Device, device casing, and corresponding vertical battery holder of a device

Abstract

Device, Device Housing, and Corresponding Vertical Battery Holder. This device (1) comprises a housing (2), a printed circuit board (3) connected through the housing in a predetermined printed circuit board position within the housing (2), a vertical battery holder (4) mounted in a predetermined holder position on the printed circuit board (3), the vertical battery holder (4) defining a button cell receiving cavity (5) for receiving a button cell battery (6) in the vertical battery holder (4), the vertical battery holder (4) forming a holder opening (7). The housing (2) includes a cover device (10) in a cover position corresponding to the predetermined position of the vertical battery holder (4), the cover device (10) in the cover position at least partially delimiting the button cell receiving cavity (5) in the direction of the holder opening (7).Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Device, device housing and corresponding vertical battery holder of a device

[0001] The invention relates to a device, a device housing and a vertical battery holder for 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 button cell battery is used as the backup battery. The button cell battery is mounted on the printed circuit board using a button cell battery holder. Usually, these battery holders are designed as "horizontal" battery holders, where the battery is positioned flat or parallel to the printed circuit board. These horizontal battery holders ensure stable attachment of the battery to the printed circuit board. However, horizontal battery holders require large lateral dimensions on the printed circuit board.

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

[0004] However, securely attaching the button cell is more difficult with a vertical battery holder than with a horizontal one, because the cell can be subjected to tilting forces. One solution to this problem involves attaching the vertical battery holder to the printed 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, delimited by the vertical battery holder.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a means of securing a vertical battery holder in a device against tilting forces acting on the vertical battery holder. Another object of the invention is to provide a solution for securing a button cell battery in a vertical battery holder.

[0006] The objective is achieved by means of the object currently disclosed. The following description and drawings detail advantageous developments with other practical and non-trivial embodiments of the invention.

[0007] The first aspect of the present invention relates to a device comprising a housing, a printed circuit board connected through or by the housing in a The printed circuit board (PCB) is positioned in a predetermined location within the enclosure. In other words, the device includes the enclosure, which at least partially defines the interior of the enclosure. The PCB is positioned inside the enclosure and held in its predetermined location. The PCB can, for example, be screwed or clamped into the enclosure.

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

[0009] The vertical battery holder is configured to receive a button cell to supply power to the printed circuit board. The vertical battery holder at least partially defines a button cell receiving cavity to receive the button cell within the vertical battery holder. The vertical battery holder forms a support opening for inserting the button cell into the button cell receiving cavity at one side of the support opening of the vertical battery holder. The support opening side of the vertical battery holder is oriented away from the printed circuit board when the vertical battery holder is arranged in the support 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, the button cell receiving cavity being partially delimited by the vertical battery holder.The button cell battery receiving cavity can be defined by the walls of the vertical battery holder. The vertical battery holder forms the battery holder opening, which is designed to receive the button cell battery. In other words, the button cell battery can be placed into the receiving cavity through the battery holder opening. The vertical battery holder is mounted on the printed circuit board at one of its mounting points. The battery holder opening faces away from the printed circuit board. In other words, the battery holder opening is on the opposite side of the vertical battery holder.

[0010] Because the button cell can be inserted or removed from the button cell receiving cavities through the support 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 includes a cover device in a cover position corresponding to the predetermined position of the vertical battery holder. The cover device may include a rib, a pin, or other structural element projecting into the interior of the housing. The cover device arranged in the cover position at least partially delimits the button cell receiving cavity in the direction of the holder opening. In other words, the cover device forms a barrier to prevent the button cell from leaving the button cell receiving cavity. The holder opening may be at least partially covered by the cover device to prevent the button cell from moving out of the button cell receiving cavity through the holder opening.

[0012] The embodiment has the advantage that the button cell is held in place within the button cell receiving cavity by the cover device. Consequently, it is not necessary to provide a mechanism on the vertical battery holder to secure the battery in the vertical battery holder.

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

[0014] According to another embodiment of the invention, the cover device comprises at least one lateral support element that supports the vertical battery holder on a vertical side of the vertical battery holder against tilting or horizontal forces acting on the vertical battery holder. In other words, the vertical battery holder can be subjected to forces acting toward a vertically oriented side of the vertical battery holder. In order to support the vertical battery holder against these forces, the lateral support element is provided. The lateral support element can be in contact with the vertical battery holder at a vertical plane of the vertical battery holder. The embodiment has the advantage that a stable arrangement of the vertical battery holder can be provided without the need to provide a strong attachment of the vertical battery holder to the printed circuit board.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, the cover device comprises two lateral support elements supporting the vertical stack support against horizontal forces, the vertical stack support being at least partially arranged between the two lateral support elements. In other words, the cover device comprises at least two lateral support elements. The two lateral support elements support the vertical stack support at their respective sides against the horizontal forces acting on the vertical stack support. The lateral support elements may be walls or ribs of the casing arranged at their respective opposite lateral walls of the vertical stack support. The vertical stack support is at least partially arranged between the lateral tool support elements. It is possible that the lateral support elements may be several millimeters high. Therefore, the lateral support elements can support the vertical stack support at the top of the vertical stack support.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention, the cover device comprises a horizontal plane or horizontal cover plane fixed to at least one lateral support element of the cover device, at least partially delimiting the button cell receiving cavity in the direction of the opening. In other words, the cover device comprises at least one lateral support element, the horizontal plane being able to extend beyond at least one lateral support element. The horizontal plane may be arranged parallel to the plane of the printed circuit board. The horizontal plane may at least partially cover the support opening. Consequently, the horizontal plane prevents the button cell from leaving the button cell receiving cavity.

[0017] According to another 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, the central support element at least partially delimiting the button cell receiving cavity in the direction of the opening. The central support element may be a rib or a wall, at least partially covering the support opening of the vertical battery holder.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least one central support element passes through a slot in the vertical battery holder corresponding to the central support element. In other words, the vertical battery holder includes a slot. The slot can extend from the hole side of the vertical battery holder toward the printed circuit board over a predefined slot length. The slot can have dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of at least one central support element. The embodiment has the advantage that the at least one central element limits the button cell receiving cavity and also ensures the correct positioning of the battery holder. The central support element can support the vertical battery holder against forces acting on the vertical battery holder.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, the cover device includes a bulge in the housing in the direction of the interior of the housing. In other words, the housing may include the bulge of the housing which forms part of the cover device. By way of example, a wall of the housing may protrude at the bulge into the interior of the housing. The bulge of the housing may be arranged on the vertical battery support. The embodiment has the advantage that a The cover device can be provided without the need to provide a thicker wall at the housing level in the region of the cover device.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, the cover device comprises a cover rib. In other words, the cover device or the cover rib may comprise one or more ribs of the housing. The rib(s) may be structures fixed to a vertical and horizontal plane of the housing. The embodiment has the advantage that an element used to reinforce the housing can also be used to fix the vertical stack support.

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

[0022] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a vertical battery holder, in particular a vertical battery holder of a device as defined above. The vertical battery holder defines at least partially a button cell receiving cavity for receiving a button cell in the vertical battery holder, the vertical battery holder forming a support opening for inserting the button cell into the button cell receiving cavity at one side of the support opening of the vertical battery holder, the support opening side of the vertical battery holder being oriented opposite a printed circuit board when positioned in a predefined support position on the printed circuit board.

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

[0024] An illustrative implementation of the invention is described below. In the figures:

[0025] [Fig.1] [Fig.1] represents a schematic illustration of a covering device for a housing of a device;

[0026] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents another schematic illustration of the device covering of the [Fig.l];

[0027] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a schematic illustration of another device of covering of a device casing;

[0028] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents another schematic illustration of the device covering of the [Fig.3];

[0029] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] represents another schematic illustration of the device covering of the [Fig.3];

[0030] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] represents another schematic illustration of the device recovery;

[0031] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] represents another schematic illustration of the device covering of the [Fig.6];

[0032] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] represents another schematic illustration of the device covering of the [Fig.6];

[0033] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] represents a schematic illustration of another device of recovery;

[0034] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] represents another schematic illustration of the covering device of [Fig. 9];

[0035] [Fig. 11] [Fig. 11] represents another schematic illustration of the covering device of [Fig.9];

[0036] [Fig. 12] [Fig. 12] represents a schematic illustration of another covering device; and

[0037] [Fig. 13] [Fig. 13] represents a schematic illustration of a vertical stack support.

[0038] The embodiment explained below is a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, in this embodiment, the described components each represent individual features of the invention, which must be considered independently of one another and which each further develop the invention independently of one another. Therefore, each component must also be considered as a component of the invention individually or in a combination other than that shown. Furthermore, the described embodiment can also be supplemented by other features of the invention already described.

[0039] In the figures, elements which perform the same function are designated by identical reference signs.

[0040] Fig. 1 represents a schematic illustration of a covering device 10 of a housing 2 of a device 1.

[0041] The device 1 may be designed as a tachograph, a telematics unit, or another electronic device. The device 1 may include a housing 2, which may be made of a polymer or metal. The device 1 may include a printed circuit board 3 connected through or by the housing 2 in a predetermined printed circuit board position within the interior of the device 1, surrounded by the housing 2. A vertical battery holder 4 may be arranged in a predetermined holder position. on the printed circuit board 3. The vertical battery holder 4 can be attached to the printed circuit board 3 by means of through holes in the printed circuit board 3.

[0042] The vertical battery holder 4 is configured to hold the battery to power the printed circuit board 3. Therefore, the vertical battery holder 4 may at least partially define a button cell receiving cavity 5 to receive 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 support opening 7 for inserting the button cell 6 into the button cell receiving cavity 5. The support opening 7 may be located on one side of the support opening 8 of the vertical battery holder 4. The side of the support opening 7 may be opposite the side of the support for fixing the vertical battery holder 4 to the printed circuit board 3.To prevent the button cell 6 from moving out of the button cell receiving cavity 5 of the vertical battery holder 4, the housing 2 includes a cover device 10 in a cover position corresponding to the predetermined position of the vertical battery holder 4. The cover device 10 may include a central support element 11. The central support element 11 may be designed as a rib 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 may 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 may be configured to be arranged in a slot 14 of the vertical battery holder 4.

[0043] Fig. 2 represents another schematic illustration of the cover device 10 of Fig. 1.

[0044] [Fig.2] shows a side view of the vertical stack support 4 of [Fig.1]. The central support element 11 can pass through a slot 14 of the vertical stack support 4 on an opposite side.

[0045] Fig. 3 represents a schematic illustration of another covering device 10 of a housing 2 of a device 1.

[0046] The cover device 10 shown in [Fig. 3] may include the central support element 11 and two lateral support elements 15. The vertical pile support 4 may be arranged between the two lateral support elements 15. The two lateral support elements 15 may also be provided as ribs of the housing 2 fixed at the horizontal plane 12 of the housing 2 and the vertical plane 13 of the housing 2. The lateral support elements 15 may support the respective side walls of the vertical pile support 4 against horizontal forces. In the example shown in Figures 3 to 5, the central support element 11 may not pass through a slot 14 in the vertical pile support 4. It is possible that the elements of lateral supports 15 and central support element 11 have a length that extends over the entire length of the vertical stack support 4.

[0047] Fig. 4 represents another schematic illustration of the cover device 10 of Fig. 3.

[0048] In [Fig.4], it can be seen that the central support element 11 is located just above the vertical stack support 4. The two lateral support elements 15 can have a greater height than the central support element 11.

[0049] Fig. 5 represents another schematic illustration of the cover device 10 of Fig. 3.

[0050] Fig. 5 represents a side view of the cover device 10 of Fig. 3.

[0051] Fig. 6 represents another schematic illustration of the cover device 10.

[0052] The cover device 10 may include the lateral support element 15 on one side of the vertical pile support 4. The cover device 10 may include a horizontal plane 12, 16 projecting from the lateral support element 15. The horizontal cover plane 6 may partially cover the support opening 7. The horizontal cover plane 16 may cover the upper side of the vertical pile support 4.

[0053] Fig. 7 represents another schematic illustration of the cover device 10 of Fig. 6.

[0054] The horizontal cover plane 12, 16 and the lateral support element 15 may be in contact with the vertical stack support 4 or may be located near the vertical stack support 4 to support the vertical stack support 4. The horizontal cover plane 16 may at least partially cover the support opening 7 of the vertical stack support 4.

[0055] Fig. 8 represents another schematic illustration of the cover device 10 of Fig. 6.

[0056] The horizontal cover plane 16 can be connected to the lateral support element 15 and to the vertical plane of the housing 2.

[0057] Fig. 9 represents a schematic illustration of another covering device 10.

[0058] The cover device 10 may include a bulge 17 of the housing 2. The bulge 17 may have a horizontal side covering the support opening 7. The cover device 10 may include the two lateral support elements 15 at the level of the bulge 17 supporting the vertical stack support 4.

[0059] Fig. 10 represents another schematic illustration of the cover device 10 of Fig. 9.

[0060] Figure 11 represents another schematic illustration of the device cover 10 of [Fig.9].

[0061] Figure 12 represents a schematic illustration of another device recovery 10.

[0062] The cover 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 covering the entire support opening 7 of the vertical stack support 4.

[0063] Fig. 13 represents a schematic illustration of a vertical stack support 4.

[0064] The vertical battery holder 4 may include two slots 14. The battery holder vertical 4 can be fixed to the printed circuit board 3 at the mounting side of the support 9. At the opening side of the support 7, the vertical battery holder 4 can form the opening of the support 7 to insert a button cell 6 into a button cell receiving cavity 5 delimited at least partially by the vertical battery holder 4.

[0065] In Figures 1 to 13, a principal plane of the vertical battery holder 4 is arranged parallel to an insertion direction of the printed circuit board 3 in the housing 2. However, it is also possible to arrange the principal plane of the vertical battery holder 4 in a direction transverse to the insertion direction of the printed circuit board 3 in the housing 2 or in another direction, depending on the lateral space available on the printed circuit board 4.

[0066] A surface of the cover device 10 which is located opposite the opening side of the support 8 which can press on the vertical stack support 4 is not necessarily parallel to the printed circuit board 3 but can also, due to extraction bevels, be located or press on the vertical stack support 4 at a small predefined angle relative to the printed circuit board 3. This allows the cover device 10 to achieve linear support.

[0067] Overall, the example shows how a stabilizer for a vertical stack support is provided by the invention.

[0068] Reference signs

[0069] 1 device

[0070] 2 cases

[0071] 3 printed circuit board

[0072] 4 vertical battery support

[0073] 5 button cell battery receiving cavity

[0074] 6 button cell batteries

[0075] 7 support opening

[0076] 8 side opening of support

[0077]

[0078]

[0079]

[0080]

[0081]

[0082]

[0083]

[0084]

[0085] 9 side support fixing 10 cover device 11 central support element 12 horizontal plane 13 vertical plane 14 slot 15 lateral support element 16 horizontal cover plane 17 bulge

Claims

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) comprising a housing (2), a printed circuit board (3) connected through the housing (2) in a predetermined printed circuit board position in an interior of the housing (2), a vertical battery holder (4) mounted in a predetermined support position on the printed circuit board (3), the vertical battery holder (4) at least partially defining a button cell receiving cavity (5) for receiving a button cell (6) in the vertical battery holder (4), the vertical battery holder (4) forming a holder opening (7) for inserting the button cell into the button cell receiving cavity at a holder opening side (8) of the vertical battery holder (4), the holder opening side (7) of the vertical battery holder (4) facing away from the printed circuit board (3),characterized in that the housing (2) comprises a covering device (10) in a covering position corresponding to the predetermined position of the vertical battery holder (4), the covering device (10) in the covering position at least partially delimiting the button cell receiving cavity (5) in the direction of the holder opening (7).,

2. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the covering device (10) comprises at least one lateral support element (15) which supports the vertical battery support (4) on a vertical side of the vertical battery support (4) against horizontal forces acting on the vertical battery support (4).

3. Apparatus (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the covering device (10) comprises two of the lateral support elements (15) supporting the vertical battery support (4) against horizontal forces, the vertical battery support (4) being at least partially arranged between the two lateral support elements (15).

4. Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the covering device (10) comprises a horizontal covering plane, fixed to the at least one support element lateral (15), at least partially delimiting the button cell receiving cavity (5) in the direction of the opening.

5. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the covering device (10) comprises at least one central support element (11) at least partially delimiting the button cell receiving cavity (5) in the direction of the opening.

6. Apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one central support element (11) passes through a slot (14) of the vertical battery support (4) corresponding to the central support element (11).

7. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the covering device (10) comprises a bulge (17) of the housing (2) in the direction of the interior of the housing (2).

8. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the covering device (10) comprises a covering rib.

9. Housing (2) of an apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Vertical battery holder (4) of an apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images