Holding device

Abstract

To provide a holding device for removably holding an electrical device through a holding portion, which facilitates assembly work of a front panel (auxiliary member) to a main body portion (main member).SOLUTION: A holding device 10 includes a slot (accommodation portion or holding portion) 14 and a housing 200. The slot has an entrance / exit through which a mobile battery (power storage device or electric device) 12 is inserted / extracted, and holds the mobile battery in a detachable manner. The slot is arranged to protrude from the arrangement surface. Here, the arrangement surface (design surface 208 of a front panel 204) is one of the outer surfaces of the housing, and is the outer surface on which the entrance / exit faces in the first direction Z. The housing includes an installation main body (main portion) 202 and a front panel (separate portion) 204 that is detachably attached to the main portion. The front panel has an exposure window (opening) 206 formed at a position corresponding to the entrance / exit such that the entrance / exit can be inserted therethrough.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding device that detachably holds an electrical device via a holding portion. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a holding device that holds a mobile battery. The mobile battery is an electric device that can be charged and discharged. The holding device charges the mobile battery. Alternatively, the holding device supplies power supplied from the mobile battery to an external load.

[0003] This holding device has a plurality of slots (holding portions). The mobile battery can be attached to and detached from each of the plurality of slots. For example, a user inserts a mobile battery whose state of charge (SOC) is low into one slot. The user then pulls out another mobile battery whose SOC has become sufficiently high from another slot.

[0004] The housing of the holding device has a front panel (secondary member). The front panel is attached to the front of a main body (main member) that constitutes the housing. The front panel has an opening, and the main body has a slot insertion hole. When assembling the holding device, the slot is inserted into the slot insertion hole, and then the front panel is attached to the main body. As shown in FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1, a grommet seals the gap between the opening of the front panel and the slot. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 107069 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the above configuration, there is a demand for facilitating the assembly work of the front panel (sub-component) to the main body (main component).

[0007] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a holding device comprising a holding section having an entrance through which an electrical device is inserted and removed, and which holds the electrical device in a detachable manner, and a housing, wherein the holding section is arranged on an arrangement surface of the outer surface of the housing facing a first direction, so as to protrude from the arrangement surface, the housing has a main section and a separate section which is detachably attached to the main section, and the separate section has an opening formed at a position corresponding to the entrance of the holding section so that the entrance can be inserted therethrough. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to align the position of the entrance of the holding part attached to the main part with the position of the opening of the separate part, and then to attach the separate part to the main part, which makes it easy to assemble the sub-member to the main member.

[0010] After assembling the separate part to the main part, the user inserts the electrical device into the opening of the holding part through the opening of the separate part, or pulls the electrical device out of the opening of the holding part through the opening of the separate part. Since the opening of the separate part and the opening of the holding part are aligned, it is easy to insert and remove the electrical device.

[0011] As described above, according to the present invention, the operation of assembling the separate part to the main part and the operation of inserting and removing the electric device into and from the accommodating part are easy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the storage device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mobile battery. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the mobile battery. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the mobile battery. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the reverse side of the front panel. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic overall perspective view of the slot. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the slot. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of the slot. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the first cylindrical rail that constitutes the second protrusion portion. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of the first cylindrical inner rail. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic front view of the slot. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the bezel. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of the slot showing the trajectory of the door movement. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a main part showing the structure of the attachment portion of the door in the slot when the door is located at the second position. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a rear view of the door when looking at the surface facing the inside of the slot. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of the main part when the door has moved from the state of FIG. 15 to the first position. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an overall perspective view of a torsion spring that pushes the door. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the gasket. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of a crushed gasket. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of a bottom cover that constitutes the bottom of the slot. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a schematic rear perspective view of the slot. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a schematic rear perspective view of the slot from a different angle than FIG. 22. FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating the force of gravity acting on a mobile battery (electrical device) inserted into a slot. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a chart showing the relationship between the inclination angle of the slot with respect to the horizontal direction and the dynamic friction force of the first cylindrical inner rail. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a container device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] In the following, the storage device 10 (or holding device) shown in FIG. 1 will be illustrated and described based on the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis defined as follows. The direction in which the mobile battery 12 is inserted into and removed from the slot 14 is defined as the Z-axis direction. In the Z-axis direction, the direction from the innermost part of the slot 14 toward the opening is defined as the +Z-axis direction. The +Z-axis direction is the removal direction in which the mobile battery 12 is removed from the slot 14. The -Z-axis direction is the opposite direction to the +Z-axis direction. The -Z-axis direction is the insertion direction of the mobile battery 12 into the slot 14. In other words, the Z-axis direction is the insertion and removal direction of the mobile battery 12.

[0014] The direction parallel to the width direction of the storage device 10 is defined as the X-axis direction. When the user stands facing the front of the storage device 10, the right hand side in the X-axis direction is defined as the +X-axis direction. The -X-axis direction is the opposite direction to the +X-axis direction and is the left hand side in the X-axis direction. The direction perpendicular to the Z-axis and X-axis is defined as the Y-axis direction. The upper side in the Y-axis direction is defined as the +Y-axis direction. The lower side in the Y-axis direction is defined as the -Y-axis direction.

[0015] The term "removable" is substantially synonymous with the term "detachable." That is, the mobile battery 12 can be attached (inserted) to the slot 14, and can be removed (pulled out) from the slot 14. Here, the term "detachable" means that the user can freely insert and remove the mobile battery 12 from the slot 14 without using tools or the like. Also, the term "removable" is synonymous with the term "inserted and removed." Therefore, "inserted and removed" or "detached" is synonymous with "inserted and removed."

[0016] [Outline of the storage device] 1 is a schematic diagram of the exterior of a storage device 10. A mobile battery 12 (power storage device) is stored inside the storage device 10 so that it can be inserted and removed. This storage device 10 is a device that charges the mobile battery 12 stored inside the storage device 10. A user pushes a mobile battery 12 with a low charging rate (SOC: State of Charge) into the storage device 10. The user pulls out another mobile battery 12 that has completed charging from the storage device 10.

[0017] The storage device 10 has twelve slots 14 (storage sections or holding sections) and one operation panel 16. A mobile battery 12 is stored in each of the twelve slots 14. When a user stores a mobile battery 12 in one of the slots 14, the storage device 10 starts charging the mobile battery 12 stored in that slot 14.

[0018] The operation panel 16 is a device that is operated by a user. The user operates the operation panel 16 to, for example, make payments or the like.

[0019] [Mobile battery configuration] In this embodiment, a mobile battery 12 shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 is used as a power storage device. The mobile battery 12 is also an electric device. The configuration of the mobile battery 12 will be described. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the mobile battery 12. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the mobile battery 12. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the mobile battery 12.

[0020] 2, the mobile battery 12 has a bottom case 20, a main case 22, and a top case 24. The bottom case 20, the main case 22, and the top case 24 form the housing of the mobile battery 12. The bottom case 20 forms the bottom surface of the mobile battery 12.

[0021] 2 and 3, the top case 24 constitutes the upper surface of the mobile battery 12. A handle 30 is provided on the upper surface. The handle 30 has a first grip portion 28 and a second grip portion 32. A user inserts or removes the mobile battery 12 into or from the slot 14 by gripping the handle 30.

[0022] The main case 22 is a hollow rectangular cylinder with both ends open (see FIG. 2). Therefore, the mobile battery 12 has four side surfaces. The four side surfaces are side surface 34a, side surface 34b, side surface 34c, and side surface 34d. Of these, side surface 34a is curved and convex outward. Side surface 34a is the surface that corresponds to the second gripping portion 32. Side surface 34b, side surface 34c, and side surface 34d are substantially flat. In the illustrated example, side surface 34a is entirely curved, but a portion of side surface 34a may be locally curved.

[0023] A cell pack is housed in the main case 22. The cell pack is formed by electrically connecting a plurality of single cells. This configuration is publicly known, for example, as described in JP 2020-198229 A, and therefore illustrations and explanations are omitted. The cell pack corresponds to the power storage unit of the present invention.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, a female connector 26 (first electrical terminal) is exposed on the bottom surface. Connector 26 has a female electrical terminal for receiving and transmitting power, and a female communication terminal for receiving and transmitting communication signals. That is, connector 26 serves as both an electrical terminal and a communication terminal. Connector 26 is provided in a recessed space 27 on the bottom surface. That is, connector 26 is provided at a position slightly closer to top case 24 than the bottom surface. Connector 26 is closer to the end where second gripping portion 32 is provided, than the center of the bottom surface. Connector 26, which is female, is sometimes called a receptacle.

[0025] The four corners 36b of the bottom case 20 and the four corners 36t of the top case 24 protrude slightly further than the four corners 36m of the main case 22. For this reason, as can be seen from FIG. 2, the outer edge of the main case 22 is located inward from the outer edges of the four corners 36b of the bottom case 20 and the four corners 36t of the top case 24. As a result, the main case 22 is recessed relative to the four corners 36b of the bottom case 20 and the four corners 36t of the top case 24. In other words, a recess 38 is formed in the mobile battery 12 based on the dimensional difference between the main case 22 and the bottom case 20 and the top case 24.

[0026] For example, a light metal is selected as the material for the bottom case 20, the main case 22, and the top case 24. Suitable examples of the light metal include aluminum and aluminum alloys, because aluminum and aluminum alloys are lightweight and chemically stable.

[0027] [Containment device overview] As shown in FIG. 1, the storage device 10 has a housing 200. The housing 200 has a device body 202 as a main part and a front panel 204 as a separate part. An exposure window 206 is formed as an opening in the front panel 204. The number of the exposure windows 206 is the same as the number of the slots 14. A bezel 70, which is a part of the slot 14, is exposed from the exposure window 206. In FIG. 1, a design surface 208 of the front panel 204 is shown. The design surface 208 is a placement surface of the outer surface of the front panel 204 that faces the user (+Z axis direction). Therefore, the user visually recognizes the design surface 208. The +Z axis direction facing the user is a first direction.

[0028] 5 and 6 show the back surface 210 of the front panel 204. The back surface 210 of the front panel 204 is the surface opposite to the design surface 208 and faces the device body 202. Four U-shaped ribs 212 (reinforcement parts) are provided on the back surface 210 of the front panel 204. The U-shaped ribs 212 extend along the Y direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the front panel 204. The openings of the U-shaped ribs 212 face the device body 202. Two of the four U-shaped ribs 212 are provided at both ends in the X direction, which is the width direction. The remaining two of the four U-shaped ribs 212 are provided between two rows of exposure windows 206 adjacent to each other in the width direction.

[0029] 5, a plurality of (e.g., four) strikers 214 are provided on the rear surface 210 of the front panel 204 at a location different from the location where the U-shaped rib 212 is provided. In response to this, a latch (not shown) is provided on the device body 202. The front panel 204 is assembled to the device body 202 as the strikers 214 are held by the latch.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, the inner peripheral edge of the exposure window 206 is burred all around. Specifically, the inner peripheral edge of the exposure window 206 is folded back at an acute angle from the design surface 208 toward the back surface 210 facing the device body 202. As a result, a folded portion 216 (so-called burring) is formed on the inner peripheral edge of the exposure window 206. The U-shaped rib 212 and the folded portion 216 make the front panel 204 exhibit high rigidity. The folded portion 216 goes around the inner peripheral edge of the exposure window 206. In other words, the folded portion 216 is provided all around the inner peripheral edge of the exposure window 206. The folded angle of the folded portion 216 may be a right angle.

[0031] The tip of the folded portion 216 is located on the outer periphery than the exposure window 206. Therefore, the circumferential length of the tip of the folded portion 216 is greater than the circumferential length of the inner periphery of the exposure window 206. The circumferential length of the inner periphery of the exposure window 206 is greater than the circumferential length of the inner periphery of the entrance of the mobile battery 12 in the slot 14. Here, the entrance of the slot 14 is the first insertion opening 86a shown in Figures 9 and 13, etc. The first insertion opening 86a will be described later.

[0032] The material of the front panel 204 is preferably a material that can be easily subjected to burring. A suitable example of such a material is a hard metal. A typical example of the hard metal is stainless steel.

[0033] 9 is interposed between the outer surface of the slot 14 and the rear surface 210 of the front panel 204. The gasket 220 will be described later.

[0034] [Overall slot configuration] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the slot 14 is provided in the storage device 10 in an inclined position such that an opening for inserting and removing the mobile battery 12 is higher than the bottom. The configuration of this slot 14 will be described. Figure 7 is a schematic overall perspective view of the slot 14. Figure 7 shows a state in which the mobile battery 12 is not inserted into the slot 14. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the slot 14. Figure 8 shows a state in which the mobile battery 12 is inserted into the slot 14.

[0035] The slot 14 has a slot sleeve 50 and a battery lock mechanism 52. The slot sleeve 50 holds the mobile battery 12. The slot sleeve 50 has a slot body 54, a slot flange 56, a slot guide 58, and a bottom cover 60.

[0036] The slot body 54 is a cylindrical member (cylinder portion) having a lower plate 54a, a left plate 54b, a right plate 54c, and an upper plate 54d. The slot body 54 extends along the Z-axis direction. The Z-axis direction is the insertion / removal direction of the mobile battery 12. The slot body 54 is a hollow body having a substantially quadrangular prism shape. Therefore, when the slot body 54 is viewed from the Z-axis direction, the external shape of the slot body 54 is substantially rectangular. The slot body 54 may be a hollow body having a substantially cylindrical shape. In this case, when the slot body 54 is viewed from the Z-axis direction, the external shape of the slot body 54 is substantially circular.

[0037] In the slot body 54, outer surfaces of the lower plate 54a, the left plate 54b, the right plate 54c, and the upper plate 54d are each provided with an outer rib 61 extending along the Z-axis direction. The outer rib 61 improves the rigidity of the slot body 54.

[0038] 8, the slot body 54 has a holding space 54e therein. When the mobile battery 12 is held in the slot 14, most of the mobile battery 12 is held in this holding space 54e.

[0039] The slot body 54 corresponds to the tubular portion of the second member of the present invention. The member corresponding to the bottom of the second member is a bottom cover 60. In this embodiment, the tubular portion and the bottom of the second member are separate members. However, it is also possible to configure the second member from a single member. In this case, the second member, which is a single member, has the tubular portion and the bottom integrally.

[0040] When viewed from the Z-axis direction, the slot body 54 has a substantially rectangular outer shape. The slot body 54 has an opening 54f at its end in the +Z-axis direction and an opening 54g at its end in the -Z-axis direction.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 9, an in-slot protrusion 62 is provided on the inner surface of the lower plate 54a. The in-slot protrusion 62 has two first in-tube rails 64. The first in-tube rails 64 protrude vertically upward (in the +Y-axis direction) from the inner surface of the lower plate 54a. The two first in-tube rails 64 extend along the Z-axis direction to the vicinity of the bottom cover 60 while being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is constant. Therefore, the two first in-tube rails 64 are parallel to each other.

[0042] The in-slot protrusion 62 (first in-tube rail 64) corresponds to the second protrusion of the present invention. In the present embodiment, an example in which there are two first in-tube rails 64 is illustrated, but the number of first in-tube rails 64 may be one. Alternatively, the number of first in-tube rails 64 may be three or more.

[0043] The Z-axis direction is the insertion / removal direction of the mobile battery 12. The Y-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. In this manner, the two first cylindrical rails 64 protrude in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction of the mobile battery 12, and extend along the insertion / removal direction of the mobile battery 12. The first cylindrical rails 64 extend toward the bottom cover 60.

[0044] An internal space (not shown) is formed in the first cylindrical rail 64. That is, the first cylindrical rail 64 is hollow. Therefore, an increase in the weight of the slot body 54 due to the provision of the first cylindrical rail 64 is avoided.

[0045] 10, the first cylindrical rail 64 has a rail main body 230 that is positioned in the slot main body 54. In the rail main body 230, a guide rail portion 232 extends in the +Y-axis direction from an upper surface facing the +Y-axis direction. The rail main body 230 and the guide rail portion 232 extend along the Z-axis direction.

[0046] In the guide rail portion 232, a gently inclined inclined portion 234 is formed at the end (front end) in the +Z-axis direction. The top surface of the inclined portion 234 faces the -Y-axis direction as it moves from the -Z-axis direction to the +Z-axis direction. When the door 72, which is a door portion, opens and closes, one end of the door 72 passes near the inclined portion 234 (see FIG. 14). In this way, the inclined portion 234 prevents the door 72 from interfering with the guide rail portion 232 during rotation. That is, the inclined portion 234 is a relief portion that prevents the door 72 from interfering with the guide rail portion 232. The length of the inclined portion 234 along the Z-axis direction is set so that the inclined portion 234 is outside the movement trajectory of the door 72.

[0047] The rail main body 230 has a rear end 236 protruding in the -Z axis direction at its end (rear end) in the -Z axis direction. The rear end 236 is narrower than the rail main body 230. When the rear end 236 abuts against the inner surface of the bottom cover 60, the movement of the first intra-tubular rail 64 in the -Z axis direction stops. A relief hole 238 is formed in the rear end 236. The relief hole 238 has a shape obtained by hollowing out a square pillar from the rear end 236.

[0048] 11, the openings of the relief hole 238 are formed in three places: on the lower surface and upper surface of the rear end 236 facing the Y-axis direction, and on the rear end surface of the rear end 236 facing the -Z-axis direction. However, the opening on the lower surface of the rear end 236 (opening in the -Y-axis direction) is closed by the inner surface of the lower plate 54a of the slot body 54. In the relief hole 238, the opening (communication hole 240) on the rear end surface facing the -Z-axis direction faces the recessed groove 310.

[0049] In the rail main body 230, an end portion (front end portion) in the +Z axis direction is supported by a rail support member 242 shown in FIG.

[0050] A suitable material for the first internal rail 64 configured as described above is a resin such as polyoxymethylene. Polyoxymethylene is also called polyacetal or POM. Another example of a resin that can be used for the first internal rail 64 is polyamide 66.

[0051] 9, a second cylindrical rail 66 and a third cylindrical rail 67 are provided on the inner surfaces of the left side plate 54b and the right side plate 54c of the slot body 54. The second cylindrical rail 66 and the third cylindrical rail 67 protrude in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) from the inner surfaces of the left side plate 54b and the right side plate 54c. The second cylindrical rail 66 and the third cylindrical rail 67 are lined up vertically along the Y-axis direction on the inner surfaces of the left side plate 54b and the right side plate 54c.

[0052] The second and third inner-cylindrical rails 66 and 67 extend along the Z-axis direction to the vicinity of the bottom cover 60. The Z-axis direction is the insertion / removal direction of the mobile battery 12. The X-axis direction is perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. In this manner, the second and third inner-cylindrical rails 66 and 67 protrude in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction of the mobile battery 12, and extend along the insertion / removal direction of the mobile battery 12.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 8, the side 34c of the mobile battery 12 abuts against the guide rail portions 232 of the two first cylindrical rails 64. The side 34b of the mobile battery 12 abuts against the second cylindrical rail 66 and the third cylindrical rail 67 provided on the left side plate 54b. The side 34d of the mobile battery 12 abuts against the second cylindrical rail 66 and the third cylindrical rail 67 provided on the right side plate 54c. Due to the above abutments, the mobile battery 12 is positioned within the slot body 54. When the number of first cylindrical rails 64 is two or more, the posture of the mobile battery 12 becomes even more stable.

[0054] 7, 8 and 9, a bezel 70 is attached to an opening 54f of the slot body 54 in the +Z axis direction. The bezel 70 corresponds to the first member of the present invention. The bezel 70 is a member separate from the slot body 54, and is adjacent to the slot body 54 and connected to the slot body 54. The dividing point between the bezel 70 and the slot body 54 is not particularly limited to the position shown in FIG. 14. For example, the dividing point between the bezel 70 and the slot body 54 may be located in the -Z axis direction relative to the door 72.

[0055] The bezel 70, which is the first member, is disposed at a position on the exterior side of the slot 14. The slot body 54, which is the second member, is disposed at a position on the interior side of the slot 14. Here, the exterior side refers to the exterior side in the direction in which the mobile battery 12, which is an electrical device or a power storage device, is inserted and removed from the first insertion opening 86a, which is an entrance and exit. The interior side is the opposite side to the exterior side. In the illustrated example, the exterior side is the +Z axis direction, and the interior side is the -Z axis direction.

[0056] The bezel 70 has a slot flange 56 and a slot guide 58. The slot flange 56 corresponds to the second secondary member of the present invention. The slot guide 58 corresponds to the first secondary member of the present invention. The slot flange 56 and the slot guide 58 are separate members. A packing 250 is interposed between the slot flange 56 and the slot guide 58. The packing 250 has a frame shape.

[0057] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the bezel 70. The slot guide 58 has an outer member 76 and an inner member 78. The outer member 76 has a frame portion 80, a flange portion 82, and a plurality of protruding engagement portions 84. The frame portion 80 has an annular shape (rectangular shape). The frame portion 80 is a hollow portion having an annular internal space (not shown). That is, the outer member 76 constituting the bezel 70 is a hollow body having an internal space having an annular shape along the frame portion 80. In this way, by making the frame portion 80 a hollow portion, it is possible to reduce the weight of the outer member 76. In addition, since the amount of material of the outer member 76 is reduced, the manufacturing cost of the outer member 76 is reduced. The annular internal space is a space for accommodating the inner member 78.

[0058] A first insertion opening 86a (entrance / exit) in the +Z-axis direction and a second insertion opening 86b in the -Z-axis direction are formed in the frame 80. The first insertion opening 86a and the second insertion opening 86b are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the frame 80 along the Z-axis direction. The mobile battery 12 is inserted or removed from the first insertion opening 86a.

[0059] The frame 80 has a lower inner surface 88a, a left inner surface 88b, a right inner surface 88c, and an upper inner surface 88d. The lower inner surface 88a, the left inner surface 88b, the right inner surface 88c, and the upper inner surface 88d correspond to the inner surfaces of the first member. When the slot 14 is oriented such that the longitudinal direction of the slot 14 is aligned along the horizontal direction, the lower inner surface 88a and the upper inner surface 88d extend along a substantially horizontal direction. Meanwhile, the left inner surface 88b and the right inner surface 88c extend in a direction intersecting the horizontal and vertical directions at a predetermined angle.

[0060] An inner-bezel protrusion 90 is provided on the lower inner surface 88a. The inner-bezel protrusion 90 has two inner-bezel rails 92. The inner-bezel rails 92 protrude vertically upward (in the +Y-axis direction) from the lower inner surface 88a. The two inner-bezel rails 92 extend toward the bottom cover 60 along the Z-axis direction while being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is constant. Therefore, the two inner-bezel rails 92 are parallel to each other.

[0061] The bezel inner ridge portion 90 (bezel inner rail 92) corresponds to the first ridge portion of the present invention. Although the present embodiment illustrates an example in which there are two bezel inner rails 92, the number of bezel inner rails 92 may be one. Alternatively, the number of bezel inner rails 92 may be three or more. In a typical example, the number of bezel inner rails 92 is the same as the number of first-cylinder inner rails 64, and the bezel inner rail 92 is continuous with the first-cylinder inner rail 64 in the +Z-axis direction. However, it is not essential that the number of bezel inner rails 92 and the number of first-cylinder inner rails 64 are the same.

[0062] The protrusion of the present invention includes a bezel inner rail 92 which is a first protrusion, and a first-cylinder inner rail 64 which is a second protrusion. Here, it is not particularly necessary that the bezel inner rail 92 and the guide rail portion 232 of the first-cylinder inner rail 64 are connected to each other along the Z-axis direction. For example, the bezel inner rail 92 may be shifted in the -X-axis direction or the +X-axis direction with respect to the first-cylinder inner rail 64.

[0063] The Z-axis direction is the insertion / removal direction of the mobile battery 12. The Y-axis direction is perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. Thus, the two bezel inner rails 92, like the first cylinder inner rail 64, protrude in a direction intersecting the insertion / removal direction of the mobile battery 12 and extend along the insertion / removal direction of the mobile battery 12. The bezel inner rails 92 are rounded and the width along the X-direction decreases toward the +Z-axis direction.

[0064] An internal space (not shown) is formed in the bezel inner rail 92. That is, the bezel inner rail 92 is hollow. Therefore, an increase in the weight of the slot body 54 due to the provision of the bezel inner rail 92 is avoided.

[0065] While the mobile battery 12 is being inserted into the holding space 54e, the side surface 34c of the mobile battery 12 slides against the bezel inner rail 92. When the number of the bezel inner rails 92 is two or more, the posture of the mobile battery 12 is stable.

[0066] A protrusion 94 is formed on each of the left inner surface 88b and the right inner surface 88c of the frame portion 80. The protrusion 94 formed on the left inner surface 88b has a convex shape that protrudes toward the right inner surface 88c. The protrusion 94 formed on the right inner surface 88c has a convex shape that protrudes toward the left inner surface 88b. The protrusion 94 extends from the lower inner surface 88a to the upper inner surface 88d. However, the extension length (length along the Y-axis direction) of the protrusion 94 is smaller than the distance from the lower inner surface 88a to the upper inner surface 88d. The four corners 36b of the bottom case 20 and the four corners 36t of the top case 24 pass through a clearance 96a between the protrusion 94 and the lower inner surface 88a and a clearance 96b between the protrusion 94 and the upper inner surface 88d. In this way, the clearance 96a and the clearance 96b are escape portions.

[0067] The protruding length (length along the X-axis direction) of the protruding portion 94 is a length that can abut against the side surfaces 34b and 34d of the main case 22. Alternatively, the protruding length (length along the X-axis direction) of the protruding portion 94 is a length that allows it to be slightly separated from the side surfaces 34b and 34d of the main case 22. As can be seen from this, the shape of the protruding portion 94 corresponds to the shape of the recess 38 of the mobile battery 12.

[0068] The flange portion 82 is an extending portion that extends outward from the outer edge of the frame portion 80 in a ring shape (rectangular shape). The flange portion 82 is formed to have a thin wall. The convex engagement portion 84 is mainly provided on the flange portion 82. The convex engagement portion 84 protrudes toward the slot flange 56 (-Z axis direction).

[0069] The material of the outer member 76 is preferably a material having a lower hardness than the materials of the bottom case 20, main case 22, and top case 24 of the mobile battery 12. When the materials of the bottom case 20, main case 22, and top case 24 are aluminum or aluminum alloy as described above, a suitable example of the material of the outer member 76 is resin such as polycarbonate. In this case, the material of the bezel inner rail 92 and the protruding portion 94 is also resin such as polycarbonate.

[0070] As described above, the material of the first cylindrical rail 64 is, for example, a resin such as POM or polyamide 66. In this case, when the materials of the bottom case 20, the main case 22, and the top case 24 in the mobile battery 12 are aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the material of the first cylindrical rail 64 has a lower hardness than the materials of the bottom case 20, the main case 22, and the top case 24.

[0071] Resin may be selected as the material for the bottom case 20 and the top case 24 of the mobile battery 12. In this case, a resin having a lower hardness than the resin material for the bottom case 20 and the top case 24 may be selected as the material for the outer member 76, the bezel inner rail 92, the protruding portion 94, the slot flange 56, and the first cylindrical inner rail 64. Conversely, when priority is given to avoiding wear of the storage device 10, a resin having a higher hardness than the resin material for the bottom case 20 and the top case 24 may be selected as the material for the outer member 76, the bezel inner rail 92, the protruding portion 94, the slot flange 56, and the first cylindrical inner rail 64.

[0072] In this embodiment, the outer member 76 exhibits translucency. Here, "translucency" refers to the property of transmitting visible light. In other words, the outer member 76 has the property of transmitting visible light. The outer member 76 may be transparent. The outer member 76 may be opaque. Since the outer member 76 exhibits translucency, the user can visually recognize the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 98 from outside the outer member 76. The light-emitting unit 98 will be described later.

[0073] The entire outer member 76 may be light-transmitting, or only a portion of the outer member 76 that corresponds to the light-emitting portion 98 may be light-transmitting.

[0074] The inner member 78 has an annular shape (rectangular shape). A light-emitting unit 98 is provided on a side of the inner member 78 in the +X-axis direction. Another light-emitting unit 98 is provided on a side of the inner member 78 in the -X-axis direction. The two light-emitting units 98 are disposed in positions facing each other on the inner member 78, and extend along the vertical direction. The light-emitting units 98 indicate the availability of the slots 14, the charging state of the mobile battery 12 accommodated in the slots 14, etc., by a light-on state, a light-blinking state, a light-off state, a color of light, etc.

[0075] The inner member 78 has a connecting structure 99. Specifically, a wide lower portion located in the -Y-axis direction of the inner member 78 is a connecting portion 100 that connects two light-emitting portions 98. A narrow upper portion located in the +Y-axis direction of the inner member 78 is another connecting portion 100 that connects two light-emitting portions 98. Thus, in this embodiment, the connecting structure 99 has two connecting portions 100. The two connecting portions 100 and the two light-emitting portions 98 form an annular shape (rectangular shape) having an opening 102.

[0076] The strength of the light emitting parts 98 is improved by connecting the two light emitting parts 98 with the connecting structure 99. Also, the light emitting parts 98 and the inner member 78 can be handled as a single unit, making it easy to assemble the bezel 70. When the two connecting parts 100 and the two light emitting parts 98 form an annular shape (rectangular shape), the strength is further improved.

[0077] The slot flange 56 is an annular body having a substantially rectangular shape. The slot flange 56 has a third insertion opening 104. The third insertion opening 104 is connected to the second insertion opening 86b. The mobile battery 12 inserted from the first insertion opening 86a passes through the second insertion opening 86b and then the third insertion opening 104.

[0078] The slot flange 56 is provided with a concave engagement portion 106 at a position corresponding to the position of the convex engagement portion 84 of the slot guide 58. By engaging the convex engagement portion 84 with the concave engagement portion 106, the outer member 76 of the slot guide 58 and the slot flange 56 are connected to each other. At this time, the inner member 78 of the slot guide 58 is accommodated in the annular internal space of the outer member 76.

[0079] The remainder of the bezel inner rail 92 is provided on the lower inner surface of the slot flange 56. As can be seen from this, the bezel inner protrusion 90 (first protrusion) is provided from the slot guide 58, which is the first secondary member, to the slot flange 56, which is the second secondary member. The bezel inner rail 92 provided on the slot guide 58 and the bezel inner rail 92 provided on the slot flange 56 are continuous along the Z-axis direction. The bezel inner rail 92 provided on the slot guide 58 is located in the +Z-axis direction, and the bezel inner rail 92 provided on the slot flange 56 is located in the -Z-axis direction.

[0080] The material of the slot flange 56, like the outer member 76, is preferably a material having a lower hardness than the materials of the bottom case 20, the main case 22, and the top case 24 of the mobile battery 12. A specific example of a suitable material for the slot flange 56 is polycarbonate. In this case, the material of the bezel inner rail 92 is also polycarbonate. Note that, like the bezel inner rail 92 provided on the outer member 76, the bezel inner rail 92 provided on the slot flange 56 is also a hollow portion having an internal space.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 14, the door 72 is attached to the slot flange 56. The door 72 is located inside the slot 14, more than the first insertion opening 86a, which is the entrance and exit of the mobile battery 12. When the mobile battery 12 is not housed in the slot sleeve 50, the door 72 is located in the second position, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 14. In this embodiment, the second position is a fully closed position. In the second position, the amount of blocking of the first insertion opening 86a by the door 72 is the largest. When the mobile battery 12 is housed in the slot sleeve 50, the door 72 opens to the inside of the slot body 54, as shown in FIG. 8. In this case, the door 72 is located in the first position. In this embodiment, the first position is a fully open position. In the first position, the amount of blocking of the first insertion opening 86a by the door 72 is the smallest. FIG. 14 shows the movement trajectory of the door 72 at one end portion that is the rotation center and the other end portion opposite to the other end portion. The door 72 opens and closes by rotating about a shaft 74 which serves as a rotation axis.

[0082] Specifically, two flange side support parts 260 extending along the -Z axis direction are provided at the end of the slot flange 56 in the +Y axis direction. As shown in Figs. 15 and 17, one flange side support part 260 has four support piece parts 262 spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 16, two first door side support parts 264 and two second door side support parts 266 are provided at the end of the +Y axis direction of the door 72. One first door side support part 264 has two insertion piece parts 268 spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. One second door side support part 266 also has two insertion piece parts 270 spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. The second door side support part 266 is located outward from the first door side support part 264.

[0083] 15 and 17, the first door side support part 264 (two insertion piece parts 268) is inserted into a first space 271 between two adjacent support piece parts 262. The second door side support part 266 (two insertion piece parts 270) is similarly inserted into a second space 272 between two adjacent support piece parts 262. Here, the second space 272 is a space separate from the first space 271.

[0084] A support hole 274 penetrating along the X direction is formed in all of the support piece portions 262 and all of the insertion piece portions 268, 270. The shaft 74 is rotatably inserted into the support hole 274. With this insertion, the door 72 is supported by the slot flange 56 via the shaft 74. A torsion spring 278, which is a resilient member, is provided on the shaft 74.

[0085] 18, the torsion spring 278 has a spiral portion 280 wound in a spiral shape, a first leg portion 282 extending from one end of the spiral portion 280, and a second leg portion 284 extending from the other end of the spiral portion 280. The shaft 74 is passed through the spiral portion 280 (see FIG. 15). The spiral portion 280 is inserted into a third space 286 between two adjacent support piece portions 262 in the flange side support portion 260. Here, the third space 286 is a space separate from the first space 271 and the second space 272.

[0086] The second leg 284 is longer than the first leg 282. A straight portion 288 extending linearly is interposed between the spiral portion 280 and the second leg 284. The second leg 284 extends in a direction bent relative to the straight portion 288. By setting the straight portion 288 to a predetermined length, the torsion spring 278 exhibits sufficient rigidity.

[0087] The hook portion 282a of the first leg 282 is hooked onto a predetermined position of the slot flange 56. This hooking prevents the first leg 282 from rotating. Meanwhile, the hook portion 284a of the second leg 284 is hooked onto a predetermined position of the first door side support portion 264 of the door 72. Therefore, the second leg 284 rotates integrally with the door 72.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 16, the door 72 is a generally quadrangular body having four sides. Therefore, corners 72a to 72d are formed on all four sides of the door 72. In other words, the door 72 has four corners 72a to 72d. A V-shaped rib 290 protruding in the -Z axis direction is provided as a reinforcing part at each of the two corners 72a and 72b located at the lower end in the -Y axis direction. The V-shaped rib 290 extends from the corners 72a and 72b toward the inside of the door 72. The extending direction of the V-shaped rib 290 is inclined with respect to the X axis direction and the Y axis direction.

[0089] In the door 72, two corners 72c, 72d located at the upper end in the -Y axis direction are each provided with a plate-shaped rib 292 protruding in the -Z axis direction as a reinforcing part. When the door 72 is located in the second position (closed position), the plate-shaped rib 292 extends along the Y axis direction. The plate-shaped rib 292 is connected to the insertion piece part 268 constituting the first door side support part 264.

[0090] The two V-shaped ribs 290 and the two plate-shaped ribs 292 increase the rigidity of the corners 72a to 72d of the door 72. Therefore, the corners 72a to 72d of the door 72 are less likely to be damaged.

[0091] In the slot flange 56, a plurality of flange side magnets 296 shown in FIG. 8 are provided on the end face on the -Z axis direction side facing the door 72. In the door 72, a plurality of door side magnets 298 shown in FIG. 8 are provided on the end face on the +Z axis direction side facing the slot flange 56. The flange side magnets 296 correspond to the first magnetic force retaining portion or first magnet of the present invention. The door side magnets 298 correspond to the second magnetic force retaining portion or second magnet of the present invention. In this way, the slot 14, which is the storage portion, has a first magnet and a second magnet.

[0092] When the door 72 is in the second position (fully closed position in this embodiment), the flange side magnets 296 and the door side magnets 298 are close to each other and attract each other by magnetic force. As a result, the flange side magnets 296 and the door side magnets 298 are attracted to each other based on, for example, magnetic force. In this embodiment, the number of the flange side magnets 296 and the door side magnets 298 is four. Note that either the flange side magnets 296 or the door side magnets 298 may be replaced with a magnetic material that can be attracted by a magnet. An example of such a magnetic material is a metal exhibiting ferromagnetism. A specific example of the metal is iron, etc.

[0093] A substantially rectangular gasket 220 is attached to the frame portion 80 constituting the outer member 76 of the slot guide 58. The gasket 220 corresponds to the intermediate portion of the present invention. As shown in detail in FIG. 19, the gasket 220 has a frame-shaped main body portion 300, an annular hook portion 302, and a bridge portion 304 connecting the frame-shaped main body portion 300 and the annular hook portion 302. The frame-shaped main body portion 300 is an endless loop portion that continues in a frame shape at the base end portion of the annular hook portion 302. The end portion of the frame-shaped main body portion 300 in the -Z axis direction is a flat portion 306 having a flat surface.

[0094] The flat portion 306 abuts against the end face of the flange portion 82 (extension portion) on the +Z axis direction side. The inner circumference of the flat portion 306 is greater than the inner circumference of the first insertion opening 86a. Here, the first insertion opening 86a is the entrance and exit of the mobile battery 12 in the slot 14 as described above. The bridge portion 304 extends toward the +Z axis direction. The annular hook portion 302 is bent from the tip of the bridge portion 304 on the +Z axis direction side toward the outside of the bridge portion 304 or the gasket 220.

[0095] The worker who assembles the storage device 10 assembles the slot 14 to the device body 202, and then assembles the front panel 204 to the device body 202. At this time, the worker presses the front panel 204 toward the device body 202. As a result, as shown in FIG. 20, the annular hook portion 302 and the bridge portion 304 are easily bent toward the outside of the gasket 220. In other words, a part of the gasket 220 is easily crushed with a small force. Therefore, the worker can press the front panel 204 against the device body 202 with a small force. That is, the assembly work of the front panel 204 to the device body 202 is easy. When the front panel 204 is connected to the device body 202 via the striker 214 (see FIG. 5) and the latch, the gasket 220 is interposed between the outer member 76 and the front panel 204 in the state shown in FIG. 20.

[0096] A substantially rectangular rail support member 242 is disposed in the -Z axis direction of the slot flange 56. An end face of the rail support member 242 facing the -Z axis direction supports a tip end (front end) of the first internal rail 64 on the +Z axis direction side.

[0097] 7 and 8, a bottom cover 60 (bottom) is attached to an opening 54g in the -Z axis direction of the slot body 54. A connector unit 120, a fan 122, an electronic circuit board 124, and a detection switch 126 are attached to the bottom cover 60. This constitutes a bottom cover assembly 130. The bottom cover assembly 130 will be described later.

[0098] 21, a recessed groove 310 extending along the X-axis direction is provided at the -Y-axis direction end (lower end) of the bottom cover 60. The recessed groove 310 is recessed from the end face of the bottom cover 60 on the +Z-axis direction side toward the -Z-axis direction. Within the recessed groove 310, a first discharge hole 312 is formed in the end face of the bottom cover 60 on the -Z-axis direction side. The recessed groove 310 communicates with the internal space of the device body 202 via the first discharge hole 312.

[0099] 11, most of the rear end 236 of the first cylindrical rail 64 faces the recessed groove 310. Therefore, the position of the communication hole 240, which is the opening of the relief hole 238 in the -Z axis direction, and the position of the recessed groove 310 match.

[0100] The filtering member 314 may be removably housed in the recessed groove 310. In this case, a part of the filtering member 314 exposed from the recessed groove 310 may be pressed from above by two ribs 316 provided on the end face on the +Z axis direction side of the bottom cover 60. A specific example of the material of the filtering member 314 is a sponge-like porous member such as a sponge filter.

[0101] A second discharge hole 318 is formed in the bottom cover 60, penetrating along the Z-axis direction. The second discharge hole 318 has a generally fan-shaped shape, and is located on the side of the recessed groove 310 in the -X-axis direction. The second discharge hole 318 communicates between the holding space 54e of the slot 14 and the internal space of the device body 202.

[0102] The bottom cover 60 is formed with an insertion hole 320 and an air vent 322. A detection portion of the detection switch 126 is inserted into the insertion hole 320. The air vent 322 is a hole for sending cooling air generated by the fan 122 into the slot 14.

[0103] A through hole 132 is formed in the bottom cover 60. A connector 134, which will be described later, passes through the through hole 132. When the mobile battery 12 is inserted into the slot body 54, the connector 134 passes through the through hole 132 so as to move from the -Z axis direction to the +Z axis direction. In contrast, when the mobile battery 12 is pulled out of the slot body 54, the connector 134 passes through the through hole 132 so as to move from the +Z axis direction to the -Z axis direction.

[0104] The battery lock mechanism 52 is attached to the +Y-axis direction side of the slot flange 56. When the battery lock mechanism 52 is in a locked state, the battery lock mechanism 52 restricts movement of the mobile battery 12 in the +Z-axis direction. This prevents the user from pulling out the mobile battery 12 from the slot 14. When the battery lock mechanism 52 is in an unlocked state, the battery lock mechanism 52 allows movement of the mobile battery 12 in the +Z-axis direction. This allows the user to pull out the mobile battery 12 from the slot 14.

[0105] [Bottom cover assembly configuration] The bottom cover assembly 130 will now be described. As shown in Fig. 22, the bottom cover 60 is provided with a fan 122 and a connector unit 120. The fan 122 promotes the flow of air inside the slot sleeve 50.

[0106] The connector unit 120 has a connector 134 (second electric terminal) shown in Fig. 23 and a motor 136. The male connector 134 has a male electric terminal for transmitting and receiving electric power, and a male communication terminal for transmitting and receiving communication signals. That is, the connector 134 serves as both an electric terminal and a communication terminal. The male connector 134 is sometimes called a plug.

[0107] The connector 134 fits into the connector 26 of the mobile battery 12. At this time, power is supplied from the connector 134 to the mobile battery 12, and the mobile battery 12 is charged. Alternatively, power of the mobile battery 12 is taken out via the connector 134, and the mobile battery 12 is discharged. Furthermore, the mobile battery 12 and a control unit (not shown) of the storage device 10 are communicatively connected via the connector 26 and the connector 134. That is, communication signals are exchanged between the mobile battery 12 and the control unit of the storage device 10.

[0108] The connector 134 is moved forward or backward along the Z-axis direction by the motor 136. Specifically, the motor 136 has a rotating shaft (not shown). The rotating shaft extends from the motor 136 in the +Y-axis direction. A pinion 138 shown in FIG. 23 is attached to the tip of the rotating shaft. The pinion 138 meshes with a rack 140. The motor 136 is mechanically connected to the connector 134 via the pinion 138, the rack 140, and a base 142. The connector 134 and the motor 136 are attached to the bottom cover 60 via the base 142. In this way, the motor 136 is supported by the bottom cover 60.

[0109] The electronic circuit board 124 (see FIG. 22) controls, for example, charging of the mobile battery 12 housed in the slot sleeve 50. A detection switch 126 (see FIG. 8) is mounted on the electronic circuit of the electronic circuit board 124. When the mobile battery 12 is held in the slot sleeve 50, the detection switch 126 is pressed down by the mobile battery 12 and switches from off to on.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 1 , the end of the bezel 70 of the slot 14 in the +Z axis direction is exposed from an exposure window 206 of the front panel 204. The slot 14 assembled to the device body 202 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction (the direction of gravity). When a user stands upright facing the front panel 204, the upper part of the slot 14 is located farther from the user than the lower part of the slot 14. This causes the user to assume a forward-leaning posture when inserting or removing the mobile battery 12 into or from the slot 14. This makes it easy for the user to insert or remove the mobile battery 12 into or from the slot 14.

[0111] FIG. 24 is an action diagram in which the gravity G acting on the mobile battery 12 inserted in the slot 14 is decomposed into a first force component YG in the -Y-axis direction and a second force component ZG in the -Z-axis direction. When the second force component ZG is smaller than the kinetic friction force F of the first cylindrical rail 64, the user needs to apply a pushing force to the mobile battery 12 in order to move the mobile battery 12 with the bottom case 20 inserted in the slot 14 in the -Z-axis direction. On the other hand, when the second force component ZG is larger than the kinetic friction force F of the first cylindrical rail 64, the mobile battery 12 with the bottom case 20 inserted in the slot 14 moves in the -Z-axis direction by its own weight. In this case, it is easy to insert the entire mobile battery 12 into the slot 14.

[0112] FIG. 25 is a graph showing the relationship between the second component force ZG and the kinetic friction force F of the first cylindrical rail 64 when the inclination angle θ of the slot 14 with respect to the horizontal direction is changed. When the inclination angle θ is 0°, it means that the slot 14 extends along the horizontal direction. When the inclination angle θ is 90°, it means that the slot 14 extends along the vertical direction. Note that FIG. 25 shows the results of calculations assuming that the weight of the mobile battery 12 is 10 kgf and the kinetic friction coefficient of the first cylindrical rail 64 is 0.18.

[0113] As can be seen with reference to FIG. 25, under the above conditions, when the inclination angle θ is 15° or more, the second component force ZG acting on the mobile battery 12 becomes larger than the kinetic friction force F of the first cylindrical rail 64. In this case, the mobile battery 12 moves in the -Z-axis direction in the slot due to its own weight. Therefore, there is no particular need for the user to apply a pushing force to the mobile battery 12. Therefore, it is easy to insert the entire mobile battery 12 into the slot 14.

[0114] The larger the inclination angle θ, the larger the second component force ZG. However, in this case, the moving speed of the mobile battery 12 in the slot 14 increases. Therefore, there is a concern that the bottom surface of the mobile battery 12 may abut against the bottom cover 60 with force. To prevent this, the inclination angle θ is set within an appropriate angle range.

[0115] The storage device 10 according to this embodiment is basically configured as described above. Next, the effects of the storage device 10 will be described.

[0116] When the SOC of the mobile battery 12 drops, the user inserts the mobile battery 12 into an empty slot 14 in the storage device 10. At this time, the user grasps the handle 30 and lifts the mobile battery 12. The user points the bottom case 20 toward the slot 14 and tilts the mobile battery 12. The user also points the convex curved side surface 34a vertically upward. As a result, with the side surface 34a facing vertically upward, the bottom case 20 is in a low position and the top case 24 is in a high position.

[0117] Next, the user inserts the bottom case 20 into the first insertion opening 86a (see Figures 7, 8 and 9) of the slot guide 58. At this time, in the mobile battery 12, the side surface 34c faces vertically downward, and the side surface 34a faces vertically upward. The bottom case 20 moves through the second insertion opening 86b to the third insertion opening 104 (see Figure 13). Here, two inner bezel rails 92 are provided on the lower inner surface 88a of the slot guide 58 and the lower inner surface of the slot flange 56. Therefore, the side surface 34c of the bottom case 20 abuts against the upper surfaces of the two inner bezel rails 92. The load of the mobile battery 12 acts vertically downward. Therefore, the two inner bezel rails 92 bear the load of the mobile battery 12.

[0118] In this state, the user pushes the mobile battery 12 towards the holding space 54e. This pushing causes the mobile battery 12 to move towards the holding space 54e. Therefore, the side surface 34c of the mobile battery 12 comes into sliding contact with the bezel inner rail 92. As described above, the material of the bezel inner rail 92 has a lower hardness than the materials of the bottom case 20, the main case 22 and the top case 24. This prevents the mobile battery 12 from having sliding marks (scratches).

[0119] If the bezel inner rail 92 is not provided, the side surface 34c of the mobile battery 12 slides over substantially the entire lower inner surface 88a of the slot guide 58. Therefore, in this case, substantially the entire lower inner surface 88a is worn. As a result, wear powder is easily generated. Also, scratches are easily caused on the lower inner surface 88a.

[0120] In contrast, in this embodiment, the side surface 34c of the mobile battery 12 slides against the upper surface of the bezel inner rail 92. Therefore, in this embodiment, wear of the lower inner surface 88a is avoided. In other words, the bezel inner rail 92 wears preferentially. The contact area between the two components when the side surface 34c slides against the upper surface of the bezel inner rail 92 is smaller than the contact area between the two components when the side surface 34c slides against the entire lower inner surface 88a. This reduces the amount of wear powder generated.

[0121] In addition, the occurrence of scratches on the lower inner surface 88a is also avoided. Since the bezel inner rail 92 bears the load of the mobile battery 12, the left inner surface 88b, the right inner surface 88c, and the upper inner surface 88d are also avoided from being worn. In addition, the occurrence of scratches on the left inner surface 88b, the right inner surface 88c, and the upper inner surface 88d is also avoided. Therefore, the aesthetic appearance of the slot guide 58 and the slot flange 56 is maintained.

[0122] As described above, the bezel inner rail 92 is provided from the slot guide 58 to the slot flange 56. Therefore, the bezel inner rail 92 extends from the first insertion opening 86a to the opening 54f of the slot body 54. This makes it easy to move the mobile battery 12 to the holding space 54e.

[0123] The bottom case 20 reaches the opening 54f of the slot body 54. The first cylindrical rail 64 is provided on the inner surface of the lower plate 54a of the slot body 54. Therefore, the bottom case 20 transfers from the bezel inner rail 92 to the first cylindrical rail 64. When the user further pushes the mobile battery 12 toward the holding space 54e, the bottom case 20 slides against the upper surface of the guide rail portion 232 of the first cylindrical rail 64. At the same time, the main case 22 slides against the upper surface of the bezel inner rail 92. When the user further pushes the mobile battery 12 toward the holding space 54e, the main case 22 slides against the upper surface of the first cylindrical rail 64. At the same time, the top case 24 slides against the upper surface of the bezel inner rail 92.

[0124] In the above process, the amount of wear powder generated is reduced for the same reasons as above. In addition, since scratches can be prevented from occurring on areas other than the bezel inner rail 92, the aesthetic appearance of the slot guide 58 and the slot flange 56 is maintained.

[0125] In the process of inserting the mobile battery 12 into the holding space 54e, the four corners 36b of the bottom case 20 and the four corners 36t of the top case 24 pass through the clearance 96a between the protrusion 94 and the lower inner surface 88a and the clearance 96b between the protrusion 94 and the upper inner surface 88d (see FIG. 9). In other words, the four corners 36b of the bottom case 20 and the four corners 36t of the top case 24 do not interfere with the protrusion 94.

[0126] The second and third inner-cylindrical rails 66 and 67 abut against the side surfaces 34b and 34d of the mobile battery 12 accommodated in the holding space 54e. The protruding tip of the protrusion 94 also abuts against or is close to the side surfaces 34b and 34d. Therefore, the mobile battery 12 is positioned by the two second inner-cylindrical rails 66, the two third inner-cylindrical rails 67, and the two protrusions 94. With this positioning, the connector 26 and the connector 134 are aligned. In this way, by providing the second inner-cylindrical rails 66, the third inner-cylindrical rails 67, and the protrusions 94 in the slot 14, it is easy to align the position of the connector 26 with the position of the connector 134.

[0127] When the mobile battery 12 is accommodated in the holding space 54e, the battery lock mechanism 52 operates. The mobile battery 12 is positioned and fixed by the battery lock mechanism 52. In addition, the detection switch 126 switches from off to on. As a result, the motor 136 starts. This causes the connector 134 to move toward the connector 26. The connector 134 passes through the through hole 132 and engages with the connector 26.

[0128] As a result, power is supplied to the mobile battery 12 via the connector 134 and the connector 26. The supplied power is stored in the cell pack in the main case 22.

[0129] When the mobile battery 12 is accommodated in the slot 14 in the above manner, for example, a light-emitting structure lights up in another slot 14. The other slot 14 is a slot 14 that accommodates a mobile battery 12 whose SOC has become sufficiently high. The user pulls out the mobile battery 12 from the slot 14 in which the light-emitting structure lights up.

[0130] In this embodiment, the light emitting unit 98 is disposed near the first insertion opening 86a. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the first insertion opening 86a, which is the starting position for removing the mobile battery 12, based on the lit location of the light emitting unit 98.

[0131] When the user pulls out the mobile battery 12, the top case 24, the main case 22, and the bottom case 20 slide against the bezel inner rail 92 in this order. In this case, too, the amount of wear powder generated is reduced for the same reason as above. In addition, since it is possible to prevent scratches from occurring anywhere other than the bezel inner rail 92, the aesthetic appearance of the slot guide 58 and the slot flange 56 is maintained.

[0132] When the mobile battery 12 is repeatedly inserted and removed, the wear on the bezel inner rail 92 may exceed the allowable range. In this case, a maintenance worker replaces the slot guide 58 and the slot flange 56 with new ones. In this way, by making the bezel 70 and the slot body 54 separate members, it becomes possible to replace only the bezel 70. Therefore, maintenance costs when the wear on the bezel inner rail 92 exceeds the allowable range are reduced.

[0133] Incidentally, before the mobile battery 12 is inserted into the holding space 54e of the slot 14, the door 72 is located in the second position (fully closed position). When the door 72 is located in the second position, at least a part of the door 72 is located on a trajectory along which the mobile battery 12 is inserted into and removed from the holding space 54e. By arranging the door 72 in this manner, when the mobile battery 12 is inserted into the holding space 54e, the door 72 is pushed open by the mobile battery 12.

[0134] Specifically, when the mobile battery 12 starts to be inserted into the holding space 54e, the bottom case 20 of the mobile battery 12 presses the end surface of the door 72 on the +Z axis direction side. As a result, the door 72 rotates around the shaft 74, as shown in Figs. 8, 14 and 17. Since the shaft 74 is provided at the end of the slot 14 in the +Y axis direction, the end of the door 72 on the -Y axis direction side moves toward the -Z axis direction (see Fig. 14). Since the inclined portion 234 is formed on the guide rail portion 232 of the first cylindrical rail 64, the door 72 does not interfere with the guide rail portion 232.

[0135] When the mobile battery 12 is inserted into the holding space 54e, the door 72 is located in the first position (fully open position) as shown in Figures 8, 14, and 17. At this time, the torsion spring 278 (see Figure 15) pushes the door 72 in the direction returning to the second position.

[0136] When the mobile battery 12 is pulled out from the holding space 54e, the torsion spring 278 pushes the door 72 towards the second position. Therefore, as the mobile battery 12 moves in the +Z-axis direction, the door 72 returns from the first position to the second position. When the entire mobile battery 12 is pulled out from the holding space 54e, the door 72 is released from the pressure of the mobile battery 12. Therefore, the door 72 returns to the second position and blocks the first insertion opening 86a. Even during this process, the door 72 does not interfere with the guide rail portion 232.

[0137] The door 72 is not limited to a door that opens and closes based on rotation about the shaft 74. The door 72 may be a door that opens and closes based on translation in the X-axis or Y-axis direction.

[0138] During the above-described process of inserting and removing the mobile battery 12, it is assumed that rainwater or the like will enter the holding space 54e. Since the slot 14 is inclined, the rainwater or the like will flow, for example, on the rail main body portion 230 of the first cylindrical rail 64 toward the bottom cover 60 located in the -Z axis direction.

[0139] 10, a relief hole 238 is formed in the rear end 236 of the first cylindrical rail 64. Rainwater, etc. that flows down the rail main body 230 flows into the recessed groove 310 via the communication hole 240 of the relief hole 238. The rainwater, etc. passes through the filter member 314 and is discharged from the first discharge hole 312 to the outside of the slot main body 54.

[0140] It is possible that foreign matter such as sand, dust, fallen leaves, or paper may enter the holding space 54e. In this case, the foreign matter is discharged from the second discharge hole 318 to the outside of the slot body 54.

[0141] Some examples of modifications that can be made to the above-described embodiment are given below.

[0142] For example, the bezel inner rail 92 may be provided on the left inner surface 88b, the right inner surface 88c, or the upper inner surface 88d.

[0143] In this embodiment, the container 10 is exemplified in which the connector 134 is provided so as to be movable forward and backward. Alternatively, the connector 134 may be positioned and fixed to the bottom portion 150 as shown in FIG.

[0144] The storage device or holding device is not particularly limited to the storage device 10 (battery exchanger) shown in FIG. 1. Another embodiment of the storage device or holding device is a device that inputs power to the mobile battery 12. Specifically, it is a charging device or a charging / discharging device. The charging device or the charging / discharging device may be a portable type that can be moved, or may be a stationary type. FIG. 26 shows a slot-type charging device 152, which is another embodiment of the storage device or holding device. The slot-type charging device 152 has a cylindrical portion 154 and a bottom portion 150 that are integrally formed.

[0145] The storage device or holding device may be a device that outputs power from the mobile battery 12. Examples of such storage devices or holding devices include moving bodies such as electric vehicles, outboard motors, and aircraft. Electric vehicles include passenger cars such as two-wheeled vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles, and four-wheeled vehicles. Electric vehicles also include work vehicles such as lawnmowers, transport carts, and snowplows. Aircraft include drones and aircraft. An outboard motor is a propulsion device used in ships.

[0146] Another example of a storage device or a holding device that outputs electric power is a power supply device that uses a mobile battery 12 as a power source. The power supply device may be a portable type that can be moved. The power supply device may be a stationary type.

[0147] In the above embodiment, the slot 14 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape is exemplified as the holding portion. However, the holding portion may have a cylindrical shape with curved sides.

[0148] The present invention is not limited to the above disclosure, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0149] 10...Storage device (holding device) 12...Mobile battery (energy storage device or electrical equipment) 14...Slot (accommodating section) 16...Operation panel 26…Connector 30…Handle 38...recess 50...slot sleeve 52 ... battery lock mechanism 54 ... slot body (second member) 54e... Retaining space 56... Slot flange (second secondary member) 58...Slot guide (first secondary part) 60...Bottom cover 61: Outer rib; 62: Slot inner protrusion (second protrusion) 64...First cylindrical rail 66...Second cylindrical rail 67...Third cylindrical inner rail 70...Bezel (first member) 72...Door (door part) 72a~72d...Corner part 74... Shaft (rotating shaft) 76... Outer member 78... Inner member 80... Frame portion 82... flange portion 84... convex engagement portion 86a...First insertion opening (entrance / exit) 86b...Second insertion opening 90...Bezel inner protrusion (first protrusion) 92...Bezel inner rail 94...protruding portion 98...light-emitting portion 99...Connection structure 100...Connection part 102: Opening; 104: Third insertion opening 106: Concave engagement portion 120: Connector unit 130... bottom cover assembly 132... through hole 134...connector 136...motor 138…Pinion 140…Rack 150... bottom portion 152... slot-type charging device 154...Cylindrical portion 200...Housing 202: Device body (main part) 204: Front panel (separate part) 206... Exposure window (opening) 212... U-shaped rib 216... Folded portion 220... Gasket (intervening portion) 230... rail body portion 232... guide rail portion 234... Inclined portion 236... Rear end 238: Relief hole 260: Flange side support part 264...first door side support portion 266...second door side support portion 278...Torsion spring 280...Spiral part 282...First leg 284...Second leg 288...Straight section 290...V-shaped rib 292…Plate-shaped rib 296...Flange side magnet (first magnetic force holding part) 298: Door side magnet (second magnetic force holding portion) 300: Frame-shaped main body portion 302...Ring hook section 304...Bridge section 306...Flat part 310...Concave groove 312...First discharge hole 318...Second discharge hole

Claims

1. a holding portion having an opening for inserting and removing an electrical device and for detachably holding the electrical device; The housing and A holding device comprising: the holding portion is disposed on an arrangement surface of the outer surface of the housing, the arrangement surface facing a first direction, so as to protrude from the arrangement surface; the housing has a main portion and a separate portion detachably provided on the main portion, The separate portion has an opening formed at a position corresponding to the opening of the holding portion so that the opening can be inserted therethrough.

2. 2. A holding device according to claim 1, wherein the separate portion has a folded portion that is continuous with the inner peripheral edge of the opening, and the folded portion is folded back toward the main portion around the entire inner peripheral edge of the opening.

3. 3. The holding device according to claim 2, wherein the circumferential length of the tip of the folded portion is greater than the circumferential length of the inner periphery of the opening.

4. 4. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the circumferential length of the inner periphery of the opening is greater than the circumferential length of the inner periphery of the entrance / exit.

5. In the holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the holding portion has an extension portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction of the electrical device on an outer circumferential side of the entrance, The holding device includes an interposition portion interposed between a surface of the separate portion facing the main portion and a surface of the extension portion facing the separate portion.

6. 6. The holding device according to claim 5, wherein the intermediate portion has a hook portion that is hook-shaped in a cross section in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the intermediate portion.

7. 7. The holding device according to claim 6, wherein the hook portion has a shape that opens outward from the intermediate portion in the cross section.

8. 8. The holding device according to claim 7, wherein when the separate portion is attached to the main portion, the hook portion is bent outward from the intermediate portion between the separate portion and the extension portion.

9. 7. The retaining device according to claim 6, wherein the interposing portion has a flat portion formed continuously from the base end side of the hook portion.

10. 6. The holding device according to claim 5, wherein the intermediate portion has an annular shape, and the circumferential length of the inner periphery of the intermediate portion is greater than the circumferential length of the inner periphery of the entrance.

11. 4. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the separate portion has a reinforcing portion provided on a surface facing the main portion.

12. 12. The holding device according to claim 11, wherein the reinforcing portion has a U-shaped cross section and is open toward the main portion.

13. 13. The holding device according to claim 12, wherein the reinforcing portion is a separate member from the separate portion and is joined to the separate portion.

Images