Battery system with battery holder, battery holder and associated battery

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery holder (2) in at least one state in which the battery (3) is located in a first holding position, the battery holder (2) comprising at least one main battery holder (21), the main battery holder (21) having a locking system (4) formed by at least one movable locking element (41) one end (421) of which forms a first retaining means (421) for the battery (3), this first retaining means (421) is configured to be in contact with a second retaining means (32) for the battery and to hold the battery in the first holding position, and is configured to be in contact with a third retaining means (33) for the battery, disposed upstream of the second retaining means (32) with respect to the withdrawal direction (D) of the battery (3), and to hold the battery (3) in a second holding position. Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Battery system with battery holder, battery holder and associated battery

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery system with battery support and associated battery, and more particularly to a battery system for a mobility device of the electric assist bicycle type.

[0002] Battery systems are already known in which the battery is initially held in place and subsequently removed from its holder. For this purpose, the battery is held by a key-operated locking / locking system. When the key is turned, the battery is released and can be removed from the holder. A drawback of this type of system is that when the key is turned, nothing holds the battery, which can then fall out. To prevent this, the user must hold the battery while turning the key, which in some cases is difficult or even impossible.

[0003] The invention therefore aims to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art by proposing an improved battery system.

[0004] For this purpose, the present invention proposes a battery holder for maintaining a battery in at least one state in which the battery is located in a first holding position, the battery holder comprising at least one main battery holder, the main battery holder having a locking system formed by at least one movable locking element, one end of which forms a first battery holding means, this first holding means is configured to be in contact with a second battery holding means and to maintain the battery in the first holding position, and is configured to be in contact with a third battery holding means, disposed upstream of the second holding means with respect to a direction of battery withdrawal, and to maintain the battery in a second holding position.

[0005] Such a support thus allows, when the locking system is activated, the battery to be held in place to prevent it from falling out. This avoids the user having to hold the battery while operating the key.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking element is arranged in the main support so as to slide along the longitudinal axis of the battery 3 when it is in the first holding position.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, the locking system is formed by a movable locking element and a key.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the invention, the battery comprises at least a second retaining means and a third retaining means, arranged on a same side of the battery at the level of an end intended to be opposite a battery support according to the invention.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second retaining means is positioned so as to cooperate with a first retaining means of a battery support by means of a first stopping surface disposed in a plane perpendicular to a direction of battery withdrawal and located on the downstream side with respect to the direction of battery withdrawal.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the invention, the third retaining means is formed by at least one retaining element disposed upstream of the second retaining means with respect to the direction of battery withdrawal, the distance between the second and third retaining means is defined so as to allow a locking element of a battery support to slide between the two means.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining element comprises a surface for retaining a locking element of the battery support along a longitudinal axis of movement and a surface for retaining a locking element of the battery support along a vertical axis, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0012] The invention also relates to a battery support system comprising a battery support according to the invention and a battery according to the invention.

[0013] The invention also relates to a mobility device comprising a battery support system according to the invention.

[0014] The invention also relates to a method of using a battery system according to the invention comprising the steps of:

[0015] Activation of a locking element key allowing the locking element to slide, in the retracted position, in a direction opposite to the end of the battery,

[0016] Displacement of the battery in a retraction direction to be in a second holding position,

[0017] The locking element is held in the retracted position by the retaining element.

[0018] Battery removal by applying pressure to the battery in the opposite direction to the direction of removal, the third retaining means then moving with the battery and releasing the locking element which returns to an initial position.

[0019] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be better understood and will become more apparent upon reading the description given below, with reference to the accompanying figures, given by way of example and in which: - Figure [Fig. 1] is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional representation of a battery support system in its first holding position according to one embodiment of the invention, - Figure [Fig. 2] is a schematic cross-sectional representation, top view, of the support according to one embodiment of the invention. - Figure [Fig. 3] is a schematic cross-sectional top view representation of a detail according to one embodiment of the invention. - Figure 4 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional representation of the battery system during its operation: a) key activation, b) second hold position, c) pressure on the battery, d) battery removal, according to one embodiment of the invention. - Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a mobility device comprising a battery support system according to the invention. - Fig. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional top view representation of a detail of the invention according to another embodiment.

[0020] Figure 1 illustrates a battery system 1 according to the invention, a battery holder 2, and a battery 3. The battery system 1 comprises at least one battery holder 2 and a battery 3. The battery holder 2 is configured to hold the battery 3 when the battery 3 is in at least one first holding position. Figure 1 illustrates a state in which the battery 3 is located in the first holding position.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the battery 3 is configured to supply power via the battery holder 2 to an element electrically connected to the battery holder 2 when it is held by the battery holder 2 in the first holding position. The element that is electrically connected to the battery holder 2 comprises an electrical component and, for example, at least one power-assisted drive unit, and / or an electric suspension, and / or a display unit, and / or a bicycle computer, and / or an electrical operating unit. When no longer held by the holder, the battery is withdrawn in a withdrawal direction D and is no longer electrically connected to the holder. The battery withdrawal direction D is the direction in which the battery 3 is moved when it is removed from the battery holder 2.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the battery 3 is rectangular in shape.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the battery 3 comprises a housing 31. The housing 31 is configured to accommodate a plurality of battery cells not shown.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the housing 31 is rectangular in shape.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the battery holder 2 comprises at minus a main 21 battery support.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the battery support 2 includes a secondary battery support 22.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the main battery holder 21 and the secondary battery holder 22 are spaced apart and separated from each other. The main battery holder 21 is configured to hold a first end 310 of the battery 3. The secondary battery holder 22 is configured to hold a second end 311 of the battery 3. The first end 310 is located opposite the second end 311 of the battery 3 along the longitudinal axis X of the battery 3. The longitudinal axis X is that of the largest dimension of the battery 3.

[0028] Within the framework of the invention, the main battery support 21 includes a locking system 4.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the locking system 4 is formed by a movable locking element 41 and a key 42.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the locking element 41 [Fig.2] has a longitudinal shape 413 of width Ll, the width being defined along an axis L perpendicular to the direction D of withdrawal of the battery 3 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the battery 3 when it is in the first holding position.

[0031] The locking element 41 is arranged in the main support 21 so as to slide along the longitudinal axis X of the battery 3 when it is in the first holding position. One of its ends 421 protrudes from the main support 21 at the level of its face 210 oriented towards the first end 310 of the battery 3, that is to say, the face 210 which is positioned opposite the first end 310 of the battery when it is held in the first holding position.

[0032] In the context of the invention, this end 421 of the locking element 41, which protrudes, forms a first means of retaining 421 of the battery 3. The end 421 protrudes so as to retain the battery in the first holding position.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention [Fig.6], the end 421 of the locking element 41 has at least one lateral rim 411, 412 arranged in the plane P parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the battery 3 when it is in the first holding position and perpendicular to the position D of the battery 3 being withdrawn.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the invention, the end 421 of the locking element has a width Ll, the width being defined along an axis L perpendicular to the direction D of withdrawal of the battery 3 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the battery 3 when it is in the first holding position.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention [Fig.3], the end 421 of the locking element 41 has at least two lateral edges 411, 412 arranged on either side of the end 421 in the plane P.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the invention, the end 421 of the locking element 41 is T-shaped and positioned in plane P.

[0037] The end 421 of the locking element has a width L2 [Fig.2], the width being defined along an axis L perpendicular to the direction D of withdrawal of the battery 3 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the battery 3 when it is in the first holding position.

[0038] The other end 422 of the locking element is disposed in the main support 21.

[0039] The operation of the locking system 4 is conventional. When the key 42 is operated [Fig.4] a), the locking element 41 slides in a direction R opposite to the end of the battery. When the key is no longer operated, the element returns to a position in which the length of the protruding part of the end 421 is greater than the length of the protruding end when the key is operated [Fig.2] c), d).

[0040] In the context of the invention, the first end 310 of the battery 3 comprises at least a second retaining means 32 and a third retaining means 33. These two means are therefore arranged on the same side of the battery 3.

[0041] The second 32 and third 33 retaining means are the two means 32, 33 of the battery 3, the first retaining means 421 is the means of the support 2. The battery support system 1 thus comprises at least three retaining means 421, 32, 33.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second holding means 32 allows the battery to be held in the first holding position.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, the third holding means 33 allows the battery to be held in a second holding position.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, in this second holding position, a part of the first end 310 is no longer opposite the main support 21, the battery still being electrically connected to the support.

[0045] According to another embodiment of the invention, in this second holding position, the battery is no longer electrically connected to the support and part of the first end 310 is no longer opposite the main support 21.

[0046] According to an embodiment of the invention [Fig. 3], the first end 310 of the battery has a longitudinal opening 34 oriented in the direction of withdrawal of the battery 3 from the support. This opening 34 forms a slot into which the first retaining means 421 is inserted. The width L3 of the opening 34 is greater than the width L2 of the first retaining means 421, the width being defined along an axis L perpendicular to the direction D of withdrawal of the battery 3 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the battery 3 when it is in the first retaining position.

[0047] The battery removal direction D is the direction in which the battery 3 is moved when removed from the battery holder 2.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second retaining means 32 is located in the longitudinal opening 34. The second retaining means 32 is positioned so as to cooperate with the first retaining means 41. More specifically, the second retaining means 32 comprises a flat portion 320 forming a first stopping surface 320 disposed in the plane perpendicular to the direction D of withdrawal of the battery 3 and located on the downstream side with respect to the direction D of withdrawal of the battery 3.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the second retaining means 32 is located in the middle of the opening 34 in the longitudinal direction.

[0050] When the battery 3 is in its first holding position, the flat part 320 rests against the end 421 of the first holding means 41. The pressure is exerted in the direction of the withdrawal D of the battery 3.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the third retaining means 33 is formed by at least one retaining element 331, 332 disposed upstream of the second retaining means with respect to the battery withdrawal direction D. The distance C [Fig. 4] between the second and third retaining means is defined so as to allow the locking element to slide longitudinally along the axis X between the two means.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining element 331, 332 comprises two surfaces for retaining the locking element 41 at at least one lateral edge 411, 412 along an axis parallel to the withdrawal direction D of the battery 3 and along an axis perpendicular to the withdrawal direction D of the battery 3, when the battery is in a second retaining position. The two surfaces are oriented towards at least one lateral edge 411, 412 of the locking element 4L. That is to say, a surface 341 allows the locking element 41 to be retained along a longitudinal axis of movement and a surface 351 allows the locking element 41 to be retained along a vertical axis, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis which is parallel to the withdrawal direction D.For this purpose, the retaining element 331 comprises a first flat part 341 forming a second stopping surface 341 arranged in a plane perpendicular to the direction D of withdrawal of battery 3 and a second flat part 351 arranged in a plane parallel to the direction D of withdrawal of battery 3. Thus in the second retaining position of battery 3, at least one retaining element 331, 332 is arranged above at least one lateral rim 411, 412 along the axis D of the direction of withdrawal of battery 3.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, the third retaining means 33 is arranged in the longitudinal opening 34 so as to be offset from the second means 32 of retention along the longitudinal axis of the battery, the second retention means being disposed in the bottom 342 of the longitudinal opening 34, and so as to cooperate with the end 421 of the locking element 41 in the first retention position of the battery 3.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the retaining element 331, 332 is disposed on a face 343, 344 of the longitudinal opening 34, perpendicular to the bottom 342 of the longitudinal opening. The retaining element 331, 332 is positioned such that when the battery is moved from its second holding position to the retraction position, along the retraction direction D, the locking element 41 is not blocked by the retaining element 331, 332. That is to say, the retaining element moves between the surface of the support and the edges of the locking element.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the invention, the third retaining means 33 comprises two retaining elements 331, 332 [Fig.3].

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the two retaining elements 331, 332 are arranged face to face on two opposite faces 343, 344 of the longitudinal opening 34. The distance L4 between the two retaining elements 331, 332, or between a retaining element 331, 332 and one of the opposite faces 343, 344 of the longitudinal opening 34, is greater than the width L1 of the locking element 41 and less than the width L2 of the end 410 of the locking element 4L

[0057] The invention also relates to a single battery as described above.

[0058] The invention also relates to a single main support 21 as described above.

[0059] The operation of battery system 1 will now be described in detail.

[0060] In its first holding position [Fig. 1] the battery 3 is held by the main support 21 via the first holding means 421. In this first position, the end 421 of the first holding means is in contact with the first stopping surface 320 of the second holding means 32.

[0061] When the key 42, of the locking system 4, is activated, [Fig.4] a) the locking element 41 slides, in the return position R, in a direction opposite to the end 310 of the battery 3. The battery 3 moves in the withdrawal direction D to be in a second holding position [Fig.4] b).

[0062] In this second holding position, the end 421 of the first holding means 421 is in contact, via a rim 411, 412 with the second stopping surface 341 of a holding element 331 of the third holding means 33. The locking element 41 is held in the return position R by a second flat part 351 of the holding element 331.

[0063] To then allow the removal of the battery 3, pressure is applied to the battery in the opposite direction O to the removal direction D [Fig. 3] c). The third retaining means 33 is then moved with the battery and releases the locking element 41, which returns to its initial position. No retaining element 331, 332 is then positioned above a lateral rim 411, 412 along the axis D of the battery 3 removal direction. The third retaining means 33 is then no longer blocked with the first retaining means 421; it can therefore move freely along the battery removal axis D, and the battery can thus be removed [Fig. 4] d).

[0064] The invention also relates to a mobility device 5, of the type electric-assisted bicycle, [Fig.5], comprising a battery support system 1 as described above.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the invention, the battery support system 1 is housed in a housing 51 of the device 5.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the invention, the battery support system 1 is arranged on a frame, a front fork, a handlebar, a stem, a seat post, a rear luggage rack or a front luggage rack.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the invention, the frame 52 of the device 5 comprises at least one of the following elements: a top tube 56, a head tube 54, a down tube 53, a seat tube 55. According to one embodiment of the invention, the battery support system 1 is disposed in one of the tubes, for example, the down tube 53. The down tube 53 includes an opening 510 forming the housing in which the battery support system 1 is disposed, oriented downwards. "Down" is defined relative to a position of the device 1 when it is placed on the ground in a travel position. The opening 510 is dimensioned to allow downward insertion into the housing 51.

Claims

Demands

1. Battery holder (2) for holding a battery (3) in at least one state in which the battery (3) is located in a first holding position, the battery holder (2) comprising at least one main battery holder (21), the main battery holder (21) having a locking system (4) formed by at least one movable locking element (41) having one end (421) forming a first holding means (421) for the battery (3), this first holding means (421) is configured to be in contact with a second holding means (32) for the battery and to hold the battery in the first holding position, and is configured to be in contact with a third holding means (33) for the battery, disposed upstream of the second holding means (32) with respect to a withdrawal direction (D) of the battery (3), and to hold the battery (3) in a second holding position.

2. Battery support (2) according to claim 1, wherein the locking system (4) is disposed in the main support (21) so as to slide along the longitudinal axis (X) of the battery (3) when it is in the first holding position.

3. Battery holder (2) according to claim 1, wherein the locking system (4) is formed by a movable locking element (41) and a key (42).

4. Battery (3) comprising at least a second retaining means (32) and a third retaining means (33), disposed on the same side of the battery (3) at an end (310) intended to be opposite a battery support (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Battery (3) according to claim 4, wherein the second retaining means (32) is positioned so as to cooperate with a first retaining means (421) of a battery support (2) by a first stopping surface (320) disposed in a plane perpendicular to a direction (D) of withdrawal of the battery (3) and located on the downstream side with respect to the direction (D) of withdrawal of the battery (3).

6. Battery (3) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the third retaining means (33) is formed by at least one retaining element (331, 332) disposed upstream of the second retaining means (32) with respect to the withdrawal direction (D) of the battery,

7.

8.

9.

10. the distance (C) between the second (32) and the third retaining means (33) is defined so as to allow a locking element of a battery holder (2) to slide between the two means. Battery (3) according to claim 6, wherein the retaining element (331) has a surface for retaining a locking element (41) of the battery support along a longitudinal axis of movement and a surface for retaining a locking element (41) of the battery support along a vertical axis, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. System (1) battery support comprising a battery support (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and a battery (3) according to any one of claims 4 to 7. Mobility device comprising a battery support system (1) according to claim 8. A method for using a battery support system (1) according to claim 8 comprising the steps of: - Activation of a key (42) of a locking system (41) allowing a locking element (41) to slide, in the retracted position, in a direction opposite to the end (310) of the battery (3). - Displacement of the battery (3) in a direction (D) of withdrawal to be in a second holding position. - The locking element (41) is held in the retracted position by the retaining element (331). - Removal of the battery (3) by applying pressure to the battery in the opposite direction to the direction (D) of removal, the third retaining means (33) then moving with the battery (3) and releasing the locking element (41) which returns to an initial position.

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