Connected Devices

Abstract

To reduce a size of a battery in a connection device while ensuring high identifiability.SOLUTION: In a connection device according to the present technique, a battery is made detachable / attachable including a casing and a terminal portion that has a connection terminal connected to an electrode terminal. In the battery, two function grooves having an identifying function for identifying a type of the connection device are formed in the casing such that a length direction thereof matches a connection direction between the connection terminal and the electrode terminal. The function grooves each have a plurality of function units having different lengths continuously formed in a direction orthogonal to the connection direction. The two function grooves are formed at both sides of the terminal portion in a width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present technology relates to a battery having a functional groove formed in a housing that houses cells therein, and a connection device to which the battery is connected. [Background technology]

[0002] Some electronic devices, including imaging devices such as still cameras and video cameras, are powered by batteries. The battery is, for example, attached to a charger and charged, and then attached to the battery attachment section of the electronic device in a charged state. These chargers and electronic devices function as connected devices because they are connected to the battery.

[0003] Batteries such as those described above are provided with a connector having a connection terminal, and the connection terminal is connected to an electrode terminal of a charger or an electrode terminal provided on the battery mounting part to charge the battery or supply power from the battery to an electronic device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] The battery described in Patent Document 1 has a roughly rectangular shaped housing, a cell housed inside the housing, and a connector electrically connected to the cell, and an identification groove (discrimination recess) is formed at the lower end of the housing as a functional groove having a specified function.

[0005] The battery is slid into a connection device such as a charger to connect the connector and electrode terminals. When the battery is attached to the connection device, an identification protrusion provided on the connection device can be inserted into the identification groove, and the type of battery is identified based on the state of insertion of the identification protrusion into the identification groove. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-92511 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, since batteries are used by being attached to a charger or a battery attachment part, if the battery size is large, the charger, electronic devices, and other connected devices will also be large. Also, since batteries are often carried around, if the battery size is large, it may be difficult to carry and may be inconvenient to handle.

[0008] On the other hand, when identifying the type of battery based on multiple indicators (identification protrusions), it is possible to improve identification, but a number of identification grooves corresponding to the number of indicators is required, and as the number of identification grooves increases, the area occupied by the identification grooves in the casing increases, resulting in a larger battery.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present technology is to overcome the above-mentioned problems and to achieve miniaturization while ensuring high functionality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The connection device of the present technology comprises a casing having a front and a rear surface located on opposite sides in the length direction, a top and a bottom surface located between the front and rear surfaces in a height direction perpendicular to the length direction, and two side surfaces located on opposite sides in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction and perpendicular to the height direction, and a terminal portion having a connection terminal to be connected to an electrode terminal, and in the battery, the casing is formed with two functional grooves whose length direction coincides with the connection direction between the connection terminal and the electrode terminal and which have an identification function for identifying the type of the connection device, and the functional groove has a plurality of functional portions of different lengths formed continuously in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction, and the two functional grooves are formed on both sides of the terminal portion in the width direction. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present technology, it is possible to achieve miniaturization while ensuring high functionality of the functional groove.

[0012] It should be noted that the effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also be obtained. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 2 to 102 show an embodiment of the battery and connection device of the present technology, and this figure is an exploded perspective view showing the battery. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a storage case and a connector in the battery. [Figure 8] 13A and 13B are perspective views of a battery having a different guide groove configuration. [Figure 9] 13A and 13B are side views of a battery having a different guide groove configuration. [Figure 10] 13 is a side view of another battery having a different guide groove configuration. FIG. [Figure 11] 13A and 13B are perspective views of a battery having a different guide groove configuration. [Figure 12] 13 is a perspective view of another battery having a different guide groove configuration. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a perspective view of yet another battery having a different guide groove configuration. FIG. [Figure 14] 13A and 13B are front views of batteries having different configurations of placement recesses. [Figure 15] 13 is a bottom view of another battery having a different configuration of the placement recess. FIG. [Figure 16] 13 is a front view of another battery having a different configuration of the placement recess. FIG. [Figure 17] 13 is a bottom view of yet another battery having a different configuration of the placement recess. FIG. [Figure 18] 13 is a front view of yet another battery having a different configuration of the placement recess. FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the mounting space in the imaging device is open. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the battery mounting section. [Figure 22] 13 is a bottom view showing a state in which a battery is inserted into the mounting space of the battery mounting portion. FIG. [Figure 23] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a battery is mounted in a battery mounting portion. FIG. [Figure 24] 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a pressed recess is formed at the rear end of the battery and the battery is pressed by a pressing lever. FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. [Figure 28] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a guide engagement portion of the charger. [Figure 29] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a battery is inserted into the mounting recess of the charger. FIG. [Diagram 30] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a battery is attached to a battery attachment portion of a charger. FIG. [Diagram 31] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a battery is attached to a battery attachment portion of a charger. FIG. [Diagram 32] 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the battery is guided to a terminal connection portion when the battery is attached to a charger. FIG. [Diagram 33] 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a battery is attached to a charger and a terminal connection portion and a connector are connected. [Diagram 34] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example in which the connector is positioned above the bottom surface. [Diagram 35] 13 is a perspective view showing an example in which the connector is positioned rearward of the front surface and upward of the bottom surface. FIG. [Diagram 36] 13 is a bottom view showing an example in which one wall portion of the recess forming surface is inclined. FIG. [Figure 37] 11 is a perspective view showing an example in which a pair of wall portions and a middle portion in a recess forming surface are inclined. FIG. [Figure 38] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another example of a charger together with a battery. [Figure 39] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing yet another example of a charger together with a battery. [Diagram 40] 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which a battery is held in still another example of a charger. FIG. [Diagram 41] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of a battery having three engagement recesses formed therein. [Diagram 42] 13 is a side view showing an example of a battery in which an engagement recess is formed to open into the frontmost guided groove. FIG. [Diagram 43] 13 is a side view showing an example of a battery in which an engagement recess is formed to open into the rearmost guided groove. FIG. [Diagram 44] 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a battery having an engagement recess formed at the lower end at the rear end. FIG. [Diagram 45] FIG. 4 is an enlarged bottom view showing the front end of the battery. [Figure 46] 4 is a conceptual diagram showing dimensions of an identification groove, etc. FIG. [Figure 47] 11A and 11B are conceptual diagrams showing examples of different shapes of the discrimination groove. [Figure 48] FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing an identification groove and the like in a large-capacity battery. [Figure 49] 10 is a bottom view showing an identification groove and the like in a small-capacity battery. FIG. [Figure 50] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a battery mounting section in a low-power camera. [Figure 51] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a battery mounting section in a medium-power camera. [Figure 52]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a battery mounting section in a high-power camera. [Figure 53] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a battery mounting section in the charger. [Figure 54] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining the discrimination properties of a discrimination groove. [Figure 55] 13 is an enlarged front view showing an example in which the second portion of the discrimination groove is formed in a different shape. FIG. [Figure 56] 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing an example of an identification groove in which a first portion and a second portion are formed continuously in the up-down direction. FIG. [Figure 57] 11A and 11B are perspective views showing other shapes of the wall portion on the recess forming surface. [Figure 58] 13 is a bottom view showing another shape of the wall portion on the recess forming surface. FIG. [Figure 59] 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a battery having a positioning groove formed in a housing. FIG. [Figure 60] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a battery in which a terminal arrangement groove and a positioning groove are formed in a housing. FIG. [Figure 61] 13 is a perspective view showing another example of a battery in which a terminal arrangement groove and a positioning groove are formed in a housing. FIG. [Figure 62] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing another charger, a power supply device, and the like. [Figure 63] FIG. [Figure 64] 64 is a perspective view showing the power supply device as viewed from a direction different from that of FIG. 63. [Figure 65] FIG. [Figure 66] FIG. [Figure 67] FIG. [Figure 68] FIG. [Figure 69] 2 is a perspective view showing a power feeder and an imaging device to which the power feeder is attached; FIG. [Figure 70] FIG. [Figure 71] 71 is a perspective view showing the adapter as viewed from a different direction than in FIG. 70. [Figure 72] 72 is a perspective view showing the adapter as viewed from a different direction than in FIG. 71. [Figure 73] 73 is a perspective view showing the adapter as seen from a different direction than in FIG. 72. [Figure 74] FIG. [Figure 75] FIG. [Figure 76] FIG. [Figure 77] FIG. [Figure 78] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the adapter. [Figure 79] This is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the adapter as seen from a different direction than in Figure 78. [Figure 80] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an adapter and a power supply unit attached to the adapter. [Figure 81] FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the sizes of the adapter and the power supply unit. [Figure 82] FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the power supply unit is being inserted into the adapter. [Figure 83] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which a power supply unit is inserted into an adapter and attached. [Figure 84] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the power supply unit is attached to the adapter. [Figure 85] 1 is a perspective view showing an adapter to which a power supply unit is attached and an imaging device to which the adapter is attached; [Figure 86] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another battery. [Figure 87] FIG. 13 is a front view of another battery. [Figure 88] FIG. 13 is a plan view of another battery. [Figure 89] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another adapter. [Figure 90] 89. This is a perspective view showing another adapter as seen from a different direction than that shown in FIG. 89. [Figure 91] FIG. 13 is a plan view of another adapter. [Figure 92]FIG. 13 is a side view of another adapter. [Figure 93] FIG. 13 is a front view of another adapter. [Figure 94] FIG. 13 is a bottom view of another adapter. [Figure 95] FIG. 13 is a rear view of another adapter. [Figure 96] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a housing case and a connector in another adapter. [Figure 97] 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which a relay connector and a connection connector are connected by a flexible printed wiring board in another adapter. FIG. [Figure 98] 13 is a perspective view showing another adapter to which another battery is attached and an imaging device to which the another adapter is attached. FIG. [Figure 99] FIG. 11 is a rear view showing the size of the adapter and another battery. [Figure 100] 13 is a rear view showing an example in which the size of a guided groove is increased in another adapter. FIG. [Figure 101] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example in which a capacitor is arranged in another adapter. [Figure 102] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a summary of whether or not the device can be attached to a charger for a battery or an imaging device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing a battery and a connection device according to the present technology will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] The battery is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and in the following description, the outer surfaces are referred to as the top surface (upper surface), bottom surface (lower surface), side surfaces (left and right side surfaces), front surface, and rear surface, and the directions of front, back, up, down, left and right are indicated. The up and down direction connecting the top surface side (upper surface side) and bottom surface side (lower surface side) where the top surface (upper surface) and bottom surface (lower surface) are referred to as the height direction, the left and right direction connecting the left and right side sides where the left and right side surfaces are referred to as the width direction, and the front and back direction connecting the front surface side and rear surface where the front surface and rear surface are referred to as the length direction. In addition, the upper end part including the top surface is referred to as the top side part, the lower end part including the bottom surface is referred to as the bottom side part, the left and right end parts including the side surfaces are referred to as the side parts (left side part, right side part), the front end part including the front surface is referred to as the front side part, and the rear end part including the rear surface is referred to as the rear side part. Furthermore, the outer surfaces of the top side part, bottom side part, side part, front side part, and rear side part are not limited to flat surfaces, and at least a part of them may be formed as a curved surface.

[0016] In the following description, a still camera, which is an imaging device, is shown as an example of a device to which a battery can be connected, and in the description of the still camera, the directions of front, back, up, down, left and right are indicated as viewed from the photographer when taking pictures with the still camera. Therefore, the object side is the front, and the image plane side is the rear.

[0017] Furthermore, a charger is also shown below as another example of a connection device to which a battery is connected, and in the description of the charger, the front, back, up, down, left and right directions are indicated when the charger is placed on a base such as a desk or table. An insertion recess into which the battery is inserted is formed in the charger, and the front, back, up, down, left and right directions are indicated with the direction in which the battery is inserted being downward and the direction in which the battery is slid and installed being forward.

[0018] Note that the directions of front, back, up, down, left and right shown below are for convenience of explanation, and the implementation of the present technology is not limited to these directions.

[0019] <Battery configuration> First, the configuration of the battery 1 will be described (see FIGS. 1 to 7).

[0020] The battery 1 is configured by arranging the required parts inside and outside the housing 2.

[0021] The housing 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is formed by joining a case cover (upper case) 3 and a storage case (lower case) 4 at the top and bottom. The case cover 3 is formed in a box shape that opens downward (see Figs. 1 to 6). The storage case 4 is formed in a box shape that opens upward. When the case cover 3 and the storage case 4 are joined at the top and bottom to form the housing 2, the internal space of the housing 2 is formed as a storage space.

[0022] In the storage space of the housing 2, a separator 5, cells 6, 6, connecting metal plates 7, 8, 8, and a circuit board 9 are arranged (see FIG. 1). The separator 5 is attached to the storage case 4. The cells 6, 6 are arranged in a state partitioned into left and right by the separator 5. The connecting metal plate 7 is connected to one terminal of the cells 6, 6, and its lower end is connected to an electrode terminal (not shown) formed on the lower surface of the circuit board 9. The connecting metal plates 8, 8 are connected to the other terminals of the cells 6, 6, respectively, and their lower ends are connected to electrode terminals (not shown) formed on the lower surface of the circuit board 9. The circuit board 9 is attached to the storage case 4, and is covered from above by the separator 5 except for a portion.

[0023] The housing 2 has an outer surface 10 having a top surface 11, a bottom surface 12, side surfaces 13, 13, a front surface 14, and a rear surface 15, and the size in the front-to-back direction (length direction) is larger than the size in the left-to-right direction (width direction), which is larger than the size in the up-to-down direction (height direction) (see Figs. 1 to 6). The housing 2 has inclined surfaces 16, 16 formed between the top surface 11 and the side surfaces 13, 13, respectively. The inclined surfaces 16, 16 are displaced downward as they approach the side surfaces 13, 13 from the top surface 11.

[0024] The top surface 11, the bottom surface 12, the side surfaces 13, 13, the front surface 14, the rear surface 15 and the inclined surfaces 16, 16 are all formed as exterior surfaces 17, 17, . . .

[0025] Notches 2a, 2a are formed on both the left and right sides at the lower end of the housing 2. The notches 2a are open to the side (left or right), downward, front and rear, and are formed by a step surface 18 that faces downward and extends front to rear, and a groove forming surface 19 that faces laterally and extends front to rear. The outer edge of the step surface 18 is continuous with the lower edge of the side surface 13. The upper edge of the groove forming surface 19 is continuous with the inner edge of the step surface 18, and the lower edge is continuous with the side edge of the bottom surface 12. The step surface 18 and the groove forming surface 19 are each formed continuously from the front surface 14 to the rear surface 15.

[0026] The step surface 18 and the bottom surface 12 are formed as planes approximately parallel to each other, and the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the groove forming surface 19, excluding the front and rear ends, and the side surface 13 are formed as planes approximately parallel to each other. The front ends of the groove forming surfaces 19, 19 are formed as outwardly convex curved surfaces 19a, 19a that are displaced in a direction approaching each other as they approach the front surface 14, and the rear ends of the groove forming surfaces 19, 19 are formed as outwardly convex curved surfaces 19b, 19b that are displaced in a direction approaching each other as they approach the rear surface 15. It can also be said that the housing 2 is composed of a main body portion 20 that is a portion above an imaginary plane including the step surfaces 18, 18, and a bottom portion 21 that is a portion below this imaginary plane. The step surfaces 18, 18 are included in the main body portion 20.

[0027] As described above, the front and rear ends of the groove-forming surfaces 19, 19 of the battery 1 are formed as curved surfaces 19a, 19a, 19b, 19b, respectively, so that stress concentration is less likely to occur and the battery is less likely to come into contact with the ground, etc., in the event of being dropped, etc., thereby enabling the battery 1 to absorb impacts and reduce the occurrence of breakage.

[0028] As described above, the housing 2 is configured such that the upper portion including the step surfaces 18, 18 is provided as the main body 20, and the portion below the main body 20 is provided as the bottom 21, with the imaginary plane including the step surfaces 18, 18 being used as a reference. The bottom 21 has a smaller left-right width than the main body 20, the distance between the side surfaces 13, 13 in the left-right direction is greater than the distance between the groove forming surfaces 19, 19, and grooves and the like having various functions are formed in the bottom 21.

[0029] A first guided groove 22, 22, a second guided groove 23, 23, and a third guided groove 24, 24 are formed at a distance from each other on both the left and right sides of the bottom 21, in that order from the front side. The first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 all open to the groove forming surface 19.

[0030] The first guided groove 22 is formed at the front end of the bottom 21, and is open to the side and the front. The second guided groove 23 extends back and forth and is open to the side. The second guided groove 23 does not have to be formed in the housing 2. In this case, the portion where the second guided groove 23 was formed is formed by a part of the groove forming surface 19 and a part of the bottom surface 12. The third guided groove 24 extends back and forth and is open to the side. The third guided groove 24 may also be open to the rear (see FIG. 8).

[0031] On both the left and right sides of the bottom 21, insertion grooves 25, 25 and insertion grooves 26, 26 are formed at a distance from each other in order from the front side. Both insertion grooves 25 and 26 open to the groove forming surface 19. Insertion groove 25 opens to the sides, upper and lower, and its upper opening communicates with approximately the front half of the second guided groove 23. Insertion groove 26 opens to the sides, upper and lower, and its upper opening communicates with approximately the front half of the third guided groove 24.

[0032] The portions between the lower edges 22b, 22b of the first guided grooves 22, 22 in the housing 2 and the bottom surface 12 are provided as first engagement claw portions 2p, 2p, the portions between the lower edges 23b, 23b of the second guided grooves 23, 23 in the housing 2 and the bottom surface 12 are provided as second engagement claw portions 2q, 2q, and the portions between the lower edges 24b, 24b of the third guided grooves 24, 24 in the housing 2 and the bottom surface 12 are provided as third engagement claw portions 2r, 2r. The first engagement claw portion 2p and the second engagement claw portion 2q are both located on the front surface 14 side from the center in the front-to-rear direction of the housing 2, and the third engagement claw portion 2r is located on the rear surface 15 side from the center in the front-to-rear direction of the housing 2 or in the rearmost region obtained by dividing the housing 2 into thirds in the front-to-rear direction.

[0033] In the above, an example was shown in which the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 are formed at a distance from each other in the front and rear directions, but the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 may be formed as one guide groove 45 (see FIG. 9). The guide groove 45 is formed on the groove forming surface 19 from the front end to a position close to the rear end. Also, the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 may be formed as one guide groove 46 (see FIG. 10). The guide groove 46 is formed on the groove forming surface 19 from the front end to the rear end.

[0034] In addition, the above shows an example in which the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 are formed on both the left and right sides of the housing 2, respectively, but it is sufficient that at least one of the guide grooves among the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 is formed on both the left and right sides of the housing 2, respectively.

[0035] For example, only the first guided groove 22 and the third guided groove 24 may be formed on one of the left and right sides, and only the second guided groove 23 may be formed on the other of the left and right sides (see FIG. 11). Also, for example, only the first guided groove 22 and the second guided groove 23 may be formed on one of the left and right sides, and only the second guided groove 23 and the third guided groove 24 may be formed on the other of the left and right sides (see FIG. 12). Furthermore, for example, only the first guided groove 22 and the second guided groove 23 may be formed on one of the left and right sides, and only the third guided groove 24 may be formed on the other of the left and right sides (see FIG. 13).

[0036] Incidentally, examples of such configurations include those in which only one guide groove of the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, or the third guided groove 24 is formed on one of the left and right sides, and one, two, or three guide grooves of the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 are formed on the other of the left and right sides, including the above-mentioned examples (see FIGS. 11 to 13). Also, there is an example in which only two guide grooves of the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 are formed on one of the left and right sides, and two or three guide grooves of the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 are formed on the other of the left and right sides.

[0037] An arrangement recess 27 is formed at the front end of the bottom 21 (see FIG. 7). The arrangement recess 27 is formed in approximately the center in the left-right direction and is open forward and downward. An arrangement hole 28 is formed in the housing 2, which is connected to the entire portion excluding the front end of the arrangement recess 27 and penetrates vertically.

[0038] The upper edge 22a of the first guided groove 22, the upper edge 23a of the second guided groove 23, and the upper edge 24a of the third guided groove 24 are all located below the step surface 18, and a part of the groove forming surface 19 exists between the first guided groove 22 and the step surface 18, between the second guided groove 23 and the step surface 18, and between the third guided groove 24 and the step surface 18 (see FIGS. 2 to 7). Therefore, the distance from the lower end of the groove forming surface 19 to the upper edge 22a of the first guided groove 22, the distance from the lower end of the groove forming surface 19 to the upper edge 23a of the second guided groove 23, and the distance from the lower end of the groove forming surface 19 to the upper edge 24a of the third guided groove 24 are all smaller than the distance from the upper end to the lower end of the groove forming surface 19. Furthermore, the vertical distance (groove width) between the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 may be greater or smaller than the distance from the upper end of the groove forming surface 19 to the upper edges 22a, 23a, and 24a, and the vertical distance between the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 may be the same as the distance from the upper end of the groove forming surface 19 to the upper edges 22a, 23a, and 24a. The lower edge 22b of the first guided groove 22, the lower edge 23b of the second guided groove 23, and the lower edge 24b of the third guided groove 24 are all positioned above the lower edge of the groove forming surface 19, and are positioned at the same position in the vertical direction.

[0039] In addition, the corner 2f where the step surface 18 and the side surface 13 intersect may be chamfered, and the corner 2f may extend from the front surface 14 toward the rear surface 15, and may have a length equal to or about half or one third the length of the housing 2. Also, one corner 2f may be chamfered, or both corners 2f, 2f may be chamfered. The width of the chamfer of the corner 2f may be the same as the width of the step surface 18, or may be smaller than the width of the step surface 18.

[0040] Also, a corner 2g where the groove forming surface 19 and the bottom surface 12 intersect may be chamfered, and any or all of a corner 2h between the first guided groove 22 and the second guide groove 23, a corner 2i between 2h, the second guide groove 23, and the third guide groove 24, and a corner 2j between 2i, the third guide groove 24, and the rear surface 15 may be chamfered. In this case, the corners 2g, 2h, 2i, and 2j on one or both of the left and right sides of the housing 2 may be chamfered.

[0041] The placement recess 27 is formed by a recess forming surface 29. The recess forming surface 29 is composed of a base portion 29a and a wall portion 29b, and 29b and an intermediate portion 29c.

[0042] The base portion 29a is formed in a U-shape that opens forward and faces the horizontal direction. The walls 29b, 29b are each continuous with the front end of the base portion 29a and are formed as inclined surfaces that move away from each other in the left-right direction as they move forward. That is, the left wall portion 29b is formed as an inclined surface that approaches the left side surface 13 as it moves forward, and the right wall portion 29b is formed as an inclined surface that approaches the right side surface 13 as it moves forward. In addition, one of the walls 29b, 29b may be formed as an inclined surface, and the other wall portion 29b may be formed as a surface that faces left or right without being inclined. The middle portion 29c faces downward and is formed between the upper edges of the walls 29b, 29b. The walls 29b, 29b are inclined, for example, 45 degrees with respect to the surface facing the left-right direction. The intermediate portion 29c is positioned below the step surface 18 and is positioned at substantially the same height as the upper edges 22a, 23a, 24a of the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24, or is positioned slightly below the upper edges 22a, 23a, 24a. Note that the intermediate portion 29c may be positioned above the upper edges 22a, 23a, 24a.

[0043] Identification grooves 30, 30 are formed at a distance from each other on the left and right sides at the front end of the bottom 21. The identification groove 30 serves as a functional groove having a predetermined function, for example, identifying the type of a charger, etc., which will be described later, that functions as a connected device. The functional groove is not limited to the identification groove 30, and instead of the identification groove 30, a groove having a function other than identification, such as a positioning groove for positioning the charger, etc., or a detection groove for detecting the connection state of the charger, etc., may be formed as the functional groove.

[0044] However, since the specified function is an identification function for identifying the type of connected device, the type of connected device is identified by the functional groove, and the type of connected device to which the battery is connected can be easily identified by attaching the battery to the connected device and by removing the battery from the connected device.

[0045] The predetermined function may be a function for identifying the type of the battery itself.

[0046] The discrimination grooves 30, 30 are formed on opposite sides of the arrangement recess 27. The discrimination groove 30 is formed by a first discrimination portion 31 and a second discrimination portion 32, which have different lengths in the front and rear, and are formed continuously in the left-right direction.

[0047] The first discrimination portion 31 and the second discrimination portion 32 have roles as a first functional portion and a second functional portion, respectively.

[0048] The surface that faces downward and is located on the upper side of the surfaces that form the discrimination groove 30 is formed as an inner bottom surface 30a. The inner bottom surface 30a is located below the intermediate portion 29c, which is the surface that faces downward and is located on the upper side of the recess forming surface 29. Therefore, the vertical depth of the discrimination groove 30 is shallower than the vertical depth of the placement recess 27. In addition, the inner bottom surface 30a is located below the upper edges 22a, 23a, and 24a of the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24, and the step surface 18. Furthermore, the inner bottom surface 30a is located above the lower edges 22b, 23b, and 24b of the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24. However, the inner bottom surface 30a may be located lower than the lower edges 22b, 23b, and 24b, or may be located at the same height as the lower edges 22b, 23b, and 24b.

[0049] Among the surfaces forming the discrimination groove 30, the surface facing forward located on the rear side of the first discrimination portion 31 is formed as the deep bottom surface 31a, and the surface facing forward located on the rear side of the second discrimination portion 32 is formed as the deep bottom surface 32a. The deep bottom surfaces 31a and 32a are positioned forward of the surface facing forward located on the rearmost side of the base portion 29a among the recess forming surfaces 29, and are positioned rearward of the front surface of the connector 33. In addition, the deep bottom surfaces 31a and 32a are positioned forward of the deep bottom surface 36a of the terminal arrangement groove 36 and the deep bottom surface 37a of the positioning groove 37. Furthermore, the deep bottom surfaces 31a and 32a are positioned forward of the rear end edge of the first guided groove 22. However, the deep bottom surfaces 31a and 32a may be positioned rearward of the rear end edge of the first guided groove 22, or may be positioned at the same position as the rear end edge of the first guided groove 22 in the front-rear direction.

[0050] The first distinguishable portion 31 has a longer front-to-rear length than the second distinguishable portion 32, the innermost bottom surface 31a is located slightly rearward of the innermost bottom surface 32a, and the first distinguishable portion 31 is located closer to the placement recess 27 than the second distinguishable portion 32. It can also be said that the second distinguishable portion 32 is located closer to the side surface 13 than the first distinguishable portion 31. The left-right width of the second distinguishable portion 32 is smaller than the left-right width of the first distinguishable portion 31.

[0051] A connector 33 is disposed in the mounting recess 27 of the housing 2. The connector 33 is a portion that is connected to electrode terminals of a charger or the like that functions as a connecting device, which will be described later, and functions as a terminal portion, having at least a positive terminal and a negative terminal.

[0052] The connector 33 has a housing 34 formed from a non-conductive material and connection terminals 35, 35, 35 formed from a conductive material, and the connection terminals 35, 35, 35 are held in the housing 34 with at least a portion of each being disposed in terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, 36 formed in the housing 34. The connection terminal 35 has a pair of contact portions branched to the left and right from a predetermined portion of one end of a metal piece, and the pair of contact portions are disposed in the terminal arrangement groove 36 in a state in which their tips are in contact with each other or in close proximity to each other with elasticity in the direction of contact.

[0053] The connection terminals 35, 35, 35 function as a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and an information terminal, respectively, and are arranged such that the positive terminal, the information terminal, and the negative terminal are lined up from the left, or the positive terminal, the information terminal, and the negative terminal are lined up from the right.

[0054] The information terminal is used to allow a connected device (described later) to recognize the internal temperature of the battery 1, and is also used by the connected device to recognize various information about the battery 1, such as the remaining charge of the battery 1 and deterioration information.

[0055] The connector 33 may be provided with two terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36 and two connection terminals 35, 35. When two connection terminals 35, 35 are provided, the two connection terminals 35, 35 function as a positive terminal and a negative terminal, respectively, and are arranged such that the positive terminal and the negative terminal are lined up from the left side or the positive terminal and the negative terminal are lined up from the right side. The connector 33 may be provided with four terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, ... and four connection terminals 35, 35, ... When four connection terminals 35, 35 are provided, the four connection terminals 35, 35, ... respectively function as a positive terminal, a negative terminal, an information terminal, and a communication terminal, and are arranged in the following order from the left: a positive terminal, an information terminal, a communication terminal, and a negative terminal arranged in the following order from the right: a positive terminal, an information terminal, a communication terminal, and a negative terminal arranged in the following order from the left: a positive terminal, an information terminal, a communication terminal, and a negative terminal arranged in the following order from the left: or a positive terminal, an information terminal, a communication terminal, and a negative terminal arranged in the following order from the right. The communication terminals are used by the connected device to recognize various information about the battery 1, such as the remaining charge and deterioration information of the battery 1, and in this case the information terminals are used exclusively to inform the connected device of temperature information.

[0056] The terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, 36 are formed to be open forward and downward and spaced apart on the left and right. The housing 34 is formed with positioning grooves 37, 37 that are open forward and downward, respectively, on the outer sides of the terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, 36 in the left-right direction.

[0057] The portions between the terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, 36 in the housing 34 of the connector 33 are provided as terminal isolating ribs 34a, 34a, and the portions between the terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36 and the positioning grooves 37, 37 in the housing 34 are provided as inter-groove ribs 34b, 34b. The width in the left-right direction of the terminal isolating rib 34a is made larger than the width in the left-right direction of the inter-groove rib 34b so as to prevent contact between the connection terminals 35, 35, 35.

[0058] The surface of the terminal arrangement groove 36 closest to the top surface 11 and the surface of the positioning groove 37 closest to the top surface 11 are formed as inner bottom surfaces 36a, 37a, respectively, and the inner bottom surfaces 36a, 37a are positioned substantially the same in the up-down direction. The inner bottom surfaces 36a, 37a are positioned below the step surface 18. The inner bottom surfaces 36a, 37a are positioned below the upper edge 22a of the first guided groove 22, the upper edge 23a of the second guided groove 23, and the upper edge 24a of the third guided groove 24, and are positioned above the lower edge 22b of the first guided groove 22, the lower edge 23b of the second guided groove 23, and the lower edge 24b of the third guided groove 24.

[0059] The connection terminals 35 are elastically deformable in the approximately left-right direction, and are held in the housing 34 while being inserted into the terminal arrangement grooves 36 .

[0060] In the above, an example has been shown in which the upper ends of the wall portions 29b, 29b and the intermediate portion 29c are positioned at the same height as the upper end of the housing 34 of the connector 33 on the recess forming surface 29, but for example, the upper ends of the wall portions 29b, 29b and the intermediate portion 29c may be positioned higher than the upper end of the housing 34 (see FIG. 14). In this case, the upper ends of the wall portions 29b, 29b and the intermediate portion 29c may be positioned at any position on the lower side near the upper end of the casing 2.

[0061] Furthermore, the recess forming surface 29 may have, for example, no intermediate portion 29c and the walls 29b, 29b formed at positions ranging from the upper end to the lower end of the housing 2 (see FIGS. 15 and 16).

[0062] Furthermore, the wall portions 29b, 29b inclined relative to the front, rear, left and right may not be formed, and instead of the wall portions 29b, 29b, first wall portions 29x, 29x facing forward and second wall portions 29y, 29y continuing from the outer edges of the first wall portions 29x, 29x in the left and right direction and facing each other in the left and right direction may be formed (see Figures 17 and 18). Note that the first wall portions 29x, 29x and the second wall portions 29y, 29y may be inclined at any angle relative to the left and right direction, the front and rear direction, or the up and down direction.

[0063] The connector 33 has connection terminals 35, 35, 35 each having one end connected to a circuit board 9 arranged inside the housing 2 via an arrangement hole 28.

[0064] When the connector 33 is placed in the placement recess 27, the front surface 33a is located rearward of the front surface 14 of the housing 2. The connector 33 is located in an area surrounded by the base portion 29a of the recess-forming surface 29 in the placement recess 27, and the wall portions 29b, 29b and the intermediate portion 29c of the recess-forming surface 29 are located in front of the connector 33.

[0065] When the connector 33 is placed in the placement recess 27 , the lower surface 33 b is positioned on the same plane as the bottom surface 12 of the housing 2 .

[0066] <Example of connected device configuration> Next, an imaging device (still camera) 50 will be described as an example of a connection device to which the battery 1 is connected (see FIGS. 19 to 21).

[0067] Imaging device 50 is configured, for example, with required parts arranged inside and outside a horizontally long, flat outer casing 51 (see FIG. 19). An interchangeable lens 70 and accessories such as an adapter (not shown) can be attached and detached to imaging device 50. Interchangeable lens 70 is provided with operation rings 71, 72, and 73 that are operated by rotation. Operation rings 71, 72, and 73 function as focus rings for focusing, zoom rings for adjusting the angle of view, and iris rings for adjusting the amount of light, respectively.

[0068] Various operation sections 52, 52, ... are provided on the top surface of the outer casing 51. The operation sections 52, 52, ... include, for example, a shooting button, a zoom knob, a power button, a mode selection knob, etc. A removable flash 53 is provided on the upper end of the outer casing 51.

[0069] A viewfinder 54 is provided at the upper end of the outer casing 51, behind the flash 53. A display 55 and various operation sections 52, 52, ... are provided on the rear surface of the outer casing 51 (see FIG. 20).

[0070] An imaging element (not shown) is disposed inside the outer casing 51. As the imaging element, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) is used.

[0071] A battery attachment section 56 is provided at one end of the imaging device 50 in the left-right direction, behind the mount (not shown) to which an interchangeable lens is connected and the imaging element (see FIGS. 20 and 21).

[0072] The battery mounting section 56 has a part of the outer casing 51 and a lid 57 that is rotatable at the lower end of the outer casing 51. The internal space of the battery mounting section 56 is formed as a mounting space 56a, and the mounting space 56a is open downward.

[0073] A biasing spring 58 and a terminal connection part 59 are disposed at the back (upper end) of the battery mounting part 56. The terminal connection part 59 has a holding part 60 formed from a non-conductive material and electrode terminals 61, 61, 61 formed from a conductive material, and the electrode terminals 61, 61, 61 are held by the holding part 60 in a state where they are spaced apart from each other on the left and right.

[0074] The holding portion 60 is provided with positioning protrusions 60a, 60a on the outer sides of the electrode terminals 61, 61, 61 in the left-right direction.

[0075] The terminal connection portion 59 has electrode terminals 61 , 61 , 61 each having one end connected to a control board (not shown) arranged inside the outer casing 51 .

[0076] A pressing lever 62 is rotatably supported on the opening edge of the mounting space 56a at the lower end of the battery mounting section 56. The pressing lever 62 is rotatable between a pressing position and a non-pressing position, and is biased, for example, by a spring (not shown) in the direction from the non-pressing position to the pressing position.

[0077] Mis-insertion prevention protrusions 56b, 56b are provided inside the battery mounting portion 56. The battery mounting portion 56 is provided with a locking mechanism that locks the lid 57 in the closing state of the mounting space 56a.

[0078] <Attaching the battery to the connected device (imaging device)> The mounting of the battery 1 into the battery mounting section 56 of the imaging device 50 will be described below (see FIGS. 22 to 24).

[0079] With the lid 57 open, the user can insert the battery 1 into the mounting space 56a as follows to mount the battery in the battery mounting section 56.

[0080] The battery 1 is inserted into the mounting space 56a from the front surface 14 side (see FIG. 22). At this time, the battery 1 is inserted into the mounting space 56a in an orientation in which the notches 2a, 2a match the erroneous insertion prevention protrusions 56b, 56b. Therefore, when attempting to insert the battery 1 into the mounting space 56a in an orientation in which the notches 2a, 2a do not match the erroneous insertion prevention protrusions 56b, 56b, a part of the housing 2, for example, the inclined surface 16 which is the corner formed by the top surface 11 and the side surface 13, comes into contact with the erroneous insertion prevention protrusions 56b, 56b, preventing the erroneous insertion of the battery 1 into the mounting space 56a.

[0081] The battery 1 is inserted into the mounting space 56a with the holding lever 62 rotated to the non-holding position. When the battery 1 is inserted into the mounting space 56a, the holding lever 62 is slid against one side surface 13 of the battery 1, and the rotation of the holding lever 62 to the holding position is restricted.

[0082] In the battery 1 inserted into the mounting space 56a, the connection terminals 35, 35, 35 of the connector 33 are respectively connected to the electrode terminals 61, 61, 61 of the terminal connection portion 59. At this time, the electrode terminal 61 is inserted between a pair of contact portions that are branched to the left and right in the connection terminal 35 and have elasticity in the direction of contact with each other, and the connection terminal 35 is connected to the electrode terminal 61 with the pair of contact portions sandwiching the electrode terminal 61 from both the left and right sides. Also, at this time, the positioning protrusions 60a, 60a of the terminal connection portion 59 are respectively inserted into the positioning grooves 37, 37 of the connector 33, so that the connector 33 is positioned relative to the terminal connection portion 59.

[0083] When the connection terminals 35, 35, 35 are connected to the electrode terminals 61, 61, 61, respectively, the rear surface 15 is positioned behind the pressing lever 62 in the mounting space 56a, and the pressing lever 62 is rotated to the pressing position by the biasing force of the spring, and the front surface 14 is pressed against the biasing spring 58, so that the battery 1 is biased backward (see FIG. 23). Therefore, the pressed portion 15a (see FIG. 22) provided on the rear surface 15 of the battery 1 is pressed against the pressing lever 62, and the battery 1 is prevented from falling out of the mounting space 56a. The pressed portion 15a is positioned closer to the top surface 11 than the notch 2a.

[0084] As described above, in a state in which the battery 1 is prevented from falling out of the mounting space 56a by the holding lever 62, the mounting space 56a is closed by the lid 57, whereby the battery 1 is mounted in the battery mounting section 56. At this time, the lid 57 is locked to the outer casing 51 by the locking mechanism.

[0085] On the other hand, by releasing the lock of the lid body 57 against the outer casing 51 and rotating the lid body 57 to open the mounting space 56a, and rotating the holding lever 62 to the non-holding position, the battery 1 can be pulled out of the mounting space 56a and removed from the battery mounting section 56.

[0086] In the above, an example has been shown in which the pressed portion 15a of the rear surface 15 is pressed against the holding lever 62 to prevent the battery 1 from falling out of the mounting space 56a. However, it is also possible to form a pressed recess 38 that is open at least rearward at the rear end of the battery 1, and insert a part of the holding lever 62 into the pressed recess 38 to prevent the battery 1 from falling out of the mounting space 56a (see Figure 24).

[0087] In this way, by forming the battery 1 with the pressed recess 38 into which part of the pressing lever 62 is inserted, it becomes possible to position the pressing lever 62 at the back side of the mounting space 56a, thereby enabling the imaging device 50 to be made smaller in size.

[0088] <Another example of a connected device configuration> Next, a charger 80 will be described as another example of a connection device to which the battery 1 is connected (see Figs. 25 to 29). Note that the charger 80 is a device separate from the imaging device 50 and the like, but the connection structure of the charger 80 described below may be integrally provided in various devices such as the imaging device. Therefore, the battery 1 can be connected to an imaging device or the like provided with the connection structure of the charger 80 described below.

[0089] The charger 80 is configured by arranging the required parts inside and outside a housing 81. The charger 81 is provided with the following connection structure.

[0090] The housing 81 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, with one substantially half in the left-right direction being provided as a mechanism arrangement section 82 and the other substantially half in the left-right direction being provided as a battery mounting section 83.

[0091] A circuit board, light-emitting bodies such as light-emitting diodes, and the like (not shown) are arranged inside the mechanism arrangement section 82. Windows 82a, 82b are provided on the top surface of the mechanism arrangement section 82. Light emitted from the light-emitting diodes is irradiated to the outside through the windows 82a, 82b, and it is possible to recognize the state of the charging operation, the state of the charge amount, and the like based on the state of irradiation through the windows 82a, 82b.

[0092] The battery mounting section 83 is formed with a mounting recess 83a that is open upward and backward. Steps 84, 84 are provided on both the left and right sides of the mounting recess 83a, and the step portions 84, 84 are formed to protrude upward and extend forward and backward. The step portions 84, 84 each have a flat surface 84a, 84a facing upward and opposing surfaces 84b, 84b that are continuous with the inner edges of the flat surfaces 84a, 84a and face each other. Note that there are batteries that have only one notch 2a formed in the housing, but in the case of a battery mounting section in which such a battery is mounted, it is sufficient to provide one step 84.

[0093] The mounting recess 83a is formed by each surface portion including the steps 84, 84, as well as a bottom plate surface portion 85 facing upward and a front plate surface portion 86 facing rearward, which are located between the steps 84, 84, and the front plate surface portion 86 is continuous with the front edge of the steps 84, 84 and the front edge of the bottom plate surface portion 85. The steps 84, 84 are each provided with a first guide engagement portion 87, 87, a second guide engagement portion 88, 88, and a third guide engagement portion 89, 89, which are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction, in order from the front side. The first guide engagement portion 87, 87, the second guide engagement portion 88, 88, and the third guide engagement portion 89, 89 all protrude from the opposing surfaces 84b, 84b in directions approaching each other.

[0094] The first guide engagement portion 87 is formed in a protruding shape extending in the front-rear direction, with its front end continuing to the front plate surface portion 86 and protruding from the middle portion in the up-down direction of the opposing surface 84b. The second guide engagement portion 88 is formed in a protruding shape extending in the front-rear direction, and is positioned at the same height as the first guide engagement portion 87. The third guide engagement portion 89 is composed of an engagement portion 89a extending in the front-rear direction and a standing wall portion 89b protruding downward from the front end portion of the engagement portion 89a, with the lower end of the standing wall portion 89b continuing to the bottom plate surface portion 85.

[0095] In addition, when a type of battery in which only the first guided groove 22 and the third guided groove 24 are formed on one of the left and right sides and only the second guided groove 23 is formed on the other of the left and right sides, in which guided grooves are formed alternately on the left and right sides, only the guide engagement parts corresponding to the guided grooves are provided. For example, when a battery in which only the first guided groove 22 and the third guided groove 24 are formed on one of the left and right sides and only the second guided groove 23 is formed on the other of the left and right sides is mounted, only the first guide engagement part 87 and the third guide engagement part 89 are provided on one of the left and right sides and only the second guide engagement part 88 is provided on the other of the left and right sides.

[0096] The battery mounting section 83 is provided with an identification protrusion 90 that protrudes upward from the front end of the bottom plate surface section 85. The identification protrusion 90 is provided with a long side section 90a and a short side section 90b that are different in length in the front-to-rear direction and are continuously provided on the left and right, with the front-to-rear length of the long side section 90a being longer than the front-to-rear length of the short side section 90b. The left-to-right width of the long side section 90a is smaller than the left-to-right width of the short side section 90b.

[0097] The identification protrusion 90 has a front end continuous with the front plate surface portion 86, and is provided at a position closer to one of the first guide engagement portions 87 in the left-right direction. Specifically, the identification protrusion 90 is positioned closer to the one of the first guide engagement portions 87 than the center of the gap between the center of the bottom plate surface portion 85 and the one of the first guide engagement portions 87 in the left-right direction, and is positioned closer to the one of the first guide engagement portions 87 than the center of the gap between the terminal connection portion 93 and the one of the first guide engagement portions 87. The identification protrusion 90 has a short side portion 90b positioned closer to the one of the first guide engagement portions 87 than the long side portion 90a.

[0098] A detection protrusion 91 that is movable in the front-rear direction is provided at the front end of the battery mounting portion 83. The detection protrusion 91 is biased rearward by a spring member (not shown), and is provided at a position closer to the other first guide engagement portion 87 in the left-right direction.

[0099] The detection protrusion 91 may be provided at a symmetrical position closer to one of the first guide engagement portions 87 with respect to the center in the left-right direction of the bottom plate surface portion 85. Also, while the above example shows the identification protrusion 90 and the detection protrusion 91 positioned on opposite sides in the left-right direction with the terminal connection portion 93 in between, both the identification protrusion 90 and the detection protrusion 91 may be positioned on the left or right side of the terminal connection portion 93. In this case, the terminal connection portion 93 and the detection protrusion 91 are positioned on opposite sides in the left-right direction with the identification protrusion 90 in between.

[0100] A part of the bottom plate surface portion 85 is provided as an engagement holding portion 92. The engagement holding portion 92 is the inner part of a U-shaped slit formed in a part of the bottom plate surface portion 85, and is elastically deformable approximately vertically with the front end portion as a fulcrum. The engagement holding portion 92 is provided at its rear end portion with a locking projection 92a that protrudes upward.

[0101] A terminal connection part 93 is disposed at the front end part of the battery mounting part 83. The terminal connection part 93 has a holding part 94 formed from a non-conductive material and electrode terminals 95, 95, 95 formed from a conductive material, and the electrode terminals 95, 95, 95 are held by the holding part 94 in a state where they are spaced apart from each other on the left and right.

[0102] The holding portion 94 is provided with positioning protrusions 94a, 94a on the outer sides of the electrode terminals 95, 95, 95 in the left-right direction. The left-right width of the positioning protrusions 94a, 94a is greater than the left-right width of the electrode terminals 95, 95, 95.

[0103] The terminal connection portion 93 has electrode terminals 95 , 95 , 95 at one end thereof connected to a substrate arranged inside the housing 81 .

[0104] <Attaching the battery to the connected device (charger)> The mounting of the battery 1 in the battery mounting section 83 of the charger 80 will be described below (see Figs. 29 to 31).

[0105] A user can mount the battery 1 in the battery mounting portion 83 by inserting a part of the battery 1 into the mounting recess 83a as follows.

[0106] The battery 1 is inserted from above into the mounting recess 83a (see FIG. 29). At this time, the second guide engagement portions 88, 88 are inserted into the second guided grooves 23, 23 via the insertion grooves 25, 25, and the engagement portions 89a, 89a of the third guide engagement portions 89, 89 are inserted into the third guided grooves 24, 24 via the insertion grooves 26, 26. Thus, the step portions 84, 84 of the charger 80 are inserted into the cutouts 2a, 2a of the battery 1, and the step surfaces 18, 18 are positioned opposite the flat surfaces 84a, 84a in the up-down direction, and the groove forming surfaces 19, 19 are positioned opposite the opposing surfaces 84b, 84b in the left-right direction.

[0107] At this time, since the battery 1 is placed on the bottom plate portion 85 from above, the locking projection 92a of the engagement holding portion 92 is pressed downward and elastically deformed.

[0108] Furthermore, when attempting to insert the battery 1 into the mounting recess 83a in an orientation such that the steps 84, 84 are not inserted into the notches 2a, 2a, a part of the housing 2 comes into contact with the steps 84, 84, preventing erroneous insertion of the battery 1 into the mounting recess 83a.

[0109] Next, the battery 1 is slid forward relative to the charger 80 (see FIG. 30). When the battery 1 is slid forward, the first guided grooves 22, 22 are guided by the first guide engagement portions 87, 87, respectively, the second guided grooves 23, 23 are guided by the second guide engagement portions 88, 88, respectively, and the third guided grooves 24, 24 are guided by the engagement portions 89a, 89a of the third guide engagement portions 89, 89, respectively. The battery 1 is slid forward to the movement end where the rear opening edges of the third guided grooves 24, 24 come into contact with the restriction portions 89b, 89b of the third guide engagement portions 89, 89, respectively.

[0110] In a state where the battery 1 is slid forward to the moving end, the opening edges of the first guided grooves 22, 22 are engaged with the first guide engaging portions 87, 87, the opening edges of the second guided grooves 23, 23 are engaged with the second guide engaging portions 88, 88, and the opening edges of the third guided grooves 24, 24 are engaged with the engaging portions 89a, 89a of the third guide engaging portions 89, 89. Therefore, the upper edge of the first engaging claw portion 2p is engaged with at least a part of the lower edge of the first guide engaging portion 87, the upper edge of the second engaging claw portion 2q is engaged with at least a part of the lower edge of the second guide engaging portion 88, and the upper edge of the third engaging claw portion 2r is engaged with at least a part of the lower edge of the third guide engaging portion 89.

[0111] At this time, the rear end edge of the battery 1 is positioned in front of the locking protrusion 92a of the engagement holding portion 92, the engagement holding portion 92 elastically returns to its original position so that the locking protrusion 92a engages with the lower end of the rear end edge of the battery 1, and the battery 1 is attached to the battery mounting portion 83.

[0112] When the battery 1 is attached to the battery attachment section 83, the detection projection 91 of the charger 80 is pressed and operated by the detection pressed portion 14a provided on the front surface 14 of the battery 1. The detection projection 91 is moved forward, and the fact that the battery 1 has been attached to the battery attachment section 83 is detected by a detector (not shown) as a result of the detection projection 91 being moved forward.

[0113] When it is detected that the battery 1 has been attached to the battery attachment section 83, with the charger 80 connected to a power source, light is emitted from the light-emitting diode and irradiated upward through the windows 82a, 82b. Therefore, the user can recognize whether the battery 1 is in a state where it can be charged and the amount of charge on the battery 1 by visually checking the state of the light irradiated through the windows 82a, 82b.

[0114] When the battery 1 is attached to the battery attachment portion 83, the identification protrusion 90 of the charger 80 is inserted into one of the identification grooves 30 of the battery 1 (see FIG. 31). The long portion 90a of the identification protrusion 90 is inserted into the first identification portion 31, and the short portion 90b is inserted into the second identification portion 32.

[0115] By inserting the identification protrusion 90 into the identification groove 30, it is identified that the battery 1 attached to the battery attachment section 83 is of a type that can be charged by the charger 80. The battery 1 is, for example, of a type that has a medium chargeable power capacity.

[0116] Furthermore, when the battery 1 is mounted in the battery mounting section 83, the terminal connection section 93 of the charger 80 is inserted between the walls 29b, 29b of the battery 1. At this time, there is a gap, dimensional tolerance, and the like between the battery 1 and the charger 80 to ensure smooth insertion of the battery 1 into the battery mounting section 83, so there is a possibility that the battery 1 will be inserted into the battery mounting section 83 in a state where it is tilted or displaced to the left or right with respect to the charger 80 (see FIG. 32).

[0117] Even if the battery 1 is inserted in a tilted or displaced state relative to the charger 80, the walls 29b, 29b are formed as inclined surfaces that move away from each other in the left-right direction toward the front, so that the terminal connection part 93 is guided by the walls 29b, 29b and approaches the connector 33. Therefore, the connection terminals 35, 35, 35 of the connector 33 of the battery 1 are reliably connected to the electrode terminals 95, 95, 95 of the terminal connection part 93 (see FIG. 33). At this time, the positioning protrusions 94a, 94a of the terminal connection part 93 are inserted into the positioning grooves 37, 37 of the connector 33, respectively, and the connector 33 is positioned relative to the terminal connection part 93.

[0118] On the other hand, the battery 1 can be removed from the battery mounting portion 83 by sliding the battery 1 backward to release the engagement with the rear end edge of the locking protrusion 92a and also by releasing the engagement between the first guide engagement portions 87, 87, the second guide engagement portions 88, 88 and the third guide engagement portions 89, 89, and pulling the battery 1 upward from the mounting recess 83a.

[0119] <Summary> As described above, in the battery 1, the surface that forms the placement recess 27 of the housing 2 is formed as a recess forming surface 29, and an intermediate portion 29c, which is part of the recess forming surface 29, is present between the front surface 14 of the outer surface 10 and the connector 33.

[0120] Therefore, since the front surface 33a of the connector 33 is positioned inside the front surface 14 of the housing 2, the occurrence of breakage or scratches on the connector 33 in the event of a drop, etc., is reduced, and a good connection state of the connection terminal 35 to the electrode terminals 61, 95 can be ensured.

[0121] In particular, because the impact force of a drop is unlikely to be transmitted to connector 33, cracks are unlikely to occur in the solder connecting connection terminal 35 to circuit board 9, and the occurrence of poor electrical connection can also be reduced.

[0122] Furthermore, since the occurrence of breakage or scratches on connector 33 is reduced, connection terminals 35 are less likely to be exposed from housing 34, and high quality of connector 33 can be ensured.

[0123] Although the above describes an example in which the front surface 33a of the connector 33 is positioned more inward in the housing 2 than the front surface 14 of the housing 2, for example, the bottom surface 33b of the connector 33 may be positioned more inward in the housing 2 than the bottom surface 12 of the housing 2 (see Figure 34).

[0124] In this way, even if the underside 33b of the connector 33 is located inside the bottom surface 12 of the housing 2, the occurrence of damage or scratches to the connector 33 in the event of being dropped, etc., is reduced, and a good connection state of the connection terminal 35 to the electrode terminals 61, 95 can be ensured.

[0125] Also, for example, the front surface 33a of the connector 33 may be positioned more inward in the housing 2 than the front surface 14 of the housing 2, and the bottom surface 33b of the connector 33 may be positioned more inward in the housing 2 than the bottom surface 12 of the housing 2 (see Figure 35).

[0126] In this manner, when front surface 33a is positioned more inward in housing 2 than front surface 14 and lower surface 33b is positioned more inward in housing 2 than bottom surface 12, connector 33 is entirely positioned inside housing 2. Therefore, the occurrence of damage or scratches on connector 33 in the event of a drop or the like is further reduced, and a better connection state of connection terminal 35 to electrode terminals 61, 95 can be ensured.

[0127] In the battery 1, the placement recess 27 is open in the direction in which the connection terminal 35 is connected to the electrode terminals 61, 95, and an intermediate portion 29c, which is the recess-forming surface 29, exists between the outer surface 10 and the connector 33 in the connection direction.

[0128] Therefore, since the connector 33 is positioned inside the housing 2 relative to the outer surface 10 in the connection direction, the electrode terminals 61, 95 are inserted all the way into the recessed placement portion 27 during connection, and the connected devices (imaging device 50, charger 80) can be made smaller in size in the connection direction.

[0129] Furthermore, a portion of the recess forming surface 29 is formed as an inclined surface in which the opening area of ​​the arrangement recess 27 increases with increasing distance from the connector 33 in the opening direction (connection direction) of the arrangement recess 27 .

[0130] Therefore, a part of the recess forming surface 29 functions as a guide surface when the electrode terminals 61, 95 are inserted into the placement recesses 27, so that a good connection state between the connection terminals 35 and the electrode terminals 61, 95 can be ensured.

[0131] Furthermore, the recess forming surface 29 has a pair of wall portions 29b, 29b positioned at a distance in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction, and the wall portions 29b, 29b are formed as inclined surfaces which move away from each other in the connection direction.

[0132] Therefore, the walls 29b, 29b function as guide surfaces when the electrode terminals 61, 95 are inserted into the placement recesses 27, so that a better connection state between the connection terminals 35 and the electrode terminals 61, 95 can be ensured.

[0133] In the above, an example is shown in which a pair of wall portions 29b, 29b are formed as inclined surfaces that move away from each other as they proceed in the connection direction, but, for example, one of the wall portions 29b may be formed as an inclined surface in which the opening area of ​​the placement recess 27 increases as it proceeds in the connection direction (see Figure 36).

[0134] Furthermore, in the battery 1, the intermediate portion 29c of the recess-forming surface 29 may be formed as an inclined surface in which the opening area of ​​the arrangement recess 27 increases with increasing distance from the connector 33 in the connection direction (see FIG. 37).

[0135] By forming the intermediate portion 29c as an inclined surface in this manner, the intermediate portion 29c functions as a guide surface when the electrode terminals 61, 95 are inserted into the placement recesses 27, thereby ensuring an even better connection state between the connection terminals 35 and the electrode terminals 61, 95.

[0136] In this case, in addition to the intermediate portion 29c, the wall portions 29b, 29b may also be formed into an inclined surface, in addition to the intermediate portion 29c, one of the wall portions 29b may also be formed into an inclined surface, or only the intermediate portion 29c may be formed into an inclined surface.

[0137] Furthermore, the inclination angle of the wall portion 29b or the intermediate portion 29c with respect to the connection direction is arbitrary, but it is preferable that the inclination angle is, for example, greater than 0 degrees and equal to or smaller than 45 degrees.

[0138] By making the inclination angle of the wall portion 29b or the intermediate portion 29c greater than 0 degrees and equal to or less than 45 degrees, the inclination angle of the recess forming surface 29 functioning as a guide surface becomes acute, so that the electrode terminals 61, 95 guided by the guide surface can be smoothly inserted into the placement recess 27.

[0139] In the above, a charger 80 is shown as an example in which the battery 1 is inserted from above into the mounting recess 83a and then slid forward to be mounted, but there is another type of charger, a charger 80A in which the battery 1 is mounted by inserting it from above (see Figure 38).

[0140] The charger 80A is provided, for example, entirely as a battery mounting section 83A, and a mounting recess 83b that opens upward is formed in the battery mounting section 83A. A terminal connection section 96 having an electrode terminal is disposed in the battery mounting section 83A. The battery 1 is inserted into the mounting recess 83b of the charger 80A with the front surface 14 facing downward.

[0141] In such a case, by forming at least one of the wall portions 29b, 29b and the intermediate portion 29c of the battery 1 as an inclined surface (guide surface), the terminal connection portion 96 is guided by the inclined surface due to the weight of the battery 1 when the battery 1 is inserted into the mounting recess 83b.

[0142] Therefore, a good connection state of the battery 1 to the charger 80A can be easily ensured.

[0143] In the battery 1, a notch 2a is formed in the housing 2 by a step surface 18 continuing to the side surface 13 and a groove forming surface 19 continuing to the bottom surface 12, and a first guided groove 22, a second guided groove 23 and a third guided groove 24 are formed opening into the groove forming surface 19, and the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23 and the third guided groove 24 are positioned closer to the bottom surface 12 than the step surface 18.

[0144] Therefore, the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, the third guided groove 24 and the step surface 18 are not positioned continuously, and a part of the groove forming surface 19 is positioned between the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, the third guided groove 24 and the step surface 18. Therefore, the groove forming surface 19 and the step surface 18 are closer to the cell 6 than when the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, the third guided groove 24 and the step surface 18 are positioned continuously, and the battery 1 can be made smaller.

[0145] In addition, since the notches 2a, 2a are formed at positions continuous with the two side surfaces 13, 13, the notches 2a, 2a are present on both sides of the two side surfaces 13, 13, and the outer surface 10 of the housing 2 is positioned close to the cells 6, 6 at two points, thereby making it possible to further miniaturize the battery 1.

[0146] Furthermore, the first guided grooves 22, 22, the second guided grooves 23, 23, and the third guided grooves 24, 24 are formed to be spaced apart in the connection direction of the connection terminal 35 to the electrode terminals 61, 95. Therefore, the portions of the housing 2 between the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 are formed as protrusions with respect to the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24, so that the protrusions function as reinforcing ribs and the strength of the housing 2 can be improved.

[0147] <Other battery configuration examples> Other configuration examples of the battery 1 will be described below (see Figs. 39 to 44).

[0148] The battery 1 may have engagement recesses 39, 39 formed at least on both the left and right sides (see FIG. 39). The engagement recesses 39, 39 open into the second guided grooves 23, 23, respectively, for example.

[0149] The battery 1 having such engagement recesses 39, 39 formed therein is connected in a state in which it is held by, for example, a charger 80B. The charger 80B has a main body 97, holding arms 98, 98 protruding rearward from the main body 97, and a terminal connection part 99 disposed on the main body 97 in a state in which it protrudes rearward and has an electrode terminal.

[0150] An operation button 97a is disposed on the main body 97, and by operating the operation button 97a, the holding arms 98, 98 are moved in directions in which they move away from each other.

[0151] The holding arms 98, 98 are provided as engaging protrusions 98a, 98a whose tips are bent in directions approaching each other. Sliding surfaces 98b, 98b are formed at the tips of the holding arms 98, 98, which are inclined in directions approaching each other as they approach the main body 97. The holding arms 98, 98 are biased in directions approaching each other by a spring (not shown) arranged inside the main body 97.

[0152] As the battery 1 is moved forward relative to the charger 80B, the front edge of the battery 1 slides on the sliding surfaces 98b, 98b, and the holding arms 98, 98 are moved in directions separating from each other against the biasing force of the springs, and the holding arms 98, 98 are inserted into the first guided grooves 22, 22. The holding arms 98, 98 are relatively moved from the first guided grooves 22, 22 toward the second guided grooves 23, 23, and once ride up onto the groove forming surfaces 19, 19 from the first guided grooves 22, 22, they are moved in directions approaching each other again, and are inserted into the second guided grooves 23, 23, and the engaging protrusions 98a, 98a are engaged with the engaging recesses 39, 39, respectively (see FIG. 40).

[0153] The battery 1 is held in the charger 80B with the engaging protrusions 98a, 98a engaging with the engaging recesses 39, 39, respectively, so that the battery 1 is sandwiched from both the left and right sides and the battery 1 is held in the charger 80B. When the engaging protrusions 98a, 98a engage with the engaging recesses 39, 39, respectively, the connector 33 is simultaneously connected to the terminal connection portion 99.

[0154] To release the battery 1 from the charger 80B, the operating button 97a is operated to move the holding arms 98, 98 in a direction away from each other to release the engagement between the engagement protrusions 98a, 98a and the engagement recesses 39, 39, and the battery 1 and charger 80B can be pulled apart.

[0155] In the above, an example has been shown in which the engagement recesses 39, 39 open into the second guided grooves 23, 23, respectively, but the engagement recesses 39, 39 may open into the insertion grooves 24, 24, respectively. However, when the engagement recesses 39, 39 open into the guided grooves 23, 23, the engagement protrusions 98a, 98a of the charger 80B are inserted into and guided into the guided grooves 23, 23, so that the engagement protrusions 98a, 98a can be reliably engaged with the engagement recesses 39, 39.

[0156] As described above, the engagement recesses 39, 39 are formed on the opposite facing surfaces of the housing 2, into which the engagement protrusions 98a, 98a respectively engage, making it possible to hold the battery 1 by engaging the engagement protrusions 98a, 98a with the engagement recesses 39, 39 from the opposite side, thereby making it possible to easily hold the battery 1 in a stable state.

[0157] In the above, an example is shown in which the engagement recesses 39, 39 are formed on both the left and right sides of the battery 1, but for example, in addition to the engagement recesses 39, 39 on both the left and right sides, an engagement recess 39 that opens into at least one of the top surface 11 or the bottom surface 12 may be formed (see Figure 41).

[0158] By forming the engagement recesses 39 in this way, which open into the top surface 11 or bottom surface 12 perpendicular to both the left and right sides facing in opposite directions, it becomes possible to hold the battery 1 by engaging the engagement protrusions 98a, 98a, 98a with the engagement recesses 39, 39, 39 from the opposite side and from the side perpendicular to this opposite side, respectively, thereby enabling the battery 1 to be held in a more stable state.

[0159] Furthermore, since the engagement recess 39 is formed in the area where the second guided groove 23 exists, the engagement protrusion 98a is guided by the second guided groove 23 and engages with the engagement recess 39, so that the engagement protrusion 98a can be easily and reliably engaged with the engagement recess 39.

[0160] Furthermore, the engagement recess 39 may be formed in the area where the first guided groove 22 is present instead of in the area where the second guided groove 23 is present (see Figure 42), or may be formed in the area where the third guided groove 24 is present (see Figure 43).

[0161] In particular, when the engagement recess 39 is formed in the area where the first guided groove 22 is present, the engagement recess 39 is present in the area where the first guided groove 22 located at the most tip side in the connection direction is present.

[0162] Therefore, when the battery 1 is attached to the charger 80B, the engaging projection 98a does not need to climb over the groove forming surface 19, and the engaging projection 98a can be engaged with the engaging recess 39 easily and quickly.

[0163] Furthermore, when the engaging protrusion 98 a is engaged with the engaging recess 39 , the electrode terminal of the terminal connection portion 99 is connected to the connection terminal 35 of the connector 33 .

[0164] Therefore, since the engagement of the engaging protrusion 98a with the engaging recess 39 and the connection of the electrode terminal to the connection terminal 35 are performed simultaneously, there is no need to perform the engagement work of the engaging protrusion 98a with the engaging recess 39 and the connection work of the electrode terminal to the connection terminal 35 separately, thereby improving workability.

[0165] The engagement recess 39 may be formed in an area other than the area where the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, or the third guided groove 24 exists, and may be formed in a state where it opens onto the groove forming surface 19. For example, engagement recesses 39, 39 that open at least downward and rearward may be formed on the lower end portions of the rear end portions of the groove forming surfaces 19, 19 (see FIG. 44).

[0166] By configuring the groove forming surfaces 19, 19 so that engagement recesses 39, 39 are formed at the lower ends at the rear ends thereof, it is possible, for example, to provide two engagement holding portions 92, 92 in a charger 80 or the like, and to have the locking protrusions 92a, 92a of the engagement holding portions 92, 92 engage with the opening edges of the engagement recesses 39, 39, respectively, thereby enabling the battery 1 to be held in the charger 80 or the like.

[0167] In this case, the engagement recesses 39, 39 are positioned forward of the rear surface 15 of the battery 1, and therefore the locking protrusions 92a, 92a are also positioned forward accordingly, thereby shortening the length of the charger 80 etc. in the fore-and-aft direction and making the charger 80 etc. more compact.

[0168] <Identification groove configuration, etc.> Next, the configuration of the discrimination groove 30 will be described (see FIGS. 45 to 56).

[0169] As described above, the discrimination groove 30 is composed of the first discrimination part 31 and the second discrimination part 32 which have different lengths in the front-rear direction, and the first discrimination part 31 and the second discrimination part 32 are continuous in the left-right direction (see the upper parts of Figures 45 and 46). The first discrimination part 31 and the second discrimination part 32 each have discrimination ability.

[0170] On the other hand, in conventional batteries, a first discrimination groove A corresponding to the first discrimination portion 31 and a second discrimination groove B corresponding to the second discrimination portion 32 were formed at a certain distance from each other in the left-right direction (see the lower part of Figure 46).

[0171] In general, the width of the discrimination groove in the left-right direction is determined by the resin flow properties and the flame retardancy grade during molding of the housing.

[0172] Furthermore, the width of the identification groove is formed to a size that ensures the strength of the identification protrusion inserted into the identification groove. Specifically, if the width of the identification groove is small, the width of the identification protrusion to be inserted must also be small, but if the width of the identification protrusion is small, the strength of the identification protrusion decreases, increasing the possibility of breakage or cracking. Therefore, in order to ensure a certain level of strength for the identification protrusion, the width must be made at least a certain level, and accordingly, the width of the identification groove must also be made at least a certain level.

[0173] On the other hand, for example, the width of the mounting recess 83a in the charger 80 is made larger than the width of the battery 1 by an allowance (backlash) to ensure smooth insertion of the battery 1 into the mounting recess 83a. Therefore, the width of the identification groove also needs to be a size that allows for an allowance to ensure that the identification protrusion is inserted reliably. In addition, the width of the identification groove is formed to a size that takes into account the dimensional tolerances and assembly tolerances of each part, and the width of the identification groove is determined to include these allowances.

[0174] Furthermore, in conventional batteries, a certain gap H is formed between the first identification groove A and the second identification groove B, and the gap H also needs to have a certain width due to the need to ensure a certain level of strength.

[0175] Therefore, if the width of the identification protrusions inserted into the first identification groove A and second identification groove B in a conventional battery is W1, then the width of each of the first identification groove A and second identification groove B is "W1+C" when the margin (backlash + tolerance) is C. Furthermore, because a gap H is required between the first identification groove A and the second identification groove B, the dimension Wp in the left-right direction required for the housing to form the first identification groove A and the second identification groove B is "2W1+2C+H."

[0176] On the other hand, in the battery 1, the first identification portion 31 corresponding to the first identification groove A and the second identification portion 32 corresponding to the second identification groove B are formed continuously in the left-right direction (see the upper part of FIG. 46). Therefore, the left-right dimension W required for the housing 2 to form the identification groove 30 composed of the first identification portion 31 and the second identification portion 32 is equal to or smaller than "2W1+2C" because the gap H is not required.

[0177] Furthermore, since the identification groove 30 has the first identification portion 31 and the second identification portion 32 formed continuously in the left-right direction, the dimension W does not require one of the margins C out of the margins 2C, and the dimension W becomes less than or equal to "2W1+C".

[0178] Furthermore, since the identification protrusion inserted into the second identification portion 32 on the shorter side may be partially inserted into the first identification portion 31, the width of the second identification portion 32 can be made smaller than W1, and if the dimension that can be made smaller is α, then the dimension W is "2W1-α+C".

[0179] Therefore, the left-right dimension W required for the housing 2 to form the identification groove 30 is smaller than the left-right dimension Wp required for the housing of a conventional battery by "C+H+α", making it possible to reduce the size of the battery 1 by that amount.

[0180] In the above, the discrimination groove 30 constituted by the rectangular first discrimination portion 31 and second discrimination portion 32 has been shown as an example, but the discrimination groove 30 may be formed, for example, with the innermost bottom surfaces 31a, 32a inclined (see FIG. 47). In the discrimination groove 30 with the innermost bottom surfaces 31a, 32a inclined, one portion in the left-right direction is the first discrimination portion 31 and the other portion is the second discrimination portion 32.

[0181] Since there is no step in the discrimination groove 30 in which the deepest bottom surfaces 31a, 32a are formed in an inclined shape, the discrimination groove 30 can be easily formed in the housing 2.

[0182] Next, examples of batteries 1A and 1B having identification grooves different from those of battery 1 will be described (see FIGS. 48 and 49).

[0183] As described above, the two identification grooves 30, 30 are formed spaced apart on the left and right sides of the battery 1. The battery 1 is, for example, a medium-capacity type with a standard maximum charging capacity.

[0184] Battery 1A is, for example, a high-capacity type whose maximum charging capacity is greater than that of battery 1. Battery 1A is formed with one identification groove 30 and one identification groove 30A (see FIG. 48). Identification groove 30A is composed of a first identification portion 31A, which is longer in the front-rear direction than first identification portion 31, and a second identification portion 32.

[0185] Battery 1B is, for example, a low-capacity type having a maximum charging capacity smaller than that of battery 1. Battery 1B is formed with one identification groove 30 (see FIG. 49).

[0186] Next, a configuration example of a battery mounting section of a connection device to which the battery 1, battery 1A or battery 1B is mounted will be described (see Figs. 50 to 53).

[0187] The connected devices include, for example, a low-power camera that can be operated with low power, a medium-power camera that can be operated with more power than the low-power camera, a high-power camera that can be operated with more power than the medium-power camera, and a charger 80.

[0188] A terminal connection portion 59 is arranged in the battery mounting portion of the low-power camera, and no identification protrusion to be inserted into the identification groove 30 or the like is provided (see FIG. 50).

[0189] A terminal connection part 59 is disposed in the battery mounting part of the medium power camera, and an identification protrusion 90B is provided on the side of the terminal connection part 59 (see FIG. 51). The identification protrusion 90B is of a length that allows the entire part to be inserted into both the first identification part 31 and the first identification part 31A.

[0190] A terminal connection part 59 is disposed in the battery mounting part of the high power camera, and an identification protrusion 90C is provided on the side of the terminal connection part 59 (see FIG. 52). The identification protrusion 90C is longer than the identification protrusion 90B and is of a length such that it cannot be inserted entirely into the first identification part 31 but can be inserted entirely into the first identification part 31A.

[0191] As described above, the terminal connection part 93 is disposed in the battery attachment part 83 of the charger 80, and the identification protrusion 90 is provided on the side of the terminal connection part 93 (see FIG. 53). The identification protrusion 90 is composed of a long part 90a and a short part 90b.

[0192] Next, an example of the discrimination ability of the discrimination grooves 30, 30A will be described (see FIG. 54).

[0193] The following describes, as an example, the identifiability of battery 1, battery 1A, and battery 1B with respect to a low-power camera, a medium-power camera, a high-power camera, and a charger 80. In Fig. 54, "Y" indicates that the battery can be attached to a camera or a charger, and "N" indicates that the battery cannot be attached to a camera or a charger.

[0194] The large capacity type battery 1A has an identification groove 30 located on the left side and an identification groove 30A located on the right side, the medium capacity type battery 1 has identification grooves 30, 30 located spaced apart on the left and right, and the small capacity type battery 1B has one identification groove 30 located on the left side.

[0195] The low-power camera does not have an identification protrusion on the battery mounting portion, and therefore there is no portion to be inserted into the identification grooves 30, 30A. Therefore, any of battery 1, battery 1A, and battery 1B can be mounted in the battery mounting portion of the low-power camera, and any of battery 1, battery 1A, and battery 1B can be identified as a battery that can be used in the low-power camera.

[0196] The medium power camera has an identification protrusion 90C located on the right side of the battery mounting portion, and the identification protrusion 90C can be inserted into either the first identification portion 31 of the identification groove 30 or the first identification portion 31A of the identification groove 30A. The identification protrusion 90C is inserted into the first identification portion 31 of the identification groove 30 located on the right side of the battery 1 and the first identification portion 31A of the identification groove 30A located on the right side of the battery 1A. On the other hand, the identification protrusion 90C interferes with the battery 1B because no identification groove is formed on the right side of the battery 1B.

[0197] Therefore, both battery 1A and battery 1 can be attached to the battery attachment portion of the medium power camera, but battery 1B cannot be attached, and both battery 1A and battery 1 are identified as batteries that can be used in medium power cameras, while battery 1B is identified as a battery that cannot be used in medium power cameras.

[0198] The high-power camera has an identification protrusion 90B located on the right side of the battery mounting portion, and the identification protrusion 90B can be inserted into the first identification portion 31A of the identification groove 30A. The identification protrusion 90B is inserted into the first identification portion 31A of the identification groove 30A located on the right side of the battery 1A. On the other hand, the identification protrusion 90B can be inserted into the first identification portion 31 of the identification groove 30 located on the right side of the battery 1, but is only inserted halfway, and the electrode terminal 95 is not connected to the connection terminal 35 of the connector 33 of the battery 1. Furthermore, the identification protrusion 90B interferes with the battery 1B because no identification groove is formed on the right side of the battery 1B.

[0199] Therefore, battery 1A can be attached to the battery attachment portion of the high-power camera, but battery 1 and battery 1B cannot be attached, and battery 1A is identified as a battery that can be used in a high-power camera, while battery 1 and battery 1B are identified as batteries that cannot be used in a high-power camera.

[0200] The charger 80 has an identification protrusion 90 located on the left side of the battery mounting section 83, and the identification protrusion 90 can be inserted into the identification groove 30. The identification protrusion 90 is inserted into the identification groove 30 located on the left side in each of the batteries 1, 1A, and 1B.

[0201] Therefore, any of battery 1, battery 1A, and battery 1B can be attached to battery mounting portion 83 of charger 80, and any of battery 1, battery 1A, and battery 1B can be identified as a battery that can be used with charger 80.

[0202] Although the above describes an example of identifying batteries based on differences in charge capacity, identification using the identification groove 30, etc. is not limited to identification based on differences in charge capacity, and can also be applied to identifying other differences, such as whether the battery is a rechargeable type or not, or differences in charging speed.

[0203] Further, although the above shows an example of an identification groove 30 composed of two parts, the first identification portion 31 and the second identification portion 32, which have different lengths, the identification groove 30 may be composed of three or more identification portions of different lengths.

[0204] As described above, the battery 1 (batteries 1A and 1B) has an identification groove 30 formed in the housing 2 for identifying a connected device, and the identification groove 30 has a plurality of identification portions of different lengths formed in succession.

[0205] Therefore, since there is no part separating the multiple identification parts of different lengths, the size of the identification groove 30 in the direction in which the identification parts continue becomes the total size of the multiple identification parts, making it possible to miniaturize the battery 1 while ensuring high identification ability.

[0206] In addition, since the first identification portion 31 and the second identification portion 32 are formed as the identification portion, the size of the identification groove 30 in the direction in which the identification portions continue is the combined size of the first identification portion 31 and the second identification portion 32, thereby enabling the battery 1 to be made smaller while improving its identification ability.

[0207] Furthermore, since the identification groove 30 has multiple identification sections formed continuously in the width direction, the size of the identification groove 30 in the width direction is the combined size of the multiple identification sections, and compared to a case in which multiple identification grooves are formed at intervals in the width direction, it is possible to reduce the size of the battery 1 in the width direction while improving identification.

[0208] Furthermore, the widths of the multiple distinguishable parts are decreased in ascending order of length. For example, in the first distinguishable part 31 and the second distinguishable part 32, the width of the second distinguishable part 32, which is shorter, is made smaller than the width of the first distinguishable part 31, which is longer.

[0209] Therefore, the widthwise size of the identification groove 30 is smaller than the total width when an identification portion of the same width is formed, thereby enabling the battery 1 to be further miniaturized in the widthwise direction while improving identification.

[0210] In addition, since the two identification grooves 30, 30 are formed spaced apart in the width direction, it becomes possible to identify the connected device using the two identification grooves 30, 30, thereby increasing the types of identifiable connected devices.

[0211] In this case, it is also possible to form the two identification grooves 30, 30 to have different shapes and sizes.

[0212] Furthermore, the discrimination groove 30 may be formed such that the first discrimination portion 31 and the second discrimination portion 32 are different in shape (see FIG. 55). For example, the discrimination groove 30 may be formed such that the second discrimination portion 32 is formed in a substantially triangular prism-shaped space. By forming the discrimination groove 30 in such a shape, the portion of the inner bottom surface 30a of the discrimination groove 30 that is the region of the second discrimination portion 32 is formed as an inclined surface 32c. The inclined surface 32c is inclined so as to be displaced toward the bottom surface 12 as it approaches the side surface 13 located on the opposite side of the first discrimination portion 31 that is continuous in the left-right direction.

[0213] The identification groove 30 is a portion formed in the vicinity of the first guided groove 22, and by forming the identification groove 30 in this shape, the thickness (width) of the portion of the housing 2 between the first guided groove 22 and the identification groove 30 is increased, thereby reinforcing the portion around the first guided groove 22.

[0214] Furthermore, in the above, an identification groove 30 in which the first identification portion 31 and the second identification portion 32, which have different lengths, are connected in the width direction, has been shown as an example, but an identification groove 30X may be formed instead of the identification groove 30 (see FIG. 56). The identification groove 30X is configured by connecting a first identification portion 31X and a second identification portion 32X, which have different sizes in the up-down direction (depth direction), and for example, the first identification portion 31X is longer than the second identification portion 32X, and the first identification portion 31 is formed continuously below the second identification portion 32.

[0215] Like the discrimination groove 30, the discrimination groove 30X may be composed of three or more discrimination portions having different lengths.

[0216] By forming multiple identification parts continuously in the depth direction in this manner, the size of the identification groove 30X in the depth direction becomes the combined size of the multiple identification parts, and compared to a case in which multiple identification grooves are formed at intervals in the depth direction, it is possible to reduce the size of the battery 1 in the depth direction (vertical direction) while improving identification.

[0217] Furthermore, the depth of the multiple identification portions of the identification groove 30X may decrease in ascending order of length.

[0218] By configuring the identification groove 30X in this manner, the size of the identification groove 30X in the depth direction is smaller than the total depth that would be achieved if an identification section of the same depth were formed, thereby improving identification while further reducing the size of the battery 1 in the depth direction.

[0219] <Modification> Modifications of the various parts of the battery 1 will be described below (see Figs. 57 to 59).

[0220] The first modification is a modification of the recess forming surface (see Figs. 57 and 58). The recess forming surface 29A according to the first modification has wall portions 29d, 29d. The wall portions 29d, 29d each include a first inclined surface 40, 40 continuing to the base portion 29a, an intermediate surface 41, 41 continuing to the first inclined surface 40, 40, and a second inclined surface 42, 42 continuing to the intermediate surface 41, 41.

[0221] The first inclined surfaces 40, 40 are continuous with the front end of the base portion 29a, and are inclined in directions separating from each other in the left-right direction as they move forward. The middle surfaces 41, 41 are continuous with the front ends of the first inclined surfaces 40, 40, and are formed as surfaces facing forward. The second inclined surfaces 42, 42 are continuous with the outer ends of the middle surfaces 41, 41 in the left-right direction, and are inclined in directions separating from each other in the left-right direction as they move forward.

[0222] The inclination angle of the first inclined surface 40 with respect to the intermediate surface 41 is set to be larger than the inclination angle of the second inclined surface 42 with respect to the intermediate surface 41. However, the inclination angle of the first inclined surface 40 with respect to the intermediate surface 41 may be set to be smaller than the inclination angle of the second inclined surface 42 with respect to the intermediate surface 41, or may be set to be the same as the inclination angle of the second inclined surface 42 with respect to the intermediate surface 41.

[0223] Moreover, the width of the first inclined surface 40 in the inclined direction is larger than the width of the second inclined surface 42 in the inclined direction. However, the width of the first inclined surface 40 in the inclined direction may be smaller than the width of the second inclined surface 42 in the inclined direction, or may be the same as the width of the second inclined surface 42 in the inclined direction.

[0224] By forming the recess forming surface 29A having the walls 29d, 29d as described above, the front-to-rear thickness of the rear portion of the walls 29d, 29d in the housing 2 becomes large, and the strength of the housing 2 can be improved.

[0225] The second modification is a modification of the connector (see FIG. 59). Connector 33A according to the second modification has housing 34 made of a non-conductive material and connection terminals 35, 35, 35 made of a conductive material. Terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, 36 in which connection terminals 35, 35, 35 are arranged are formed in housing 34, but positioning grooves 37, 37 are not formed.

[0226] Connection terminals 35, 35, 35 functioning as a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and an information terminal are arranged in the terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, 36, respectively. Note that two terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36 or four terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, ... may be formed in the connector 33A. When two terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36 are formed in the connector 33A, a positive terminal and a negative terminal are arranged in the two terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, respectively, and when four terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, ... are formed in the connector 33A, a positive terminal, a negative terminal, an information terminal, and a communication terminal are arranged in the four terminal arrangement grooves 36, 36, ..., respectively.

[0227] When the connector 33A is used, positioning grooves 37, 37 are formed on the left and right sides of the connector 33A in the housing 2, respectively.

[0228] By using the connector 33A as described above, the width of the portions on both sides of the placement recess 27 in the casing 2 in the left-right direction becomes large, and the strength of the casing 2 can be improved.

[0229] <Alternative battery configuration> Next, the configuration of a battery 1C different from the battery 1 will be described (see Figs. 60 and 61).

[0230] The battery 1C described below differs from the battery 1 described above only in that it does not have a connector, and the configuration of each part and the positional relationship and size of each part are the same as those of the battery 1. Therefore, only the parts that differ from the battery 1 will be described in detail below, and the other parts will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those used for similar parts in the battery 1 and description thereof will be omitted.

[0231] A recess 27C (see FIG. 60) is formed in the front end of the bottom 21. The recess 27C is formed in approximately the center in the left-right direction and is open forward and downward.

[0232] The recess 27C is defined by a recess forming surface 29C. The recess forming surface 29C is made up of a base portion 29e, wall portions 29b, 29b and an intermediate portion 29c.

[0233] The base portion 29e faces forward. The walls 29b, 29b are connected to both left and right ends of the base portion 29e, respectively, and are formed as inclined surfaces that are spaced apart in the left-right direction as they move forward. The middle portion 29c faces downward and is formed between the lower edges of the walls 29b, 29b.

[0234] Terminal arrangement grooves 36C, 36C, 36C are formed at a distance from each other on the left and right sides in a portion of the housing 2C continuing to the rear side of the recess 27C. The terminal arrangement groove 36C opens downward and forward, and the forward opening is formed in the base portion 29e. The connection terminals 35, 35, 35 are held in the housing 2C with at least a portion of each of them arranged in the terminal arrangement grooves 36C, 36C, 36C, respectively. In the battery 1C, no connector is provided, and the connection terminals 35, 35, 35 are configured as terminal portions.

[0235] The housing 2C has positioning grooves 37C, 37C that are open forward and downward, respectively, formed outside the terminal arrangement grooves 36C, 36C, 36C in the left-right direction.

[0236] The portion between the terminal arrangement grooves 36C, 36C, 36C in the housing 2C is provided as terminal isolating ribs 2b, 2b, and the portion between the terminal arrangement grooves 36C, 36C and the positioning grooves 37C, 37C in the housing 2C is provided as inter-groove ribs 2c, 2c. The width in the left-right direction of the terminal isolating rib 2b is made larger than the width in the left-right direction of the inter-groove rib 2c so as to prevent contact between the connection terminals 35, 35, 35.

[0237] In the above, an example is shown in which the positioning grooves 37C, 37C are formed at a position continuous with the recess 27C, but the positioning grooves 37C, 37C may also be formed on both the left and right sides of the recess 27C in the housing 2C (see Figure 61).

[0238] Furthermore, in the battery 1C, like the battery 1, two terminal arrangement grooves 36C, 36C or four terminal arrangement grooves 36C, 36C, . . . may be formed.

[0239] As described above, battery 1C does not have a connector, and terminal arrangement groove 36C and positioning groove 37C are formed in housing 2C, thereby simplifying the structure and reducing the number of parts, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0240] <Example of configuration for other connected devices> Below, a charger 110 will be described as another example of a connection device to which multiple batteries 1, 1, ... (1A, 1B, 1C) are connected (see FIG. 62). Multiple batteries 1, 1, ..., for example, four batteries 1, 1, ... can be attached to the charger 110.

[0241] Charger 110 has a housing 111. Housing 111 has top and bottom plate portions 112 and 113, respectively, and a partition plate portion 114 located between top and bottom plate portions 112 and 113. Charger 110 is formed with concave battery attachment portions 115, 115, ... that are partitioned into front, back, left and right.

[0242] The battery mounting section 115 has a configuration similar to that of the battery mounting section 83 of the charger 80 (see FIG. 25, etc.). The batteries 1, 1, ... can be detachably attached to the battery mounting sections 115, 15, ..., respectively, and by mounting the batteries 1, 1, ... on the battery mounting sections 115, 15, ..., all of the batteries 1, 1, ... can be charged simultaneously.

[0243] A power cable (not shown) can be connected to the charger 110, and by connecting the power cable to the charger 110, it becomes possible to charge the batteries 1, 1, ... from a commercial power source. Note that the above-mentioned batteries 1A, 1B, 1C can also be attached to the battery attachment section 115 of the charger 110.

[0244] <Example of power supply configuration> Next, the power supply device 116 connectable to the charger 110 will be described (see FIGS. 62 to 68).

[0245] The charger 110 can be connected to a power supply device 116 via a cable 300 (see FIG. 62). The power supply device 116 is connected to one end of the cable 300.

[0246] Power supply device 116 is configured by arranging required parts inside and outside housing 117 (see Figs. 63 to 68). Power supply device 116 has an outer shape smaller than the outer shapes of batteries 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C described above.

[0247] Housing 117 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is formed by joining case cover (upper case) 118 and storage case (lower case) 119 at the top and bottom. Case cover 118 is formed in a box shape that opens downward. Storage case 119 is formed in a box shape that opens upward. When case cover 118 and storage case 119 are joined at the top and bottom to form housing 117, the internal space of housing 117 is formed as a storage space.

[0248] The outer surface 120 of the housing 117 has a top surface 121, a bottom surface 122, side surfaces 123, 123, a front surface 124, and a rear surface 125, and the size in the front-rear direction (length direction) is larger than the size in the left-right direction (width direction), and the size in the left-right direction (width direction) is larger than the size in the up-down direction (height direction). The housing 117 has upper inclined surfaces 126, 126 formed between the top surface 121 and the side surfaces 123, 123, respectively. The upper inclined surfaces 126, 126 are displaced downward as they approach the side surfaces 123, 123 from the top surface 121. The lower inclined surfaces 127, 127 are formed between the bottom surface 122 and the side surfaces 123, 123, respectively. The lower inclined surfaces 127, 127 are displaced upward as they approach the side surfaces 123, 123 from the bottom surface 122. The upper inclined surfaces 126, 126 and the lower inclined surfaces 127, 127 are both formed in a flat shape.

[0249] The top surface 121, the bottom surface 122, the side surfaces 123, 123, the front surface 124, the rear surface 125, the upper inclined surfaces 126, 126 and the lower inclined surfaces 127, 127 are all formed as exterior surfaces 128, 128, . . .

[0250] A locking recess 129 is formed at the front end position of the lower end of the housing 117. The locking recess 129 is open downward, forward, and to the sides (both left and right), and is composed of a horizontally elongated introduction portion 129a located at the front and an inserted portion 129b connected to the rear side of the introduction portion 129a. The inserted portion 129b is open downward and forward.

[0251] The inserted portion 129b is provided with a locking claw 130 that protrudes laterally. The locking claw 130 has an inclined surface 130a that displaces laterally (in the protruding direction) toward the rear, and a regulated surface 130b that is connected to the rear end of the inclined surface 130a and faces rearward.

[0252] A concave portion 131 that is open rearward and laterally (on both the left and right) is formed at the rear end of the housing 117. The concave portion 131 is formed in the center in the up-down direction of the housing 117. The rearward surface that forms the concave portion 131 is formed as a hole forming surface 132. A connection hole 132a that opens in the center in the left-right direction of the hole forming surface 132 is formed in the housing 117, and a cable 300 is inserted into the connection hole 132a to connect the cable 300 to the power feeder 116.

[0253] A recess 133 is formed at the front end of the upper end of the housing 117. The recess 133 is formed in approximately half the area in the left-right direction, and is open upward and to the sides.

[0254] An external connector 134 is disposed at the front end of the upper end of the housing 117. The external connector 134 is disposed to the side of the recess 133. The external connector 134 is a portion that is connected to electrode terminals of an imaging device or the like, which will be described later, functions as a terminal portion, and has at least a positive terminal and a negative terminal.

[0255] External connector 134 has housing 135 formed from a non-conductive material and connection terminals 136, 136, 136 formed from a conductive material, and connection terminals 136, 136, 136 are held in housing 135 with at least a portion of each being disposed in terminal arrangement grooves 137, 137, 137 formed in housing 135. Connection terminal 136 has a pair of contact portions branched to the left and right from a predetermined portion of one end of a metal piece, and the pair of contact portions are disposed in terminal arrangement groove 137 in a state in which their tips are elastic in the direction of contact with each other and are in contact or close to each other.

[0256] The connection terminals 136, 136, 136 function as a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and an information terminal, respectively, and are arranged such that the positive terminal, the information terminal, and the negative terminal are lined up in order in the left-right direction, or the positive terminal, the information terminal, and the negative terminal are lined up in order from the right side.

[0257] The information terminal is used for the imaging device or the like to recognize the internal temperature of the power supply device 116, and is also used for the imaging device or the like to recognize various information about the power supply device 116, such as the remaining charge of the power supply device 116 and deterioration information.

[0258] The external connector 134 may be provided with two terminal arrangement grooves 137, 137 and two connection terminals 136, 136. When two connection terminals 136, 136 are provided, the two connection terminals 136, 136 function as a positive terminal and a negative terminal, respectively, and are arranged such that the positive terminal and the negative terminal are lined up from the left side or the positive terminal and the negative terminal are lined up from the right side. The external connector 134 may be provided with four terminal arrangement grooves 137, 137, ... and four connection terminals 136, 136, ... When four connection terminals 136, 136, ... are provided, the four connection terminals 136, 136, ... function as a positive terminal, a negative terminal, an information terminal, and a communication terminal, respectively, and are arranged in the following order from the left: a positive terminal, an information terminal, a communication terminal, and a negative terminal lined up in order from the right: a positive terminal, an information terminal, a communication terminal, and a negative terminal lined up in order from the left: a positive terminal, an information terminal, a communication terminal, and a negative terminal lined up in order from the left: or a positive terminal, an information terminal, a communication terminal, and a negative terminal lined up in order from the right. The communication terminal is used by the imaging device or the like to recognize various information about the power supply device 116, such as the remaining charge and deterioration information of the power supply device 116, and in this case, the information terminal is used exclusively to inform the imaging device or the like of temperature information.

[0259] The terminal arrangement grooves 137 are formed to be open forward and upward and spaced apart on the left and right. The housing 135 is formed with positioning grooves 138, 138 that are open forward and upward, respectively, on the outer sides of the terminal arrangement grooves 137, 137, 137 in the left-right direction.

[0260] One end of each of connection terminals 136 , 136 , 136 of external connector 134 is connected to a circuit board (not shown) arranged inside housing 117 .

[0261] An internal connector 139 is disposed at the front end portion near the upper end of housing 117. Internal connector 139 is disposed below recess 133 and to the side of external connector 134. Internal connector 139 is a portion that is connected to a connection terminal of an adapter, which will be described later, and functions as a terminal portion.

[0262] The internal connector 139 has a housing 140 formed from a non-conductive material and connection terminals 141, 141, 141 formed from a conductive material, and the connection terminals 141, 141, 141 are held by the housing 140 with at least a portion of each being disposed in terminal arrangement grooves 142, 142, 142 formed in the housing 140. The connection terminals 141, 141, 141 are connected to connection terminals 136, 136, 136 of the external connector 134 by boards and wiring (not shown).

[0263] The internal connector 139 may be provided with two or four connection terminals 141 in accordance with the number of connection terminals 136 of the external connector 134 .

[0264] The terminal arrangement grooves 142 are formed to be open forward and upward and spaced apart from each other on the left and right. The housing 140 is formed with positioning grooves 143, 143 that are open forward and upward, respectively, on the outer sides of the terminal arrangement grooves 142, 142, 142 in the left-right direction.

[0265] The connection terminals 141 are elastically deformable in the approximately left-right direction, and are held in the housing 140 in a state where they are inserted into the terminal arrangement grooves 142 .

[0266] The power supply device 116 configured as described above is inserted into the battery mounting section 101 formed in the type A imaging device 100 and mounted thereon (see FIG. 69). The imaging device 100 corresponds to, for example, the low-power camera described above (see FIG. 50).

[0267] The power feeder 116 can be connected to a commercial power source via a cable 300 and a connector (not shown). In this case, power is supplied to the imaging device 100 via the connector, the cable 300 and the power feeder 116 .

[0268] Furthermore, the power supply device 116 is attached to the battery attachment section 101 of the image capture device 100 while being connected via a cable 300 to a charger 110 in which one or more batteries 1 (1A, 1B, 1C) are attached, and is capable of supplying power from one or more batteries 1 (1A, 1B, 1C) to the image capture device 100. When multiple batteries 1 (1A, 1B, 1C) are attached to the charger 110, it is possible to increase the amount and duration of power supply to the image capture device 100, which is suitable for long-term shooting or video shooting.

[0269] <Adapter configuration> Next, the configuration of the adapter 150 will be described (see FIGS. 70 to 79).

[0270] The adapter 150 is configured by arranging the required parts inside and outside a housing 151. The outer shape of the adapter 150 is approximately the same size as the outer shape of the above-mentioned batteries 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C.

[0271] The housing 151 is formed in a box shape that opens to the rear, and is formed by joining a case cover (upper case) 152 and a storage case (lower case) 153 at the top and bottom. The case cover 152 is formed in a box shape that opens downward and backward. The storage case 153 is formed in a box shape that opens upward except for the rear end, and the rear end is provided as an annular part 153a that is penetrated from the front to the rear. The case cover 152 is joined from above to the part of the storage case 153 that opens upward. When the case cover 152 and the storage case 153 are joined to form the housing 151, the internal space of the housing 151 is formed as a storage space.

[0272] The housing 151 has an outer surface 154 having a top surface 155, a bottom surface 156, side surfaces 157, 157, a front surface 158, and a rear surface 159, and the size in the front-rear direction (length direction) is larger than the size in the left-right direction (width direction), and the size in the left-right direction (width direction) is larger than the size in the up-down direction (height direction). The housing 151 has inclined surfaces 160, 160 formed between the top surface 155 and the side surfaces 157, 157. The inclined surfaces 160, 160 are displaced downward as they approach the side surfaces 157, 157 from the top surface 155. Plate support parts 161, 161 are provided on the inner surface of the housing 151 at positions near the rear end on both left and right sides. The lower inclined surfaces 161, 161 are displaced upward as they approach the side surfaces 157, 157 from the bottom surface 156. The opening edge formed on the rear surface 159 is formed as a rear opening edge 163.

[0273] The top surface 155, the bottom surface 156, the side surfaces 157, 157, the front surface 158, the rear surface 159 and the inclined surfaces 160, 160 are all formed as exterior surfaces 162, 162, . . .

[0274] Upper inclined edges 163a, 163a are formed at the upper end of the rear opening edge 163 of the housing 151, spaced apart from each other on the left and right, and lower inclined edges 163b, 163b are formed at the lower end of the rear opening edge 163, spaced apart from each other on the left and right. The upper inclined edges 163a, 163a are formed at both left and right ends of the rear opening edge 163, and are linearly inclined so as to displace upward as they approach each other. The lower inclined edges 163b, 163b are formed at both left and right ends of the rear opening edge 163, and are linearly inclined so as to displace downward as they approach each other.

[0275] Notches 151a, 151a are formed on both the left and right sides at the lower end of housing 151. Notch 151a is open to the side (left or right), downward, front and rear, and is formed by a step surface 164 facing downward and extending front to rear, and a groove forming surface 165 facing laterally and extending front to rear. The outer edge of step surface 164 is continuous with the lower edge of side surface 157. The upper edge of groove forming surface 165 is continuous with the inner edge of step surface 164, and the lower edge is continuous with the side edge of bottom surface 156. Step surface 164 and groove forming surface 165 are each formed continuously from front surface 158 to rear surface 159.

[0276] The step surface 164 and the bottom surface 156 are formed as planes that are approximately parallel to each other, and the portion of the groove forming surface 165 other than its front end and the side surface 157 are formed as planes that are approximately parallel to each other. The front ends of the groove forming surfaces 165, 165 are formed as outwardly convex curved surfaces 165a, 165a that displace in the direction toward each other as they approach the front surface 158.

[0277] As described above, the front ends of the groove forming surfaces 165, 165 of the adapter 150 are formed as curved surfaces 165a, 165a, respectively, which makes it difficult for stress concentration to occur and also makes it difficult for the adapter 150 to come into contact with the ground, etc., in the unlikely event that the adapter 150 is dropped, thereby absorbing impact and reducing the occurrence of breakage.

[0278] Housing 2 is composed of main body 166, which is the portion above an imaginary plane including step surfaces 164, 164, and bottom 167, which is the portion below this imaginary plane. Step surfaces 164, 164 are included in main body 166. Bottom 167 has a smaller left-right width than main body 166, and the distance between side surfaces 157, 157 in the left-right direction is greater than the distance between groove forming surfaces 165, 165.

[0279] Guided grooves 168, 168 are formed on both the left and right sides of the bottom portion 167. The guided groove 168 opens to the groove forming surface 165. The guided groove 168 is formed in the front end portion of the bottom portion 167, and opens to the sides and front.

[0280] An arrangement recess 169 is formed at the lower end of the front end of the bottom 167. The arrangement recess 169 is formed in approximately the center in the left-right direction and is open forward and downward. An arrangement hole 170 is formed in the housing 151, which is connected to the entire portion excluding the front end of the arrangement recess 169 and penetrates vertically.

[0281] An upper edge 168a of the guided groove 168 is located below the step surface 164, and a part of the groove forming surface 165 exists between the guided groove 168 and the step surface 164. Therefore, the distance from the lower end of the groove forming surface 165 to the upper edge 168a of the guided groove 168 is made smaller than the distance from the upper end to the lower end of the groove forming surface 165. In addition, the vertical distance (groove width) of the guided groove 168 may be larger or smaller than the distance from the upper end to the upper edge 168a of the groove forming surface 165, and the vertical distance of the guided groove 168 may be the same as the distance from the upper end to the upper edge 168a of the groove forming surface 165. A lower edge 168b of the guided groove 168 is located above the lower edge of the groove forming surface 165.

[0282] The arrangement recess 169 is formed by a recess forming surface 171 (see FIG. 71). The recess forming surface 171 is composed of a base portion 171a, a wall portion 171b, and a middle portion 171c.

[0283] The base portion 171a is formed in a U-shape that opens forward and faces the horizontal direction. The walls 171b, 171b are each continuous with the front end of the base portion 171a and are formed as inclined surfaces that move away from each other in the left-right direction as they move forward. That is, the left wall portion 171b is formed as an inclined surface that approaches the left side surface 157 as it moves forward, and the right wall portion 171b is formed as an inclined surface that approaches the right side surface 157 as it moves forward. In addition, in the walls 171b, 171b, one wall portion 171b may be formed as an inclined surface, and the other wall portion 171b may be formed as a surface that faces left or right without being inclined. The middle portion 171c faces downward and is formed between the upper edges of the walls 171b, 171b. The walls 171b, 171b are inclined, for example, 45 degrees with respect to the surface facing the left-right direction.

[0284] The intermediate portion 171c is positioned below the step surface 164 and at substantially the same height as the guided groove 168, or slightly below the upper edge 168a. However, the intermediate portion 171c may be positioned above the upper edge 168a.

[0285] Furthermore, wall portion 171b may be formed in a shape consisting of a first inclined surface, an intermediate surface continuing from the first inclined surface, and a second inclined surface continuing from the intermediate surface, similar to wall portion 29d (see Figures 57 and 58) provided on the recess forming surface 29A described above.

[0286] An identification groove 172 is formed on the side of the recess forming surface 171 at the front end of the bottom 167 (see Figs. 71 and 74). The identification groove 172 serves as a functional groove having a predetermined function, for example, identifying the type of imaging device, etc. The functional groove is not limited to the identification groove 172, and instead of the identification groove 172, a groove having a function other than identification, such as a positioning groove for positioning the imaging device, etc. or a detection groove for detecting the connection state of the imaging device, etc. may be formed as the functional groove.

[0287] However, since the specified function is an identification function for identifying the type of imaging device, etc., the type of imaging device, etc. is identified by the functional groove, and when the adapter is attached to the imaging device, etc., or when the adapter is not attached to the imaging device, etc., the type of imaging device, etc. to which the adapter is connected can be easily identified.

[0288] The predetermined function may be a function for identifying the type of the adapter itself.

[0289] The discrimination groove 172 is formed by forming a first discrimination portion 173 and a second discrimination portion 174, which are different in length from the front to the rear, continuously in the left-right direction.

[0290] The first discrimination portion 173 and the second discrimination portion 174 serve as a first functional portion and a second functional portion, respectively.

[0291] Among the surfaces forming the discrimination groove 172, the surface facing downward and located on the upper side is formed as an inner bottom surface 172a. The inner bottom surface 172a is located below an intermediate portion 171c, which is a surface facing downward and located on the upper side of the recess forming surface 171. Therefore, the vertical depth of the discrimination groove 172 is shallower than the vertical depth of the placement recess 169. The inner bottom surface 172a is located below an upper edge 168a of the guided groove 168 and the step surface 164. Also, the inner bottom surface 172a is located above a lower edge 168b of the guided groove 168. However, the inner bottom surface 172a may be located below the lower edge 168b, or may be located at the same height as the lower edge 168b.

[0292] Of the surfaces forming the discrimination groove 172, the surface facing forward and located on the rear side of the first discrimination portion 173 is formed as a deep bottom surface 173a, and the surface facing forward and located on the rear side of the second discrimination portion 174 is formed as a deep bottom surface 174a. The deep bottom surface 173a is located forward of the front-facing surface located on the rearmost side of the base portion 171a of the recess forming surface 171. The deep bottom surfaces 173a, 174a are located forward of the rear end edge of the guided groove 168. However, the deep bottom surfaces 173a, 174a may be located rearward of the rear end edge of the guided groove 168, or may be located at the same position as the rear end edge of the guided groove 168 in the front-rear direction.

[0293] First distinguishable portion 173 has a longer front-to-rear length than second distinguishable portion 174, with rear bottom surface 173a positioned slightly rearward of rear bottom surface 174a, and first distinguishable portion 173 positioned closer to arrangement recess 169 than second distinguishable portion 174. Second distinguishable portion 174 has a smaller left-to-right width than first distinguishable portion 173.

[0294] An inner wall 176 is provided immediately behind the front plate 175 of the storage case 153 (see Figures 78 and 79). The inner wall 176 has a cover 176a that faces substantially in the front-rear direction and a board attachment portion 176b that protrudes rearward from a part of the upper end of the cover 176a. Inside the storage case 153, a front space 153b is formed between the cover 176a and the front plate 158. A lower space 153c is formed between the cover 176a and the bottom plate 177.

[0295] A horizontally elongated support recess 177a that opens downward and a connection hole 177b that communicates with the support recess 177a are formed in the bottom plate 177 of the housing 151 (see FIGS. 71 and 74). The connection hole 177b communicates with a part of the support recess 177a and penetrates vertically.

[0296] A lock lever 178 is supported on the bottom plate portion 177 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The lock lever 178 has an operation plate portion 179 facing up and down, a connecting protrusion 180 protruding upward from the operation plate portion 179, and a lock protrusion 181 protruding upward from the connecting protrusion 180 (see Figures 71 and 78). The lock protrusion 181 has a sliding surface 181a that displaces laterally as it moves forward, and an engaging surface 181b that is connected to the front end of the sliding surface 181a and faces forward.

[0297] The lock lever 178 is movable left and right with the operation plate portion 179 inserted into the support recess 177a of the bottom plate portion 177. The lower surface of the operation plate portion 179 and the bottom surface 156 are positioned on the same plane, and the operation plate portion 179 does not protrude downward from the bottom surface 156. Therefore, the height of the adapter 150 in the vertical direction does not increase, and the adapter 150 can be made compact.

[0298] The lock lever 178 has a connecting protrusion 180 inserted into the connecting hole 177b and a lock protrusion 181 positioned above the bottom plate portion 177. The lock lever 178 is biased in one direction in the left-right direction by a spring (not shown), and one edge in the left-right direction of the operation plate portion 179 is pressed against one opening edge in the left-right direction of the support recess 177a by the biasing force of the spring, thereby restricting movement.

[0299] The lock lever 178 has a connecting protrusion 180 connected to a slide plate 182. The slide plate 182 is formed in a generally flat plate shape facing the up-down direction. The slide plate 182 is integral with the lock lever 178 and is movable left-right relative to the bottom plate portion 177, and is biased in the same direction as the lock lever 178 by the biasing force of a spring.

[0300] A pressing plate 183 is disposed inside the storage case 153 (see Figures 78 and 79). A portion of the pressing plate 183 is attached to the storage case 153 by screws or the like. The pressing plate 183 has a horizontally elongated receiving surface portion 184 facing in the front-to-rear direction and pressing surface portions 185, 185 protruding rearward from both left and right ends of the receiving surface portion 184, respectively.

[0301] A receiving piece 184a that is elastically deformable in approximately the front-rear direction is provided in the center of receiving surface 184. The rear ends of pressing surfaces 185, 185 are supported in a displaceable state by plate support parts 161, 161 provided on both sides of housing 151. Pressing surfaces 185, 185 are elastically deformable with respect to receiving surface 184 so as to be displaceable left and right, and pressing parts 185a, 185a that protrude in directions approaching each other are provided at positions near the rear ends.

[0302] A first board 186 is attached to the upper surface of board attachment portion 176b of inner wall portion 176 provided inside housing 151. A second board 187 is disposed in lower space 153c formed on the lower side of inner wall portion 176. For example, three terminal portions are formed on each of first board 186 and second board 187, and the three terminal portions of first board 186 and second board 187 are connected to each other by electric wires 188, 188, 188. The electric wires 188, 188, 188 are located in front space 153b formed on the front side of inner wall portion 176.

[0303] The three terminal portions of first substrate 186 and second substrate 187 may be connected to each other by a flexible printed wiring board.

[0304] A relay connector 189 is attached to the underside of the board mounting portion 176b of the inner wall portion 176 (see FIGS. 73 and 76). The relay connector 189 is a portion to which the internal connector 139 of the power feeder 116 is connected, and functions as a terminal portion.

[0305] The relay connector 189 has a housing 190 made of a non-conductive material and connection terminals 191, 191, 191 made of a conductive material. One ends of the connection terminals 191, 191, 191 of the relay connector 189 are connected to the respective terminal portions of the first board 186.

[0306] The number of connection terminals 191 of the relay connector 189 may be two or four, depending on the number of connection terminals 141 of the internal connector 139 in the power feeder 116 .

[0307] A connection connector 192 is disposed in the placement recess 169 of the housing 151 (see Figs. 71 and 74). The connection connector 192 is disposed in the center in the left-right direction of the housing 151. The connection connector 192 is a part that is connected to an electrode terminal of an imaging device or the like, and functions as a terminal part.

[0308] The connecting connector 192 has a housing 193 formed of a non-conductive material and connecting terminals 194, 194, 194 formed of a conductive material, and the connecting terminals 194, 194, 194 are held in the housing 193 with at least a portion of them positioned in terminal arranging grooves 195, 195, 195 formed in the housing 193, respectively.

[0309] The connection terminal 194 has a pair of contact portions in which one end of a metal piece branches off to the left and right from a specified portion, and the pair of contact portions are arranged in the terminal arrangement groove 195 in a contacting or close proximity state with their tips having elasticity in the direction of contacting each other.

[0310] The connection terminals 194, 194, 194 function as a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and an information terminal, respectively, and are arranged such that the positive terminal, the information terminal, and the negative terminal are lined up in order in the left-right direction, or the positive terminal, the information terminal, and the negative terminal are lined up in order from the right side.

[0311] The terminal arrangement grooves 195 are open forward and downward and are formed spaced apart on the left and right. The housing 193 is formed with positioning grooves 196, 196 that are open forward and downward, respectively, on the outer sides of the terminal arrangement grooves 195 in the left-right direction.

[0312] The surface of terminal arrangement groove 195 closest to top surface 155 and the surface of positioning groove 196 closest to top surface 155 are formed as inner bottom surfaces 195a, 196a, respectively, and the inner bottom surfaces 195a, 196a are positioned approximately the same in the up-down direction. The inner bottom surfaces 195a, 196a are positioned below step surface 164. Also, the inner bottom surfaces 195a, 196a are positioned below upper edge 168a of guided groove 168 and above lower edge 168b of guided groove 168.

[0313] The connection terminals 194 are elastically deformable in the approximately left-right direction, and are held in the housing 193 while being inserted into the terminal arrangement grooves 195 .

[0314] The number of connection terminals 194 of the connection connector 192 may be two or four, depending on the number of connection terminals 191 of the relay connector 189 .

[0315] When two connection terminals 194, 194 are provided, the two connection terminals 194, 194 function as a positive terminal and a negative terminal, respectively, and are arranged so that the positive terminal and the negative terminal are lined up from the left side or the positive terminal and the negative terminal are lined up from the right side. Furthermore, the connection connector 192 may be provided with four terminal arrangement grooves 195, 195, ... and four connection terminals 194, 194, ... When four connection terminals 194, 194, ... are provided, the four connection terminals 194, 194, ... function as a positive terminal, a negative terminal, an information terminal, and a communication terminal, respectively, and are arranged in the following order from the left: a positive terminal, an information terminal, a communication terminal, and a negative terminal, arranged in the following order from the right: a positive terminal, an information terminal, a communication terminal, and a negative terminal, arranged in the following order from the left: a positive terminal, a communication terminal, an information terminal, and a negative terminal, arranged in the following order from the left: or a positive terminal, a communication terminal, an information terminal, and a negative terminal, arranged in the following order from the right.

[0316] One end of each of the connection terminals 194, 194, 194 is connected to a corresponding terminal portion of the second board 187. Therefore, the connection terminals 194, 194, 194 of the connecting connector 192 are connected to the connection terminals 191, 191, 191 of the relay connector 189 via the second board 187, the electric wires 188, 188, 188, and the first board 186, respectively.

[0317] As described above, in adapter 150, the surface that forms placement recess 169 of housing 151 is formed as recess forming surface 171, and an intermediate portion 171c, which is part of recess forming surface 171, is present between front surface 158 of outer surface 154 and connection connector 192.

[0318] Therefore, since connector 192 is positioned inside housing 151 relative to front surface 158 of housing 151, the occurrence of damage or scratches to connector 192 in the event of being dropped or the like can be reduced.

[0319] In particular, since the impact force of a drop is unlikely to be transmitted to the connection connector 192, cracks are unlikely to occur in the solder used to connect the connection terminal 194 to a circuit board, etc., and the occurrence of poor electrical connection can be reduced.

[0320] Furthermore, since the occurrence of breakage or scratches on connector 192 is reduced, connection terminals 194 are less likely to be exposed from housing 193, and the high quality of connector 192 can be ensured.

[0321] Although the above describes an example in which connection connector 192 is positioned rearward of front surface 158 of housing 151, connection connector 192 may be positioned above bottom surface 156 of housing 151, for example.

[0322] Even when connection connector 192 is positioned above bottom surface 156 of housing 151 in this manner, the occurrence of breakage or damage to connection connector 192 in the event of being dropped or the like can be further reduced.

[0323] <Attaching and detaching the power supply unit from the adapter> As described above, the power supply device 116 can be attached to the battery attachment section 101 formed on the type A imaging device 100, and can also be used while attached to the adapter 150.

[0324] The power supply unit 116 is inserted into the adapter 150 from the rear (see FIG. 62 and FIG. 80). At this time, the upper inclined edges 163a, 163a and the lower inclined edges 163b, 163b formed on the rear opening edge 163 of the housing 151 in the adapter 150 are all inclined linearly, the upper inclined surfaces 126, 126 and the lower inclined surfaces 127, 127 of the power supply unit 116 are all formed flat, and the upper inclined edges 163a, 163a and the upper inclined surfaces 126, 126 and the lower inclined edges 163b, 163b and the lower inclined surfaces 127, 127 are formed in shapes that do not interfere with each other (see FIG. 81). Therefore, the power supply unit 116 is smoothly inserted from the rear opening edge 163 of the adapter 150.

[0325] When power feeder 116 is inserted into adapter 150, side surfaces 123, 123 are slid against pressing portions 185a, 185a of pressing plate 183 of adapter 150, respectively, and pressing surfaces 185, 185 are pushed apart in directions separating them from each other (see FIG. 82). Therefore, pressing surfaces 185, 185 are elastically deformed in directions separating them from each other.

[0326] At this time, locking protrusion 181 of locking lever 178 in adapter 150 is sequentially inserted relatively from introduction portion 129a to insertion portion 129b of locking recess 129 in power supply unit 116, and inclined surface 130a of locked claw 130 slides against sliding surface 181a of locking protrusion 181 of locking lever 178, so that locking lever 178 and slide plate 182 move together to one side against the spring force.

[0327] Furthermore, when power supply device 116 is inserted into the back side of adapter 150 and inclined surface 130a of locking claw 130 passes over sliding surface 181a of locking projection 181, lock lever 178 and slide plate 182 are moved together to the other side by the biasing force of the spring, and engaging surface 181b of locking projection 181 is engaged with regulated surface 130b of locking claw 130 (see FIG. 83). Therefore, rearward movement of power supply device 116 relative to adapter 150 is restricted by lock lever 178, and power supply device 116 is locked to adapter 150 (see FIGS. 83 and 84).

[0328] When power feeder 116 is locked to adapter 150, front surface 124 of power feeder 116 is pressed against receiving piece 184a of pressing plate 183 of adapter 150, causing receiving piece 184a to be elastically deformed (see FIG. 83). Pressing surfaces 185, 185 are pressed against side surfaces 123, 123 of power feeder 116 with pressing portions 185a, 185a being elastically deformed. Therefore, power feeder 116 is pressed from the front and sides by receiving piece 184a and pressing portions 185a, 185a of pressing plate 183, respectively, and is held and attached to adapter 150 in a stably state.

[0329] In the state where power supply device 116 is attached to adapter 150 as described above, connection terminals 141, 141, 141 of internal connector 139 in power supply device 116 are respectively connected to connection terminals 191, 191, 191 of relay connector 189 in adapter 150. Therefore, connection terminals 141, 141, 141 of internal connector 139 are respectively connected to connection terminals 194, 194, 194 of connection connector 192 via connection terminals 191, 191, 191 of relay connector 189, first board 186, electric wires 188, 188, 188, and second board 187.

[0330] The adapter 150 to which the power supply device 116 is attached as described above is inserted into a battery attachment section 201 formed in the type B imaging device 200 and attached (see FIG. 85). The type B imaging device 200 includes the imaging device 50 described above. The imaging device 200 corresponds to, for example, the medium power camera described above (see FIG. 51).

[0331] The power feeder 116 can be connected to a commercial power source via a cable 300 and a connector (not shown). In this case, power is supplied from the commercial power source to the imaging device 200 via the connector, cable 300, power feeder 116, and adapter 150.

[0332] Furthermore, the power supply device 116 is attached to the battery attachment section 201 of the image capture device 200 while being connected via a cable 300 to a charger 110 in which one or more batteries 1 (1A, 1B, 1C) are attached, and is capable of supplying power from one or more batteries 1 (1A, 1B, 1C) to the image capture device 200. When multiple batteries 1 (1A, 1B, 1C) are attached to the charger 110, it is possible to increase the amount and duration of power supply to the image capture device 200, which is suitable for long-term shooting or video shooting.

[0333] When the adapter 150 is attached to the battery mounting portion 201 of the imaging device 200 as described above, guide protrusions (not shown) of the battery mounting portion 201 are inserted into the guided grooves 168, 168 of the adapter 150, and an identification protrusion (not shown) of the battery mounting portion 201 is inserted into the identification groove 172 of the adapter 150.

[0334] As described above, in adapter 150, walls 171b, 171b are formed on the front side of connector 192 for connection, and are formed as inclined surfaces that are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction as they extend forward.

[0335] Therefore, when the adapter 150 is inserted into the battery mounting portion 201 of the imaging device 200 , the connector provided inside the imaging device 200 is guided by the walls 171 b , 171 b and approaches the connecting connector 192 .

[0336] In this way, the walls 171b, 171b function as guide surfaces when the adapter 150 is inserted into the battery mounting portion 201, so that a good connection state of the connection connector 192 to the battery mounting portion 201 of the imaging device 200 can be ensured.

[0337] On the other hand, when attempting to mount the adapter 150 in the battery mounting portion 83 of the charger 80 described above, since the adapter 150 has the identification groove 172 formed only on the left side of the connection connector 192, the front surface 159 of the housing 151 comes into contact with the identification protrusion 90 provided on the right side of the terminal connection portion 93 in the battery mounting portion 83, restricting the mounting of the adapter 150 in the battery mounting portion 83. Furthermore, since the adapter 150 has no other guided grooves or insertion grooves formed on the groove forming surfaces 165, 165 behind the guided grooves 168, 168, the bottom surface 156 of the housing 151 comes into contact with the second guide engagement portions 88, 88 and the third guide engagement portions 89, 89, restricting the mounting of the adapter 150 in the battery mounting portion 83.

[0338] Therefore, the adapter 150 cannot be attached to the battery attachment section 83 of the charger 80, and erroneous attachment of the adapter 150 to the charger 80 is prevented.

[0339] In adapter 150, a notch 151a is formed in housing 151 by step surface 164 and a groove forming surface 165 that is continuous with bottom surface 156, and a guided groove 168 that opens into groove forming surface 165 is formed, and guided groove 168 is positioned closer to bottom surface 156 than step surface 164.

[0340] Therefore, since guided groove 168 and step surface 164 are not positioned contiguous, and part of groove forming surface 165 is positioned between guided groove 168 and step surface 164, groove forming surface 165 and step surface 164 are positioned on the inside of housing 151 compared to when guided groove 168 and step surface 164 are positioned contiguous, and adapter 150 can be made smaller.

[0341] Furthermore, in the adapter 150, an identification groove 172 for identifying an imaging device or the like is formed in the housing 151, and the identification groove 172 has a plurality of identification portions of different lengths formed in succession.

[0342] Therefore, since there is no part separating the multiple identification parts of different lengths, the size of the identification groove 172 in the direction in which the identification parts continue becomes the combined size of the multiple identification parts, making it possible to miniaturize the adapter 150 while ensuring high identification ability.

[0343] <Another battery configuration> Next, the configuration of a battery 210 different from the above-mentioned batteries 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C will be described (see Figs. 86 to 88). The battery 210 corresponds to, for example, the above-mentioned small-capacity battery 1B (see Fig. 49).

[0344] Battery 210 is configured by arranging required parts inside and outside housing 217. Battery 210 has an outer shape smaller than those of batteries 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C, and is approximately the same size as the outer shape of power feeder 116.

[0345] Housing 217 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is configured by joining case cover (upper case) 218 ​​and storage case (lower case) 219 at the top and bottom. Case cover 218 is formed in a box shape that opens downward. Storage case 219 is formed in a box shape that opens upward. When case cover 218 and storage case 219 are joined at the top and bottom to form housing 217, the internal space of housing 217 is formed as a storage space.

[0346] The outer surface 220 of the housing 217 has a top surface 221, a bottom surface 222, side surfaces 223, 223, a front surface 224, and a rear surface 225, and the size in the front-rear direction (length direction) is larger than the size in the left-right direction (width direction), and the size in the left-right direction (width direction) is larger than the size in the up-down direction (height direction). The housing 217 has upper inclined surfaces 226, 226 formed between the top surface 221 and the side surfaces 223, 223, respectively. The upper inclined surfaces 226, 226 are displaced downward as they approach the side surfaces 223, 223 from the top surface 221. The lower inclined surfaces 227, 227 are formed between the bottom surface 222 and the side surfaces 223, 223, respectively. The lower inclined surfaces 227, 227 are displaced upward as they approach the side surfaces 223, 223 from the bottom surface 222. The upper inclined surfaces 226, 226 are formed in a flat shape, and the lower inclined surfaces 227, 227 are formed in a gently curved shape that protrudes outward.

[0347] The top surface 221, the bottom surface 222, the side surfaces 223, 223, the front surface 224, the rear surface 225, the upper inclined surfaces 226, 226 and the lower inclined surfaces 227, 227 are all formed as exterior surfaces 228, 228, . . .

[0348] Insertion notches 217a, 217a are formed spaced apart on the left and right at the front end of the upper end of the housing 217. The insertion notches 217a, 217a are formed at both left and right ends of the housing 217. The insertion notches 217a, 217a are open forward, upward, and outward in the left-right direction.

[0349] A connector 229 is disposed at the front end portion at the top end portion of the housing 217. The connector 229 is disposed in approximately one half of the left or right side of the housing 217. The connector 229 is a portion that is connected to electrode terminals of an imaging device or the like, functions as a terminal portion, and has at least a positive terminal and a negative terminal.

[0350] Connector 229 has housing 230 formed from a non-conductive material and connection terminals 231, 231, 231 formed from a conductive material, and connection terminals 231, 231, 231 are held in housing 230 with at least a portion of each being disposed in terminal arrangement grooves 232, 232, 232 formed in housing 230. Connection terminal 231 has a pair of contact portions branched to the left and right from a predetermined portion of one end of a metal piece, and the pair of contact portions are disposed in terminal arrangement groove 232 in a state in which their tips are elastic in the direction of contact with each other and are in contact or close to each other.

[0351] The connection terminals 231, 231, 231 function as a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and an information terminal, respectively, and are arranged such that the positive terminal, the information terminal, and the negative terminal are lined up in order in the left-right direction, or the positive terminal, the information terminal, and the negative terminal are lined up in order from the right side.

[0352] The information terminal is used for a connected device or the like to recognize the internal temperature of the battery 210, and is also used for a connected device or the like to recognize various information about the battery 210, such as the remaining charge of the battery 210, deterioration information, etc.

[0353] The connector 229 may be provided with two terminal arrangement grooves 232, 232 and two connection terminals 231, 231. When two connection terminals 231, 231 are provided, the two connection terminals 231, 231 function as a positive terminal and a negative terminal, respectively, and are arranged such that the positive terminal and the negative terminal are lined up from the left side or the positive terminal and the negative terminal are lined up from the right side. The connector 229 may be provided with four terminal arrangement grooves 232, 232, ... and four connection terminals 231, 231, ... When four connection terminals 231, 231,... are provided, the four connection terminals 231, 231,... respectively function as a positive terminal, a negative terminal, an information terminal, and a communication terminal, and are arranged in the following order from the left: a positive terminal, an information terminal, a communication terminal, and a negative terminal arranged in the following order from the right: a positive terminal, an information terminal, a communication terminal, and a negative terminal arranged in the following order from the left: a positive terminal, an information terminal, a communication terminal, and a negative terminal arranged in the following order from the left: or a positive terminal, an information terminal, a communication terminal, and a negative terminal arranged in the following order from the right. The communication terminals are used by a connected device or the like to recognize various information about the battery 210, such as the remaining charge and deterioration information of the battery 210, and in this case the information terminals are used exclusively to inform the imaging device or the like of temperature information.

[0354] The terminal arrangement grooves 232, 232, 232 are formed to be open forward and upward and spaced apart on the left and right. The housing 230 is formed with positioning grooves 233, 233 that are open forward and upward, respectively, on the outer sides of the terminal arrangement grooves 232, 232, 232 in the left-right direction.

[0355] Connector 229 has connection terminals 231 , 231 , 231 having one end connected to a circuit board (not shown) arranged inside housing 217 .

[0356] The battery 210 configured as described above is inserted into and attached to the battery attachment section 101 formed in the type A imaging device 100. As described above, the power feeder 116 can also be attached to the battery attachment section 101 formed in the type A imaging device 100, and the type A imaging device 100 can be used using the power feeder 116 or the battery 210.

[0357] Furthermore, the battery 210 is charged by a charger (not shown) compatible with the battery 210.

[0358] <Configure another adapter> Next, the configuration of the adapter 250 will be described (see FIGS. 89 to 96).

[0359] The adapter 250 is configured by arranging the required parts inside and outside a housing 251. The outer shape of the adapter 250 is approximately the same size as the outer shapes of the above-mentioned adapter 150 and batteries 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C.

[0360] The housing 251 is formed in a box shape that opens to the rear, and is formed by joining a case cover (upper case) 252 and a storage case (lower case) 253 at the top and bottom. The case cover 252 is formed in a box shape that opens downward and backward. The storage case 253 is formed in a box shape that opens upward except for the rear end, and the rear end is provided as an annular part 253a that is penetrated from the front to the rear. The case cover 252 is joined from above to the part of the storage case 253 that opens upward. When the case cover 252 and the storage case 253 are joined to form the housing 251, the internal space of the housing 251 is formed as a storage space.

[0361] The housing 251 has an outer surface 254 having a top surface 255, a bottom surface 256, side surfaces 257, 257, a front surface 258, and a rear surface 259, and the size in the front-to-rear direction (length direction) is larger than the size in the left-to-right direction (width direction), which is larger than the size in the up-to-down direction (height direction). The housing 251 has inclined surfaces 260, 260 formed between the top surface 255 and the side surfaces 257, 257, respectively. The inclined surfaces 260, 260 are displaced downward as they approach the side surfaces 257, 257 from the top surface 255. The opening edge formed on the rear surface 259 is formed as a rear opening edge 263.

[0362] The top surface 255, the bottom surface 256, the side surfaces 257, 257, the front surface 258, the rear surface 259, and the inclined surfaces 260, 260 are all formed as exterior surfaces 261, 261, . . .

[0363] Insertion protrusions 262, 262 are provided spaced apart on the left and right sides at the upper end on the inner surface side of the housing 251. The insertion protrusions 262, 262 are located at both left and right ends of the front end, and protrude rearward.

[0364] Upper inclined edges 263a, 263a are formed at the upper end of the rear opening edge 263 of the housing 251, spaced apart from each other on the left and right, and lower inclined edges 263b, 263b are formed at the lower end of the rear opening edge 263, spaced apart from each other on the left and right. The upper inclined edges 263a, 263a are formed at both left and right ends of the rear opening edge 263, and are linearly inclined so as to displace upward as they approach each other. The lower inclined edges 263b, 263b are formed at both left and right ends of the rear opening edge 263, and are linearly inclined so as to displace downward as they approach each other.

[0365] Notches 251a, 251a are formed on both the left and right sides at the lower end of the housing 251. The notch 251a is open to the side (left or right), downward, front and rear, and is formed by a step surface 264 that faces downward and extends forward and backward, and a groove forming surface 265 that faces laterally and extends forward and backward. The outer edge of the step surface 264 is continuous with the lower edge of the side surface 257. The upper edge of the groove forming surface 265 is continuous with the inner edge of the step surface 264, and the lower edge is continuous with the side edge of the bottom surface 256. The step surface 264 and the groove forming surface 265 are each formed continuously from the front surface 258 to the rear surface 259.

[0366] The step surface 264 and the bottom surface 256 are formed as planes that are approximately parallel to each other, and the portion of the groove forming surface 265 other than its front end and the side surface 257 are formed as planes that are approximately parallel to each other. The front ends of the groove forming surfaces 265, 265 are formed as outwardly convex curved surfaces 265a, 265a that displace in the direction toward each other as they approach the front surface 258.

[0367] As described above, the front ends of the groove forming surfaces 265, 265 of the adapter 250 are formed as curved surfaces 265a, 265a, respectively, so that stress concentration is unlikely to occur and in the unlikely event of a fall, the adapter is unlikely to come into contact with the ground, etc., thereby absorbing impact and reducing the occurrence of breakage.

[0368] The housing 2 is composed of a main body 266 which is a portion above an imaginary plane including the step surfaces 264, 264, and a bottom 267 which is a portion below this imaginary plane. The step surfaces 264, 264 are included in the main body 266. The left-right width of the bottom 267 is smaller than that of the main body 266, and the distance between the side surfaces 257, 257 in the left-right direction is greater than the distance between the groove forming surfaces 265, 265.

[0369] A first guided groove 268, 268, a second guided groove 269, 269, and a third guided groove 270, 270 are formed at a distance from each other on both the left and right sides of the bottom 267, in that order from the front side. The first guided groove 268, the second guided groove 269, and the third guided groove 270 all open to the groove forming surface 265.

[0370] The first guided groove 268 is formed at the front end of the bottom 267 and is open to the side and front. The second guided groove 269 extends in the front-rear direction and is open to the side. The third guided groove 270 extends in the front-rear direction and is open to the side. The third guided groove 270 may also be open to the rear.

[0371] On both the left and right sides of the bottom 267, insertion grooves 271, 271 and insertion grooves 272, 272 are formed at a distance from each other in order from the front side. Both insertion grooves 271 and 272 are open to the groove forming surface 265. The insertion groove 271 is open to the sides, upper and lower, and the upper opening is connected to approximately the front half of the second guided groove 269. The insertion groove 272 is open to the sides, upper and lower, and the upper opening is connected to approximately the front half of the third guided groove 270.

[0372] The portions between the lower edges 268b, 268b of the first guided grooves 268, 268 and the bottom surface 256 in the housing 251 are provided as first engagement claws 251p, 251p, the portions between the lower edges 269b, 269b of the second guided grooves 269, 269 and the bottom surface 256 in the housing 251 are provided as second engagement claws 251q, 251q, and the portions between the lower edges 270b, 270b of the third guided grooves 270, 270 and the bottom surface 256 in the housing 251 are provided as third engagement claws 251r, 251r. Both the first engagement claw 251p and the second engagement claw 251q are positioned closer to the front surface 258 than the center in the front-rear direction of the housing 251, and the third engagement claw 251r is positioned closer to the rear surface 259 than the center in the front-rear direction of the housing 251.

[0373] An arrangement recess 273 is formed at the front end of the bottom 267. The arrangement recess 273 is formed in approximately the center in the left-right direction and is open forward and downward. An arrangement hole 274 is formed in the housing 251, which is connected to a portion of the arrangement recess 273 excluding the front end and penetrates vertically.

[0374] An upper edge 268a of the first guided groove 268, an upper edge 269a of the second guided groove 269, and an upper edge 270a of the third guided groove 270 are all located below the step surface 264, and a part of the groove forming surface 265 exists between the first guided groove 268 and the step surface 264, between the second guided groove 269 and the step surface 264, and between the third guided groove 270 and the step surface 264. Therefore, the distance from the lower end of the groove forming surface 265 to the upper edge 268a of the first guided groove 268, the distance from the lower end of the groove forming surface 265 to the upper edge 269a of the second guided groove 269, and the distance from the lower end of the groove forming surface 265 to the upper edge 270a of the third guided groove 270 are all smaller than the distance from the upper end to the lower end of the groove forming surface 265. Furthermore, the vertical distance (groove width) between the first guided groove 268, the second guided groove 269, and the third guided groove 270 may be greater or smaller than the distance from the upper end of the groove forming surface 265 to the upper edges 268a, 269a, and 270a, and the vertical distance between the first guided groove 268, the second guided groove 269, and the third guided groove 270 may be the same as the distance from the upper end of the groove forming surface 265 to the upper edges 268a, 269a, and 270a. The lower edge 268b of the first guided groove 268, the lower edge 269b of the second guided groove 269, and the lower edge 270b of the third guided groove 270 are all positioned above the lower edge of the groove forming surface 265, and are positioned the same in the vertical direction.

[0375] The placement recess 273 is formed by a recess forming surface 275 (see FIG. 96). The recess forming surface 275 is composed of a base portion 275a, a wall portion 275b, and a middle portion 275c.

[0376] The base portion 275a is formed in a U-shape that opens forward and faces the horizontal direction. The walls 275b, 275b are each continuous with the front end of the base portion 275a and are formed as inclined surfaces that are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction as they move forward. That is, the left wall portion 275b is formed as an inclined surface that approaches the left side surface 257 as it moves forward, and the right wall portion 275b is formed as an inclined surface that approaches the right side surface 257 as it moves forward. In addition, in the walls 275b, 275b, one wall portion 275b may be formed as an inclined surface, and the other wall portion 275b may be formed as a surface that faces left or right without being inclined. The middle portion 275c faces downward and is formed between the upper edges of the walls 275b, 275b. The walls 275b, 275b are inclined, for example, 45 degrees with respect to the surface facing the left-right direction. The intermediate portion 275c is positioned below the step surface 264 and is positioned at approximately the same height as the upper edges 268a, 269a, 270a of the first guided groove 268, the second guided groove 269, and the third guided groove 270, or is positioned slightly below the upper edges 268a, 269a, 270a. However, the intermediate portion 275c may be positioned above the upper edges 268a, 269a, 270a.

[0377] Furthermore, wall portion 271b may be formed in a shape consisting of a first inclined surface, an intermediate surface continuing from the first inclined surface, and a second inclined surface continuing from the intermediate surface, similar to wall portion 29d (see Figures 57 and 58) provided on the recess forming surface 29A described above.

[0378] Identification grooves 276, 276 are formed at a distance from each other on the left and right sides at the front end of the bottom 267. The identification groove 276 serves as a functional groove having a predetermined function, for example, identifying the type of imaging device, etc. The functional groove is not limited to the identification groove 276, and instead of the identification groove 276, a groove having a function other than identification, such as a positioning groove for positioning the imaging device, etc. or a detection groove for detecting the connection state of the imaging device, etc., may be formed as the functional groove.

[0379] However, since the specified function is an identification function for identifying the type of imaging device, etc., the type of imaging device, etc. is identified by the functional groove, and when the battery is attached to the imaging device, etc., or when the battery is not attached to the imaging device, etc., the type of imaging device, etc. to which the battery is connected can be easily identified.

[0380] The predetermined function may be a function for identifying the type of the adapter itself.

[0381] The discrimination grooves 276, 276 are formed on opposite sides of the arrangement recess 273. The discrimination groove 276 is formed by a first discrimination portion 277 and a second discrimination portion 278, which have different lengths in the front and rear, being continuously formed in the left-right direction.

[0382] The first discrimination portion 277 and the second discrimination portion 278 have roles as a first functional portion and a second functional portion, respectively.

[0383] The surface that faces downward and is located on the upper side of the surfaces that form the discrimination groove 276 is formed as an inner bottom surface 276a. The inner bottom surface 276a is located below the intermediate portion 275c, which is the surface that faces downward and is located on the upper side of the recess forming surface 275. Therefore, the vertical depth of the discrimination groove 276 is shallower than the vertical depth of the placement recess 273. In addition, the inner bottom surface 276a is located below the upper edges 268a, 269a, 270a of the first guided groove 268, the second guided groove 269, and the third guided groove 270 and the step surface 264. Furthermore, the inner bottom surface 276a is located above the lower edges 268b, 269b, 270b of the first guided groove 268, the second guided groove 269, and the third guided groove 270. However, the inner bottom surface 276a may be positioned lower than the lower edges 268b, 269b, and 270b, or may be positioned at the same height as the lower edges 268b, 269b, and 270b.

[0384] Of the surfaces forming the discrimination groove 276, the surface facing forward and located on the rear side of the first discrimination portion 277 is formed as a deep bottom surface 277a, and the surface facing forward and located on the rear side of the second discrimination portion 278 is formed as a deep bottom surface 278a. The deep bottom surfaces 277a and 278a are positioned forward of the rearmost forward-facing surface of the base portion 275a among the recess forming surface 275, and are positioned rearward of the front surface of the connector 229. In addition, the deep bottom surfaces 277a and 278a are positioned forward of the rear edge of the first guided groove 268. However, the deep bottom surfaces 277a and 278a may be positioned rearward of the rear edge of the first guided groove 268, or may be at the same position as the rear edge of the first guided groove 268 in the front-rear direction.

[0385] First distinguishable portion 277 has a longer front-to-rear length than second distinguishable portion 278, with rear bottom surface 277a positioned slightly rearward of rear bottom surface 278a, and first distinguishable portion 277 positioned closer to arrangement recess 273 than second distinguishable portion 278. Second distinguishable portion 278 has a smaller left-to-right width than first distinguishable portion 277.

[0386] A relay connector 279 is attached to the front end on the inner surface side of the housing 251 (see Figures 89, 90, and 95). The relay connector 279 is disposed at a position toward the upper end inside the housing 251, and is the part to which the connector 229 of the battery 210 is connected, and functions as a terminal part.

[0387] The relay connector 279 has a housing 280 formed from a non-conductive material and connection terminals 281, 281, 281 formed from a conductive material.

[0388] The relay connector 279 may be provided with two or four connection terminals 281 in accordance with the number of connection terminals 231 of the connector 229 in the battery 210 .

[0389] A connection connector 282 is disposed in the placement recess 273 of the housing 251 (see Figs. 93, 94, and 96). The connection connector 282 is a portion that is connected to the electrode terminals of an imaging device or the like, functions as a terminal portion, and has at least a positive terminal and a negative terminal.

[0390] The connecting connector 282 has a housing 283 formed from a non-conductive material and connecting terminals 284, 284, 284 formed from a conductive material, and the connecting terminals 284, 284, 284 are held in the housing 283 with at least a portion thereof disposed in terminal arrangement grooves 285, 285, 285 formed in the housing 283. The connecting terminal 284 has a pair of contact portions branched to the left and right from a predetermined portion of one end of a metal piece, and the pair of contact portions are disposed in the terminal arrangement groove 285 in a state in which the tips have elasticity in the direction of contact with each other and are in contact or close to each other.

[0391] The connection terminals 284, 284, 284 function as a positive terminal, a negative terminal, and an information terminal, respectively, and are arranged such that the positive terminal, the information terminal, and the negative terminal are lined up from the left side, or the positive terminal, the information terminal, and the negative terminal are lined up from the right side.

[0392] The terminal arrangement grooves 285 are open forward and downward and are formed spaced apart on the left and right. The housing 283 is formed with positioning grooves 286, 286 that are open forward and downward, respectively, on the outer sides of the terminal arrangement grooves 285 in the left-right direction.

[0393] The surface of the terminal arrangement groove 285 closest to the top surface 255 and the surface of the positioning groove 286 closest to the top surface 255 are formed as inner bottom surfaces 285a, 286a, respectively, and the inner bottom surfaces 285a, 286a are positioned approximately the same in the up-down direction. The inner bottom surfaces 285a, 286a are positioned below the step surface 264. Also, the inner bottom surfaces 285a, 286a are positioned below the upper edge 268a of the guided groove 268 and above the lower edge 268b of the guided groove 268.

[0394] The connection terminals 284 are elastically deformable in the approximately left-right direction, and are held by the housing 283 in a state where they are inserted into the terminal arrangement grooves 285 .

[0395] The connection connector 282 may be provided with two or four connection terminals 284 in accordance with the number of connection terminals 281 of the relay connector 279 .

[0396] When two connection terminals 284, 284 are provided, the two connection terminals 284, 284 function as a positive terminal and a negative terminal, respectively, and are arranged so that the positive terminal and the negative terminal are lined up from the left side or the positive terminal and the negative terminal are lined up from the right side. In addition, the connection connector 282 may be provided with four terminal arrangement grooves 285, 285, ... and four connection terminals 284, 284, .... When four connection terminals 284, 284, ... are provided, the four connection terminals 284, 284, ... function as a positive terminal, a negative terminal, an information terminal, and a communication terminal, respectively, and are arranged in the following order from the left: a positive terminal, an information terminal, a communication terminal, and a negative terminal, arranged in the following order from the right: a positive terminal, an information terminal, a communication terminal, and a negative terminal, arranged in the following order from the left: a positive terminal, a communication terminal, an information terminal, and a negative terminal, arranged in the following order from the left: or a positive terminal, a communication terminal, an information terminal, and a negative terminal, arranged in the following order from the right.

[0397] Connection terminals 284, 284, 284 of connecting connector 282 and connection terminals 281, 281, 281 of relay connector 279 are connected by flexible printed wiring board 287 (see FIG. 97). Note that connection terminals 284, 284, 284 of connecting connector 282 and connection terminals 281, 281, 281 of relay connector 279 may be connected by a board, electric wires, etc.

[0398] <Attaching and detaching the battery from the adapter> As described above, the battery 210 can be attached to the battery attachment section 101 formed on the type A imaging device 100, and can also be used while attached to the adapter 250.

[0399] The battery 210 is inserted into the adapter 250 from the rear. At this time, the battery 210 is smoothly inserted from the rear opening edge 263 of the adapter 250 in a state in which the upper inclined edges 263a, 263a formed on the rear opening edge 263 of the housing 251 of the adapter 250 correspond to the upper inclined surfaces 226, 226 of the battery 210 and the lower inclined edges 263b, 263b correspond to the lower inclined surfaces 227, 227.

[0400] When the battery 210 is inserted into the rear side of the adapter 250, the insertion protrusions 262, 262 of the housing 251 are relatively inserted into the insertion cutouts 217a, 217a formed in the front end of the housing 217 of the battery 210. Therefore, the insertion of the battery 210 into the adapter 250 is not restricted, and the battery 210 is held and attached to the adapter 250.

[0401] In the state where the battery 210 is attached to the adapter 250 as described above, the connection terminals 231, 231, 231 of the connector 229 of the battery 210 are respectively connected to the connection terminals 281, 281, 281 of the relay connector 279 of the adapter 250. Therefore, the connection terminals 231, 231, 231 of the connector 229 are respectively connected to the connection terminals 281, 281, 281 of the relay connector 279 and the connection terminals 284, 284, 284 of the connection connector 282 via the flexible printed wiring board 287.

[0402] The adapter 250 with the battery 210 attached thereto as described above is inserted into a battery attachment section 201 formed in the type B imaging device 200 and attached thereto (see FIG. 98). The type B imaging device 200 includes the imaging device 50 described above.

[0403] The battery 210 is attached to the battery attachment section 101 of the image capture device 100 and supplies power to the image capture device 100 .

[0404] The adapter 250 with the battery 210 attached thereto is attached to the battery attachment section 201 of the image capturing device 200 , and power is supplied from the battery 210 to the image capturing device 200 via the adapter 250 .

[0405] When the adapter 250 is attached to the battery mounting portion 201 of the imaging device 200, guide protrusions (not shown) of the battery mounting portion 201 are inserted into the first guide grooves 268, 268 of the adapter 250, respectively, and identification protrusions (not shown) of the battery mounting portion 201 are inserted into the identification grooves 272, 272 of the adapter 250.

[0406] On the other hand, when the above-mentioned power supply device 116 is inserted into the adapter 250, since the power supply device 116 does not have any notches corresponding to the insertion notches 217a, 217a formed in the battery 210, the front surface 224 of the power supply device 116 comes into contact with the insertion protrusions 262, 262, and the connection terminals 136, 136, 136 of the external connector 134 do not come into contact with the connection terminals 281, 281, 281 of the relay connector 279 in the adapter 250.

[0407] Therefore, the connection terminals 136, 136, 136 are not connected to the connection terminals 281, 281, 281, and the power feeder 116 cannot be attached to the adapter 250, so that erroneous attachment of the power feeder 116 to the adapter 250 is prevented.

[0408] Furthermore, when attempting to insert the battery 210 into the adapter 150, because the lower inclined surfaces 227, 227 of the battery 210 are formed as gently curved surfaces that convex outward and the lower inclined edges 163b, 163b of the rear opening edge 163 of the adapter 150 are linear, the front ends of the lower inclined surfaces 227, 227 interfere with the lower inclined edges 163b, 163b (see FIG. 99). Therefore, the battery 210 is not inserted into the adapter 150, and erroneous insertion of the battery 210 into the adapter 150 is prevented.

[0409] On the other hand, since the adapter 250 has first guided grooves 268, 268, second guided grooves 269, 269, and third guided grooves 270, 270 formed on the bottom 267, it is possible to attach the adapter 250 to the battery mounting portion 83 of the charger 80 in the same manner as the above-mentioned battery 1, etc.

[0410] In a state where the adapter 250 is attached to the battery attachment section 83, the opening edges of the first guided grooves 268, 268 are engaged with the first guide engagement sections 87, 87, the opening edges of the second guided grooves 269, 269 are engaged with the second guide engagement sections 88, 88, and the opening edges of the third guided grooves 270, 270 are engaged with the engagement sections 89a, 89a of the third guide engagement sections 89, 89. Thus, the upper edge of the first engagement claw section 251p is engaged with at least a part of the lower edge of the first guide engagement section 87, the upper edge of the second engagement claw section 251q is engaged with at least a part of the lower edge of the second guide engagement section 88, and the upper edge of the third engagement claw section 251r is engaged with at least a part of the lower edge of the third guide engagement section 89.

[0411] Furthermore, when the adaptor 250 is attached to the battery mounting section 83, the connection terminals 284, 284, 284 of the connector 282 are connected to the electrode terminals 95, 95, 95 of the terminal connection section 93 arranged in the battery mounting section 83, respectively.

[0412] In this way, the adapter 250 can be attached to the battery attachment portion 83 of the charger 80, so that the battery 210 attached to the adapter 250 can be charged by the charger 80. Charging of the battery 210 from the charger 80 is performed via the terminal connection portion 93 of the charger 80, the connection connector 282 of the adapter 250, the relay connector 279 of the adapter 250, and the connector 229 of the battery 210.

[0413] Furthermore, depending on the sizes of the first guide engagement portions 87, 87, the second guide engagement portions 88, 88, and the third guide engagement portions 89, 89 of the charger 80, and the sizes of the first guided grooves 268, 268, the second guided grooves 269, 269, and the third guided grooves 270, 270 of the adapter 250, etc., it is possible that the adapter 250 may not be attached to the charger 80 smoothly.

[0414] In such a case, as shown in FIG. 100, it is possible to change the size and shape of the first guided grooves 268, 268, the second guided grooves 269, 269, and the third guided grooves 270, 270 of the adapter 250 so that the adapter 250 can be smoothly attached to the charger 80.

[0415] Furthermore, the battery 210 that can be attached to the adapter 250 and used is smaller than the battery 1, etc., and has a smaller maximum charging capacity than the battery 1, etc., so there is a possibility that the amount of current supplied to the imaging device 200 will be insufficient.

[0416] In order to make up for such a shortage in the amount of current, capacitors 288, 288 may be provided in adapter 250 (see FIG. 101). For example, in adapter 250, capacitors 288, 288 are arranged side by side on the left and right at the upper end inside housing 251, and a board 289 connected to capacitors 288, 288 is arranged in front of capacitors 288, 288. Board 289 is connected to relay connector 279.

[0417] By configuring the adapter 250 in this manner, when the adapter 250 with the battery 210 attached is attached to the imaging device 200, the amount of current supplied to the imaging device 200 by the capacitors 288, 288 increases, making it possible to supply a sufficient amount of current to the imaging device 200.

[0418] In adapter 250, a notch 251a is formed in housing 251 by step surface 264 and groove forming surface 265 continuing to bottom surface 256, and a first guided groove 268, a second guided groove 269, and a third guided groove 270 are formed opening into groove forming surface 265, and first guided groove 268, second guided groove 269, and third guided groove 270 are positioned closer to bottom surface 256 than step surface 264.

[0419] Therefore, first guided groove 268, second guided groove 269, third guided groove 270, and step surface 264 are not positioned contiguously, and a portion of groove forming surface 265 is positioned between first guided groove 268, second guided groove 269, third guided groove 270, and step surface 264, respectively. Therefore, groove forming surface 265 and step surface 264 are positioned on the inside of housing 251 compared to the case where first guided groove 268, second guided groove 269, third guided groove 270, and step surface 264 are positioned contiguously, and adapter 250 can be made smaller.

[0420] Furthermore, in the adapter 250, an identification groove 276 for identifying the imaging device or the like is formed in the housing 251, and the identification groove 276 has a plurality of identification portions of different lengths formed in succession.

[0421] Therefore, since there is no part separating the multiple identification parts of different lengths, the size of the identification groove 276 in the direction in which the identification parts continue becomes the combined size of the multiple identification parts, making it possible to miniaturize the adapter 250 while ensuring high identification ability.

[0422] Incidentally, in the adapter 250, similarly to the adapter 150, a wall portion formed as an inclined surface that moves away from each other in the left-right direction toward the front side of the connection connector 282 may be formed. By forming the wall portion, when the adapter 250 is inserted into the battery mounting portion 201 of the imaging device 200, the connector provided inside the imaging device 200 is guided by the wall portion and approaches the connection connector 282, so that a good connection state of the connection connector 282 to the battery mounting portion 201 of the imaging device 200 can be ensured.

[0423] Furthermore, the connection connector 282 may be located above the bottom surface 222 of the housing 217 .

[0424] Furthermore, in adapter 250 as well, like adapter 150, a pressing plate for pressing battery 210 may be disposed inside housing 217, and a lock lever for locking battery 210 may also be provided.

[0425] <Whether or not the battery can be attached to connected devices, etc.> The following describes a summary of whether the above-mentioned battery 1 etc. can be attached to the charger 80, the imaging device 100 etc. (see FIG. 102).

[0426] The batteries 1 (1A, 1B, 1C) can be attached to the chargers 80 and 110. The batteries 1 (1A, 1B, 1C) can also be attached to the type B imaging device 200 (including the imaging device 50). On the other hand, the batteries 1 (1A, 1B, 1C) cannot be attached to the type A imaging device 100.

[0427] The power supply device 116, which can be connected to the charger 110 via a cable 300, is made attachable to the type A imaging device 100. On the other hand, the power supply device 116 is made incapable of being attached to the charger 80 or the type B imaging device 200.

[0428] The power supply unit 116 can be attached to the adapter 150, and the adapter 150 can be attached to the type B imaging device 200. On the other hand, the adapter 150 cannot be attached to the chargers 80 and 110 or the type A imaging device 100.

[0429] The battery 210 can be attached to a charger (not shown) that is compatible with the battery 210. The battery 210 can also be attached to the type A imaging device 100. On the other hand, the battery 210 cannot be attached to the chargers 80 and 110 or the type B imaging device 200.

[0430] A battery 210 can be attached to the adapter 250, and the adapter 250 can be attached to the image capture device 200 of type B. The adapter 250 can also be attached to the chargers 80 and 110. On the other hand, the adapter 250 cannot be attached to the image capture device 100 of type A.

[0431] In this way, the power supply device 116 and the charger 210 can each be attached to the imaging device 100 independently, and can also be attached to the imaging device 200 using the adapter 150 or the adapter 250, thereby improving the usability of the power supply device 116 and the charger 210.

[0432] <This technology> The present technology can be configured as follows. (1) a housing having a front surface and a rear surface positioned on opposite sides in a length direction, a top surface and a bottom surface positioned between the front surface and the rear surface in a height direction perpendicular to the length direction, and two side surfaces positioned on opposite sides in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction and perpendicular to the height direction; a terminal portion having a connection terminal to be connected to the electrode terminal; and In the battery, The housing is formed with an arrangement recess that is open at least to the front surface and in which the terminal portion is arranged, a functional groove whose length direction coincides with a connection direction of the connection terminal and the electrode terminal and has an identification function for identifying a type of connected device, and is formed with an opening at least to the front surface, a step surface that is continuous with the side surface, and a groove forming surface that is continuous with the bottom surface and in which a guided groove is formed, and a notch is formed by the step surface and the groove forming surface, Among the surfaces forming the functional groove, the surface located closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than the edge of the guided groove located closest to the top surface. Connected devices. (2) In the battery, a surface that is closest to the top surface among the surfaces that form the functional groove is located closer to the bottom surface than a surface that is closest to the top surface among the surfaces that form the placement recess. The connection device described in (1). (3) In the battery, the surface forming the functional groove that is located closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than the step surface. A connection device as described in (1) or (2). (4) In the battery, the surface forming the functional groove that is located closest to the top surface is located closer to the top surface than the edge of the guided groove that is located closest to the bottom surface. A connection device according to any one of (1) to (3). (5) In the battery, a surface forming the placement recess that is located closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than the step surface. A connection device according to any one of (1) to (4). (6) In the battery, the surface that is located closest to the top surface among the surfaces that form the placement recess is located closer to the bottom surface than the edge that is located closest to the top surface of the guided groove. A connection device according to any one of (1) to (5). (7) In the battery, a surface that is located closest to the top surface among surfaces that form the placement recess is located closer to the top surface than an edge that is located closest to the bottom surface of the guided groove. A connection device according to any one of (1) to (6). (8) In the battery, the edge of the guided groove located closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than the step surface. A connection device according to any one of (1) to (7). (9) In the battery, the housing has a terminal arrangement groove formed to open at least on the front surface and in which the connection terminal is arranged, Among the surfaces forming the functional grooves, a surface located closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than among the surfaces forming the terminal arrangement grooves, a surface located closest to the top surface. A connection device according to any one of (1) to (8). (10) In the battery, the functional groove is formed by continuously forming a plurality of functional portions having different lengths. A connection device according to any one of (1) to (9). (11) a housing having a front surface and a rear surface positioned on opposite sides in a length direction, a top surface and a bottom surface positioned between the front surface and the rear surface in a height direction perpendicular to the length direction, and two side surfaces positioned on opposite sides in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction and perpendicular to the height direction; a terminal portion having a connection terminal to be connected to the electrode terminal; and In the battery, The housing is formed with an arrangement recess that is open at least to the front surface and in which the terminal portion is arranged, a functional groove whose length direction coincides with a connection direction of the connection terminal and the electrode terminal and has an identification function for identifying a type of connected device, the functional groove being open at least to the front surface, a step surface that is continuous with the side surface, and a groove forming surface that is continuous with the bottom surface, and a notch is formed by the step surface and the groove forming surface, a surface forming the functional groove that is closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than the step surface; The housing has a guided groove formed therein and opening on the groove forming surface. Among the surfaces forming the functional groove, the surface located closest to the top surface is located closer to the top surface than the edge of the guided groove located closest to the bottom surface. Connected devices. (12) a housing having a front surface and a rear surface positioned on opposite sides in a length direction, a top surface and a bottom surface positioned between the front surface and the rear surface in a height direction perpendicular to the length direction, and two side surfaces positioned on opposite sides in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction and perpendicular to the height direction; a terminal portion having a connection terminal to be connected to the electrode terminal; and In the battery, the housing has a length direction aligned with a connection direction of the connection terminal and the electrode terminal, has an identification function for identifying a type of connected device, and is formed with a functional groove formed to open at least on the front surface, a step surface continuous with the side surface, and a groove forming surface continuous with the bottom surface, and a notch is formed by the step surface and the groove forming surface; a surface forming the functional groove that is closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than the step surface; The housing has an arrangement recess formed at least on the front surface thereof and in which the terminal portion is arranged, Among the surfaces forming the arrangement recess, a surface located closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than the step surface. Connected devices. (13) In the battery, a surface that is closest to the top surface among the surfaces that form the functional groove is located closer to the bottom surface than a surface that is closest to the top surface among the surfaces that form the placement recess. (12) A connection device as described above. (14) a housing having a front surface and a rear surface positioned on opposite sides in a length direction, a top surface and a bottom surface positioned between the front surface and the rear surface in a height direction perpendicular to the length direction, and two side surfaces positioned on opposite sides in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction and perpendicular to the height direction; a terminal portion having a connection terminal to be connected to the electrode terminal; and In the battery, the housing has a length direction aligned with a connection direction of the connection terminal and the electrode terminal, has an identification function for identifying a type of connected device, and is formed with a functional groove formed to open at least on the front surface, a step surface continuous with the side surface, and a groove forming surface continuous with the bottom surface, and a notch is formed by the step surface and the groove forming surface; a surface forming the functional groove that is closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than the step surface; The housing has a guided groove that opens onto the groove forming surface, and also has an arrangement recess that opens onto at least the front surface and in which the terminal portion is arranged, Among the surfaces forming the arrangement recess, a surface located closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than an edge located closest to the top surface of the guided groove. Connected devices. (15) a housing having a front surface and a rear surface positioned on opposite sides in a length direction, a top surface and a bottom surface positioned between the front surface and the rear surface in a height direction perpendicular to the length direction, and two side surfaces positioned on opposite sides in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction and perpendicular to the height direction; a terminal portion having a connection terminal to be connected to the electrode terminal; and In the battery, the housing has a length direction aligned with a connection direction of the connection terminal and the electrode terminal, has an identification function for identifying a type of connected device, and is formed with a functional groove formed to open at least on the front surface, a step surface continuous with the side surface, and a groove forming surface continuous with the bottom surface, and a notch is formed by the step surface and the groove forming surface; a surface forming the functional groove that is closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than the step surface; The housing has a guided groove that opens onto the groove forming surface, and also has an arrangement recess that opens onto at least the front surface and in which the terminal portion is arranged, Among the surfaces forming the placement recess, a surface located closest to the top surface is located closer to the top surface than an edge of the guided groove located closest to the bottom surface. Connected devices. (16) a housing having a front surface and a rear surface positioned on opposite sides in a length direction, a top surface and a bottom surface positioned between the front surface and the rear surface in a height direction perpendicular to the length direction, and two side surfaces positioned on opposite sides in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction and perpendicular to the height direction; a terminal portion having a connection terminal to be connected to the electrode terminal; and In the battery, The housing is formed with an arrangement recess that is open at least to the front surface and in which the terminal portion is arranged, a functional groove whose length direction coincides with a connection direction of the connection terminal and the electrode terminal and has an identification function for identifying a type of connected device, the functional groove being open at least to the front surface, a step surface that is continuous with the side surface, and a groove forming surface that is continuous with the bottom surface, and a notch is formed by the step surface and the groove forming surface, a surface forming the functional groove that is closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than the step surface; The housing has a guided groove formed therein and opening on the groove forming surface. The edge of the guided groove located closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than the step surface. Connected devices. (17) In the battery, the housing has a terminal arrangement groove formed to open at least on the front surface and in which the connection terminal is arranged, Among the surfaces forming the functional grooves, a surface located closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than among the surfaces forming the terminal arrangement grooves, a surface located closest to the top surface. A connection device according to any one of (11) to (16). (18) In the battery, the functional groove is formed by continuously forming a plurality of functional portions having different lengths. A connection device according to any one of (11) to (17). [Explanation of symbols]

[0433] 1...battery, 2...casing, 30...identification groove, 31...first identification portion, 32...second identification portion, 33...connector, 35...connection terminal, 50...imaging device (connected device), 61...electrode terminal, 80...charger (connected device), 95...electrode terminal, 80A...charger (connected device), 80B...charger (connected device), 1A...battery, 1B...battery, 33A...connector, 1C...battery, 2C...casing, 16...power supply, 17...casing, 34...external connector, 36...connection terminal, 39...internal connector, 41...connection terminal, 100...imaging device (connection device), 50...adapter, 51...housing, 72...identification groove, 73...first identification portion, 74...second identification portion, 89...relay connector, 91...connection terminal, 92...connection connector, 94...connection terminal, 200...imaging device (connection device), 10...battery, 17...housing, 29...connector, 31...connection terminal, 50...adapter, 51...housing, 76...identification groove, 77...first identification portion, 78...second identification portion, 79...relay connector, 81...connection terminal, 82...connection connector, 84...connection terminal

Claims

1. a battery mounting section including a housing having a front and a rear surface located on opposite sides in a length direction, a top surface and a bottom surface located between the front surface and the rear surface in a height direction perpendicular to the length direction, and two side surfaces located on opposite sides in a width direction perpendicular to the length direction and perpendicular to the height direction, and a terminal section having a connection terminal connected to an electrode terminal, the housing having two functional grooves whose length direction coincides with a connection direction between the connection terminal and the electrode terminal and having an identification function for identifying a type of connected device, the functional groove having a plurality of functional sections with different lengths formed continuously in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction, the two functional grooves formed on both sides of the terminal section in the width direction, and a battery mounting section in which a battery can be attached and detached; a terminal connection portion having the electrode terminal connected to the connection terminal, The battery mounting portion is formed with an identification protrusion whose length direction coincides with the connection direction and which is inserted into one of the two functional grooves, The identification protrusion is a plurality of protrusions having different lengths, which are continuously formed in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction and are formed on one side of the terminal connection portion in the width direction. Connected devices.

2. In the battery, A first functional part and a second functional part are formed as the functional part. The connection device according to claim 1 .

3. In the battery, The plurality of functional parts are formed continuously in the width direction. The connection device according to claim 1 .

4. In the battery, The plurality of functional parts are arranged so that their widths decrease in order of length. The connection device according to claim 3.

5. In the battery, The plurality of functional parts are formed continuously in the depth direction. The connection device according to claim 1 .

6. In the battery, The plurality of functional parts are arranged so that their depths decrease in ascending order of length. The connection device according to claim 5.

7. In the battery, A placement recess that is open at least to the front surface is formed in the housing, A connector is provided as the terminal portion and is disposed in the arrangement recess, Among the surfaces forming the functional groove, a surface located closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than among the surfaces forming the placement recess, a surface located closest to the top surface. The connection device according to claim 1 .

8. In the battery, a terminal arrangement groove in which the connection terminal is arranged is formed in the housing; Among the surfaces forming the functional grooves, a surface located closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than among the surfaces forming the terminal arrangement grooves, a surface located closest to the top surface. The connection device according to claim 1 .

9. In the battery, a notch is formed in the housing by a step surface connected to the side surface and a groove forming surface connected to the bottom surface, The surface forming the functional groove that is located closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than the step surface. The connection device according to claim 1 .

10. In the battery, The housing has a guided groove formed therein and opening on the groove forming surface. Among the surfaces forming the functional groove, the surface located closest to the top surface is located closer to the bottom surface than the edge of the guided groove located closest to the top surface. The connection device according to claim 9.

11. In the battery, The housing has a guided groove formed therein and opening on the groove forming surface. Among the surfaces forming the functional groove, the surface located closest to the top surface is located closer to the top surface than the edge of the guided groove located closest to the bottom surface. The connection device according to claim 9.

12. In the battery, A placement recess that is open at least to the front surface is formed in the housing, A connector is provided as the terminal portion and is disposed in the arrangement recess, The surface that is located closest to the rear side among the surfaces that form the functional groove is located closer to the front side than the surface that is located closest to the rear side among the surfaces that form the placement recess. The connection device according to claim 1 .

13. In the battery, The surface forming the functional groove that is located closest to the rear side is located closer to the rear side than the surface of the connector that is located closest to the front side. The connection device according to claim 12.

14. In the battery, a terminal arrangement groove in which the connection terminal is arranged is formed in the housing; Among the surfaces forming the functional groove, a surface located closest to the rear side is located closer to the front side than among the surfaces forming the terminal arrangement groove, a surface located closest to the rear side. The connection device according to claim 1 .

15. In the battery, a notch is formed in the housing by a step surface connected to the side surface and a groove forming surface connected to the bottom surface, The housing is formed with a guided groove that is open to the groove forming surface and the front surface, The surface forming the functional groove, which is located closest to the rear side, is located closer to the front side than the surface forming the guided groove, which is located closest to the rear side. The connection device according to claim 1 .

16. In the battery, the first functional portion and the second functional portion are formed continuously in a width direction, and the first functional portion is positioned closer to the center in the width direction than the second functional portion, A surface of the second functional portion that is continuous with the first functional portion in the width direction is formed into an inclined surface that displaces toward the bottom surface as it approaches the side surface located on the opposite side to the first functional portion. The connection device according to claim 2.

Images