U.S. patent application number 15/810739 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-16 for battery and connection apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Atsuhiro Kumagai, Atsushi Mitani, Shigeki Motoyama.
Application Number | 20180233718 15/810739 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58489262 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180233718 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Motoyama; Shigeki ; et
al. |
August 16, 2018 |
BATTERY AND CONNECTION APPARATUS
Abstract
A battery includes: a casing that houses a cell inside; and a
terminal part that has connection terminals connected to electrode
terminals of a connection apparatus, in which the casing includes a
top face and a bottom face positioned on opposite sides in a height
direction and two side faces positioned between the top face and
the bottom face on opposite sides in a widthwise direction, a notch
is formed by a level difference face that is continuous from the
side face and a groove forming face that is continuous from the
bottom face, and a guided groove that is open to the groove forming
face is formed in the casing, and the guided groove is positioned
on a further bottom face side than the level difference face.
Inventors: |
Motoyama; Shigeki;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; Kumagai; Atsuhiro; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Mitani; Atsushi; (Kanagawa, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sony Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
58489262 |
Appl. No.: |
15/810739 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15468570 |
Mar 24, 2017 |
9917285 |
|
|
15810739 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 2/0217 20130101;
H01M 2/0404 20130101; H01M 2/1055 20130101; H01M 2220/30 20130101;
H01M 2/1022 20130101; H01M 2/30 20130101; Y02E 60/10 20130101; H01M
2/342 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01M 2/10 20060101
H01M002/10; H01M 2/30 20060101 H01M002/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 10, 2017 |
JP |
2017-023421 |
Claims
1. A battery comprising: a casing configured to house a battery
cell; and a terminal part including connection terminals configured
to connect to electrode terminals of a connection apparatus,
wherein the casing includes a top face and a bottom face positioned
on opposite sides of the casing in a first direction and first and
second side faces positioned between the top face and the bottom
face on opposite sides of the casing in a second direction, a front
face and a rear face positioned on opposite sides of the casing in
a third direction, the third direction being orthogonal to the
first direction and the second direction, a notch formed by a first
surface that extends from an edge of the first side face in the
second direction and a second surface that extends from an edge of
the bottom face in the first direction, a guided groove that is
open along the third direction and into the second surface, and
wherein the guided groove includes a bottom surface that extends in
the third direction and is parallel to the first surface, the
bottom surface being closer to the bottom face than the first
surface.
2. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the guided groove is a
first guided groove, the battery further comprising a second guided
groove that is open along the third direction and into the second
surface; wherein the second guided groove is positioned closer to
the bottom face than to the first surface; and wherein the second
guided groove includes a bottom surface that extends in the third
direction, the bottom surface of the second guided groove is
parallel to the first surface.
3. The battery according to claim 2, wherein the first guided
groove is spaced apart from the second guided groove.
4. The battery according to claim 2, further comprising a third
guided groove that is open along the third direction and into the
second surface; wherein the third guided groove is positioned
closer to the bottom face than to the first surface; and wherein
the third guided groove includes bottom surface that extends in the
third direction, the bottom surface of the third guided groove is
parallel to the first surface.
5. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the notch is a first
notch, the battery further including a second notch formed by a
third surface that extends from an edge of the second side face in
the second direction and a fourth surface that extends from an edge
of the bottom face in the first direction, a guided groove that is
open along the third direction and into the fourth surface, wherein
the guided groove is positioned closer to the bottom face than to
the third surface, and wherein the first notch and the second notch
are symmetric about the connection terminals.
6. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the guided groove is a
first guided groove, the battery further comprising a second guided
groove that is open along the third direction and into the second
surface; wherein the second guided groove is positioned closer to
the bottom face than to the first surface; and wherein the first
guided groove and the second guide groove are equidistant from the
bottom face in the first direction.
7. The battery according to claim 6, further comprising a third
guided groove that is open along the third direction and into the
second surface; wherein the third guided groove is positioned
closer to the bottom face than to the first surface; and wherein
the first guided groove, the second guide groove, and the third
guided groove are equidistant from the bottom face in the first
direction.
8. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of
the guided groove and an edge of the first surface intersect the
front face of the casing.
9. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the first surface
extends from the front face to the rear face in the third
direction, and the bottom surface of the guided groove does not
extend to the front face and does not extend to the rear face.
10. The battery according to claim 9, wherein the guided groove is
a first guided groove, that battery further comprising a second
guided groove that is open along the third direction and into the
second surface; wherein the second guided groove includes a bottom
surface that extends in the third direction, the bottom surface of
the second guided groove is parallel to the first surface; and
wherein the bottom surface of the second guided intersects the
front face of the casing.
11. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the guide groove is
open to the bottom face along the first direction.
12. The battery according to claim 1, wherein a first end of the
guided groove and a first end of the first surface are positioned
along the same longitudinal direction along the first direction of
the battery casing.
13. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the casing includes
engagement concave parts configured to receive engagement
protruding parts, the engagement concave parts being open along
opposite sides of the casing.
14. The battery according to claim 13, wherein the first engagement
concave part is located in an area of the guided groove.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Continuation Application of the U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/468,570, filed Mar. 24, 2017, which claims
the benefit of Japanese Priority Patent Application No.:
2017-023421 filed on Feb. 10, 2017, the entire contents of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present technology relates to a technical field of a
battery in which a guided groove is formed in a casing housing a
cell inside and a connection apparatus to which the battery is
connected.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Among electronic apparatuses including various imaging
apparatuses such as a still camera and a camcorder, there are
electronic apparatuses that can be operated by the power of a
battery. A battery is charged, for example, by being mounted in a
charger and is mounted in a battery mounting unit of an electronic
apparatus in a charged state. Such a charger or an electronic
apparatus functions as a connection apparatus so as to be connected
to the battery.
[0004] In the battery described as above, a connector including
connection terminals is arranged, and electrode terminals of a
charger or electrode terminals arranged in a battery mounting unit
are connected to the connection terminals, and charging of the
battery or the supply of power from the battery to an electronic
apparatus is performed (for example, see PTL 1).
[0005] A battery disclosed in PTL 1 includes a casing having an
approximately rectangular parallepiped shape, cells housed inside
the casing, and a connector electrically connected to the cells,
and guided grooves are formed on both left and right side portions
of the casing.
[0006] The battery is slid into a connection apparatus such as a
charger, and the guided grooves are guided into guide protruding
portions or guide rails of the connection apparatus, thereby being
mounted in the connection apparatus, and the connector is connected
to the electrode terminals.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0007] [PTL 1]
[0008] JP 2015-92511 A
SUMMARY
Technical Problem
[0009] Meanwhile, the battery is used by being mounted in a charger
or a battery mounting unit. Thus, in a case where the size of the
battery is large, the size of a connection apparatus such as a
charger or an electronic apparatus becomes large. In addition, the
battery is frequently carried, and, in a case where the size
thereof is large, the portability is degraded, and there is a
concern that the handling of the battery becomes inconvenient.
[0010] Therefore, in the present technology, it is preferable to
decrease the size.
[0011] First, a battery according to an embodiment of the present
technology includes: a casing that houses a cell inside; and a
terminal part that has connection terminals connected to electrode
terminals of a connection apparatus, in which the casing includes a
top face and a bottom face positioned on opposite sides in a height
direction and two side faces positioned between the top face and
the bottom face on opposite sides in a widthwise direction, a notch
is formed by a level difference face that is continuous from the
side face and a groove forming face that is continuous from the
bottom face, and a guided groove that is open to the groove forming
face is formed in the casing, and the guided groove is positioned
on a further bottom face side than the level difference face.
[0012] Accordingly, the guided groove and the level difference face
are not continuously positioned, and a part of the groove forming
face is positioned between the guided groove and the level
difference face.
[0013] Second, in the battery according to an embodiment of the
present technology described above, it is preferable that the
notches are formed at positions continuous from each of the two
side faces.
[0014] In such a case, since the notches are present on both the
two side faces, the outer face of the casing is positioned to be
close to the cell at two places.
[0015] Third, in the battery according to an embodiment of the
present technology described above, it is preferable that a
plurality of the guided grooves are formed to be spaced apart from
each other in a connection direction of the connection terminals
and the electrode terminals.
[0016] In such a case, a portion between guided grooves in the
casing is formed as a protruding portion for the guided groove.
[0017] Fourth, in the battery according to an embodiment of the
present technology described above, it is preferable that the
groove forming face is formed continuously from a front face to a
rear face that are positioned on opposite sides in a longitudinal
direction of the casing.
[0018] In such a case, the groove forming face is positioned
between the front face and the rear face.
[0019] Fifth, in the battery according to an embodiment of the
present technology described above, it is preferable that the level
difference face is formed continuously from a front face to a rear
face that are positioned on opposite sides in a longitudinal
direction of the casing.
[0020] In such a case, the level difference face is positioned
between the front face and the rear face.
[0021] Sixth, in the battery according to an embodiment of the
present technology described above, it is preferable that a main
body part that includes the level difference face, the top face,
and the two side faces and a bottom part that includes the groove
forming face and the bottom face are further included, and a
distance between the two side faces in a widthwise direction is
longer than a distance between the two groove forming faces in a
widthwise direction.
[0022] In such a case, two groove forming faces are positioned
between two side faces.
[0023] Seventh, in the battery according to an embodiment of the
present technology described above, it is preferable that the
casing includes an upper case that includes the top face and parts
of the two side faces and a lower case that includes the bottom
face, the other parts of the two side faces, and the groove forming
face.
[0024] In such a case, the casing is configured by two cases.
[0025] Eighth, in the battery according to an embodiment of the
present technology described above, it is preferable that a
terminal arrangement groove in which the connection terminals are
arranged is formed in the casing, and a face positioned on the most
top face side among faces forming the terminal arrangement groove
is positioned on a further bottom face side than the level
difference face.
[0026] In such a case, a face that is positioned on the most top
face side among faces forming the terminal arrangement groove is
positioned on a further bottom face side than the level difference
face.
[0027] Ninth, in the battery according to an embodiment of the
present technology described above, it is preferable that the
casing includes a front face and a rear face that are positioned on
opposite sides in a longitudinal direction, a terminal arrangement
groove, in which the connection terminals are arranged, open at
least to the front face is formed in the casing, and a face
positioned on the most top face side among faces forming the
terminal arrangement groove is positioned on a further bottom face
side than an end edge, which is positioned on the most top face
side, of the guided groove.
[0028] In such a case, a face positioned on the most top face side
among faces forming the terminal arrangement groove is positioned
on a further bottom face side than an end edge, which is positioned
on the most top face side, of the guided grooves.
[0029] Tenth, in the battery according to an embodiment of the
present technology described above, it is preferable that the
casing includes a front face and a rear face that are positioned on
opposite sides in a longitudinal direction, a terminal arrangement
groove, in which the connection terminals are arranged, open at
least to the front face is formed in the casing, and a face
positioned on the most top face side among faces forming the
terminal arrangement groove is positioned on a further top face
side than an end edge, which is positioned on the most bottom face
side, of the guided groove.
[0030] In such a case, a face positioned on the most top face side
among faces forming the terminal arrangement groove is positioned
on a further top face side than an end edge, which is positioned on
the most bottom face side, of the guided groove.
[0031] Eleventh, in the battery according to an embodiment of the
present technology described above, it is preferable that the
casing includes a front face and a rear face that are positioned on
opposite sides in a longitudinal direction, a functional groove
that is open at least to the front face and has a predetermined
function is formed in the casing, and a face positioned on the most
top face side among faces forming the functional groove is
positioned on a further bottom face side than the level difference
face.
[0032] In such a case, a face that is positioned on the most top
face side among faces forming the functional groove is positioned
on a further bottom face side than the level difference face.
[0033] Twelfth, in the battery according to an embodiment of the
present technology described above, it is preferable that the
casing includes a front face and a rear face that are positioned on
opposite sides in a longitudinal direction, a functional groove
that is open at least to the front face and has a predetermined
function is formed in the casing, and a face positioned on the most
top face side among faces forming the functional groove is
positioned on a further bottom face side than a face, which is
positioned on the most top face side, of the guided groove.
[0034] In such a case, a face positioned on the most top face side
among faces forming the functional groove is positioned on a
further bottom face side than a face, which is positioned on the
most top face side, of the guided groove.
[0035] Thirteenth, in the battery according to an embodiment of the
present technology described above, it is preferable that the
casing includes a front face and a rear face that are positioned on
opposite sides in a longitudinal direction, a functional groove
that is open at least to the front face and has a predetermined
function is formed in the casing, and a face positioned on the most
top face side among faces forming the functional groove is
positioned on a further top face side than a face, which is
positioned on the most bottom face side, of the guided groove.
[0036] In such a case, a face that is positioned on the most top
face side among faces forming the functional groove is positioned
on a further top face side than a face, which is positioned on the
most bottom face side, of the guided groove.
[0037] Fourteenth, in the battery according to an embodiment of the
present technology described above, it is preferable that
engagement concave parts with which engagement protruding parts
open at least to faces facing opposite directions are engaged are
formed in the casing.
[0038] In such a case, the engagement protruding parts can be
maintained to be engaged with the engagement concave parts from the
opposite sides.
[0039] Fifteenth, in the battery according to an embodiment of the
present technology described above, it is preferable that the
engagement concave parts are open to faces orthogonal to the faces
facing the opposite directions.
[0040] In such a case, the engagement protruding parts can be
maintained to be engaged with the engagement concave parts from the
opposite sides and sides orthogonal to the opposite sides.
[0041] Sixteenth, in the battery according to an embodiment of the
present technology described above, it is preferable that the
engagement concave parts are formed in an area in which the guided
groove is present.
[0042] In such a case, the engagement protruding parts are guided
into the guided groove and are engaged with the engagement concave
parts.
[0043] Seventeenth, in the battery according to an embodiment of
the present technology described above, it is preferable that a
plurality of the guided grooves are formed to be spaced apart from
each other in a connection direction of the connection terminals
and the electrode terminals, and the engagement concave parts are
formed in an area in which the guided groove formed in an end
portion of a side, on which the connector is positioned, in the
connection direction is present.
[0044] In such a case, when the engagement protruding parts are
guided into the guided grooves, it is not necessary for the
engagement protruding parts to go over a protruding portion between
the guided grooves.
[0045] Eighteenth, in the battery according to an embodiment of the
present technology described above, it is preferable that the
electrode terminals and the connection terminals are connected when
the engagement protruding parts are engaged with the engagement
concave parts.
[0046] In such a case, the engagement of the engagement protruding
parts with the engagement concave parts and the connection of the
electrode terminals to the connection terminals are simultaneously
performed.
[0047] Nineteenth, there is provided a connection apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present technology to which a
battery is detachably attached, the battery including a casing
housing a cell inside and a terminal part having connection
terminals connected to electrode terminals, in which, in the
battery, the casing includes a top face and a bottom face
positioned on opposite sides in a height direction and two side
faces positioned between the top face and the bottom face on
opposite sides in a widthwise direction, a notch is formed by a
level difference face that is continuous from the side face and a
groove forming face that is continuous from the bottom face, and a
guided groove that is open to the groove forming face is formed in
the casing, and the guided groove is positioned on a further bottom
face side than the level difference face.
[0048] Accordingly, a battery in which the guided groove and the
level difference face are not continuously positioned, and a part
of the groove forming face is positioned between the guided groove
and the level difference face is attached or detached. According to
an embodiment of the present technology, since the guided groove
and the level difference face are not continuously positioned, and
a part of the groove forming face is positioned between the guided
groove and the level difference face, the groove forming face and
the level difference face are positioned closer to the cell than a
case where the guided groove and the level difference face are
continuously positioned, and the size can be decreased.
[0049] In addition, the effects described here are merely examples
but are not for the purpose of limiting the effects, and any other
effect may be acquired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0050] FIG. 1 illustrates a battery and a connection apparatus
according to embodiments of the present technology together with
FIGS. 2 to 61 and is an exploded perspective view representing the
battery.
[0051] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the battery.
[0052] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the battery.
[0053] FIG. 4 is a front view of the battery.
[0054] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the battery.
[0055] FIG. 6 is a side view of the battery.
[0056] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view that illustrates a
housing case and connectors of the battery.
[0057] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a battery that has a
different configuration of a guide groove.
[0058] FIG. 9 is a side view of a battery that has a different
configuration of a guide groove.
[0059] FIG. 10 is a side view of another battery that has a
different configuration of a guide groove.
[0060] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a battery that has a
different configuration of a guide groove.
[0061] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another battery that has a
different configuration of a guide groove.
[0062] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of further another battery
that has a different configuration of a guide groove.
[0063] FIG. 14 is a front view of a battery that has a different
configuration of an arrangement concave part.
[0064] FIG. 15 is a bottom view of another battery that has a
different configuration of an arrangement concave part.
[0065] FIG. 16 is a front view of another battery that has a
different configuration of an arrangement concave part.
[0066] FIG. 17 is a bottom view of further another battery that has
a different configuration of an arrangement concave part.
[0067] FIG. 18 is a front view of further another battery that has
a different configuration of an arrangement concave part.
[0068] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an imaging apparatus.
[0069] FIG. 20 is a perspective view that illustrates a state of an
imaging apparatus in which a mounting space is open.
[0070] FIG. 21 is a perspective view that illustrates the internal
structure of a battery mounting unit.
[0071] FIG. 22 is a bottom view that illustrates a state in which a
battery is inserted into a mounting space of a battery mounting
unit.
[0072] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a state
in which a battery is mounted in a battery mounting unit.
[0073] FIG. 24 is a perspective view that illustrates a state in
which a concave part pressed to a rear end portion of a battery is
formed, and the battery is pressed to a pressing lever.
[0074] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a charger.
[0075] FIG. 26 is a plan view of a charger.
[0076] FIG. 27 is a side view of a charger.
[0077] FIG. 28 is an enlarged perspective view that illustrates a
guide engaging part and the like of a charger.
[0078] FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a state
in which a battery is inserted into a mounting concave part of a
charger.
[0079] FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a state
in which a battery is mounted in a battery mounting unit of a
charger.
[0080] FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a state
in which a battery is mounted in a battery mounting unit of a
charger.
[0081] FIG. 32 is a conceptual diagram that illustrates a state in
which a battery is guided to a terminal connecting unit when the
battery is mounted in a charger.
[0082] FIG. 33 is a conceptual diagram that illustrates a state in
which a battery is mounted in a charger, and a terminal connecting
unit and a connector are connected.
[0083] FIG. 34 is a perspective view that illustrates an example in
which a connector is positioned on a further upper side than the
bottom face.
[0084] FIG. 35 is a perspective view that illustrates an example in
which a connector is positioned on a further rear side than a front
face and on a further upper side than the bottom face.
[0085] FIG. 36 is a bottom view that illustrates an example in
which one of wall portions of a concave part forming face
inclines.
[0086] FIG. 37 is a perspective view that illustrates an example in
which one pair of wall portions and a middle portion of a concave
part forming face incline.
[0087] FIG. 38 is a perspective view that illustrates another
example of a charger together with a battery.
[0088] FIG. 39 is a perspective view that illustrates further
another example of a charger together with a battery.
[0089] FIG. 40 is a perspective view that illustrates a state in
which a battery is held in a charger of the further another
example.
[0090] FIG. 41 is a perspective view that illustrates an example of
a battery in which three engagement concave parts are formed.
[0091] FIG. 42 is a side view that illustrates an example of a
battery in which an engagement concave part is formed to open to a
guided groove disposed on the foremost side.
[0092] FIG. 43 is a side view that illustrates an example of a
battery in which an engagement concave part is formed to open to a
guided groove disposed on the rearmost side.
[0093] FIG. 44 is a perspective view that illustrates an example of
a battery in which an engagement concave part is formed in a lower
end portion of a rear end portion.
[0094] FIG. 45 is an enlarged bottom view that illustrates a front
end portion of a battery.
[0095] FIG. 46 is a conceptual diagram that illustrates the
dimension and the like of an identification groove.
[0096] FIG. 47 is a conceptual diagram that illustrates an example
of another shape of an identification groove.
[0097] FIG. 48 is a bottom view that illustrates an identification
groove and the like of a battery of a large capacity type.
[0098] FIG. 49 is a bottom view that illustrates an identification
groove and the like of a battery of a small capacity type.
[0099] FIG. 50 is a perspective view that illustrates the
configuration of a battery mounting unit of a low-power camera.
[0100] FIG. 51 is a perspective view that illustrates the
configuration of a battery mounting unit of a middle-power
camera.
[0101] FIG. 52 is a perspective view that illustrates the
configuration of a battery mounting unit of a high-power
camera.
[0102] FIG. 53 is a perspective view that illustrates the
configuration of a battery mounting unit of a charger.
[0103] FIG. 54 is a diagram that illustrates the identity of an
identification groove.
[0104] FIG. 55 is an enlarged front view that illustrates an
example in which a second portion of an identification groove is
formed in a different shape.
[0105] FIG. 56 is an enlarged perspective view that illustrates an
example of an identification groove in which a first portion and a
second portion are formed to be continuous in the vertical
direction.
[0106] FIG. 57 is a perspective view that illustrates a different
shape of a wall portion of a concave part forming face.
[0107] FIG. 58 is a bottom view that illustrates a different shape
of a wall portion of a concave part forming face.
[0108] FIG. 59 is a perspective view that illustrates an example of
a battery in which a positioning groove is formed in a casing.
[0109] FIG. 60 is a perspective view that illustrates an example of
a battery in which a terminal arrangement groove and a positioning
groove are formed in a casing.
[0110] FIG. 61 is a perspective view that illustrates another
example of a battery in which a terminal arrangement groove and a
positioning groove are formed in a casing.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0111] Hereinafter, embodiments of a battery and a connection
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology will
be described with reference to the attached drawings.
[0112] A battery is formed in an approximate rectangular
parallelepiped shape and, in description presented below, the outer
faces will be referred to as a top face (upper face), a bottom face
(lower face), side faces (horizontal both side faces), and a front
face and a rear face so as to represent front, rear, upper, lower,
left, and right directions. A vertical direction connecting a top
face side (upper face side) and a bottom face side (lower face
side) on which the top face (upper face) and the bottom face (lower
face) are present will be also referred to as a height direction, a
horizontal direction connecting a left side face side and a right
side face side on which both the left and right side faces are
present will be also referred to as a widthwise direction, and a
forward/backward direction connecting a front face side and a rear
face side on which the front face and the rear face are present
will be also referred to as a longitudinal direction. In addition,
a portion of an upper end side including the top face will be
referred to as a top portion, a portion of a lower end side
including the bottom face will be referred to as a bottom portion,
portions of both the left and right end sides including the side
faces will be referred to as side portions (a left portion and a
right portion), a portion of a front end side including the front
face will be referred to as a front portion, and a portion of a
rear end side including the rear face will be referred to as a rear
portion. In addition, the outer faces of the top portion, the
bottom portion, the side portions, the front portion, and the rear
portion are not limited to planar faces, but at least parts thereof
may be formed as curved faces.
[0113] Further, as an example of a connection apparatus to which
the battery is connected, a still camera that is an imaging
apparatus will be represented, and, in description of the still
camera, the front, rear, upper, lower, left, and right directions
will be represented in a direction seen from a photographer at the
time of photographing using the still camera. Thus, an object side
is the front side, and the image face side is the rear side.
[0114] In addition, hereinafter, as another example of a connection
apparatus to which the battery is connected, a charger is also
represented. In description of the charger, the front, rear, upper,
lower, left, and right directions are represented in a state in
which the charger is placed in a base such as a desk or a table. In
the charger, an insertion concave part in which the battery is
inserted is formed. In the charger, the front, rear, upper, lower,
left, and right directions will be represented with a direction in
which the battery is inserted set as the lower side and a direction
in which the battery is slid and mounted set as the front side.
[0115] In addition, the front, rear, upper, lower, left, and right
directions represented below are for the convenience of the
description, and, an embodiment of the present technology is not
limited to such directions.
[0116] <Configuration of Battery>
[0117] First, the configuration of a battery 1 will be described
(see FIGS. 1 to 7).
[0118] The battery 1 has a configuration in which necessary units
are arranged inside/outside a casing 2.
[0119] The casing 2 is formed in an approximate rectangular
parallelepiped shape and is formed by vertically combining a case
cover (upper case) 3 and a housing case (lower case) 4. The case
cover 3 is formed in a box shape that is open to the lower side
(see FIGS. 1 to 6). The housing case 4 is formed in a box shape
that is open to the upper side. In a state in which the casing 2 is
configured by vertically combining the case cover 3 and the housing
case 4, the internal space of the casing 2 is formed as a housing
space.
[0120] In the housing space of the casing 2, a separator 5, cells 6
and 6, connecting sheet metals 7, 8, and 8, and a circuit substrate
9 are arranged (see FIG. 1). The separator 5 is mounted in the
housing case 4. The cells 6 and 6 are arranged in a state in which
the cells are horizontally divided by the separator 5. The
connecting sheet metal 7 is connected to one terminal of each of
the cells 6 and 6 and has a lower end portion connected to an
electrode terminal, which is not illustrated in the drawing, formed
on the lower face of the circuit substrate 9. The connecting sheet
metals 8 and 8 are connected to the other terminals of the cells 6
and 6 and have lower end portions connected to electrode terminals,
which are not illustrated in the drawing, formed on the lower face
of the circuit substrate 9. The circuit substrate 9 is mounted in
the housing case 4 and is in a state covered with the separator 5
from the upper side except for a portion.
[0121] The casing 2 includes a top face 11, a bottom face 12, side
faces 13 and 13, a front face 14, and a rear face 15 as outer faces
10. The casing 2 has a front/rear direction (longitudinal
direction) size larger than a left/right direction (widthwise
direction) size and has a horizontal direction (widthwise
direction) size larger than a vertical direction (height direction)
size (see FIGS. 1 to 6). In the casing 2, inclining faces 16 and 16
are formed between the top face 11 and the side faces 13 and 13.
The inclining faces 16 and 16 are displaced to the lower side as
approaching the side faces 13 and 13 from the top face 11.
[0122] All the top face 11, the bottom face 12, the side faces 13
and 13, the front face 14, the rear face 15, and the inclining
faces 16 and 16 are formed as outer faces 17, 17, . . . .
[0123] On the horizontal both side portions of the lower end
portion of the casing 2, notches 2a and 2a are formed. The notch 2a
is open to the side face (the left side or the right side), the
lower side, the front side, and the rear side and is formed by a
level difference face 18 extending to the front/rear sides facing
the lower side and a groove forming face 19 extending to the
front/rear sides facing the lateral side. The outer edge of the
level difference face 18 is continuous from the lower edge of the
side face 13. The upper edge of the groove forming face 19 is
continuous from the inner edge of the level difference face 18, and
the lower edge thereof is continuous from the side edge of the
bottom face 12. The level difference face 18 and the groove forming
face 19 are formed to be continuous over the front face 14 to the
rear face 15. The level difference face 18 and the bottom face 12
are formed as flat faces that are approximately parallel to each
other, and a middle portion of the groove forming face 19 in the
front/rear direction except for the front/rear both end portions
and the side face 13 are formed as faces that are approximately
parallel to each other. Front end portions of the groove forming
faces 19 and 19 are formed as curved faces 19a and 19a, which are
convex toward the outer side, displacing in a direction approaching
each other as approaching the front face 14, and rear end portions
of the groove forming faces 19 and 19 are formed as curved faces
19b and 19b, which are convex toward the outer side, displacing in
a direction approaching each other as approaching the rear face 15.
The casing 2 may be regarded as being configured by a main body
part 20 that is a portion disposed on a further upper side than a
virtual plane including the level difference faces 18 and 18 and a
bottom part 21 that is a portion disposed on a further lower side
than the virtual plane. In addition, the level difference faces 18
and 18 are included in the main body part 20.
[0124] As described above, in the battery 1, since the front/rear
both end portions of the groove forming faces 19 and 19 are formed
as curved faces 19a, 19a, 19b, and 19b, it is difficult for stress
concentration to occur, and, in case of falling or the like, it is
difficult for the battery 1 to be in contact with a ground surface
or the like, the impact is mitigated, and the occurrence of damage
can be reduced.
[0125] The casing 2, as described above, a portion that is disposed
on the upper side including the level difference faces 18 and 18
with reference to the virtual plane including the level difference
faces 18 and 18 is arranged as the main body part 20 and a portion
disposed on a further lower side than the main body part 20 is
arranged as the bottom part 21. The horizontal width of the bottom
part 21 is smaller than that of the main body part 20, a distance
between the side faces 13 and 13 in the horizontal direction is
longer than a distance between the groove forming faces 19 and 19,
and grooves having respective functions and the like are formed in
the bottom part 21.
[0126] In the horizontal both side portions of the bottom part 21,
in order from the front side, first guided grooves 22 and 22,
second guided grooves 23 and 23, and third guided grooves 24 and 24
are formed to be spaced apart from each other. Any one of the first
guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided
groove 24 is open to the groove forming face 19.
[0127] The first guided groove 22 is formed in a front end portion
of the bottom part 21 and is open to the lateral side and the front
side. The second guided groove 23 extends to the front and rear
sides and is open to the lateral side. Here, in the casing 2, the
second guided groove 23 may not be formed. In such a case, a
portion in which the second guided groove 23 is formed is formed by
a part of the groove forming face 19 and a part of the bottom face
12. The third guided groove 24 extends to the front and rear sides
and is open to the lateral side. Here, the third guided groove 24
may have a shape that is also open to the rear side (see FIG.
8).
[0128] In the horizontal both side portions of the bottom part 21,
in order from the front side, insertion grooves 25 and 25 and
insertion grooves 26 and 26 are formed to be spaced apart from each
other. Any one of the insertion grooves 25 and the insertion
grooves 26 is open to the groove forming face 19. The insertion
groove 25 is open to the lateral side, the upper side, and the
lower side, and an upper-side opening communicates with an
approximately half portion of the front side of the second guided
groove 23. The insertion groove 26 is open to the lateral side, the
upper side, and the lower side, and an upper-side opening
communicates with an approximately half portion of the front side
of the third guided groove 24.
[0129] Portions of the casing 2 between the lower edges 22b and 22b
of the first guided grooves 22 and 22 and the bottom face 12 are
arranged as first engagement claw parts 2p and 2p, portions of the
casing 2 between the lower edges 23b and 23b of the second guided
grooves 23 and 23 and the bottom face 12 are arranged as second
engagement claw parts 2q and 2q, and portions of the casing 2
between the lower edges 24b and 24b of the third guided grooves 24
and 24 and the bottom face 12 are arranged as third engagement claw
parts 2r and 2r. Any one of the first engagement claw parts 2p and
the second engagement claw parts 2q is positioned on a further
front face 14 side than the center in the front/rear directions of
the casing 2, and the third engagement claw parts 2r are positioned
on a further rear face 15 side than the center in the front/rear
directions of the casing 2 or in an area of the rearmost side among
areas acquired by equally dividing the casing 2 into three
parts.
[0130] In addition, in the description presented above, while an
example has been illustrated in which the first guided groove 22,
the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 are
formed to be spaced apart from each other to the front and rear
sides, the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and
the third guided groove 24 may be formed as one guide groove 45
(see FIG. 9). The guide groove 45 is formed from the front end to a
position near the rear end in the groove forming face 19. Here, the
first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third
guided groove 24 may be formed as one guide groove 46 (see FIG.
10). The guide groove 46 is formed over the front end to the rear
end of the groove forming face 19.
[0131] In addition, in the description presented above, while an
example has been illustrated in which the first guided groove 22,
the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 are
formed in each of the horizontal both sides of the casing 2, at
least one of the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove
23, and the third guided groove 24 may be formed in each of the
horizontal both sides of the casing 2. For example, it may be
configured such that only the first guided groove 22 and the third
guided groove 24 are formed on one of the left and right sides, and
only the second guided groove 23 is formed on the other of the left
and right sides (see FIG. 11). In addition, for example, it may be
configured such that only the first guided groove 22 and the second
guided groove 23 are formed on one of the left and right sides, and
only the second guided groove 23 and the third guided groove 24 are
formed on the other of the left and right sides (see FIG. 12).
Furthermore, for example, it may be configured such that only the
first guided groove 22 and the second guided groove 23 are formed
on one of the left and right sides, and only the third guided
groove 24 is formed on the other of the left and right sides (see
FIG. 13). In addition, as examples of such a configuration,
including the examples (see FIGS. 11 to 13) described above, there
is an example in which only one guide groove among the first guided
groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove
24 is formed on one of the left and right sides, and one, two, or
three guide grooves among the first guided groove 22, the second
guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 are formed on the
other of the left and right sides. Furthermore, there is an example
in which only any two guide grooves among the first guided groove
22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 are
formed on one of the left and right sides, and only two or three
guide grooves among the first guided groove 22, the second guided
groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 are formed on the other
of the left and right sides.
[0132] In a front end portion of the bottom part 21, an arrangement
concave part 27 is formed (see FIG. 7). The arrangement concave
part 27 is formed at approximately center in the horizontal
direction and is open to the front side and the lower side. In the
casing 2, an arrangement hole 28 that communicates with portions
other than the front end portion of the arrangement concave part 27
and allows vertical passing through is formed.
[0133] Any one of the upper edge 22a of the first guided groove 22,
the upper edge 23a of the second guided groove 23, and the upper
edge 24a of the third guided groove 24 is positioned on a further
lower side than the level difference face 18, and, between the
first guided groove 22 and the level difference face 18, between
the second guided groove 23 and the level difference face 18, and
between the third guided groove 24 and the level difference face
18, a part of the groove forming face 19 is present in any one
thereof (see FIGS. 2 to 7). Accordingly, any one of a distance from
the lower end of the groove forming face 19 to the upper edge 22a
of the first guided groove 22, a distance from the lower end of the
groove forming face 19 to the upper edge 23a of the second guided
groove 23, and a distance from the lower end of the groove forming
face 19 to the upper edge 24a of the third guided groove 24 is
shorter than a distance from the upper end to the lower end of the
groove forming face 19. In addition, a vertical distance (groove
width) of each of the first guided groove 22, the second guided
groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 may be longer or smaller
than a distance from the upper end of the groove forming face 19 to
each of the upper edges 22a, 23a, and 24a, and the vertical
distance of each of the first guided groove 22, the second guided
groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 may be the same as a
distance from the upper end of the groove forming face 19 to each
of the upper edges 22a, 23a, and 24a.
[0134] In addition, corner portions 2f at which the level
difference face 18 and the side face 13 intersect with each other
may be chamfered, and the corner portions 2f extend in a direction
from the front face 14 to the rear face 15 and may be of a length
that is the same as or about 1/2 or 1/3 of the length of the casing
2. Furthermore, one corner portion 2f may be chamfered, or both
corner portions 2f and 2f may be chamfered. The size of the
chamfered width of each corner portion 2f may be the same as the
size of the width of the level difference face 18 or may be smaller
than the width of the level difference face 18.
[0135] In addition, a corner portion 2g at which the groove forming
face 19 and the bottom face 12 intersect with each other may be
chamfered. Furthermore, any or all of corner portions 2h and 2h
between the first guided groove 22 and the second guided groove 23,
corner portions 2i and 2i between the second guided groove 23 and
the third guided groove 24, and a corner portion 2j between the
third guided groove 24 and the rear face 15 may be chamfered. In
such a case, one of the left and right sides of the casing 2 or the
corner portions 2g, 2h, 2i, and 2j of left and right both sides may
be chamfered.
[0136] The arrangement concave part 27 is formed by concave part
forming faces 29. The concave part forming faces 29 are formed by a
base portion 29a, wall portions 29b and 29b, and a middle portion
29c. The lower edges of the concave part forming faces 29 and 29
are continuous from left and right both-side frames of the bottom
face 12, and a distance from the bottom face 12 to the upper edges
of the concave part forming faces 29 and 29 is longer than a
distance from the bottom face 12 to the upper edges 22a, 23a, and
24a. In addition, the upper edges of the concave part forming faces
29 and 29 are continuous from the inner edges of the level
difference faces 18 and 18, and a distance from the bottom face 12
to the upper edges of the concave part forming faces 29 and 29 is
the same as a distance from the bottom face 12 to the level
difference faces 18 and 18. Any one of the lower edge 22b of the
first guided groove 22, the lower edge 23b of the second guided
groove 23, and the lower edge 24b of the third guided groove 24 is
positioned on a further upper side than the lower edge of the
groove forming face 19, and the positions thereof in the vertical
direction are the same.
[0137] The base portion 29a is formed in the shape of "II" open to
the front side and is in a state facing the horizontal direction.
The wall portions 29b and 29b are continuous from the front end of
the base portion 29a and are formed as inclining faces spaced apart
from each other in the left/right directions toward the front side.
In other words, the wall portion 29b disposed on the left side is
formed as an inclining face that further approaches the side face
13 disposed on the left side toward the front side, and the wall
portion 29b disposed on the right side of wall portion 29b is
formed as an inclining face further approaching the side face 13
disposed on the right side toward the front side. In addition, in
the wall portions 29b and 29b, it may be configured such that one
wall portion 29b is formed as an inclining face, and the other wall
portion 29b is formed as a face toward the left side or the right
side without inclining. The middle portion 29c is formed between
the lower edges of the wall portions 29b and 29b facing the lower
side. The wall portions 29b and 29b, for example, incline by 45
degrees with respect to faces facing the left and right directions.
The middle portion 29c is positioned on a further lower side than
the level difference face 18 and is positioned at an approximately
same height as that of the upper edges 22a, 23a, and 24a of the
first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third
guided groove 24 or is positioned on a further slightly lower side
than the upper edges 22a, 23a, and 24a. In addition, the middle
portion 29c may be positioned on a further upper side than the
upper edges 22a, 23a, and 24a.
[0138] In the front end portion of the bottom part 21,
identification grooves 30 and 30 are formed to be spaced apart from
each other to the left and right sides. The identification grooves
30 have a role as functional grooves having a predetermined
function and, for example, are used for identifying the type of a
charger or the like, which will be described later, functioning as
a connection apparatus. Here, the functional grooves are not
limited to the identification grooves 30, but, as the functional
grooves, for example, grooves having functions other than an
identifying function such as positioning grooves positioning the
charger or the like or detection grooves detecting the connection
state or the like of a charger or the like may be formed instead of
the identification grooves 30.
[0139] Here, by configuring the predetermined function to be an
identifying function identifying the type of connection apparatus,
the type of connection apparatus is identified using the functional
grooves, and, as a battery is mounted in a connection apparatus, or
as a battery is in a state not mounted in the connection apparatus,
the type of connection apparatus connected to the battery can be
easily identified.
[0140] In addition, the predetermined function may be a function
for identifying the type of battery.
[0141] The identification grooves 30 and 30 are formed on opposite
sides having the arrangement concave part 27 interposed
therebetween. The identification groove 30 is formed by
continuously forming a first identification part 31 and a second
identification part 32, which have different front/rear lengths, in
the left/right directions.
[0142] The first identification part 31 and the second
identification part 32 have roles as a first functional unit and a
second functional unit.
[0143] Among faces forming the identification groove 30, a face,
which is positioned on the upper side, facing the lower side is
formed as an inner bottom face 30a. The inner bottom face 30a is
positioned on a further lower side than the middle portion 29c,
which is positioned on the upper side, facing the lower side among
the concave part forming faces 29. Accordingly, a depth of the
identification groove 30 in the vertical direction is smaller than
the depth of the arrangement concave part 27 in the vertical
direction. In addition, the inner bottom face 30a is positioned on
a further lower side than the upper edges 22a, 23a, and 24a of the
first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third
guided groove 24 and the level difference face 18. Furthermore, the
inner bottom face 30a is positioned on a further upper side than
the lower edges 22b, 23b, and 24b of the first guided groove 22,
the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24.
However, the inner bottom face 30a may be positioned on a further
lower side than the lower edges 22b, 23b, and 24b and may be
positioned at a same height as that of the lower edges 22b, 23b,
and 24b.
[0144] Among the faces forming the identification groove 30, a
face, which is positioned on the rear side of the first
identification part 31, facing the front side is formed as an inner
bottom face 31a, and a face, which is positioned on the rear side
of the second identification part 32, facing the front side is
formed as an inner bottom face 32a. The inner bottom faces 31a and
32a are positioned on a further front side than a face, which is
positioned on the rearmost side of the base portion 29a, facing the
front side among the concave part forming faces 29 and is
positioned on a further rear side than the front face of a
connector 33. In addition, the inner bottom faces 31a and 32a are
positioned on a further front side than an inner bottom face 36a of
a terminal arrangement groove 36 and an inner bottom face 37a of
the positioning groove 37. Furthermore, the inner bottom faces 31a
and 32a are positioned on a further front side than the rear end
edge of the first guided groove 22. Here, the inner bottom faces
31a and 32a may be positioned on a further rear side than the rear
end edge of the first guided groove 22 and may be positioned at a
same position as that of the rear end edge of the first guided
groove 22 in the front/rear directions.
[0145] The first identification part 31 has a front/rear length
longer than the second identification part 32, the inner bottom
face 31a is positioned on a further rear side than the inner bottom
face 32a, and the first identification part 31 is positioned on a
further arrangement concave part 27 side than the second
identification part 32. It can be stated that the second
identification part 32 is positioned on a further side face 13 side
than the first identification part 31. The second identification
part 32 has a width in the horizontal direction that is smaller
than the width of the first identification part 31 in the
horizontal direction.
[0146] In the arrangement concave part 27 of the casing 2, the
connector 33 is arranged.
[0147] The connector 33 is a part that is connected to an electrode
terminal of a charger, which will be described later, functioning
as a connection apparatus or the like, functions as a terminal part
and at least includes a positive electrode terminal and a negative
electrode terminal.
[0148] The connector 33 includes a housing 34 formed using a
non-conductive material and connection terminals 35, 35, and 35
formed using a conductive material, and at least parts of the
connection terminals 35, 35, and 35 are held in the housing 34 in a
state being arranged in the terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36,
and 36 formed in the housing 34. The connection terminal 35 has one
pair of contact parts in which one end portion of a metal piece
horizontally branches at a predetermined portion, and the one pair
of contact parts has elasticity in a direction in which tip end
portions thereof contact each other and is arranged in the terminal
arrangement groove 36 in a contacting state or an approaching
state.
[0149] The connection terminals 35, 35, and 35 respectively
function as a positive electrode terminal, a negative electrode
terminal, and an information terminal and has an arrangement in
which the positive electrode terminal, the information terminal,
and the negative electrode terminal are aligned in order from the
left side or an arrangement in which the positive electrode
terminal, the information terminal, and the negative electrode
terminal are aligned in order from the right side.
[0150] The information terminal is used not only for a connection
apparatus to be described later to recognize the internal
temperature of the battery 1 but also for the connection apparatus
to recognize various kinds of information of the battery 1 such as
a charge residual amount or degradation information of the battery
1.
[0151] In addition, in the connector 33, two terminal arrangement
grooves 36 and 36 and two connection terminals 35 and 35 may be
disposed. In a case where two connection terminals 35 and 35 are
disposed, the two connection terminals 35 and 35 respectively
function as a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode
terminal and have an arrangement in which the positive electrode
terminal and the negative electrode terminal are aligned in order
from the left side or an arrangement in which the positive
electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are aligned
from the right side. Furthermore, in the connector 33, four
terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, . . . and four connection
terminals 35, 35, . . . may be disposed. In a case where four
connection terminals 35 and 35 are disposed, the four connection
terminals 35, 35, . . . respectively function as a positive
electrode terminal, a negative electrode terminal, an information
terminal, and a communication terminal and have an arrangement in
which the positive electrode terminal, the information terminal,
the communication terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are
aligned in order from the left side, an arrangement in which the
positive electrode terminal, the information terminal, the
communication terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are
aligned in order from the right side, an arrangement in which the
positive electrode terminal, the communication terminal, the
information terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are
aligned in order from the left side, or an arrangement in which the
positive electrode terminal, the communication terminal, the
information terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are
aligned in order from the right side. The communication terminal is
used for a connection apparatus to recognize various kinds of
information of the battery 1 such as a charge residual amount and
degradation information of the battery 1, and, in such a case, the
information terminal is used only for informing the connection
apparatus of temperature information.
[0152] The terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, and 36 are open to
the front side and the lower side and are formed to be horizontally
spaced apart from each other. In the housing 34, on the outer side
of the terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, and 36 in the
horizontal direction, positioning grooves 37 and 37 that are open
to the front side and the lower side are formed.
[0153] Portions of the connector 33 between the terminal
arrangement grooves 36, 36, and 36 in the housing 34 are disposed
as terminal separation ribs 34a and 34a, and portions between the
terminal arrangement grooves 36 and 36 and the positioning grooves
37 and 37 in the housing 34 are disposed as inter-groove ribs 34b
and 34b.
[0154] A horizontal width of the terminal separation rib 34a is
configured to be larger than a horizontal width of the inter-groove
rib 34b such that a contact between the connection terminals 35,
35, and 35 can be prevented.
[0155] A face positioned on the most top face 11 side of the
terminal arrangement groove 36 and a face positioned on the most
top face 11 side of the positioning groove 37 are respectively
formed as inner bottom faces 36a and 37a, and the inner bottom
faces 36a and 37a have vertical positions that are approximately
the same. The inner bottom faces 36a and 37a are positioned on a
further lower side than the level difference face 18. In addition,
the inner bottom faces 36a and 37a are positioned on a further
lower side than the upper edge 22a of the first guided groove 22,
the upper edge 23a of the second guided groove 23, and the upper
edge 24a of the third guided groove 24 and is positioned on a
further upper side than the lower edge 22b of the first guided
groove 22, the lower edge 23b of the second guided groove 23, and
the lower edge 24b of the third guided groove 24.
[0156] The connection terminal 35 can be elastically transformed in
an approximately horizontal direction and is held in the housing 34
in the state being inserted into the terminal arrangement groove
36.
[0157] In addition, in the description presented above, while an
example is illustrated in which the upper ends of the wall portions
29b and 29b and the middle portion 29c are positioned at a same
height as that of the upper end of the housing 34 of the connector
33 on the concave part forming face 29. For example, the upper ends
of the wall portions 29b and 29b and the middle portion 29c may be
positioned on a further upper side than the upper end of the
housing 34 (see FIG. 14). In such a case, the upper ends of the
wall portions 29b and 29b and the middle portion 29c may be
positioned at arbitrary positions among positions disposed on a
further lower side than the upper end of the casing 2.
[0158] In addition, on the concave part forming face 29, for
example, it may be configured such that the middle portion 29c is
not present, and the wall portions 29b and 29b are formed at
positions ranging from the upper end to the lower end of the casing
2 (see FIGS. 15 and 16).
[0159] Furthermore, the wall portions 29b and 29b inclining to the
front, rear, left, right sides may not be formed, but, instead of
the wall portions 29b and 29b, first wall face portions 29x and 29x
facing the front side and second wall face portions 29y and 29y
that are continuous from horizontal outer frames of the first wall
face portions 29x and 29x and face each other in the horizontal
direction may be formed (see FIGS. 17 and 18). In addition, the
first wall face portions 29x and 29x and the second wall face
portions 29y and 29y may incline at an arbitrary angle in the
horizontal direction, the front/rear direction, or the vertical
direction.
[0160] The connector 33 is connected to the circuit substrate 9 in
which one end portions of the connection terminals 35, 35, and 35
are arranged inside the casing 2 through the arrangement hole
28.
[0161] The front face 33a is positioned on a further rear side than
the front face 14 of the casing 2 in a state in which the connector
33 is arranged in the arrangement concave part 27. The connector 33
is positioned in an area of the arrangement concave part 27 that is
surrounded by the base portion 29a of the concave part forming face
29 and, on the front side of the connector 33, the wall portions
29b and 29b and the middle portion 29c of the concave part forming
face 29 are positioned.
[0162] The lower face 33b is positioned on a same plane as that of
the bottom face 12 of the casing 2 in a state in which the
connector 33 is arranged in the arrangement concave part 27.
[0163] <Example of Configuration of Connection Apparatus>
[0164] Next, as an example of the connection apparatus to which the
battery 1 is connected, an imaging apparatus (still camera) 50 will
be described (see FIGS. 19 to 21).
[0165] The imaging apparatus 50 is formed, for example, by
arranging units necessary for the inside and the outside of a flat
external casing 51 that is horizontally long (see FIG. 19). An
interchangeable lens 70 and an accessory such as an adaptor not
illustrated in the drawing can be detachably attached to the
imaging apparatus 50.
[0166] In the interchangeable lens 70, operation rings 71, 72, and
73 that are operated to rotate are arranged. The operation rings
71, 72, and 73 function as a focus ring used for focusing, a zoom
ring used for adjusting a viewing angle, and an iris ring used for
adjusting a light intensity.
[0167] On an upper face of the external casing 51, various
operation units 52, 52, . . . are arranged. As the operation units
52, 52, . . . , for example, a photographing button, a zoom knob, a
power button, a mode selection knob, and the like are arranged. In
an upper end portion of the external casing 51, a flash 53 that can
be taken in or out is arranged.
[0168] In the upper end portion of the external casing 51, a finder
54 is arranged on the rear side of the flash 53. On a rear face of
the external casing 51, a display 55 and various operation units
52, 52, . . . are arranged (see FIG. 20).
[0169] Inside the external casing 51, imaging devices not
illustrated in the drawing are arranged. As the imaging device, for
example, a charge coupled device (CCD), a complementary metal-oxide
semiconductor (CMOS), or the like is used.
[0170] In a rear portion disposed on a further rear side than a
mount (not illustrated in the drawing) to which the interchangeable
lens is connected in one end portion of the imaging apparatus 50 in
the horizontal direction and the imaging device, a battery mounting
unit 56 is arranged (see FIGS. 20 and 21).
[0171] The battery mounting unit 56 includes a part of the external
casing 51 and a lid body 57 that is rotatable in a lower end
portion of the external casing 51. The internal space of the
battery mounting unit 56 is formed as a mounting space 56a, and the
mounting space 56a is open to the lower side.
[0172] In an inner portion (upper end portion) of the battery
mounting unit 56, a biasing spring 58 and a terminal connecting
unit 59 are arranged. The terminal connecting unit 59 includes a
holding portion 60 formed using a non-conductive material and
electrode terminals 61, 61, and 61 formed using a conductive
material and is held by the holding portion 60 in a state in which
the electrode terminals 61, 61, and 61 are horizontally spaced
apart from each other.
[0173] In the holding portion 60, positioning protruding portions
60a and 60a are arranged outside the electrode terminals 61, 61,
and 61 in the horizontal direction.
[0174] One end portions of the electrode terminals 61, 61, and 61
of the terminal connecting unit 59 are connected to a control
substrate, which is not illustrated in the drawing, arranged inside
the external casing 51.
[0175] In a lower end portion of the battery mounting unit 56, a
pressing lever 62 is supported to be rotatable by the opening edge
of the mounting space 56a. The pressing lever 62 can rotate between
a pressing position and a non-pressing position and, for example,
is biased by a spring not illustrated in the drawing in a direction
from the non-pressing position to the pressing position.
[0176] Inside the battery mounting unit 56, erroneous insertion
preventing protruding portions 56b and 56b are arranged. In the
battery mounting unit 56, a locking mechanism that locks the lid
body 57 in a closed state of the mounting space 56a is
arranged.
[0177] <Battery Mounting for Connection Apparatus (Imaging
Apparatus)>
[0178] Hereinafter, the mounting of the battery 1 in the battery
mounting unit 56 of the imaging apparatus 50 will be described (see
FIGS. 22 to 24).
[0179] A user can mount the battery 1 in the battery mounting unit
56 by inserting the battery 1 into the mounting space 56a in a
state in which the lid body 57 is open.
[0180] The battery 1 is inserted into the mounting space 56a from
the front face 14 side (see FIG. 22). At this time, the battery 1
is inserted into the mounting space 56a in a direction in which the
notches 2a and 2a match the erroneous insertion preventing
protruding portions 56b and 56b. Accordingly, when the battery 1 is
attempted to be inserted into the mounting space 56a in a direction
in which the notches 2a and 2a do not match the erroneous insertion
preventing protruding portions 56b and 56b, a part of the casing 2,
for example, the inclining face 16 that is a corner portion formed
by the top face 11 and the side face 13 is brought into contact
with the erroneous insertion preventing protruding portions 56b and
56b, and erroneous insertion of the battery 1 into the mounting
space 56a is prevented.
[0181] The insertion of the battery 1 into the mounting space 56a
is performed in a state in which the pressing lever 62 is rotated
up to the non-pressing position. When the battery 1 is inserted
into the mounting space 56a, a state is formed in which the
pressing lever 62 is slid to one side face 13 of the battery 1, and
the rotation of the pressing lever 62 to the pressing position is
regulated.
[0182] The connection terminals 35, 35, and 35 of the connector 33
of the battery 1 inserted into the mounting space 56a are connected
to the electrode terminals 61, 61, and 61 of the terminal
connecting unit 59. At this time, the electrode terminal 61 is
inserted between one pair of contact portions that branches to the
left and right sides of the connection terminal 35 and has
elasticity in a contacting direction, and the connection terminal
35 is connected to the electrode terminal 61 in a state in which
the one pair of contact portions has the electrode terminal 61
interposed therebetween from both the left and right sides. In
addition, at this time, the positioning protruding portions 60a and
60a of the terminal connecting unit 59 are inserted into the
positioning grooves 37 and 37 of the connector 33, whereby the
connector 33 is positioned with respect to the terminal connecting
unit 59.
[0183] In a state in which the connection terminals 35, 35, and 35
are respectively connected to the electrode terminals 61, 61, and
61, the rear face 15 is positioned on a further inner side than the
pressing lever 62 in the mounting space 56a, the pressing lever 62
rotates up to the pressing position in accordance with a biasing
force of the spring, and the front face 14 is pressed by the
biasing spring 58 to bias the battery 1 to the rear side (see FIG.
23). Accordingly, a pressed portion 15a (see FIG. 22) disposed on
the rear face 15 is pressed by the pressing lever 62, the battery 1
is regulated not to be dropped out from the mounting space 56a. The
pressed portion 15a is positioned on a further top face 11 side
than the notch 2a.
[0184] As described above, in the state in which the drop-out of
the battery 1 from the mounting space 56a is regulated by the
pressing lever 62, by closing the mounting space 56a by using the
lid body 57, the battery 1 is mounted in the battery mounting unit
56. At this time, the lid body 57 is locked to the external casing
51 by the locking mechanism.
[0185] On the other hand, by opening the mounting space 56a by
releasing the locking of the lid body 57 with respect to the
external casing 51 and rotating the lid body 57 and rotating the
pressing lever 62 up to the non-pressing position, the battery 1
can be taken out from the battery mounting unit 56 by drawing out
the battery 1 from the mounting space 56a.
[0186] In addition, in the description presented above, while an
example has been illustrated in which the drop-out of the battery 1
from the mounting space 56a is regulated by pressing the pressed
portion 15a of the rear face 15 to the pressing lever 62. For
example, a configuration may be employed in which a pressed concave
part 38 that is open at least to the rear side is formed in a rear
end portion of the battery 1, a part of the pressing lever 62 is
inserted into the pressed concave part 38, and the drop-out of the
battery 1 from the mounting space 56a is regulated (see FIG.
24).
[0187] In this way, by forming the pressed concave part 38 into
which a part of the pressing lever 62 is inserted in the battery 1,
the pressing lever 62 can be positioned on the inside of the
mounting space 56a, and the size of the imaging apparatus 50 can be
decreased by that much.
[0188] <Another Example of Configuration of Connection
Apparatus>
[0189] Next, as another example of a connection apparatus to which
the battery 1 is connected, a charger 80 will be described (see
FIGS. 25 to 29). In addition, while the charger 80 is an apparatus
that is separate from the imaging apparatus 50 and the like, a
connection structure of the charger 80 illustrated below may be
integrally arranged in various apparatuses such as an imaging
apparatus and the like. Thus, the battery 1 can be connected to an
imaging apparatus or the like to which the connection structure of
the charger 80 represented below is disposed.
[0190] The charger 80 is formed by arranging necessary units inside
and outside a case body 81. In the charger 80, the connection
structure represented below is arranged.
[0191] The case body 81 is formed in an approximately rectangular
parallelepiped shape, one approximately half portion in the
horizontal direction is arranged as a mechanism arranging unit 82,
and the other approximately half portion in the horizontal
direction is arranged as a battery mounting unit 83.
[0192] Inside the mechanism arranging unit 82, a substrate, a light
emitting body such as a light emitting diode, and the like, which
are not illustrated in the drawing, are arranged. In an upper face
portion of the mechanism arranging unit 82, window portions 82a and
82b are arranged. Light emitted from a light emitting diode through
the window portions 82a and 82b is emitted toward the outside, the
state of a charging operation, the state of a charged amount, and
the like can be recognized on the basis of the state of emission
through the window portions 82a and 82b.
[0193] In the battery mounting unit 83, a mounting concave part 83a
that is open to the upper side and the rear side is formed. In both
horizontal side portions of the mounting concave part 83a, step
portions 84 and 84 are arranged, and the step portions 84 and 84
are formed in a shape protruding to the upper side and extending to
the front and rear sides. The step portions 84 and 84 include flat
faces 84a and 84a facing the upper side and opposing faces 84b and
84b that are continuous from the inner edges of the flat faces 84a
and 84a and face each other. In addition, while a battery having a
configuration in which only one notch 2a is formed in the casing is
present, in the case of the battery mounting unit in which such a
battery is mounted, one end portion 84 may be arranged.
[0194] The mounting concave part 83a, in addition to the step
portions 84 and 84, includes face portions including a bottom plate
face portion 85, which is positioned between the step portions 84
and 84, facing the upper side and a front plate face portion 86
facing the rear side, and the front plate face portion 86 is
continuous from the front edges of the step portions 84 and 84 and
the front edge of the bottom plate face portion 85. In the step
portions 84 and 84, in order from the front side, first guide
engaging parts 87 and 87, second guide engaging parts 88 and 88,
and third guide engaging parts 89 and 89 are respectively disposed
to be spaced apart from each other to the front and rear sides.
Each of the first guide engaging parts 87 and 87, the second guide
engaging parts 88 and 88, and third guide engaging parts 89 and 89
protrudes from the opposing faces 84b and 84b in a direction
approaching each other. The first guide engaging part 87 is formed
in a protruding shape extending to the front and rear sides, and
the front end is continuous from the front plate face portion 86
and protrudes from a middle portion of the opposing face 84b in the
vertical direction. The second guide engaging part 88 is formed in
a protruding shape extending to the front and rear sides and is
positioned at a same height as that of the first guide engaging
part 87. The third guide engaging part 89 is formed by an
engagement portion 89a extending to the front and rear sides and a
vertical wall portion 89b protruding from the front end portion of
the engagement portion 89a to the lower side, and the lower end of
the vertical wall portion 89b is continuous from the bottom plate
face portion 85.
[0195] In addition, in a case where a battery of a type in which
guided grooves are formed to be horizontally alternating such that
only a first guided groove 22 and a third guided groove 24 are
formed on one of the left and right sides, and only a second guided
groove 23 is formed on the other of the left and right sides is
mounted, only guide engaging parts corresponding to the guided
grooves may be arranged. For example, in a case where a battery in
which only the first guided groove 22 and the third guided groove
24 are formed on one of the left and right sides, and only the
second guided groove 23 is formed on the other of the left and
right sides is mounted, it may be configured such that only a first
guide engaging part 87 and a third guide engaging part 89 are
arranged on one of the left and right sides, and only a second
guide engaging part 88 is arranged on the other of the left and
right sides.
[0196] In the battery mounting unit 83, an identification
protruding portion 90 protruding from the front end portion of the
bottom plate face portion 85 to the upper side is arranged. In the
identification protruding portion 90, a long portion 90a and a
short portion 90b having mutually-different lengths in the
front/rear direction are continuously arranged horizontally, and
the length of the long portion 90a in the front/rear direction is
longer than the length of the short portion 90b in the front/rear
direction. The horizontal width of the long portion 90a is smaller
than the horizontal width of the short portion 90b.
[0197] The identification protruding portion 90 has a front end to
be continuous from the front plate face portion 86 and is arranged
at a position near the first guide engaging part 87 of one of the
left and right sides. More specifically, the identification
protruding portion 90 is positioned on a further side of the first
guide engaging part 87 of the one side than the center of a gap
between the center of the bottom plate face portion 85 and the
first guide engaging part 87 of the one side in the horizontal
direction and is positioned on a further side of the first guide
engaging part 87 of the one side than the center of a gap between
the terminal connecting unit 93 and the first guide engaging part
87 of the one side. In the identification protruding portion 90,
the short portion 90b is positioned on a further side of the first
guide engaging part 87 of the one side than the long portion
90a.
[0198] In the front end portion of the battery mounting unit 83, a
detection protruding portion 91 that can be moved to the front and
rear sides is arranged. The detection protruding portion 91 is
biased to the rear side by a spring member not illustrated in the
drawing and is arranged at a position near the first guide engaging
part 87 of the other side of the left and right sides.
[0199] In addition, the detection protruding portion 91 may be
arranged at a symmetrical position near the first guide engaging
part 87 of the one side with respect to the center of the bottom
plate face portion 85 in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, in
the description presented above, while an example has been
illustrated in which the identification protruding portion 90 and
the detection protruding portion 91 are positioned on opposite
sides in the horizontal direction with the terminal connecting unit
93 interposed therebetween, both the identification protruding
portion 90 and the detection protruding portion 91 may be
positioned on the left side or the right side of the terminal
connecting unit 93. In such a case, the terminal connecting unit 93
and the detection protruding portion 91 are positioned on opposite
sides in the horizontal direction with the identification
protruding portion 90 interposed therebetween.
[0200] A part of the bottom plate face portion 85 is arranged as an
engagement holding portion 92. The engagement holding portion 92 is
a portion of the inner side of a slit of a "II" shape formed in a
part of the bottom plate face portion 85 and can be elastically
transformed approximately vertically using the front end portion as
a supporting point. An engagement protruding portion 92a protruding
to the upper side is arranged in a rear end portion of the
engagement holding portion 92.
[0201] In the front end portion of the battery mounting unit 83,
the terminal connecting unit 93 is arranged. The terminal
connecting unit 93 includes a holding portion 94 formed using a
non-conductive material and electrode terminals 95, 95, and 95
formed using a conductive material and is held by the holding
portion 94 in a state in which the electrode terminals 95, 95, and
95 are horizontally spaced apart from each other.
[0202] In the holding portion 94, positioning protruding portions
94a and 94a are arranged on the outer side of the electrode
terminals 95, 95, and 95 in the horizontal direction. The size of
the horizontal width of the positioning protruding portions 94a and
94a is larger than the size of the horizontal width of the
electrode terminals 95, 95, and 95. One ends of the electrode
terminals 95, 95, and 95 of the terminal connecting unit 93 are
connected to a substrate arranged inside the case body 81.
[0203] <Mounting Battery in Connection Apparatus
(Charger)>
[0204] Hereinafter, the mounting of the battery 1 in the battery
mounting unit 83 of the charger 80 will be described (see FIGS. 29
to 31).
[0205] A user can mount the battery 1 in the battery mounting unit
83 by inserting a part of the battery 1 in the mounting concave
part 83a.
[0206] The battery 1 is inserted into the mounting concave part 83a
from the upper side (see FIG. 29). At this time, the second guide
engaging parts 88 and 88 are inserted into the second guided
grooves 23 and 23 through the insertion grooves 25 and 25, and the
engagement portions 89a and 89a of the third guide engaging parts
89 and 89 are inserted into the third guided grooves 24 and 24
through the insertion grooves 26 and 26. Thus, the step portions 84
and 84 of the charger 80 are respectively inserted into the notches
2a and 2a of the battery 1, the level difference faces 18 and 18
are positioned to face the flat faces 84a and 84a in the vertical
direction, and the groove forming faces 19 and 19 are positioned to
face the opposing faces 84b and 84b in the horizontal
direction.
[0207] At this time, since the battery 1 is arranged in the bottom
plate face portion 85, the engagement protruding portion 92a is
pressed to the lower side, and accordingly, the engagement holding
portion 92 is elastically transformed.
[0208] On the other hand, when the battery 1 is attempted to be
inserted into the mounting concave part 83a in a direction in which
the step portions 84 and 84 are not inserted into the notches 2a
and 2a, a part of the casing 2 is brought into contact with the
step portions 84 and 84, and erroneous insertion of the battery 1
into the mounting concave part 83a is prevented.
[0209] Next, the battery 1 is slid to the front side with respect
to the charger 80 (see FIG. 30). When the battery 1 is slid to the
front side, the first guided grooves 22 and 22 are respectively
guided to the first guide engaging parts 87 and 87, the second
guided grooves 23 and 23 are respectively guided to the second
guide engaging parts 88 and 88, and the third guided grooves 24 and
24 are respectively guided to the engagement portions 89a and 89a
of the third guide engaging parts 89 and 89. The battery 1 is slid
to the front side up to a movement end at which the rear opening
edges of the third guided grooves 24 and 24 are respectively
brought into contact with the regulation portions 89b and 89b of
the third guide engaging parts 89 and 89.
[0210] In the state in which the battery 1 is slid to the front
side up to the movement end, the opening edges of the first guided
grooves 22 and 22 are respectively engaged with the first guide
engaging parts 87 and 87, the opening edges of the second guided
grooves 23 and 23 are respectively engaged with the second guide
engaging parts 88 and 88, and the opening edges of the third guided
grooves 24 and 24 are respectively engaged with the engagement
portions 89a and 89a of the third guide engaging parts 89 and 89.
Accordingly, the upper edge of the first engagement claw part 2p is
engaged at least with a part of the lower edge of the first guide
engaging part 87, the upper edge of the second engagement claw part
2q is engaged at least with a part of the lower edge of the second
guide engaging part 88, and the upper edge of the third engagement
claw part 2r is engaged at least with a part of the lower edge of
the third guide engaging part 89.
[0211] At this time, the rear end edge of the battery 1 is
positioned to the front side of the engagement protruding portion
92a of the engagement holding portion 92, the engagement protruding
portion 92a is engaged with the lower end portion of the lower end
edge of the battery 1 in accordance with elastic return of the
engagement holding portion 92, whereby the battery 1 is mounted in
the battery mounting unit 83. When the battery 1 is mounted in the
battery mounting unit 83, the detection protruding portion 91 of
the charger 80 is pressed and operated by a pressed portion 14a for
detection that is arranged on the front face 14 of the battery 1.
As the detection protruding portion 91 is moved to the front side,
and the detection protruding portion 91 is moved to the front side,
it is detected by a detection unit not illustrated in the drawing
that the battery 1 is mounted in the battery mounting unit 83.
[0212] In a case where it is detected that the battery 1 is mounted
in the battery mounting unit 83, in a state in which the charger 80
is connected to a power supply, light is emitted from a light
emitting diode, and the light is emitted to the upper side through
the window portions 82a and 82b. Accordingly, by visually
recognizing the state of the light emitted through the window
portions 82a and 82b, a chargeable state/non-chargeable state and
the charged amount of the battery 1 can be recognized by a user. In
addition, when the battery 1 is mounted in the battery mounting
unit 83, the identification protruding portion 90 of the charger 80
is inserted into the identification groove 30 of one side of the
battery 1 (see FIG. 31). The identification protruding portion 90
has the long portion 90a inserted into the first identification
part 31 and the short portion 90b inserted into the second
identification parts 32.
[0213] As the identification protruding portion 90 is inserted into
the identification groove 30, it is identified that the battery 1
mounted in the battery mounting unit 83 is of a type that can be
charged by the charger 80. The battery 1, for example, is of a type
having a medium chargeable power capacity.
[0214] In addition, when the battery 1 is mounted in the battery
mounting unit 83, the terminal connecting unit 93 of the charger 80
is inserted between the wall portions 29b and 29b of the battery 1.
At this time, since there are a gap, a dimensional tolerance, and
the like used for securing smooth insertion of the battery 1 into
the battery mounting unit 83 between the battery 1 and the charger
80, there is a possibility that the battery 1 is inserted into the
battery mounting unit 83 in a state inclining to the left or right
side or a displaced state with respect to the charger 80 (see FIG.
32).
[0215] Also in a case where the battery 1 is inserted into the
charger 80 in the inclining state or the displaced state, since the
wall portions 29b and 29b are formed as inclining faces that are
spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction as the
wall portions advance to a further front side, the terminal
connecting unit 93 is guided to the wall portions 29b and 29b to
become closer to the connector 33. Accordingly, the connection
terminals 35, 35, and 35 of the connector 33 of the battery 1 are
reliably connected to the electrode terminals 95, 95, and 95 of the
terminal connecting unit 93 (see FIG. 33). At this time, the
positioning protruding portions 94a and 94a of the terminal
connecting unit 93 are respectively inserted into the positioning
grooves 37 and 37 of the connector 33, and the positioning of the
connector 33 with respect to the terminal connecting unit 93 is
performed.
[0216] On the other hand, by releasing the engagement of the
engagement protruding portion 92a with the rear end edge and
releasing the engagement of the first guide engaging parts 87 and
87, the second guide engaging parts 88 and 88, and the third guide
engaging parts 89 and 89 by sliding the battery 1 to the rear side
and taking out the battery 1 from the mounting concave part 83a to
the upper side, the battery 1 can be taken out from the battery
mounting unit 83.
SUMMARY
[0217] As described above, in the battery 1, a face forming the
arrangement concave part 27 of the casing 2 is formed as the
concave part forming face 29, and the middle portion 29c that is a
part of the concave part forming face 29 is present between the
front face 14 of the outer face 10 and the connector 33.
[0218] Accordingly, since the front face 33a of the connector 33 is
positioned on a further inner side in the casing 2 than the front
face 14 of the casing 2, the occurrence of damage and a scratch in
the connector 33 at the time of falling or the like is reduced, and
an excellent state of a connection of the connection terminal 35
with the electrode terminals 61 and 95 can be secured.
[0219] Particularly, since it is difficult for an impact force to
be transmitted to the connector 33 in accordance with a falling
impact, it is difficult for a crack in solder used for connecting
the connection terminal 35 to the circuit substrate 9 to occur, and
the occurrence of an electrical connection defect can be
reduced.
[0220] In addition, since the occurrence of damage or a scratch in
the connector 33 is reduced, it is difficult for the connection
terminal 35 to be exposed from the housing 34, and a high quality
of the connector 33 can be secured.
[0221] In addition, in the description presented above, while an
example has been illustrated in which the front face 33a of the
connector 33 is positioned on a further inner side in the casing 2
than the front face 14 of the casing 2, for example, the lower face
33b of the connector 33 may be positioned on a further inner side
in the casing 2 than the bottom face 12 of the casing 2 (see FIG.
34).
[0222] In this way, also in a case where the lower face 33b of the
connector 33 is positioned on a further inner side in the casing 2
than the bottom face 12 of the casing 2, the occurrence of damage
and a scratch in the connector 33 at the time of falling or the
like is reduced, and an excellent state of a connection of the
connection terminal 35 with the electrode terminals 61 and 95 can
be secured.
[0223] In addition, for example, it may be configured such that the
front face 33a of the connector 33 is positioned on a further inner
side in the casing 2 than the front face 14 of the casing 2, and
the lower face 33b of the connector 33 is positioned on a further
inner side in the casing 2 than the bottom face 12 of the casing 2
(see FIG. 35). In this way, in a case where the front face 33a is
positioned on a further inner side in the casing 2 than the front
face 14, and the lower face 33b is positioned on a further inner
side in the casing 2 than the bottom face 12, the whole connector
33 is positioned on the inner side of the casing 2. Accordingly,
the occurrence of damage and a scratch in the connector 33 at the
time of falling or the like is further reduced, and a more
excellent state of a connection of the connection terminal 35 with
the electrode terminals 61 and 95 can be secured.
[0224] In addition, in the battery 1, the arrangement concave part
27 is open in a direction of the connection of the connection
terminal 35 with the electrode terminals 61 and 95, and a middle
portion 29c that is the concave part forming face 29 is present
between the outer face 10 and the connector 33 in the connection
direction.
[0225] Accordingly, since the connector 33 is positioned on a
further inner side in the casing 2 than the outer face 10, the
electrode terminals 61 and 95 are inserted up to the inner side of
the arrangement concave part 27 at the time of connection, and the
size of the connection apparatus (the imaging apparatus 50 or the
charger 80) in the connection direction can be decreased.
[0226] In addition, a part of the concave part forming face 29 is
formed as an inclining face in which the opening area of the
arrangement concave part 27 increases as the part is further spaced
apart from the connector 33 in the opening direction (connection
direction) of the arrangement concave part 27.
[0227] Accordingly, since a part of the concave part forming face
29 functions as a guide face at the time of inserting the electrode
terminals 61 and 95 into the arrangement concave part 27, an
excellent state of the connection between the connection terminal
35 and the electrode terminals 61 and 95 can be secured.
[0228] Furthermore, the concave part forming face 29 includes one
pair of the wall portions 29b and 29b positioned to be spaced apart
from each other in a direction orthogonal to the connection
direction, and the wall portions 29b and 29b are formed as
inclining faces further spaced apart from each other in the
connection direction. Accordingly, since the wall portions 29b and
29b function as guide faces at the time of inserting the electrode
terminals 61 and 95 into the arrangement concave part 27, a more
excellent state of the connection between the connection terminal
35 and the electrode terminals 61 and 95 can be secured.
[0229] In addition, in the description presented above, while an
example has been illustrated in which one pair of the wall portions
29b and 29b is formed as inclining faces spaced apart from each
other in the connection direction, for example, one wall portion
29b may be formed as an inclining face having an opening area of
the arrangement concave part 27 that increases along the connection
direction (see FIG. 36).
[0230] In addition, in the battery 1, the middle portion 29c of the
concave part forming face 29 may be formed as an inclining face
having an opening area of the arrangement concave part 27 that
increases as the middle portion is further spaced apart from the
connector 33 in the connection direction (see FIG. 37).
[0231] In this way, by forming the middle portion 29c as the
inclining face, the middle portion 29c functions as a guide face at
the time of inserting the electrode terminals 61 and 95 into the
arrangement concave part 27, and accordingly, a more excellent
state of the connection between the connection terminal 35 and the
electrode terminals 61 and 95 can be secured.
[0232] In addition, in such a case, the wall portions 29b and 29b
may be formed as inclining faces in addition to the middle portion
29c, one wall portion 29b may be formed as an inclining face in
addition to the middle portion 29c, or only the middle portion 29c
may be formed as an inclining face.
[0233] Here, while the inclination angle of the wall portion 29b or
the middle portion 29c with respect to the connection direction is
arbitrary, for example, it is preferable that the inclination angle
is larger than 0 degrees and equal to or smaller than 45 degrees.
By configuring the inclination angle of the wall portion 29b or the
middle portion 29c to be larger than 0 degrees and equal to or
smaller than 45 degrees, the inclination angle of the concave part
forming face 29 functioning as a guide face is an acute angle, and
accordingly, the electrode terminals 61 and 95 guided to the guide
face can be smoothly inserted into the arrangement concave part
27.
[0234] In addition, in the description presented above, while the
charger 80 of a type in which the battery 1 is inserted into the
mounting concave part 83a from the upper side and then is slid to
the front side for mounting has been illustrated as an example, as
another type, there is a charger 80A in which the battery 1 is
mounted by inserting the battery 1 from the upper side (see FIG.
38).
[0235] For example, the whole charger 80A is arranged as a battery
mounting unit 83A, and a mounting concave part 83b that is open to
the upper side is formed in the battery mounting unit 83A. In the
battery mounting unit 83A, a terminal connecting unit 96 having
electrode terminals is arranged. The battery 1 is inserted into the
mounting concave part 83b of the charger 80A in a direction in
which the front face 14 faces the lower side.
[0236] In such a case, by forming at least one of the wall portions
29b and 29b and the middle portion 29c of the battery 1 as an
inclining face (guide face), the terminal connecting unit 96 is
guided to the inclining face in accordance with the own weight of
the battery 1 at the time of inserting the battery 1 into the
mounting concave part 83b.
[0237] Accordingly, an easy and excellent connection state of the
battery 1 for the charger 80A can be secured.
[0238] In the battery 1, in the casing 2, the notch 2a is formed
according to the level difference face 18 continuous from the side
face 13 and the groove forming face 19 continuous from the bottom
face 12, the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23,
and the third guided groove 24 that are open to the groove forming
face 19 are formed, and the first guided groove 22, the second
guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 are positioned on
a further bottom face 12 side than the level difference face
18.
[0239] Accordingly, the first guided groove 22, the second guided
groove 23, the third guided groove 24 and the level difference face
18 are not positioned to be continuous, but a part of the groove
forming face 19 is positioned between the first guided groove 22,
the second guided groove 23, the third guided groove 24 and the
level difference face 18. Therefore, the groove forming face 19 and
the level difference face 18 are closer to the cell 6 than a case
where the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, the
third guided groove 24 and the level difference face 18 are
positioned to be continuous, the size of the battery 1 can be
decreased.
[0240] In addition, since the notches 2a and 2a are formed
respectively at positions continuous from the two side faces 13 and
13, the notches 2a and 2a are present on both sides of the two side
faces 13 and 13, and the outer face 10 of the casing 2 is
positioned to be close to the cells 6 and 6 at two places, and the
size of the battery 1 can be further decreased.
[0241] Furthermore, the first guided grooves 22 and 22, the second
guided grooves 23 and 23, and the third guided grooves 24 and 24
are formed to be spaced apart from each other in the direction of
connecting the connection terminal 35 to the electrode terminals 61
and 95. Accordingly, portions between the first guided groove 22,
the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 in the
casing 2 are formed as protruding portions with respect to the
first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third
guided groove 24, and therefore, the protruding portions function
as reinforcing ribs, and the strength of the casing 2 is
improved.
[0242] <Another Configuration Example of Battery>
[0243] Hereinafter, another configuration example of the battery 1
will be described (see FIGS. 39 to 44).
[0244] At least horizontal both sides of the battery 1, engagement
concave parts 39 and 39 may be formed (see FIG. 39). The engagement
concave parts 39 and 39, for example, are respectively open to
second guided grooves 23 and 23.
[0245] The battery 1 in which such engagement concave parts 39 and
39 are formed, for example, is connected in a state being held by a
charger 80B. The charger 80B includes a main body 97, holding arms
98 and 98 protruding from the main body 97 to the rear side, and a
terminal connecting unit 99 including electrode terminals arranged
in the main body 97 in the state of protruding to the rear
side.
[0246] In the main body 97, an operation button 97a is arranged,
and, by operating the operation button 97a, the holding arms 98 and
98 operate in a direction of being spaced apart from each
other.
[0247] The holding arms 98 and 98 are arranged as engagement
protruding parts 98a and 98a bending in directions in which the tip
end portions approach each other. In the tip end portions of the
holding arms 98 and 98, sliding faces 98b and 98b inclining in
directions approaching each other as approaching the main body 97
are formed.
[0248] The holding arms 98 and 98 are biased in directions
approaching each other by springs, which are not illustrated in the
drawings, arranged inside the main body 97. As the battery 1 is
moved to the front side with respect to the charger 80B, the front
edge of the battery 1 is slid to sliding faces 98b and 98b to cause
the holding arms 98 and 98 to move in directions being spaced apart
from each other against the biasing forces of the springs, and the
holding arms 98 and 98 are respectively inserted into the first
guided grooves 22 and 22. The holding arms 98 and 98 are relatively
moved respectively from the first guided grooves 22 and 22 toward
the second guided grooves 23 and 23 and are temporarily placed on
the groove forming faces 19 and 19 from the first guided grooves 22
and 22 and moved again in the directions approaching each other to
be inserted into the second guided grooves 23 and 23, and the
engagement protruding parts 98a and 98a are respectively engaged
with the engagement concave parts 39 and 39 (see FIG. 40).
[0249] The engagement protruding parts 98a and 98a of the charger
80B are engaged with the engagement concave parts 39 and 39 and are
in a state of pinching the battery 1 from horizontal both sides,
whereby the battery 1 is held by the charger 80B. When the
engagement protruding parts 98a and 98a are respectively engaged
with the engagement concave parts 39 and 39, simultaneously, the
connector 33 is connected to the terminal connecting unit 99.
[0250] In a case where the holding of the battery 1 in the charger
80B is released, the releasing operation can be performed by moving
the holding arms 98 and 98 in the directions spaced apart from each
other by operating the operation button 97a to release the
engagement state of the engagement protruding parts 98a and 98a
with the engagement concave parts 39 and 39 and pulling the battery
1 and the charger 80B away from each other.
[0251] In addition, in the description presented above, while an
example has been illustrated in which the engagement concave parts
39 and 39 are respectively open to the second guided grooves 23 and
23, the engagement concave parts 39 and 39 may be respectively open
to insertion grooves 24 and 24. However, in a case where the
engagement concave parts 39 and 39 are open to the guided grooves
23 and 23, the engagement protruding parts 98a and 98a of the
charger 80B are inserted into the guided grooves 23 and 23 and
guided, and accordingly, the engagement protruding parts 98a and
98a can be reliably engaged with the engagement concave parts 39
and 39.
[0252] As described above, by forming the engagement concave parts
39 and 39 with which the engagement protruding parts 98a and 98a
that are respectively open in opposite directions in the casing 2
are engaged, the battery 1 can be held by engaging the engagement
protruding parts 98a and 98a with the engagement concave parts 39
and 39 from the opposite sides, and accordingly, the battery 1 can
be easily held in a stable state.
[0253] In addition, in the description presented above, while an
example has been illustrated in which the engagement concave parts
39 and 39 are formed on the horizontal both sides of the battery 1,
for example, in addition to the engagement concave parts 39 and 39
of the horizontal both sides, an engagement concave part 39 that is
open to at least one of the top face 11 or the bottom face 12 may
be formed (see FIG. 41).
[0254] In this way, by forming the engagement concave part 39 that
is open to the top face 11 or the bottom face 12 orthogonal to the
faces of the horizontal both sides facing the opposite sides, the
battery 1 can be held by engaging the engagement protruding parts
98a, 98a, and 98a with the engagement concave parts 39, 39, and 39
from opposite sides and a side orthogonal to the opposite sides,
and accordingly, the battery 1 can be held in a more stable
state.
[0255] In addition, since the engagement concave part 39 is formed
in an area in which the second guided groove 23 is present, the
engagement protruding part 98a is guided by the second guided
groove 23 to be engaged with the engagement concave part 39, and
accordingly, the engagement of the engagement protruding part 98a
with the engagement concave part 39 can be performed easily and
reliably.
[0256] Furthermore, the engagement concave part 39 may be formed in
an area in which the first guided groove 22 is present (see FIG.
42) instead of the area in which the second guided groove 23 is
present or may be formed in an area in which the third guided
groove 24 is present (see FIG. 43).
[0257] Particularly, in a case where the engagement concave part 39
is formed in the area in which the first guided groove 22 is
present, the engagement concave part 39 is present in an area in
which the first guided groove 22 positioned on the front end side
in the connection direction.
[0258] Accordingly, when the battery 1 is mounted in the charger
80B, it is not necessary for the engagement protruding part 98a to
go over the groove forming face 19, and the engagement of the
engagement protruding part 98a with the engagement concave part 39
can be easily performed in a speedy manner.
[0259] In addition, when the engagement protruding part 98a is
engaged with the engagement concave part 39, the electrode
terminals of the terminal connecting unit 99 are connected to the
connection terminals 35 of the connector 33.
[0260] Accordingly, since the engagement of the engagement
protruding part 98a with the engagement concave part 39 and the
connection of the electrode terminals to the connection terminals
35 are simultaneously performed, it is not necessary to
individually perform the operation of engaging the engagement
protruding part 98a with the engagement concave part 39 and the
operation of connecting the electrode terminals to the connection
terminals 35, and the operability can be improved.
[0261] In addition, the engagement concave part 39 may be formed in
an area other than the area in which the first guided groove 22,
the second guided groove 23 or the third guided groove 24 is
present and may be formed in a state being open to the groove
forming face 19. For example, in lower end portions of the rear end
portions of the groove forming faces 19 and 19, engagement concave
parts 39 and 39 that are open at least to the lower side and the
rear side may be formed (see FIG. 44).
[0262] By configuring the engagement concave parts 39 and 39 to be
respectively formed in the lower end portions of the rear end
portions of the groove forming faces 19 and 19, the battery 1 can
be held by the charger 80 or the like, for example, by arranging
two engagement holding portions 92 and 92 in the charger 80 or the
like and locking the locking protruding portions 92a and 92a of the
engagement holding portions 92 and 92 into the opening edges of the
engagement concave parts 39 and 39.
[0263] In such a case, since the engagement concave parts 39 and 39
are positioned on a further front side than the rear face 15 of the
battery 1, the locking protruding portions 92a and 92a are
positioned also on the front side to that extend, and the length of
the charger 80 or the like in the front/rear direction is
shortened, whereby the size of the charger 80 or the like can be
decreased.
[0264] <Configuration and the Like of Identification
Groove>
[0265] Next, the configuration and the like of the identification
groove 30 will be described (see FIGS. 45 to 56).
[0266] The identification groove 30, as described above, is
configured by a first identification part 31 and a second
identification parts 32 having mutually different lengths in the
front/rear direction, and the first identification part 31 and the
second identification parts 32 are continuous in the horizontal
direction (see FIG. 45 and an upper stage of FIG. 46). Each of the
first identification part 31 and the second identification parts 32
has discernment.
[0267] Meanwhile, in a battery of related art, a first
identification groove A corresponding to the first identification
part 31 and a second identification groove B corresponding to the
second identification parts 32 are formed having a predetermined
gap therebetween to be spaced apart from each other in the
horizontal direction (see a lower stage of FIG. 46).
[0268] Generally, the horizontal width of the identification groove
is determined on the basis of the fluidity of a resin at the time
of molding a casing, the grade of flame retardance, and the
like.
[0269] In addition, the width of the identification groove is
formed in a size for securing the strength of an identification
protruding portion to be inserted into the identification groove.
More specifically, in a case where the width of the identification
groove is small, it is necessary to configure the width of the
inserted identification protruding portion to be small. However, in
a case where the width of the identification protruding portion is
small, the strength of the identification protruding portion is
lowered, and there is a high possibility that damage or a crack
occurs. Accordingly, in order to secure the strength of the
identification protruding portion to be predetermined strength or
more, it is necessary to configure the width to be a predetermined
width or more, and it is necessary to configure the width of the
identification groove to be a predetermined width or more.
[0270] On the other hand, the horizontal width of the mounting
concave part 83a of the charger 80 is larger than the horizontal
width of the battery 1 by an amount corresponding to a margin
(looseness) used for securing smooth insertion of the battery 1
into the mounting concave part 83a. Accordingly, as the width of
the identification groove, a dimension corresponding to a margin
used for reliably insertion of the identification protruding
portion is necessary. In addition, the width of the identification
groove is formed in a size considering a dimensional tolerance or
an assembly tolerance of each portion, and the width of the
identification groove is set to include such a margin.
[0271] Furthermore, in a battery of related art, a predetermined
gap H is formed between the first identification groove A and the
second identification groove B, and a width of a predetermined
dimension or more is necessary for securing the strength of the gap
H to be predetermined strength or more.
[0272] Thus, when the width of the identification protruding
portion to be inserted into each of the first identification groove
A and the second identification groove B is W1 in a battery of
related art, the width of each of the first identification groove A
and the second identification groove B is "W1+C" wherein a margin
(looseness+dimensional tolerance) is C. In addition, since a gap H
between the first identification groove A and the second
identification groove B is necessary, a horizontal dimension Wp
that is necessary for the casing for forming the first
identification groove A and the second identification groove B is
"2W1+2C+H". Meanwhile, in the battery 1, the first identification
part 31 corresponding to the first identification groove A and the
second identification parts 32 corresponding to the second
identification groove B are continuously formed in the horizontal
direction (see an upper stage of FIG. 46). Accordingly, since the
gap H is not necessary, a horizontal dimension W that is necessary
in the casing 2 so as to form the identification groove 30
configured by the first identification part 31 and the second
identification parts 32 is a dimension of "2W1+2C" or less.
[0273] In addition, in the identification groove 30, since the
first identification part 31 and the second identification parts 32
are continuously formed in the horizontal direction, one margin C
out of the margin 2C is not necessary for the dimension W, and the
dimension W is a dimension of "2W1+C" or less.
[0274] Furthermore, since the identification protruding portion to
be inserted into the second identification parts 32 having a
shorter length may be partly inserted into the first identification
part 31, the width of the second identification parts 32 can be
configured to be less than the width W1, and, when the dimension
that can be decreased is a, the dimension W is "2W1-.alpha.+C".
[0275] Accordingly, the horizontal dimension W that is necessary
for the casing 2 to form the identification groove 30 is decreased
from the horizontal dimension Wp that is necessary in the casing of
a battery of related art by "C+H+.alpha.", and the size of the
battery 1 can be decreased by that amount.
[0276] In addition, in the description presented above, while an
example has been illustrated in which the identification groove 30
is configured by the first identification part 31 and the second
identification parts 32 each having a rectangular shape, the
identification groove 30, for example, may be formed in a shape in
which the inner bottom faces 31a and 32a incline (see FIG. 47). In
the identification groove 30 having the shape in which the inner
bottom faces 31a and 32a incline, a portion of one of the left and
right sides is configured as the first identification part 31, and
a portion of the other side is configured as the second
identification parts 32.
[0277] Since a level difference is not present in the
identification groove 30 in which the inner bottom faces 31a and
32a incline, the identification groove 30 can be easily formed in
the casing 2.
[0278] Next, examples of batteries 1A and 1B having identification
grooves different from those of the battery 1 will be described
(see FIGS. 48 and 49).
[0279] As described above, in the battery 1, two identification
grooves 30 and 30 are horizontally formed to be spaced apart from
each other. For example, the battery 1 is a middle capacity type of
which the maximum charging capacity is standard.
[0280] The battery 1A, for example, is a large capacity type of
which the maximum charging capacity is larger than that of the
battery 1. In the battery 1A, one identification groove 30 and one
identification groove 30A are formed (see FIG. 48). The
identification groove 30A is configured by a first identification
part 31A longer than the first identification part 31 in the
front/rear direction and the second identification parts 32.
[0281] The battery 1B, for example, is a small capacity type of
which the maximum charging capacity is smaller than that of the
battery 1. In the battery 1B, one identification groove 30 is
formed (see FIG. 49).
[0282] Next, configuration examples of the battery mounting unit of
a connection apparatus to which the battery 1, the battery 1A or
the battery 1B is mounted will be described (see FIGS. 50 to
53).
[0283] As the connection apparatuses, for example, there are a low
power camera that can be driven by low power, a middle power camera
that can be driven by power higher than that of the low power
camera, a high power camera that can be driven by power higher than
that of the middle power camera, and a charger 80.
[0284] In a battery mounting unit of the low power camera, the
terminal connecting unit 59 is arranged, but an identification
protruding portion inserted into the identification groove 30 or
the like is not arranged (see FIG. 50).
[0285] In a battery mounting unit of the middle power camera, the
terminal connecting unit 59 is arranged, and an identification
protruding portion 90B is arranged on the lateral side of the
terminal connecting unit 59 (see FIG. 51). The identification
protruding portion 90B has such a length that the whole
identification protruding portion 90B can be inserted into the
first identification part 31 or the first identification part 31A.
In a battery mounting unit of the high power camera, the terminal
connecting unit 59 is arranged, and an identification protruding
portion 90C is arranged on the lateral side of the terminal
connecting unit 59 (see FIG. 52). The identification protruding
portion 90C has a length longer than the identification protruding
portion 90B and has such a length that the whole identification
protruding portion 90C is not inserted into the first
identification part 31, but the whole identification protruding
portion can be inserted into the first identification part 31A.
[0286] In the battery mounting unit 83 of the charger 80, as
described above, the terminal connecting unit 93 is arranged, and
the identification protruding portion 90 is arranged on the lateral
side of the terminal connecting unit 93 (see FIG. 53). The
identification protruding portion 90 is configured by the long
portion 90a and a short portion 90b.
[0287] Next, an example of the discriminability of the
identification grooves 30 and 30A described above will be described
(see FIG. 54).
[0288] Hereinafter, as an example, the discriminability of the
battery 1, the battery 1A, and the battery 1B for the low power
camera, the middle power camera, the high power camera, and the
charger 80 will be described. In FIG. 54, "Y" represents that the
battery is mountable in a camera or a charger, and "N" represents
that the battery is not mountable in a camera or a charger.
[0289] The battery 1A of the large capacity type includes an
identification groove 30 positioned on the left side and an
identification groove 30A positioned on the right side. The battery
1 of the middle capacity type includes identification grooves 30
and 30 positioned to be spaced apart from each other on the left
and right sides.
[0290] The battery 1B of the small capacity type includes one
identification groove 30 positioned on the left side.
[0291] The low power camera does not include an identification
protruding portion in the battery mounting unit, and accordingly,
portions to be inserted into the identification grooves 30 and 30A
are not present. Accordingly, in the battery mounting unit of the
low power camera, any one of the battery 1, the battery 1A, and the
battery 1B can be installed, it is identified that any one of the
battery 1, the battery 1A, and the battery 1B is a battery usable
for the low power camera.
[0292] The middle power camera includes the identification
protruding portion 90C positioned on the right side in the battery
mounting unit, and the identification protruding portion 90C can be
inserted into any one of the first identification part 31 of the
identification groove 30 and the first identification part 31A of
the identification groove 30A. The identification protruding
portion 90C is inserted into the first identification part 31 of
the identification groove 30 positioned on the right side of the
battery 1 and is inserted into the first identification part 31A of
the identification groove 30A positioned on the right side of the
battery 1A. On the other hand, since an identification groove is
not formed on the right side of the battery 1B, the identification
protruding portion 90C interferes with the battery 1B. Accordingly,
in the battery mounting unit of the middle power camera, while any
one of the battery 1A and the battery 1 is mountable, the battery
1B is not mountable. Thus, it is identified that any one of the
battery 1A and the battery 1 is a battery usable for the middle
power camera, and it is identified that the battery 1B is a battery
unusable for the middle power camera.
[0293] The high power camera includes the identification protruding
portion 90B positioned on the right side of the battery mounting
unit, and the identification protruding portion 90B can be inserted
into the first identification part 31A of the identification groove
30A. The identification protruding portion 90B is inserted into the
first identification part 31A of the identification groove 30A
positioned on the right side of the battery 1A. However, while the
identification protruding portion 90B can be inserted into the
first identification part 31 of the identification groove 30
positioned on the right side of the battery 1 only up to the
middle, and the electrode terminal 95 is not connected to the
connection terminal 35 of the connector 33 of the battery 1. In
addition, since an identification groove is not formed on the right
side of the battery 1B, the identification protruding portion 90B
interferes with the battery 1B. Accordingly, in the battery
mounting unit of the high power camera, while the battery 1A is
mountable, the battery 1 and the battery 1B are not mountable.
Thus, it is identified that the battery 1A is a battery usable for
the high power camera, and it is identified that the battery 1 and
the battery 1B are batteries that are not usable for the high power
camera.
[0294] The charger 80 includes an identification protruding portion
90 positioned on the left side of the battery mounting unit 83, and
the identification protruding portion 90 can be inserted into the
identification groove 30. The identification protruding portion 90
is inserted into the identification groove 30 positioned on the
left side of any one of the battery 1, the battery 1A, and the
battery 1B.
[0295] Accordingly, in the battery mounting unit 83 of the charger
80, any one of the battery 1, the battery 1A, and the battery 1B is
mountable, and it is identified that any one of the battery 1, the
battery 1A, and the battery 1B is a battery usable for the charger
80. In addition, in the description presented above, while an
example relating to identification of a battery using a difference
in the charging capacity is illustrated, the identification using
the identification groove 30 and the like is not limited to the
identification using a difference in the charging capacity but, for
example, may be applied also to identification using any other
difference such as a difference between a chargeable type and a
non-chargeable type or a difference in charging speed or the
like.
[0296] Further, in the description presented above, while an
example of the identification groove 30 configured by two portions
including the first identification part 31 and the second
identification parts 32 having mutually-different lengths is
illustrated, the identification groove 30 may be configured by
three or more identification parts having mutually-different
lengths.
[0297] As described above, in the battery 1 (the batteries 1A and
1B), the identification groove 30 used for identifying a connection
apparatus is formed in the casing 2, and, in the identification
groove 30, a plurality of identification parts having
mutually-different lengths are continuously formed.
[0298] Thus, since portions dividing the plurality of
identification parts having mutually-different lengths is not
present, the size of the identification groove 30 in a direction in
which the identification parts are continuous is the size acquired
by summing the sizes of the plurality of identification parts, and
the size of the battery 1 can be decreased while high
discriminability is secured.
[0299] In addition, since the first identification part 31 and the
second identification parts 32 are formed as identification parts,
the size of the identification groove 30 in a direction in which
the identification parts are continuous is a size acquired by
summing the sizes of the first identification part 31 and the
second identification parts 32, and the size of the battery 1 can
be decreased while the discriminability is improved.
[0300] Furthermore, since, in the identification groove 30, a
plurality of identification parts are continuously formed in the
widthwise direction, the size of the identification groove 30 in
the widthwise direction is a size acquired by summing the sizes of
the plurality of identification parts. Thus, the size of the
battery 1 in the widthwise direction can be smaller than that of a
case where the plurality of identification grooves are formed to be
spaced apart from each other in the widthwise direction while the
discriminability is improved.
[0301] In addition, the widths of the plurality of identification
parts are configured to be smaller in order of the shortest to
longest length. For example, for the first identification part 31
and the second identification parts 32, the width of the second
identification parts 32 having a smaller length is configured to be
smaller than the width of the first identification part 31 having a
larger length.
[0302] Accordingly, the size of the identification groove 30 in the
widthwise direction is smaller than a width acquired by summing the
widths of a case where identification parts of a same width are
formed. Therefore, the size of the battery 1 in the widthwise
direction can be further decreased while the discriminability is
improved. In addition, since the two identification grooves 30 and
30 are formed to be spaced apart from each other in the widthwise
direction, a connection apparatus can be identified using the two
identification grooves 30 and 30, and accordingly, the number of
types of connection apparatus that can be identified can be
increased. Furthermore, in such a case, the shapes or the sizes of
the two identification grooves 30 and 30 may be formed to be
different from each other.
[0303] In addition, in the identification groove 30, the first
identification part 31 and the second identification parts 32 may
be formed in mutually-different shapes (see FIG. 55). In the
identification groove 30, for example, the second identification
parts 32 may be formed in a space of an approximately triangular
prism shape. By forming the identification groove 30 in such a
shape, a portion of the area of the second identification parts 32
in the inner bottom face 30a of the identification groove 30 is
formed as an inclining face 32c. The inclining face 32c inclines to
be displaced to the bottom face 12 side as approaching the side
face 13 positioned on an opposite side of the first identification
part 31 that is continuous in the horizontal direction. The
identification groove 30 is a portion formed near the first guided
groove 22, and, by forming the identification groove 30 in such a
shape, the thickness (width) of a portion between the first guided
groove 22 of the casing 2 and the identification groove 30 is
increased, and the peripheral portion of the first guided groove 22
can be reinforced.
[0304] Further, in the description presented above, while the
identification groove 30 in which the first identification part 31
and the second identification parts 32 having mutually-different
lengths are continuous in the widthwise direction has been
illustrated as an example, instead of the identification groove 30,
an identification groove 30X may be formed (see FIG. 56). The
identification groove 30X has a configuration in which a first
identification part 31X and a second identification parts 32X
having mutually-different sizes in the vertical direction (depth
direction) are continuous, and, for example, the length of the
first identification part 31X is larger than that of the second
identification parts 32X, and the first identification part 31 is
continuously formed on the lower side of the second identification
parts 32.
[0305] In addition, similarly to the identification groove 30, the
identification groove 30X may be configured by three or more
identification parts having mutually-different lengths.
[0306] In this way, by forming a plurality of identification parts
to be continuous in the depth direction, the size of the
identification groove 30X in the depth direction is a size acquired
by summing the sizes of the plurality of identification parts.
Thus, the size of the battery 1 in the depth direction (vertical
direction) can be smaller than that of a case where the plurality
of identification grooves are formed to be spaced apart from each
other in the depth direction while the discriminability is
improved.
[0307] In addition, the depths of the plurality of identification
parts of the identification groove 30X may be configured to be
smaller in order of the shortest to longest length. Accordingly, by
configuring the identification groove 30X as such, the size of the
identification groove 30X in the depth direction is smaller than a
depth acquired by summing the depths of a case where identification
parts of a same depth are formed. Therefore, the size of the
battery 1 in the depth direction can be further decreased while the
discriminability is improved.
Modified Example
[0308] Hereinafter, modified examples of each portion of the
battery 1 will be described (see FIGS. 57 to 59).
[0309] A first modified example is a modified example of the
concave part forming face (see FIGS. 57 and 58). A concave part
forming face 29A according to the first modified example includes
wall portions 29d and 29d. The wall portions 29d and 29d are formed
by first inclining faces 40 and 40 that are continuous from the
base portion 29a, middle faces 41 and 41 that are continuous from
the first inclining faces 40 and 40, and second inclining faces 42
and 42 that are continuous from the middle faces 41 and 41.
[0310] The first inclining faces 40 and 40 are continuous from the
front end of the base portion 29a and incline in directions being
spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction toward the
front side. The middle faces 41 and 41 are formed as faces that are
continuous from the front ends of the first inclining faces 40 and
40 and face the front side. The second inclining faces 42 and 42
are continuous from the outer ends of the middle faces 41 and 41 in
the horizontal direction and incline in directions being spaced
apart from each other in the horizontal direction toward the front
side.
[0311] The inclination angle of the first inclining face 40 with
respect to the middle face 41 is larger than the inclination angle
of the second inclining face 42 with respect to the middle face 41.
However, the inclination angle of the first inclining face 40 with
respect to the middle face 41 may be configured to be smaller than
the inclination angle of the second inclining face 42 with respect
to the middle face 41 or may be the same as the inclination angle
of the second inclining face 42 with respect to the middle face
41.
[0312] In addition, the width of the first inclining face 40 in the
inclining direction is larger than the width of the second
inclining face 42 in the inclining direction. However, the width of
the first inclining face 40 in the inclining direction may be
configured to be smaller than the width of the second inclining
face 42 in the inclining direction or may be the same as the width
of the second inclining face 42 in the inclining direction.
[0313] By forming the concave part forming face 29A including the
wall portions 29d and 29d described above, the front/rear depth of
a portion disposed on the rear side of the wall portions 29d and
29d in the casing 2 is increased, whereby the strength of the
casing 2 can be improved.
[0314] A second modified example is a modified example of the
connector (see FIG. 59). A connector 33A according to the second
modified example includes a housing 34 formed using a
non-conductive material and connection terminals 35, 35, and 35
formed using a conductive material. In the housing 34, while
terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, and 36 in which the connection
terminals 35, 35, and 35 are arranged are formed, the positioning
grooves 37 and 37 are not formed.
[0315] In each of the terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, and 36,
connection terminals 35, 35, and 35 functioning as a positive
electrode terminal, a negative electrode terminal, and information
terminals, respectively, are arranged. In addition, in the
connector 33A, two terminal arrangement grooves 36 and 36 or four
terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, . . . may be formed. In a case
where two terminal arrangement grooves 36 and 36 are formed in the
connector 33A, a positive electrode terminal and a negative
electrode terminal are arranged in the two terminal arrangement
grooves 36 and 36, respectively. In a case where four terminal
arrangement grooves 36, 36, . . . are formed in the connector 33A,
a positive electrode terminal, a negative electrode terminal, an
information terminal, and a communication terminal are arranged in
the four terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, . . . ,
respectively.
[0316] In a case where the connector 33A is used, positioning
grooves 37 and 37 are formed on both left and right sides of the
connector 33A in the casing 2.
[0317] By using the connector 33A as described above, the widths of
portions disposed on both sides of the arrangement concave part 27
in the casing 2 in the horizontal direction are increased, whereby
the strength of the casing 2 can be improved.
[0318] <Configuration of Another Battery>
[0319] The configuration of a battery 1C other than the battery 1
will be described (see FIGS. 60 and 61).
[0320] In addition, the battery 1C represented below is different
from the battery 1 described above in that only the connector is
not present, and the configurations of the other portions and a
positional relation between the portions, and the sizes of the
portions are similar to those of the battery 1. Thus, hereinafter,
only portions different from those of the battery 1 will be
described in detail, and same reference numerals assigned to
similar portions of the battery 1 will be assigned to the other
portions, and description thereof will not be presented.
[0321] In the front end portion of a bottom part 21, a concave part
27C is formed (see FIG. 60). The concave part 27C is formed at
approximate center in the horizontal direction and is open to the
front side and the lower side.
[0322] The concave part 27C is formed by a concave part forming
face 29C. The concave part forming face 29C is formed by a base
portion 29e, wall portions 29b and 29b, and a middle portion
29c.
[0323] The base portion 29e is formed in a state facing the front
side. The wall portions 29b and 29b are continuous from left and
right both ends of the base portion 29e and are formed as inclining
faces spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction
toward the front side. The middle portion 29c is formed between the
lower edges of the wall portions 29b and 29b facing the lower
side.
[0324] In a portion continuous from the rear side of the concave
part 27C in the casing 2C, terminal arrangement grooves 36C, 36C,
and 36C are formed to be spaced apart from each other to the left
and right sides. An opening, which is open to the lower side and
the front side, of the front side of the terminal arrangement
groove 36C is formed in the base portion 29e. The connection
terminals 35, 35, and 35 are held by the casing 2C in a state in
which at least parts thereof are arranged in the terminal
arrangement grooves 36C, 36C, and 36C. In the battery 1C, a
connector is not arranged, but the connection terminals 35, 35, and
35 are configured as terminal portions.
[0325] In the casing 2C, positioning grooves 37C and 37C that are
open to the front side and the lower side are formed on the outer
side of the terminal arrangement grooves 36C, 36C, and 36C in the
horizontal direction.
[0326] In the casing 2C, portions between the terminal arrangement
grooves 36C, 36C, and 36C are arranged as terminal separation ribs
2b and 2b, and portions between the terminal arrangement grooves
36C and 36C and the positioning grooves 37C and 37C in the casing
2C are arranged as inter-groove ribs 2c and 2c. The horizontal
width of the terminal separation rib 2b is configured to be larger
than the horizontal width of the inter-groove rib 2c so as to
prevent a contact among the connection terminals 35, 35, and
35.
[0327] In addition, in the description presented above, while an
example has been illustrated in which the positioning grooves 37C
and 37C are formed at positions continuous from the concave part
27C, the positioning grooves 37C and 37C may be formed on left and
right both sides of the concave part 27C in the casing 2C (see FIG.
61).
[0328] In addition, in the battery 1C, similarly to the battery 1,
two terminal arrangement grooves 36C and 36C or four terminal
arrangement grooves 36C, 36C, . . . may be formed.
[0329] As described above, in the battery 1C, since a connector is
not arranged, and the terminal arrangement groove 36C and the
positioning groove 37C are formed in the casing 2C, the
manufacturing cost can be reduced according to the simplification
of the structure and a decrease in the number of components.
[0330] <Present Technology>
[0331] The present technology may have the following
configurations.
[0332] (1) A battery including: a casing that houses a cell inside;
and a terminal part that has connection terminals connected to
electrode terminals of a connection apparatus, in which the casing
includes a top face and a bottom face positioned on opposite sides
in a height direction and two side faces positioned between the top
face and the bottom face on opposite sides in a widthwise
direction, a notch is formed by a level difference face that is
continuous from the side face and a groove forming face that is
continuous from the bottom face, and a guided groove that is open
to the groove forming face is formed in the casing, and the guided
groove is positioned on a further bottom face side than the level
difference face.
[0333] (2) The battery described in (1) described above, in which
the notches are formed at positions continuous from each of the two
side faces.
[0334] (3) The battery described in (1) or (2) described above, in
which a plurality of the guided grooves are formed to be spaced
apart from each other in a connection direction of the connection
terminals and the electrode terminals.
[0335] (4) The battery described in any one of (1) to (3) described
above, in which the groove forming face is formed continuously from
a front face to a rear face that are positioned on opposite sides
in a longitudinal direction of the casing.
[0336] (5) The battery described in any one of (1) to (4) described
above, in which the level difference face is formed continuously
from a front face to a rear face that are positioned on opposite
sides in a longitudinal direction of the casing.
[0337] (6) The battery described in any one of (1) to (5) described
above, further including: a main body part that includes the level
difference face, the top face, and the two side faces; and a bottom
part that includes the groove forming face and the bottom face, in
which a distance between the two side faces in a widthwise
direction is longer than a distance between the two groove forming
faces in a widthwise direction.
[0338] (7) The battery described in any one of (1) to (6) described
above, in which the casing includes an upper case that includes the
top face and parts of the two side faces and a lower case that
includes the bottom face, the other parts of the two side faces,
and the groove forming face.
[0339] (8) The battery described in any one of (1) to (7) described
above, in which a terminal arrangement groove in which the
connection terminals are arranged is formed in the casing, and a
face positioned on the most top face side among faces forming the
terminal arrangement groove is positioned on a further bottom face
side than the level difference face.
[0340] (9) The battery described in any one of (1) to (8) described
above, in which the casing includes a front face and a rear face
that are positioned on opposite sides in a longitudinal direction,
a terminal arrangement groove, in which the connection terminals
are arranged, open at least to the front face is formed in the
casing, and a face positioned on the most top face side among faces
forming the terminal arrangement groove is positioned on a further
bottom face side than an end edge, which is positioned on the most
top face side, of the guided groove.
[0341] (10) The battery described in any one of (1) to (9)
described above, in which the casing includes a front face and a
rear face that are positioned on opposite sides in a longitudinal
direction, a terminal arrangement groove, in which the connection
terminals are arranged, open at least to the front face is formed
in the casing, and a face positioned on the most top face side
among faces forming the terminal arrangement groove is positioned
on a further top face side than an end edge, which is positioned on
the most bottom face side, of the guided groove.
[0342] (11) The battery described in any one of (1) to (10)
described above, in which the casing includes a front face and a
rear face that are positioned on opposite sides in a longitudinal
direction, a functional groove that is open at least to the front
face and has a predetermined function is formed in the casing, and
a face positioned on the most top face side among faces forming the
functional groove is positioned on a further bottom face side than
the level difference face.
[0343] (12) The battery described in any one of (1) to (11)
described above, in which the casing includes a front face and a
rear face that are positioned on opposite sides in a longitudinal
direction, a functional groove that is open at least to the front
face and has a predetermined function is formed in the casing, and
a face positioned on the most top face side among faces forming the
functional groove is positioned on a further bottom face side than
a face, which is positioned on the most top face side, of the
guided groove.
[0344] (13) The battery described in any one of (1) to (12)
described above, in which the casing includes a front face and a
rear face that are positioned on opposite sides in a longitudinal
direction, a functional groove that is open at least to the front
face and has a predetermined function is formed in the casing, and
a face positioned on the most top face side among faces forming the
functional groove is positioned on a further top face side than a
face, which is positioned on the most bottom face side, of the
guided groove.
[0345] (14) The battery described in any one of (1) to (13)
described above, in which engagement concave parts with which
engagement protruding parts open at least to faces facing opposite
directions are engaged are formed in the casing.
[0346] (15) The battery described in (14) described above, in which
the engagement concave parts are open to faces orthogonal to the
faces facing the opposite directions.
[0347] (16) The battery described in (14) or (15) described above,
in which the engagement concave parts are formed in an area in
which the guided groove is present.
[0348] (17) The battery described in (16) described above, in which
a plurality of the guided grooves are formed to be spaced apart
from each other in a connection direction of the connection
terminals and the electrode terminals, and the engagement concave
parts are formed in an area in which the guided groove formed in an
end portion of a side, on which the connector is positioned, in the
connection direction is present.
[0349] (18) The battery described in (14) described above, in which
the electrode terminals and the connection terminals are connected
when the engagement protruding parts are engaged with the
engagement concave parts.
[0350] (19) A connection apparatus to which a battery is detachably
attached, the battery including a casing housing a cell inside and
a terminal part having connection terminals connected to electrode
terminals, in which, in the battery, the casing includes a top face
and a bottom face positioned on opposite sides in a height
direction and two side faces positioned between the top face and
the bottom face on opposite sides in a widthwise direction, a notch
is formed by a level difference face that is continuous from the
side face and a groove forming face that is continuous from the
bottom face, and a guided groove that is open to the groove forming
face is formed in the casing, and the guided groove is positioned
on a further bottom face side than the level difference face.
[0351] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that
various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and
alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other
factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims
or the equivalents thereof.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0352] 1 Battery [0353] 2 Casing [0354] 2a Notch [0355] 6 Cell
[0356] 11 Top face [0357] 12 Bottom face [0358] 13 Side face [0359]
18 Level difference face [0360] 19 Groove forming face [0361] 22
First guided groove [0362] 23 Second guided groove [0363] 24 Third
guided groove [0364] 33 Connector [0365] 35 Connection terminal
[0366] 39 Engagement concave part [0367] 50 Imaging apparatus
(connection apparatus) [0368] 61 Electrode terminal [0369] 80
Charger (connection apparatus) [0370] 95 Electrode terminal [0371]
80A Charger (connection apparatus) [0372] 80B Charger (connection
apparatus) [0373] 98a Engagement Protruding part [0374] 1A Battery
[0375] 1B Battery [0376] 29X Concave part forming face [0377] 33A
Connector [0378] 1C Battery [0379] 2C Casing [0380] 29C Concave
part forming face
* * * * *