JP4972307B2 - Battery pack with multi-connector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a connection means for connecting to two types of mating connection parts having different structures, which are provided on the side of a device or device that handles batteries, such as a first connection part and a second connection part. It is related with a battery pack provided with.

  In a so-called electric gun using a motor operated by a battery power source as a power source, the performance of the battery and the ease of battery replacement are important. For example, when this type of electric gun is used in a so-called survival game, if an attack is made while taking time to replace the battery, everything will be lost. For this reason, the present applicant has developed and filed a battery pack with a connector that can be attached to and detached from a device such as an electric gun using a battery and a charger to the battery with one touch (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-63815). issue).

  The invention of the same number is connected to the battery main body fitted in the battery housing chamber provided on the side of the device or equipment using the battery, and to the connection part provided on the side of the above device or equipment, etc. with one touch. The connector is configured to be in a connected state both electrically and mechanically by sliding the connector in the lateral direction and attaching it to the connecting portion. However, in order to adopt a method in which the connector is slid and attached to the connection portion, for example, it is an absolute condition that the connector is slid in the battery housing chamber provided in the barrel, for example.

  Such a lateral slide mounting method inevitably determines the mounting direction of the battery to an apparatus or device using a battery such as an electric gun from the lateral direction of the barrel. Therefore, it is suitable for a battery having a structure that is convenient for sliding the battery from the side, but in the case of a battery having a structure that is better to be inserted vertically, the design is constrained. Become. However, in the above invention, when the connector is slid in the connection direction and attached, it is in a connected state both electrically and mechanically, so it can be attached from a direction other than the slide direction. Can not.

  Therefore, according to the prior art, it is necessary to separately prepare a battery having a battery mounting method by insertion in the vertical direction in addition to a battery mounting method by horizontal sliding. Such a battery pack can be handled by groping, but it is difficult to instantaneously determine whether it is horizontal or vertical at the fingertip. It is very inconvenient to adopt a plurality of mounting methods, and there are cases where it is difficult to cry, such as taking extra time to replace batteries during use, or carrying something that is confused and unusable.

JP 2005-63815 A

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above points, and the problem is that there are two types of connection, ie, a first connection portion and a second connection portion, for connection to two types of counterpart connection portions having different structures. It is providing the battery pack with a multi connector provided with the connection means. Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery pack with a multi-connector that can be easily managed by manufacturers, while eliminating the need for having many types of battery packs.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides two types of mating side connection parts having different structures, that is, a first connection part and a second connection part, which are provided on the side of a device or device that handles a battery. For battery packs with connection means for connection,
The connecting means is provided in the pack body so as to protrude from one end portion thereof, and can be inserted from a lateral direction into a first connecting portion provided on the side of an apparatus or device using a battery. In order to prevent the vertical terminal crossing the horizontal direction in the electrical connection state, and to constitute a lateral terminal that is in the electrical connection state by lateral insertion into the connecting portion of Mechanical engagement means,
The connecting means projecting from one end of the pack body is a vertical direction in which the connecting means is a common contact and can be inserted into the second connecting part provided on the side of the device or device using the battery from the vertical direction. In order to constitute a terminal and to allow insertion in the vertical direction, the engagement means has a passage portion that allows passage of the mechanical engagement means that prevents withdrawal in the vertical direction. It is a measure that is supposed to be.

  The battery pack with a multi-connector that is the subject of the present invention is one that packs a plurality of batteries to form one battery pack, thereby having a desired capacity. The plurality of batteries are desirably arranged in several rows, for example, in two rows, and the whole is covered with an outer skin such as a resin sheet for packaging, for example, and has an integrated form. The connecting means is disposed in one end portion of the battery pack in a state of being wrapped in the outer skin together with other necessary members.

  In the present invention, the connector is formed of a good electrical conductor, comes into contact with other terminals, contacts, etc., and is in an electrically connected state and also in a mechanically integrated connection state. . That is, connecting the battery pack to the counterpart connection portion satisfies both electrical connection and mechanical connection at the same time. Furthermore, the multi-connector means that the counterpart connection part targets two types of structures having different structures, that is, the first connection part and the second connection part. And it is a feature of the present invention that the connection and the disconnection from the connected state can be performed with one touch.

  In the present invention, one-touch means that the above-described operation for connection or the operation of disconnecting from the connected state can be performed by one operation. However, when there is a means for preventing the battery pack with multi-connector from being detached, it is necessary to release the means for preventing the separation, but the battery pack with multi-connector itself can be attached and detached in one operation. Things can be said to be one-touch.

  In the present invention, two types of mating side connection parts having different structures, which are provided on the side of an apparatus or device using a battery, and which are composed of a first connection part and a second connection part, are formed by lateral insertion. It shall have a battery pack mounting method and a battery pack mounting method that enables insertion from the vertical direction. Thereby, it can respond to the other party connection part which has the insertion structure from a horizontal direction, and the other party connection part which has the insertion structure from a vertical direction in exactly the same way. In addition, for example, when only a battery pack mounting method by lateral insertion has been conventionally performed, a conventional battery pack by lateral slide can be used in common with the battery pack with multi-connector according to the present invention. Of course, it is possible that the insertion from the direction is not possible.

  The connection means provided in the battery pack of the present invention is provided in the pack main body in a state protruding from one end thereof, and is provided on the first connection portion provided on the side of the apparatus or device using the battery, in the lateral direction. It can be inserted from. That is, a lateral terminal that is in an electrical connection state is formed by lateral insertion into the first connection portion, and in the electrical connection state, the lateral insertion and withdrawal in a direction other than the opposite direction are performed. In order to prevent this, mechanical engagement means shall be constructed.

  Further, the connection means provided in the battery pack of the present invention is in a state of protruding from one end of the pack body, the connection means as a common contact, provided on the side of a device or device using a battery, A vertical terminal that can be inserted into the second connection portion from the vertical direction is configured. Furthermore, the connection means can pass through the mechanical engagement means which prevents the horizontal insertion and the withdrawal in the direction other than the opposite direction in order to allow insertion from the vertical direction. In order to do so, the passage means is provided in the engaging means.

  The connecting means forms a notch part that can be inserted into the second connecting part from the vertical direction as a passing part of the engaging means, and a common contact point between the horizontal terminal and the vertical terminal is provided in the notch part. It is desirable to have a configuration in which the outer portion of the contact is bent inward. By bending the outer part of the contact inward, it is possible to prevent the connecting means from being caught when inserted from the vertical direction. In order for the connecting means to be able to be inserted into the first connecting part from the horizontal direction and into the second connecting part from the vertical direction, it is possible to insert from either the horizontal or vertical direction. This is a mode for this purpose because it is desired that the connection state is maintained by causing a considerable frictional resistance at the time of connection without causing a catch.

  It is desirable that the first connecting portion includes means for pressing the common contact of the connecting means from the left and right when connecting to the connecting means. By pressing the common contact of the connecting means from the left and right, the connection state at the first connecting portion can be maintained. In addition, it is desirable that the second connecting portion includes a fixing unit that sandwiches and fixes a common contact point of the connecting unit from the left and right when connected to the connecting unit. This is also a means for holding the connection state in the second connection portion by sandwiching and fixing the common contact from the left and right.

  The terminal of the connecting means is brought into contact and sliding regardless of whether it is inserted into both the first and second connecting portions. Although the sliding distance is different between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, there is no change in the operation of rubbing the contact point by inserting the connection terminal. By sliding while the first and second connecting portions and the connecting means are in contact with each other, the contact portions are rubbed against each other at the time of connection. It can be kept in a good conduction state.

  Since the present invention is configured and operates as described above, two types of connection, that is, a first connection unit and a second connection unit, which enable connection to two types of mating connection units having different structures. A battery pack with a multi-connector provided with the means can be provided. Further, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to have many types of battery packs, and the problem of misuse of different types of battery packs can be eliminated. On the other hand, manufacturers have one type of battery for those having a structure that is convenient for sliding and mounting the battery from the side, and for those having a structure that should be inserted vertically. This means that only a pack is required, and inventory management is easy, and there are significant effects.

  Hereinafter, the battery pack 10 with a multi-connector according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the illustrated embodiment. FIG. 1 shows an example 10 of a battery pack with a multi-connector according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows the relationship with the mating connector, and what is shown as a device using a battery is shown in FIG. Are chargers 20-1 and 20-2.

  The illustrated charger 20-1 has a first connection portion 21 that can be inserted from the horizontal direction H, and connects the contact pieces 12 and 13 of the connection means 30 by insertion in the horizontal direction H. is there. The charger 20-1 for lateral insertion has a guide base for sliding the connecting means 30. The charger 20-2 also has a second connecting portion 22 that can be inserted from the vertical direction V. The contact pieces 12 and 13 of the connecting means 30 can be inserted from the horizontal direction H and the vertical direction. It can be connected by inserting V. The charger 20-2 for longitudinal insertion has an insertion port into which the connecting means 30 is inserted.

  In the illustrated battery pack 10, several rechargeable battery elements 11 are connected in series, and the contact pieces 12 and 13 of the connection means 30 are attached to the terminal mounting plate 14, and both electrodes at the other end of the battery row. The conductive plate 15 is attached to the bottom plate 16 for connecting the electrodes. Several battery elements 11, the terminal mounting plate 14 and the bottom plate 16 are integrally assembled by a pipe-shaped outer shell 17 made of heat-shrinkable resin. The contact pieces 12 and 13 of the connection means 30 have connection portions 12a and 13a, and + -electrodes at the other end of the battery array through the through holes 18 and 19 formed in the terminal mounting plate 14. And is connected by spot welding or soldering if necessary.

The illustrated battery pack 10 includes a narrow neck portion 24 and a wider engagement plate as engagement means 23 that mechanically engage with the first connection portion 21 by lateral insertion. 25, and the contact pieces 12, 13 of the connecting means 30 are attached to the left and right side surfaces of the neck portion 24. With this configuration, the connection means 30 is provided on the main body of the battery pack 10 so as to protrude from one end portion thereof, and can be inserted into the first connection portion 21 from the lateral direction. To constitute a lateral terminal that is in an electrically connected state, and in the electrically connected state, to prevent the terminal from being pulled out in a direction other than the reverse direction of the lateral insertion (that is, the longitudinal direction intersecting the lateral direction) . Constitutes mechanical engagement means. Note that the engagement plate 25 of the connection means 30 has an asymmetric planar shape in the front-rear direction to prevent erroneous connection, and at the same time, the front part is sharp and the rear part is round and larger than the front part.

  Using the contact pieces 12 and 13 of the connection means 30 as a common contact, it is possible to insert from the vertical direction by the vertical terminal that can be inserted from the vertical direction into the second connection portion 22 composed of four contact members. Therefore, the notches 26 and 27 are formed on both sides of the engagement plate 25 as passing portions. The engagement plate 25 is a mechanical engagement means for preventing the connection means 30 from being inserted in the lateral direction and coming out in the opposite direction. The engagement plate 25 is used as the second connection. Notches 26 and 27 are provided so that the longitudinal terminals of the portion 22 can pass smoothly. Further, when the second connecting portion 22 passes, the tips 12b and 13b are bent inward so that the contact pieces 12 and 13 do not get caught at this portion. 28 and 29 are through holes, which are closed by plugs 28a and 29a.

  The first connecting portion 21 which is one of the two types of mating connecting portions has a slit-like insertion port 31 into which the engaging means 23 is inserted from the lateral direction, and is below the upper plate forming the slit. A contact member constituting the first connection portion 21 is located, and a push plate 32 that is spring-biased upward is located below the contact member (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The push plate 32 is configured to be pushed by the engagement means 23 when the battery pack 10 is connected and to engage the engagement plate 25 under the first connection portion 21.

  The second connection portion 22 which is the other counterpart connection portion has a recessed insertion port 33 into which the engaging means 23 is inserted from the vertical direction, and the second connection portion on the left and right sides of the opening portion. 22, and a push plate 34 that is spring-biased upward is positioned at the center thereof (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The second connecting portion 22 is provided with fixing means 35 and 35 that clamp the contact pieces 12 and 13 that are common contacts of the connecting means 30 from the left and right when connected by the connecting means 30. The fixing means 35 is made of a plate made of an elastic material such as phosphor bronze or spring steel, and fixes the contact pieces 12 and 13 of the connecting means 30 by sandwiching them from the left and right with a strong force. It is set to exceed the power. Reference numerals 37 and 38 denote springs for the biasing.

  The battery pack 10 with a multi-connector of the present invention having such a configuration operates as follows. First, in order to connect the battery pack 10 to the first connection portion 21 provided in the charger 20-1, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, or FIG. Insert by inserting from the side. In order to eliminate an insertion error, the mark 36 indicating the insertion direction may be followed. By this lateral insertion, the contact pieces 12 and 13 of the connection means 30 rub against the U-shaped contact of the first connection portion 21 while pushing down the push plate 32 by the connection means 30, and the U of the first connection portion 21 is rubbed. It locks under the letter-shaped contact (FIGS. 6 and 7). As a result, an electrical connection state is established, and a mechanical engagement state is established for preventing the connection in the direction other than the reverse direction of the lateral insertion.

  Moreover, in order to connect the battery pack 10 to the 2nd connection part 22 with which the charger 20-2 was equipped, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1 or FIGS. It is inserted in 33 by insertion from the vertical direction. In order to eliminate mistakes in insertion, the plane shape of the engagement plate 25 of the connecting means 30 that is asymmetrical in the longitudinal direction is set in the vertical direction in accordance with the planar shape of the recess of the insertion port 33 that is formed in a similar shape. Just plug it in. By connecting the connecting means 30 in the vertical direction, the contact pieces 12 and 13 constituting a common contact with the horizontal connection are inserted while rubbing the second connecting portion 22, and further, the fixing means 35 sandwiched from the left and right. It is fixed by receiving a strong force of 35 (FIGS. 10A and 10B), and is established as a connected state both electrically and mechanically as in the case of lateral insertion.

  Thus, in the battery pack 10 of the present invention, connection of the connecting means 30 to the first connection portion 21 by lateral insertion and connection to the second connection portion 22 by vertical insertion are exactly the same. The one-touch connection can establish an electrical connection and a mechanical connection. The battery pack 10 in the connected state can be removed by one-touch operation by sliding it in the direction opposite to the insertion direction by lateral insertion or by extracting it in the direction opposite to the insertion in the vertical direction.

  The mobility of the battery pack 10 with a multi-connector of the present invention having such a configuration action is effective because it has the effect of quickly recovering the firing function when it is used for an electric gun. It is. Although what can carry out a function recovery rapidly is not restricted to an electric gun, since this invention was developed as a battery pack with a multi connector for electric guns, the example is demonstrated below.

  As a place where the battery pack 10 is attached to the electric gun 40, the periphery of the barrel 41 is the first candidate site. In this case, the battery pack 10 can be inserted from the side or inserted vertically, but in the former case, the battery housing portion 42 can be opened widely and easily confirmed, but the structure is opened wide. There is a possibility that the strength of the gun body may be affected. In the latter case, since the connecting portion is disposed at the back, there is a situation that it is difficult to confirm. Therefore, it is desirable that the battery pack 10 is freely determined depending on the shape of the model, and the battery pack 10 of the present invention that can be inserted in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction is preferable from the viewpoint of meeting this requirement.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of an electric gun 40 that adopts a method in which the battery pack 10 is inserted vertically, and a battery housing portion 42 is provided at a position above the barrel 41 at a position corresponding to a gas tube in an actual gun. In the illustrated example, the front end portion 43 of the gun is separable, and the battery accommodating portion 42 opens forward. The battery housing part 42 has a size and a shape that allows the battery pack 10 to be fitted without rattling, and the second connection part 22 composed of four contact members is provided at the innermost part of the battery housing part 42. Is provided.

  Therefore, the front end portion 43 of the gun is separated, and the battery pack 10 with a multi-connector of the present invention is inserted from the front of the opened battery accommodating portion 42, and the connecting means 30 is inserted into the second connecting portion 22 and attached. be able to. At this time, the mark 44 may be provided at the entrance of the battery housing portion or the like so as not to make a mistake in the orientation of the connection terminal 20 of the battery pack 10. The mark 44 may be the same as the mark 36 on the battery pack side.

  When the connection means 30 is connected to the second connection portion 22 and the connection is completed, electrical connection and mechanical connection between the connection terminal 20 of the battery pack 10 and the second connection portion 22 are established. Therefore, if the trigger 46 is pulled, the electric gun 40 can be operated, and the contact pieces 12 and 13 are fixed by receiving the strong force of the fixing means 35 and 35 from the left and right, so that even if they face downward, they will fall off. Never do. Finally, the barrel portion 45 is aligned with the barrel 41, and the front end portion 43 of the separated gun is attached and coupled to the gun body by known coupling means (not shown).

  FIG. 15 shows Example 2 of the battery pack 10 with a multi-connector according to the present invention. In the second example, the engagement plate 25 'of the connection means 30 is integrally provided on the terminal mounting plate 14', and the contact pieces 12 ', 13' for inserting from the lateral direction into the neck portion 24 'of the engagement plate 25'. On the other hand, contact pieces 12 ″ and 13 ″ that are electrically connected to the electrodes of the battery element 11 are provided on the end face of the engagement plate 25 ′ on the inner side of the through holes 28 ′ and 29 ′ so that insertion from the vertical direction is possible. Yes. Correspondingly, rod-like connection terminals 28 ″ and 29 ″ inserted into the through holes 28 ′ and 29 ′ are provided as the second connection portion 20-2 in the counterpart connection portion.

  The mechanical connection structure of the connecting means 30 may be the same as that of the above example, and notches 26 and 27 are provided as passing portions for enabling the connection terminals 28 ″ and 29 ″ which are longitudinal terminals to be inserted. ing. Since the engagement plate 25 ′ prevents the connecting means 30 from being inserted in the lateral direction and from coming out in a direction other than the opposite direction, and having the push plate 24, the reference numerals are used. Detailed description will be omitted. Therefore, this example 2 can also be used for the first connection portion 21, while it can also be used for the second connection portion 20-2 ′ having rod-like connection terminals 28 ″ and 29 ″. is there.

  It can be used not only for electric guns but also for batteries and devices or devices in general that use batteries.

1 shows an example of a battery pack with a multi-connector according to the present invention, in which A is an external view thereof, and B is an exploded view of A. FIG. The perspective view which shows the battery pack of FIG. 1, and two types of other party connection parts. The top view which shows the connection terminal and 1st connection part in this invention. Sectional drawing in the side surface direction with respect to the thing of FIG. Sectional drawing in the front direction similarly to the thing of FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the connection state of the connection terminal and 1st connection part in this invention. The connection terminal and the 1st connection part are similarly shown in the connection state, A is a top view, B is sectional drawing in a side surface direction. The partial cross section side view which shows the connection terminal and 2nd connection part in this invention. The partial cross section side view in the orthogonal direction of FIG. The connection terminal in this invention and the connection state of a 2nd connection part are shown, A is a partial cross section side view, B is a partial cross section side view in the orthogonal direction of A. The top view which shows the connection terminal and 2nd connection part in this invention. Explanatory drawing which similarly shows the connection state of the thing of FIG. The exploded side surface explanatory view showing the example which applied the battery pack with a multiconnector concerning the present invention to the electric gun. It shows the assembled state of the electric gun of FIG. 13, A is a side explanatory view, B is a BB line cross-sectional view of FIG. FIG. 4 shows Example 2 of the present invention, in which A is a side view of a battery pack, B is a longitudinal sectional view of a second connection portion, C is an end view of connection means of the battery pack, and D is a front view of the second connection portion. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Battery pack 11 Battery element 12, 13 Contact piece 14 Terminal attachment plate 15 Conduction plate 16 Bottom plate 17 Outer skin 18, 19 Through-hole 20-1, 20-2 Charger 21 1st connection part 22 2nd connection part 23 engagement Joint means 24 Neck part 25 Engagement plate 26, 27 Notch part 28, 29 Working hole 30 Connection means 31 Slit-like insertion port 31
32, 34 Push plate 33 Insertion slot 35 Fixing means 36, 44 Mark 40 Electric gun 41 Gun barrel 42 Battery housing portion 43 Gun front end portion 45 Gun barrel portion

Claims (4)

A battery pack provided on the side of a device or device that handles a battery, comprising a connection means for connecting two types of mating side connection portions having different structures, the first connection portion and the second connection portion The connecting means is provided on the pack body so as to protrude from one end thereof, and can be inserted into the first connecting portion provided on the side of the device or equipment using the battery from the lateral direction. Yes, a lateral terminal that is in an electrically connected state by being inserted into the first connecting portion in the lateral direction is configured, and in the electrically connected state, it is prevented from coming out in the longitudinal direction intersecting with the lateral direction. In order to have mechanical engagement means,
The connecting means projecting from one end of the pack body is a vertical direction in which the connecting means is a common contact and can be inserted into the second connecting part provided on the side of the device or device using the battery from the vertical direction. In order to constitute a terminal and to allow insertion in the vertical direction, the engagement means has a passage portion that allows passage of the mechanical engagement means that prevents withdrawal in the vertical direction. Battery pack with multi-connector. The connecting means forms a notch part into which the second connecting part can be inserted from the vertical direction as a passing part of the engaging means, and a common contact point between the horizontal terminal and the vertical terminal is provided in the notch part. The battery pack with a multi-connector according to claim 1, wherein the battery pack has a configuration in which an outer portion of the contact is bent inward. The battery pack with a multi-connector according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting portion includes means for pressurizing a common contact of the connecting means from the left and right when connected to the connecting means. The battery pack with a multi-connector according to claim 1, wherein the second connecting portion includes a fixing means for sandwiching and fixing a common contact of the connecting means from the left and right when connecting to the connecting means.

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