in the longitudinal direction of a face of
the battery opposing to the face on which the connection
terminal section is provided, a projecting portion which
projects in the longitudinal direction of the face is
provided is removably accommodated and which includes
charging terminals configured to electrically contact
with the terminal connection section, wherein the
accommodating section includes projection accommodating
portions configured to individually accommodate the
projecting portions formed on the battery, and one of the
projection accommodating portions is formed by provision
of a space configured to accommodate one of the
projecting portions based on the size of the one
projecting portion while the other projection
accommodating portion is formed by provision of a space
configured to accommodate the other of the projecting
portions based on the size of the last-mentioned other
projecting portion.
[0014]
With the charging apparatus described above, the
projecting portion formed on the battery can be
selectively accommodated. It is to be that the charging
apparatus may be configured such that a bottom face of
the accommodating section has a recessed portion, and the
recessed portion forms a space in which the battery is
accommodated.
[0015]
The charging apparatus may be configured such that
the accommodating section has a space configured to
accommodate the battery and another space configured to
accommodate another battery having a length greater than
that of the battery, and the charging terminals serve
also as charging terminals for the battery of the greater
length. By this, batteries having different sizes from
each other can be charged with the common charging
terminals.
[0016]
The accommodating section may have a locking
portion provided on the face opposing to the face on
which the charging terminals are formed and configured to
lock the battery. By this, the battery upon charging is
prevented from being removed from the charging apparatus.
[0017]
An electronic apparatus of the present invention is
an electronic apparatus having an accommodating section
in which a battery including a battery cell formed in a
flattened substantially parallelepiped shape and a
connection terminal section electrically connected to the
battery cell and configured such that, at one end in the
longitudinal direction of a face of the battery opposing
to the face on which the connection terminal section is
provided, a projecting portion which projects in the
longitudinal direction of the face is provided is
removably accommodated and which includes terminals
configured to electrically contact with the terminal
connection section.
[0018]
Another electronic apparatus of the present
invention is an electronic apparatus having an
accommodating section in which a battery including a
battery cell formed in a flattened substantially
parallelepiped shape and a connection terminal section
electrically connected to the battery cell and configured
such that, at each of the opposite ends in the
longitudinal direction of a face of the battery opposing
to the face on which the connection terminal section is
provided, a projecting portion which projects in the
longitudinal direction of the face is provided is
removably accommodated and which includes terminals
configured to electrically contact with the terminal
connection section.
[0019]
With the electronic apparatus of the invention
described above, the projecting portion formed on the
battery can be selectively accommodated. The
accommodating section may form a projection accommodating
portion configured to accommodate the projecting portion
formed on the battery. By this, the insertion direction
of the battery into the electronic apparatus becomes
definite. Further, the projection accommodating portion
may be a space configured to accommodate the projecting
portion based on the size of the projecting portion. By
this, the insertion direction of the battery into the
electronic apparatus becomes more definite.
[Brief Description of the Drawings]
[0020]
[FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is side elevational views showing outer
faces of a battery according to an embodiment of the
present invention which has projecting portions at the
opposite ends thereof.
[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the
battery.
[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is side elevational views showing outer
faces of a battery according to another embodiment of the
present invention which has projecting portions at four
locations thereof.
[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is side elevational views showing outer
faces of a battery according to a further embodiment of
the present invention which has a projecting portion at
one end thereof.
[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is side elevational views showing outer
faces of a battery according to a still further
embodiment of the present invention which has a
projecting portion at another end thereof.
[FIG. 6A] FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing an image
pickup apparatus in which the battery according to the
present invention is installed.
[FIG. 6B] FIG. 6B is another perspective view showing the
image pickup apparatus in which the battery according to
the present invention is installed.
[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the inside
of the image pickup apparatus in which the battery is
accommodated.
[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a
state wherein the battery is installed in the image
pickup apparatus.
[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory view illustrating a
manner in which the battery is inserted into the image
pickup apparatus.
[FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is explanatory views of insertion
operation of the battery.
[FIG. 11] FIG. 11 is explanatory views of discharging
operation of the battery.
[FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is explanatory views of erroneous
insertion preventing operation of the battery.
[FIG. 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory view illustrating a
manner in which the battery is inserted into the image
pickup apparatus.
[FIG. 14] FIG. 14 is explanatory views of insertion of
the battery, and wherein FIG. 14A is an explanatory view
of insertion operation of the battery and FIG. 14B and
FIG. 14C are explanatory views of erroneous insertion
preventing operation of the battery.
[FIG. 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a locking
pawl of the image pickup apparatus.
[FIG. 16A] FIG. 16A is a perspective view showing a
charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[FIG. 16B] FIG. 16B is a perspective view illustrating a
state wherein a battery having projecting portions at the
opposite ends thereof is installed in the charging
apparatus of FIG. 16A.
[FIG. 17A] FIG. 17A is a plan view showing the embodiment
of the charging apparatus of FIG. 16A.
[FIG. 17B] FIG. 17B is a sectional view showing the
embodiment of the charging apparatus of FIG. 16A.
[FIG. ISA] FIG. ISA is a plan view illustrating a state
wherein a battery having projecting portions at the
opposite ends thereof is installed in the charging
apparatus of FIG. 16A.
[FIG. 18B] FIG. 18B is a sectional view illustrating a
state wherein a battery having projecting portions at the
opposite ends thereof is installed in the charging
apparatus of FIG. 16A.
[FIG. 19] FIG. 19 is an enlarged view showing neighboring
portions of a locking mechanism of the charging apparatus
in which a battery is installed;
[FIG. 20A] FIG. 20A is a plan view illustrating a state
wherein a battery is inserted erroneously in vertically
inverted orientation in the charging apparatus according
to the present invention.
[FIG. 20B] FIG. 20B is a sectional view illustrating the
state wherein the battery is inserted erroneously in the
vertically inverted orientation in the charging apparatus
according to the present invention.
[FIG. 21A] FIG. 21A is a plan view showing a charging
apparatus according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
[FIG. 21B] FIG. 21B is a plan view illustrating a state
wherein a battery is installed in the charring apparatus
of FIG. 21A.
[FIG. 22A] FIG. 22A is a plan view showing an embodiment
of a charging apparatus according to a further embodiment
of the present invention.
[FIG. 22B] FIG. 22B is a sectional view illustrating a
state wherein a battery is installed in the charring
apparatus of FIG. 22A.
[FIG. 23] FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a
charging apparatus of a different embodiment of the
present invention which can charge up the battery
according to the present invention and a battery having
principal faces of a rectangular shape.
[FIG. 24A] FIG. 24A is a front elevational view showing
the charging apparatus according to the different
embodiment of the present invention.
[FIG. 24B] FIG. 24B is a sectional view showing the
charging apparatus according to the different embodiment
of the present invention.
[FIG. 25A] FIG. 25A is a sectional view illustrating a
state wherein the battery according to the present
invention is installed in the charging apparatus of FIG.
24A.
[FIG. 25B] FIG. 25B is a sectional view illustrating a
state wherein a battery having principal faces of a
rectangular shape is installed in the charging apparatus
according to the present invention.
[FIG. 25C] FIG. 25C is a sectional view illustrating a
state wherein a battery having principal faces of a
square shape and having a thickness greater than that of
the battery of FIG. 25B which has rectangular principal
faces is installed in the charging apparatus according to
the present invention.
[FIG. 26] FIG. 26 is a plan view illustrating a state
wherein the battery according the present invention
having projecting portions at the opposite ends thereof
is installed in the charging apparatus according to the
present invention.
[FIG. 27A] FIG. 27A is a plan view illustrating a state
wherein the battery according the present invention
having a projecting portion at one end thereof is
installed in the charging apparatus according to the
present invention.
[FIG. 27B] FIG. 27B is a plan view illustrating a state
wherein the battery according the present invention
having a projecting portion at another end thereof is
installed in the charging apparatus according to the
present invention.
[FIG. 28] FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a battery
according to a conventional example.
[Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention]
[0021]
In the following, embodiments of the present
invention are described with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
FIG. 1A to IF are side elevational views showing
outer faces of a battery according to an embodiment of
the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective
view of the battery. Further, FIG. 3A to 3F, FIG. 4A to
4F and FIG. 5A to 5F are side elevational views showing
outer faces of batteries according to different
embodiments of the present invention.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 2, the battery 2 includes a
battery cell 20 having a substantially square principal
face, a square frame member 21 in which the battery cell
20 is accommodated, a circuit board member 22 disposed on
an outer side face of the frame member 21, a cap member
23 attached to one end side of the frame member 21 and
the battery cell 20 in such a manner that the circuit
board member 22 is sandwiched by the outer side face of
the frame member 21 and the cap member 23, and a sheath
film 24 integrally covering the battery cell 20 and the
frame member 21.
[0024]
The battery cell 20 is formed by covering a
laminate (battery element), in which, for example, a
positive electrode, a separator, a negative electrode and
so forth are laminated in order, with a sheath member in
the form of a film. As shown in FIG. 2, the battery cell
20 is formed in a flattened substantially parallelepiped
shape from first to fourth side faces 20a to 20d and
front and back faces 20e and 20f. A cell positive
electrode member 201 is formed in a projecting fashion at
a substantially central portion of the first side face
20a, and a cell negative electrode member (not shown) is
formed at a central portion of the second side face 20b
on the opposite side to the first side face 20a. A
positive characteristic thermistor (Positive Temperature
Coefficient (hereinafter referred to as PTC tab) 202 as a
safety part for electric disconnection at a high
temperature is connected at an end portion thereof to the
cell negative electrode member while the other end
portion of the PTC tab 202 extends to the third side face
20c of the battery cell 20. Insulating paper 203 is
interposed between the third side face 20c of the battery
cell 20 and the PTC tab 202.
[0025]
The frame member 21 is formed in the shape of a
quadrilateral framework from a synthetic resin material
having an electric insulating property, and first to
fourth sides 21a to 21d thereof overlap with outer faces
of the first to fourth side faces 20a to 20d of the
battery cell 20, respectively.
[0026]
A cell positive electrode member fitting window 211
which fits with the cell positive electrode member 201 is
provided on the first side 21a of the frame member 21
which overlaps with the first side face 20a of the
battery cell 20. On the third side 21c which overlaps
with the third side face 20c of the battery cell 20, a
cutaway portion 212 through which an end portion of the
PTC tab 202 is exposed is provided, and at an end portion
on the first side 21a side, a slit 214 for introducing a
negative electrode tab 213 into the inside of the third
side 21c therethrough is provided. A spacer 212a is
provided in the cutaway portion 212.
[0027]
A flange-like protruding portion 215 is provided at
a bottom portion of the frame member 21 such that it
supports a bottom portion of the battery cell 20. Further,
a flange-like protruding portion 216 is provided at an
upper portion of the frame member 21 such that it extends
along an upper edge of the second side 21b and is opposed
to the flange-like protruding portion 215. An end portion
of the battery cell 20 adjacent the second side face 20b
is held between the flange-like protruding portions 215
and 216.
[0028]
The second side 21b of the frame member 21 is
formed with a height substantially equal to the height
(material thickness) of the battery cell 20 accommodated
in the frame member 21 when the battery cell 20 is
expanded most upon charging or at a high temperature.
[0029]
A circuit board attaching portion 217 is provided
on an outer face of the first side 21a of the frame
member 21. The circuit board attaching portion 217 is
formed between a pair of upper and lower cap supporting
portions 218 formed in a projecting manner at upper and
lower ends of the outer face of the first side 21a of the
frame member 21. A plurality of cap member locking pawls
219 are provided on the cap supporting portions 218.
[0030]
The circuit board member 22 includes a plurality of
terminal contacting portions 222 on the outer face side
of a base plate 221 formed from an insulating synthetic
resin material such as glass epoxy phenol. The circuit
board member 22 further includes electronic parts and a
transfer mold 223, in which the electronic parts are
molded, provided on the inner face side of the base plate
221. The circuit board member 22 is assembled and secured
in a state wherein it is sandwiched by and between the
frame member 21 and the cap member 23 with a
predetermined (small) gap left between an end of the
transfer mold 223 and the frame member 21.
[0031]
A positive electrode tab 225 is connected at one
end portion 225a thereof to a terminal portion 224 at one
end of the circuit board member 22 by welding. The
positive electrode tab 225 is connected on the other end
side thereof to the cell positive electrode member 201 of
the battery cell 20 by welding. An insulating paper 226
is interposed between the circuit board member 22 and the
positive electrode tab 225. Further, the negative
electrode tab 213 is connected at the one end 213a
thereof to a terminal portion 227 at the other end of the
circuit board member 22 by welding.
[0032]
The positive electrode tab 225 is formed in a
substantially L shape from a metal plate such as a nickel
plate. The metal plate can be worked so as to be bent
readily as a result of so-called annealing applied
thereto. The above-described substantially L-shaped
positive electrode tab 225 is connected on the major side
thereof to the positive electrode tab 225 and on the
minor side thereof to the terminal portion 227 at an end
of the circuit board member 22.
[0033]
Also the negative electrode tab 213 described
hereinabove is formed in a substantially L shape from a
metal plate such as a nickel plate similarly to the
positive electrode tab 225. The L-shaped negative
electrode tab 213 is connected at the one end 213a on the
minor side thereof to the terminal portion 227 at the
other end of the circuit board member 22. The other end
213b on the major side of the negative electrode tab 213
is led into the inner face side of the first side 21a
through the slit 214 formed in the third side 21c of the
frame member 21 and is connected to the PTC tab 202.
[0034]
The cap member 23 includes a rectangular end face
portion 231 overlapping with the outer face of the first
side 21a of the frame member 21 through the circuit board
member 22 (across the circuit board member 22) attached
to the circuit board attaching portion 217. The cap
member 23 further includes a tubular portion 232 provided
contiguously to the rectangular end face portion 231 and
fitted with one end side of the frame member 21 and the
battery cell 20.
[0035]
A plurality of terminal windows 233 are provided on
the end face portion 232 of the cap member 23 such that
the terminal.contacting portions 222 of the circuit board
member 22 are exposed therethrough. Further, a plurality
of pawl engaging holes 234 are provided on the upper and
lower face of the tubular portion 232 such that the
plurality of cap member locking pawls 219 provided on the
pair of upper and lower cap supporting portions 218 of
the frame member 21 are fitted therewith.
[0036]
The frame member 21 includes a plurality of
protrusions 218a provided on the pair of upper and lower
cap supporting portions 218 in such a manner as to
project toward the circuit board member 22 side. The
protrusions 218a contact with portions of the circuit
board member 22 at which electronic parts and so forth
are not mounted at positions at which they sandwich the
transfer mold 223 when the terminal contacting portions
222 of the circuit board member 22 are pressurized by the
counterpart side terminals or the like.
[0037]
The sheath film 24 is formed as a sheet of a
thickness of approximately 0.05 to 0.1 mm from a
synthetic resin material such as polyethylene (PE),
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polycarbonate (PC).
Then, after the battery cell 20 is accommodated into the
frame member 21 and the circuit board member 22 and so
forth are attached to the frame member 21 and then the
cap member 23 is put on the circuit board member 22, the
sheath film 24 is wrapped around the frame member 21 so
as to cover the front and back faces of the battery cell
20 and integrally couple the battery cell 20, frame
member 21 and cap member 23 to each other. It is to be
noted that a name plate film 25 is applied to the sheath
film 24.
[0038]
The frame member 21 makes it possible to prevent
erroneous insertion of the battery 2 into an image pickup
apparatus 1 by forming, at an end edge portion of the
second side 21b of the frame member 21, projecting
portions 26 and 27 projecting in the lengthwise direction
of the second side 21b. The projecting portions 26 and 27
are formed such that they have different shapes from each
other. In particular, the projecting portions 26 and 27
are formed such that the length and the thickness of the
projecting portion 26 and the length and the thickness of
the projecting portion 27 are different from each other.
It is to be noted that, on the frame member 21, a locked
portion 210 for being locked by a locking portion 351
formed on a charging apparatus 3 hereinafter described is
formed.
[0039]
The projecting portion 26 is formed in a
substantially parallelepiped shape as seen in FIG. 1.
Meanwhile, in an accommodating section lOa of the image
pickup apparatus 1 (FIGS. 7 and 8), a projection
accommodating portion 122 is formed which accommodates
the projecting portion 26 in an exposed state when the
battery 2 is installed in the image pickup apparatus 1.
The projection accommodating portion 122 is formed with a
necessary but minimum size with which it can accommodate
the projecting portion 26. Here, the cutaway area of the
projection accommodating portion 122 is set greater than
the area of the projecting portion 26 provided on the
frame member 21 of the battery 2.
[0040]
As shown, in FIG. 1, the projecting portion 27 is
formed such that it has a substantially trapezoidal cross
section so as to have an inclined face 270. Further, a
locked face 271 is formed on the projecting portion 27
such that it is locked by a locking pawl 115 when the
battery 2 is installed in the image pickup apparatus 1
and the locking pawl 115 locks the battery 2.
[0041]
The locked face 271 is set so as to have a height
lower than the face of the frame member 21 to clearly
indicate the location locked by the locking pawl 115.
Simultaneously, the locked face 271 can deter the locking
pawl 115 which is acted upon by a contact pressure of a
spring. Further, the locked face 271 has a coefficient of
friction lower than that of a peripheral portion.
Consequently, the location to be locked is indicated more
clearly. Furthermore, since the locking pawl 115 becomes
liable to slip, it can be locked rapidly.
[0042]
Further, as another embodiment of the battery 2, a
battery 2A shown in FIG. 3A to 3F is provided. The
battery 2A may be formed such that projecting portions 28
and 29 of different shapes projecting in the insertion
direction are formed at the opposite end portions of the
face of the cap member 23 of the battery 2 so as to
prevent erroneous insertion of the battery 2A into the
image pickup apparatus 1. While the projecting portion 28
is formed such that it has a substantially trapezoidal
cross section, the projecting portion 29 is formed in a
substantially parallelepiped shape, and the thicknesses
of the two projections are different from each other. It
is to be noted that the projecting portion 28 and the
projecting portion 29 may be formed such that the
projecting lengths thereof are different from each other.
[0043]
As a further embodiment of the battery 2, a battery
2B shown in FIG. 4A to 4F is provided. The battery 2B
includes the frame member 21 on which only the projecting
portion 27 is provided.
[0044]
As a still further embodiment of the battery 2, a
battery 2C shown in FIG. 5A to 5F is provided. The
battery 2C includes the frame member 21 on which only the
projecting portion 26 is provided.
[0045]
FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a lens cover side
of an image pickup apparatus in which a battery according
to the present invention is installed. FIG. 6B is a
perspective view of a monitor side of the image pickup
apparatus. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the
inside of the image pickup apparatus in which the battery
is accommodated. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a
state wherein the battery is installed in the image
pickup apparatus. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a
manner of insertion of the battery into the image pickup
apparatus.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 6A, the image pickup apparatus 1
includes a zoom lever 101, a shutter button 102 and a
microphone 103 on an upper face portion of a body 10. As
shown in FIG. 4, an image pickup lens 104, a flash device
104a, an AF illuminator 104b and a lens cover 105 are
provided on a front face portion of the image pickup
apparatus 1. The lens cover 105 is of the slide type and
covers the image pickup lens 104, flash device 104a and
AF illuminator 104b. The AF illuminator 104b emits
auxiliary light for focusing at a dark place.
[0047]
Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 6B, a mode changeover
switch 106, a monitor 107, a menu button 108, control
buttons 109, a screen display button 110, a screen size
selection/screen deletion button 111, a speaker 112 and a
reset button 113 are provided on a rear face portion of
the body 10. The control buttons 109 include a flash mode
button 109a, a review button 109b, a self timer button
109c, a macro button 109d and a determination button 109e,
The components mentioned are provided on a known digital
camera apparatus (for example, the digital camera DSC-T3
by Sony).
[0048]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the image pickup
apparatus 1 has an accommodating section lOa for
accommodating the battery 2. Further, as shown in FIG. 8,
the image pickup apparatus 1 includes, on a side face
portion of the battery insertion side, a power supply
button 100, a multi terminal 114, a locking pawl 115
serving as means for locking the battery 2 when the
battery 2 is inserted into and installed in the image
pickup apparatus 1, a lid 116 serving as means for
enclosing the battery 2 installed, a strap metal member
117 for holding the image pickup apparatus 1, an opening
118 (FIG. 9) for accepting the battery 2. It is to be
noted that the strap metal member 117 acts also to
facilitate holding by putting the thumb to the strap
metal member 117 upon image pickup.
[0049]
The accommodating section lOa includes ribs 119 and
a terminal plate 120. The terminal plate 120 includes
terminals 121 having spring resiliency. The ribs 119
contact with recessed portions 230 (FIG. 1) formed on the
battery 2 in a state wherein the battery 2 is
accommodated in the accommodating section lOa. The
terminals 121 electrically connect to the terminal
contacting portions 222 (FIG. 1) of the battery 2 in a
state wherein the battery 2 is accommodated in the
accommodating section lOa.
[0050]
The locking pawl 115 is provided for movement in
the directions indicate by an arrow mark in FIG. 9 and is
biased in a direction toward the opening 118 by a spring
115b. The locking pawl 115 forms an inclined face lisa.
The inclined face 115a is provided to make up for the
discharge amount of the battery 2 by the spring
elasticity of the spring 115b. In particular, when the
battery 2 is discharged from the image pickup apparatus 1,
the locking pawl 115 pressed by the contact pressure of
the spring 115b is guided under the projecting portion 27
formed on the frame member 21 of the battery 2 by the
locking pawl 115 to promote the discharge of the battery
2. It is to be noted that, since only it is necessary for
the locking pawl 115 to be capable of locking the battery
2 installed in the image pickup apparatus 1, there is no
necessity to form the inclined face 115a.
[0051]
In particular, the locking pawl 115 may be formed
in such a configuration as seen in FIG. 15. A locking
pawl 13 includes a locking portion 13a which can move
back and forth by resilient deformation of a spring
formed similarly to the spring 115b. The locking pawl 13
further includes an auxiliary locking portion 13b.
[0052]
Insertion operation of the battery 2 is described
with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 9, the battery 2 is inserted into
the image pickup apparatus 1 while the face of the
battery 2 which has the terminal contacting portions 222
is directed toward the opening 118 of the image pickup
apparatus 1. At this time, the battery 2 is inserted into
the image pickup apparatus 1 in a state wherein the
locking pawl 115 is pulled by a finger as seen in FIG.
10A. Then, if the locking pawl 115 is released from the
finger to open at a point of time at which the battery 2
is accommodated fully into the image pickup apparatus 1
with the bottom portion of the recessed portions 230
thereof contacting with the ribs 119 in the image pickup
apparatus 1 as seen in FIG. 10B, then the locking pawl
115 is biased by the spring 115b, which normally biases
the locking pawl 115 in the direction toward an opening
11 (FIG. 9), to slidably move in the direction toward the
battery 2 until the locked face 271 is locked by the
locked face 271 thereby to lock the battery 2. Thereafter,
the lid 116 is closed to enclose the battery 2 in the
image pickup apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. IOC. At this
time, the terminals 121 provided on the terminal plate
120 of the image pickup apparatus 1 are placed into a
state wherein they are electrically connected to the
terminal contacting portions 222 of the battery 2 in a
state wherein they are compressed by resilient
deformation.
[0054]
Then, when the battery 2 is to be removed, if the
locking pawl 115 is pulled in the direction indicated by
a horizontal arrow mark as seen in 11A, then the battery
2 projects in the direction of the arrow mark under
contact pressure of the terminals 121 on the terminal
plate 120 as seen in FIG. 11B. Here, if the locking pawl
115 is released from the finger, then the locking pawl
115 is biased by the spring 115b, which biases the
locking pawl 115, to move in the direction toward the
battery 2 as shown in FIG. lie. At this time, since the
projecting portion 26 is exposed to the outside of the
image pickup apparatus 1, the battery 2 can be taken out
readily by putting fingers to the projecting portions 26
and 27. It is to be noted that, where the inclined face
115a is formed on the locking pawl 115, since the locking
pawl 115 advances below the projecting portion 27 while
contacting the inclined face 115a thereof with the
inclined face 270 of the projecting portion 27, the
discharge amount of the battery 2 is made up for, and the
battery 2 projects further. As a result the battery 2 can
be taken out further readily.
[0055]
On the other hand, if the battery 2 is erroneously
inserted in transverse orientation into the image pickup
apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 12A and 12B, then the
projecting portion 26 of the buttery 2 touches with a rib
119 and the side face of the cap member 23 touches with
another rib 119. At this time, since part of the battery
2 protrudes from the body of the image pickup apparatus 1,
the locking pawl 115 cannot lock the battery 2 and the
door 116 cannot close up the opening 118.
[0056]
Further, if the battery 2 is inserted in a
vertically inverted state into the image pickup apparatus
1 as seen in FIG. 12C, an end portion of the cap member
23 of the battery 2 abuts with the ribs 119. Also at this
time, since part of the battery 2 protrudes from the body
of the image pickup apparatus 1, the locking pawl 115
cannot lock the battery 2 and the lid 116 cannot close up
the opening 118.
[0057]
Furthermore, if the battery 2 is inserted in
reverse depthwise orientation into the image pickup
apparatus 1 as seen in FIG. 12D, then the projecting
portions 26 and 27 of the battery 2 touch with edge
portions of the opening 118 of the image pickup apparatus
1 and the battery 2 cannot be inserted into the image
pickup apparatus 1. Therefore, the locking pawl 115
cannot lock the battery 2 and the lid 116 cannot close up
the opening 118.
[0058]
As described above, according to the battery 2,
erroneous insertion into the image pickup apparatus 1 is
prevented, and damage to the terminals 121 of the image
pickup apparatus 1 by erroneous insertion of the battery
2 can be prevented.
[0059]
Now, insertion operation of the battery 2A is
described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.
[0060]
As shown in FIG. 13, the battery 2A is inserted
into the image pickup apparatus 1 while the face of the
battery 2A (FIG. 3) which has the terminal windows 233 is
directed toward the opening 118 of the image pickup
apparatus 1 in a state wherein the locking pawl 115 is
drawn closer by a finger. Then, if the locking pawl 115
is released from the finger at a point of time at which
the bottom portion of the recessed portions 230 of the
battery 2A contacts with the ribs 119 in the image pickup
apparatus 1 and the battery 2A is accommodated fully into
the image pickup apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 14A, then
the locking pawl 115 is biased by the spring 115b to
slidably move on the locked face 271 in the direction
toward the battery 2 until the locking pawl 115 locks the
locked face 271 thereby to the lock the battery 2A.
Thereafter, the lid 116 is closed so that the battery 2A
is enclosed in the image pickup apparatus 1. At this time,
the terminals 121 provided on the terminal plate 120 of
the image pickup apparatus 1 are placed into a state
electrically connected to the terminal contacting
portions 222 of the battery 2A in a state wherein they
are contracted by resilient deformation.
[0061]
On the other hand, if the battery 2A is inserted in
vertically inverted orientation into the image pickup
apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 14B, then the projecting
portions 28 and 29 of the battery 2A touch with the ribs
119. At this time, since part of the battery 2A protrudes
from the body of the image pickup apparatus 1, the
locking pawl 115 cannot lock the battery 2A and the lid
116 cannot close up the opening 118. Further, the
distance between the cap member 23 of the battery 2A and
the ribs 119 of the image pickup apparatus 1 side is kept
at a distance with which they do not contact with each
other.
[0062]
Further, if the battery 2A is inserted in erroneous
transverse orientation into the image pickup apparatus 1
as shown in FIG. 14C, the projecting portion 28 of the
battery 2A touches with an edge portion of the opening
118 of the image pickup apparatus 1 and the battery 2A
cannot be inserted into the image pickup apparatus 1.
Therefore, the locking pawl 115 cannot lock the battery 2
and the lid 116 cannot close up the opening 118.
[0063]
Accordingly, with the battery 2A, erroneous
insertion into the image pickup apparatus 1 can be
prevented and damage to the terminals 121 of the image
pickup apparatus 1 by erroneous insertion of the battery
2A can be prevented.
[0064]
Further, also with the battery 2B shown in FIG. 4,
erroneous installation into the image pickup apparatus 1
can be prevented.
[0065]
In particular, if the battery 2 is erroneously
inserted into the image pickup apparatus 1 similarly as
in the situation illustrated in FIG. 12B, then the
projecting portion 27 of the battery 2B touches with a
rib 119 in the image pickup apparatus 1 and the side face
of the cap member 23 abuts with another rib 119. At this
time, since part of the battery 2B protrudes from the
body of the image pickup apparatus 1, the locking pawl
115 cannot lock the battery 2B and the lid 116 cannot
close up the opening 118. Further if the battery 2B is
inserted in erroneous depthwise orientation into the
image pickup apparatus 1, then the projecting portion 27
of the battery 2B touches with an edge portion of the
opening 118 of the image pickup apparatus 1 and the
battery 2B cannot be inserted into the image pickup
apparatus 1. Consequently, the locking pawl 115 cannot
lock the battery 2B and the lid 116 cannot close up the
opening 118.
[0066]
In this manner, also with the battery 2B, erroneous
installation into the image pickup apparatus 1 can be
prevented. It is to be noted that, also with the battery
2B, projecting portions 28 and 29 may be provided on the
cap member 23 similarly as in the case of the battery 2A
so that erroneous vertical installation and erroneous
transverse installation are prevented.
[0067]
Also with the battery 2C shown in FIG. 5, erroneous
installation into the image pickup apparatus 1 can be
prevented. In particular, if the battery 2B is inserted
erroneous transverse orientation into the image pickup
apparatus 1 similarly as in the situation shown in FIG.
12A, then the projecting portion 26 of the battery 2C
touches with a rib 119 in the image pickup device 1 and
the side face of the cap member 23 abuts with another rib
119. At this time, since part of the battery 2C protrudes
from the body of the image pickup apparatus 1, the
locking pawl 115 cannot be lock the battery 2C and the
lid 116 cannot close up the opening 118. Further, if the
battery 2C is inserted in erroneous depthwise orientation
into the image pickup apparatus 1 similarly as in the
situation shown in FIG. 12D, then the projecting portion
26 of the battery 2C touches with an edge portion of the
opening 118 of the image pickup apparatus 1 and the
battery 2C cannot be inserted into the image pickup
apparatus 1. Consequently, the locking pawl 115 cannot
lock the battery 2C and the lid 116 cannot close up the
opening 118.
[0068]
In this manner, also with the battery 2C, erroneous
installation into the image pickup apparatus 1 can be
prevented. It is to be noted that, also in the battery 2C,
projecting portions 28 and 29 may be provided on the cap
member 23 as in the case of the battery 2A so that
erroneous vertical installation and erroneous transverse
installation into the image pickup apparatus 1 can be
prevented.
[0069]
While the batteries described above are applied to
the image pickup apparatus 1, the application of the
battery according to the present invention is not limited
to the image pickup apparatus, but the battery can be
applied also to electronic apparatus which requires a
battery.
[0070]
Now, a charging apparatus for a battery according
to the present invention is described.
[0071]
FIG. 16A is a perspective view showing an
embodiment of a charging apparatus according to the
present invention. FIG. 16B is a perspective view
illustrating a state wherein a battery is installed in
the charging apparatus. FIGS. 17A and 17B are a plan view
and a sectional view, respectively, showing of the
charging apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIGS. ISA and 18B are a plan view and a sectional view,
respectively, illustrating a state wherein a battery is
installed in the charging apparatus.
[0072]
The charging apparatus 3 is a charging apparatus
for the battery 2 and has an accommodating section 30
formed thereon for accommodating the battery 2. The
accommodating section 30 includes charging terminals 31
on an inner side face thereof. The charging terminals 31
electrically connect to the terminal contacting portions
222 of the battery 2 as shown in FIG. 18B when the
battery 2 is accommodated in the accommodating section 30
as shown in FIG. 16B. The charging terminals 31 have
spring resiliency. Further, a switch 32 is provided on
the inner side face described above. The switch 32 is a
switch for a charge lamp 33 provided on the charging
apparatus 3, and for example, the charge lamp 33 is lit
or blinked upon charging of the battery 2, but upon
completion of charging, the charge lamp 33 is turned off
or is lit but in a color different from that upon
lighting or blinking. It is to be noted that, though not
shown, the battery 2 includes a plug for establishing
connection to an AC-DC converter and an ac power supply.
The plug may be removably mounted.
[0073]
Further, ribs 34 are provided at corner portions of
the accommodating section 30 on the side face side on
which the charging terminals 31 are provided such that
they contact with the recessed portions 230 formed on the
cap member 23 of the battery 2 when the battery 2 is
accommodated into the accommodating section 30. It is to
be noted that, where the battery 2A is to be accommodated,
accommodating sections for accommodating the projecting
portions 28 and 29 of the battery 2A are provided on the
side faces side on which the charging terminals 31 are
provided.
[0074]
Further, the accommodating section 30 includes
projection accommodating portions for individually
accommodating the projecting portions 26 and 27 formed on
the frame member 21 of the battery 2. In the present
embodiment, the accommodating section 30 includes a
projection accommodating portion 36 for accommodating the
projecting portion 26 and a projection accommodating
portion 37 for accommodating the projecting portion 27.
[0075]
The charging apparatus 3 has a structure wherein
the battery 2 accommodated in the accommodating section
30 cannot be removed readily while the battery 2
accommodated in the accommodating section 30 can be taken
out readily by hand. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 17A
and 17B, the opening area of the accommodating section 30
is set smaller than the area of the bottom face portion
of the accommodating section 30. On the other hand, a
cutaway portion 39 into which a finger is inserted upon
insertion and removal of the battery 2 is formed at an
edge portion of the accommodating section 30 opposing to
the charging terminals 31. The cutaway portion 39 is
formed by cutting away part of a side face and an
adjacent bottom face of the accommodating section 30
opposing to the charging terminals 31.
[0076]
Further, two ribs 35 for stably receiving the
battery 2 upon accommodation of the battery 2 are
provided on the side face portion within the
accommodating section 30 opposing to the charging
terminals 31 and the bottom face portion of the
accommodating section 30. Further, a locking portion 351
formed in a projecting shape is provided on one of the
ribs 35 which is on the side face portion. The locking
portion 351 locks the locked portion 210 formed in a
recessed fashion on the frame member 21 of the battery 2
when the battery 2 is accommodated in the accommodating
section 30. The locking portion 351 may be provided on
both of the ribs 35.
[0077]
Further, if a locking member 38 for locking the
battery 2 is provided suitably at an end portion of the
accommodating section 30 opposing to the side face which
has the charging terminals 31 as shown in FIGS. 17B and
18B, then the locking portion 351 is fitted into the
locked portion 210 formed on the frame member 21 of the
battery 2 to lock the locked portion 210 and the locking
member 38 locks the frame member 21 of the battery 2.
Therefore, the battery 2 can be held with certainly in
the charging apparatus 3. An inclined face 381 for
allowing the body of the battery 2 to slide thereon when
the battery 2 is to be inserted into the accommodating
section 30 may be provided suitably on the locking member
38.
[0078]
Now, the structure of the projection accommodating
portions 36 and 37 is described with reference to FIGS.
17A and ISA.
[0079]
The size of the projection accommodating portion 36
depends upon the shape of the projecting portion 26 and
the projecting portion 27 formed on the battery 2. In
particular, the width Wl of the projection accommodating
portion 36 is set greater than the maximum thickness Tl
of the projecting portion 26. Meanwhile, the width Wl is
set suitably taking easy taking out of the battery 2
accommodated in the accommodating section 30 into
consideration. The depth Dl of the projection
accommodating portion 36 is set greater than the length
LI of the projecting portion 26 but smaller than the
length L2 of the projecting portion 27.
[0080]
The size of the projection accommodating portion 37
depends upon the shape of the projecting portion 27
formed on the battery 2. In particular, the width W2 of
the projection accommodating portion 37 is set greater
than the maximum thickness T2 of the projecting portion
27. Meanwhile, the width W2 is set suitably so that the
battery 2 accommodated in the accommodating section 30
can be taken out readily. The depth D2 of the projection
accommodating portion 37 is set greater than the length
L2 of the projecting portion 27.
[0081]
Since the size of the projection accommodating
portions 36 and 37 is set based on the shape of the
projecting portions 26 and 27 formed on the battery 2 as
described above, the insertion direction of the battery 2
into the charging apparatus 3 is definite, and erroneous
installation of the battery 2 into the charging apparatus
3 is prevented.
[0082]
In particular, if the battery 2 is introduced into
the accommodating section 30 with the cap member 23 of
the battery 2 directed toward the charging terminals 31
of the charging apparatus 3, then the projecting portion
26 of the battery 2 is accommodated into the projection
accommodating portion 36 and the projecting portion 27 is
accommodated into the projection accommodating portion 37
Then, if the terminal contacting portions 222 of the
battery 2 is brought into contact with the charging
terminals 31, then the battery 2 is biased toward the
side face on the locking portion 351 side by the
resilient force of the charging terminals 31. At this
time, the locking portion 351 of the charging apparatus 3
is engaged with the locked portion 210 of the battery 2.
Then, if the battery 2 is displaced to the charging
terminals 31 side when the battery 2 is to be taken out
from the accommodating section 30, then the charging
terminals 31 are resiliently deformed to cancel the
engagement described above. Consequently, the battery 2
can be taken out.
[0083]
On the other hand, if the battery 2 is inserted in
erroneous vertical orientation into the accommodating
section 30 as seen in FIGS. 20A and 20B, then the
projecting portion 27 formed on the frame member 21 of
the battery 2 is brought into contact with an edge of the
projection accommodating portion 36. Therefore, the
battery 2 cannot be accommodated into the accommodating
section 30. Consequently, installation of the battery 2
in erroneous vertical orientation into the charging
apparatus 3 is prevented.
[0084]
FIG. 21A is a plan view showing an outline of a
charging apparatus 3A for charging the battery 2B. FIG.
21B is a plan view showing a state wherein the battery 2B
is installed in the charging apparatus 3A.
[0085]
The charging apparatus 3A has a particular
configuration same as that of the charging apparatus 3
except that only the projection accommodating portion 37
which can accommodate the projecting portion 27 of the
battery 2B is provided on the accommodating section 30.
In particular, the size of the projection accommodating
portion 37 depends upon the shape of the projecting
portion 27 formed on the battery 2B. In particular, the
width W2 of the projection accommodating portion 37 is
set greater than the maximum thickness T2 (FIG. ISA) of
the projecting portion 27. The depth D2 of the projection
accommodating portion 37 is set greater than the length
L2 of the projecting portion 27. According to the
charging apparatus 3A having such a configuration as just
described, the insertion direction of the battery 2B into
the charging apparatus 3 is definite, and it is apparent
that erroneous installation of the battery 2B into the
charging apparatus 3 is prevented.
[0086]
FIG. 22A is a plan view showing an outline of a
charging apparatus 3B for charging the battery 2C. FIG.
22B is a plan view showing a state wherein the battery 2C
is installed in the charging apparatus 3B.
[0087]
The charging apparatus 3B has a particular
configuration same as that of the charging apparatus 3
except that only the projection accommodating portion 36
which can accommodate the projecting portion 26 of the
battery 2C is provided on the accommodating section 30.
In particular, the size of the projection accommodating
portion 36 depends upon the shape of the projecting
portion 26 formed on the battery 2C. In particular, the
width Wl of the projection accommodating portion 36 is
set greater than the maximum thickness Tl (FIG. 18A) of
the projecting portion 26. The depth Dl of the projection
accommodating portion 36 is set greater than the length
LI of the projecting portion 26. According to the
charging apparatus 3B having such a configuration as just
described, the insertion direction of the battery 2C into
the charging apparatus 3B is definite, and it is apparent
that erroneous installation of the battery 2C into the
charging apparatus 3B is prevented.
[0088]
Also FIG. 23 is an outer appearance view showing
another embodiment of the charging apparatus according to
the present invention. FIG. 24A is a plan view showing
the charging apparatus. FIG. 24B is a sectional view
showing the embodiment of the charging apparatus.
[0089]
A conventional charging apparatus is formed as a
charging apparatus for exclusive use based on the size
and so forth of a battery. This is because the
construction of charging terminal differs depending upon
the battery size. Accordingly, where batteries of
different sizes are to be charged by a single charging
apparatus, the charging apparatus side must be provided
with installation faces and charging terminals for
exclusive use for the individual batteries and structures
for securing the batteries. This not only increase the
size of the charging apparatus but also increases the
number of parts.
[0090]
Therefore, a battery 4B is provided with a space
for accommodating a battery wherein the principal face of
a battery cell has a rectangular shape and another space
for accommodating another battery wherein the principal
face of a battery cell has a substantially square shape
while charging terminals are provided commonly for the
batteries so that the battery is charged through the
charging terminals by the single charging apparatus of
the present invention.
[0091]
The charging apparatus 4 can charge not only the
batteries 2 and 2A to 2C wherein the principal face of
the battery cell has a substantially square shape but
also batteries 2D and 2E wherein the principal face has a
rectangular shape as in the structure of conventional
batteries. As the battery 2D, a battery of the 3 . 5 V -
2.4 Wh specifications is listed. As the battery 2E, a
battery of the 3.6 V - 4.4 Wh is listed. The battery 2D
has a configuration same as that of the battery 2 shown
in FIG. 2 except that the shape of the principal face of
the battery cell is a rectangular shape. The battery 2E
has a configuration same as that of the battery 2 shown
in FIG. 2 except that the shape of the principal face of
the battery cell is a rectangular shape and that the
thickness of the battery cell is greater than the
thickness of the battery 2.
[0092]
The charging apparatus 4 has an accommodating
section 40 formed thereon and having a space sufficient
to accommodate the battery 2E having the greatest
capacity from among at least the batteries 2, 2A to 2C,
2D and 2E.
[0093]
The accommodating section 40 includes charging
terminals 41 provided on an inner side face thereof. The
charging terminals 41 electrically connect to the
terminal connection section of any of the batteries 2, 2B,
2C, 2D and 2E when the battery 2, 2B, 2C, 2D or 2E is
accommodated in the accommodating section 40 as seen in
FIGS. 25A to 25C. The charging terminals 41 have spring
resiliency. Further, a switch 42 is provided on the inner
side face described above. The switch 42 is a switch for
a charge lamp 43 provided on the charging apparatus 4.
For example, upon charging of any of the batteries 2, 2B,
2C, 2D and 2E, the charge lamp 43 is lit or blinked, but
upon completion of charging, the charge lamp 43 is turned
off or is lit but in a color different from that upon
lighting or blinking during charging. It is to be noted
that, though not shown, the charging apparatus 4 includes
a plug for the connection to an ac power supply. The plug
may be provided removably.
[0094]
The accommodating section 40 has a first attachment
face 401 to which the battery 2D or 2E is to be attached
and a second attachment face 402 to which any of the
batteries 2 and 2A to 2C is attached as seen in FIGS. 24A
and 24B. The second attachment face 402 is set lower than
the first attachment face 401 so that the batteries 2 and
2A to 2C can be selectively attached. The second
attachment face 402 is configured such that the height of
the side 402a on the charging terminals 41 side is set
higher than the height of the side 402b on the first
attachment face 401 side. In the present embodiment, the
second attachment face 402 forms an inclined face to
which any of the batteries 2 and 2A to 2C is to be
attached by setting the height of the side 402a equal to
the height of the first attachment face 401 while setting
the height of the side 402b lower than the height of the
first attachment face 401. By such a configuration as
just described, batteries of different sizes can be
installed without increasing the attachment faces for
batteries. Besides, the charging terminals 41 can be used
commonly irrespective of the size of the battery.
[0095]
Also at corner portions of the accommodating
section 40 on the face side on which the charging
terminals 41 are provided, ribs 44 are provided for
contacting with the recessed portions 230, 230d and 230e
formed at the cap member of the battery when any of the
batteries 2, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E is accommodated in the
accommodating section 40. Further, ribs 48 for contacting
with recessed portions 23Of formed on a frame member 23e
of the battery 2E are provided on the accommodating
section 40 as seen in FIG. 24B. It is to be noted that,
where the battery 2A is to be accommodated, accommodating
sections for accommodating the projecting portions 28 and
29 of the battery 2A are formed on the side face side on
which the charging terminals 31 are provided.
[0096]
Further, in the accommodating space whose bottom
face is provided by the second attachment face 402,
projection accommodation portions for accommodating the
projecting portions 26 and 27 formed on the frame member
21 of the batteries 2 and 2A to 2C are provided. In the
present embodiment, a projection accommodating portion 46
for accommodating the projecting portion 26 and a
projection accommodating portion 47 for accommodating the
projecting portion 27 are provided.
[0097]
The charging apparatus 4 is structured such that
the battery 2 accommodated in the accommodating section
40 cannot be removed readily whereas the battery 2
accommodated in the accommodating section 40 can be taken
out readily by hand. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 24A
and 24B, the opening area of the accommodating section 40
is set smaller than the area of the bottom face portion
of the accommodating section 40. Meanwhile, a cutaway
portion 49 into which a finger is to be inserted upon
insertion and removal of any of the batteries 2 and 2A to
2E is formed on the edge portion of the accommodating
section 40 opposing to the charging terminals 41. The
cutaway portion 49 is formed by cutting away part of the
side face of the accommodating section 40 opposing to the
charging terminals 41 and the bottom face adjacent the
side face.
[0098]
Further, on the side face portion in the
accommodating section 40 opposing to the charging
terminals 41 and the bottom face portion of the
accommodating section 40, two ribs 45 are provided for
stably receiving any of the batteries 2 and 2A to 2E when
the battery is accommodated in the accommodating section
40. Then, one of the ribs 45 on the side face portion
includes locking portions 451 and 452 formed in a
projecting manner. The locking portion 451 locks, when
any of the batteries 2 and 2A to 2C is accommodated in
the accommodating section 40, the locked portion 210 of
the frame member 21 as seen in FIG. 25A. The locking
portion 452 locks the locked portion 210d or 210e formed
in a recessed fashion on the frame member 21 of the
battery 2D or 2E as shown in FIGS. 25B and 25B when the
battery 2D or 2E is accommodated in the accommodating
section 40. The locking portions 451 and 452 may be
provided on both of the ribs 45.
[0099]
If locking means for locking the battery 2D or 2E
is provided suitably at an edge portion of the
accommodating section 40 opposing to the side face which
has the charging terminals 41 similarly as in the
charging apparatus 3 shown in FIGS. 17B and 18B, then the
locking portion 452 is fitted into and locks the locked
portion 210d or 210e formed on the frame member of the
battery 2D or 2E and the locking means described
hereinabove locks the locked portion 210d or 210e of the
battery 2D or 2E. Accordingly, the battery 2D or 2E can
be held with certainty in the charging apparatus 4.
[0100]
Now, the structure of the projection accommodating
portions 46 and 47 is described with reference to FIG. 26
[0101]
The size of the projection accommodating portion 46
depends upon the shape of the projecting portion 26 and
the projecting portion 27 formed on the batteries 2 and
2A to 2C. In particular, the width Wl of the projection
accommodating portion 46 is set greater than the maximum
thickness Tl (FIG. ISA) of the projecting portion 26.
Further, the width Wl is set suitably taking also easy
taking out of the battery accommodated in the
accommodating section 30 into consideration. The depth Dl
of the projection accommodating portion 46 is set greater
than the length LI (FIG. ISA) of the projecting portion
26 but smaller than the length L2 of the projecting
portion 27.
[0102]
The size of the projection accommodating portion 47
depends upon the shape of the projecting portion 27
formed on the batteries 2 and 2A to 2C. In particular,
the width W2 of the projection accommodating portion 47
is set greater than the maximum thickness T2 (FIG. ISA)
of the projecting portion 27. Further, the width W2 is
set suitably taking also easy taking out of the battery 2
accommodated in the accommodating section 30 into
consideration. The depth D2 of the projection
accommodating portion 47 is set greater than the length
L2 (FIG. ISA) of the projecting portion 27.
[0103]
Since the size of the projection accommodating
portions 46 and 47 is set based on the shape of the
projecting portions 26 and 27 formed on the battery 2 in
this manner, the insertion direction of the battery into
the charging apparatus 4 is definite, and erroneous
installation of the battery 2 into the charging apparatus
4 is prevented.
[0104]
In particular, if the battery 2 is introduced into
the accommodating section 40 with the cap member 23 of
the battery 2 directed toward the charging terminals 41
of the charging apparatus 4, then the projecting portion
26 of the battery 2 is accommodated into the projection
accommodating portion 46 and the projecting portion 27 is
accommodated into the projection accommodating portion 47
Then, if the terminal contacting portions 222 of the
battery 2 are brought into contact with the charging
terminals 41, then the battery 2 is biased toward the
side face on the locking portion 451 side by the
resilient force of the charging terminals 41. At this
time, the locking portion 451 of the charging apparatus 4
is engaged with the locked portion 210 of the battery 2.
Then, when the battery 2 is to be removed from the
accommodating section 40, if the battery 2 is displaced
to the charging terminals 41 side, then the charging
terminals 31 are resiliently deformed thereby to cancel
the engagement described hereinabove. Consequently, the
battery 2 can be removed.
[0105]
On the other hand, if the battery is inserted in
vertically inverted orientation into the accommodating
section 40 similarly as in the situation illustrated in
FIGS. 20A and 20B, then the projecting portion 27 formed
on the frame member 21 of the battery is brought into
contact with an edge of the projection accommodating
portion 46. Consequently, the battery cannot be
accommodated into the accommodating section 40. Therefore,
erroneous installation of the batteries 2 and 2A to 2C in
wrong vertical orientation into the charging apparatus 4
can be prevented.
[0106]
FIG. 27A is a plan view showing a state wherein the
battery 2B is installed in a charging apparatus 4A for
charging the battery 2B.
[0107]
The charging apparatus 4A has a particular
configuration same as that of the charging apparatus 5
except that the accommodating section 40 includes only
the projection accommodating portion 47 which can
accommodate the projecting portion 27 of the battery 2B.
In particular, the size of the projection accommodating
portion depends upon the shape of the projecting portion
27 formed on the battery 2B. More particularly, the width
W2 of the projection accommodating portion 47 is set
greater than the maximum thickness T2 of the projecting
portion 27. Further, the width W2 is set suitably taking
also easy taking out of the battery 2 accommodated in the
accommodating section 30 into consideration. The depth D2
of the projection accommodating portion 47 is set greater
than the length L2 of the projecting portion 27. With the
charging apparatus 4A having such a configuration as just
described, the insertion direction of the battery 2B into
the charging apparatus 4A is definite, and erroneous
installation of the battery 2B into the charging
apparatus 4A is prevented.
[0108]
FIG. 27B is a plan view showing a state wherein the
battery 2C is installed in a charging apparatus 4B.
[0109]
The charging apparatus 4B has a particular
configuration same as that of the charging apparatus 4
except that the accommodating section 40 includes only
the projection accommodating portion 46 which can
accommodate the projecting portion 26 of the battery 2C.
In particular, the size of the projection accommodating
portion 46 depends upon the shape of the projecting
portion 26 formed on the battery 2C. More particularly,
the width Wl of the projection accommodating portion 46
is set greater than the maximum thickness Tl of the
projecting portion 26. Further, the width Wl is set
suitably taking also easy taking out of the battery 2
accommodated in the accommodating section 30 into
consideration. The depth Dl of the projection
accommodating portion 46 is set greater than the length
LI of the projecting portion 26. With the charging
apparatus 4B having such a configuration as just
described, the insertion direction of the battery 2C into
the charging apparatus 4B is definite, and erroneous
installation of the battery 2C into the charging
apparatus 4B is prevented.
[0110]
As described above, with the battery according to
the present invention, since the insertion direction of
the battery into an electronic apparatus or a charging
apparatus is definite, it is apparent that erroneous
installation of the battery 2C into the charging
apparatus 4B is prevented.
[0111]
In the charging apparatus according to the present
invention, since a projection formed on a battery can be
selectively accommodated, erroneous installation of the
battery is prevented. Further, since spaces for storing
batteries having different shapes are provided and
charging terminals of the charging apparatus serve also
as charging terminals for the batteries, batteries of
different sizes can be charged with the single charging
electrode.
[0112]
In the electronic apparatus according to the
present invention, since projecting portions formed on
batteries can be selectively accommodated, erroneous
installation of a battery is prevented.

[Name of Document] Claims
[Claim 1]
A battery including a battery cell formed in a
flattened substantially parallelepiped shape and a
connection terminal section electrically connected to
said battery cell, wherein,
at one end in the longitudinal direction of a face
of said battery opposing to the face on which said
connection terminal section is provided, a projecting
portion which projects in the longitudinal direction of
the face is provided.
[Claim 2]
A battery including a battery cell formed in a
flattened substantially parallelepiped shape and a
connection terminal section electrically connected to
said battery cell, wherein,
at each of the opposite ends in the longitudinal
direction of a face of said battery opposing to the face
on which said connection terminal section is provided, a
projecting portion which projects in the longitudinal
direction of the face is provided.
[Claim 3]
The battery according to claim 2, wherein
the projecting portions formed at the opposite ends
in the longitudinal direction have projecting lengths
different from each other.
[Claim 4]
The battery according to claim 2, wherein
the projecting portions formed at the opposite ends
in the longitudinal direction have projecting lengths and
projecting thicknesses different from each other.
[Claim 5]
The battery according to claim 1, wherein
the face of said battery on which said connecting
terminal section is formed so as to include a frame
section configured to accommodate said battery cell, a
terminal connection section electrically connected to
said battery cell, and a cap section attached to one end
side of said frame section through a circuit board
section and configured to expose said terminal connection
section.
[Claim 6]
A charging apparatus having an accommodating
section in which a battery including a battery cell
formed in a flattened substantially parallelepiped shape
and a connection terminal section electrically connected
to the battery cell and configured such that, at one end
in the longitudinal direction of a face of the battery
opposing to the face on which the connection terminal
section is provided, a projecting portion which projects
in the longitudinal direction of the face is provided is
removably accommodated and which includes charging
terminals configured to electrically contact with the
terminal connection section, wherein
said accommodating section includes a projection
accommodating portion configured to accommodate the
projecting portion formed on the battery, and
said projection accommodating portion is formed as
a space configured to accommodate the projecting portion
based on the size of the projecting portion.
[Claim 7]
A charging apparatus having an accommodating
section in which a battery including a battery cell
formed in a flattened substantially parallelepiped shape
and a connection terminal section electrically connected
to the battery cell and configured such that, at each of
the opposite ends in the longitudinal direction of a face
of the battery opposing to the face on which the
connection terminal section is provided, a projecting
portion which projects in the longitudinal direction of
the face is provided is removably accommodated and which
includes charging terminals configured to electrically
contact with the terminal connection section, wherein
said accommodating section includes projection
accommodating portions configured to individually
accommodate the projecting portions formed on the battery,
and one of said projection accommodating portions is
formed by provision of a space configured to accommodate
one of the projecting portions based on the size of the
one projecting portion while the other projection
accommodating portion is formed by provision of a space
configured to accommodate the other of the projecting
portions based on the size of the last-mentioned other
projecting portion.
[Claim 8]
The charging apparatus according to claim 6,
wherein
a bottom face of said accommodating section has a
recessed portion, and said recessed portion forms a space
in which the battery is accommodated.
[Claim 9]
The charging apparatus according to claim 6,
wherein
said accommodating section has a space configured
to accommodate the battery and another space configured
to accommodate another battery having a length greater
than that of the battery, and said charging terminals
serve also as charging terminals for the battery of the
greater length.
[Claim 10]
The charging apparatus according to claim 6,
wherein
said accommodating section has a locking portion
provided on the face opposing to the face on which said
charging terminals are formed and configured to lock the
battery.
[Claim 11]
An electronic apparatus, having:
an accommodating section in which a battery
including a battery cell formed in a flattened
substantially parallelepiped shape and a connection
terminal section electrically connected to the battery
cell and configured such that, at one end in the
longitudinal direction of a face of the battery opposing
to the face on which the connection terminal section is
provided, a projecting portion which projects in the
longitudinal direction of the face is provided is
removably accommodated and which includes terminals
configured to electrically contact with the terminal
connection section.
[Claim 12]
An electronic apparatus, having:
an accommodating section in which a battery
including a battery cell formed in a flattened
substantially parallelepiped shape and a connection
terminal section electrically connected to the battery
cell and configured such that, at each of the opposite
ends in the longitudinal direction of a face of the
battery opposing to the face on which the connection
terminal section is provided, a projecting portion which
projects in the longitudinal direction of the face is
provided is removably accommodated and which includes
terminals configured to electrically contact with the
terminal connection section.
[Claim 13]
The electronic apparatus according to claim 11,
wherein
said accommodating section forms a projection
accommodating portion configured to accommodate the
projecting portion formed on the battery.
[Claim 14]
The electronic apparatus according to claim 13,
wherein
said projection accommodating portion is a space
configured to accommodate the projecting portion based on
the size of the projecting portion.