Battery housing structure for electronic devices

Abstract

This invention provides a battery housing structure for electronic devices that improves the efficiency of button battery replacement through a simple configuration. [Solution] In a battery housing structure for an electronic device, which includes a housing section 3 for housing a button battery 10, the battery housing structure for the electronic device further includes an engaging section 4 arranged around the housing section 3 and engaging the button battery 10 housed in the housing section 3 with the housing section 3, wherein the housing section 3 has an opposing surface 3a that faces the button battery 10 housed in the housing section 3 in a first direction, and a plurality of protrusions 33 projecting from the opposing surface 3a in the first direction, and the first distance D1 between the center C2 of the opposing surface 3a and a virtual line L1 connecting opposing end faces 33a of the plurality of protrusions 33 is shorter than the second distance D2 between the center C2 of the opposing surface 3a and the engaging section 4.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery housing structure for electronic equipment. [Background Art]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a holding structure that allows a button battery to be easily ejected. The above holding structure comprises: a circular battery insertion groove adapted to a button battery; a first locking piece and a second locking piece respectively provided on a peripheral edge of the battery insertion groove at positions substantially symmetrical with respect to the center of the battery insertion groove; a first contact spring formed as a leaf spring that biases the button battery in the ejection direction; and a second contact spring that biases the button battery toward the second locking piece side. The second locking piece is elastically deformable by being pressed by the button battery both when the button battery is inserted and when the button battery is ejected. The bottom of the button battery inserted into the battery insertion groove is partially supported only on the second locking piece side, and by pressing down the first locking piece side of the button battery inserted into the battery insertion groove, the button battery is brought into an inclined posture by the semi-annular bottom plate of the battery insertion groove, and thus can be ejected from the battery insertion groove. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-185721 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] The bottom plate of the battery insertion groove disclosed in Patent Document 1 is semi-annular, and has a complicated structure.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery housing structure for electronic equipment that can improve the efficiency of button battery replacement work with a simple configuration. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a battery housing structure for an electronic device, comprising a housing portion for housing a button battery, further comprising an engaging portion arranged around the housing portion and engaging with the button battery housed in the housing portion, wherein the housing portion has a facing surface that faces the button battery housed in the housing portion in a first direction, and a plurality of protrusions projecting from the facing surface in the first direction, and the first distance between the center of the facing surface and a virtual line connecting the opposing end faces of the plurality of protrusions is shorter than the second distance between the center of the facing surface and the engaging portion.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the first distance between the center of the opposing surface facing the button battery and the imaginary line connecting the opposing end faces of the multiple protrusions is shorter than the second distance between the center of the opposing surface and the engaging portion. In other words, multiple protrusions are provided on the central side (radially inward) of the button battery than the engaging portion. Therefore, when removing the button battery from the housing, the button battery tends to tilt with its central part as the pivot point (tilted relative to the opposing surface), making it easy to remove the button battery from the housing. Also, because the button battery is separated from the opposing surface by the multiple protrusions, the user can easily insert their fingers between the opposing surface and the button battery, making it easy to remove the button battery. In short, according to the above configuration, the efficiency of button battery replacement can be improved with a simple configuration of multiple protrusions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the efficiency of replacing button batteries can be improved with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing an electronic key according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] An exploded perspective view of an electronic key according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] A plan view showing the housing section and its vicinity according to the embodiment. [Figure 4A] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the IVA-IVA line. [Figure 4B] An enlarged view of the second retaining part and its vicinity, as shown in Figure 4A. [Figure 5] A cross-sectional view obtained by cutting along the VV line shown in Figure 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, an electronic key 100 (an example of an electronic device) according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and redundant detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0011] The electronic key 100 shown in Figure 1 is a key that allows remote locking and unlocking (hereinafter referred to as "locking and unlocking") of vehicles such as motorcycles, automobiles, etc. The electronic key 100 comprises a key body 1 for locking and unlocking the vehicle, and a case 2 for holding the key body 1. The case 2 is made of synthetic resin.

[0012] As shown in Figure 2, Case 2 has an upper case 21 and a lower case 22. Hereinafter, the direction in which the upper case 21 and the lower case 22 face each other will be defined as the X direction, the direction in which the key body 1 extends will be defined as the Z direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X and Z directions will be defined as the Y direction.

[0013] Case 2 houses the button battery 10 between the upper case 21 and the lower case 22. In this embodiment, the button battery 10 is a primary battery, but the button battery 10 may also be a secondary battery. Hereinafter, the length of the button battery 10 in the X direction will be referred to as the thickness Db.

[0014] The upper case 21 houses a communication circuit (not shown) for communicating with a vehicle and a control board (not shown) on which a control board for controlling the communication circuit is mounted. The lower case 22 has a wall portion 23, including a wall surface 23a facing the upper case 21.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic key 100 further includes an accommodating portion 3, an engaging portion 4, and a restricting portion 5. In the present embodiment, the accommodating portion 3, the engaging portion 4, and the restricting portion 5 constitute an accommodation structure for the button battery 10 (which is an example of a battery accommodation structure).

[0016] The accommodating portion 3 has the same shape as the circular button battery 10 when viewed along the X direction, and accommodates the button battery 10. The button battery 10 is disposed in the accommodating portion 3 such that the first center C1 (see FIG. 2) overlaps with the X direction.

[0017] The accommodating portion 3 has an opposing surface 3a that opposes the button battery 10 accommodated in the accommodating portion 3 in the X direction (which is an example of a first direction), and a cylindrical wall 31 disposed at a central portion of the opposing surface 3a.

[0018] The opposing surface 3a is flush with a wall surface 23a of the lower case 22, and is circular when viewed along the X direction. The opposing surface 3a has a second center C2 (which is an example of a center) that opposes the first center C1 (axial center) of the button battery 10. The second center C2 overlaps (substantially overlaps) with the first center C1 of the button battery 10 accommodated in the accommodating portion 3 when viewed along the X direction. The electronic key 100 further includes a first contact (not illustrated) mechanically and electrically connected to one electrode (e.g., a negative electrode) of the button battery 10, and a second contact (not illustrated) mechanically and electrically connected to the other electrode of the button battery 10. The first contact is disposed on the opposing surface 3a, and the second contact is disposed on the upper case 21, for example.

[0019] The cylindrical wall 31 has a cylindrical shape with the second center C2 of the opposing surface 3a as its axial center. The cylindrical wall 31 protrudes from the opposing surface 3a toward the upper case 21 (toward the +X side).

[0020] The engaging portion 4 is disposed around the accommodating portion 3, and engages with the button battery 10 accommodated in the accommodating portion 3. The engaging portion 4 includes an abutting portion 41 and a plurality of holding portions 42. In the present embodiment, the engaging portion 4 has two holding portions 42.

[0021] The contact portion 41 and the two holding portions 42 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the facing surface 3a such that their distances from the second center C2 of the facing surface 3a are equal. Hereinafter, the circumferential direction of the facing surface 3a may be simply referred to as the circumferential direction, and the radial direction of the facing surface 3a may be simply referred to as the radial direction.

[0022] The contact portion 41 is arranged on the +Z side with respect to the accommodating portion 3, and protrudes from the wall surface 23a of the lower case 22 toward the upper case 21. The contact portion 41 includes a first contact surface 41a that contacts the radial end face of the button battery 10 accommodated in the accommodating portion 3. The first contact surface 41a has an arc shape along the outer periphery of the accommodating portion 3 (the button battery 10).

[0023] The two holding portions 42 are arranged on the -Z side with respect to the accommodating portion 3. Hereinafter, the two holding portions 42 are referred to as a first holding portion 421 and a second holding portion 422.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4A, the first holding portion 421 and the second holding portion 422 are arranged spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. It should be noted that the first holding portion 421 and the second holding portion 422 differ only in their arrangement positions, and have the same other configuration such as shape.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4B, the holding portion 42 includes a base portion 43 and a holding claw 44. The base portion 43 extends from the wall surface 23a of the lower case 22 toward the upper case 21 (+Z side). As shown in FIG. 3, the base portion 43 has a second contact surface 43a that contacts the radial end face of the button battery 10 accommodated in the accommodating portion 3. The second contact surface 43a has an arc shape along the outer periphery of the accommodating portion 3 (the button battery 10). The length of the second contact surface 43a in the circumferential direction is configured to be smaller than the length of the first contact surface 41a of the contact portion 41 in the circumferential direction (see FIG. 3), and the holding portion 42 is configured to be more easily deformed than the contact portion 41.

[0026] The retaining claw 44 is positioned at the tip of the base 43 and restricts the movement of the button battery 10 housed in the housing 3 in the X direction. Specifically, the retaining claw 44 is mountain-shaped when viewed along the circumferential direction, with its central portion in the X direction bulging toward the second center C2. The retaining claw 44 has a third contact surface 44a that contacts one end face in the axial direction of the button battery 10 (see Figure 5). The third contact surface 44a is the surface on the wall side 23a of the top of the raised portion (the central portion of the retaining claw 44 in the X direction).

[0027] As shown in Figure 4A, the restricting section 5 restricts the deflection of the holding section 42 (radially outward movement of the holding section 42). The restricting section 5 has a first column group 51 and a second column group 52. The first column group 51 is arranged adjacent to the first holding section 421. The second column group 52 is arranged adjacent to the second holding section 422.

[0028] Each of the first column group 51 and the second column group 52 includes two columnar columnar parts 53. The two columnar parts 53 are arranged with a gap between them and the holding part 42. The two columnar parts 53 are arranged so as to sandwich the holding part 42 in the circumferential direction.

[0029] More specifically, the two columnar parts 53 of the first column group 51 are arranged to sandwich the first holding part 421, and the two columnar parts 53 of the second column group 52 are arranged to sandwich the second holding part 422. The first column group 51 and the second column group 52 are identical in shape and other configurations, differing only in their arrangement.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4B, the height of the columnar portion 53 (hereinafter referred to as the first height H1) only needs to be greater than or equal to the height of the holding portion 42 (hereinafter referred to as the second height H2), and in this embodiment, the first height H1 is equal to (approximately equal to) the second height H2. The first height H1 is the length between the wall surface 23a (opposing surface 3a) of the wall portion 23 of the lower case 22 and the tip 53a of the columnar portion 53, and the second height H2 is the length between the wall surface 23a (opposing surface 3a) of the wall portion 23 of the lower case 22 and the tip 42a of the holding portion 42.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the housing section 3 has a plurality of protrusions 33 that project from the opposing surface 3a toward the upper case 21 (button battery 10) (towards the +X side). In this embodiment, the housing section 3 has three protrusions 33 as the plurality of protrusions 33.

[0032] The three protrusions 33 are positioned inward from the engaging portion 4. More specifically, when viewed along the X direction, the first distance D1 between the imaginary line L1 connecting the circumferential end faces 33a (an example of end faces) of the two protrusions 33 that face each other in the circumferential direction and the second center C2 of the opposing surface 3a is shorter than the second distance D2 between the second center C2 of the opposing surface 3a and the first holding portion 421 (holding portion 42).

[0033] In other words, the three protrusions 33 are positioned inward from the outer edge of the opposing surface 3a when viewed along the X direction.

[0034] Furthermore, the three protrusions 33 are arranged at equal intervals (120-degree intervals with respect to the second center C2). More specifically, the three protrusions 33 are arranged at the 2 o'clock, 6 o'clock, and 10 o'clock positions when viewed along the X direction. Hereinafter, the protrusion 33 at the 6 o'clock position will be referred to as the first protrusion 331, the protrusion 33 at the 2 o'clock position as the second protrusion 332, and the protrusion 333 at the 10 o'clock position as the third protrusion 333.

[0035] Looking along the X direction, the first projection 331 is positioned between the first holding portion 421 and the second holding portion 422. The second projection 332 is positioned between the first holding portion 421 and the contact portion 41. The third projection 333 is positioned between the second holding portion 422 and the contact portion 41. In other words, one projection 33 is positioned between multiple holding portions 42, and two projections 33 are positioned between the contact portion 41 and the holding portion 42. The three projections 33 differ only in their positioning; their shape and other configurations are the same.

[0036] The projection 33 is set such that the angle connecting both ends in the circumferential direction to the second center C2 (the central angle centered on the second center C2) is, for example, 20 degrees.

[0037] Furthermore, the third distance D3 (see Figure 5), which is the distance between the tip 33b of the projection 33 (the end face furthest from the opposing surface 3a) and the third contact surface 44a of the retaining claw 44, is set to be equal to the thickness Db (see Figure 2) of the button battery 10. This restricts the axial movement of the button battery 10.

[0038] Next, with reference to Figure 5, the method for removing the button battery 10 will be explained. As shown by the arrow in Figure 5, the user presses the portion of the button battery 10 between the first center C1 and the contact portion 41 with their fingers, bringing it closer to the opposing surface 3a (towards the -X side). This causes the button battery 10 to tilt with the protrusion 33 as the pivot point. More specifically, the button battery 10 tilts so that the holding portion 42 side is closer to the upper case 21 than the contact portion 41 side (towards the +X side). Next, the user grasps the portion of the button battery 10 that protrudes towards the upper case 21 and removes the button battery 10 from the housing 3.

[0039] On the other hand, when placing the button battery 10 into the housing 3, the user places a part of the radial end face of the button battery 10 against the contact portion 41, thereby tilting the button battery 10 into the inclined position shown by the dashed line. At this time, the side of the button battery 10 facing the holding portion 42 may be in contact with the tip 42a of the holding portion 42. Next, the user presses the side of the button battery 10 facing the holding portion 42 towards the opposing surface 3a (towards the -X side). As the button battery 10 is pressed, the button battery 10 moves so that the slope of the raised portion of the holding claw 44 approaches the opposing surface 3a. As a result, the tip of the base portion 43 of the holding portion 42 and the holding claw 44 move radially outward. This allows the button battery 10 to overcome the raised portion of the holding claw 44. As a result, the button battery 10 fits between the holding claw 44 and the opposing surface 3a, and the button battery 10 is placed in the housing 3 (held by the holding portion 42). In this embodiment, each of the first column group 51 and the second column group 52 has two columnar portions 53 arranged to sandwich the base portion 43, so that excessive bending of the retaining portion 42 can be prevented when the button battery 10 overcomes the raised portion of the retaining claw 44. In addition, the first height H1, which is the length between the tip 53a of the restricting portion 5 and the opposing surface 3a, is set to be equal to the second height H2, which is the length between the tip 42a of the retaining portion 42 and the opposing surface 3a, so that the bending of the retaining portion 42 can cause the button battery 10 to come into contact with the restricting portion 5 at an earlier stage. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress damage to the retaining portion 42.

[0040] As described above, according to the above embodiment, the first distance D1 between the second center C2 of the opposing surface 3a facing the button battery 10 and the imaginary line L1 connecting the opposing circumferential end faces 33a of the plurality of protrusions 33 is shorter than the second distance D2 between the second center C2 of the opposing surface 3a and the first holding portion 421 (engaging portion 4). In other words, the plurality of protrusions 33 are provided on the central side (radially inward) of the button battery 10 than the engaging portion 4. For this reason, as described above, when removing the button battery 10 from the housing portion 3, the button battery 10 is more likely to be in an inclined position (inclined position with respect to the opposing surface 3a) with its central portion as the pivot point, and the button battery 10 can be easily removed from the housing portion 3. In addition, because the button battery 10 is separated from the opposing surface 3a by the plurality of protrusions 33, the user can easily insert their fingers between the opposing surface 3a and the button battery 10, and the button battery 10 can be easily removed. In other words, according to the above embodiment, the efficiency of replacing the button battery 10 can be improved with a simple configuration that provides multiple protrusions 33.

[0041] Furthermore, the simple configuration of having multiple protrusions 33 reduces the amount of synthetic resin required for the lower case 22. In addition, it avoids the need for complex molds used when molding the lower case 22, making manufacturing easier.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the engagement portion 4 has a contact portion 41 that the button battery 10 contacts and a holding portion 42 that is more easily deformed than the contact portion 41, so that the button battery 10 can be easily removed from the housing portion 3 while ensuring the holding force of the button battery 10.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the holding portion 42 has a holding claw 44 that restricts the movement of the button battery 10 housed in the housing portion 3 in the X direction, so that the button battery 10 can be held stably and the electrical connection between the button battery 10 and the contacts (first contact and second contact) becomes more reliable.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the third distance D3 between the tip 33b of the projection 33 and the third contact surface 44a of the retaining claw 44 is set to be equal to the thickness Db of the button battery 10 in the X direction, thereby enabling more secure retention of the button battery 10.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the housing section 3 has three protrusions 33 as a plurality of protrusions 33, so that the occurrence of rattling of the button battery 10 housed in the housing section 3 can be suppressed.

[0046] In the above embodiment, since it includes a first projection 331 positioned between the multiple holding parts 42, and second and third projections 332 and 333 positioned between the contact part 41 and the holding part 42, the user's fingers are not obstructed by the contact part 41, the holding part 42, and the three projections 33, and the button battery 10 can be easily removed. In other words, it is possible to avoid the situation where the contact part 41, the holding part 42, and the three projections 33 are close to the button battery 10 (the distance is shortened), making it difficult to remove the button battery 10. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid increasing the complexity of the mold used when molding the lower case 22.

[0047] In the above embodiment, a restricting portion 5 is provided adjacent to the holding portion 42. Therefore, when the button battery 10 is placed in the housing portion 3, the button battery 10 can be brought into contact with the restricting portion 5 in addition to the holding portion 42. This allows the force acting from the button battery 10 to be distributed between the holding portion 42 and the restricting portion 5, thereby preventing the holding portion 42 from bending excessively.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the first height H1 of the restricting portion 5 is greater than or equal to the second height H2 of the holding portion 42 (in this embodiment, they are equal or approximately equal), so the restricting portion 5 and the button battery 10 come into contact at the same time as the button battery 10 comes into contact with the holding portion 42, or earlier than the timing of contact with the holding portion 42. In other words, the button battery 10 and the restricting portion 5 come into contact at an early stage of the bending of the holding portion 42 (or before bending begins). This prevents the holding portion 42 from bending excessively and suppresses damage to the holding portion 42.

[0049] (modified version) While embodiments have been described above, the above configuration can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

[0050] For example, in the above embodiment, when removing the button battery 10, the user presses the portion between the first center C1 and the contact portion 41 of the button battery 10 with their fingers, as shown by the arrow in Figure 5. However, the user may also press a portion other than the portion between the first center C1 and the contact portion 41 of the button battery 10 with their fingers. For example, by pressing the portion between the first center C1 and the first holding portion 421 of the button battery 10, the first holding portion 421 will bend, and in response, the second holding portion 422 will bend, allowing the button battery 10 to be removed.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the case where the first height H1 is equal to the second height H2 was described, but the first height H1 only needs to be greater than or equal to the second height H2.

[0052] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described a case where the three protrusions 33 are arranged at equal intervals, the three protrusions 33 do not need to be arranged at equal intervals, as long as the button battery 10 does not wobble and the removal and installation of the button battery 10 is not hindered. Similarly, the number of protrusions 33 is not limited to three, and there may be more than three protrusions 33.

[0053] Furthermore, although the above embodiment described a case where the engaging portion 4 has two retaining portions 42, the engaging portion 4 may have more than two retaining portions 42, as long as the removal and installation of the button battery 10 is not hindered. Alternatively, the engaging portion 4 may have three retaining portions 42, and the contact portion 41 may be replaced with a retaining portion 42.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the regulating section 5 had a first column group 51 and a second column group 52, but the regulating section 5 may consist of at least one of the first column group 51 and the second column group 52. Also, in the above embodiment, each of the first column group 51 and the second column group 52 included two columnar portions 53, but at least one of the first column group 51 and the second column group 52 may include only one columnar portion 53.

[0055] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the electronic key 100 is equipped with a restricting portion 5, but the restricting portion 5 can be omitted depending on the rigidity of the holding portion 42.

[0056] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first contact surface 41a, the second contact surface 43a, and the third contact surface 44a are in contact with the button battery 10, but the first contact surface 41a, the second contact surface 43a, and the third contact surface 44a may be slightly separated from the button battery 10 as long as the button battery 10 can be held stably.

[0057] In the above embodiment, a lockable / unlockable key for vehicles such as motorcycles, cars, and automobiles was described as an example of an electronic device. However, the electronic device may be something other than a portable electronic device for automobiles (for example, a thermometer). [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 3. Storage area 3a Opposite surface 4. Engagement part 5. Regulatory Department 10 button batteries 33. Protrusion 33a Circumferential end face (end face) 33b tip 41 Contact part 42 Holding part 42a Tip 44 Holding claw 53a Tip 100 Electronic Keys (Electronic Devices) 331 First Pier 332 Second Pier 333 Third Pier C2 2nd center (center) L1 virtual line

Claims

1. In a battery housing structure for an electronic device that includes a housing for a button battery, The housing portion is further provided with an engaging portion that is arranged around the housing portion and engages with the button battery housed in the housing portion, The aforementioned housing section is The button battery arranged in the housing has an opposing surface that faces it in the first direction, A plurality of protrusions projecting in the first direction from the opposing surface and It has, A battery housing structure for electronic equipment, characterized in that the first distance between the center of the opposing surface and the imaginary line connecting the opposing end faces of the plurality of protrusions is shorter than the second distance between the center of the opposing surface and the engaging portion.

2. The engagement portion has a contact portion against which the button battery makes contact, and a holding portion that is more easily deformed than the contact portion. The battery housing structure for an electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second distance is the distance from the center of the opposing surface to the holding portion.

3. The battery housing structure for an electronic device according to claim 2, characterized in that the retaining portion has retaining claws that restrict the movement of the button battery housed in the housing portion in the first direction.

4. The battery housing structure for an electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the distance between the tip of the projection and the surface of the retaining claw that contacts the button battery housed in the housing is set to be equal to the length of the button battery in the first direction.

5. The battery housing structure for an electronic device according to claim 2, characterized in that the housing portion has three of the protrusions as a plurality of protrusions.

6. The battery housing structure for an electronic device according to claim 5, characterized in that the three protrusions include one protrusion disposed between a plurality of holding portions and two protrusions disposed between the contact portion and the holding portion.

7. The battery housing structure for an electronic device according to claim 2, further comprising a restricting portion arranged adjacent to the holding portion.

8. The battery housing structure for an electronic device according to claim 7, wherein the first height, which is the length between the tip of the restricting portion and the opposing surface, is greater than or equal to the second height, which is the length between the tip of the holding portion and the opposing surface.

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