Electrical appliances

Abstract

An electrical appliance comprising a first housing portion and a second housing portion, and a first set of battery contacts and a second set of battery contacts, wherein when the second housing portion is in a first relative position, the second set of battery contacts is in an operative position, and when the second housing portion is in a second relative position, the second set of battery contacts is in a non-operative position.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , ,

[0005] , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electric appliance, and more particularly to an electric appliance having a battery receptacle, such as a battery charger.

Background Art

[0002] An electric appliance can be set to different operating states. For example, an electric appliance can be set to an operating state or a non-operating state. When the appliance is in the operating state, the appliance is ready to operate in a predetermined manner. When in the non-operating state, the appliance is not ready to operate in a predetermined manner. An improved mechanism for configuring an electric appliance from a non-operating state to an operating state and vice versa is beneficial. It would be desirable if an instrument with such a mechanism were available.

[0003] Many electric appliances for example, include a battery receptacle configured to removably house a battery, such that the battery can be inserted into and removed from the battery receptacle without using tools. The electric appliance may be a power storage source, such as a power bank, a battery charger, or other appliance configured to operate on a battery.

[0004] It is desirable for the battery receptacle of an electric appliance to be operable between an operating configuration and a non-operating configuration while the battery is housed within the battery receptacle by a more power-efficient mechanical device.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] An electrical appliance is disclosed comprising a main housing and an electronic and / or electrical circuit housed within the main housing. The main housing comprises a first housing portion and a second housing portion, the second housing portion being movable in a first direction relative to the first housing portion between a first relative position and a second relative position. A movable portion is housed inside the first housing portion. The movable portion is movable in a first direction relative to the main housing between a non-operating position and an operating position. The appliance comprises a wedge mechanism configured to move the movable portion from the non-operating position to the operating position in an operating direction parallel to the first direction. The second housing portion comprises a drive unit configured to actuate the wedge mechanism to move the movable portion from the non-operating position to the operating position when the second housing portion moves from a second relative position to the first relative position.

[0006] The wedge mechanism may include wedge-locking components positioned in a first housing and a second housing, and the wedge-locking components on the first and second housings are configured to cooperate such that when the second housing moves along the operating direction relative to the first housing, the movable parts move in the operating direction.

[0007] The main housing comprises a battery compartment, and the circuit comprises a first set of contact terminals and a second set of contact terminals that work in cooperation with the battery compartment to define a battery receptacle. The second housing portion may be configured as a sliding roof that can be operated to open and close the battery compartment. The second housing portion may be palm-sized and may be configured so that the user can hold and operate it in their palm. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] This disclosure is illustrated by reference to the attached drawings. [Figure 1A] This is a perspective view of an exemplary electrical appliance of the present disclosure in the first configuration. [Figure 2A] This is a perspective view of an exemplary electrical appliance of the present disclosure in a second configuration. [Figure 1B] This is a side view of Figure 1A. [Figure 2B] This is a side view of Figure 2A. [Figure 3A] Figures 1A and 2A are top perspective views of the second housing portion of the exemplary device. [Figure 3B] Figures 1A and 1B are top perspective views of the first housing portion 110 of the device, in which multiple battery units are removably housed inside the battery receptacle. [Figure 3C] Figures 1A and 1B are side elevation views of the first housing portion 110 of the device, in which multiple battery units are removably housed inside the battery receptacle. [Figure 4A] This is a top perspective view showing the upper portion of the first housing section 110. [Figure 4B] This is a top perspective view showing the circuit and components housed within the lower part of the first housing 110. [Figure 4C] This is a top elevation view exposing the circuits and components housed within the lower part of the first housing section 110. [Figure 4D] This is a bottom elevation view showing the upper housing portion 110A and the movable assembly. [Figure 4E] This is a bottom perspective view showing the upper housing portion 110A and the movable assembly. [Figure 5A] This is a perspective view of a movable assembly showing the relative positions of its components when it is in the operating position. [Figure 5B] This is a top view of the movable assembly showing the relative positions of its components when it is in the operating position. [Figure 6A] Figure 5A is a perspective view showing a bias spring in a fixed position. [Figure 6B] This is a top view of Figure 5B, which has a bias spring in a fixed position. [Figure 7A] Figure 5A is a perspective view of the drive member 138B of the movable assembly. [Figure 7B] Figure 5A is a top view of the drive member 138B of the movable assembly. [Figure 7C]Top view of the drive member 138A of the moving assembly of FIG. 5A. [Figure 8A] Perspective view of the driver member 134 of the moving assembly of FIG. 5A. [Figure 8B] Top view of the driver member 134 of the moving assembly of FIG. 5A. [Figure 9A] Plan view showing the moving assembly in a non-operating state. [Figure 9B] Plan view showing the moving assembly in an operating configuration. [Figure 10A] Bottom perspective view of the second housing portion 120. [Figure 10B] Bottom elevation view of the second housing portion 120. [Figure 10C] Front view of the second housing portion 120. [Figure 11A] Schematic view showing the main housing in a first configuration. [Figure 11B] Schematic view showing the main housing in an intermediate configuration. [Figure 11C] Schematic view showing the main housing in a second configuration.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] The device of the present disclosure includes a main housing and a circuit disposed within the main housing. The circuit may include an electrical circuit and / or an electronic circuit. The circuit includes components that may include electrical, electronic, and / or mechanical components. The electronic components may include discrete and / or integrated circuit components. The circuit may be operable by one or more switches that cooperate with the moving assembly or by the moving assembly alone. The switches herein may be mechanical switches, electromechanical switches, or semiconductor electronic switches.

[0010] A moving assembly is part of an operating mechanism configured to activate or deactivate an instrument. When an instrument is activated, it is in its operating state, and the circuit or selected part performs its designated function. When an instrument is not activated or deactivated, it is in its non-operating state, and the circuit or selected part will not perform its designated function.

[0011] The mobile assembly is configured such that when the mobile assembly is in a first state, the device is in a non-operating state and the device is not operated, and when the mobile assembly is in a second state, the device is in an operating state and the device is operated.

[0012] The movable assembly includes a movable member that is movable relative to the main housing between a first position and a second position. When the movable assembly is in the first state, the movable member is in the first position, which is the operating position. When the movable assembly is in the second state, the movable member is in the second position, which is the non-operating position.

[0013] A movable assembly or movable member may be configured to activate an appliance through the mechanical action of the movable assembly. For example, a movable assembly may be configured to activate an appliance by moving a set of circuit components to an operating position and to deactivate the appliance by moving a set of circuit components away from the operating position.

[0014] A moving assembly or movable member may be configured to activate the device by non-mechanical action. For example, the device may include a sensing and determination circuit configured to detect and determine the position of the moving assembly or movable member relative to the main housing. For example, when the moving assembly or movable member is in a relative position corresponding to the operating position, the sensing and determination circuit may generate an activation signal to activate the device. Conversely, when the moving assembly or movable member is out of the operating position or in a stopped position, the sensing and determination circuit may generate a deactivation signal, and as a result the device is deactivated. The sensing and determination circuit may include a set of optical sensors for detecting the position of the moving assembly or movable member. The set of optical sensors may be configured to facilitate the determination of whether the movable member is in a first position, a second position, or an intermediate position between the first and second positions. Of course, mechanical and non-mechanical actions can be combined without loss of generality.

[0015] The main housing comprises a first housing section and a second housing section, the second housing section being movable relative to the first housing section between a first relative position corresponding to an operating position and a second relative position corresponding to a non-operating position. The relative movement between the first housing section and the second housing section follows a predetermined path determined by the mechanical structure of the first housing section and the second housing section.

[0016] The moving assembly may include mechanical parts and / or mechanical components positioned in the first and second housings so that the device can be brought into or out of operation by relative movement between the first and second housings along a predetermined path.

[0017] The apparatus comprises a wedge device configured to move a movable member from a non-operating position to an operating position in the operating direction. The wedge device is part of the moving assembly and is configured to apply an engaging force in the operating direction while in the operating position. The engaging force is significantly greater than the operating force required to move the movable member from the non-operating position to the operating position. In this specification, the term significantly greater means at least greater than 50%, and may be 75%, 100%, 150%, 200%, or more.

[0018] The wedge device is equipped with a wedge-locking mechanism, which is configured to provide a high mechanical advantage by allowing the user to apply a small force to the main housing at the upstream end, thereby moving the movable member to the operating position, while the movable member at the downstream end, in the operating position, can exert an engagement force in the operating direction that is significantly greater than the operating force.

[0019] The first housing and the second housing are movable relative to each other along an axial direction parallel to the operating direction. The axial direction is defined by the main axis of the main housing and defines the direction of movement of the first housing relative to the second housing, or the direction of movement of the second housing relative to the first housing. To facilitate the wedge-locking operation of the wedge-locking mechanism when the direction of movement and the operating direction are the same or parallel, a movable member that is part of the wedge-locking mechanism is configured to move at an angle with respect to the operating direction or the direction of movement, and that angle is 90 degrees or less.

[0020] Referring to Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, and 4C, the exemplary fixture 100 comprises a first housing section 110 and a second housing section 120 that cooperate to define a main housing. The main housing has a reference axis called the main axis AA'. The main axis is also the longitudinal central axis of the main housing. The first housing section 110 and the second housing section 120 are relative to each other along a direction of movement defined by a movement axis parallel to the main axis.

[0021] An exemplary device 100 comprises a circuit compartment containing the device's circuitry and a battery compartment including a battery receptacle. The circuit compartment and the battery compartment are arranged and in contact with each other along the axial direction of the main shaft. The battery receptacle is configured to house a set of batteries. A set of batteries as described herein may comprise a single battery unit or multiple battery units. Each battery unit B may include a single battery cell or multiple battery cells arranged in a battery pack. Each battery pack may include a single battery cell or multiple battery cells packed in a single package.

[0022] The circuit compartment and battery compartment are provided on the first housing portion 110, as shown in Figures 4A to 4C, and the second housing portion 120 is configured as a lid that is movable relative to the first housing portion 110 between a first position corresponding to the closed position of the battery compartment and a second position corresponding to the open position of the battery compartment, as shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B. The first housing portion 110 and the second housing portion 120 are slidably engaged, and the second housing portion 120 is slidable relative to the first housing portion 110 in the sliding direction between the first position and the second position. The sliding direction is defined by the sliding axis YY', which is parallel to the main axis AA' of the main housing.

[0023] The circuit compartment and the battery compartment are in contact with each other and are provided in the first housing portion 110. An exemplary first housing portion 110 includes a first sub-part which is the upper portion 110A and a second sub-part which is the lower portion 110B. The upper portion 110A and the lower portion 110B are connected in a connection direction perpendicular to the sliding axis YY'.

[0024] The lower portion 110B comprises a bottom portion having a bottom surface facing the upper portion 110A and a lower peripheral wall surrounding the bottom surface. The bottom portion and the lower peripheral wall work together to define the lower part of the main compartment in which the circuits of the equipment are installed.

[0025] The upper portion 110A comprises a first portion that cooperates with the lower portion 110B to form a circuit compartment and a second portion that defines a battery compartment.

[0026] The first portion of the upper part 110A comprises an upper panel and a first peripheral wall that hangs downward from the upper panel and surrounds the upper panel.

[0027] The second portion of the upper portion 110A comprises a bottom panel and a second peripheral wall that extends upward from the bottom panel having a bottom surface and surrounds the bottom surface of the bottom panel. The second peripheral wall comprises a first peripheral wall portion proximal to the circuit compartment and a second peripheral wall portion distal to the circuit compartment.

[0028] The bottom panel and the second peripheral wall work together to define the battery receptacle, and the top panel is higher than the bottom panel and the first and second peripheral walls, and preferably above the battery held by the battery receptacle.

[0029] The device's circuitry includes multiple battery contact terminals configured to connect a pair of battery units in a battery receptacle to the rest of the circuitry. The multiple battery contact terminals work in conjunction with the battery compartment to define the battery receptacle and are configured to make electrical and mechanical contact with a pair of battery units appropriately positioned on the battery receptacle. The battery contact terminals are exposed contact terminals, and are configured to make releasably compressible contact with the terminals of the pair of batteries in the battery receptacle when the batteries are operating. In this releasably compressible contact state, the batteries can be removed from the battery receptacle without tools.

[0030] The contact terminals include a first set of contact terminals with a first electrical polarity and a second set of contact terminals with a second electrical polarity opposite to the first electrical polarity. A set of contact terminals with a certain electrical polarity may comprise one or more contact terminals of that electrical polarity.

[0031] Multiple contact terminals may be arranged on one axial side of the battery compartment or on opposing axial sides. When the contact terminals are arranged on opposing axial sides of the battery compartment, the contact terminals are arranged in pairs, and each pair of contact terminals comprises a first polarity contact terminal on one axial side and a second polarity contact terminal on the other axial side, so that the first polarity contact terminal on one axial side and the second polarity contact terminal on the other axial side are axially aligned with the axis of the target battery unit and separated by the axial clearance distance necessary for good electrical contact with the target battery unit.

[0032] An exemplary device 100 comprises a first pair of contact terminals 130 located at the first axial end of the battery receptacle and a second pair of contact terminals 132 located at the second axial end of the battery receptacle. The first axial end of the battery receptacle is proximal to the circuit compartment, and the second axial end of the battery receptacle is distal to the circuit compartment. The first and second pairs of battery terminals have corresponding contact terminals that are axially aligned. The battery compartment has a first axial end adjacent to the first axial end of the battery receptacle and a second axial end adjacent to the second axial end of the battery receptacle.

[0033] The first set of contact terminals 130 and the second set of contact terminals 132 are axially movable relative to each other so that the axial distance between the first set of contact terminals and the second set of contact terminals can be changed between a first separation distance and a second separation distance. When the first set of contact terminals 130 and the second set of contact terminals 132 are within the first separation distance, the battery housed in the battery receptacle will not make electrical contact with the contact terminals configured to contact its battery unit, or will have poor contact. When the first set of contact terminals 130 and the second set of contact terminals 132 are within the second separation distance, the battery housed in the battery receptacle will make good electrical contact with the contact terminals configured to contact its battery unit.

[0034] The first pair of contact terminals 130 is a pair of movable contact terminals configured to move in the operating direction to advance toward and enter the operating position. When the first pair of contact terminals 130 moves toward the operating position, the device becomes operational, and the terminals of the pair of batteries in the receptacle are in a releaseably compressed engagement state with the battery receptacle. In this example, as the pair of movable contact terminals advances toward the operating position in the operating direction, it moves toward the second axial end of the battery compartment and / or the second pair of contact terminals 132.

[0035] A pair of movable contact terminals is driven toward the operating position by a moving assembly comprising a driver member 134. The driver member 134, which is a movable member, is the front end member of the moving assembly and is configured to move in sync with the pair of movable contact terminals when moving toward the operating position.

[0036] As shown in detail in Figure 8A, the exemplary driver member 134 comprises a body portion extending laterally between a first side end and a second side end. The lateral direction is defined by a transverse axis XX' perpendicular to the main axis YY' of the main housing, which defines the longitudinal direction of the main housing. Since the driver member 134 is in contact with the first set of terminals 130, the first set of terminals 130 moves synchronously with the driver member 134 as the driver member 134 moves toward the operating position. The driver member 134 has a forward-facing surface which is the surface facing the second axial end of the battery compartment, and the first set of terminals 130 is attached to the forward-facing surface.

[0037] When in the operating position, the target battery unit, properly housed within the battery receptacle, makes compression contact with a pair of contact terminals configured to electrically connect to it. When the target battery is in compression contact with the corresponding pair of contact terminals, the target battery and the corresponding pair of contact terminals are in good electrical contact, and current can flow into and out of the target battery without being subjected to excessively high resistance by a releasable engagement.

[0038] Referring to Figures 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A, 5B, 7A, 7B, 7C, 8A, and 8B, an exemplary moving assembly comprises a pair of drive members 138, which are configured to move a driver member 134 forward in the operating direction toward the operating position. The pair of drive members 138 comprises a first drive member 138A having an inclined surface 138A1 that abuts against a first inclined side surface 135A of the driver member 134, and a second drive member 138B having an inclined surface 138B1 that abuts against a second inclined side surface 135B of the driver member 134. The inclined surface of the first drive member 138A and the first inclined side surface of the driver member 134 are slidably engaged with each other, allowing the inclined surface and the first inclined side surface to slide relative to each other. The inclined surfaces of the drive members 138A and 138B can have an inclination angle of 30° to 60°, for example, 45°, with respect to the main shaft of the main housing.

[0039] The drive members 138A, 138B and the driver member 134 are arranged such that when the drive members 138A and 138B move toward each other, that is, toward the longitudinal central axis of the main housing, the driver member 134 is pushed and moves forward toward the operating position.

[0040] In this example, the drive members 138A and 138B are configured to move laterally toward each other, thereby driving the driver member 134 to move along an operating direction perpendicular to the lateral direction, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B. To facilitate such orthogonal driving, the inclined surface of the first drive member 138A and the inclined first side surface of the driver member 134 have complementary inclination angles.

[0041] In this example, the drive members 138A and 138B are configured to move toward each other along the horizontal axis XX', but the drive members 138A and 138B may also be configured to move toward each other at an acute angle with respect to the lateral direction without loss of generality. The acute angle with respect to the lateral direction may be ±5°, ±10° or more, but will likely be less than ±60°.

[0042] Referring to Figures 6A and 6B, the drive members 138A and 138B are subjected to a return bias configured to move them away from each other, and the driver member 134 is subjected to a return bias configured to move it away from its operating position. The return bias acting on the drive members 138A and 138B is provided by bias springs 139A and 139B, and the return bias acting on the driver member 134 is provided by another bias spring 136. The bias springs are coil springs fixed to the main housing, as shown in Figures 4D and 4E.

[0043] Therefore, in order to move the driver member 134 from the non-operating position to the operating position, it will be necessary to overcome the return bias acting on the driver member 134 and drive members 138A and 138B, which are housed inside the circuit compartment.

[0044] Referring to Figures 1A to 2B, the second housing portion 120 is slidably movable relative to the first housing portion 110 between a first relative position shown in Figures 1A and 1B and a second relative position shown in Figures 2A and 2B. To facilitate relative sliding movement between the first housing portion 110 and the second housing portion 120 while they are in contact, the first housing portion 110 is provided with a raceway portion 112, and the second housing portion 120 is provided with a mounting portion configured to cooperate with the raceway portion 112 so that the first housing portion 110 and the second housing portion 120 can slide relative to each other along the sliding direction.

[0045] When the first housing portion 110 and the second housing portion 120 are in the first relative position, the main housing is in the first configuration which is the operating configuration, the battery receptacle is in the first state which is the operating state, and the device is in an operating state in which the battery unit(s) are properly connected to the circuit.

[0046] When the first housing portion 110 and the second housing portion 120 are in the second relative position, the main housing is in a second configuration which is a non-operating configuration, the battery receptacle is in a second state which is a non-operating state, and the device is in a non-operating state in which the battery unit(s) are electrically disconnected from the circuit.

[0047] In this example, the main housing is configured such that a first housing portion 110 and a second housing portion 120 are slidable relative to each other along a sliding direction parallel to the axial direction defined by the main shaft. When the main housing is in the first configuration, the battery compartment is in a closed state, as shown in Figures 1A and 1B, and the second housing portion 120 forms a roof that closes the battery compartment. When the main housing is in the second configuration, the battery compartment is in an open state, and the battery compartment is open for external access, and the battery unit can be inserted into or removed from the battery receptacle, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B.

[0048] The second housing portion 120 has an upper portion, a peripheral portion extending downward from the upper portion, and a mounting portion formed in the peripheral portion. The upper portion includes an upper panel 121 that forms the roof of the battery compartment when the main housing is in the first configuration. The peripheral portion includes a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion, and the upper portion is located midway between the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion. Each lateral portion has a side wall portion that projects downward from the upper panel and extends below the track portion 112 to cover the track portion.

[0049] The mounting portion is formed near the lower end of the peripheral portion and comprises a first wing portion 122A and a second wing portion 122B. The first wing portion 122A is formed on the first lateral portion, and the second wing portion 122B is formed on the second lateral portion. Each wing portion 122A, 122B is a lateral wing portion, extending in a direction parallel to the axial direction, projecting inward toward the interior of the first housing portion 110, and slidingly engaging with the raceway portion 112.

[0050] The second housing portion 120 has a first longitudinal end 124 and a second longitudinal end 126, and the lateral wing portion extends between the first longitudinal end and the second longitudinal end. When the main housing is in the second configuration, the first longitudinal end of the second housing portion 110 is always on the first housing portion 110, and the second longitudinal end is outside or protruding from the first housing portion 110.

[0051] The lateral wing portion extends longitudinally and has an external shape with a width characteristic of serrations. The width of the lateral wing portion is the inwardly projecting range measured in the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis, which is an axis perpendicular to both the XX' axis and the YY' axis.

[0052] The lateral wing section comprises a first flank section (first side section), a second flank section (second side section), and a crest section (top section) that interconnects the first flank section and the second flank section.

[0053] The first flank extends tapered from the crest to the first longitudinal end, and then tapered from the crest to the second longitudinal end.

[0054] The lateral wing sections are configured as drive units for driving the moving assembly.

[0055] Referring to Figure 11A, the main housing is in the first configuration, the movable assembly is in the first state, and the device is in the operating state.

[0056] Referring to Figure 11B, the main housing is in an intermediate configuration, the movable assembly is in an intermediate state, and the device is in a non-operating state.

[0057] Referring to Figure 11C, the main housing is in the second configuration, the movable assembly is in the second state, and the device is in a non-operating state.

[0058] In the first configuration shown in Figure 11A, the pair of drive members 138 are compression-engaged with the second flank portion of the lateral wing portion of the second housing portion 120, and the movable member 134 is in the operating position due to the actuation force resulting from the actuation force acting on the movable member 134 by the pair of drive members 138. The actuation force is applied to the movable member 134 by the pair of drive members 138 via the wedge-retaining inclined surfaces 138A1, 138B1. The wedge-retaining surfaces of the pair of drive members 138 cooperate with the corresponding wedge-retaining surfaces 135A, 135B of the movable member 134 to generate an actuation force in the operating direction.

[0059] When a user attempts to change the main housing from the first configuration in Figure 1 (including Figures 1A and 1B) to the second configuration in Figure 2 (including Figures 2A and 2B), the user must move the second housing portion 120 relative to the first housing portion 110 in the deactivation direction Y'→Y, and the deactivation movement stops when the second housing portion 120 is stopped by the deactivation means on the first housing portion 110. When the second housing portion 120 is moved in the deactivation direction, and thereby the crest portion on the lateral wing portion overcomes the retaining means on the drive member 138, the return energy stored in the bias spring causes the second housing portion 120 to move to the second configuration without the user's assistance. When in the second configuration, the bias energy stored in the bias springs of the movable member 134 and the pair of drive members 138 is released or substantially released.

[0060] In order to change from the second configuration to the first configuration, the main housing must go through the intermediate configuration shown in Figure 11B. In the intermediate configuration, the first flank portion of the lateral wing portion of the second housing portion 120 comes into contact with the pair of drive members 138.

[0061] When changing from the intermediate configuration to the first configuration, moving the second housing portion 120 in the operating direction relative to the first housing portion 110 causes the drive members 138A and 138B to move toward each other along a predetermined track formed on the first housing portion 110 due to the cooperation between the inclined surface on the lateral wing portion of the second housing portion 120 and the pair of drive members 138. In this example, the predetermined track is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, but it may be an acute angle between 45 and 90 degrees, for example.

[0062] Next, the mutual movement of the drive members 138A and 138B is converted into an operating force during operation through the cooperation of the inclined surface on the movable member 134 and the inclined surfaces on the drive members 138A and 138B that slide-engage with the inclined surface on the movable member 134. When the second housing portion 120 moves from the non-operating position toward the operating position and the second flank portion reaches a position where it contacts the drive members 138A and 138B, the second housing portion 120 is held by the crest portion in cooperation with the retaining means provided on the drive members 138A and 138B. In order to move the second housing portion 120 from the operating position, the user must move the second housing portion 120 in the direction of deactivation, opposite to the direction of operation, in order to overcome the retaining force.

[0063] Therefore, the movable assembly comprises a movable component configured to drive a pair of movable contact terminals from a non-operating position to an operating position. The movable component is located in both the first housing and the second housing. -A first wedge-type fastener on the second housing portion formed by the first flank portion of the lateral wing portion, - A second wedge-fastening portion formed on the drive members 138A and 138B, - An optional third wedge-fastening portion formed on the driver member 134, It is equipped with.

[0064] The wedge-locking portion cooperates with the driver member 134 to drive it in the operating direction through the wedge-locking action.

[0065] The first flank is configured to have a small inclination angle with respect to the spindle in order to provide a greater mechanical advantage for driving the drive members 138A and 138B. The inclination angle defining the wedge angle of the first flank may be 15 degrees or less, and may be between 3 and 15 degrees, including one or more ranges formed by, for example, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 degrees, or combinations of the aforementioned values. A smaller inclination angle results in a mechanical advantage greater than 1, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 20, 25, or one or more ranges formed by, for example, combinations of the aforementioned values. In order for the driver member 134 to move a sufficient distance within the operating distance and provide sufficient engagement tension, the first flank portion may have a length measured in the axial direction of 3 cm or more, for example, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 cm, or one or more ranges formed by a combination of the aforementioned values.

[0066] The exemplary device is configured as a battery charger, and the circuit is configured for battery charging. To provide good electrical contact between the battery unit and the corresponding terminals, the battery receptacle is configured to apply sufficient engagement tension to establish good electrical contact. In the exemplary embodiment, the engagement tension is set to 1.0 kg force or greater, for example, 1.6 kg force, 1.7 kg force, 1.8 kg force, etc. The engagement tension is provided by the wedge action of the moving assembly without loss of generality.

[0067] In consumer products, standard-sized battery cells are often used for ease of placement and replacement by the user. Used battery cells are charged by placing them in a charger. A battery receptacle is a battery holder configured to hold a battery unit in place while power is supplied to the battery unit from the charger. Battery receptacles often include soldered lugs and a metal spring or lever for electrical connection to the terminals of the battery cell. When the user inserts one end of the battery cell (usually the negative end), the spring or lever is pressed down. The battery cell slides into the battery holder, and the other end of the battery cell (usually the positive end) snaps into place. This mechanism provides an improved battery receptacle and an improved battery charger.

[0068] An exemplary battery receptacle is configured to accommodate batteries of different sizes. For example, an exemplary battery receptacle has an exemplary plurality of four battery slots, each of which can accommodate an AA-size or AAA-size battery. Each battery slot has terminal contacts configured to make electrical and mechanical contact with a battery of the first or second size. For example, a battery slot has a contact 132A for contacting an AA-size battery and a contact 132B for contacting an AAA-size battery. The distance between the working and non-working positions can be very short compared to the length of the receptacle measured along the longitudinal direction. For example, the distance is between 0.5 mm and 2 mm and may include any range of 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, or one or more selected from the aforementioned values, and the length of the receptacle may be between 4.5 cm and 5.5 cm in the case of an AA and / or AAA charger.

[0069] While the exemplary battery charger is for charging a battery unit, the clamping mechanism of the battery charger may be adapted for use with other portable tools such as area lights and hammer drills. When adapted for use as a portable tool, power is delivered from the battery cells to the portable tool. Furthermore, although the moving mechanism in this example comprises a sliding movable element, the moving mechanism may also comprise a lever system, for example, a hinged lever system that moves a second set of battery contacts in response to the hinged movement of a second housing portion relative to a first housing portion.

[0070] While this disclosure has been described with reference to examples, the examples are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure and should not be used to limit it. For example, the exemplary charger is configured to accommodate standard AA and AAA size cylindrical batteries, but the charger may be configured to have a receptacle for accommodating other cylindrical batteries such as 18650 batteries or non-cylindrical batteries such as prismatic batteries. The battery contacts are configured to charge batteries having a battery shaft and battery terminals at the axial end opposite the battery, although the battery terminals may be at only one axial end without loss of generality. If the battery has terminals of opposite polarity at one axial end, a pair of movable battery contacts may have contacts of opposite polarity.

Claims

1. An electrical appliance comprising a main housing and an electronic circuit and / or electrical circuit housed within the main housing, - The main housing comprises a first housing portion (110) and a second housing portion (120), wherein the second housing portion is movable in a first direction between a first relative position and a second relative position with respect to the first housing portion. - A movable part (134) housed inside the first housing portion and movable in the first direction relative to the main housing between a non-operating position and an operating position, - A wedge mechanism configured to move the movable part (134) from the non-operating position to the operating position in an operating direction parallel to the first direction, Equipped with, The second housing portion (120) includes a drive unit (122A, 122B) configured to operate the wedge mechanism so as the second housing portion (120) moves from the second relative position to the first relative position, the movable portion (134) moves from the non-operating position to the operating position. The first housing comprises a battery compartment and a circuit compartment, the circuit comprising a first set of contact terminals and a second set of contact terminals cooperating with the battery compartment to define a battery receptacle, the battery receptacle is configured to releasably house and engage a battery, the battery in the battery receptacle becomes compressed contact with the first and second sets of contact terminals when the second housing moves to the operating position, and the battery, compressed contact with the first and second sets of contact terminals, is released for retrieval when the second housing moves from the operating position to the non-operating position. Equipment.

2. The wedge mechanism comprises wedge components arranged in the first housing portion and the second housing portion, and the wedge components of the first housing portion and the wedge components of the second housing portion are configured to cooperate such that the movement of the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion along the operating direction causes the movement of the movable portion (134) in the operating direction. The apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The wedge mechanism comprises a first wedge retaining portion located inside the first housing portion, the first wedge retaining portion comprising wedge retaining members (138A, 138B) configured to move at a certain angle with respect to the operating direction when the second housing portion moves in the operating direction, the angle being between 60° and 90°, including 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, 85°, 90°, or one or more ranges combined by selection of any of the above values. The apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The first wedge-fastening portion comprises a plurality of wedge-fastening members, including a first wedge-fastening member (138A) and a second wedge-fastening member (138B), and the first wedge-fastening member (138A) and the second wedge-fastening member (138B) are configured to move toward each other in response to the movement of the second housing portion in the operating position. The apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The first wedge retaining member (138A) and the second wedge retaining member (138B) are arranged mirror-symmetrically around the longitudinal central axis of the main housing, and the longitudinal central axis is parallel to the operating direction. The apparatus according to claim 4.

6. Each wedge-fastening member is provided with a wedge-fastening surface that contacts the movable part (134), and the wedge-fastening surface is an inclined surface having an acute angle of inclination with respect to the operating direction, and the angle of inclination is 30° to 60°, including one or more ranges that are 30°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 60°, or a combination of any of the above values. The apparatus according to claim 4.

7. The wedge-fastening surfaces of the wedge-fastening members (138A, 138B) are arranged mirror-symmetrically around the longitudinal central axis of the main housing, and the movable part (134) engages with the wedge-fastening members (138A, 138B) while being sandwiched between them. The apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The wedge-fastening surfaces of the wedge-fastening members (138A, 138B) and the inclined surfaces of the movable parts (134) are in slidable contact, and the wedge-fastening surfaces of the wedge-fastening members (138A, 138B) and the inclined surfaces of the movable parts have complementary inclination angles, and the inclination angles are with respect to the operating direction. The apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The movable part (134) comprises a body extending in a lateral direction perpendicular to the operating direction, the body comprising a plurality of inclined surfaces including a first inclined surface on a first lateral side and a second inclined surface on a second lateral side, the first inclined surface of the movable part (134) wedge-locking with the first wedge-locking member (138A), and the second inclined surface of the movable part (134) wedge-locking with the second wedge-locking member (138B). The apparatus according to claim 4.

10. The wedge mechanism comprises a second wedge retaining portion on the second housing portion, the second wedge retaining portion comprising a wedge retaining member extending longitudinally between a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, the longitudinal direction being parallel to the operating direction, the wedge retaining member comprising wing portions (122A, 122B) including a first flank portion tapering in the operating direction from the second longitudinal end to the first longitudinal end to define a wedge retaining surface, the wedge retaining surface having a wedge retaining angle of 15 degrees or less, including one or more ranges formed by 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 degrees, or a combination of the above values, the wedge retaining angle being relative to the operating direction. The apparatus according to claim 1.

11. The first flank portion has a length of 3 cm or more, including one or more ranges formed by 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 cm, or a combination of the above values. The apparatus according to claim 10.

12. The wing portion (122A, 122B) comprises a second flank portion and a crest portion, the crest portion being located midway between the first flank portion and the second flank portion such that the second flank portion, the crest portion, and the first flank portion are arranged sequentially in the operating direction, and the second flank portion is tapered and extends in the operating stop direction opposite to the operating direction in order to define a retaining surface. The apparatus according to claim 11.

13. The wing portions (122A, 122B) protrude into the first housing portion (110) such that their wedge-locking surfaces wedge-locking with corresponding wedge-locking components inside the first housing portion (110). The apparatus according to claim 12.

14. The wing portions (122A, 122B) protrude inward toward the longitudinal central axis of the main housing and have a variable width that defines the wedge-fastening surface, and the width is measured in the transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The apparatus according to claim 13.

15. The second wedge-fastening portion comprises a first wing portion (122A) and a second wing portion (122B), the first wing portion (122A) and the second wing portion (122B) protrude inward into the first housing portion and extend toward each other. The apparatus according to claim 14.

16. The second housing portion comprises an upper portion and a plurality of lateral portions including a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion, wherein the upper portion is a central portion extending along the longitudinal direction defined by the longitudinal central axis, the first lateral portion extends downward from the first lateral portion of the upper portion, the second lateral portion extends downward from the second lateral portion of the upper portion, the first wing portion (122A) protrudes inward into the first housing portion (110) from near the lower end of the first lateral portion, and the second wing portion (122B) protrudes inward into the first housing portion (110) from near the lower end of the second lateral portion. The apparatus according to claim 15.

17. The first housing portion (110) includes a track portion (112) that defines a sliding track on which the second housing portion (120) slides relative to the first housing portion (110) in order to move in the operating direction, and the second housing portion (120) is attached to the first housing portion (110) by the cooperation of the second wedge portion and the track portion. The apparatus according to claim 16.

18. The movable part (134) is housed inside the circuit compartment, and the wedge mechanism is configured to move the movable part (134) toward the battery compartment. The apparatus according to claim 1.

19. The circuit is configured to charge the battery. The apparatus according to claim 1.

Images