Portable electronic product
By designing a clamping safety device on the battery cover of portable electronic products and covering the tool engagement area, the problem of the battery cover being easily opened unintentionally is solved, achieving a battery replacement that balances safety and convenience.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422426040.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-10-06
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-05
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-10-08
AI Technical Summary
The battery covers of existing portable electronic products can be easily opened by children, posing a risk of swallowing the batteries. Furthermore, existing quick-connect devices cannot effectively prevent unauthorized personnel from replacing the batteries.
A safety device has been designed that, by clamping onto a recess in the battery cover, covers and conceals the tool engagement portion, preventing tools from rotating the cover, and can be easily pressure-fitted to ensure that the cover cannot be opened unintentionally or by unauthorized personnel.
It effectively prevents children and unauthorized personnel from opening the battery cover, reducing the risk of battery ingestion, while maintaining the convenience and safety of battery replacement.
Smart Images
Figure CN223627087U_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present utility model relates to portable electronic products powered by a removable power source such as a battery, a battery pack or a battery cell, housed in a compartment of a case and closed by a cover.
[0002] The present utility model relates more particularly to a safety device configured to secure the cover of a removable power source and prevent its removal, thereby preventing access to the power source when the safety device is in place.
[0003] The present utility model focuses on the field of watchmaking and more particularly relates to an electronic or mechanical-electronic watch. BACKGROUND
[0004] The portable electronic product can be powered by one or more removable power sources such as a battery, a battery pack or a battery cell.
[0005] For example, an electronic or mechanical-electronic watch is powered by a removable power source such as a button cell housed in a compartment of the watch case; in the case of a mechanical-electronic watch, at least partially by this removable power source. A removable cover is provided to close the battery inside the compartment while ensuring that the compartment is at least watertight.
[0006] To allow easy replacement of the battery, the cover and the watch case generally have a quick rotation coupling / uncoupling device that allows quick access to the battery and quick closure of the compartment after the battery has been replaced. These quick coupling / uncoupling devices are, for example, a quarter-turn type assembly system or a bayonet type assembly system.
[0007] In addition, the cover can have a recess in its outer surface configured to receive the end of a tool to effect its rotation. To further facilitate battery replacement, this recess generally has a relatively simple and common shape such as a slot, so that various accessories available to the wearer can be used to open the compartment without the need for a specific tool, or without the need to take the watch to a watchmaker to replace the battery.
[0008] However, these various interesting and advantageous technical solutions for replacing the battery can also have drawbacks in certain situations, in particular when manipulated by children, and especially young children. This is because a young child can inadvertently remove the battery cover and gain access to the battery compartment, which can lead to the battery being swallowed and all the serious consequences that can arise.
[0009] There is therefore a need to protect such portable products from access to the battery compartment by irresponsible persons, and especially young children, while retaining the advantage of being able to easily and quickly remove the cover without the need for a specific tool. SUMMARY
[0010] To this end, the present utility model aims at proposing a safety device for fastening a cover to a compartment of a removable power source, such as a battery cell, an accumulator or a battery, of a portable electronic product, which can be used to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks.
[0011] In this context, the present utility model relates to a portable electronic product comprising:
[0012] - a housing having a compartment configured to receive and house at least one removable power source;
[0013] - a compartment cover comprising first coupling means configured to cooperate with second coupling means provided on the housing, in order to rigidly connect the cover to the housing by rotating said cover around an axis of rotation formed by a central axis of the cover; said cover having a recess provided in an external face, said recess being configured to receive a tool for rotating said cover.
[0014] Furthermore, the portable electronic product comprises a safety device rigidly connected by clipping to said portable electronic product, said safety device being configured to at least partially cover the recess of the compartment cover, in order to prevent the introduction of a tool for rotating said cover and removing it from the housing.
[0015] Thus, as long as the safety device is in place, the clipped safety device makes the recess unusable by superimposing itself on top of the recess in order to fill and / or hide the recess.
[0016] Furthermore, the clipping connection method makes it easier to fit the safety device by simply applying pressure in the direction of the cover. This attachment method also makes it possible to reverse the installation of the safety device on the portable electronic product and makes it easier for authorized or responsible persons to remove the cover if necessary.
[0017] Preferably, the safety device is rigidly connected to the cover by clipping.
[0018] In addition to the features mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the portable electronic product according to the present utility model can also have one or more supplementary features from among the following features, considered individually or according to any technically possible combination:
[0019] - the safety device comprises a main body having a flat surface and an attachment clip extending from said flat surface of said main body, said attachment clip cooperating with a hook hole formed in said cover and being configured to ensure that said safety device is held by clipping onto said cover;
[0020] - said safety device is rigidly connected to said housing by clipping;
[0021] - the safety device comprises a main body having a flat surface, and an attachment clip extending from the flat surface of the main body, the attachment clip cooperating with a hook hole formed in the housing and configured to ensure that the safety device is held above the cover by being clamped on the housing;
[0022] - the attachment clip protrudes from the flat surface of the main body and extends towards the compartment;
[0023] - the housing comprises a notch formed in the perimeter of the cover, and the attachment clip is housed in the notch in order to prevent the cover from rotating relative to the housing when the safety device is rigidly connected to the portable electronic product by clamping;
[0024] - the main body has a cut-out allowing the entry of a tool into the recess to facilitate the release of the safety device clamped to the portable electronic product;
[0025] - the safety device is made of a metal or polymeric material;
[0026] - the portable electronic product is a timepiece. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0027] The objects, advantages and features of the present utility model will be better understood by reading the following detailed description of the utility model, given with reference to the attached drawings:
[0028] - Figure 1 is a view illustrating the back or rear of a portable electronic product according to the present utility model, the portable electronic product comprising a first exemplary embodiment of a safety device for fastening a cover of a removable power source such as a battery cell, an accumulator or a battery;
[0029] - Figure 2 is Figure 1 a semi-exploded perspective view of the portable electronic product illustrated in
[0030] - Figure 3 illustrating how the safety device fits to the portable electronic product shown in Figure 1 when the compartment is closed by the cover;
[0031] - Figure 4 is Figure 1 a partial cross-sectional view of the portable electronic product shown in
[0032] - Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of a portable electronic product, which more particularly illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of a safety device clamped to the housing;
[0033] In all the figures, common elements have the same reference numerals, unless otherwise indicated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Generally, in the present application, an external face is understood to mean a face that is directed towards the outside of the portable electronic product, and conversely, an internal face is understood to mean a face that is directed towards the inside of the portable electronic product.
[0035] Figure 1 is a view illustrating the back face or rear of the housing of a portable electronic product 100 according to the present utility model, said portable electronic product comprising a first example embodiment of a safety device for securing a cover of a removable power source such as a battery cell, an accumulator or a battery.
[0036] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a semi-exploded perspective view of the portable electronic product 100 as illustrated in
[0037] The portable electronic product 100 is for example a timepiece, such as a watch. However, other example embodiments are possible.
[0038] With reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the portable electronic product 100 comprises a housing 10 (or, when the product is a watch, a watch case) enclosing an electronic unit (not shown) powered by at least one removable power source, for example in the form of a battery cell, an accumulator, a rechargeable battery or a battery.
[0039] As can be seen in Figure 2 , the housing 10 has a compartment 11 configured to receive and house at least one removable power source 2, for example a battery cell or a battery.
[0040] Generally, on a watch, the compartment 11 is located at the rear or back of the watch, i.e. at the part of the watch intended to come into contact with the user's skin.
[0041] Depending on the power required by the portable electronic product, the compartment 11 can be sized to receive and house a plurality of removable power sources, for example a plurality of battery cells, accumulators or batteries.
[0042] In the remainder of the present application, the removable power source 2 will be considered as a battery cell type battery.
[0043] The battery cell type battery 2 housed in the compartment 11 is for example a button cell.
[0044] The compartment 11 of the housing 10 forms a recess, for example in the shape of a cylinder, extending substantially along a central axis X.
[0045] The compartment 11 of the housing 10 is closed by a lid 20 having a central axis X. The compartment 11 is closed by rotating the lid 20 about the central axis X.
[0046] The lid 20 comprises first coupling means 23a configured to cooperate with second coupling means 23b provided on the housing 10. The coupling means 23a, 23b are configured to rigidly connect the lid 20 to the housing 10 by rotating said lid about the central axis X. Thus, the first coupling means 23a and the second coupling means 23b form a system 23 for attaching the lid 20 to the housing 10.
[0047] Preferably, the coupling means 23a, 23b of the attachment system 23 are quick rotation coupling means, thereby allowing the compartment 11 to be quickly and easily opened.
[0048] Preferably, the coupling means 23a, 23b are, for example, means allowing a quarter turn coupling or a bayonet coupling.
[0049] For example, the lid 20 has tabs 26 extending radially with respect to the central axis X. The tabs 26 are configured to cooperate with and fit into grooves 16 formed in the housing 10 about the periphery of the compartment 11. Thus, the tabs 26 of the lid 20 form the first coupling means 23a and the grooves 16 in the housing 10 form the second coupling means 23b.
[0050] According to one alternative embodiment, the coupling means 23a, 23b are screw coupling means, such that the lid 20 is rigidly connected to the housing 10 by screw engagement.
[0051] The lid 20 has a recess 22 formed in the outer face 21, i.e. the face of the lid 20 that is visible to the user when the lid 20 is coupled to the housing 10.
[0052] The recess 22 is formed by a surface that is indented from the outer face 21. The recess 22 is shaped to receive an end of a disassembly tool and ensures rotation of the lid 20 when a rotational torque is applied on the lid 20 using the disassembly tool.
[0053] Preferably, the recess 22 has a simple shape. For example, the recess 22 has the shape of a groove, a straight notch or a slot.
[0054] The recess 22 can also have other more complex shapes.
[0055] The housing 10 also comprises notches 17 distributed about the periphery of the compartment 11 and extending substantially along the axis X, and the grooves 16 open into the notches 17. The housing 10 comprises as many notches 17 as tabs 26 on the lid 20.
[0056] The notch 17 is configured to receive the tab 26 of the cover 20, so as to couple the cover 20 by rotation of the cover 20, thus engaging the tab 26 in the groove 16. When the tab 26 is at the bottom of the groove 16, the cover 20 is coupled to the housing 10 and the compartment 11 is closed.
[0057] The groove 16 can be raised or convex, to indicate by a certain angular position and to provide a sensory indication that the cover 20 has been properly closed.
[0058] As Figure 2 indicated in the figure, between the battery cell type battery 2 and the cover 20 a resilient septum 40 is inserted, to seal the compartment 11.
[0059] The portable electronic product 100 further comprises a security device 30 assembled to the portable electronic product 100 by clamping.
[0060] Clamping is understood to mean the reversible assembly of two elements by means of a clamp or clip.
[0061] The security device 30 is an attachment that is rigidly connected to the portable electronic product 100 by clamping, realized by means of attachment clips engaged in raised portions provided for this purpose. Once the cover 20 is coupled to the housing 10, the security device is rigidly connected to the portable electronic product 100 and the compartment 11 is closed, as indicated in the figure. Figure 3 Figure 3 The cover 20 is shown in the closed position on the housing 10 and the tab 26 of the cover 20 is inserted in the groove 16.
[0062] The security device 30 comprises a main body 31 forming a flat surface and an elastically deformable attachment clip 32.
[0063] The attachment clip 32 protrudes from the flat surface of the main body 31.
[0064] For example, the attachment clip 32 is an elastic lug that extends in relief with respect to the flat surface of the main body 31 and has a hook at its free end.
[0065] The attachment clip 32 extends along a direction that forms an angle between about 45° and 120° with respect to the plane formed by the flat surface of the main body 31 and is directed towards the housing 10.
[0066] The attachment clip 32 is configured to cooperate with the hook hole, so as to rigidly connect the security device 30 to the portable electronic product 100 by clamping.
[0067] In Figures 1 to 4 the first exemplary embodiment illustrated, the security device 30 is rigidly connected to the cover 20 by clamping.
[0068] To this end, the cover 20 has hook holes 29 formed in the outer side of the cover 20 and configured to cooperate with the end of the attachment clips 32 in order to keep the safety device 30 in place on the cover 20 as long as no unclamping force is applied on the safety device 30.
[0069] Figure 4 A partial cross-sectional view is illustrated showing the safety device 30 clamped to the cover 20 with one attachment clip 32 cooperating with one hook hole 29 in the cover 20. The shape of the hooks on the free end of the attachment clip prevents the safety device 30 from being removed until an unclamping force is applied on the safety device 30 to elastically compress the attachment clip 32 and allow the hooks to be released from the hook holes 29.
[0070] Preferably, the attachment clips 32 are also inserted into the recesses of the housing 10 in order to prevent any rotation of the safety device 30 around the X axis. Thus, when the safety device 30 is clamped to the cover 20, it is no longer possible to rotate the cover 20 and remove it since the recesses 17 prevent the attachment clips 32 from rotating. Thus, the safety device 30 has a self-locking function preventing the rotation of the cover 20.
[0071] Preferably, the recesses 17 for mounting said cover 20 and which are free when the cover 20 is in the closed position are used to accommodate the attachment clips 32 of the safety device 30.
[0072] Thus, as can be seen in Figure 1 when the safety device 30 is clamped to the cover 20, the attachment clips 32 are accommodated in the recesses 17 so that they prevent the rotation of the cover 20.
[0073] However, if necessary, specific recesses can also be formed in the housing 10, i.e. different from the recesses 17 for mounting said cover 20, to receive the attachment clips 32 of the safety device 30.
[0074] The body 31 of the safety device 30 is configured to at least partially cover said cover 20 and its recess 22, i.e. the recessed surface forming the recess 22, and preferably to cover most of said cover 20 and most of the recess 22.
[0075] Thus, as long as the safety device 30 is in place, the safety device 30 makes the recess 22 unusable by superimposing itself on top of the recess 22.
[0076] The body 31 is dimensioned to be sufficient to cover the recess 22 in said cover 20 so that it is no longer possible to engage a tool in the recess 22 and thus use the tool in the recess 22 to rotate the cover 20.
[0077] The body 31 has for example the shape of a disc or a cover plate, the diameter of which is substantially equal to the diameter of the cover 20.
[0078] The body 31 can have a cut 36, a shape interruption, an opening or a slot configured to allow a small size tool to reach the recess 22 of the cover 20 on a limited portion. Thus, a tool of smaller size than the one required to rotate the cover 20 via the recess 22 can be used, making it easier to unfasten the safety device 30 from the cover 20, in particular when the compartment 11 has to be opened for replacing the battery unit type battery 2. However, this cut 36 is not sufficient to rotate the cover using the recess 22 and a tool adapted to the recess 22.
[0079] To unfasten the safety device 30 during battery replacement, the user can easily use a small tool and insert it under the body 31 at the cut 36 in the body 31, thus advantageously taking advantage of the removal of the material from the recess 22 in the cover 20. Once the safety device 30 is unfastened and the attachment clip 32 is removed from the hook hole 29, the user can access the recess 22 in the cover 20, thus allowing the user to rotate the cover 20 and access the battery unit type battery 2 housed in the compartment 11.
[0080] Figure 5 A second exemplary embodiment of a safety device according to the present application is illustrated, mounted on a portable electronic product. This second exemplary embodiment is identical to the first exemplary embodiment described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4 , except for the features that will be described below.
[0081] In Figure 5 the illustrated second exemplary embodiment, the safety device 30' is rigidly connected to the housing 10 by a clip.
[0082] To this end, as Figure 5 illustrated in the figures, the attachment clip 32' has a hook pointing out in a radial direction with respect to the central axis X, which in this exemplary embodiment cooperates with a hook hole 29' formed in the housing 10, and more particularly with a hook hole formed on the side of the notch 17.
[0083] Regardless of the exemplary embodiment applied, the safety device 30, 30' is made of a metal or polymeric material.
[0084] As Figure 1 illustrated in the figures, the safety device 30, 30' can also comprise a safety, danger or precaution icon 38 visible on the outer face of the safety device 30, 30'.
Claims
1. A portable electronic product (100), characterized in that, The portable electronic product comprises: - a housing (10) having a compartment (11) configured to receive and house at least one removable power source (2); - a compartment cover (20) comprising first coupling means (23a) configured to cooperate with second coupling means (23b) provided on the housing (10) in order to rigidly connect the cover (20) to the housing (10) by rotating the cover about an axis of rotation formed by a central axis (X) of the cover (20); the cover (20) has a recess (22) provided in an external face (21) configured to receive a tool for rotating the cover (20); wherein the portable electronic product (100) comprises a security device (30, 30') rigidly connected by clipping to the portable electronic product, the security device (30, 30') being configured to at least partially cover the recess (22) of the cover (20) of the compartment (11) in order to prevent the introduction of a tool for rotating the cover (20) and removing it from the housing (10).
2. The portable electronic product (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The security device (30) is rigidly connected to the cover (20) by clipping.
3. The portable electronic product (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The security device (30) comprises: - a main body (31) having a flat surface, and - an attachment clip (32) extending from the flat surface of the main body (31), the attachment clip (32) cooperating with a hook hole (29) formed in the cover (20) and being configured to ensure that the security device is held on the cover (20) by clipping.
4. The portable electronic product (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The security device (30') is rigidly connected to the housing (10) by clipping.
5. The portable electronic product (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The security device (30') comprises: - a main body (31) having a flat surface, and - an attachment clip (32') extending from the flat surface of the main body (31), the attachment clip (32') cooperating with a hook hole (29') formed in the housing (10) and being configured to ensure that the security device is held on the housing (10) above the cover (20) by clipping.
6. The portable electronic product (100) according to any one of claims 3 or 5, characterized in that, The attachment clip (32, 32') protrudes from the flat surface of the main body (31) and extends towards the compartment (11).
7. The portable electronic product (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The housing (10) comprises a notch (17) formed in the periphery of the cover (20) and the attachment clip (32, 32') is housed in the notch (17) in order to prevent the cover (20) from rotating relative to the housing (10) when the security device (30, 30') is rigidly connected to the portable electronic product (100) by clipping.
8. The portable electronic product (100) according to any one of claims 3, 5 or 7, characterized by, The main body (31) has a cutout (36) allowing a small tool to enter the recess (22) in order to facilitate unclipping of the security device (30, 30') clipped to the portable electronic product (100).
9. The portable electronic product (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The security device (30, 30') is made of a metal or polymeric material.
10. The portable electronic product (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The portable electronic product (100) is a timepiece.