Connecting device for a battery charging system, charging device for charging a battery of a headlamp, headlamp and battery for portable light

Abstract

The utility model relates to a connecting device for a battery charging system, a charging device for charging a battery of a head lamp, the head lamp and the battery for supplying power to a portable lamp. The device for charging a battery comprises: a connector provided with three electrical contacts in a linear arrangement and two clamping jaws having at the ends a cylindrical surface intended to be clamped on a battery / housing; wherein the connector comprises three electrical contacts which are linearly arranged, and the intermediate electrical contact is located at an equal distance from the two clamping jaws; and a battery / housing comprising two left and right sides, each side comprising a recess having a hook-like profile configured for a respective jaw of the connector, the battery comprising three electrode terminals arranged linearly and configured to allow electrical connection with each of the three contacts of the connector, the intermediate electrode carrying a voltage representative of the temperature of the battery; wherein the profile of each recess comprises two substantially flat surfaces substantially forming a concave angle, and the two surfaces are connected by a semi-circular groove providing a support line for the cylindrical surface of the respective jaw, to allow the connector to be clamped.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of portable electric lamp, concretely relates to a general electric connection device of the system for the recharging of the battery of headlamp. BACKGROUND

[0002] Portable headlamps usually have a housing for rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries, which is internal or external depending on whether the weight of these batteries is to be transferred to the rear of the headlamp.

[0003] With the increase in the weight of the batteries and the harshness of the conditions of use, it is important to have a battery housing that provides a completely secure and waterproof housing for the batteries.

[0004] It is also desirable to have a high-performance charging system, particularly in terms of the speed and convenience of charging for the user, and in any possible configuration.

[0005] This is the technical problem that the utility model wants to solve. SUMMARY

[0006] One object of the utility model is to propose an electric connection device for the battery housing of a headlamp to provide various charging possibilities and configurations.

[0007] Another object of the utility model is to provide a general electric connection device that allows various charging configurations, including direct charging of the battery outside the headlamp, even when this battery is housed in the headlamp shell.

[0008] A third object of the utility model is to provide a battery charger that includes an electric connection device that allows connection and charging regardless of the connection direction of the charging connector.

[0009] A fourth object of the utility model is to propose an electric connection device that allows fast charging of the battery even when it is housed inside the headlamp shell.

[0010] The utility model achieves all these objects by implementing a device for connecting a battery charging system, which comprises:

[0011] a connector provided with three electric contacts arranged linearly and also comprising two flexible jaws having a cylindrical surface at their end intended to be clamped on the upper part of the battery or battery housing; wherein the middle contact is arranged at an equal distance from the two jaws; and

[0012] a battery / battery housing comprising two lateral faces, left and right, each comprising a recess having a hook-shaped profile matching one of the jaws of the connector.

[0013] Each hook-shaped profile of the two recesses comprises two substantially flat surfaces forming substantially concave angles and these two surfaces are connected by a semi-circular groove whose generating axis is parallel to the upper edges of the left and right lateral faces. The semi-circular groove also provides a support line for the cylindrical surface of the corresponding jaw to allow clamping of the connector by left or right clamping.

[0014] In an alternative embodiment, one of the first and second terminals is configured to transmit a voltage representative of the temperature of the battery to the charger, while the other two terminals are configured to transmit both a positive voltage and a negative voltage. The charging module comprises an electronic circuit comprising a detection circuit and a switching circuit for allowing the user to couple the connector from the right or left position. This arrangement is very advantageous because it allows the battery management circuit to be moved outside the battery housing / battery, thus avoiding the need to evacuate a large amount of heat that would otherwise be generated inside a sealed housing, thus slowing down the charging process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the application will become apparent after reading the description and the drawings that follow, given only as non-limiting examples. In the drawings:

[0016] Figure 1a and Figure 1b a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of a housing intended to house a battery according to one embodiment are shown.

[0017] Figure 2a and Figure 2b a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of a housing cover comprising a three-pole electrical connector 40 according to the application are shown.

[0018] Figure 3a and Figure 3b a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of a locking lever for the housing cover are shown.

[0019] Figure 4a is a view showing a headlamp comprising a housing, its cover and a locking lever mounted on a support.

[0020] Figure 4b is a cross-section of the headlamp along the CAM-CAM axis of Figure 4a .

[0021] Figure 5a is a cross-section along the LEVER-LEVER axis of Figure 4a .

[0022] Figure 5b is a cross-section along the AX_LEVER- AX_LEVER axis of Figure 5a .

[0023] Figure 6a 、 Figure 6b and Figure 6c Three exemplary cross sections showing the locking of the cover by the locking lever, showing the engagement of the semi-circular key in the corresponding circular groove.

[0024] Figure 7a 、 Figure 7b and Figure 7c Three stages showing the opening of the housing cover, which also comprises a three-pole electrical connector according to the present utility model.

[0025] Figure 8a A front perspective view showing the insertion of the battery housing / casing of the battery 200.

[0026] Figure 8b A front perspective view showing the battery 200 according to the present utility model.

[0027] Figure 9a 、 Figure 9b and Figure 9c Three perspective views of the connector according to one embodiment of the present utility model, which is adapted to allow connection to the housing 10 or directly to the battery 200.

[0028] Figure 10a 、 Figure 10b and Figure 10c Three consecutive stages showing the electrical connection of the electrical connector 60 to the housing 10 on the "left side".

[0029] Figure 11a 、 Figure 11b and Figure 11c Three consecutive stages showing the electrical connection of the electrical connector 60 to the housing 10 on the "right side".

[0030] Figure 12a 、 Figure 12b and Figure 12c Three consecutive stages showing the electrical connection of the electrical connector 60 to the battery 200 on the "left side".

[0031] Figure 13a 、 Figure 13b and Figure 13c Three consecutive stages showing the electrical connection of the electrical connector 60 on the "right side".

[0032] Figure 14a 、 Figure 14b and Figure 14c Cross section of the housing with the battery, and two detailed views A and B, respectively.

[0033] Figure 15aThe CONNEC-CONNEC view of the housing with the battery is shown, as well as the Y_0-Y_0 section.

[0034] Figure 15b The details C of the Figure 15a Y_0-Y_0 section defined in the

[0035] Figure 15c The details C of the Figure 15b

[0036] Figure 16a , Figure 16b and Figure 16c show respectively a section of the connector connected to the housing with the battery, as well as two detailed views D and E.

[0037] Figure 17a , Figure 17b , Figure 17c and Figure 17d show respectively the same section as Figure 15a , Figure 15b , Figure 15c but the connector is connected to the battery housing, with two detailed views G and F.

[0038] Figure 18 A first embodiment of the electronic circuit of the charging system related to the battery 200 is shown.

[0039] Figure 19 A second embodiment of the electronic device of the charging system related to the battery 200 is shown.

[0040] Figure 20 A third embodiment of the electronic circuit of the charging system related to the battery 200 is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] A general description will be given of the housing that serves as a battery case for a rechargeable / non-rechargeable battery, as well as of the electrical connection means of the connector intended to charge the battery according to various configurations.

[0042] In order to lighten the load weight carried by the front of the user's head, the battery case of the rechargeable / non-rechargeable battery is designed to be transferred to the back of the user's head in order to power the headlamp electronic circuit located at the front of the head. However, it should be noted that this is only one particular embodiment and that the connection means of the present invention should not be limited to a headlamp with an external battery case. Obviously, the innovative locking system that will be described in detail can be implemented within a single-piece headlamp comprising a lighting system and an internal battery compartment.

[0043] ​More generally, the design of the housing and of its locking system is completely independent of the LED lighting system and of its associated electronics. The battery box to be described can therefore be associated with any lighting system, from the simplest to the most complex, for example a lighting system integrating the REACTIVE LIGHTING technology marketed by the company PETZL.

[0044] Overall, the battery box according to the application comprises three constituent elements, which are respectively illustrated in Figure 1a / Figure 1b , Figure 2a / Figure 2b and Figure 3a / Figure 3b namely:

[0045] - the housing 10 ( Figure 1a and Figure 1b );

[0046] - the housing cover 20 ( Figure 2a and Figure 2b );

[0047] - the locking rod 30 ( Figure 3a and Figure 3b ), which is specifically designed to allow locking of the cover 20.

[0048] The battery box according to the application comprises a housing 10 of substantially parallelepiped shape, which is respectively illustrated in Figure 1a and Figure 1b front and rear perspective views, and which is intended to receive a housing for non-rechargeable or rechargeable batteries.

[0049] In this respect, the housing 10 comprises a front face 11, a rear face 12, and a left side face 13 and a right side face 14, which delimit, by the associated bottom, a housing for a power battery, which can be rechargeable or non-rechargeable. The rear face 12 comprises, at its upper rear edge, a connection system 19 of the hinge type connecting the cover 20, allowing the cover 20 to rotate relative to a first rotation axis substantially parallel to the upper rear edge of the face 12 of the housing.

[0050] In one particular embodiment, the hinge is assembled on the housing by two blind holes, which realize the first rotation axis, and which are configured to receive two rods / pins of the cover 20, which will be described later with reference to Figure 2a and Figure 2b .

[0051] As illustrated in Figure 1a and Figure 1b , the axis of the hinge 19, as well as the left side face 13 and the right side face 14, protrude relative to the upper edges of the front face 11 and of the rear face 12.

[0052] Each of the left side 13 and the right side 14 comprises, in the front portion of the casing, a substantially circular-shaped recess (15, 16 respectively) centered on a point defining a second rotation axis, the function of which will be described later.

[0053] Finally, the casing comprises, near the middle of the left and right sides, two pivot elements 17 and 18, which generate a third rotation axis 17-18 around which the casing can be rotated with respect to the base 11 Figure 1a and Figure 1b not shown in Figure 5a , Figure 5b , Figure 6a , Figure 6b , Figure 6c , Figure 7a , Figure 7b , Figure 7c and Figure 8a shown in

[0054] The cover 20, which is configured to close the casing of Figure 2a and Figure 2b in a watertight manner, will now be described with reference to Figure 1a and Figure 1b In general, the cover 20 comprises two side faces, an upper side, a front side and a rear side, and two side faces, a left side and a right side, the upper side being provided with a three-pole connector 40, which will be described later.

[0055] In one particular embodiment, the cover 20 comprises, on its rear side, two blind holes 21 and 22, intended to accommodate a rotating rod (not described) to create a pivoting connection between the cover 20 and the casing 10, thus implementing the hinged connection 19 described above.

[0056] Opposite the holes 21 and 22, the cover 20 comprises, on the left and right sides, near the upper side, two circular holes, 23 and 24 respectively, which implement the second rotation axis described above and are configured to receive two pins 33 and 34 located at the ends of the U-shaped rod 30, to allow it to rotate around the second rotation axis located in the front of the cover 20. As Figure 3a and Figure 3b shown, the rod 30 is configured to perfectly match the shape and profile of the cover 20 when the latter is in the horizontal plane, thus completing the locking process.

[0057] The U-shaped rod 30 is in Figure 3a and Figure 3bMore specifically, and accordingly, it comprises two branches 31 (left) and 32 (right). The inner face of branch 31 has, at its end, a vertical first pin 33, while branch 32 also has, on its inner face, a second pin 34 at its end. The two pins 33 and 34 are intended to be inserted respectively in the blind holes 23 and 24 of the cover 20 to achieve the pivoting connection of the lever 30 with respect to the cover 20 along the second axis of rotation.

[0058] The U-shaped lever 30 has, on each of the two outer faces of branches 31 and 32, a semi-circular cam 35 and 36, respectively, having a substantially circular shape around an axis common to the second axis of rotation.

[0059] Correspondingly, the lateral faces 13 and 14 of the housing 10 comprise, at the height of the front portion, two circular grooves 15 and 16, configured to receive the engagement of the semi-circular cams 35 and 36, respectively, when the cover is in the closed position and the lever is in the vertical plane, as shown in Figure 6a , and when the lever is lowered to the right so that it enters the horizontal plane ( Figure 6b and Figure 6c ), which causes the semi-circular cams 35 / 36 to be inserted into their respective circular grooves 15 / 16 and ensures a force lock due to the fit between the semi-circular cams 35 / 36 and the circular grooves 15 / 16.

[0060] Figure 4a is a view of the headlamp comprising the housing, its cover, and the locking lever mounted on the support 100. Two cross-sectional views are defined therein, CAM-CAM and LEVER-LEVER, respectively.

[0061] Figure 4b is a cross-sectional view of the headlamp along the CAM-CAM axis of Figure 4a . It clearly shows the engagement of the cam 35 within the circular groove 15 of the lateral face 13.

[0062] Figure 5a is a cross-sectional view along the LEVER-LEVER axis of Figure 4a , also highlighting the AX_LEVER- AX_LEVER cross-sectional view, the details of which are shown in Figure 5a .

[0063] Figure 6a , Figure 6b and Figure 6c show three exemplary cross-sections of the locking of the cover by the locking lever, represented in three different positions: open, half-open, and closed (locked).

[0064] From Figure 6aAt the beginning, the user can exert pressure on the lid while starting to pivot the lever around the second axis of rotation to make the circular cams 35 / 36 enter their respective circular grooves 15 / 16. By lowering the lever to the end of the insertion Figure 6b ), thanks to the combination of the internal seals (not shown) in the lid 20 and the pressure exerted by the circular cams 35 / 36 in their respective circular grooves 15 / 16, the user can close the casing firmly and perfectly tight.

[0065] It can thus be seen that the lowering of the lever makes it possible to achieve the above assembly by the cams 35 / 36 engaging into their respective circular grooves 15 / 16, thus ensuring the tight and effective closure of the lid. It is particularly noted that a perfect seal can be achieved by one or more seals arranged on the lid, the details of which are not part of the present invention.

[0066] Figure 7a- Figure 7c Three perspective views are shown, which illustrate the steps of unlocking and opening the lid. In Figure 7a , the casing 10 is closed, its lid being locked by the U-shaped lever 30 completely arranged in the horizontal plane. In Figure 7b , the user has pivoted the U-shaped lever 30 so that it enters the vertical plane, thus disengaging the circular cams 35 / 36 from their respective grooves 15 / 16 and releasing them to allow the lid 20 to rotate around the first axis of rotation, thus opening the casing. In Figure 7c , the casing is completely open, its lid being in a parallel plane, which allows the user to release the battery pack present in the casing or to insert a new one.

[0067] Now, the three-pole electrical connector 40 arranged on the upper side of the lid 20 but also on the upper side of the battery pack 200 will be described in more detail, which allows the battery pack 200 to be recharged, whether it is housed in the casing 10 or not.

[0068] The electrical connection device according to the present invention is based on a specific connector 60 described later, in particular on the combination of two specific arrangements present on the upper side of the lid 20 of the casing 10 and on the upper side of the battery 200, namely:

[0069] a) a set of two perfectly symmetrical attachment profiles 45 and 46 on the casing 10 (or 55 and 56 on the battery 200), arranged respectively on the upper part of the left and right side and allowing the easy clamping / unclamping of the jaws of the connector 60 of specific profile; and

[0070] b) a three-pole connector 40 on the upper side of the housing cover (or a three-pole connector 50 on the upper side of the battery 200) comprising a first electrode terminal 41 on the housing cover 20 (or an electrode terminal 51 on the battery 200), a second electrode terminal 42 on the housing cover 20 (or an electrode terminal 52 on the battery 200), and a third electrode terminal 43 on the housing cover 20 (or an electrode terminal 53 on the battery 200) arranged linearly, wherein the electrode terminal 42 (or the electrode terminal 52) is a central terminal arranged at equal distance from two attachment profiles 45 and 46 (or attachment profiles 55 and 56).

[0071] In order to allow the battery to be charged even inside the housing, as Figure 8b illustrated, but also as shown in the detailed view of Figure 16b and Figure 16c , each of the left and right side of the cover 20 has a recess to allow positioning of a charging connector 60 having a proper hook-shaped profile.

[0072] More specifically, as shown in the detail of Figure 16b , the left part of the hook-shaped profile 45 of the upper left edge is shown, the profile of the recess comprising two substantially flat surfaces 45a and 45c, which substantially form a concave angle, and are connected by a semicircular groove 45b parallel to the upper edge of the left side. As can be seen in the cross-sectional detail of Figure 16b , the connector 60 clamped on the cover is shown, the semicircular groove 45b is configured to provide a support line for the cylindrical surface located at the end of the flexible jaw 65 of the connector, to allow the jaw 65 to clamp on / unclamp on the attachment profile. The unclamping of the connector is ensured by the elasticity of the two jaws that allows the cylindrical surface to come out of the corresponding semicircular groove to separate the connector.

[0073] Symmetrically, as can be seen in Figure 16c , the right part of the hook-shaped profile 46 of the upper right edge is shown, the recess comprising two substantially flat surfaces 46a and 46c, which are connected by a semicircular groove 46b parallel to the groove 45b. Similarly to the previous one, the hook-shaped profile 46 is configured to provide a support line for the cylindrical surface located at the end of the jaw 66 of the connector 60, while also ensuring that this jaw can be locked / hooked once in place.

[0074] Preferably, the battery 200 has exactly the same profile and configuration on its upper side, i.e. a three-pole connector 50 provided with three electrode terminals 51, 52 and 53, and the same hook-shaped profiles / devices 55 and 56 as those just described for the housing 10, so that the same connector 60 can be attached to both the housing 10 and the battery 200.

[0075] In this way, the user can charge a battery that is internal (i.e. housed in the casing) or external. The advantage is that one battery can be charged while the other is being used in the headlamp.

[0076] Two alternative embodiments of the electrical interface between the electrical connector 60 and the casing or battery 200 will now be described.

[0077] In a first preferred embodiment, the casing (or battery 200) comprises a first central terminal 41 (or terminal 51), a second terminal 42 (or terminal 52) and a third terminal 43 (or terminal 53) which are linearly arranged at equal distances and are configured to allow electrical connection with each of the three contacts of the connector 60.

[0078] The first 41 and third 43 electrode terminals (or terminals 51 and 53) are dedicated to the transmission of a positive voltage / potential, while the second electrode terminal 42 (or terminal 52) is located at equal distances from the right and left attachment profiles so as to allow connection of the connector through the right or left side.

[0079] In this first embodiment, the temperature management of the battery is carried out inside the casing 10 (or battery 200).

[0080] In a second particular embodiment, the connector 40 of the casing (or battery 200) comprises a central electrode 42 (or 52) dedicated to the transmission of an electrical signal representative of the temperature of the battery. This arrangement proves to be very advantageous as it allows the electronic battery management circuit to be repositioned outside the casing, thus avoiding having to vent the intense heat generated inside the sealed casing which could slow down the charging process. Furthermore, since the terminal 42 (or terminal 52) is exactly halfway between the two attachment profiles 45-46 (or 55-56), the transmission of the signal representative of the temperature of the battery is ensured regardless of the direction of connection of the connector 60, whether from the left ( Figure 10a- Figure 10c and Figure 12a- Figure 12c ) or from the right ( Figure 11a- Figure 11c and Figure 13a- Figure 13c ).

[0081] In a particular embodiment, the other two terminals 41 and 43 of the casing 10 (or terminals 51 and 53 of the battery 200) are dedicated to the coupling of the two positive and negative voltages / potentials, so that the connector 60, once clamped on the casing / battery, provides the two positive and negative supply voltages for charging the battery, while collecting the electrical signal representative of the temperature inside the battery on the terminal 42 (or terminal 52).

[0082] With reference to Figure 9a , Figure 9b and Figure 9c, the connector 60 is configured to be clamped onto / from the casing 10 using the upper 66 and lower 65 jaws, which are specifically configured to clamp onto the hook-like profiles / devices 45 / 46 of the casing 10 (or onto the hook-like profiles / devices 55 / 56 of the battery 200), or directly onto / from the battery 200.

[0083] The connector 60 comprises a set of three contact electrodes 61-62-63, which are linearly arranged and fully coincide with the electrode terminals 41-42-43 of the casing 10 (or with the electrode terminals 51-52-53 of the battery 200). In this way, the connector 60 can provide a supply voltage through the contacts 61 and 63, while recovering a voltage / potential indicative of the battery temperature on the contact 62.

[0084] Moreover, in order to ensure a perfect clamping, the upper 66 and lower 65 jaws comprise cylindrical surfaces, which are configured to form a line of support on the respective inner fillets 45b / 46b of the casing 10 (or on the respective inner fillets 55b and 56b of the battery 200).

[0085] In one particular embodiment, the connector 60 is configured to be connected to a battery charging system, which comprises a system for automatically detecting the voltage / potential difference existing between the contacts 61 and 63 when it is clamped on the battery, and also comprises an electronic switching circuit for providing a voltage / potential difference in coordination with the direction of the voltage difference detected on the terminals 41-43 of the casing 10 (or on the terminals 51-53 of the battery 200). This allows to maximize the simplification of the use for the user, who no longer needs to worry about the clamping direction of the connector 60 on the upper side of the casing 10 or of the battery 200 - from the left or from the right.

[0086] Therefore, as Figure 10a , Figure 10b and Figure 10c front and front perspective views show that the user can clamp the connector 60 on the casing 10 along a first direction, in which the cable of the connector is on its left side.

[0087] On the contrary, as Figure 11a , Figure 11b and Figure 11c show, the user can also clamp the connector 60 along another direction, that is, with the cable of the connector on its right side.

[0088] Similarly, Figure 12a , Figure 12b and Figure 12c show the direct connection of the connector 60 to the battery 200 from the "left side".

[0089] Moreover, Figure 13a ,Figure 13b and Figure 13c This connection is shown in the opposite direction, i.e. from the “right side”.

[0090] Figure 14a , Figure 14b and Figure 14c show respectively a section of the casing with the battery, and two detailed views A and B, while Figure 15a shows a CONNEC-CONNEC view of the casing with the battery, and the definition of the section Y_0.

[0091] Furthermore, Figure 15b shows Figure 15a the Y_0-Y_0 section defined in Figure 15c shows Figure 15b the detail C of

[0092] Figure 16a , Figure 16b and Figure 16c show respectively a section of the connector connected to the casing with the battery, and two detailed views D and E.

[0093] Figure 17a , Figure 17b , Figure 17c and Figure 17d show respectively the same sections as Figure 15a , Figure 15b , Figure 15c but the connector is connected to the battery casing, and have two detailed views G and F.

[0094] It can be seen that the device just described is very easy to use for the user, who does not have to worry about the direction in which to clamp the connector on the battery, and can choose to charge the battery directly outside the casing or when the battery is housed in the casing of the headlamp.

[0095] Three specific implementations of the electronic circuit of the charging system and of the battery will now be described with reference to Figure 18 , Figure 19 and Figure 20 .

[0096] Figure 18 A first implementation of the electronic device associated with the charger 300, which is configured to charge the battery 200, is shown, as previously described, by means of the battery charger interface which forms the electrical part of the connector 60 comprising the three electrodes 61, 62 and 63.

[0097] In this first implementation, the charger 300 comprises an integrated charging circuit 69 which, through the electrodes 61, 62 and 63 of the connector 60, Figure 18The three electrodes 61, 62 and 63 of the connector 60 are powered, which receive three voltages respectively: positive, negative (ground) and positive.

[0098] Corresponding to the electrodes 61, 62, 63, the battery 200 comprises three electrode terminals 51, 52 and 53 to ensure the electrical coupling between the electrodes of the connector 60 and the electrodes of the battery, and two additional electrodes 54 and 55 to provide the interface between the battery and the headlamp.

[0099] The electrical connection has been made. The electrode terminals 51, 53 and 54 are coupled together and carry the positive voltage / potential. The electrode terminal 52 is coupled to the electrode terminal 55 and to a first electrode of the BMS battery management circuit 210, the second electrode of which is connected to a first electrode of the energy battery 220. The second electrode of the battery 220 is connected to the electrode terminals 51, 54 and 55. The BMS battery management circuit 210 is as close as possible to the energy battery 220 to ensure adequate protection.

[0100] As illustrated, Figure 18 The circuit of the application generates a symmetrical connector, the reversibility function of which is ensured by the positive terminals 51 and 53, which are symmetrical and located on either side of the central contact formed by the electrode terminal 52.

[0101] In a more advanced embodiment, which will be described with reference to Figure 19 and Figure 20 An additional function is proposed, and in a very advantageous manner, which does not add additional electrodes.

[0102] Figure 19 and Figure 20 Elements common to Figure 18 will have the same reference numerals.

[0103] Figure 19 A second embodiment is illustrated with a charger identical to Figure 18 On the other hand, if the battery 200 still has, at the interface with the charger and the headlamp, respectively, a set of three electrode terminals 51, 52, 53 and two electrode terminals 54, 55, the battery 200 now integrates a MOS transistor 230, the gate, source and drain of which are coupled to the electrode terminals 51, 53 and 54, respectively. As previously described, the circuit 210 and the energy battery 220 are connected in series between the electrode terminals 52 and 53.

[0104] Thanks to this arrangement, the charger keeps a symmetrical structure, the positive terminal being identical, but differently using the function of the two contacts of the battery side facing each other. The reversibility is ensured by ensuring the function over the voltage range supplied on the + terminal of the charger. The function sought in this second embodiment is to disconnect the L contact (towards the headlight) by a MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) when the charger is connected. As illustrated, this light cannot be used during the charging. The advantage presented by this second embodiment is to use 3 electrodes (+, -, +) on the charger side for 3 different contacts of the battery side without increasing the number of contacts.

[0105] Figure 20 A third embodiment is illustrated, in which new components are introduced in both the charger 300 and the battery 200.

[0106] Indeed, in addition to the integrated charging circuit 69, the charger 300 now comprises a circuit 310 for detecting the NTC temperature sensor and a switching circuit 320. The NTC detection circuit 310 comprises two electrodes, a first electrode connected to the electrode 61 to detect the presence of a signal representative of the NTC temperature and a second electrode allowing the transmission of a control signal to the switching circuit 320. The charging circuit 69 is coupled to the switching circuit 320 through the two electrodes, the switching circuit 320 also being coupled to the two electrodes 61 and 63. According to the control signal transmitted by the NTC circuit 310, the switching circuit 320 can invert the electrodes 61 and 63 to ensure the reversibility of the coupling of the connector 60. The electrode 62 is itself coupled to the ground.

[0107] The battery 200 comprises a battery management circuit 210, an energy battery 220 and a MOSFET transistor 230, in series between the electrodes 52 and 55. The electrode 54 is also connected to the electrode 52 which is connected to the ground.

[0108] A charging detection circuit 250 connected to the electrode 53 and coupled to the gate of the MOSFET transistor 230 detects the presence of a charging connector in order to authorize or not the passage of current from the energy battery 220 if necessary, thus verifying the use of the battery.

[0109] Finally, the battery 200 comprises an NTC resistor 240 coupled between the ground and the electrode 51 in order to transmit information representative of the temperature of the energy battery through the NTC resistor 240. Precisely, the circuit 310 of the charger detects this information and transmits it to the charging circuit.

[0110] This third embodiment has significant advantages.

[0111] In fact, (in addition to the protection of the BMS) it is important to send temperature information back to the charger in order to optimize the charging and safety of the battery according to the temperature. However, as mentioned above, it is not desirable to add additional pairs of contacts to the connector 60. Therefore, the third embodiment achieves this goal by using 3 different contacts NTC, -, + on the electrodes 51, 52 and 53 respectively. Reversibility is ensured by assigning functions: here, the function + and the function NTC are achieved by detecting the opposite contact of one of the pins / electrodes of the charger.

[0112] When the charger is connected to the battery, the NTC detection circuit 310 will detect the presence of the NTC of the battery. According to this detection, the control switch circuit 320 (analog switch) is controlled in order to assign the NTC and the VBATT+ functions of the circuit 69 to the correct electrodes / contacts of the reversible connector 60.

[0113] In addition, a function already present in the second embodiment is also present in this third embodiment: namely, the disconnection of the battery on the light side when charging. In the third embodiment, this function is performed only by the presence of the charger voltage on the + terminal. The circuit 250 controls the MOSFET transistor 230 to allow the cut signal on the electrode 55 (L+) and to avoid the edge effect (feedback of the battery voltage to the MOSFET input).

Claims

1. A connection device for a battery charging system, characterized in that, The connecting device includes: A connector (60) is provided with three linearly arranged electrical contacts and further includes two flexible grippers having cylindrical surfaces at their ends designed to clamp onto the upper part of a battery (200); wherein the connector includes a first electrical contact (61), a second electrical contact (62), and a third electrical contact (63) linearly arranged, and the second electrical contact (62) is arranged at an equidistant distance from the two flexible grippers; and The battery (200) includes two sides, a left side and a right side, each side including a recess having a hook-shaped profile (55, 56) configured for corresponding grippers of the connector (60). The battery (200) includes linearly arranged first electrode terminals (51), second electrode terminals (52), and third electrode terminals (53), and the first electrode terminals (51), second electrode terminals (52), and third electrode terminals (53) are configured to allow electrical connection with each of the first electrical contacts (61), second electrical contacts (62), and third electrical contacts (63) of the connector (60). Each of the recesses includes two flat surfaces forming a concave angle, and these two surfaces are connected by a semi-circular groove (55b) whose generating axis is parallel to the upper edge of the left side surface. The semi-circular groove (55b) provides a support line for the cylindrical surface of the corresponding gripper to allow clamping of the connector. The first electrode terminal (51) and the third electrode terminal (53) are dedicated to transmitting a first voltage / potential, and the second electrode terminal (52) is located at an equal distance from the left hook profile and the right hook profile to allow the connector to be connected from the right or left side, and is also dedicated to transmitting a second voltage / potential.

2. The connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second electrode terminal (52) is configured to transmit a negative voltage, while the first electrode terminal (51) and the third electrode terminal (53) are configured to transmit a positive voltage.

3. The connecting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first electrode terminal or the second electrode terminal is configured to transmit a voltage representing the temperature of the battery to the charger; and The other two terminals of the first electrode terminal, the second electrode terminal, and the third electrode terminal are configured to transmit both positive and negative voltages.

4. A connection device for a battery charging system, the connection device being housed in a headlamp housing, characterized in that, The connecting device includes: A connector (60) having three linearly arranged electrical contacts and further comprising two flexible grippers having cylindrical surfaces at their ends designed to clamp onto the housing (10) of a battery (200); wherein the connector includes a linearly arranged first electrical contact (61), a second electrical contact (62), and a third electrical contact (63), and the second electrical contact (62) is arranged at an equidistant distance from the two flexible grippers; and The housing (10) of the battery (200) has two sides, a left side and a right side, each side including a recess having a hook-shaped profile (45, 46) configured for corresponding grippers of the connector (60). The housing (10) has linearly arranged first electrode terminals (41), second electrode terminals (42), and third electrode terminals (43), and the first electrode terminals (41), second electrode terminals (42), and third electrode terminals (43) are configured to allow electrical connection with each of the first electrical contacts (61), second electrical contacts (62), and third electrical contacts (63) of the connector (60). Each of the recesses comprises two flat surfaces (45a, 45c; 46a, 46c) forming a concave angle, and the two surfaces are connected by a semi-circular groove (45b; 46b) whose axis of formation is parallel to the upper edge of the left side surface. The semi-circular groove (45b; 46b) provides a support line for the cylindrical surface of the corresponding gripper to allow clamping of the connector. The first electrode terminal (41) and the third electrode terminal (43) are dedicated to transmitting a first voltage, and the second electrode terminal (42) is located at an equal distance from the left attachment profile and the right attachment profile to allow the connector to be connected from the right or left side, and is also dedicated to transmitting a second voltage.

5. The connecting device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The connector (60) is configured to be able to connect indiscriminately in one direction or the other relative to the battery (200) or the housing (10).

6. The connecting device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The second electrode terminal (42) is configured to transmit a negative voltage, while the first electrode terminal (41) and the third electrode terminal (43) are configured to transmit a positive voltage.

7. The connecting device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first electrode terminal (41) or the second electrode terminal (42) is configured to transmit a voltage representing the temperature of the battery to the charger; and The other two electrode terminals among the first electrode terminal (41), the second electrode terminal (42), and the third electrode terminal (43) are configured to transmit both positive and negative voltages.

8. The connecting device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The battery casing includes: The main body of the shell includes a front (11), a rear (12), and two side surfaces: a left side (13) and a right side (14). The rear (12) includes a hinge (19) that allows the cover (20) to rotate relative to a first axis of rotation parallel to the upper rear edge; Each of the left side (13) and the right side (14) includes a circular groove (15, 16) centered on a point defining a second axis of rotation in the front portion of the housing. The cover (20) of the housing includes a top side, a left side and a right side, and a rear side. The rear side includes a pivot connection that allows the cover to rotate about the first axis of rotation; The cover (20) includes blind holes (23, 24) on its left and right sides, respectively. These blind holes realize the second axis of rotation and are configured to receive two pins (33, 34) located at both ends of a U-shaped locking lever (30) to allow the U-shaped locking lever to rotate about the second axis of rotation. The locking lever (30) includes two branches: a left branch (31) and a right branch (32). The inner surface of the left branch (31) includes a first pin (33) perpendicular to the inner surface, and the inner surface of the right branch (32) includes a second pin (34). The first pin (33) and the second pin (34) are configured to be inserted into the blind holes (23, 24) of the cover (20) to complete the pivotal connection of the locking lever (30) relative to the cover (20) about the second axis of rotation; The locking lever (30) further includes cams (35, 36) on each of the two outer surfaces of the left branch (31) and the right branch (32), the cams having a circular shape centered on the second axis of rotation; The left side (13) and right side (14) of the housing body include two circular grooves (15, 16) in the front portion. The two circular grooves are centered on the second rotation axis and are configured to receive engagement of the cams (35, 36) respectively when the cover is in the closed position, the locking lever is in the unfolded position, and the locking lever is pivoted to insert the cams (35, 36) into their respective circular grooves (15, 16), thereby ensuring force locking.

9. The connecting device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The housing includes two pivot elements (17, 18) at the midpoint between the left and right sides, which generate a third axis of rotation, around which the housing body can rotate relative to a fixed support.

10. The connecting device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The locking lever (30) is configured to perfectly match the shape and contour of the cover (20) when the cover (20) is in the final locked position.

11. The connecting device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The housing forms an external battery housing that allows for remote power supply to the headlamp.

12. A charging device for charging the battery of a headlamp, characterized in that, The charging device includes the connection device as described in claim 3 or 7, and the charging device further includes electronic circuitry for automatically detecting the direction of the voltage difference present on the first electrode terminal (41) and the third electrode terminal (43), and a switching circuitry for adjusting the direction of the voltage to be applied to the first electrical contact (61) and the third electrical contact (63).

13. A headlamp, characterized in that, The headlamp has a power supply unit adapted to be charged by the charging device as described in claim 12.

14. A battery for powering a portable lamp, characterized in that, The battery is configured to be charged by the connection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

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