Power supply

Abstract

To provide a power supply that disables an output connector on a child device while a charger is charging the child device.SOLUTION: In a power supply according to the present invention, a charger parent unit 10 includes a child unit storage portion 15 consisting of a recess, and when a charger child unit 20 is stored in the child unit storage portion 15, a parent unit side charging output connector 13 and a child unit side charging input connector 21 are connected, and the charger child unit 20 is charged by either an AC / DC power supply unit 11 or a parent unit built-in battery 12, and when the charger child unit 20 is stored in the child unit storage portion 15, the child unit side charging input connector 21 and a child unit side output connector 24 are located inside the child unit storage portion 15, and a charging display unit 23 is located outside the child unit storage portion 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply device including a parent charger unit and a child charger unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe power supply devices capable of charging a charger slave unit. According to Patent Documents 1 and 2, the charger slave unit can be charged by the power supply device, and the charger slave unit can be used in a state in which the charger slave unit is set in the power supply device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-43452 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2014-168379 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the power supply devices in Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not themselves have a built-in battery in the parent unit. Also, the power supply devices in Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not restrict the use of the charger slave unit while it is being charged, and using the charger slave unit while it is being charged will accelerate deterioration of the charger slave unit.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a power supply device that makes the slave unit side output connector unusable while charging the slave unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The power supply device of the present invention described in claim 1 comprises a charger parent unit 10 and a charger child unit 20, the charger parent unit 10 has an AC / DC power supply unit 11 that converts an AC current supplied from the outside into a DC current, a parent unit built-in battery 12 that is connected to the AC / DC power supply unit 11 and charged, and a parent unit side charging output connector 13 that is connected to the AC / DC power supply unit 11 and the parent unit built-in battery 12 and charges the charger child unit 20, and the charger child unit 20 has a child unit side charging input connector 21 that connects to the parent unit side charging output connector 13, a charging display unit 23 that displays a charging state, and a child unit side output connector 24 that connects to an external device. The charger parent unit (10) has a child unit storage section (15) consisting of a recess, and when the charger child unit (20) is stored in the child unit storage section (15), the parent unit side charging output connector (13) and the child unit side charging input connector (21) are connected, and the charger child unit (20) is charged by either the AC / DC power supply unit (11) or the parent unit built-in battery (12), and when the charger child unit (20) is stored in the child unit storage section (15), the child unit side charging input connector (21) and the child unit side output connector (24) are located inside the child unit storage section (15), and the charging display unit (23) is located outside the child unit storage section (15). The present invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the power supply device described in claim 1, the child unit side output connector 24 is arranged on the side of the charger child unit 20, and the charging display unit 23 is arranged on the top surface of the charger child unit 20. The present invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that, in the power supply device described in claim 2, the child unit side charging input connector 21 is arranged on the side surface of the charger child unit 20, and the parent unit side charging output connector 13 is arranged on the recessed side surface of the child unit storage section 15. The present invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that, in the power supply device described in claim 1, an elastic member 31 is arranged at the bottom of the child unit storage section 15, and the upper part of the charger child unit 20 protrudes from the child unit storage section 15 due to its own weight alone, and by pushing the charger child unit 20 into the child unit storage section 15, the parent unit side charging output connector 13 and the child unit side charging input connector 21 are connected, and a locking mechanism operates to prevent the charger child unit 20 from being pushed up by the elastic member 31, and by releasing the locking mechanism, the charger child unit 20 is pushed up by the elastic member 31, and the upper part of the charger child unit 20 protrudes from the child unit storage section 15. The present invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that, in the power supply device described in claim 4, a child unit placing plate 32 is arranged on top of the elastic member 31, and when only the weight of the charger child unit 20 is applied to the child unit placing plate 32, the child unit placing plate 32 is positioned higher than the parent unit side charging output connector 13, and when the parent unit side charging output connector 13 and the child unit side charging input connector 21 are connected, the child unit placing plate 32 is positioned lower than the parent unit side charging output connector 13. The present invention as set forth in claim 6 is characterized in that in the power supply device as set forth in claim 4, an opening 33 is formed to introduce air into the space in which the elastic member 31 is disposed. The present invention described in claim 7 is characterized in that, in the power supply device described in claim 1, the charger parent unit 10 has a charging control unit 14, and when the parent unit side charging output connector 13 and the child unit side charging input connector 21 are connected and both the parent unit built-in battery 12 and the charger child unit 20 are uncharged, the charging control unit 14 prioritizes charging the charger child unit 20 over charging the parent unit built-in battery 12. The present invention as set forth in claim 8 provides the power supply device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a main body main body unit 10X and additional main body units 10Ya and 10Yb as the charger main body unit 10, the main body main body unit 10X having a main body main body output connector 41X through which the AC current supplied from the outside flows, and the additional main body units 10Ya and 10Yb having additional main body input connectors 44Ya and 44Yb connected to the main body main body output connector 41X and an additional main body AC / DC power supply unit for converting the AC current supplied from the additional main body input connectors 44Ya and 44Yb into a DC current. 11Ya, 11Yb, an additional parent unit built-in battery 12Ya, 12Yb which is connected to and charged by the additional parent unit AC / DC power supply unit 11Ya, 11Yb, an additional parent unit DC / AC inverter 19Ya, 19Yb which converts direct current from the additional parent unit built-in battery 12Ya, 12Yb into alternating current, and an additional parent unit AC output connector 16aYa, 16aYb which supplies the AC power from the additional parent unit input connection connector 44Ya, 44Yb or the additional parent unit DC / AC inverter 19Ya, 19Yb to an external AC device. The present invention as described in claim 9 is characterized in that, in the power supply device as described in claim 8, the additional parent units 10Ya, 10Yb have additional parent unit side output connection connectors 41Ya, 41Yb connected to the additional parent unit side input connection connectors 44Ya, 44Yb. The present invention described in claim 10 is characterized in that, in the power supply device described in claim 8, the main body parent unit 10X has a main body parent unit side opening / closing unit 42X that stops the supply of AC current to the main body parent unit side output connection connector 41X, and a main body parent unit side connection detection unit 43X that detects the connection of the additional parent units 10Ya, 10Yb, and when the main body parent unit side connection detection unit 43X detects that the additional parent units 10Ya, 10Yb have been connected, the main body parent unit side opening / closing unit 42X is closed to supply the AC current to the main body parent unit side output connection connector 41X, and when the main body parent unit side connection detection unit 43X detects that the additional parent units 10Ya, 10Yb have been disconnected, the main body parent unit side opening / closing unit 42X is opened to stop the supply of AC current to the main body parent unit side output connection connector 41X. The present invention as described in claim 11 is characterized in that, in the power supply device as described in claim 9, the additional parent unit 10Ya has an additional parent unit side opening / closing unit 42Ya that stops the supply of AC current to the additional parent unit side output connection connector 41Ya, and an additional parent unit side connection detection unit 43Ya that detects the connection of the second additional parent unit 10Yb, and when the additional parent unit side connection detection unit 43Ya detects that the second additional parent unit 10Yb has been connected, the additional parent unit side opening / closing unit 42Ya is closed to supply the AC current to the additional parent unit side output connection connector 41Ya, and when the additional parent unit side connection detection unit 43Ya detects that the second additional parent unit 10Yb has been disconnected, the additional parent unit side opening / closing unit 42Ya is opened to stop the supply of AC current to the additional parent unit side output connection connector 41Ya. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, charging of the charger sub-unit is performed while the charger sub-unit is stored in the sub-unit storage section, and while the charger sub-unit is being charged, the sub-unit output connector is located inside the sub-unit storage section, so that the sub-unit output connector cannot be used. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a power supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] A schematic diagram of the main parts of the power supply unit [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 shows the operation of opening and closing the door of the charger slave unit in the power supply device. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 shows a ridge-shaped protrusion of a charger slave unit in the power supply device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of attachment and detachment of the charger handset to and from the handset storage section of the power supply device; [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a power supply device according to another embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of an external appearance of a power supply device according to still another embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] Front view of the power supply unit [Figure 9] Block diagram of the main functions of the power supply unit

[0009] In the power supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the charger parent unit has a child unit storage section consisting of a recess, and when the charger child unit is stored in the child unit storage section, the parent unit side charging output connector and the child unit side charging input connector are connected so that the charger child unit is charged by either the AC / DC power supply unit or the parent unit's built-in battery, and when the charger child unit is stored in the child unit storage section, the child unit side charging input connector and the child unit side output connector are located inside the child unit storage section, and the charging display unit is located outside the child unit storage section. According to this embodiment, charging of the charger sub-unit is performed while the charger sub-unit is stored in the sub-unit storage section, and while the charger sub-unit is being charged, the sub-unit output connector is located inside the sub-unit storage section, so that the sub-unit output connector cannot be used.

[0010] The second embodiment of the present invention is the power supply device according to the first embodiment, in which a slave unit side output connector is disposed on the side surface of the slave charger unit, and a charging display unit is disposed on the top surface of the slave charger unit. According to this embodiment, it is possible to reliably disable the child device side output connector and to reliably grasp the charging state.

[0011] The third embodiment of the present invention is a power supply device according to the second embodiment, in which a child unit side charging input connector is arranged on the side of the charger child unit, and a parent unit side charging output connector is arranged on the side of the recessed portion of the child unit storage section. According to this embodiment, the parent unit side charging output connector is positioned on the side of the cylindrical recess in the child unit storage section, so that even if a metallic foreign object gets into the child unit storage section, the risk of a short circuit can be avoided. Since the metallic foreign object will prevent the parent unit side charging output connector and the child unit side charging input connector from being properly connected, the presence of the foreign object can be detected, providing excellent safety.

[0012] In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in a power supply device according to the first embodiment, an elastic member is placed at the bottom of the handset storage section, and the upper part of the charger handset protrudes from the handset storage section due to its own weight alone. By pushing the charger handset into the handset storage section, the parent unit's charging output connector and the handset's charging input connector are connected, and a locking mechanism is activated to prevent the charger handset from being pushed up by the elastic member. By releasing the locking mechanism, the charger handset is pushed up by the elastic member, and the upper part of the charger handset protrudes from the handset storage section. According to this embodiment, even if the charger sub-unit is dropped into the sub-unit storage section, the elastic member prevents any impact from being applied to the charger sub-unit and the sub-unit storage section, and by releasing the locking mechanism, the upper part of the charger sub-unit protrudes from the sub-unit storage section, making it easy to remove the charger sub-unit from the sub-unit storage section.

[0013] The fifth embodiment of the present invention is a power supply device according to the fourth embodiment, in which a child unit placing plate is placed on top of the elastic member, and when only the weight of the charger child unit is applied to the child unit placing plate, the child unit placing plate is positioned higher than the parent unit charging output connector, and when the parent unit charging output connector and the child unit charging input connector are connected, the child unit placing plate is positioned lower than the parent unit charging output connector. According to this embodiment, when the parent unit charging output connector and the child unit charging input connector are connected, the child unit placing plate is positioned lower than the parent unit charging output connector, but in other states, the child unit placing plate is positioned higher than the parent unit charging output connector, so that even if a metallic foreign object gets into the child unit storage section, the child unit placing plate will not allow the metallic foreign object to come into contact with the parent unit charging output connector.

[0014] A sixth embodiment of the present invention is such that, in the power supply device according to the fourth embodiment, an opening is formed to introduce air into the space in which the elastic member is disposed. According to this embodiment, even if the gap between the charger sub-unit and the sub-unit storage section is small and the space in which the elastic member is placed becomes nearly sealed, air can be introduced into the space through the opening, allowing the elastic member to smoothly push up the charger sub-unit.

[0015] A seventh embodiment of the present invention is a power supply device according to the first embodiment, in which the charger parent unit has a charging control unit, and when the parent unit's charging output connector and the child unit's charging input connector are connected and both the parent unit's built-in battery and the charger child unit are uncharged, the charging control unit prioritizes charging the charger child unit over charging the parent unit's built-in battery. According to this embodiment, by prioritizing charging the charger child unit over charging the battery built into the parent unit, the charger child unit can be made usable sooner, and by disconnecting the charging output connector on the parent unit side from the charging input connector on the child unit side, charging of the battery built into the parent unit can be prioritized.

[0016] An eighth embodiment of the present invention is a power supply device according to the first embodiment, which includes a main parent unit and an additional parent unit as charger parent units, and the main parent unit has a main parent unit output connection connector through which AC current supplied from outside flows, and the additional parent unit has an additional parent unit input connection connector connected to the main parent unit output connection connector, an additional parent unit AC / DC power supply unit that converts the AC current supplied from the additional parent unit input connection connector into DC current, an additional parent unit built-in battery that is connected to the additional parent unit AC / DC power supply unit and charged, an additional parent unit DC / AC inverter that converts the DC current from the additional parent unit built-in battery into AC current, and an additional parent unit AC output connector that supplies AC power from the additional parent unit input connection connector or the additional parent unit DC / AC inverter to an external AC device. According to this embodiment, the charger master unit includes a main master unit and an additional master unit, and the additional master unit has a built-in battery and an AC output connector on the additional master unit, so that not only the charger slave unit but also the additional master unit can be used separately from the main master unit. Therefore, for example, in the event of a power outage due to a disaster, an external AC device such as a refrigerator can be operated.

[0017] A ninth embodiment of the present invention is such that in the power supply device according to the eighth embodiment, the additional parent unit has an additional parent unit side output connecting connector which is connected to the additional parent unit side input connecting connector. According to this embodiment, by providing the additional parent unit with an additional parent unit side output connection connector, the second additional parent unit or the third additional parent unit can be connected depending on the situation, making it possible to provide sufficient preparations, particularly for power outages caused by disasters.

[0018] The tenth embodiment of the present invention is a power supply device according to the eighth embodiment, wherein the main unit parent unit has a main unit parent unit side opening / closing unit that stops the supply of AC current to the main unit parent unit side output connection connector, and a main unit parent unit side connection detection unit that detects the connection of an additional parent unit, and when the main unit parent unit side connection detection unit detects that the additional parent unit has been connected, the main unit parent unit side opening / closing unit is closed to supply AC current to the main unit parent unit side output connection connector, and when the main unit parent unit side connection detection unit detects that the additional parent unit has been disconnected, the main unit parent unit side opening / closing unit is opened to stop the supply of AC current to the main unit parent unit side output connection connector. According to this embodiment, when the additional parent unit is separated from the main parent unit, leakage of electricity from the main parent unit output connector can be prevented, and safety can be ensured.

[0019] An eleventh embodiment of the present invention is a power supply device according to the ninth embodiment, wherein the additional parent unit has an additional parent unit side opening / closing unit that stops the supply of AC current to the additional parent unit side output connection connector, and an additional parent unit side connection detection unit that detects the connection of a second additional parent unit, and when the additional parent unit side connection detection unit detects that the second additional parent unit has been connected, the additional parent unit side opening / closing unit is closed to supply AC current to the additional parent unit side output connection connector, and when the additional parent unit side connection detection unit detects that the second additional parent unit has been disconnected, the additional parent unit side opening / closing unit is opened to stop the supply of AC current to the additional parent unit side output connection connector. According to this embodiment, when the second additional parent unit is disconnected from the additional parent unit to which the main parent unit is connected, leakage current from the output connection connector on the additional parent unit side can be prevented, thereby ensuring safety. EXAMPLES

[0020] A power supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a power supply device according to this embodiment, in which FIG. 1(a) is a conceptual perspective view of the exterior of the power supply device, FIG. 1(b) is a conceptual top view of the power supply device, FIG. 1(c) is a conceptual front view of the power supply device, and FIG. 1(d) is a block diagram of the main functional realization means of the power supply device.

[0021] The power supply device according to this embodiment includes a charger master unit 10 and a charger slave unit 20. The charger parent unit 10 has an AC / DC power supply unit 11 that converts externally supplied AC current into DC current, a parent unit built-in battery 12 that is connected to the AC / DC power supply unit 11 and charged, a parent unit side charging output connector 13 that is connected to the AC / DC power supply unit 11 and the parent unit built-in battery 12 and charges the charger child unit 20, and a charging control unit 14. The charger sub-unit 20 has a sub-unit side charging input connector 21 that connects to the main unit side charging output connector 13, a sub-unit built-in battery 22 that is charged by the charger main unit 10, a charging display unit 23 that displays the charging status of the sub-unit built-in battery 22, and a sub-unit side output connector 24 that connects to an external device.

[0022] 1(a) and 1(b), a child unit storage section 15 is formed on the top surface of the charger parent unit 10. The child unit storage section 15 is formed of a cylindrical recess whose depth direction is longer than the diameter of the storage opening. The slave unit side output connector 24 is disposed on the side of the charger slave unit 20 , and the charging display unit 23 is disposed on the top surface of the charger slave unit 20 . The charger slave unit 20 has a generally cylindrical shape, and has a ridge-like protrusion 25 in the diameter direction on the top surface of the charger slave unit 20, and the charging display unit 23 is disposed on the upper surface of the ridge-like protrusion 25. The ridge-like protrusion 25 can be held by the user with the fingers, and has the function of allowing the user to recognize the position of the slave unit side charging input connector 21. Therefore, the user can correctly store the charger slave unit 20 in the slave unit storage unit 15. When the charger handset 20 is stored in the handset storage section 15, the handset side charging input connector 21 and the handset side output connector 24 are located inside the handset storage section 15, and the charging display section 23 is located outside the handset storage section 15. In particular, when the parent unit side charging output connector 13 and the child unit side charging input connector 21 are connected, the child unit side charging input connector 21 and the child unit side output connector 24 are located inside the child unit storage section 15, and the charging display section 23 is located outside the child unit storage section 15.

[0023] When the charger slave unit 20 is stored in the slave unit storage unit 15, the parent unit side charging output connector 13 and the slave unit side charging input connector 21 are connected. The slave unit built-in battery 22 of the charger slave unit 20 is charged by either the AC / DC power supply unit 11 or the parent unit built-in battery 12. In the charging control unit 14, when the parent unit's charging output connector 13 and the child unit's charging input connector 21 are connected and both the parent unit's built-in battery 12 of the charger parent unit 10 and the child unit's built-in battery 22 of the charger child unit 20 are uncharged, charging of the child unit's built-in battery 22 of the charger child unit 20 takes priority over charging of the parent unit's built-in battery 12 of the charger parent unit 10. Note that "uncharged" does not necessarily mean a completely discharged state. A battery that is charged to a level below a preset charge level is also considered uncharged.

[0024] As described above, according to this embodiment, charging of the charger sub-unit 20 is performed while the charger sub-unit 20 is stored in the sub-unit storage section 15, and since the sub-unit side output connector 24 is located inside the sub-unit storage section 15 while the charger sub-unit 20 is being charged, the sub-unit side output connector 24 can be made unusable, thereby preventing premature deterioration of the sub-unit built-in battery 22 of the charger sub-unit 20. In addition, according to this embodiment, by arranging the child unit side output connector 24 on the side of the charger child unit 20 and arranging the charging display unit 23 on the top surface of the charger child unit 20, it is possible to reliably prevent the child unit side output connector 24 from being used and to reliably grasp the charging status. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by prioritizing charging the child unit's built-in battery 22 in the charger child unit 20 over charging the child unit's built-in battery 12 in the charger parent unit 10, the charger child unit 20 can be made usable sooner, and by disconnecting the parent unit's charging output connector 13 from the child unit's charging input connector 21, charging the parent unit's built-in battery 12 in the charger parent unit 10 can be prioritized. Furthermore, even when the charger parent unit 10 has multiple child unit storage units 15, charging the child unit built-in battery 22 of the charger child unit 20 takes precedence over charging the parent unit built-in battery 12 of the charger parent unit 10, and charging priorities are set for each child unit storage unit 15, and the charger child units 20 are charged according to the priorities. After charging of the charger child unit 20 with the highest priority is completed, charging of the charger child unit 20 with the next highest priority begins, but in this case, completion of charging does not necessarily have to be 100% charging, and may be set to 90% charging or 80% charging.

[0025] 1(a), 1(b), and 1(c), the charger parent unit 10 has a parent unit side output connector 16. In this embodiment, the parent unit side output connector 16 includes an AC output connector 16a and a USB output connector (parent unit side DC output connector) 16b. The AC output connector 16a is disposed on the top surface of the charger parent unit 10, and the USB output connector 16b is disposed on the front surface of the charger parent unit 10. The AC output connector 16a can be supplied with AC current from the outside, and when AC current cannot be supplied from the outside, the current from the parent unit's built-in battery 12 of the charger parent unit 10 can be converted to DC / AC by a DC / AC inverter to supply AC current. In addition, the USB output connector 16b can be supplied with DC current from the AC / DC power supply unit 11, and when DC current cannot be supplied from the AC / DC power supply unit 11, it can be supplied with DC current from the parent device's built-in battery 12. 1(c), the charger master unit 10 has a master unit-side charging display unit 17. The master unit-side charging display unit 17 displays the charging state of the master unit's built-in battery 12 of the charger master unit 10.

[0026] Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram of the main parts of the power supply device, where Figure 2(a) is a conceptual cross-sectional diagram of the main parts showing the state in which the charger sub-unit is placed in the sub-unit storage section in the power supply device, Figure 2(b) is a conceptual diagram of the main parts showing the internal configuration of the charger sub-unit and the sub-unit storage section in the power supply device, and Figure 2(c) is a conceptual diagram of the main parts showing the relationship between the outer diameter of the charger sub-unit and the inner diameter of the sub-unit storage section in the power supply device.

[0027] The side surface of the charger slave unit 20 has a raised portion 26 in the longitudinal direction of the charger slave unit 20. The slave unit side output connector 24 and the slave unit side charging input connector 21 are arranged on the raised portion 26. The slave unit side charging input connector 21 is preferably arranged below the slave unit side output connector 24, and particularly below the raised portion 26. A parent unit side charging output connector 13 is disposed at the lower part of the recessed side surface of child unit storage section 15, and an engagement recess 18 is formed at the upper part of the recessed side surface of child unit storage section 15. In this way, because parent unit side charging output connector 13 is disposed on the side of the cylindrical recess of child unit storage section 15, it is possible to avoid the risk of a short circuit even if a metallic foreign object gets into child unit storage section 15. Also, because a metallic foreign object prevents parent unit side charging output connector 13 and child unit side charging input connector 21 from being properly connected, the presence of the foreign object can be detected, providing excellent safety.

[0028] An elastic member 31 is disposed at the bottom of the handset storage section 15, and a handset placement plate 32 is disposed above the elastic member 31. The handset storage section 15 is formed with an opening 33 for introducing air into the space in which the elastic member 31 is disposed. In this embodiment, the opening 33 is formed in the bottom of the handset storage section 15. Figure 2(a) shows a state in which only the weight of the charger slave unit 20 is applied to the slave unit placement plate 32, and in the state shown in Figure 2(a), the slave unit placement plate 32 is positioned higher than the parent unit side charging output connector 13.

[0029] An opening / closing door 21a is disposed on the raised portion 26 at a position corresponding to the child device side charging input connector 21. The opening / closing door 21a is biased downward by a door closing spring 21b, and covers the child device side charging input connector 21. Figure 3 shows the operation of the opening and closing door, with Figure 3(a) showing the state in which the child device's charging input connector is covered by the opening and closing door, and Figure 3(b) showing the state in which the opening and closing door has been pushed up and the child device's charging input connector is exposed. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the opening and closing door 21a is pushed up by the parent unit side charging output connector 13 to expose the child unit side charging input connector 21, and the parent unit side charging output connector 13 and the child unit side charging input connector 21 are connected.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a ridge-like protrusion, with Fig. 4(a) showing a state in which the claw portion protrudes from the ridge-like protrusion, and Fig. 4(b) showing a state in which the claw portion is retracted into the ridge-like protrusion. Fig. 4(c) shows a ridge-like protrusion according to a different embodiment.

[0031] 2 and 4, in addition to charging indicator 23, ridge-shaped protrusion 25 has operation button 27, sliding member 27a that slides when operation button 27 is pressed, claw portion 27b that protrudes when sliding member 27a moves, and claw elastic member 27c that biases sliding member 27a in the direction that protrudes claw portion 27b. The lower surface of claw portion 27b is an inclined surface. 2(a) and 4(a) show a state in which the operation button 27 is not pressed. When the operation button 27 is not pressed, the sliding member 27a is biased by the claw elastic member 27c, and the claw portion 27b protrudes from the ridge-shaped protruding portion 25. That is, the claw portion 27b protrudes from the side surface of the charger slave unit 20 in the radial direction. FIG. 4(b) shows a state in which the operation button 27 is being pressed. When the operation button 27 is pressed down, the sliding member 27a moves in a direction to bias the claw elastic member 27c, and the claw portion 27b is pulled into the ridge-shaped protruding portion 25. In other words, the claw portion 27b does not protrude from the side surface of the charger slave unit 20.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 4(a) and Fig. 4(b), it is preferable that the ridge-shaped protrusion 25 has a spherical portion 28a as a stopper 28 at a position opposite to the claw portion 27b. When the charger child unit 20 is held in the child unit storage section 15 by the claw portion 27b, the charger child unit 20 is biased by the elastic member 31. If an upward force is applied to the charger child unit 20 by the elastic member 31 and this upward force is received by only one of the claw portions 27b, the charger child unit 20 will be tilted in the child unit storage section 15. Therefore, by providing the stopper 28 at a position opposite to the claw portion 27b, the tilt of the charger child unit 20 in the child unit storage section 15 can be reduced. As shown in FIG. 4(c), the stopper 28 may be a rib 28b extending in the longitudinal direction of the charger slave unit 20. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the description has been given of the case where one claw portion 27b is provided, but a pair of claw portions 27b may be disposed at positions symmetrical with respect to the center of the charger slave unit 20. In this manner, a pair of claw portions 27b may be provided without providing the stopper 28.

[0033] Figure 5 is a state diagram showing the attachment and detachment of the charger handset to the handset storage section, where Figure 5(a) shows the state when the charger handset is placed in the handset storage section using only its own weight, Figure 5(b) shows the state when the charger handset is pushed into the handset storage section and the parent unit's charging output connector and the handset's charging input connector are connected, and Figure 5(c) shows the state when the operation button is pressed and the claw portion is retracted.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the upper part of the charger slave unit 20 is in a state of protruding from the slave unit storage section 15 due to its own weight alone. 5(a), when the charger child unit 20 is pushed into the child unit storage section 15, the lower surface of the claw portion 27b is inclined, so that when the claw portion 27b comes into contact with the upper surface of the charger parent unit 10 around the child unit storage section 15, the claw portion 27b is pulled into the ridge-shaped protrusion 25. Then, by further pushing the charger child unit 20 into the child unit storage section 15, the claw portion 27b protrudes at the position of the engagement recess 18. When the claw portion 27b passes the position of the engagement recess 18, the claw portion 27b is pulled in again, but when the pushing is stopped, the charger child unit 20 is pushed up by the elastic member 31, and the claw portion 27b engages with the engagement recess 18, thereby activating the locking mechanism. Fig. 5(b) shows the state in which the locking mechanism is activated, with claw portion 27b engaging with engagement recess 18. In this state, parent device side charging output connector 13 and child device side charging input connector 21 are connected as shown in Fig. 3(b). FIG. 5(c) shows a state in which operation button 27 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 5(b), and the lock mechanism is released. When the operation button 27 is pressed down to release the lock mechanism, the charger slave unit 20 is pushed up by the elastic member 31, and goes into the state shown in FIG. 5(a).

[0035] As described above, the weight of the charger sub-unit 20 alone causes the upper part of the charger sub-unit 20 to protrude from the sub-unit storage section 15, and by pushing the charger sub-unit 20 into the sub-unit storage section 15, the parent unit side charging output connector 13 and the sub-unit side charging input connector 21 are connected, and a locking mechanism is activated to prevent the charger sub-unit 20 from being pushed up by the elastic member 31, and by releasing the locking mechanism, the charger sub-unit 20 is pushed up by the elastic member 31, causing the upper part of the charger sub-unit 20 to protrude from the sub-unit storage section 15. Therefore, even if the charger sub-unit 20 is dropped into the sub-unit storage section 15, the elastic member 31 prevents any impact from being applied to the charger sub-unit 20 and the sub-unit storage section 15, and by releasing the locking mechanism, the upper part of the charger sub-unit 20 protrudes from the sub-unit storage section 15, making it easy to remove the charger sub-unit 20 from the sub-unit storage section 15.

[0036] In addition, a child unit placing plate 32 is placed on top of the elastic member 31, and when only the weight of the charger child unit 20 is applied to the child unit placing plate 32, the child unit placing plate 32 is positioned higher than the parent unit side charging output connector 13, and when the parent unit side charging output connector 13 and the child unit side charging input connector 21 are connected, the child unit placing plate 32 is positioned lower than the parent unit side charging output connector 13. Therefore, when the parent unit side charging output connector 13 and the child unit side charging input connector 21 are connected, the child unit placing plate 32 is positioned lower than the parent unit side charging output connector 13, but in any other state, the child unit placing plate 32 is positioned higher than the parent unit side charging output connector 13, so that even if a metallic foreign object gets into the child unit storage section 15, the child unit placing plate 32 will prevent the metallic foreign object from coming into contact with the parent unit side charging output connector 13. Also, an opening 33 is formed to introduce air into the space in which the elastic member 31 is disposed. Therefore, even if the gap between the charger handset 20 and the handset storage section 15 is small and the space in which the elastic member 31 is placed is nearly sealed, air can be introduced into the space through the opening 33, allowing the elastic member 31 to smoothly push up the charger handset 20.

[0037] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a power supply device according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the charger slave unit 20 has a flat shape, and the slave unit storage section 15 is a rectangular cylindrical recess. Note that the slave unit storage section 15 in this embodiment also has a cylindrical recess whose depth is longer than the longitudinal length of the storage opening. Also, although some parts are omitted in Figure 6, the charger parent unit 10 has a parent unit side charging display unit 17, and the charger child unit 20 has a child unit side charging input connector 21 that connects to the parent unit side charging output connector 13, a child unit built-in battery 22 that is charged by the charger parent unit 10, a charging display unit 23 that displays the charging status of the child unit built-in battery 22, and a child unit side output connector 24 for connecting an external device. The top surface of the charger slave unit 20 has a ridge-like protrusion 25, and the charging display unit 23 and the operation button 27 are disposed on the upper surface of the ridge-like protrusion 25.

[0038] A power supply device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that the same functional members as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals and some of the description will be omitted. Also, the charger slave unit 20 is the same as in the above embodiment and description will be omitted. Figure 7 is a conceptual oblique external view of the power supply device according to this embodiment, where Figure 7(a) shows the main parent unit and the additional parent unit separated, and Figure 7(b) shows the main parent unit and the additional parent unit connected. FIG. 8 is a conceptual front view of the power supply device, and FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the main functional implementation means of the power supply device.

[0039] The power supply device according to this embodiment includes a charger master unit 10 and a charger slave unit 20, and the charger master unit 10 includes a main master unit 10X and additional master units 10Ya and 10Yb. In this embodiment, two additional parent units 10Ya and 10Yb are shown, but one additional parent unit 10Ya may be used, and further, other additional parent units may be added and used. That is, the charger parent unit 10 is functionally divided into the main parent unit 10X and the additional parent units 10Ya and 10Yb. An AC current from the outside is supplied only to the main parent unit 10X, and is not supplied to the additional parent units 10Ya and 10Yb unless it passes through the main parent unit 10X. In addition, the main parent unit 10X does not perform AC output, and the additional parent units 10Ya and 10Yb perform only AC output without performing DC output.

[0040] The main body parent unit 10X has a main body parent unit side output connection connector 41X through which AC current supplied from the outside flows, a main body parent unit side opening / closing unit 42X that stops the supply of AC current to the main body parent unit side output connection connector 41X, and a main body parent unit side connection detection unit 43X that detects the connection of the additional parent unit 10Ya and the additional parent unit 10Yb.

[0041] As shown in the figure, when the additional parent unit 10Ya is connected to the main parent unit 10X and the additional parent unit 10Yb as the second additional parent unit is connected to the additional parent unit 10Ya, the additional parent unit 10Ya includes an additional parent unit input connector 44Ya that is connected to the main parent unit output connector 41X, an additional parent unit AC / DC power supply unit 11Ya that converts AC current supplied from the additional parent unit input connector 44Ya into DC current, an additional parent unit built-in battery 12Ya that is connected to and charged by the additional parent unit AC / DC power supply unit 11Ya, and a power supply from the additional parent unit built-in battery 12Ya. the additional parent unit side DC / AC inverter 19Ya that converts the direct current into alternating current, an additional parent unit side AC output connector 16aYa that supplies AC power from the additional parent unit side input connection connector 44Ya or the additional parent unit side DC / AC inverter 19Ya to an external AC device, an additional parent unit side output connection connector 41Ya connected to the additional parent unit side input connection connector 44Ya, an additional parent unit side opening / closing unit 42Ya that stops the supply of AC current to the additional parent unit side output connection connector 41Ya, and an additional parent unit side connection detection unit 43Ya that detects the connection of the second additional parent unit 10Yb.

[0042] In addition, the additional parent unit 10Ya and the additional parent unit 10Yb have the same basic functions, and the additional parent unit side input connection connector 44Yb of the additional parent unit 10Yb can be connected to the main parent unit side output connection connector 41X of the main parent unit 10X, and the additional parent unit side output connection connector 41Yb of the additional parent unit 10Ya can be connected to the additional parent unit side input connection connector 44Ya of the additional parent unit 10Ya. It is preferable that the additional parent device side input connectors 44Ya and 44Yb are configured so that a power cord for connecting an externally supplied AC current cannot be connected thereto.

[0043] When the main body parent unit 10X detects via the main body parent unit connection detection unit 43X that the additional parent units 10Ya, 10Yb have been connected, it closes the main body parent unit opening / closing unit 42X to supply AC current to the main body parent unit output connection connector 41X, and when the main body parent unit connection detection unit 43X detects that the additional parent units 10Ya, 10Yb have been disconnected, it opens the main body parent unit opening / closing unit 42X to stop the supply of AC current to the main body parent unit output connection connector 41X. In this manner, when the additional parent units 10Ya and 10Yb are separated from the parent unit 10X, leakage current from the parent unit output connector 41X can be prevented, and safety can be ensured.

[0044] As shown in the figure, when the additional parent unit 10Ya is connected to the main parent unit 10X and the additional parent unit 10Yb, which is the second additional parent unit, is connected to the additional parent unit 10Ya, when the additional parent unit 10Ya detects that the additional parent unit 10Yb has been connected via the additional parent unit side connection detection unit 43Ya, it closes the additional parent unit side opening / closing unit 42Ya to supply AC current to the additional parent unit side output connection connector 41Yb, and when the additional parent unit side connection detection unit 43Ya detects that the additional parent unit 10Yb has been disconnected, it opens the additional parent unit side opening / closing unit 42Ya to stop the supply of AC current to the additional parent unit side output connection connector 41Yb. In this manner, when the additional parent unit 10Yb is disconnected from the additional parent unit 10Ya to which the main body parent unit 10X is connected, leakage current from the additional parent unit side output connection connector 41Ya can be prevented, and safety can be ensured.

[0045] The main body parent unit side connection detection unit 43X and the additional parent unit side connection detection units 43Ya and 43Yb may detect voltage, current, or resistance, or may detect structurally such as a pressing state, or may detect magnetism. In addition, in the main body parent unit 10X, detection may be performed by the main body parent unit side connection detection unit 43X only when AC current is being supplied from the outside, and in the additional parent units 10Ya, 10Y, detection may be performed by the additional parent unit side connection detection units 43Ya, 43Yb only when the main body parent unit 10X is connected.

[0046] As in this embodiment, the charger parent unit 10 includes the main parent unit 10X and the additional parent units 10Ya and 10Yb, and the additional parent units 10Ya and 10Yb have the additional parent unit built-in batteries 12Ya and 12Yb and the additional parent unit AC output connectors 16aYa and 16aYb, so that not only the charger child unit 20 but also the additional parent units 10Ya and 10Yb can be used separately from the main parent unit 10X. Therefore, for example, during a power outage due to a disaster, the additional parent units 10Ya and 10Yb can be used to operate external AC devices such as a refrigerator.

[0047] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, by providing the additional parent units 10Ya, 10Yb with additional parent unit side output connection connectors 41Ya, 41Yb, the second additional parent unit and the third additional parent unit can be connected depending on the situation, thereby making it possible to provide sufficient preparations, particularly in the event of a power outage due to a disaster. Furthermore, as in this embodiment, by providing the additional parent units 10Ya, 10Yb with additional parent unit side output connection connectors 41Ya, 41Yb, the second additional parent unit and the third additional parent unit can be connected depending on the situation, thereby making it possible to provide sufficient preparations, particularly in the event of a power outage due to a disaster.

[0048] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, when the main body parent unit side connection detection unit 43X detects that the additional parent units 10Ya, 10Yb have been disconnected, the main body parent unit side opening / closing unit 42X is opened to stop the supply of AC current to the main body parent unit side output connection connector 41X. This makes it possible to prevent leakage of electricity from the main body parent unit side output connection connector 41X when the additional parent units 10Ya, 10Yb are disconnected from the main body parent unit 10X, thereby ensuring safety. Furthermore, as in this embodiment, when the additional parent unit side connection detection unit 43Ya detects that the second additional parent unit 10Yb has been disconnected, the additional parent unit side opening / closing unit 42Ya is opened to stop the supply of AC current to the additional parent unit side output connection connector 41Ya. This makes it possible to prevent leakage current from the additional parent unit side output connection connectors 41Ya, 41Yb when the second additional parent unit 10Yb is disconnected from the additional parent unit 10Ya to which the main parent unit 10X is connected, thereby ensuring safety. [Industrial Applicability]

[0049] The present invention is suitable for use as an office power supply device in which notebook personal computers, communication terminals, and the like are used, but can also be used as an emergency power supply device for outdoor use or in the event of a disaster. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10 Charger parent unit 10X Main Unit 10Ya additional parent unit 10Yb additional base station (second additional base station) 11 AC / DC power supply section 11Ya, 11Yb Additional parent unit AC / DC power supply unit 12 Parent unit built-in battery 12Ya, 12Yb Additional parent unit built-in battery 13 Parent unit charging output connector 14 Charging control unit 15 Handset storage area 16 Parent unit output connector 16a AC output connector 16aYa, 16aYb Additional parent unit AC output connector 16b USB output connector (DC output connector on parent unit) 17 Parent unit charging display 18 Engagement recess 19Ya, 19Yb Additional parent unit DC / AC inverter 20 Charger handset 21 Child unit charging input connector 21a Opening and closing door 21b Door closing spring 22 Built-in battery of handset 23 Charging display 24 Child unit output connector 25 Ridge-like protrusion 26 Ridge 27 Operation Buttons 27a Sliding member 27b Claw part 27c Elastic member for nail 28 Stopper 28b Rib 31 Elastic member 32 Handset mounting plate 33 Opening 41X Main unit output connector 41Ya, 41Yb Additional parent unit output connector 42X Main unit side opening and closing part 42Ya, 42Yb Additional parent unit side opening and closing part 43X Main unit parent unit connection detection section 43Ya, 43Yb Additional parent unit connection detection section 44Ya, 44Yb Additional parent unit input connector

Claims

1. The charger includes a parent charger and a child charger. The charger master unit includes: an AC / DC power supply unit that converts an externally supplied AC current into a DC current; A battery built into the parent device that is connected to the AC / DC power supply unit and charged; a parent device side charging output connector connected to the AC / DC power supply unit and the parent device built-in battery to charge the charger child device; having The charger slave unit includes: a child device side charging input connector connected to the parent device side charging output connector; A charging display unit that displays a charging state; A child output connector for connecting external devices have 1. A power supply device, comprising: The charger master unit is provided with a recessed portion for accommodating the slave unit, With the charger slave unit housed in the slave unit housing section, the parent unit side charging output connector and the child unit side charging input connector are connected to each other, and the charger slave unit is charged by either the AC / DC power supply section or the parent unit built-in battery, When the charger slave unit is stored in the slave unit storage section, the slave unit side charging input connector and the slave unit side output connector are located inside the slave unit storage section, and the charging display unit is located outside the slave unit storage section. A power supply device comprising:

2. The child device side output connector is disposed on a side surface of the charger child device, The charging display unit is disposed on the top surface of the charger slave unit.

2. The power supply device according to claim 1 .

3. The child device side charging input connector is disposed on the side surface of the charger child device, The parent device side charging output connector is disposed on the side of the recess in the child device storage section.

3. The power supply device according to claim 2.

4. An elastic member is disposed on the bottom of the handset storage section, The upper portion of the charger slave unit protrudes from the slave unit storage section due to its own weight alone, When the charger slave unit is pushed into the slave unit storage section, the parent unit side charging output connector and the slave unit side charging input connector are connected to each other, and a locking mechanism is activated to prevent the charger slave unit from being pushed up by the elastic member; By releasing the lock mechanism, the charger slave unit is pushed up by the elastic member, and the upper portion of the charger slave unit protrudes from the slave unit storage section.

2. The power supply device according to claim 1 .

5. A child device mounting plate is disposed on the upper portion of the elastic member, When only the weight of the charger slave is applied to the slave placement plate, the slave placement plate is positioned higher than the parent-side charging output connector; When the parent device side charging output connector and the child device side charging input connector are connected, the child device placement plate is positioned lower than the parent device side charging output connector.

5. The power supply device according to claim 4.

6. An opening for introducing air into the space in which the elastic member is disposed is formed.

5. The power supply device according to claim 4.

7. The charger master unit has a charging control unit, When the parent device side charging output connector and the child device side charging input connector are connected and both the parent device built-in battery and the charger child device are uncharged, the charging control section prioritizes charging the charger child device over charging the parent device built-in battery.

2. The power supply device according to claim 1 .

8. The charger master unit includes a main unit and an additional master unit, The main body has a main body output connector through which the AC current supplied from the outside flows. The additional parent unit includes: an additional parent device side input connection connector connected to the main body parent device side output connection connector; an additional parent device side AC / DC power supply unit that converts AC current supplied from the additional parent device side input connection connector into DC current; an additional parent device built-in battery that is connected to the additional parent device AC / DC power supply unit and charged; an additional parent device side DC / AC inverter that converts a direct current from the additional parent device side built-in battery into an alternating current; an additional parent unit side AC output connector that supplies the AC power from the additional parent unit side input connection connector or the additional parent unit side DC / AC inverter to an external AC device; have 2. The power supply device according to claim 1 .

9. The additional parent unit includes: an additional parent device output connector connected to the additional parent device input connector; 9. The power supply device according to claim 8.

10. The main body master unit includes: a main body parent unit side opening / closing unit that stops the supply of AC current to the main body parent unit side output connection connector; a main body parent device side connection detection unit that detects the connection of the additional parent device; having When the main body main unit side connection detection unit detects that the additional main unit is connected, the main body main unit side opening / closing unit is closed to supply the AC current to the main body main unit side output connection connector, When the main body main unit side connection detection unit detects that the additional main unit has been disconnected, the main body main unit side opening / closing unit is opened to stop the supply of the AC current to the main body main unit side output connection connector.

9. The power supply device according to claim 8.

11. The additional parent unit includes: an additional parent unit side opening / closing unit that stops the supply of AC current to the additional parent unit side output connecting connector; an additional parent device side connection detection unit that detects the connection of a second additional parent device; having When the additional parent unit side connection detection unit detects that the second additional parent unit is connected, the additional parent unit side opening / closing unit is closed to supply the AC current to the additional parent unit side output connection connector, When the additional parent unit side connection detection unit detects that the second additional parent unit has been disconnected, the additional parent unit side opening / closing unit is opened to stop the supply of the AC current to the additional parent unit side output connection connector.

10. The power supply device according to claim 9.

Images