Device, housing of a device and vertical battery holder of a device

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) comprising a housing (2), a printed circuit board (3) connected through the housing (2) at a predetermined position within the housing, and a vertical battery holder (4) mounted on the printed circuit board (3) at a predetermined position, wherein the vertical battery holder (4) at least partially defines a coin cell receiving cavity (5) for receiving a coin cell (6) in the vertical battery holder (4), and wherein the vertical battery holder (4) forms a receiving opening (7). The invention is characterized in that the housing (2) comprises a covering device (10) at a covering position corresponding to the predetermined position of the vertical battery holder (4), wherein the covering device (10) at least partially limits the coin cell receiving cavity (5) in the direction of the receiving opening (7) at the covering position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device, a housing of a device and a vertical battery holder of a device.

[0002] The dimensions of a printed circuit board depend on the number of components on the board and their respective sizes. Some devices require a backup battery to provide power. In many cases, a coin cell battery is used as the backup battery. The coin cell battery is mounted on the circuit board using a coin cell holder. Typically, these battery holders are designed as so-called "horizontal" battery holders, in which the battery is placed flat or parallel to the circuit board. These horizontal battery holders allow for a stable attachment of the battery to the circuit board. However, horizontal battery holders take up large lateral dimensions on the circuit board.

[0003] Another type of battery holder for circuit boards is a so-called vertical battery holder, which is designed to hold the button cell battery upright, perpendicular to the circuit board. The lateral space required by the vertical battery holder is therefore smaller than the lateral space required by the horizontal battery holder.

[0004] However, stable mounting of the button cell is more difficult with a vertical battery holder than with a horizontal one, as the battery may be subject to tilting forces. One solution to this problem involves fixing the vertical battery holder to the circuit board. Another problem is retaining the button cell in the vertical battery holder. According to the prior art, vertical battery holders include clamping mechanisms for securing the button cell in a button cell receiving cavity defined by the vertical battery holder.

[0005] The present invention is based on the object of providing a fixation of a vertical battery holder in a device against tilting forces acting on the vertical battery holder. The present invention is also based on the object of providing a solution for enabling the fixation of a button cell in a vertical battery holder.

[0006] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments with useful and not irrelevant further embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims, the following description, and the drawings.

[0007] The first aspect of the present invention relates to a device comprising a housing, wherein a printed circuit board is connected through the housing at a predetermined printed circuit board position within the interior of the housing. In other words, the device comprises the housing, which at least partially defines the interior of the housing. The printed circuit board is arranged inside the housing, wherein the printed circuit board is held by the housing at the predetermined printed circuit board position. The printed circuit board can, for example, be screwed or clamped into the housing.

[0008] The vertical battery holder is mounted at the specified mounting position on the circuit board. In other words, the vertical battery holder is mounted at the specified mounting position on the circuit board. The vertical battery holder can be mounted on the circuit board using surface mount technology or through-hole mounting technology. The circuit board can provide respective through-holes at predefined positions for corresponding pins of the vertical battery holder to arrange the vertical battery holder at the specified mounting position on the circuit board.

[0009] The vertical battery holder is configured to receive a button cell for providing power to the circuit board. The vertical battery holder at least partially defines a button cell receiving cavity for receiving the button cell in the vertical battery holder. The vertical battery holder forms a holder opening on a holder opening side of the vertical battery holder for inserting the button cell into the button cell receiving cavity. The holder opening side of the vertical battery holder faces away from the circuit board when the vertical battery holder is arranged at the holder position. In other words, the vertical battery holder provides the button cell receiving cavity. The button cell is arranged inside the button cell receiving cavity, wherein the button cell receiving cavity is partially defined by the vertical battery holder.The button cell receiving cavity can be defined by walls of the vertical battery holder. The vertical battery holder forms the holder opening, wherein the holder opening is configured to receive the button cell. In other words, the button cell can be arranged in the button cell receiving cavity through the holder opening. The vertical battery holder is arranged on a holder attachment side of the vertical battery holder on the circuit board. The holder opening side of the battery holder faces away from the circuit board. In other words, the holder opening side is located on an opposite side of the vertical battery holder.

[0010] Since the button cell can be inserted into or removed from the button cell receiving cavities through the holder opening, it is necessary to ensure that the button cell does not leave the button cell receiving cavity when the device is subjected to vibration.

[0011] Therefore, the housing comprises a covering device at a covering position corresponding to the predetermined position of the vertical battery holder. The covering device can comprise a web, a pin, or another structural element that projects into the interior of the housing. The covering device arranged at the covering position at least partially delimits the button cell receiving cavity in the direction of the opening. In other words, the covering device forms an obstacle to prevent the button cell from leaving the button cell receiving cavity. It may be possible for the holder opening to be at least partially covered by the covering device to prevent movement of the button cell through the holder opening out of the button cell receiving cavity.

[0012] This embodiment has the advantage that the cover device ensures that the button cell remains inside the button cell receiving cavity. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism on the vertical battery holder for securing the battery in the vertical battery holder.

[0013] The invention also includes embodiments that provide additional technical advantages.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cover device comprises a lateral support element that supports the vertical battery holder on a vertical side of the vertical battery holder against tilting forces acting on the vertical battery holder. In other words, the vertical battery holder can be subjected to forces acting in the direction of a vertically oriented side of the vertical battery holder. The lateral support element is provided to support the vertical battery holder against these forces. The lateral support element can bear against the vertical battery holder on a vertical plane of the vertical battery holder. This embodiment has the advantage that a stable arrangement of the vertical battery holder can be provided without having to provide a strong fixation of the vertical battery holder on the circuit board.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cover device comprises two of the lateral support elements, which support the vertical battery holder against the horizontal forces, wherein the vertical battery holder is at least partially arranged between the two lateral support elements. In other words: the cover device comprises the at least two lateral support elements. The two lateral support elements support the vertical battery holder on respective sides of the vertical battery holder against the horizontal forces acting on the vertical battery holder. The lateral support elements can be walls or webs of the housing, which are arranged on respective opposite side walls of the vertical battery holder. The vertical battery holder is at least partially arranged between the tool lateral support elements.It may be possible for the lateral support elements to have a height of several millimeters. Therefore, the lateral support elements can support the vertical battery holder at the top of the vertical battery holder.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cover device comprises a horizontal plane that is attached to the at least one lateral support element of the cover device and at least partially delimits the button cell receiving cavity in the direction of the opening. In other words, the cover device comprises the at least one lateral support element, wherein the horizontal plane can protrude from the at least one lateral support element. The horizontal plane can be arranged parallel to the plane of the circuit board. The horizontal plane can at least partially cover the holder opening. Therefore, the horizontal plane prevents the button cell battery from leaving the button cell receiving cavity.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cover device comprises at least one central support element that at least partially delimits the button cell receiving cavity in the direction of the opening. In other words, the cover device comprises one or more central support elements, wherein the central support element at least partially delimits the button cell receiving cavity in the direction of the opening. The central support element can be a web or a wall that at least partially covers the mounting opening of the vertical battery holder.

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one central support element extends through a slot of the vertical battery holder that corresponds to the central support element. In other words, the vertical battery holder comprises a slot. The slot can extend from the hole side of the vertical battery holder over a predefined slot length towards the circuit board. The slot can have a dimension that corresponds to the dimensions of the at least one central support element. This embodiment has the advantage that the at least one central element delimits the button cell receiving cavity and also ensures that the battery holder is arranged in the correct position. The central support element can support the vertical battery holder against forces acting on the vertical battery holder.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cover device comprises a bulge of the housing in the direction of the interior of the housing. In other words, the housing can comprise the bulge of the housing as part of the cover device. As an example, a wall of the housing can protrude into the interior of the housing at the bulge. The bulge of the housing can be arranged on the vertical battery holder. This embodiment has the advantage that a cover device can be provided without having to provide a thicker wall on the housing in the region of the cover device.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cover device comprises a web of the housing. In other words, the cover device can comprise one or more webs of the housing. The one or more webs can be structures attached to a vertical and a horizontal plane of the housing. This embodiment has the advantage that an element used to reinforce the housing can also be used to fix the vertical battery holder.

[0021] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a housing of a device. The housing is configured to hold a circuit board at a predetermined circuit board position within an interior of the housing. The housing comprises a cover device at a cover position corresponding to a predetermined position of a vertical battery holder on the circuit board. The cover device at the cover position at least partially delimits a button cell receiving cavity of the vertical battery holder in a direction of an opening of the vertical battery holder.

[0022] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a vertical battery holder. The vertical battery holder at least partially defines a button cell receiving cavity for receiving a button cell in the vertical battery holder. The vertical battery holder forms a holder opening on a holder opening side of the vertical battery holder for inserting the button cell into the button cell receiving cavity. The holder opening side of the vertical battery holder faces away from a circuit board when arranged in a predefined holder position on the circuit board.

[0023] The invention also includes combinations of the features of the described embodiments.

[0024] An exemplary implementation of the invention is described below. The figures show the following: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a covering device of a housing of a device; Fig. 2 a further schematic representation of the covering device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of another covering device of a housing of a device; Fig. 4 a further schematic representation of the covering device of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 a further schematic representation of the covering device of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 a further schematic representation of the covering device; Fig. 7 a further schematic representation of the covering device of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 a further schematic representation of the covering device of Fig. 6; Fig. 9 a schematic representation of another covering device; Fig. 10 a further schematic representation of the covering device of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 a further schematic representation of the covering device of Fig. 9; Fig. 12 is a schematic representation of another covering device; and Fig. 13 a schematic representation of a vertical battery holder.

[0025] The embodiment explained below is a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, in this embodiment, the described components of the embodiment each represent individual features of the invention, which are to be considered independently of one another and which each further develop the invention independently of one another and are thus also to be considered a component of the invention—individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by further features of the invention that have already been described.

[0026] In the figures, elements that provide the same function are provided with identical reference numerals.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a covering device 10 of a housing 2 of a device 1.

[0028] The device 1 can be embodied as a tachograph, a telematics unit, or other electronic device. The device 1 can comprise a housing 2, which can comprise a polymer or a metal. The device 1 can comprise a circuit board 3 connected through the housing 2 at a predetermined circuit board position in an interior of the device 1 surrounded by the housing 2. A vertical battery holder 4 can be arranged at a predetermined mounting position on the circuit board 3. The vertical battery holder 4 can be attached to the circuit board 3 by means of through-holes in the circuit board 3.

[0029] The vertical battery holder 4 is configured to hold the battery for providing a power supply to the circuit board 3. Therefore, the vertical battery holder 4 may at least partially define a button cell receiving cavity 5 for receiving the button cell 6. The button cell receiving cavity 5 may be partially delimited by walls of the vertical battery holder 4. The vertical battery holder 4 may form a holder opening 7 for inserting the button cell 6 into the button cell receiving cavity 5. The holder opening 7 may be located on a holder opening side 8 of the vertical battery holder 4. The side associated with the holder opening 7 may be opposite the holder attachment side for attaching the vertical battery holder 4 to the circuit board 3.To prevent the button cell 6 from slipping out of the button cell receiving cavity 5 of the vertical battery holder 4, the housing 2 comprises a covering device 10 at a covering position that corresponds to the predetermined position of the vertical battery holder 4. The covering device 10 can comprise a central support element 11. The central support element 11 can be designed as a web that is arranged at the corner of a horizontal plane 12 of the housing 2 and the vertical plane 13 of the housing 2. The central support element 11 can at least partially delimit the button cell receiving cavity 5 in the direction of the holder opening 7. To support the vertical battery holder 4 against horizontal forces, the central support element 11 can be configured to be arranged in a slot 14 of the vertical battery holder 4.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows a further schematic representation of the covering device 10 of Fig. 1.

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the vertical battery holder 4 of Fig. 1. The central support element 11 can pass through a slot 14 of the vertical battery holder 4 on an opposite side.

[0032] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of another covering device 10 of a housing 2 of a device 1.

[0033] The Fig. The cover device 10 shown in Figure 3 may comprise the central support element 11 and two lateral support elements 15. The vertical battery holder 4 may be arranged between the two lateral support elements 15. The two lateral support elements 15 may also be provided as webs of the housing 2, which are attached to the horizontal plane 12 of the housing 2 and the vertical plane 13 of the housing 2. The lateral support elements 15 may support or respect the side walls of the vertical battery holder 4 against horizontal forces. In the Fig. 3 to Fig. 5, the central support member 11 may not extend through a slot 14 of the vertical battery holder 4. It may be possible for the lateral support members 15 and the central support member 11 to have lengths that extend along the entire lengths of the vertical battery holder 4.

[0034] Fig. 4 shows a further schematic representation of the covering device 10 of Fig. 3.

[0035] In Fig. 4 shows that the central support element 11 is located close above the vertical battery holder 4. The two lateral support elements 15 may have a greater height than the central support element 11.

[0036] Fig. 5 shows a further schematic representation of the covering device 10 of Fig. 3.

[0037] Fig. 5 shows a side view of the covering device 10 of Fig. 3.

[0038] Fig. 6 shows a further schematic representation of the covering device 10.

[0039] The cover device 10 may comprise the lateral support element 15 on one side of the vertical battery holder 4. The cover device 10 may comprise a horizontal plane 12, 16 protruding from the lateral support element 15. The horizontal cover plane 12 may partially cover the holder opening 7. The horizontal cover plane 16 may cover the top of the vertical battery holder 4.

[0040] Fig. 7 shows a further schematic representation of the covering device 10 of Fig. 6.

[0041] The horizontal cover plane 12, 16 and the lateral support element 15 can abut the vertical battery holder 4 or be located close to the vertical battery holder 4 to support the vertical battery holder 4. The horizontal cover plane 16 can at least partially cover the holder opening 7 of the vertical battery holder 4.

[0042] Fig. Figure 8 shows a further schematic representation of the covering device 10 of Fig. 6.

[0043] The horizontal cover plane 16 can be connected to the lateral support element 15 and to the vertical plane of the housing 2.

[0044] Fig. 9 shows a schematic representation of another covering device 10.

[0045] The cover device 10 may comprise a bulge 17 of the housing 2. The bulge 17 may have a horizontal side that covers the holder opening 7. The cover device 10 may comprise the two lateral support elements 15 on the bulge 17, which supports the vertical battery holder 4.

[0046] Fig. 10 shows a further schematic representation of the covering device 10 of Fig. 9.

[0047] Fig. 11 shows a further schematic representation of the covering device 10 of Fig. 9.

[0048] Fig. 12 shows a schematic representation of another covering device 10.

[0049] The covering device 10 in Fig. 12 can be configured as a bulge 17. The bulge 17 of the cover device 10 can form a horizontal plane 12, 16 that covers the entire mounting opening 7 of the vertical battery holder 4.

[0050] Fig. 13 shows a schematic representation of a vertical battery holder 4.

[0051] The vertical battery holder 4 may include two slots 14. The vertical battery holder 4 may be mounted on the holder mounting side 9 of the circuit board 3. On the side associated with the holder opening 7, the vertical battery holder 4 may form the holder opening 7 for inserting a button cell 6 into a button cell receiving cavity 5, which is at least partially defined by the vertical battery holder 4.

[0052] In Fig. 1 to Fig. 13, a main plane of the vertical battery holder 4 is arranged parallel to a direction of insertion of the circuit board 3 into the housing 2. However, it may also be possible to arrange the main plane of the vertical battery holder 4 in a direction transverse to the direction of insertion of the circuit board 3 into the housing 2 or in another direction, depending on the available lateral space on the circuit board 4.

[0053] A surface of the cover device 10, which is located opposite the holder opening side 8 and can exert pressure on the vertical battery holder 4, is not necessarily parallel to the circuit board 3, but can also be located at a predefined small angle with respect to the circuit board 3 on the vertical battery holder 4 or exert pressure on it due to extraction chamfers. This allows the cover device 10 to provide rectilinear support.

[0054] Overall, the example shows how the invention provides a stabilizing device for a vertical battery holder. Reference symbol 1 device 2 housings 3 circuit board 4 vertical battery holder 5 Button cell cavity 6 button cells 7 Bracket opening 8 Bracket opening side 9 Bracket mounting side 10 Covering device 11 central support element 12 horizontal planes 13 vertical level 14 slot 15 lateral support element 16 horizontal cover levels 17 bulge

Claims

[1] Device (1) comprising a housing (2), a circuit board (3) connected through the housing (2) at a predetermined circuit board position in an interior of the housing (2), and a vertical battery holder (4) mounted at a predetermined holder position on the circuit board (3), wherein the vertical battery holder (4) at least partially defines a button cell receiving cavity (5) for receiving a button cell (6) in the vertical battery holder (4), wherein the vertical battery holder (4) forms a holder opening (7) on a holder opening side (8) of the vertical battery holder (4) for inserting the button cell into the button cell receiving cavity, wherein the side of the vertical battery holder (4) associated with the holder opening (7) faces away from the circuit board (3). characterized bythat the housing (2) comprises a covering device (10) at a covering position corresponding to the predetermined position of the vertical battery holder (4), wherein the covering device (10) at the covering position at least partially delimits the button cell receiving cavity (5) in the direction of the holder opening (7). [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by in that the cover device (10) comprises a lateral support element (15) which supports the vertical battery holder (4) on a vertical side of the vertical battery holder (4) against horizontal forces acting on the vertical battery holder (4). [3] Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized byin that the cover device (10) comprises two of the lateral support elements (15) which support the vertical battery holder (4) against the horizontal forces, wherein the vertical battery holder (4) is at least partially arranged between the two lateral support elements (15). [4] Device (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized by in that the covering device (10) comprises a horizontal covering plane which is attached to the at least one lateral support element (15) and at least partially delimits the button cell receiving cavity (5) in the direction of the opening. [5] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cover device (10) comprises at least one central support element (11) which at least partially delimits the button cell receiving cavity (5) in the direction of the opening. [6] Device (1) according to claim 5, characterized bythat the at least one central support element (11) extends through a slot (14) of the vertical battery holder (4) which corresponds to the central support element (11). [7] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the covering device (10) comprises a bulge (17) of the housing (2) in the direction of the interior of the housing (2). [8] Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the covering device (10) comprises a covering web. [9] Housing (2) of a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims. [10] Vertical battery holder (4) of a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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