Battery compartment

Abstract

Battery compartment, comprehensive - a frame (2, 102) designed to accommodate a circuit board (9) with at least one battery (D), - a battery compartment cover (16, 116) connected to the frame (2, 102), - wherein the frame (2, 102) forms the side walls, the circuit board (9) the bottom and the battery compartment cover (16, 116) the top of the battery compartment (1, 101), - wherein at least one battery holder (10) is arranged on the circuit board (9), into which the battery (D) can be inserted - wherein frame (2, 102) and circuit board (9) have fixing means for connecting them together.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to battery compartments with button cells or lithium batteries, wherein the battery compartment is intended in particular to make it difficult to easily remove and incorrectly insert button cells in order to minimize risks to the consumer, for example from swallowing the button cells, short circuit, chemical burns or fire.

[0002] A large number of products on the market use button cells or lithium batteries that are attached directly to the circuit board with metal protective covers. These batteries are not replaceable. Typical examples include greeting cards with sound, greeting cards with sound and light, gift boxes with sound, and other gift items or toys powered by button cells.

[0003] There are also many gift items and toys on the market with replaceable batteries. The replaceable design is achieved through a battery compartment, usually made of plastic, in which the batteries are placed flat, upright, or stacked and connected via contacts.

[0004] For some time now, requirements regarding the safety and replaceability of batteries in battery-powered products have been becoming increasingly stringent. In many countries, battery replaceability is already mandatory, along with restricted access to the batteries. For example, an existing battery compartment should only be able to be opened with a tool such as a screwdriver.

[0005] Providing replaceable batteries with adequate security for the necessary battery compartment is more expensive than simply attaching the batteries directly to a circuit board, for example by soldering, gluing or other permanent connections.

[0006] Implementing corresponding social or legal requirements and the resulting need to redesign existing products presents manufacturers with major challenges.

[0007] Many of the products mentioned are subject to immense cost pressure; cost-effective solutions are of great importance to the manufacturers.

[0008] The aim of the present invention is to provide a device that makes it possible to provide batteries that were previously not intended to be replaceable, for example those that are permanently attached to or via wires for power supply on the circuit board, in a cost-effective manner.

[0009] Another objective of the invention is to adequately secure such a device against unwanted access by third parties, for example by children, in order to prevent accidents, for example through improper handling of the batteries.

[0010] This problem is solved by an invention with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can also be combined with one another in any technologically meaningful way, thus revealing further embodiments of the invention.

[0011] The invention proposes a battery compartment that provides a simple and cost-effective solution for converting known non-replaceable battery compartments into replaceable and safe battery compartments that simultaneously comply with current European regulations such as GPSR and the new EU battery regulation, and optionally with EN 62115.

[0012] The battery compartment according to the invention comprises a frame designed to hold a printed circuit board and a battery compartment cover for closing the compartment. The frame and battery compartment cover are connected to each other, with both fixed and detachable connections being possible. The frame and printed circuit board are also connected to each other, in particular by means of fixing elements on the frame. In the assembled state, the frame forms the side walls of the battery compartment, the battery compartment cover the top, and the printed circuit board the bottom.

[0013] The circuit board is designed to accommodate at least one battery, preferably a button cell or a lithium battery, and optionally other electronic components, wherein the at least one battery and preferably also the optionally other electronic components are arranged between the circuit board and the battery compartment cover.

[0014] To accommodate the batteries, corresponding battery holders are provided on the circuit board. The batteries, particularly button cells, can be inserted into these holders, preferably parallel to the circuit board. Preferably, the battery holders are designed as simple bridge elements, with the holder making contact with one terminal of the battery and the other terminal being made directly on the circuit board. If at least two batteries are provided on the circuit board, a common replacement area is preferably provided for all batteries. This area offers sufficient space to allow the replacement of all batteries, preferably one after the other, by allowing the batteries to be slid into this replacement area from their respective holders. Preferably, the batteries are in the form of button cells.

[0015] To make it more difficult to simply push the batteries out, in a preferred embodiment the battery holder has a widening in the battery area that partially covers the battery's surface. The area covered by the battery holder is at least 50 percent, preferably at least 70 percent, and even more preferably at least 90 percent of the battery's surface. Complete coverage of the battery by the battery holder is also conceivable. The battery holder can optionally include at least one additional stop element, preferably in the form of a flexible tongue arranged laterally on the battery holder.

[0016] To secure the inserted batteries, it may be advantageous to provide a central clamping element in the battery holder that is bent inwards towards the battery.

[0017] To securely connect the printed circuit board (PCB) to the frame, both the frame and the PCB have fixing elements. These can be, for example, in the form of pins on the frame that are designed to complement corresponding elements on the PCB, such as first recesses – or vice versa. Preferably, the pins guided through the recesses can be melted, thus fixing the PCB to the frame.

[0018] The circuit board and the frame can alternatively or additionally be connected to each other in other ways, in particular by gluing, fusing, or welding. Accordingly, fixing means also include other areas on the circuit board and frame that allow these elements to be connected, for example, by gluing, fusing, or other means.

[0019] The battery compartment can be connected, in particular via wires to the power supply, to the other elements of the corresponding product that require a power supply.

[0020] Preferably the wires are fixed to the circuit board and the frame has a fourth recess for this part of the circuit board.

[0021] To provide sufficient internal volume for the circuit board with the batteries and other components, the frame has sufficient height due to a surrounding raising of the sides.

[0022] To secure the battery compartment to a product, the frame includes at least a partial overhang, which in a preferred embodiment can also extend around the entire frame, thus facilitating, for example, the gluing of the battery compartment into the product.

[0023] For the removable fixing of the battery compartment cover, the frame preferably includes two third recesses that are complementary to insertion elements of the battery compartment cover.

[0024] Battery compartment cover and frame can also be permanently connected, for example by producing these elements as a single piece or by gluing or fusing them together.

[0025] For added security, the battery compartment cover and frame can be detachably connected by a screw. Preferably, the battery compartment cover includes a screw and the frame has a corresponding thread for the screw.

[0026] If necessary, the circuit board has a second recess; otherwise, it should cover the thread of the frame for screwing in the screw.

[0027] Preferably, the battery compartment cover includes protruding retaining elements on its inside, which are arranged in such a way that the batteries in the battery holders cannot come out of their holders when the battery compartment cover is closed.

[0028] In principle, various embodiments of the invention are possible. For example, the number of batteries on the circuit board can be varied, several circuit boards can be provided for a specific product as needed, and it is conceivable that the circuit board according to the invention is integrated into existing circuit boards of a product.

[0029] The invention and its technical context are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures show a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. In particular, the invention encompasses, insofar as it is technically feasible, any combination of the technical features listed in the claims or described as relevant to the invention in the description.

[0030] They show: Fig. 1: The inside view of an opened greeting card A with speaker B, populated circuit board C with activation mechanism and battery compartment 1; Fig. 2: the exterior view of greeting card A with battery compartment 1 open; Fig. 3: a view of frame 2 of battery compartment 1; Fig. 4: a side view of frame 2 of battery compartment 1; Fig. 5: a populated circuit board 9 of the battery compartment 1; Fig. 6: the placement of the populated circuit board 9 in the frame 2; Fig. 7: the back of the battery compartment with the circuit board mounted in the frame; Fig. 8: An interior view of the battery compartment with the circuit board installed; Fig. 9: an interior view of the battery compartment cover; Fig. 10: the open battery compartment with battery compartment cover; Fig. 11: an alternative embodiment of the battery compartment; Fig. 12: an alternative embodiment of the battery compartment cover; Fig. 13: three variants of the battery holder; Fig. 14: inserting new batteries into the battery holders; Fig. 15: the use of a tool to push the batteries out of the battery holders; Fig. 16: the use of a tool to close the battery compartment.

[0031] Fig. Figure 1 shows the interior view of an exposed greeting card A with loudspeaker B and a populated circuit board C as well as the battery compartment 1 according to the invention. The battery compartment 1 according to the invention is easy to install, space-saving and can easily replace existing batteries in products in which they were previously not replaceable and / or unsecured.

[0032] Fig. Figure 2 shows the back of greeting card A with the battery compartment 1 open, so the batteries can be easily replaced.

[0033] Fig. Figure 3 shows a top view of the battery compartment frame 2, which, when assembled, forms the side walls of the battery compartment. The frame 2 includes fixing means 3, preferably in the form of pins, on which the printed circuit board can be fixed to the frame 2 with complementary first recesses (not shown). The fixing means 3 can preferably be meltable to create a permanent connection between the frame 2 and the printed circuit board. To fix the battery compartment cover (not shown), the frame includes third recesses 4 for hinged attachment of the battery compartment cover, which includes complementary insertion elements. Furthermore, the frame 2 includes a thread 5 for receiving a screw provided on the battery compartment cover to secure the battery compartment cover.For easy attachment of the battery compartment to a product, the frame 2 further includes a lateral overhang 6, which is preferably provided completely around the entire circumference and can, for example, be glued or otherwise attached to the product. The frame 2 has a fourth recess 7 for the part of the circuit board to which wires for power supply are attached.

[0034] Fig. Figure 4 shows a side view of the frame 2 with the two third recesses 4 for the insertion of the battery compartment cover, the overhang 6, the fixing means 3 for fixing the circuit board 9 and the circumferential elevation 8 for forming the inner volume.

[0035] Fig. Figure 5 shows the circuit board 9 with the battery holders 10 for holding button cells D, the first recesses 11 for fixing the circuit board 9 to the frame, the contacts 12 for attaching wires and a second recess 13 to allow a screw connection between the cover and the frame.

[0036] Fig. Figure 6 shows the placement of the circuit board 9 on the frame 2.

[0037] Fig. Figure 7 shows the back of the battery compartment 1 with the circuit board 9 mounted in the frame 2 and the wires 14 attached to the circuit board 9 for the power supply.

[0038] Fig. Figure 8 shows the front of the battery compartment 1 with the circuit board 9 mounted in the frame 2 and a replacement area 15 provided on the circuit board 9 for changing the batteries. The frame 2 has three recesses 4 and a thread 5 for detachable connection to the battery compartment cover.

[0039] Fig. Figure 9 shows an interior view of the battery compartment cover 16 with insertion elements 19 for securing the battery compartment cover 16 in the third recesses of the frame and a screw 18 for a detachable connection to the thread of the frame. Furthermore, retaining elements 17 are provided on the inside of the battery compartment cover 16, which prevent the inserted batteries from slipping when the battery compartment is closed.

[0040] Fig. Figure 10 shows the assembled battery compartment 1 with frame 2, circuit board 9 and open battery compartment cover 16, whereby the battery compartment cover 16 can still be fixed with the screw 18 in the thread 5 of the frame 2.

[0041] Fig. Figure 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the battery compartment 101, in which the battery compartment cover 116 is fixedly connected to the frame 102, in both the half-open and fully open positions. Preferably, in this embodiment, the frame 102 and the battery compartment cover 116 are manufactured as a single piece and connected to each other via a flexible section. Accordingly, no third recesses are required in the frame 102, and no insertion elements are necessary in the battery compartment cover 116. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery compartment cover 116 does not have any retaining elements 17; however, these can be provided if required.

[0042] Fig. Figure 12 shows an alternative of the unconnected embodiment of the battery compartment cover 16 with insertion elements 19 but without retaining elements.

[0043] Fig. Figure 13 shows, from left to right, three variants of the battery holder 10. On the far left is a battery holder 10 without additional stop elements for securing it. In the middle is a battery holder 10 with one stop element 10a for holding the battery within the holder. On the far right is a battery holder 10 with two opposing stop elements 10a and 10b for holding the battery within the holder. To clamp the battery within the holder 10, a preferably central part of the holder can be bent inwards towards the battery, acting as a clamping element 10c. The embodiments with at least one stop element 10a or 10b are particularly suitable in combination with the alternative battery compartment cover 116 without retaining elements, in order to provide the batteries with additional protection against unintentional displacement.

[0044] Fig. Figure 14 shows the insertion of new batteries D into the battery holders 10 of the circuit board 9.

[0045] Fig. Figure 15 shows the removal of the batteries D from the battery holders 10 of the circuit board 9 using a tool E, for example a screwdriver.

[0046] Fig. Figure 16 shows the use of a tool E to close the battery compartment 1, in which the screw 18 of the battery compartment cover 16 is screwed into the thread (not shown) of the frame 2.

[0047] The present invention is particularly advantageous for products where, due to their small dimensions or flat structure, the installation of known battery compartments is not possible or only possible with difficulty, such as greeting cards with sound and / or light and / or movement, gift boxes with sound and many other products.

[0048] The battery compartment according to the invention is simple and inexpensive to manufacture compared to the prior art and is therefore also attractive for use in products that are subject to high cost pressure and increased regulatory requirements. Reference symbol list 1 battery compartment (101: alternative embodiment) 2 frames (102: alternative embodiment) 3 Determination instruments 4 Third cutouts 5 threads 6 overhang 7 Fourth recess 8 Circular increase 9 (First populated) circuit board 10 battery holders (10a, 10b: stop elements; 10c: clamping element) 11 First cutouts 12 contacts 13 Second recess 14 wires 15 switching area 16 Battery compartment cover (116: alternative embodiment) 17 retaining elements 18 screw 19 insert elements A product (greeting card) B Speakers C. Another (populated) circuit board D battery (button cell) E-tool (screwdriver)

Claims

Battery compartment comprising: - a frame (2, 102) provided for receiving a circuit board (9) with at least one battery (D), - a battery compartment cover (16, 116) connected to the frame (2, 102), - wherein the frame (2, 102) forms the side walls, the circuit board (9) the bottom, and the battery compartment cover (16, 116) the top of the battery compartment (1, 101), - wherein at least one battery holder (10) is arranged on the circuit board (9) into which the battery (D) can be inserted, - wherein the frame (2, 102) and the circuit board (9) have means for connecting them together. Battery compartment according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (2) has fixing means (3) in the form of pins which are complementary to fixing means in the form of first recesses (11) of the circuit board (9), whereby the circuit board (9) can be fixed in the frame. Battery compartment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the battery compartment cover (16) and the frame (2) are connected to each other by means of at least one detachable screw connection. Battery compartment according to claim 1, characterized in that the battery compartment cover (16) has retaining elements (17) protruding on its inside which, in the closed state, prevent the unintentional slippage of the inserted battery (D). Battery compartment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the batteries (D) are button cells or lithium batteries. Battery compartment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the battery (D) can be inserted into the battery holder (10) parallel to the circuit board (9). Battery compartment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the battery holder (10) is designed as a bridge element which establishes contact to one pole of the battery (D), while contact to the other pole is made via the circuit board (9). Battery compartment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the battery holder (10) has a widening in the area of ​​the battery (D) which covers the surface of the battery (D) to at least 50 percent, preferably at least 70 percent, more preferably at least 90 percent. Battery compartment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (2) has a thread (5) for a screw connection and the battery compartment cover (16) has a corresponding screw (18). Battery compartment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing means (3) are preferably provided in the form of fusible pins for fixing the circuit board (9) to the frame (2). Battery compartment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the circuit board (9) has a second recess (13) in order not to cover the thread (5) formed by the frame (2) for the screw connection with the battery compartment cover (16). Battery compartment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two batteries (D) in the form of button cells are provided on the circuit board (9) and a common exchange area (15) is provided for all batteries (D). Battery compartment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the battery holder (10) comprises at least one additional stop element (10a, 10b), which is preferably provided in the form of a flexible tongue arranged laterally on the battery holder (10).

Images