Battery replacement system

Abstract

To provide a battery replacement system and an electronic apparatus in which an area used on a surface of a housing by a system which enables replacement of a coin battery without opening the housing of the electronic apparatus can be suppressed.SOLUTION: A battery replacement system comprises: a dummy battery part which comprises a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and which is mountable to a circuit board battery holder that is a battery holder for a button type battery of a circuit board of an electronic apparatus; and a battery board which comprises a battery board battery holder which is the battery holder of the button type battery which comprises a positive terminal connected to the positive electrode and a negative terminal connected to the negative electrode, and is disposed in the electronic apparatus so as to be insertable into or removable from the outside of a housing of the electronic apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery exchange system. [Background technology]

[0002] In electronic devices such as computers, coin-type batteries are used to maintain, for example, the clock and the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) settings stored in the CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). Coin-type batteries are also called coin batteries, coin cell batteries, or button cells. In electronic devices such as computers powered by an external power source, the lifespan of the coin battery used is generally about five years. To continue using the computer or other device beyond the lifespan of the coin battery, the coin battery must be replaced. In general, replacing a coin battery requires opening the housing of the electronic device and exposing the coin battery holder. This requires the electronic device to be shut down for an extended period of time.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a battery holder mechanism including a dummy battery and a second battery holder. The dummy battery has positive and negative electrode plates insulated from each other. The dummy battery has a shape that fits into a first battery holder to which a data retention battery is attached. The first battery holder is attached to a circuit board built into the electronic device. The second battery holder has positive and negative electrode terminals connected to the positive and negative electrode plates of the dummy battery, respectively, and a holder portion to which the battery can be attached and detached. The battery holder mechanism is attached to the housing of the electronic device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-63555 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The technology of Patent Document 1 can reduce the time that an electronic device is shut down for replacing a coin battery. However, in order to enable replacement of the coin battery, the technology of Patent Document 1 requires that the cover covering the second battery holder be removed and the second battery holder be attached to the housing of the electronic device in a state in which the entire second battery holder is exposed. For example, it is difficult to apply the technology of Patent Document 1 to server devices, such as blade servers, which are mounted in a rack and have a small surface area that can be accessed from the outside.

[0006] One of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a battery replacement system that allows replacement of a coin battery without opening the housing of an electronic device and that reduces the area used on the surface of the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A battery replacement system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a dummy battery portion having a positive electrode and a negative electrode that can be attached to a circuit board battery holder, which is a battery holder for a button-type battery, on a circuit board of an electronic device; a battery board battery holder, which is a battery holder for a button-type battery, having a positive terminal connected to the positive electrode and a negative terminal connected to the negative electrode; and a battery board that is placed on the electronic device so that it can be inserted and removed from outside the housing of the electronic device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present disclosure has an advantage that a system that enables replacement of a coin battery without opening the housing of an electronic device can reduce the area used on the surface of the housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a bracket portion 210 of an add-on board according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a bracket portion and a cover portion of an add-on board according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the inside of the housing of the electronic device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a bracket portion of an add-on board according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a bracket portion and a cover portion of an add-on board according to the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a second diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0011] First Embodiment First, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] <Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure.

[0013] A battery exchange system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0014] In the example shown in FIG. 1, a battery exchange system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a dummy battery unit 110 and a battery substrate 120.

[0015] The dummy battery unit 110 includes a positive electrode 112 and a negative electrode 111 that can be attached to a circuit board battery holder, which is a battery holder for a button battery, on a circuit board of an electronic device.

[0016] The battery substrate 120 includes a battery substrate battery holder 130, which is a battery holder for a button-type battery having a positive terminal 132 connected to the positive electrode 112 and a negative terminal 131 connected to the negative electrode 111, and is arranged on the electronic device so that it can be inserted and removed from outside the housing of the electronic device.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a battery exchange system 10. The shapes of the battery substrate 120, the battery substrate battery holder 130, the negative terminal 131, the positive terminal 132, and the like may differ from the example shown in FIG. 1. Other diagrams illustrating a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure are diagrams schematically illustrating a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure. Other diagrams illustrating an electronic device according to the present disclosure are diagrams schematically illustrating an electronic device according to the present disclosure. The shapes of components according to the present disclosure depicted in these diagrams may differ from the shapes of the components depicted in the diagrams.

[0018] As mentioned above, button batteries are also called coin batteries or coin cells. The dummy battery section 110 has a shape that allows it to be attached to a battery holder on a circuit board of an electronic device. The shape of the dummy battery section 110 is such that, when the dummy battery section 110 is attached to the battery holder on the circuit board of the electronic device, the negative electrode 111 and the positive electrode 112 are not short-circuited, the positive terminal of the battery holder on the circuit board of the electronic device contacts the positive electrode 112, and the negative terminal of the battery holder on the circuit board of the electronic device contacts the negative electrode 111. The shape of the dummy battery section 110 may be the same as the shape of a button battery that is attached to the battery holder on the circuit board of the electronic device. The shape of the dummy battery section 110 may be different from the shape of a button battery that is attached to the battery holder on the circuit board of the electronic device.

[0019] The battery-substrate battery holder 130 is configured so that when a button battery that can be installed in the battery-substrate battery holder 130 is installed in the battery-substrate battery holder 130, the button battery is fixed to the battery-substrate battery holder 130 so that the button battery can be removed from the battery-substrate battery holder 130. The battery-substrate battery holder 130 is also configured so that when a button battery that can be installed in the battery-substrate battery holder 130 is installed in the battery-substrate battery holder 130, the positive electrode of the button battery contacts the positive terminal 132 and the negative electrode of the button battery contacts the negative terminal 131. The battery-substrate battery holder 130 is also configured so that when a button battery that can be installed in the battery-substrate battery holder 130 is installed in the battery-substrate battery holder 130, the positive terminal 132 and the negative terminal 131 are not short-circuited.

[0020] The negative electrode 111 of the dummy battery unit 110 is connected to the negative terminal 131 of the battery-substrate battery holder 130 by, for example, a cable so as to be electrically conductive to the negative terminal 131 of the battery-substrate battery holder 130. The positive electrode 112 of the dummy battery unit 110 is connected to the positive terminal 132 of the battery-substrate battery holder 130 by, for example, a cable so as to be electrically conductive to the positive terminal 132 of the battery-substrate battery holder 130. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the cable connecting the negative electrode 111 to the negative terminal 131 and the cable connecting the positive electrode 112 to the positive terminal 132 are depicted as separate cables. However, the cable connecting the negative electrode 111 to the negative terminal 131 and the cable connecting the positive electrode 112 to the positive terminal 132 may be bundled together. Specifically, for example, a portion of the coating of the cable connecting the negative electrode 111 and the negative terminal 131 and a portion of the coating of the cable connecting the positive electrode 112 and the positive terminal 132 may be bonded together. The cable connecting the negative electrode 111 and the negative terminal 131 and the cable connecting the positive electrode 112 and the positive terminal 132 are insulated from each other by the coatings.

[0021] The length of the cable connecting the negative electrode 111 and the negative terminal 131 and the length of the cable connecting the positive electrode 112 and the positive terminal 132 are lengths that allow the battery substrate 120 to be pulled out from the housing of the electronic device so that at least a portion of the battery substrate battery holder 130 is exposed from the housing of the electronic device. In this case, at least a portion of the battery substrate battery holder 130 is within a range that allows the battery installed in the battery substrate battery holder 130 to be replaced from outside the housing of the electronic device when at least a portion of the battery substrate battery holder 130 is exposed from the housing of the electronic device. The length of these cables may be lengths that allow the battery substrate 120 to be pulled out from the housing of the electronic device so that the entire battery substrate battery holder 130 is exposed from the housing of the electronic device. The length of these cables may be lengths that allow the battery substrate 120 to be pulled out from the housing of the electronic device so that the entire battery substrate battery holder 130 is exposed from the housing of the electronic device.

[0022] The battery board 120 is arranged on the housing of the electronic device such that the battery board battery holder 130, on which a button battery is arranged, is arranged inside the housing of the electronic device and can be inserted and removed from the outside of the housing through an insertion / removal opening. The dummy battery unit 110 is attached to a circuit board battery holder, which is a battery holder for the circuit board of the electronic device on which the battery board 120 is arranged. This allows power to be supplied to the circuit board of the electronic device from the button battery arranged in the battery board battery holder 130 via the circuit board battery holder. When replacing the button battery arranged in the battery board battery holder 130, the battery board 120 is pulled out from the outside of the housing of the electronic device through the insertion / removal opening. A state in which at least a portion of the battery board 120 is pulled out from the insertion / removal opening and the button battery arranged in the battery board battery holder 130 can be replaced is referred to as a replaceable state. The replaceable state may be determined in advance, for example, experimentally. Among the replaceable states, the state in which the proportion of the portion of the battery board 120 pulled out from the insertion / removal opening to the entire battery board 120 is the smallest is referred to as the minimum replaceable state. The minimum replaceable state is the state in which the battery board 120 is pulled out from the insertion / removal opening until the state of the portion of the battery board / battery holder 130 exposed from the insertion / removal opening reaches a predetermined state in which the button battery placed in the battery board / battery holder 130 can be replaced.

[0023] The length of the cable connecting the negative electrode 111 and the negative terminal 131 and the length of the cable connecting the positive electrode 112 and the positive terminal 132 are lengths that allow the battery board 120 to be pulled out of the insertion / removal opening to the minimum replaceable state when the dummy battery unit 110 is attached to the circuit board battery holder. Such length of the cable connecting the positive electrode 112 and the positive terminal 132 is equal to or greater than the distance between the positive electrode 112 and the positive terminal 132 when the battery board 120 is pulled out of the insertion / removal opening to the minimum replaceable state. Such length of the cable connecting the negative electrode 111 and the negative terminal 131 is equal to or greater than the distance between the negative electrode 111 and the negative terminal 131 when the battery board 120 is pulled out of the insertion / removal opening to the minimum replaceable state. In general, the cable connecting the positive electrode 112 and the positive terminal 132 and the cable connecting the negative electrode 111 and the negative terminal 131 are often covered and bonded together as a single cable except for the ends. Assume that the cable connecting the positive electrode 112 and the positive terminal 132 and the cable connecting the negative electrode 111 and the negative terminal 131, both of which are the same length, are bonded together as a single cable except at the ends. In this case, the length of these two cables is equal to or greater than the longer of the length between the positive electrode 112 and the positive terminal 132 and the length between the negative electrode 111 and the negative terminal 131 when the battery substrate 120 is pulled out from the insertion / removal opening to the minimum replaceable state.

[0024] Note that, "at least a portion of the battery substrate / battery holder 130 is exposed from the housing of the electronic device," specifically, "at least a portion of the battery substrate / battery holder 130 is exposed from an insertion / removal opening, which is an opening formed in the housing of the electronic device." The size of the insertion / removal opening is a size that allows at least a portion of the battery substrate / battery holder 130 to be pulled out from the opening. In other words, the length of the cable is a length that allows the battery substrate 120 to be pulled out from the insertion / removal opening formed in the housing of the electronic device so that at least a portion of the battery substrate / battery holder 130 is exposed from the housing of the electronic device. As described above, the insertion / removal opening is an opening formed on the housing of the electronic device. The insertion / removal opening may be formed in the housing of the electronic device itself. The insertion / removal opening may be formed in a component attached to the housing of the electronic device. The component attached to the housing of the electronic device is, for example, a bracket for an add-on board attached to the electronic device.

[0025] <Effects> This embodiment has the advantage that the area used by the system that enables replacement of the coin battery without opening the housing of the electronic device can be reduced on the surface of the housing.

[0026] This is because the dummy battery unit 110 has a positive electrode 112 and a negative electrode 111 that can be attached to a circuit board battery holder, which is a battery holder for a button battery, on the circuit board of the electronic device. The battery board 120 also has a battery board battery holder 130, which is a battery holder for a button battery, that has a positive terminal 132 connected to the positive electrode 112 and a negative terminal 131 connected to the negative electrode. Furthermore, the battery board 120 is placed in the electronic device so that it can be inserted and removed from the outside of the housing of the electronic device.

[0027] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0028] <Configuration> FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure.

[0029] The configuration of the battery exchange system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0030] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the battery exchange system 100 of this embodiment includes a dummy battery unit 110, a battery board 120, a battery board / battery holder 130, a cable 140, a lid unit 150, and a connecting unit 160.

[0031] The dummy battery section 110 is the same as the dummy battery section 110 in the first embodiment.

[0032] The battery substrate 120 is the same as the battery substrate 120 of the first embodiment, except that the connecting portion 160 is connected to the battery substrate 120.

[0033] The battery substrate battery holder 130 is the same as the battery substrate battery holder 130 of the first embodiment. The battery substrate battery holder 130 may be attached to the battery substrate 120 so that the flat surface of the button battery placed in the battery substrate battery holder is parallel to the battery substrate 120. The flat surface of the button battery is, for example, the flat portion of the negative electrode of the button battery.

[0034] The cable 140 connects the dummy battery unit 110 to the battery board battery holder 130 attached to the battery board 120. The cable 140 corresponds to the cable connecting the negative electrode 111 and the negative terminal 131 and the cable connecting the positive electrode 112 and the positive terminal 132 in the first embodiment.

[0035] The configuration of the battery exchange system 100 according to this embodiment is the same as that of the battery exchange system 10 according to the first embodiment, but with the addition of a lid portion 150 and a connecting portion 160. As mentioned above, the shapes of the components (e.g., the battery substrate 120, the battery substrate / battery holder 130, the lid portion 150, and the connecting portion 160) depicted in Fig. 2 and other figures may differ from the shapes of these components depicted in Fig. 2 and other figures.

[0036] The lid portion 150 is a member that functions as a lid for an insertion / removal opening formed in the housing of the electronic device for the battery substrate 120 when the battery substrate 120 is inserted into the housing of the electronic device. As described above, the battery substrate 120 is arranged in the electronic device so that it can be inserted and removed from outside the housing of the electronic device. The battery substrate 120 is arranged in the electronic device so that it can be inserted and removed from outside the housing of the electronic device through the above-mentioned insertion / removal opening.

[0037] The connecting portion 160 is a member that connects the battery substrate 120 and the lid portion 150. The connecting portion 160 connects the battery substrate 120 and the lid portion 150. The connecting portion 160 may be adhered to the battery substrate 120. The connecting portion 160 may be connected to the battery substrate 120 with screws or the like. The connecting portion 160 may be fixed to the battery substrate 120 by fitting. The connecting portion 160 may be formed as an integral part of the battery substrate 120. The connecting portion 160 may be adhered to the lid portion 150. The connecting portion 160 may be connected to the lid portion 150 with screws or the like. The connecting portion 160 may be fixed to the battery substrate 120 by fitting. The connecting portion 160 may be formed as an integral part of the lid portion 150.

[0038] As described above, the size of the insertion opening is such that the battery substrate 120 equipped with the battery substrate / battery holder 130 can be pulled out from the insertion opening.

[0039] <Effects> This embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment, for the same reasons as those for the effects of the first embodiment.

[0040] <Third embodiment> Next, a battery exchange system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure.

[0042] A battery exchange system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0043] In the example shown in Figure 3, the battery replacement system 101 includes a dummy battery section 110, a battery board 120, a battery board battery holder 130 attached to the battery board 120, a cable 140, a lid section 150, a connecting section 160, and an expansion board 200.

[0044] The extension board 200 includes a bracket portion 210 , a terminal portion 220 , and a guide 230 .

[0045] The dummy battery section 110, battery board 120, battery board battery holder 130, cable 140, lid section 150 and connecting section 160 are the same as the dummy battery section 110, battery board 120, battery board battery holder 130, cable 140, lid section 150 and connecting section 160 of the second embodiment, respectively.

[0046] The expansion board 200 is an expansion board that conforms to a predetermined standard and can be attached to an expansion board slot of an electronic device. The predetermined standard is, for example, PCIe (PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) Express, a registered trademark). PCIe is also written as PCI-E. As mentioned above, the shapes of the expansion board 200 and its components (e.g., bracket portion 210, terminal portion 220, guide 230, etc.) depicted in FIG. 3 and other figures may differ from the shapes of these components depicted in FIG. 3 and other figures. The guide 230 is, for example, a member that supports the battery board 120 so that the battery board 120 moves in a predetermined direction relative to the expansion board 200. This predetermined direction may be a direction parallel to the board surface of the expansion board 200. The board surface of the expansion board 200 is the surface of the board of the expansion board 200. In the following description, the board surface is also referred to as a flat surface. The board surface of the expansion board 200 is the surface of the board on which the battery board 120 is mounted. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the board surface of the expansion board 200 is a surface that includes a straight line in the up-down direction and a straight line in the left-right direction. This predetermined direction is the direction in which the battery board 120 moves when the battery board 120 is inserted or removed from the insertion / removal opening. In other words, the guide 230 limits the direction in which the battery board 120 moves to the above-mentioned predetermined direction. Specifically, when the battery board 120 is inserted or removed from the outside of the electronic device on which the expansion board is mounted, the guide 230 restricts the direction in which the battery board 120 moves so that the battery board 120 moves in a direction parallel to the board surface (i.e., the flat surface) of the battery board 120. As a result, when the expansion board 200 is incorporated into the electronic device, the battery board 120 is arranged in the housing of the electronic device so that it can be inserted or removed from the outside in a direction parallel to the flat surface of the battery board 120.

[0047] The terminal section 220 is a member shaped to be insertable into a connector of a slot of an add-on board. In this embodiment, the terminal section 220 does not necessarily include a terminal.

[0048] The bracket portion 210 functions as a bracket for the expansion board 200. When the expansion board 200 is attached to an electronic device, at least a portion of the bracket portion 210 is exposed to the outside of the electronic device. When the expansion board 200 is attached to an electronic device, at least a portion of the bracket portion 210 that is exposed to the outside of the electronic device functions as part of the housing of the electronic device. The above-mentioned insertion / removal opening is formed in the bracket portion 210. Specifically, the above-mentioned insertion / removal opening is formed in at least a portion of the bracket portion 210 that is exposed to the outside of the electronic device when the expansion board 200 is attached to the electronic device. The battery substrate 120 is attached to the expansion board 200 so as to be insertable and removable through the insertion / removal opening of the bracket portion 210.

[0049] The lid portion 150 may be formed so as to cover an insertion / removal opening formed in the bracket portion 210. The lid portion 150 may be formed so as to cover a portion of the insertion / removal opening formed in the bracket portion 210.

[0050] The lid portion 150 and the bracket portion 210 may be formed with a mechanism for fixing the lid portion 150 to the bracket portion 210. The mechanism for fixing the lid portion 150 to the bracket portion 210 may be, for example, a screw and a screw hole.

[0051] The mechanism for fixing the lid portion 150 to the bracket portion 210 may be, for example, a mechanism that switches the state between the lid portion 150 and the bracket portion 210 between a state in which the lid portion 150 and the bracket portion 210 are fixed and a state in which the lid portion 150 and the bracket portion 210 are not fixed. Such a mechanism may be realized, for example, by a member attached to the lid portion 150 for fixing the lid portion 150 to the bracket portion 210. This member is configured to be switched between, for example, a fixed state in which the lid portion 150 and the member are sandwiched by the bracket portion 210 and an released state in which the lid portion 150 and the member are not sandwiched by the bracket portion 210. In this case, the fixed state is, for example, a state in which the lid portion 150 and the member are sandwiched by the bracket portion 210, preventing the battery board 120 from being removed from the electronic device. In this case, the released state is, for example, a state in which the lid portion 150 and the member are not sandwiched by the bracket portion 210, allowing the battery board 120 to be removed from the electronic device. The switching between the fixed state and the released state may be performed, for example, by changing at least one of the relative position and attitude of the member with respect to the lid portion 150. The change in at least one of the relative position and attitude of the member with respect to the lid portion 150 may be performed by sliding or rotating the member with respect to the lid portion 150, or the like.

[0052] The mechanism for fixing the cover portion 150 to the bracket portion 210 may be realized, for example, by a member formed on the cover portion 150 that has at least one of flexibility and elasticity. This member is formed to have a protrusion. When the battery board 120 is inserted or removed through the insertion / removal opening, the position of the protrusion changes between a state in which the protrusion is outside the housing of the electronic device and a state in which the protrusion is inside the housing of the electronic device. For example, when the battery board 120 is pulled out of the insertion / removal opening, the position of the protrusion becomes a state in which the protrusion is outside the housing of the electronic device. For example, when the battery board 120 is inserted into the electronic device until the cover portion 150 contacts the bracket portion 210, the position of the protrusion becomes a state in which the protrusion is inside the housing of the electronic device. When the position of the protrusion changes between these two states, the protrusion passes through the insertion / removal opening. This member is formed so that when the protrusion passes through the insertion / removal opening, the member flexes, allowing the protrusion to pass through the insertion / removal opening. The protrusion of this member is formed so that when the battery board 120 is inserted into the electronic device until the lid portion 150 comes into contact with the bracket portion 210, the bracket portion 210 is sandwiched between the protrusion and the lid portion 150.

[0053] The mechanism for fixing the lid portion 150 to the bracket portion 210 may be realized, for example, by a member formed on the lid portion 150 that comes into contact with the insertion / removal opening when the battery board 120 is inserted into the electronic device until the lid portion 150 comes into contact with the bracket portion 210. This member may be formed so that when the battery board 120 is inserted into the electronic device until the lid portion 150 comes into contact with the bracket portion 210, the lid portion 150 is fixed to the bracket portion 210 by friction caused by contact between the edge of the insertion / removal opening and this member.

[0054] The following further describes the case where the mechanism for fixing the cover part 150 to the bracket part 210 is, for example, a screw and a screw hole.

[0055] Fig. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a bracket portion 210 of an add-on board according to the present disclosure. The example shown in Fig. 4 illustrates the bracket portion 210 as viewed from the right side of Fig. 3. In Fig. 4, the battery board 120 has been removed from the add-on board 200.

[0056] 4, bracket portion 210 is formed with insertion / removal opening 211, screw hole 212, and screw hole 213. The arrangement and shape of bracket portion 210, insertion / removal opening 211, screw hole 212, and screw hole 213 may be different from the arrangement and shape of bracket portion 210, insertion / removal opening 211, screw hole 212, and screw hole 213 depicted in FIG.

[0057] Fig. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a bracket portion and a lid portion of an expansion board according to the present disclosure. The example shown in Fig. 5 illustrates the bracket portion 210 and the lid portion 150 as viewed from the right side of Fig. 3. In Fig. 5, the battery board 120 is inserted into the insertion slot 211 of the expansion board 200.

[0058] In the example of FIG. 5, the bracket portion 210 and the lid portion 150 are fixed to each other by screws 214 and 215. Screw 214 is fixed in screw hole 212 in FIG. 4. Screw 215 is fixed in screw hole 213 in FIG. 4. The insertion / removal opening 211 is blocked by the lid portion 150. In the example of FIG. 5, the thickness of the battery substrate 120 to which the battery substrate / battery holder 130 is attached, including the thickness of the battery substrate / battery holder 130, is smaller than the width of the insertion / removal opening 211. Note that the shapes of the bracket portion 210, the lid portion 150, screws 214 and 215, the insertion / removal opening 211, the battery substrate 120, and the battery substrate / battery holder 130 may be different from those depicted in FIG. 5.

[0059] <Effects> This embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment, for the same reasons as those for the effects of the first embodiment.

[0060] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0061] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic device according to the present disclosure.

[0062] The configuration of the electronic device according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0063] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the electronic device 300 includes a circuit board 310 and a battery exchange system 101. In this example, the battery exchange system 101 shown in FIG. 3 is incorporated into the electronic device 300. The electronic device 300 is, for example, a blade server (also referred to as a blade server), which is a blade-type server device. The circuit board 310 is, for example, a main board (in other words, a motherboard) of the electronic device 300. The circuit board 310 is equipped with devices that enable the electronic device 300 to operate as a computer, such as a processor, memory, and an interface control chip. Note that the shapes and arrangements of the electronic device 300, the circuit board 310, the circuit board battery holder 320, and the expansion connector 330 may be different from those illustrated in FIG. 6. Note that, for simplicity's sake, devices other than the circuit board 310 and the devices related to the battery exchange system included in the electronic device 300 are not illustrated in FIG. 6. However, the electronic device 300 may further include devices (e.g., a storage device) not illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0064] The circuit board 310 includes a circuit board battery holder 320 and an expansion connector 330. The circuit board battery holder 320 is a battery holder that can accommodate a button-type battery. The expansion connector 330 is a connector that can accommodate an expansion board that conforms to a predetermined standard. The predetermined standard is, for example, PCEe. In this case, the expansion connector 330 is also referred to as a PCEe connector.

[0065] The battery exchange system 101 includes a dummy battery unit 110, a battery board 120 to which a battery board / battery holder 130 is attached, a cable 140 connecting the dummy battery unit 110 and the battery board / battery holder 130, and an expansion board 200. The expansion board 200 is the same as the expansion board 200 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3. The dummy battery unit 110, battery board 120, battery board / battery holder 130, and cable 140 are the same as the dummy battery unit 110, battery board 120, battery board / battery holder 130, and cable 140 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

[0066] The terminal section 220 of the extension board 200 is inserted into the expansion connector 330. The dummy battery section 110 is inserted into the circuit board battery holder 320. Furthermore, a button battery 400 is mounted on the battery board battery holder 130. The button battery 400 is the button battery described above. This allows the circuit board 310 of the electronic device 300 to use the power of the button battery 400.

[0067] By pulling and pushing the lid portion 150, which is connected to the battery board 120 by the connecting portion 160, the battery board 120 can be inserted and removed from the insertion / removal opening formed in the bracket portion 210, which functions as part of the housing of the electronic device 300.

[0068] 7 is a diagram showing the inside of the housing of an electronic device according to the present disclosure. The example shown in FIG. 7 shows the inside of the housing of electronic device 300 shown in FIG.

[0069] <Effects> This embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment, for the same reasons as those for the effects of the first embodiment.

[0070] <Fifth embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0071] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure.

[0072] The configuration of a battery exchange system according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 8. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the add-on board 201 provides a communication interface of a predetermined standard. The communication interface of the predetermined standard is, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus, registered trademark). The USB standard may be any standard. The predetermined standard does not have to be USB.

[0073] In the example shown in FIG. 8, the battery exchange system 102 of this embodiment includes a dummy battery unit 110, a battery board 120, a battery board / battery holder 130, a cable 140, and an add-on board 201.

[0074] The dummy battery assembly 110, battery board 120, battery board / battery holder 130, and cable 140 are the same as the dummy battery assembly 110, battery board 120, battery board / battery holder 130, and cable 140 of the third embodiment shown in FIG.

[0075] The extension board 201 includes a bracket portion 210A, a terminal portion 220, a guide 230, a controller 240, and a connector 250.

[0076] The controller 240 controls communication according to the above-mentioned predetermined standard between an electronic device incorporating the battery exchange system 102 and another device connected to the connector 250 via the terminal unit 220 and the connector 250. If the above-mentioned predetermined standard is USB, the connector 250 is a USB connector. In this embodiment, the terminal unit 220 includes a terminal according to the standard to which the expansion board 201 conforms.

[0077] The battery exchange system 102 of this embodiment is the same as the battery exchange system 101 of the third embodiment, except that it includes an expansion board 201 instead of the expansion board 200.

[0078] The expansion board 201 is the same as the expansion board 200 of the third embodiment, except that it includes a controller 240 and a connector 250, a bracket portion 210A instead of the bracket portion 210, and a terminal that complies with the standard to which the shape of the expansion board 201 conforms. A connector opening, which is a hole for accessing the connector 250 from the opposite side of the bracket portion 210A to the connector 250, is formed in the bracket portion 210A. Note that the terminal portion 220 of the expansion board 200 may include a terminal. The terminal portion 220 of the expansion board 200 may not include a terminal.

[0079] Fig. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a bracket portion of an add-on board according to the present disclosure. The example shown in Fig. 9 illustrates bracket portion 210A as viewed from the right side of Fig. 8. In Fig. 9, battery board 120 has been removed from add-on board 201.

[0080] In the example of Fig. 9, bracket portion 210A is formed with insertion / removal opening 211, screw hole 212, screw hole 213, and connector opening 216. Connector opening 216 is the connector opening described above. Connector 250 is accessible via connector opening 216. The arrangement and shape of bracket portion 210A, insertion / removal opening 211, screw hole 212, screw hole 213, connector opening 216, and connector 250 may be different from the arrangement and shape depicted in Fig. 9.

[0081] Fig. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a bracket portion and a lid portion of an add-on board according to the present disclosure. The example shown in Fig. 10 illustrates the bracket portion 210A and the lid portion 150 as viewed from the right side of Fig. 8. In Fig. 9, the battery board 120 is inserted into the insertion slot 211 of the add-on board 201.

[0082] In the example of FIG. 10 , the bracket portion 210A and the lid portion 150 are fixed to each other by screws 214 and 215. Screw 214 is fixed into screw hole 212 in FIG. 9 . Screw 215 is fixed into screw hole 213 in FIG. 9 . The insertion / removal opening 211 is blocked by the lid portion 150. In the example of FIG. 10 , the thickness of the battery substrate 120 to which the battery substrate / battery holder 130 is attached, including the thickness of the battery substrate / battery holder 130, is smaller than the width of the insertion / removal opening 211. Note that the shapes of the bracket portion 210A, the lid portion 150, screws 214 and 215, the insertion / removal opening 211, the battery substrate 120, and the battery substrate / battery holder 130 may be different from those depicted in FIG. 10 .

[0083] <Effects> This embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment, for the same reasons as those for the effects of the first embodiment.

[0084] <First Modification of the Second Embodiment> Next, a first modified example of the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0085] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure.

[0086] A battery exchange system 103 according to a first modified example of the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0087] In the battery exchange system 103 shown in Fig. 11, the dummy battery unit 110 is connected to the battery board / battery holder 130 of the battery board 120 via a cable 140 and a connector 170. The battery exchange system 103 is the same as the battery exchange system 100 of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 2, except that the dummy battery unit 110 and the battery board / battery holder 130 of the battery board 120 are connected via the connector 170.

[0088] The connector 170 includes a connector on the battery substrate 120 side and a connector on the dummy battery unit 110 side (the connector connected to the cable 140 in the example of FIG. 11). By connecting the connector on the battery substrate 120 side and the connector on the dummy battery unit 110 side, the dummy battery unit 110 and the battery substrate battery holder 130 are connected.

[0089] 12 is a second diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure. FIG. 12 shows that a dummy battery side battery connector 171 and a battery board side connector 172 are connected. The dummy battery side battery connector 171 is a connector on the dummy battery unit 110 side described above. The battery board side connector 172 is a connector on the battery board 120 side. The connector 170 includes the dummy battery side battery connector 171 and the battery board side connector 172.

[0090] <Second Modification of the Second Embodiment> Next, a second modified example of the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0091] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure.

[0092] A battery exchange system 104 according to a second modification of the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0093] The battery exchange system 104 shown in Fig. 13 differs from the battery exchange system 100 of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 2 in that it includes a knob 180 instead of the lid 150 and the connecting portion 160. The battery exchange system 104 is the same as the battery exchange system 100 of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 2 except that it includes the knob 180 instead of the lid 150 and the connecting portion 160.

[0094] The knob 180 is a member that can be gripped when the battery board 120 is pulled out from the electronic device. To grip means to hold it in a pinched state. The knob 180 of this modified example is, for example, a member attached to the battery board 120. The knob 180 of this modified example may be, for example, a member formed on the battery board 120 and protruding from the battery board 120 in a direction parallel to the board surface of the battery board 120.

[0095] <Third Modification of the Second Embodiment> Next, a third modified example of the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0096] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure.

[0097] A battery exchange system 105 according to a third modified example of the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0098] The battery exchange system 105 shown in Fig. 14 differs from the battery exchange system 100 of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 2 in that it includes a knob 180 instead of the lid 150 and the connecting part 160. The battery exchange system 105 is the same as the battery exchange system 100 of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 2 except that it includes the knob 180 instead of the lid 150 and the connecting part 160.

[0099] The knob 180 is a member that can be gripped when pulling out the battery board 120 from the electronic device. The knob 180 of this modified example may be, for example, a member that is attached to the battery board 120 and has a convex shape in a direction perpendicular to the board surface of the battery board 120. The knob 180 of this modified example may be, for example, a member that is formed on the battery board 120 and has a convex shape in a direction perpendicular to the board surface of the battery board 120.

[0100] The knob 180 of this modification may be, for example, a portion formed on the battery substrate 120 and having a recessed shape in a direction perpendicular to the board surface of the battery substrate 120. In this case, the knob 180 is formed so that the thickness of the central portion of the knob 180 is smaller than the thickness of the right end portion of the knob 180 in FIG.

[0101] <Fourth Modification of the Second Embodiment> Next, a fourth modified example of the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0102] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure.

[0103] A battery exchange system 106 according to a third modification of the second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0104] The battery exchange system 105 shown in Fig. 15 differs from the battery exchange system 100 of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 2 in that it does not include a lid part 150 and a connecting part 160. The configuration of the battery exchange system 105 corresponds to the configuration of the two cables represented as cables 140 in the battery exchange system 10 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

[0105] <First Modification of Fifth Embodiment> Next, a fifth modified example of the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0106] FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a battery exchange system according to the present disclosure.

[0107] A battery exchange system according to a fifth modified example of the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0108] The battery exchange system 107 shown in FIG. 16 differs from the battery exchange system 102 of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 8 in that it includes a cable 260 and a connector 270 instead of the controller 240. The battery exchange system 107 is the same as the battery exchange system 102 of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 8 except that it includes the cable 260 and the connector 270 instead of the controller 240. The connector 250 is connected to, for example, a device different from the electronic device. The connector 270 is connected to, for example, a connector mounted on a circuit board of the electronic device.

[0109] Connector 250 and connector 270 are connected by cable 260. Connector 250 and connector 270 are connectors that comply with a predetermined standard for communication between an electronic device and a device connected to connector 250. Cable 260 is a cable that complies with a predetermined standard. This predetermined standard may be USB, for example. The predetermined standard may also be a standard other than USB. In this modification, terminal unit 220 may not include a terminal.

[0110] <Other variations> The first modified example of the second embodiment, the second modified example of the second embodiment, the third modified example of the second embodiment, and the fourth modified example of the second embodiment can be applied to other embodiments and other modified examples, respectively.

[0111] The first modified example of the fifth embodiment can also be applied to the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and other modified examples.

[0112] Furthermore, when either the second variant of the second embodiment or the third variant of the second embodiment is applied to at least one of the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, and the fifth embodiment, a stopper may be formed on the guide 230.

[0113] As described above, the guide 230 is a member that limits the movement of the battery board 120 in a direction along the guide 230. The stopper of the guide 230 is a member formed on the guide 230 that limits the movement of the battery board 120. The stopper, for example, limits the position of the battery board 120 to a position where the knob 180 can be grasped from outside the bracket part 210 or the bracket part 210A. The outside of the bracket part 210 or the bracket part 210A refers to the side of the bracket part 210 or the bracket part 210A that is outside the electronic device when the expansion board 200 or the expansion board 201 is incorporated into the electronic device. The position where the knob 180 can be grasped from outside the bracket part 210 or the bracket part 210A may be a position that is predetermined as a position where the knob 180 can be grasped from outside the bracket part 210 or the bracket part 210A. In other words, the stopper is formed so as to stop the tip of the battery board 120 inserted into the insertion / removal opening 211 at a predetermined position in the direction along the guide 230. The tip of the battery board 120 is the part of the battery board 120 inserted into the insertion / removal opening 211 that is inside the bracket part (i.e., bracket part 210 or bracket part 210A) and is the farthest from the bracket part. The inside of the bracket part is the part inside the housing of the electronic device when the expansion board (expansion board 200 or expansion board 201) is incorporated into the electronic device.

[0114] In this case, the lid portion 150, which is not connected to the battery board 120, may be attached to the bracket portion (that is, the bracket portion 210 or the bracket portion 210A).

[0115] Furthermore, the battery board 120 does not have to be attached to the add-on board 200 or the like. In this case, the battery board 120 may be attached to the housing of the electronic device. The battery board 120 may be attached to a guide formed on the back side of one surface of the housing, for example. An insertion / removal opening may be formed on a surface of the housing of the electronic device other than the surface on the back of which the guide is attached, so that the battery board 120 can be inserted and removed through the insertion / removal opening.

[0116] Furthermore, some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0117] (Appendix 1) a dummy battery unit having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, which is attachable to a circuit board battery holder, which is a battery holder for a button battery, on a circuit board of an electronic device; a battery substrate battery holder that is a battery holder for a button-type battery having a positive terminal connected to the positive electrode and a negative terminal connected to the negative electrode, the battery substrate being arranged in the electronic device so as to be insertable and detachable from the outside of a housing of the electronic device; A battery exchange system comprising:

[0118] (Appendix 2) The battery board is disposed in the electronic device so as to be insertable and removable from the outside of the housing in a direction parallel to the flat surface of the battery board. 10. The battery exchange system of claim 1.

[0119] (Appendix 3) The battery substrate battery holder is attached to the battery substrate so that the flat surface of the button battery placed in the battery substrate battery holder is parallel to the battery substrate. 3. The battery exchange system according to claim 1 or 2.

[0120] (Appendix 4) The battery board is attached to an expansion board that can be mounted on the electronic device so as to be insertable and detachable through an insertion / removal opening formed in a bracket portion that is a portion that is exposed to the outside when the expansion board is attached to the electronic device. 3. The battery exchange system according to claim 1 or 2.

[0121] (Appendix 5) a cable that electrically connects the positive electrode to the positive terminal and the negative electrode to the negative terminal; The length of the cable is equal to or greater than the longer of the length between the positive electrode and the positive terminal and the length between the negative electrode and the negative terminal when the battery substrate is pulled out from the insertion / removal opening until the state of the part exposed from the insertion / removal opening of the battery substrate / battery holder reaches a predetermined state. 5. The battery exchange system of claim 4.

[0122] (Appendix 6) a cover that can be removed from the bracket of the expansion board to the outside of the electronic device when the expansion board is attached to the electronic device and can be attached to the bracket so as to close at least a part of the insertion opening, the cover being fixed to the battery board; 5. The battery exchange system according to claim 4, further comprising:

[0123] (Appendix 7) The expansion board is a board that can be mounted in a PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) slot of the electronic device. 5. The battery exchange system of claim 4.

[0124] (Appendix 8) The expansion board further has a connector of a predetermined interface formed on the bracket portion, which connector can be used for communication from the electronic device via a PCIe slot. 8. The battery exchange system of claim 7.

[0125] (Appendix 9) The battery substrate; the expansion board; 5. The battery exchange system of claim 4,

[0126] (Appendix 10) the expansion board; a battery exchange system according to claim 5; Electronic devices, including

[0127] (Appendix 11) The electronic device is a blade server. 3. The battery exchange system according to claim 1 or 2.

[0128] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 10 Battery exchange system 100 Battery Replacement System 101 Battery Exchange System 102 Battery exchange system 103 Battery Exchange System 104 Battery Exchange System 105 Battery Exchange System 106 Battery Exchange System 107 Battery Exchange System 110 Dummy battery section 111 Negative electrode 112 positive electrode 120 Battery board 130 Battery board Battery holder 131 Negative terminal 132 Positive terminal 140 Cable 150 Lid 160 Connection section 170 Connector 171 Dummy battery side battery connector 172 Battery board side connector 180 Knob 200 Expansion Board 201 Expansion Board 210 Bracket part 210A bracket part 211 Insertion / extraction port 212 holes 213 holes 216 Connector port 220 Terminal section 230 Guide 240 Controller 250 Connector 260 Cable 270 Connector 300 Electronic equipment 310 Circuit Board 320 Circuit Board Battery Holder 330 Expansion Connector 400 button cell battery

Claims

1. a dummy battery unit having a positive electrode and a negative electrode, which is attachable to a circuit board battery holder, which is a battery holder for a button battery, on a circuit board of an electronic device; a battery substrate battery holder that is a battery holder for a button-type battery having a positive terminal connected to the positive electrode and a negative terminal connected to the negative electrode, the battery substrate being arranged in the electronic device so as to be insertable and detachable from the outside of a housing of the electronic device; A battery exchange system comprising:

2. The battery board is disposed in the electronic device so as to be insertable and removable from the outside of the housing in a direction parallel to the flat surface of the battery board. The battery exchange system according to claim 1 .

3. The battery substrate battery holder is attached to the battery substrate so that the flat surface of the button battery placed in the battery substrate battery holder is parallel to the battery substrate. The battery exchange system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The battery board is attached to an expansion board that can be mounted on the electronic device so as to be insertable and detachable through an insertion / removal opening formed in a bracket portion that is a portion that is exposed to the outside when the expansion board is attached to the electronic device. The battery exchange system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a cable that electrically connects the positive electrode to the positive terminal and the negative electrode to the negative terminal; The length of the cable is equal to or greater than the longer of the length between the positive electrode and the positive terminal and the length between the negative electrode and the negative terminal when the battery substrate is pulled out from the insertion / removal opening until the state of the part exposed from the insertion / removal opening of the battery substrate / battery holder reaches a predetermined state. The battery exchange system according to claim 4 .

6. a cover that can be removed from the bracket of the expansion board to the outside of the electronic device when the expansion board is attached to the electronic device and can be attached to the bracket so as to close at least a part of the insertion opening, the cover being fixed to the battery board; The battery exchange system of claim 4 further comprising:

7. The expansion board is a board that can be mounted in a PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) slot of the electronic device. The battery exchange system according to claim 4 .

8. The expansion board further has a connector of a predetermined interface formed on the bracket portion, which connector can be used for communication from the electronic device via a PCIe slot. The battery exchange system according to claim 7 .

9. The battery substrate; the expansion board; The battery exchange system of claim 4 , comprising:

10. The electronic device is a blade server. The battery exchange system according to claim 1 or 2.

Images