JPH08101733A - Power source pack - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide the power source pack which is applicable to a variety of utilization cases and further safe by storing plural kinds of power sources including a primary battery put on the market in a storage part as an extension power source so that they can be replaced, and evading the electric charging of the primary battery. CONSTITUTION: In the power source pack, a rechargeable main battery 20, a dedicated secondary battery pack 30, a dedicated AC adapter 40, and an extension power source storage part 3 which contains plural kinds of power source such as the primary battery put on the market are provided, and further a DC power source input terminal 2 is provided which inputs external DC electric power. In the extension power source storage part 3, a DC power switch 5 and an extension power source changeover switch 6 are provided to select an output current corresponding to the stored extension power source and control a charging current.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power pack, and more particularly to a power pack mounted on a portable electronic device or the like to supply electric power to the electronic device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In portable electronic equipment such as a notebook type personal computer and a portable word processor, an AC adapter for converting a commercial AC into a predetermined DC voltage is operated on an indoor desk or the like, and the outdoor is difficult to obtain the commercial AC. Then, the battery pack containing the battery is attached to the main body to operate. The battery contained in the battery pack is a so-called secondary battery that can be charged, and the time that can be operated only by this battery pack is about 2 to 4 hours, which is far from sufficient time. Therefore, when carrying an electronic device, a spare battery pack or an AC adapter is carried together so that the electronic device can be stably operated for a long time.
There is also a battery pack and an AC adapter which have the same shape so that an AC adapter that is difficult to carry can be stored in the main body of the electronic device (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-92381). Further, there is an electronic device in which a plurality of battery packs can be attached.

[0003]

However, the spare battery pack is not always in a fully charged state, and the battery pack and the AC adapter have the same shape so that the AC adapter can be housed in the electronic device body. Certainly, it became convenient to carry, but it cannot be operated outdoors or in a place where commercial exchange is not possible, such as in a vehicle. In addition, a battery pack that can be equipped with a plurality of battery packs requires a large amount of space for the battery packs, so when used indoors, the space efficiency is poor and the size of the electronic device becomes large. is there.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the power supply pack is provided with a minimum required main battery and a power supply storage unit for storing a plurality of types of power supplies in a replaceable manner. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a power pack that can efficiently use a power source space in an electronic device and can easily supply power according to an operating environment of the electronic device.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a positive and negative electrode exposed to the outside and is mounted on an electronic device to supply electric power. A main battery consisting of a battery, a DC power supply input terminal for inputting a predetermined DC current, an extended power supply storage unit that stores a plurality of types of power supplies in a replaceable manner,
A power supply discriminating means for discriminating which kind of power source is stored in the storage portion, and a current control means for controlling a current supplied to the electronic device and a charging current based on the discrimination result of the power supply discriminating means are provided. Configured to.

When the power supply discriminating means discriminates that the primary battery is housed, the current controlling means supplies electric power to the electronic device only from the primary battery and the direct current obtained from the direct current power source input terminal. A means for controlling the current so that the current is not supplied as a charging current to the primary battery housed in the power supply housing is preferable.

Further, when the power supply discriminating means discriminates that the secondary battery is housed, the current controlling means supplies electric power to the electronic device from the main battery and the secondary battery and from the DC power supply input terminal. A means for controlling the current so that the obtained direct current is supplied as a charging current to the main battery and the secondary battery housed in the power supply housing is preferable.

Further, when the power supply discriminating means discriminates that the AC adapter is housed, the current control means supplies electric power to the electronic equipment from the main battery and the AC adapter and obtains it from the DC power supply input terminal. It may be a means for controlling the current so as to cut off the direct current.

[0009]

In this power pack constructed in this manner, power can be supplied only by the main battery, and if necessary, a commercially available primary battery, dedicated secondary battery or Can store any of the dedicated AC adapters.
Furthermore, the power from the DC power supply terminal can also be used. And
The rechargeable main battery and the secondary battery stored in the storage unit can be charged by the electric power from the DC power supply terminal, and conversely, the primary battery such as an alkaline battery, which is dangerous, cannot be charged.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of an extended power supply and a power pack showing an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, reference numeral 1 is a power pack to be used by mounting it on an electronic device (not shown), in which a main battery 20 composed of a secondary battery is housed, and a DC power input terminal 2 and an AC adapter power supply are externally provided. The hole 4 for the cable, the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 which are the output terminals of this power pack that come into contact when mounted on an electronic device are exposed. The DC power supply input terminal 2 is an input terminal for inputting a predetermined DC voltage, and is adapted to input, for example, the output of another AC adapter or a DC current obtained by transforming the power supply for a cigarette lighter of an automobile to a predetermined voltage. , The electric power obtained from the DC power input terminal 2 is positive electrode 11
Also, it is supplied to the electronic device through the negative electrode 12 and used for charging various secondary batteries described later.

The power pack 1 is provided with an extended power storage unit 3, and in this embodiment, either a commercially available primary battery, a secondary battery pack 30 in a dedicated container, or a dedicated AC adapter 40 is used. It is designed to be replaceable. The primary battery includes, for example, an AA-type manganese battery, an alkaline battery, and a battery with a higher voltage, and has an advantage that it can be purchased and used immediately without being charged. In the figure, 7 and 8 are positive and negative electrodes for this primary battery, respectively. Secondary battery pack 30 and AC
Each adapter 40 has a predetermined shape in a dedicated package. Reference numerals 9 and 10 provided inside the extended power supply housing 3 are positive and negative electrodes for these extended power supplies, respectively. Inside the extended power storage unit 3,
DC power switch 5 and extended power switch 6
Two switches are exposed and arranged. In this embodiment, both are switches using the conductivity and elasticity of metal.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the power pack of the present invention. When nothing is stored in the extended power source storage section 3, the electromotive force of the main power source 20 is supplied to the positive terminal 11 through the extended power source changeover switch 6. If an external DC power source (not shown) is connected to the DC power source input terminal 2, power is supplied to the positive terminal 11 through the two switches, the DC power source switch 5 and the extended power source changeover switch 6, and the main power source is supplied. Charge 20. In this case, since nothing is stored in the extended power source storage unit 3, the electronic device becomes lighter by the amount of the extended power source. For example, if the battery power source of an automobile is used, the extended power source need not be purchased. Further, since the main power supply 20 is built in, there is no danger of the electronic device immediately stopping even if the supply of the external power supply is stopped.

When the secondary battery pack 30 is housed in the extended power supply housing 3, the two switches are in the same state as when nothing is housed, and as a result, the secondary battery pack 30 is placed in parallel with the main battery 20. You are connected. The secondary battery pack 30 is housed in a dedicated package in order to distinguish it from a commercially available primary battery. This package has an extended power storage unit 3
A cut is made at a position corresponding to the extended power source changeover switch 6 of No. 1 so that it is not erroneously determined as a primary battery. If both batteries are sufficiently charged, the electronic device can be operated for a long time without an external power source, which is suitable for use outdoors or in a train. If another AC adapter is connected to the DC power input terminal 2, both batteries can be charged, so that the battery before carrying can be charged.

When the AC adapter 40 is housed in the expanded power supply housing 3, the DC power switch 5 is turned off by the protrusion on the AC adapter 40. Further, the AC adapter 40 has the same cutout as the secondary battery pack 30 so that the position of the extended power source changeover switch 6 is not changed.
Depending on the state of these switches, electric power from the AC adapter 40 is supplied to the electronic device through the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12 while charging the main battery 20. The DC power switch 5 maintains the connection state when the AC adapter 40 is not housed, and is turned off when the AC adapter 40 is housed so that the power of the AC adapter does not interfere with the power from the DC power source from the outside. The method using the AC adapter 40 is suitable for use in an electronic device in an office or home where commercial AC can be easily obtained.

FIG. 3 shows a case where a commercially available primary battery 50 is housed in the extended power supply housing 3. Primary battery 50 is housed so that its electrodes are connected to electrodes 7 and 8 of extended power supply housing 3. When the primary battery 50 is housed, since there is no protrusion for turning off the DC power switch 5 like the AC adapter 40, this switch remains on, but the cut in the secondary battery pack 30 or the AC adapter 40 Therefore, the extended power source changeover switch 6 is switched to the primary battery side. This is done automatically by simply storing a commercially available battery in the extended power source storage unit 3. In this switch state, the electric power of the primary battery is directly supplied to the electronic device through the positive electrode 11 and the negative electrode 12. Then, if an external power supply is connected to the DC power supply input terminal 2, the main battery 20 is charged. The extended power source changeover switch 6 is a switch that switches when the primary battery is stored in the extended power source storage unit 3, and when nothing is stored in the extended power source storage unit 3 or the secondary battery 30 or the AC adapter 40 is stored. When the power is being supplied, the power from the electrodes 9 and 10 connected in parallel with the main battery 20 is accepted to select the power source and avoid charging the primary battery. Commercially available primary batteries can be easily obtained anywhere, and there is no need to take them home with them after use, so they are suitable for use in electronic devices for business trips and trips without considering the cost of the batteries.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the extended power source changeover switch 6 and its surroundings in the extended power source housing 3. FIG. 4A shows a state in which the secondary battery pack 30 or the AC adapter 40 is stored. The extended power source changeover switch 6 is biased by a spring (not shown) in the direction of the arrow, and therefore contacts the a when the package has a notch or no package is housed. FIG. 4B shows a state where the primary battery is stored. Since the commercially available primary battery does not have a notch, when the primary battery is housed, the extended power source changeover switch 6 is pressed in the direction of the side surface of the housing portion opposite to the biased direction, so that it contacts b and the power source It is possible to switch.

[0017]

As described above, since the power pack according to the present invention can store a plurality of types of extended power supplies in the storage part in a replaceable manner, the power supply pack of the electronic device can be changed according to the use situation. It is possible to supply various power sources. In addition, since it is possible to use a commercially available primary battery, it is possible to easily deal with running out of charge, and since charging control is performed to avoid charging to the primary battery, accidents such as battery rupture due to incorrect charging can also be performed. It can be prevented.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a power pack and an extended power supply showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a battery circuit in the power pack of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an external view of the power pack of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in which a primary battery is stored.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining discrimination of primary batteries in the power pack.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Power Pack 2 DC Power Input Terminal 3 Extended Power Storage 5 DC Power Switch 6 Extended Power Switch 7 Positive Electrode for Primary Battery 8 Negative Electrode for Primary Battery 9 Positive Electrode for Secondary Battery or AC Adapter 10 Secondary Battery Or negative electrode for AC adapter 11,21 Positive electrode 12,22 Negative electrode 20 Main battery 23 Notch 30 Secondary battery pack 40 AC adapter 41 Protrusion 50 Primary battery

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A main battery comprising a rechargeable secondary battery and a predetermined direct current input in a power pack having positive and negative electrodes exposed to the outside and attached to an electronic device to supply electric power. DC power supply input terminal, and an extended power supply storage unit that stores multiple types of power supplies in a replaceable manner,
A power source determining means for determining which kind of power source is stored in the storage portion, and a current control means for controlling a current supplied to an electronic device and a charging current based on a determination result of the means are provided. Characteristic power pack. 2. When the power supply discriminating means discriminates that the primary battery is housed, the current control means supplies electric power to the electronic device only from the primary battery and is obtained from the DC power supply input terminal. The power pack according to claim 1, which is means for controlling a current so that a direct current is not supplied as a charging current to the primary battery housed in the power supply housing. 3. When the power supply discriminating means discriminates that the secondary battery is housed, the current control means supplies electric power to the electronic device from the main battery and the secondary battery and from the DC power supply input terminal. 2. The power pack according to claim 1, which is means for controlling the current so that the obtained direct current is supplied as a charging current to the main battery and the secondary battery housed in the power supply housing. 4. When the power supply discriminating means discriminates that the AC adapter is housed, the current control means supplies electric power to the electronic device from the main battery and / or the AC adapter and from the DC power supply input terminal. 2. The power pack according to claim 1, wherein the power pack is means for controlling the current so as to cut off the obtained direct current.