DE10066273B4 - Terminal structure for battery pack, includes alterable number of elastic board formed on receptacle in entry direction of male terminal, for fitting male terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

Receptacle (7) and male terminal (17) are provided to battery pack and enclosure, respectively. Two or more pairs of elastic board (10) that fit male terminal into the receptacle, is formed on the receptacle in entry direction of male terminal. The number of elastic board is alterable.

Description

The The present invention relates to a battery part, and more particularly a structure for electrical connections a (rechargeable) battery part that attaches to and electrically connecting to an electrical device such as a electrically operated tool or a battery charger adapted is.

Various Structures for making an electrical contact between a rechargeable battery part and electrical devices, such as electrically operated tools and battery chargers are well known in the art. In such a mounting structure for Making an electrical contact are plug connections on attached to the battery part, whereas receiving terminals, the with the plug connections can be coupled are mounted on the electrical device. The contact pressure between the appropriate connections a battery part and an electrical device must be in accordance be chosen with the specific operating conditions of the device, by e.g. a heat accumulation and / or jitter at the appropriate terminals due to high voltage, high currents and / or one caused by the operation of such electrical devices To prevent vibration. Therefore, different receiving connections with different contact pressures mounted on different types of electrical devices, around for every application a suitable strength to get a contact pressure.

Even though Such a structure of electrical connections generally acceptable is, this is not free of certain disadvantages and thus leaves room for an improvement. A disadvantage is the increased production costs and the extra Time and work to manufacture and assemble different Types of receptacle connections on different devices / devices is required (in order for different Stages of contact pressure or different strengths of contact pressure to care). About that There is also the possibility of short circuits, which can occur between the exposed connector terminals, the are provided on the battery parts of the above structure. To short circuits to prevent would be it for to prefer the battery part, this with receiving connections too Mistake. If this is the case, however, have the connections of the battery part a contact pressure of a predetermined magnitude, such that providing from plug connections with different thicknesses for electrical devices with different operating conditions the only means is to add a range of contact pressures realize. The contact pressure range afforded by this means is generally limited and thus does not reach a required width. Alternatively it is it is possible Plug / receptacle connection combinations with high contact pressure for all connection connections to cover a range of applications that are different Strengthen require a contact pressure. In this case, however, the connection between over all fitting connections be, even for such applications that do not require a very tight connection. An additional Problem with this solution is that the high contact pressure frequently to a shortened Lifetime of the connections leads.

From the US 5 792 573 A or the US 5 553 675 A In each case, battery parts for a battery-operated, electrical device are known, with a connection region for electrical connection and two sliding regions arranged parallel to one another in the connection direction on the battery part housing for mechanically connecting the battery part to the electrical device. In the housing of the electrical device suitable holding portions are formed to the sliding portions of the battery part, so that mechanically fixed by a sliding relative movement of the battery part to the electrical device via the sliding portions and the holding portions, the battery part. The terminal portion of the battery part has two pole-receiving terminals arranged in parallel with each other and to the connecting direction, which come in contact with two corresponding plug terminals of the electrical device in the sliding relative movement of the battery part to the electrical device. Each pole receiving terminal has a pair of elastic plates, each of the elastic plates having a parallel portion on a common base plate arranged parallel to the corresponding parallel portion of the opposite elastic plate of the same pair, and a contact pressure portion extending from the parallel portion extending in the connecting direction, have. The contact pressure portion is bent from one end of the parallel portion of the associated elastic plate so as to come into contact with and then away from the same pair of elastic plates only in contact with its corresponding counterpart. The pole connection areas are arranged between the two sliding areas.

In the DE 93 19 361 U1 a battery part for a battery-powered hand tool is also described, with a connection area for electrical connection and two parallel to each other in the direction of connection to the battery part housing arranged sliding portions for mechanically connecting the battery part with the handle of the hand Tool. In the handle suitable holding portions are formed to the sliding portions of the battery part, so that the battery part is mechanically fixed by a sliding relative movement of the battery part to the hand tool on the sliding portions and the holding portion. The terminal region of the battery part has two pole-receiving terminals, which are arranged parallel to one another and to the connecting direction, as well as between the two sliding regions, which come into contact with two corresponding contact tongues of the hand tool during the sliding relative movement of the battery part to the hand tool.

From the DE 44 28 192 A1 For example, an electrical connector for a battery is known, which has a connection structure with a plurality of pairs of elastic plates in series, each pair of plates being able to form a single contact point with a predetermined contact pressure. From the DE 44 28 192 A1 and the DE 91 03 661 U1 It is also known that at least one signal connection region is arranged between the two pole connection regions.

From the EP 0 694 980 A2 For example, a battery part with a connection area for electrical connection and at least one sliding area for mechanically connecting the battery part to an electrical device is known. The terminal portion has a plurality of pairs of elastic plates in series, and the plate pairs of this connector can form only a single contact point with a predetermined contact pressure.

From the US 5,207,697 A. is a battery pack with a connection structure known, with terminals, each having a pair of elastic plates, wherein the plate pairs of this connection structure each having only a single contact point with a predetermined contact pressure.

It The object of the present invention is to specify a battery part that a simple and reliable mechanical and electrical connection with an electrical device allows and provide several different strong contact pressures can.

These Task is solved by a battery part according to claim 1. Further developments are in the dependent claims specified.

The used in the battery part structure, a plurality of receiving terminals, the are provided in the battery part, and a plurality of plug terminals, the are provided in the electrical device and designed so are that they can be coupled to the female terminals exhibit. In this structure, each of the receiving terminals comprises at least two pairs of elastic plates, each pair of elastic plates is able to hold one of the plug connections between them, when the battery part is attached to the electrical device is. Further, the elastic plate pairs of each receiving terminal arranged along the path of movement of the connector terminal when the battery part is attached to the electrical device, such that the number of elastic plate pairs of each receiving terminal, which hold each plug connection between them, by the length of the plug connection along the aforementioned Movement path is determined.

These Structure of electrical connections allows the plug connections between a selected one Number of elastic plate pairs are kept, and allowed also the selection of any suitable strength of contact pressure the connections from a plurality of compressive strengths, in agreement with the voltage, current and / or vibration level in a specific Application. This effectively prevents heat accumulation and shivering Connections. Furthermore can, because the contact pressure at the connections simply by changing the Length of the plug connections without change the dimensions and / or the shape of the receptacle connections can be adjusted, achieved a significant cost reduction become. About that can out shorts effectively prevented because the female terminals are not on the outside the battery part are exposed.

One typical battery part reaches the end of its life rather as the electrical device (e.g., the charger or the Tool), with which the battery part is used and must be replaced be because the cells in the battery part after a certain Number of cycles of loading and unloading are destroyed. It follows that connector terminals, which generally a longer one Lifetime as receiving connections should be used on the main device at which the battery part is attached, and the receiving terminals on the Battery part should be attached. Unlike the conventional ones Structures advantageously utilize the above structure of the invention Make this logical arrangement of plug connections on the main device and reception connections on the battery part.

The structure may include two receptacle terminals and two male terminals, each of the male terminals being formed to be electrically connected to one of two receptacle terminals. The two receiving connections are arranged parallel to each other and are at a first selected distance from each other, and the two plug terminals are arranged substantially parallel to each other and are in the selected first distance from each other.

each plastic plate can have a parallel section, which is parallel to the aforementioned movement path extends, and a contact pressure section, which at an angle to the parallel portion of one end of the parallel portion out of bent, so that this at one point in contact with the paired associated elastic plate extends. Furthermore, each of the plug connectors a bar of sufficient length along the aforementioned axis (Trajectory) to at least one of the elastic plate pairs at the aforementioned Point to come in contact, separate the contact pressure sections and over the aforementioned Point to reach out when the battery part to the electric Device is attached.

The parallel sections of each elastic plate pair can be from each other by a chosen one Space sufficiently separated so that at least a part the bar of corre sponding plug connection are arranged therebetween can. In addition, each pair of elastic plates is arranged such that while the attachment of the battery part to the electrical device the plug connection first with respect to the electrical device is pushed to the above-mentioned Space between the parallel sections, after which the Plug connection separates the contact pressure sections at the aforementioned point.

each Elastic plate may include at least one therein substantially parallel to the aforementioned path of movement of the connector formed slot, so as to make the contact pressure section into one Subdivide plurality of elastic parts.

Everyone Contact pressure section can be in two elastic parts with identical Be divided into width.

Everyone Contact pressure section can be divided into two elastic parts with different Be divided into widths. The slot in each elastic plate delivers different, natural Vibrations at the divided parts of the elastic plate to such a tremor due to e.g. by the operation of the electric Tool to reduce vibration.

The Strip of each connector can be sized and dimensioned be that she the two pairs of contact plates of the corresponding female terminal disconnect them only a pair of contact plates of the corresponding female terminal separates.

In accordance with a practical design The bar of each plug connection has a substantially rectangular Shape.

In accordance with a further practical implementation impinges each pair from contact pressure sections the plug connection with a selected level of contact pressure, when the battery part is attached to the electrical device is.

A embodiment the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings, in which:

1 a perspective view of the exterior of a battery part 1 according to the present invention;

2 shows how the battery part off 1 attached to an electric tool;

3 a perspective view of the connection structure of the battery part 1 and the electric tool 2 is;

4 a long plug connection of in 2 shown electric tool, which is connected to a receiving connection of the in 1 shown battery part is coupled;

5 a short plug connection of the electric tool is attached to the receiving port of the in 1 shown battery part is coupled; and

6 an alternative contact pressure section 12 of the receiving port of in 1 shown battery part is.

1 shows a perspective view of the exterior of a battery part 1 in accordance with the present invention. The battery part 1 is a substantially box-shaped housing, which is made of a synthetic resin and contains a plurality of rechargeable cells (not shown). In addition, the battery part comprises at its top a connection area 2 for attaching the bottom end of an electric tool or a battery charger and a pair of sliding portions 3 , each sliding area 3 an inverted L-shaped cross-section, which is on one side of the connection area 2 is trained.

Referring to 2 In order to attach the battery part to a device such as an electric tool, the sliding portions 3 along the bottom of a handle 14 of the electric tool pushed by a formed on the bottom of the handle holding portion 15 to be determined. Specifically, the battery part becomes 1 first in a substantially orthogonal direction to the longitudinal axis of the handle 14 pushed, with the connection area 2 in the holding section 15 intervenes. The battery part 1 continues to glide up to a couple of stops 4 behind the connection area 2 are formed (in 2 aligned upwards), stops when the connection areas 2 in attack with the respective attacks 16 of the handle 14 come. At the same time, there are three plug connections 17 and 17a at the bottom of the tool handle 14 are formed in respective slots 5 and 5a one in the connection area 2 are formed to make electrical contact with the respective receiving terminals 7 and 7a in the connection area 2 manufacture. Although not shown, the battery charger of the present invention for use with the battery part has an identical terminal structure as that of the above electric tool, such that the manner of connecting the battery part 1 with the battery charger is identical to the above.

Regarding 3 includes each pole-receiving port 7 a base plate 8th parallel to the slots 5 and 5a on a carrier plate 6 of the connection area 2 is attached, a guide plate 9 , which is at one end with the rear end of the base plate 8th is coupled and abuts at the other end to one of the rechargeable cells, a plurality of paired elastic plates 10 attached to the long sides of the base plate 8th are essentially up high. In this embodiment, the two pole-receiving terminals 7 on both sides of the carrier plate 6 are formed, the positive and negative connection for charging and discharging the cells. As shown, each pole terminal includes 7 two pairs of elastic plates 10 where each pair is above the base plate 8th is arranged symmetrically. The attachment 7a which is a pair of elastic plates 10 but no guide plate 9 is provided for transmitting signals indicating a detected cell temperature. Every elastic plate 10 has a parallel section 11 , which in the assembled state parallel to its counterpart of the paired elastic plate 10 is aligned. In every elastic plate 10 is also a contact pressure section 12 present, which from one end of the parallel section 11 made of bent, such that this back in contact with its counterpart of the paired elastic plate 10 extends. The contact pressure section 12 is bent back at the contact point such that a narrow gap between the free ends of the paired pressure sections 12 is formed. Every contact pressure section 12 is through a slot 13 that in the section 12 is formed laterally from its free end, partially divided into two equal vertical widths.

Still referring to 3 includes the handle 14 a terminal block 18 , which the right-angled plug connections 17 with the same distance to each other as the slots 5 carries, so the connections 17 in the slots 5 can penetrate if the battery part 11 on the handle 14 is attached. It should be noted that the length of the plug connections 17 along the direction of entry is determined by the required contact pressure. Specifically, if a relatively high voltage or current is needed, or if it is likely that the electric tool will be subjected to extreme vibration, a large contact pressure is generally necessary. For this purpose, long plug connections 17 used, which extends over the rear ends of the rear elastic plates 10 extend out when the battery part 1 is used. Conversely, if a relatively low voltage or current is needed, or if the electric tool is not subjected to extreme vibration, generally, a large contact pressure is not required, so shorter plug connections 17 which are only behind the back ends of the front elastic plates 10 extend, but not the rear plates 10 reach when the battery part is inserted. Because the recording connection 7a (Signal connection area) for data transmission only a pair of elastic plates 10 includes, is the corresponding plug connection 17a on the terminal block 18 is supported, trained accordingly short.

According to the connection structure thus constructed, the connector terminals come 17 in the slots 5 when the battery part 1 in connection with the bottom of the handle 14 of the electric tool slides. Because the plug connections 17 are formed relatively long in this embodiment, the connections occur 17 in the gap between the respective front pairs of elastic plates 10 when the battery part 1 slidably sliding and then sliding the respective pairs of contact pressure sections 12 on.

The plug connections 17 continue to move backwards, entering the gap between the respective rear pairs of elastic plates 10 and push the respective pairs of contact pressure sections 12 up to their rearmost parking position.

As in 4 is shown, when the battery part on the handle 14 put in place, each plug connection 17 with large contact pressure at two points between two pairs of elastic plates 10 held in electrical contact with the female connector 7 manufacture. This effectively prevents heat build-up and jitter at the points where the terminals are 7 and 17 are connected.

Regarding 5 kick when short connections 17a be used, then with manual attachment of the battery part 1 on the handle 14 the connections 17 into the gap between the respective front pairs of elastic plates 10 and then push the respective pairs of contact pressure sections 12 on. If the battery part 1 on the handle 14 is put in place, each plug connection 17 only through a pair of elastic plates 10 held to make electrical contact with the pole-receiving terminal 7 manufacture.

As can be seen from the above description, the battery part is 1 with recording connections 7 each provided with several pairs of elastic plates 10 while the charger and the electrical tool each have plug connections 17 and 17a which have a length suitable for specific applications. The arrangement allows a selection of the correct amount of contact pressure for the voltage or current used, thereby effectively preventing heat accumulation and jitter at mating terminals. In addition, the selection of a proper amount of contact pressure can be made simply by selecting the length of the connector terminals without the need to provide differently shaped receptacle terminals. This offers an additional advantage in reducing manufacturing costs. In addition, because the receiving ports 7 and 7a on the battery part 1 are not exposed, even short circuits are effectively prevented.

There Cells may be destroyed and the end of their life after passage of many cycles of charge and discharge is for the connections of the electrical tool and the charger desirable, longer life to have. plug connectors generally have a longer one Life as receptacle connections, because of their thickness and hardness chosen free can be. Accordingly, the Arrangement of the above embodiment, in which receptacle connections on the battery part and plug connections on the charger and the Tool are mounted, the more logical and better combination in the With regard to the service life of both types of connection.

In the above embodiment, two pairs of elastic or compliant plates 10 in each receptacle connection 7 used. However, according to the present invention, three or more pairs of elastic plates are also considered 10 in every connection 7 and / or plug connections 17 of different lengths to match the many pairs of female terminals so as to realize a wider range of contact pressures from which to choose. Moreover, according to the above embodiment, in which the in each elastic plate 10 trained slot 13 the plate is divided laterally into two equal and vertical widths, other types of division possible to suit specific applications. For example, as in 6 is shown, the slot may be formed in a higher plane to a narrower upper part 12b and a wider lower part 12a creating different natural vibration capabilities for the upper and lower parts to reduce jitter due to, for example, vibration generated by operation of the tool. This arrangement is particularly effective in minimizing or eliminating jitter due to undesirable vibration caused by the operation of the tool. It should be noted, however, that the front and rear pairs of elastic plates 10 do not need to have slots in the same plane, for example, can have horizontal slots in the elastic plates 10 the front pair may be arranged in a higher plane than in the plates of the rear pair or vice versa. In addition, not all pairs of elastic plates 10 can be divided into two identical vertical widths, the front pairs and the rear pairs can be divided into two different widths

According to the above embodiment, the battery part becomes 1 attached to the electric tool and the battery charger by pushing it along an outer surface of the tool or charger in a direction parallel to the surface of the battery part. It should be noted that the invention is applicable to other structures for attaching the battery pack to the tool or charger. For example, the structure of electrical terminals according to the invention is applicable to an arrangement in which a portion of a battery part is inserted into the electric tool and the charger.

Claims (7)

Battery part ( 1 ), with two parallel to each other on one side of the battery part formed sliding areas ( 3 ) for mechanically connecting and at least one connection region ( 2 ) for electrically connecting the battery part ( 1 ) with an electrical device ( 10 ), in particular a tool or battery charger, in which the sliding areas ( 3 ) by a sliding relative movement of the battery part ( 1 ) relative to the electrical device ( 10 ) in a connection direction with the electrical device ( 10 ) correspondingly formed holding sections ( 15 ) can be brought into engagement, the connection area ( 2 ) of the battery part ( 19 at least two pole-receiving terminals ( 7 ), which during the sliding relative movement of the battery part ( 1 ) relative to the electrical device ( 10 ) with two corresponding plug connections ( 17 ) of the electrical device ( 10 ), each pole receiving terminal ( 7 ) at least two pairs of elastic plates ( 10 ) and the elastic plates ( 10 ) of a pair facing each other perpendicular to the direction of connection, and the at least two pairs of elastic plates ( 10 ) of the pole receiving terminals ( 7 ) are arranged one behind the other in the connecting direction, so that depending on the length of the corresponding plug connection ( 17 ) only one or both pairs of elastic plates ( 10 ) of the associated pole receiving terminal ( 7 ) are contacted. Battery part according to claim 1, wherein at least one signal connection region ( 7a ) comprising at least one pair of elastic panels ( 10 ) is provided. Battery part according to claim 1 or 2, in which the elastic plates ( 10 ) each have a parallel section ( 11 ) parallel to the corresponding parallel portion of the opposed elastic plate (Fig. 10 ) of the same pair, and a contact pressure section ( 12 ) extending from the parallel section ( 11 ) in the connecting direction. A battery part according to claim 3, wherein the contact pressure portion (Fig. 12 ) from one end of the parallel section ( 11 ) of the associated elastic plate ( 10 ) is bent in such a way that it only comes into contact with its corresponding counterpart from the same pair of elastic plates ( 10 ) comes and then runs away from this. Battery part according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the distance between the contact pressure sections ( 12 ) of a pair of parallel plates perpendicular to the connecting direction is smaller than the distance of the corresponding parallel portions (FIG. 11 ) of the same pair of elastic plates ( 10 ). Battery part according to Claim 2, in which the signal connection region ( 7a ) between the pole connection areas ( 7 ) is arranged. Battery part according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one stop ( 4 ) is provided, which stops the relative movement with at least one corresponding stop of the electrical device.