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DESCRIPTION
BATTERY AND CONNECTION DEVICE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001]
The present technology relates to a technical field
related to a battery in which a functional groove is formed
in a housing that accommodates cells at the inside thereof,
and a connection device to which the battery is connected.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002]
In various electronic devices such as a still camera
and a video camera which include an imaging device, some
electronic devices can operate by using power of a battery.
For example, the battery is charged in a state of being mounted
in a charger, and is mounted in a battery mounting portion
of each of the electronic devices in a state of being charged.
The charger or the electronic device functions as a connection
device to be connected to the battery.
[0003]
A connector including connection terminals is provided
in the battery, and charging to the battery or supply of power
from the battery to the electronic device is performed in a
state in which electrode terminals of the charger or electrode
terminals provided in the battery mounting portion are
connected to the connection terminals (for example, refer to
Patent Document 1) .
[0004]
A battery described in Patent Document 1 includes a
housing having an approximately rectangular parallelepiped
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shape, cells which are accommodated in the housing, and a
connector that is electrically connected to the cells, and
an identification groove ( a recess for determination) is formed
in a lower end of the housing as a functional groove having
a predetermined function.
[0005]
The battery slides with respect to a connection device
such as the charger and is mounted therein, and the connector
and the electrode terminals are connected to each other. When
the battery is mounted in the connection device, an
identification protrusion provided in the connection device
is set to be inserted into the identification groove, and the
kind of the battery is identified on the basis of an insertion
state of the identification protrusion into the identification
groove.
CITATION LIST
PATENT DOCUMENT
[0006]
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2015-92511
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION
[0007]
However, since the battery is used in a state of being
mounted in the charger or the battery mounting portion, as
the size of the battery increases, the size of the connection
device such as the charger or the electronic device also
increases in proportion to the increase in size. In addition,
the battery is carried in many cases, and thus in a case where
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the size of the battery is large, portability deteriorates,
and handling becomes inconvenient.
[0008]
On the other hand, in the case of identifying the kind
of the battery or the like on the basis of a plurality of indexes
(identification protrusions), it is possible to improve an
identification property. However, identification grooves
are necessary in a number corresponding to the number of the
indexes, and an occupation area of the identification grooves
in a housing increases in correspondence with an increase of
the number of the identification grooves. As a result, the
size of the battery increases.
[0009]
Here, an object of the present technology is to overcome
the problem and to realize a reduction in size while securing
high functionality.
SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS
[0010]
According to a first aspect of the present technology,
there is provided a battery including: a housing that
accommodates a cell on an inner side; and a terminal portion
that includes a connection terminal connected to an electrode
terminal of a connection device . A functional groove , of which
a longitudinal direction matches a connection direction
between the connection terminal and the electrode terminal,
and which has a predetermined function, is formed in the housing,
and in the functional groove, a plurality of functional
portions having lengths different from each other is
continuously formed.
[0011]
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With this arrangement, a portion that isolates
functional portions does not exist between the plurality of
functional portions having lengths different from each other.
[0012]
According to a second aspect, in the battery according
to the present technology, it is preferable that a first
functional portion and a second functional portion are formed
as the functional portion.
[0013]
With this arrangement, a size of the functional groove
in a direction in which the functional portions are continuous
becomes a total size of the first functional portion and the
second functional portion.
[0014]
According to a third aspect, in the battery according
to the present technology, it is preferable that the plurality
of functional portions is continuously formed in a width
direction.
[0015]
With this arrangement, a size of the functional groove
in the width direction becomes a total size of the plurality
of functional portions.
[0016]
According to a fourth aspect, in the battery according
to the present technology, it is preferable that the shorter
a length of each of the plurality of functional portions is,
the smaller a width of the functional portion is.
[0017]
With this arrangement, the size of the functional groove
in the width direction becomes smaller than a total width in
a case where functional portions having the same width are
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formed.
[0018]
According to a fifth aspect, in the battery according
to the present technology, it is preferable that the plurality
5 of functional portions is continuously formed in a depth
direction.
[0019)
With this arrangement, the size of the functional groove
in the depth direction becomes a total size of the plurality
of functional portions.
[0020]
According to a sixth aspect, in the battery according
to the present technology, it is preferable that the shorter
a length of each of the plurality of functional portions, the
smaller a depth of the functional portion is.
[0021]
With this arrangement, the size of the functional groove
in the depth direction becomes smaller than a total depth in
a case where functional portions having the same depth are
formed.
[0022]
According to a seventh aspect, in the battery according
to the present technology, it is preferable that the functional
groove is formed on both sides of the terminal portion in a
width direction.
[0023]
With this arrangement, it is possible to perform
identification of a connection device by using the both
functional grooves.
[0024]
According to an eighth aspect, in the battery according
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to the present technology, it is preferable that the housing
includes a front surface and a rear surface which are located
on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction, and a top
surface and a bottom surface which are located between the
front surface and the rear surface in a height direction that
is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a disposition
recess that is opened at least to the front surface is formed
in the housing, a connector that is disposed in the disposition
recess is provided as the terminal portion, and a surface
located on a most top surface side among surfaces which form
the functional groove is located on a further bottom surface
side in comparison to a surface located on a most top surface
side among surfaces which form the disposition recess.
[0025]
With this arrangement, the surface located on the most
top surface side among the surfaces which form the functional
groove is located on a further bottom surface side in comparison
to the surface located on the most top surface side among the
surfaces which form the disposition recess.
[0026]
According to a ninth aspect, in the battery according
to the present technology, it is preferable that the housing
includes a top surface and a bottom surface which are located
on opposite sides in a height direction, a terminal disposition
groove, in which the connection terminal is disposed, is formed
in the housing, a surface located on a most top surface side
among surfaces which form the functional groove is located
on a further bottom surface side in comparison to a surface
located on a most top surface side among surfaces which form
the terminal disposition groove.
[0027]
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With this arrangement, the surface located on the most
top surface side among the surfaces which form the functional
groove is located on a further bottom surface side in comparison
to the surface located on the most top surface side among the
surfaces which form the terminal disposition groove.
[0028]
According to a tenth aspect, in the battery according
to the present technology, it is preferable that the housing
includes two lateral surfaces which are located on opposite
sides in a width direction, and a top surface and a bottom
surface which are located between the two lateral surfaces
in a height direction that is perpendicular to the width
direction, a notch is formed in the housing by a stepped surface
that is continuous to each of the lateral surfaces, and a groove
formed surface that is continuous to the bottom surface, and
a surface located on a most top surface side among surfaces
which form the functional groove is located on a further bottom
surface side in comparison to the stepped surface.
[0029]
With this arrangement, the surface located on the most
top surface side among the surfaces which form the functional
groove is located on a further bottom surface side in comparison
to the stepped surface.
[0030]
According to an eleventh aspect , in the battery according
to the present technology, it is preferable that a guided groove
that is opened to the groove formed surface is formed in the
housing, and the surface located on the most top surface side
among the surfaces which form the functional groove is located
on a further bottom surface side in comparison to an end edge
that is located on a most top surface side in the guided groove.
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[0031]
With this arrangement, the surface located on the most
top surface side among the surfaces which form the functional
groove is located on a further bottom surface side in comparison
to the end edge that is located on the most top surface side
in the guided groove.
[0032]
According to a twelfth aspect, in the battery according
to the present technology, it is preferable that a guided groove
that is opened to the groove formed surface is formed in the
housing, and the surface located on the most top surface side
among the surfaces which form the functional groove is located
on a further top surface side in comparison to an end edge
located on a most bottom surface side in the guided groove.
[0033]
With this arrangement, the surface located on the most
top surface side among the surfaces which form the functional
groove is located on a further top surface side in comparison
to the end edge located on the most bottom surface side in
the guided groove.
[0034]
According to a thirteenth aspect, in the battery
according to the present technology, it is preferable that
the housing includes a front surface and a rear surface located
on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction, a disposition
recess that is opened at least to the front surface is formed
in the housing, a connector that is disposed in the disposition
recess is provided as the terminal portion, and a surface
located on a most rear surface side among surfaces which form
the functional groove is located on a further front surface
side in comparison to a surface located on a most rear surface
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side among surfaces which form the disposition recess.
[0035]
With this arrangement, the surface located on the most
rear surface side among the surfaces which form the functional
groove is located on a further front surface side in comparison
to the surface located on the most rear surface side among
the surfaces which form the disposition recess.
[0036]
According to a fourteenth aspect, in the battery
according to the present technology, it is preferable that
the surface located on the most rear surface side among the
surfaces which form the functional groove is located on a
further rear surface side in comparison to a surface located
on a most front surface side in the connector.
[0037]
With this arrangement, the surface located on the most
rear surface side among the surfaces which form the functional
groove is located on a further rear surface side in comparison
to the surface located on the most front surface side in the
connector.
[0038]
According to a fifteenth aspect, in the battery according
to the present technology, it is preferable that the housing
includes a front surface and a rear surface which are located
on opposite sides in a longitudinal direction, a terminal
disposition groove in which the connection terminal is disposed
is formed in the housing, and a surface located on a most rear
surface side among surfaces which form the functional groove
is located on a further front surface side in comparison to
a surface located on a most rear surface side among surfaces
which form the terminal disposition groove.
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[0039]
With this arrangement, the surface located on the most
rear surface side among the surfaces which form the functional
groove is located on a further front surface side in comparison
5 to the surface located on the most rear surface side among
the surfaces which form the terminal disposition groove.
[0040]
According to a sixteenth aspect, in the battery according
to the present technology, it is preferable that the housing
10 includes a front surface and a rear surface which are located
on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction, two lateral
surfaces which are located between the front surface and the
rear surface in a width direction that is perpendicular to
the longitudinal direction, and a top surface and a bottom
surface which are located between the front surface and the
rear surface and between the two lateral surfaces in a height
direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction
and the width direction, a notch is formed in the housing by
a stepped surface that is continuous to each of the lateral
surfaces, and a groove formed surface that is continuous to
the bottom surface, a guided groove that is opened to the groove
formed surface and the front surface is formed in the housing,
and a surface located on a most rear surface side among surfaces
which form the functional groove is located on a further front
surface side in comparison to a surface located on a most rear
surface side in the guided groove.
[0041]
With this arrangement, the surface located on the most
rear surface side among the surfaces which form the functional
groove is located on a further front surface side in comparison
to the surface located on the most rear surface side in the
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guided groove.
[0042]
According to a seventeenth aspect, in the battery
according to the present technology, it is preferable that
the housing includes two lateral surfaces which are located
between a front surface and a rear surface in a width direction
that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a
top surface and a bottom surface which are located between
the front surface and the rear surface and between the two
lateral surfaces in a height direction that is perpendicular
to the longitudinal direction and the width direction, the
first functional portion and the second functional portion
are continuously formed in the width direction, and the first
functional portion is located on a further central side in
the width direction in comparison to the second functional
portion, and a surface, which is continuous to the first
functional portion in the width direction, in the second
functional portion is formed as an inclined surface that is
displaced to the bottom surface side as the surface approaches
the lateral surface located on an side opposite to the first
functional portion.
[0043]
With this arrangement, a width of a portion between the
inclined surface and the lateral surface in the housing
increases.
[0044]
According to an eighteenth aspect, in the battery
according to the present technology, it is preferable that
the predetermined function is an identification function of
identifying a kind of the connection device.
[0045]
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With this arrangement, the kind of the connection device
is identified by the functional groove.
[0046]
According to a nineteenth aspect of the present
technology, there is provided a connection device to which
a battery is detachably mounted, the battery including a
housing accommodating a cell on an inner side and a terminal
portion including a connection terminal connected to an
electrode terminal. A functional groove, of which a
longitudinal direction matches a connection direction between
the connection terminal and the electrode terminal, and which
has a predetermined function, is formed in the housing of the
battery, and in the functional groove, a plurality of
functional portions having lengths different from each other
is continuously formed.
[0047]
With this arrangement, a battery, in which a portion
that isolates functional portions does not exist between the
plurality of functional portions having lengths different from
each other, is attached or detached.
EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0048]
According to the present technology, a portion that
isolates functional portions does not exist between the
plurality of functional portions having lengths different from
each other, and thus a size of the functional groove in a
direction in which functional portions are continuous becomes
a total size of the plurality of functional portions. As a
result, it is possible to realize a reduction in size while
securing high functionability.
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[0049]
Note that, the effects described in this specification
are illustrative only and are not limited thereto, and another
effect may be exhibited.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0050]
Fig. 1 illustrates embodiments of a battery and a
connection device of the present technology in combination
with Fig. 2 to Fig. 102, and is an exploded perspective view
illustrating the battery.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the battery.
Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the battery.
Fig. 4 is a front view of the battery.
Fig. 5 is a rear view of the battery.
Fig. 6 is a side view of the battery.
Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an
accommodation case and a connector in the battery.
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the battery in which
a configuration of a guide groove is different.
Fig. 9 is a side view of the battery in which the
configuration of the guide groove is different.
Fig. 10 is a side view of another battery in which the
configuration of the guide groove is different.
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the battery in which
the configuration of the guide groove is different.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of another battery in which
the configuration of the guide groove is different.
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of still another battery
in which the configuration of the guide groove is different.
Fig. 14 is a front view of the battery in which a
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configuration of a disposition recess is different.
Fig. 15 is a bottom view of another battery in which
the configuration of the disposition recess is different.
Fig. 16 is a front view of the other battery in which
the configuration of the disposition recess is different.
Fig. 17 is a bottom view of still another battery in
which the configuration of the disposition recess is different.
Fig. 18 is a front view of the still other battery in
which the configuration of the disposition recess is different.
Fig. 19 is a perspective view of an imaging device.
Fig. 20 is a perspective view illustrating a state in
which a mounting space is opened in the imaging device.
Fig. 21 is a perspective view illustrating an internal
structure of the battery mounting portion.
Fig. 22 is a bottom view illustrating a state in which
the battery is inserted into amounting space of the battery
mounting portion.
Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state
in which the battery is mounted in the battery mounting portion.
Fig. 24 is a perspective view illustrating a state in
which a pressed recess is formed at a rear end of the battery
and the battery is pressed to a pressing lever.
Fig. 25 is a perspective view of a charger.
Fig. 26 is a plan view of the charger.
Fig. 27 is a side view of the charger.
Fig. 28 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating
a guide engagement portion and the like of the charger.
Fig. 29 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state
in which the battery is inserted into a mounting recess of
the charger.
Fig. 30 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state
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in which the battery is mounted on a battery mounting portion
of the charger.
Fig. 31 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state
in which the battery is mounted on the battery mounting portion
5 of the charger.
Fig. 32 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state
in which the battery is guided to a terminal connection portion
when being mounted on the charger.
Fig. 33 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state
10 in which the battery is mounted on the charger and the terminal
connection portion and the connector are connected to each
other.
Fig. 34 is a perspective view illustrating an example
in which the connector is located on an upward side in comparison
15 to a bottom surface.
Fig. 35 is a perspective view illustrating an example
in which the connector is located on a rearward side in
comparison to a front surface and on an upward side in comparison
to the bottom surface.
Fig. 36 is a bottom view illustrating an example in which
one of wall portions in a recess formed surface is inclined.
Fig. 37 is a perspective view illustrating an example
in which a pair of wall portions and an intermediate portion
in the recess formed surface are inclined.
Fig. 38 is a perspective view illustrating another
example of the charger in combination with the battery.
Fig. 39 is a perspective view illustrating still another
example of the charger in combination with the battery.
Fig. 40 is a perspective view illustrating a state in
which the battery is held to the charger in the still other
example of the charger.
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Fig. 41 is a perspective view illustrating an example
of the battery in which three engagement recesses are formed.
Fig. 42 is a side view illustrating an example of the
battery in which the engagement recesses are formed to be opened
to a guided groove on the most front side.
Fig. 43 is a side view illustrating an example of the
battery in which the engagement recesses are formed to be opened
to a guided groove on the most rear side.
Fig. 44 is a perspective view illustrating an example
of the battery in which the engagement recesses are formed
in a lower end at a rear end.
Fig. 45 is an enlarged bottom view illustrating a front
end of the battery.
Fig. 46 is a conceptual diagram illustrating dimensions
of an identification groove and the like.
Fig. 47 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example
of another shape of the identification groove.
Fig. 48 is a bottom view illustrating the identification
groove and the like in a large-capacity type battery.
Fig. 49 is a bottomview illustrating the identification
groove and the like in a small-capacity type battery.
Fig. 50 is a perspective view illustrating a
configuration of a battery mounting portion in a small-power
camera.
Fig. 51 is a perspective view illustrating a
configuration of the battery mounting portion in an
intermediate-power camera.
Fig. 52 is a perspective view illustrating a
configuration of the battery mounting portion in a large-power
camera.
Fig. 53 is a perspective view illustrating a
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configuration of a battery mounting portion in a charger.
Fig. 54 is a view illustrating identification
characteristics of the identification groove.
Fig. 55 is an enlarged front view illustrating an example
in which a second portion of the identification groove is formed
in another shape.
Fig. 56 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating
an example of the identification groove in which a first portion
and the second portion are formed to be continuous in an upper
and lower direction.
Fig. 57 is a perspective view illustrating another shape
of wall portions in the recess formed surface.
Fig. 58 is a bottom view illustrating another shape of
the wall portions in the recess formed surface.
Fig. 59 is a perspective view illustrating an example
of the battery in which a positioning groove is formed in a
housing.
Fig. 60 is a perspective view illustrating an example
of the battery in which a terminal disposition groove and the
positioning groove are formed in the housing.
Fig. 61 is a perspective view illustrating another
example of the battery in which the terminal disposition groove
and the positioning groove are formed in the housing.
Fig. 62 is a perspective view illustrating another
charger, a power supply device, and the like.
Fig. 63 is a perspective view of the power supply device .
Fig. 64 is a perspective view illustrating the power
supply device in a state of being viewed in a direction different
from a direction in Fig. 63.
Fig. 65 is a plan view of the power supply device.
Fig. 66 is a bottom view of the power supply device.
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Fig. 67 is a front view of the power supply device.
Fig. 68 is a rear view of the power supply device.
Fig. 69 is a perspective view illustrating the power
supply device and an imaging device in which the power supply
device is mounted.
Fig. 70 is a perspective view of an adapter.
Fig. 71 is a perspective view illustrating the adapter
in a state of being viewed in a direction different from a
direction in Fig. 70.
Fig. 72 is a perspective view illustrating the adapter
in a state of being viewed in a direction different from the
direction in Fig. 71.
Fig. 73 is a perspective view illustrating the adapter
in a state of being viewed in a direction different from the
direction in Fig. 72.
Fig. 74 is a bottom view of the adapter.
Fig. 75 is a front view of the adapter.
Fig. 76 is a rear view of the adapter.
Fig. 77 is a side view of the adapter.
Fig. 78 is a perspective view illustrating an internal
structure of the adapter.
Fig. 79 is a perspective view illustrating the internal
structure of the adapter in a state of being viewed in a direction
different from a direction in Fig. 78.
Fig. 80 is a perspective view illustrating the adapter
and a power supply device that is mounted to the adapter.
Fig. 81 is a rear view illustrating the size of the adapter
and the power supply device.
Fig. 82 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state
in which the power supply device is being inserted into the
adapter.
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Fig. 83 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state
in which the power supply device is inserted into the adapter
and is mounted therein.
Fig. 84 is a perspective view illustrating a state in
which the power supply device is mounted to the adapter.
Fig. 85 is a perspective view illustrating the adapter
to which the power supply device is mounted, and an imaging
device to which the adapter is mounted.
Fig. 86 is a perspective view of another battery.
Fig. 87 is a front view of the other battery.
Fig. 88 is a plan view of the other battery.
Fig. 89 is a perspective view of another adapter.
Fig. 90 is a perspective view illustrating the other
adapter in a state of being viewed in a direction different
from a direction in Fig. 89.
Fig. 91 is a plan view of the other adapter.
Fig. 92 is a side view of the other adapter.
Fig. 93 is a front view of the other adapter.
Fig. 94 is a bottom view of the other adapter.
Fig. 95 is a rear view of the other adapter.
Fig. 96 is an exploded perspective view illustrating
an accommodation case and a connector in the other adapter.
Fig. 97 is a perspective view illustrating a state in
which a relay connector and a connection connector are
connected by a flexible printed wiring board in the other
adapter.
Fig. 98 is a perspective view illustrating the other
adapter to which the other battery is mounted and an imaging
device to which the other adapter is mounted.
Fig. 99 is a rear view illustrating the size of the adapter
and the other battery.
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Fig. 100 is a rear view illustrating an example in which
a size of a guided groove in the other adapter is enlarged.
Fig. 101 is a perspective view illustrating an example
in which a capacitor is disposed in the other adapter.
5 Fig. 102 is a view illustrating a summary related to
possibility and impossibility of mounting of the battery or
the like to the charger, the imaging device, and the like.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
10 [0051]
Hereinafter, modes for carrying out a battery and a
connection device of the present technology will be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0052]
15 The battery is formed in an approximately rectangular
parallelepiped shape, and in the following description, an
outer surface is set as a top surface (upper surface) , a bottom
surface (lower surface), lateral surfaces (right and left
lateral surfaces), a front surface, and a rear surface to
20 represent front, rear,upper,lower,right,andleftdirections.
An upper and lower direction of connecting a top surface side
(upper surface side) and a bottom surface side (lower surface
side) in which the top surface (upper surface) and the bottom
surface (lower surface) exist is set as a height direction,
a right and left direction of connecting a left lateral surface
side and a right lateral surface side in which the left and
right lateral surfaces exist is set as a width direction, and
a front and rear direction of connecting a front surface side
and a rear surface side in which the front surface and the
rear surface exist is set as a longitudinal direction. In
addition, an upper end side portion including the top surface
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is set as a top side portion, a lower end side portion including
the bottom surface is set as a bottom side portion, right and
left end side portions including the lateral surfaces are set
as side portions (a left side portion and a right side portion) ,
a front end side portion including the front surface is set
as a front side portion, and a rear end side portion including
the rear surface is set as a rear side portion. In addition,
respective outer surfaces of the top side portion, the bottom
side portion, the side portions, the front side portion, and
the rear side portion are not limited to flat surface, and
at least a part thereof may be formed in a curved surface.
[0053]
In addition, in the following description, as an example
of the connection device to which the battery is connected,
a still camera that is an imaging device is illustrated. In
description of the still camera, it is assumed that front,
rear, upper, lower, left, and right directions are set from
a viewing direction of a photographer during photographing
of the still camera. Accordingly, an object side becomes a
forward side, and an image plane side becomes a rearward side.
[0054]
In addition, in the following description, as another
example of the connection device to which the battery is
connected, a charger is also illustrated. In description of
the charger, the front, rear, upper, lower, left, and right
directions are set in a state in which the charge is placed
on a base such as a desk or a table. An insertion recess into
which the battery is inserted is formed in the charger, and
in the charger, the front, rear, upper, lower, left, and right
directions are set in a state in which a direction in which
the battery is inserted is set as a downward side , and a direction
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in which the battery slides and is mounted is set as a forward
side.
[0055]
Note that, description of the front, rear, upper, lower,
left, and right directions is made for convenience, and there
is no limitation to the directions when carrying out the present
technology.
[0056]
<Configuration of Battery>
First, a configuration of a battery 1 will be described
(refer to Fig. 1 to Fig. 7).
[0057]
The battery 1 has a configuration in which respective
necessary units are disposed on an inner side and on an outer
side of a housing 2.
[0058]
The housing 2 is formed in an approximately rectangular
parallelepiped shape, and a case cover (upper case) 3 and an
accommodation case (lowercase) 4 are coupled in an upper and
lower direction. The case cover 3 is formed in a box shape
that is opened to the downward side (refer to Fig. 1 to Fig.
6). The accommodation case 4 is formed in a box shape that
is opened to an upward side. In a state in which the case
cover 3 and the accommodation case 4 are coupled in the upper
and lower direction to construct the housing 2, an internal
space of the housing 2 is formed as an accommodation space.
[0059]
A separator 5, cells 6 and 6, connection sheet metals
7, 8, and 8, and a circuit substrate 9 are disposed in the
accommodation space of the housing 2 (refer to Fig. 1). The
separator 5 is attached to the accommodation case 4. The cells
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6 and 6 are disposed in a state of being laterally spaced apart
from each other by the separator 5. The connection sheet metal
7 is connected to terminals of the cells 6 and 6 on one side,
and a lower end thereof is connected to an electrode terminal
(not illustrated) that is formed on a lower surface of the
circuit substrate 9. The connection sheet metals 8 and 8 are
respectively connected to terminals of the cells 6 and 6 on
the other side, and lower ends thereof are connected to
electrode terminals (not illustrated) that are formed on the
lower surface of the circuit substrate 9. The circuit
substrate 9 is attached to the accommodation case 4, and is
in a state of being covered with the separator 5 except for
a part from the upward side.
[0060]
In the housing 2, an outer surface 10 includes a top
surface 11, a bottom surface 12, lateral surfaces 13 and 13,
a front surface 14, and a rear surface 15, a size in a front
and rear direction (longitudinal direction) is set to be
greater than a size in a right and left direction (width
direction), and the size in the right and left direction (width
direction)is set to be greater than a size in an upper and
lower direction (height direction) (refer to Fig. 1 to Fig.
6). Inclined surfaces 16 and 16 are formed in the housing
2 respectively between the top surface 11 and the lateral
surfaces 13 and 13. The inclined surfaces 16 and 16 are
displaced downward as they approach the lateral surfaces 13
and 13 from the top surface 11.
[0061]
All of the top surface 11, the bottom surface 12, the
lateral surfaces 13 and 13, the front surface 14, the rear
surface 15, and the inclined surfaces 16 and 16 are formed
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SP368022W000
as exterior surfaces 17, 17, ....
[0062]
Notches 2a and 2a are respectively formed on both right
and left side portions in a lower end of the housing 2. Each
of the notches 2a is opened to a sideward side (a leftward
side or a rightward side), a downward side, a forward side,
and a rearward side, and includes a stepped surface 18 that
extends in a front and rear direction on the downward side,
and a groove formed surface 19 that extends in a front and
rear direction on the sideward side. An outer edge of the
stepped surface 18 is continuous to a lower edge of the lateral
surface 13. An upper edge of the groove formed surface 19
is continuous to an inner edge of the stepped surface 18, and
a lower edge thereof is continuous to a side edge of the bottom
surface 12. The stepped surface 18 and the groove formed
surface 19 are formed continuously over a region ranging from
the front surface 14 to the rear surface 15.
[0063]
The stepped surface 18 and the bottom surface 12 are
formed as flat surfaces which are approximately parallel to
each other, and an intermediate portion in a front and rear
direction except for both front and rear ends of the groove
formed surface 19, and the lateral surface 13 are formed as
flat surfaces which are approximately parallel to each other.
Front ends of the groove formed surfaces 19 and 19 are formed
as outwardly convex curved surfaces 19a and 19a which are
displaced in a direction of approaching each other as the front
ends approach the front surface 14, and rear ends of the groove
formed surfaces 19 and 19 are formed as outwardly convex curved
surfaces 19b and 19b which are displaced in a direction of
approaching each other as the rear ends approach the rear
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surface 15. It can be said that the housing 2 includes a main
body portion 20 that is a portion on an upper side in comparison
to a virtual plane including the stepped surfaces 18 and 18,
and a bottom portion 21 that is a portion on a lower side in
5 comparison to the virtual plane. Note that, the stepped
surfaces 18 and 18 are included in the main body portion 20.
[0064]
As described above, in the battery 1, both the front
and rear ends of the groove formed surfaces 19 and 19 are formed
10 as the curved surfaces 19a, 19a, 19b, and 19b. Accordingly,
stress concentration is less likely to occur, and the front
and rear ends are less likely to come into contact with a ground
surface or the like just in case of dropping, or the like.
As a result, it is possible to realize mitigation of impact,
15 and it is possible to reduce occurrence of breakage.
[0065]
As described above, in the housing 2, in a state in which
the virtual plane including the stepped surfaces 18 and 18
is set as a reference, an upper side portion including the
20 stepped surfaces 18 and 18 is provided as the main body portion
20, and a portion on a lower side in comparison to the main
body portion 20 is provided as the bottom portion 21 . A lateral
width of the bottom portion 21 is set to be smaller than that
of the main body portion 20, a distance between the lateral
25 surfaces 13 and 13 in the right and left direction is set to
be greater than a distance between the groove formed surfaces
19 and 19, and grooves and the like which have respective
functions are formed in the bottom portion 21.
[0066]
On both right and left sides of the bottom portion 21,
first guided grooves 22 and 22, second guided grooves 23 and
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SP368022W000
23, and third guided grooves 24 and 24 are formed in this order
from a front side in a state of being spaced apart from each
other. Each of the first guided grooves 22, each of the second
guided grooves 23, and each of the third guided grooves 24
are opened to the groove formed surface 19.
[0067]
The first guided groove 22 is formed at a front end of
the bottom portion 21, and is opened to the sideward side and
the forward side. The second guided groove 23 extends in the
front and rear direction, and is opened to the sideward side.
Note that, the second guided groove 23 may not be formed in
the housing 2. In this case, a portion in which the second
guided groove 23 is formed is formed at a part of the groove
formed surface 19 and a part of the bottom surface 12. The
third guided groove 24 extends in a front and rear direction,
and is opened to the sideward side . Note that, the third guided
groove 24 may have a shape that is also opened to the rearward
side (refer to Fig. 8).
[0068]
On both the right and left sides of the bottom portion
21, insertion grooves 25 and 25, and insertion grooves 26 and
26 are formed in this order from the front side in a state
of being spaced apart from each other. The insertion groove
and the insertion groove 26 are opened to the groove formed
25 surface 19. The insertion groove 25 is opened to the sideward
side, the upward side, and the downward side, and an opening
on an upper side communicates with approximately the half of
a front side of the second guided groove 23. The insertion
groove 26 is opened to the sideward side, the upward side,
and the downward side, and an opening on an upper side
communicates with approximately the half of a front side of
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the third guided groove 24.
[0069]
Portions between lower edges 22b and 22b of the first
guided grooves 22 and 22, and the bottom surface 12 in the
housing 2 are provided as first engagement claw portions 2p
and 2p . Portions between lower edges 23b and 23b of the second
guided grooves 23 and 23 and the bottom surface 12 in the housing
2 are provided as second engagement claw portions 2q and 2q.
Portions between lower edges 24b and 24b of the third guided
grooves 24 and 24 and the bottom surface 12 in the housing
2 are provided as third engagement claw portions 2r and 2r.
Each of the first engagement claw portions 2p and each of the
second engagement claw portions 2q are positioned on a further
front surface 14 side in comparison to the center of the housing
2 in the front and rear direction, and each of the third
engagement claw portions 2r is positioned on a further rear
surface 15 side in comparison to the center of the housing
2 in the front and rear direction, or in a region on the most
rear side among regions obtained by dividing the housing 2
into three equal parts in the front and rear direction.
[0070]
Note that, description has been given of an example in
which the first guided grooves 22, the second guided grooves
23, and the third guided grooves 24 are formed to be spaced
apart from each other in the front and rear direction, but
each of the first guided grooves 22, each of the second guided
grooves 23, and each of the third guided grooves 24 may be
formed as one guide groove 45 (refer to Fig. 9). The guide
groove 45 is formed in a region ranging from a front end to
a position biased to a rear end in the groove formed surface
19. In
addition, the first guided groove 22, the second guided
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groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 may be formed as
one guide groove 46 (refer to Fig. 10). The guide groove 46
is formed over a region ranging from the front end to the rear
end in the groove formed surface 19.
.. [0071]
In addition, description has been given of an example
in which the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove
23, and the third guided groove 24 are formed on both the right
and left sides of the housing 2, but at least any one guide
groove among the first guided groove 22, the second guided
groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 may be formed on
both the right and left sides of the housing 2.
[0072]
For example, only the first guided groove 22 and the
third guided groove 24 may be formed on at least one side of
the right and left sides, and only the second guided groove
23 may be formed on the other side of the right and left sides
(refer to Fig. 11). In addition, for example, only the first
guided groove 22 and the second guided groove 23 may be formed
on at least one side of the right and left sides, and only
the second guided groove 23 and the third guided groove 24
may be formed on the other side of the right and left sides
(refer to Fig. 12). In addition, for example, only the first
guided groove 22 and the second guided groove 23 may be formed
on one side of the right and left sides, and only the third
guided groove 24 may be formed on the other side of the right
and left sides (refer to Fig. 13).
[0073]
Note that, in addition to the above-described examples
(refer to Fig. 11 to Fig. 13), the configuration example
includes an example in which only one guide groove among the
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first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the
third guided groove 24 is formed on one side of the right and
left sides, and one, two, or three guide grooves among the
first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the
third guided groove 24 are formed on the other side of the
right and left sides. In addition, the configuration example
includes an example in which only arbitrary two guide grooves
among the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove
23, and the third guided groove 24 are formed on one side of
the right and left sides, and two or three guide grooves among
the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and
the third guided groove 24 are formed on the other side of
the right and left sides.
[0074]
A disposition recess 27 is formed in a front end of the
bottom portion 21 (refer to Fig. 7) . The disposition recess
27 is formed at approximately the central portion in the right
and left direction, and is opened to the forward side and the
downward side. A disposition hole 28, which communicates with
a portion of the disposition recess 27 except for a front end
thereof and passes through the housing 2 in the upper and lower
direction, is formed in the housing 2.
[0075]
An upper edge 22a of the first guided groove 22, an upper
edge 23a of the second guided groove 23, and an upper edge
24a of the third guided groove 24 are located at a position
on a lower side in comparison to the stepped surface 18, and
a part of the groove formed surface 19 exists between the first
guided groove 22 and the stepped surface 18, between the second
guided groove 23 and the stepped surface 18, and between the
third guided groove 24 and the stepped surface 18 (refer to
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Fig. 2 to Fig. 7). Accordingly, a distance from a lower end
of the groove formed surface 19 to the upper edge 22a of the
first guided groove 22, a distance from the lower end of the
groove formed surface 19 to the upper edge 23a of the second
5 guided groove 23, and a distance from the lower end of the
groove formed surface 19 to the upper edge 24a of the third
guided groove 24 are set to be shorter than a distance from
the upper end of the groove formed surface 19 to the lower
end thereof. In addition, a vertical distance (groove width)
10 of the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23,
and the third guided groove 24 may be longer or shorter than
a distance from the upper end of the groove formed surface
1 9 to the upper edges 22a, 23a, and 2 4a , and the vertical distance
of the first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23,
15 and the third guided groove 24 may be the same as the distance
from the upper end of the groove formed surface 19 to the upper
edges 22a, 23a, and 24a . The lower edge 22b of the first guided
groove 22, the lower edge 23b of the second guided groove 23,
and the lower edge 24b of the third guided groove 24 are located
20 on an upper side in comparison to the lower edge of the groove
formed surface 19, and positions in the upper and lower
direction are set to be the same as each other.
[0076]
Note that, corner portions 2f at which the stepped
25 surface 18 and the lateral surface 13 intersect each other
may be chamfered, or the corner portions 2f may extend in a
direction from the front surface 14 to the rear surface 15,
or may be set to a length that is the same as the length of
the housing 2, or a length that is approximately one-half or
30 one third of the length of the housing 2. In addition, one
of the corner portions 2f may be chamfered, or both of the
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SP368022W000
corner portions 2f and 2f may be chamfered. A size of a
chamfering width of the corner portions 2f may be the same
size as a width of the stepped surface 18, or may be smaller
than the width of the stepped surface 18.
[0077]
In addition, a corner portion 2g at which the groove
formed surface 19 and the bottom surface 12 intersect each
other may be chamfered, or any one or all of corner portions
2h and 2h between the first guided groove 22 and the second
guide groove 23, corner portions 2i and 2i between the second
guide groove 23 and the third guide groove 24, and a corner
portion 2j between the third guide groove 24 and the rear surface
may be chamfered. In this case, the corner portions 2g,
2h, 2i, and 2j on one or both of the right and left sides in
15 the housing 2 may be chamfered.
[0078]
The disposition recess 27 is formed by a recess formed
surface 29. The recess formed surface 29 includes a base
portion 29a, wall portions 29b and 29b, and an intermediate
portion 29c.
[0079]
The base portion 29a is formed in a lateral U-shape that
is opened to the forward side, and is in a state of facing
a horizontal direction. The wall portions 29b and 29b are
continuous to a front end of the base portion 29a, and are
formed as inclined surfaces which are spaced apart from each
other in the right and left direction as they go toward the
forward side. That is, the wall portion 29b on the left side
is formed as an inclined surface that approaches the left
lateral surface 13 as it goes toward the forward side, and
the wall portion 29b on the right side is formed as an inclined
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SP368022W000
surface that approaches the right lateral surface 13 as it
goes toward the forward side. Note that, in the wall portions
29b and 29h, one wall portion 29b may be formed as an inclined
surface, and the other wall portion 29b may be formed as a
surface that faces the leftward side or the rightward side
without being inclined. The intermediate portion 29c faces
the downward side and is formed between upper edges of the
wall portions 29b and 29b. For example, the wall portions
29b and 29b are inclined to 45 degrees with respect to a surface
that faces the right and left direction. The intermediate
portion 29c is located on the downward side in comparison to
the stepped surface 18, is located at approximately the same
height as that of the upper edges 22a, 23a, and 24a of the
first guided groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the
third guided groove 24, or is located on a slightly downward
side in comparison to the upper edges 22a, 23a, and 24a. Note
that, the intermediate portion 2 9c may be located on the upward
side in comparison to the upper edges 22a, 23a, and 24a.
[0080]
In the front end of the bottom portion 21 , identification
grooves 30 and 30 are formed to be laterally spaced apart from
each other. The identification grooves 30 function as a
functional groove having a predetermined function, and
identify, for example, the kind of a charger that functions
as a connection device as described below, or the like. Note
that, the functional groove is not limited to the
identification grooves 30. As the functional groove, for
example, grooves having a function other than identification
may be formed instead of the identification groove 30.
Examples of the grooves include a positioning groove that
performs positioning with respect to the charger or the like,
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SP368022W000
and a detection groove or the like that detects a connection
state or the like of the charger or the like.
[0081]
However, when the predetermined function is the
identification function of identifying the kind of the
connection device, the kind of the connection device is
identified by the functional groove. When the battery is
mounted in the connection device, or the battery enters a state
of not being mounted in the connection device, it is possible
to easily identify the kind of the connection device to which
the battery is connected.
[0082]
Note that, the predetermined function may be a function
of identifying the kind of the battery itself.
[0083]
The identification grooves 30 and 30 are formed on sides
opposite to each other with the disposition recess 27
interposed therebetween. In each of the identification
grooves 30, a first identification portion 31 and a second
identification portion 32 which have lengths different from
each other in the front and rear direction are continuously
formed in the right and left direction.
[0084]
The first identification portion 31 and the second
identification portion 32 respectively function as a first
functional portion and a second functional portion.
[0085]
Among surfaces which constitute the identification
groove 30, a surface that is located on an upper side and faces
the downward side is formed as an inner bottom surface 30a.
The inner bottom surface 30a is located on the downward side
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SP368022W000
in comparison to the intermediate portion 29c that is a surface
that is located on an upper side in the recess formed surface
29 and faces the downward side. Accordingly, the depth of
the identification groove 30 in the upper and lower direction
is shallower than the depth of the disposition recess 27 in
the upper and lower direction. In addition, the inner bottom
surface 30a is located on the downward side in comparison to
the upper edges 22a, 23a, and 24a of the first guided groove
22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove
24, and the stepped surface 18. In addition, the inner bottom
surface 30a is located on the upward side in comparison to
the lower edges 22b, 23b, and 24b of the first guided groove
22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove
24. However, the inner bottom surface 30a may be located on
the downward side in comparison to the lower edges 22b, 23b,
and 24b, or may be located at the same height as that of the
lower edges 22b, 23b, and 24b.
[0086]
Among the surfaces which constitute the identification
groove 30, a surface that is located on a rear side in the
first identification portion 31 and faces the forward side
is formed as a depth bottom surface 31a, and a surface that
is located on a rear side in the second identification portion
32 and faces the forward side is formed as a depth bottom surface
32a. The depth bottom surfaces 31a and 32a are located on
the forward side in comparison to a surface, which is located
on a rearmost side in the base portion 29a and faces the forward
side, in the recess formed surface 29, and is located on the
rearward side in comparison to a front surface of a connector
33. In addition, the depth bottom surfaces 31a and 32a are
located on the forward side in comparison to a depth side bottom
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surface 36a of a terminal disposition groove 36 and a depth
side bottom surface 37a of a positioning groove 37 . In addition,
the depth bottom surfaces 31a and 32a are located on the forward
side in comparison to a rear end edge of the first guided groove
5 22. However, the depth bottom surfaces 31a and 32a may be
located on the rearward side in comparison to the rear end
edge of the first guided groove 22 or may be located at the
same position as that of the rear end edge of the first guided
groove 22 in the front and rear direction.
10 [0087]
The first identification portion 31 has a length longer
than that of the second identification portion 32 in the front
and rear direction, the depth bottom surface 31a is located
on a slightly rear side in comparison to the depth bottom surface
15 32a, and the first identification portion 31 is located on
a further disposition recess 27 side in comparison to the second
identification portion 32. It can be said that the second
identification portion 32 is located on a further lateral
surface 13 side in comparison to the first identification
20 portion 31. A width of the second identification portion 32
in the right and left direction is set to be smaller than a
width of the first identification portion 31 in the right and
left direction.
[0088]
25 The connector 33 is disposed in the disposition recess
27 of the housing 2. The connector 33 is a portion that is
connected to an electrode terminal of a charger that functions
as a connection device as described later, or the like, and
functions as a terminal portion and includes a positive
30 electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal.
[0089]
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SP368022W000
The connector 33 includes a housing 34 formed from a
non-conductive material , and connection terminals 35, 35, and
35 formed from a conductive material, and the connection
terminals 35, 35, and 35 are held to the housing 34 in a state
in which at least parts thereof are disposed in terminal
disposition grooves 36, 36, and 36 formed in the housing 34.
In each of the connection terminals 35, one end of a metal
piece includes a pair of contact portions which is laterally
branched from a predetermined portion, and the pair of contact
portions is disposed in each of the terminal disposition
grooves 36 in a state in which tip ends have an elastic force
in a direction of coming into contact with each other and come
into contact with each other or approach each other.
[0090]
The connection terminals 35, 35, and 35 function as a
positive electrode terminal, a negative electrode terminal,
and an information terminal, and are disposed in an arrangement
in which the positive electrode terminal, the information
terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are arranged
in this order from a left side, or an arrangement in which
the positive electrode terminal, the information terminal,
and the negative electrode terminal are arranged in this order
from a right side.
[0091]
The information terminal is used in order for a
connection device as described later to recognize an internal
temperature of the battery 1, and is used in order for the
connection device to recognize various pieces of information
of the battery 1 such as a charging residual amount and
deterioration information of the battery 1.
[0092]
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SP368022W000
Note that, two terminal disposition grooves 36 and 36,
and two connection terminals 35 and 35 may be provided in the
connector 33. In a case where the two connection terminals
35 and 35 are provided, the two connection terminals 35 and
35 respectively function as the positive electrode terminal
and the negative electrode terminal, and are disposed in an
arrangement in which the positive electrode terminal and the
negative electrode terminal are arranged in this order from
a left side, or an arrangement in which the positive electrode
terminal and the negative electrode terminal are arranged in
this order from a right side. In addition, four terminal
disposition grooves 36, 36, ..., and four connection terminals
35, 35, ... may be provided in the connector 33. In a case
where the four connection terminals 35, 35, ... are provided,
the four connection terminals 35, 35, ... respectively function
as a positive electrode terminal, a negative electrode terminal,
an information terminal, and a communication terminal, and
are disposed in an arrangement in which the positive electrode
terminal, the information terminal, the communication
terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are arranged
in this order from the left side, in an arrangement in which
the positive electrode terminal, the information terminal,
the communication terminal, and the negative electrode
terminal are arranged in this order from the right side, in
an arrangement in which the positive electrode terminal, the
communication terminal, the information terminal, and the
negative electrode terminal are arranged in this order from
the left side, or in an arrangement in which the positive
electrode terminal, the communication terminal, the
information terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are
arranged in this order from the right side. The communication
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SP368022W000
terminal is used in order for the connection device to recognize
various pieces of information of the battery 1 such as the
charging residual amount and deterioration information of the
battery 1, and in this case, the information terminal is used
to notify the connection device of only temperature
information.
[0093]
The terminal disposition grooves 36, 36, and 36 are
opened to the forward side and the downward side , and are formed
to be laterally spaced apart from each other. The positioning
grooves 37 and 37 which are opened to the forward side and
the downward side are formed in the housing 34 on an outer
side of the terminal disposition grooves 36, 36, and 36 in
the right and left direction.
[0094]
Portions between the terminal disposition grooves 36,
36, and 36 in the housing 34 of the connector 33 are provided
as terminal isolating ribs 34a and 34a, and portions between
the terminal disposition grooves 36 and 36 and the positioning
grooves 37 and 37 in the housing 34 are provided as inter-groove
ribs 34b and 34b. A width of each of the terminal isolating
ribs 34a in the right and left direction is set to be greater
than a width of each of the inter-groove ribs 34b in the right
and left direction to prevent contact between the connection
terminals 35, 35, and 35.
[0095]
A surface of each of the terminal disposition grooves
36 on the most top surface 11 side, and a surface of each of
the positioning grooves 37 on the most top surface 11 side
are respectively formed as the inner bottom surfaces 36a and
37a, and positions of the inner bottom surfaces 36a and 37a
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SP368022W000
in the upper and lower direction are set to be approximately
the same as each other. The inner bottom surfaces 36a and
37a are located on the downward side in comparison to the stepped
surface 18. In addition, the inner bottom surfaces 36a and
37a are located on the downward side in comparison to the upper
edge 22a of the first guided groove 22, the upper edge 23a
of the second guided groove 23, and the upper edge 24a of the
third guided groove 24, and are located on the upward side
in comparison to the lower edge 22b of the first guided groove
22, the lower edge 23b of the second guided groove 23, and
the lower edge 24b of the third guided groove 24.
[0096]
Each of the connection terminals 35 is elastically
deformable in approximately the right and left direction, and
is held to the housing 34 in a state of being inserted into
each of the terminal disposition grooves 36.
[0097]
Note that, description has been given of an example in
which in the recess formed surface 29, upper ends of the wall
portions 29b and 29b, and the intermediate portion 29c are
located at the same height as that of an upper end of the housing
34 of the connector 33. However, for example, the upper ends
of the wall portions 29b and 29b and the intermediate portion
29c may be located on the upward side in comparison to the
upper end of the housing 34 (refer to Fig. 14). In this case,
the upper ends of the wall portions 29b and 29b and the
intermediate portion 29c may be located at an arbitrary
position at lower positions biased to the upper end of the
housing 2.
.. [0098]
In addition, in the recess formed surface 29, for example ,
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the intermediate portion 29c may not exist, and the wall
portions 29b and 29b may be formed at positions ranging from
the upper end to the lower end of the housing 2 (refer to Fig.
15 and Fig. 16).
5 [0099]
In addition, the wall portions 29b and 29b which are
inclined in the front, rear, left, and right directions may
not be formed, and first wall surface portions 29x and 29x
which face the forward side, and second wall surface portions
10 29y and 29y which are continuous to outer edges of the first
wall surface portions 2 9x and 29x in the right and left direction ,
and are opposite to each other in the right and left direction
maybe formed instead of the wall portions 29b and 29b (refer
to Fig. 17 and Fig. 18). Note that, the first wall surface
15 portions 29x and 29x and the second wall surface portions 29y
and 29y may be inclined at an arbitrary angle in the right
and left direction, the front and rear direction, or the upper
and lower direction.
[0100]
20 In the connector 33, ends of the connection terminals
35, 35, and 35 on one side are connected to the circuit substrate
9 disposed at the inside of the housing 2 through disposition
holes 28.
[0101]
25 Ina state in which the connector 33 is disposed in the
disposition recess 27, a front surface 33a is located on a
rear side in comparison to the front surface 14 of the housing
2. The connector 33 is located in a region surrounded by the
base portion 29a of the recess formed surface 29 in the
30 disposition recess 27, and the wall portions 29b and 29b and
the intermediate portion 29c of the recess formed surface 29
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SP368022W000
are located in front of the connector 33.
[0102]
Ina state in which the connector 33 is disposed in the
disposition recess 27, a lower surface 33b is located on the
same plane as that of the bottom surface 12 of the housing
2.
[0103]
<Configuration Example of Connection Device>
Next, description will be given of an imaging device
(still camera) 50as an example of a connection device to which
the battery 1 is connected (refer to Fig. 19 to Fig. 21).
[0104]
For example, in the imaging device 50, respective
necessary units are disposed on an inner side and on an outer
side of a laterally long flat outer housing 51 (refer to Fig.
19). An accessary such as an exchange lens 70 and an adapter
(not illustrated) is detachable from the imaging device 50.
Operation rings 71, 72, and 73 which are operated to rotate
are provided in the exchange lens 70. The operation rings
71, 72, and 7 3 function as a focus ring for performing focusing,
a zoom lens ring for adjusting an angle of view, and an iris
ring for performing adjustment of a light amount.
[0105]
Various operation units 52, 52, _. are provided on an
upper surface of the outer housing 51. As the operation units
52, 52, for example, a photographing button, a zoom knob,
a power button, a mode selection knob, and the like are provided .
A flash 53 capable being put in and out is provided in an upper
end of the outer housing 51.
[0106]
A finder 54 is provided at the upper end of the outer
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SP368022W000
housing 51 on a rear side of the flash 53. A display 55 and
various operation units 52, 52, . . are provided on a rear surface
of the outer housing 51 (refer to Fig. 20).
[0107]
An imaging element (not illustrated) is disposed at the
inside of the outer housing 51. As the imaging element, for
example, a charge coupled device (CCD), a complementary
metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), or the like is used.
[0108]
A battery mounting portion 56 is provided at a rearward
portion on the rearward side in comparison to a mount (not
illustrated) to which the exchange lens is connected at one
end of the imaging device 50 in a right and left direction,
or the imaging element (refer to Fig. 20 and Fig. 21).
[0109]
The battery mounting portion 56 includes a part of the
outer housing 51 and a lid member 57 that is rotatable at a
lower end of the outer housing 51. In the battery mounting
portion 56, an internal space is formed as a mounting space
56a, and the mounting space 56a is opened to the downward side.
[0110]
A biasing spring 58 and a terminal connection portion
59 are disposed in a deep portion (upper end) of the battery
mounting portion 56. The terminal connection portion 59
includes a support portion 60 that is formed from a
non-conductive material, and electrode terminals 61, 61, and
61 which are formed from a conductive material, and the
electrode terminals 61, 61, and 61 are held to the support
portion 60 in a state of being laterally spaced apart from
each other.
[0111]
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Positioning protrusions 60a and 60a are provided in the
support portion 60 on an outer side of the electrode terminals
61, 61, and 61 in the right and left direction.
[0112]
In the terminal connection portion 59, ends on one side
of the electrode terminals 61, 61, and 61 are connected to
a control substrate (not illustrated) that is disposed at the
inside of the outer housing 51.
[0113]
A pressing lever 62 is rotatably supported to an opening
edge of the mounting space 56a at a lower end of the battery
mounting portion 56. The pressing lever 62 is rotatable
between a pressing position and non-pressing position, and
is pressed by a spring (not illustrated) in a direction, for
example, from the non-pressing position to the pressing
position.
[0114]
Erroneous insertion prevention protrusions 56b and 56b
are provided at the inside of the battery mounting portion
56. The batterymounting portion 56 is provided with a locking
mechanism that locks the lid member 57 in a closed state of
the mounting space 56a.
[0115]
<Mounting of Battery to Connection Device (Imaging
Device)>
Hereinafter, description will be given of mounting of
the battery 1 to the battery mounting portion 56 of the imaging
device 50 (refer to Fig. 22 to Fig. 24).
[0116]
In a state in which the lid member 57 is opened, as
described below , a user inserts the battery 1 into the mounting
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space 56a to mount the battery 1 in the battery mounting portion
56.
[0117]
The battery 1 is inserted into the mounting space 56a
from the front surface 14 side (refer to Fig. 22). At this
time, the battery 1 is inserted into the mounting space 56a
in a direction in which the notches 2a and 2a match the erroneous
insertion prevention protrusions 56b and 56b. Accordingly,
when inserting the battery 1 into the mounting space 56a in
a direction in which the notches 2a and 2a do not match the
erroneous insertion prevention protrusions 56b and 56b, for
example, the inclined surfaces 16 which are corner portions
formed by a part of the housing 2, for example, the top surface
11 and the lateral surface 13 come into contact with the
erroneous insertion prevention protrusions 56b and 56b, and
erroneous insertion of the battery 1 into the mounting space
56a is prevented.
[0118]
Insertion of the battery 1 into the mounting space 56a
is performed in a state in which the pressing lever 62 is rotated
to the non-pressing position. When the battery 1 is inserted
into the mounting space 56a, the pressing lever 62 enters a
state in which the pressing lever 62 slides to one of the lateral
surfaces 13 of the battery 1, and thus rotation of the pressing
lever 62 to the pressing position is regulated.
[0119]
In the battery 1 inserted into the mounting space 56a,
the connection terminals 35, 35, and 35 of the connector 33
are respectively connected to the electrode terminals 61, 61,
and 61 of the terminal connection portion 59. At this time,
each of the electrode terminals 61 is inserted between a pair
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of contact portions which is laterally branched in each of
the connection terminals 35 and has elasticity in a direction
in which the contact portions come into contact with each other,
and thus the connection terminal 35 is connected to the
5 electrode terminal 61 in a state in which the pair of contact
portions pinches the electrode terminal 61 from both right
and left sides. In addition, at this time, the positioning
protrusions 60a and 60a of the terminal connection portion
59 are respectively inserted into the positioning grooves 37
10 and 37 of the connector 33 , and thus positioning of the connector
33 with respect to the terminal connection portion 59 is
performed.
[0120]
In a state in which the connection terminals 35, 35,
15 and 35 are respectively connected to the electrode terminals
61, 61, and 61, in the mounting space 56a, the rear surface
15 is located on a deeper side in comparison to the pressing
lever 62 , the pressing lever 62 is rotated to a pressing position
by a biasing force of the spring, and the front surface 14
20 is pressed by the biasing spring 58. With this arrangement,
the battery 1 is biased to the rearward side (refer to Fig.
23). Accordingly, a pressed portion 15a (refer to Fig. 22)
provided on the rear surface 15 of the battery 1 is pressed
to the pressing lever 62, and detachment from the mounting
25 space 56a is regulated. The pressed portion 15a is located
on a further top surface 11 side in comparison to the notch
2a.
[0121]
As described above, in a state in which detachment of
30 the battery 1 from the mounting space 56a is regulated due
to the pressing lever 62, the mounting space 56a is closed
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by the lid member 57. With this arrangement, the battery 1
is mounted in the battery mounting portion 56. At this time,
the lid member 57 is locked to the outer housing 51 by a locking
mechanism.
[0122]
On the other hand, when the locking of the lid member
57 with respect to the outer housing 51 is released, the lid
member 57 is rotated to open the mounting space 56a, and the
pressing lever 62 is rotated to the non-pressing position,
the battery 1 is taken out from the mounting space 56a, and
thus it is possible to take out the battery 1 from the battery
mounting portion 56.
[0123]
Note that, description has been given of an example in
which the pressed portion 15a of the rear surface 15 is pressed
to the pressing lever 62, and thus detachment of the battery
1 from the mounting space 56a is regulated. However, it is
also possible to employ a configuration in which a pressed
recess 38 that is opened at least to the rearward side is formed
in the rear end of the battery 1, and a part of the pressing
lever 62 is inserted into the pressed recess 38 to regulate
detachment of the battery 1 from the mounting space 56a (refer
to Fig. 24) .
[0124]
As described above, when the pressed recess 38 into which
a part of the pressing lever 62 is inserted is formed in the
battery 1, it is possible to locate the pressing lever 62 on
a deeper side of the mounting space 56a, and thus it is possible
to realize a reduction in size of the imaging device 50 in
proportion to the location on the deeper side.
[0125]
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<Another Configuration Example of Connection Device>
Next, as another example of the connection device to
which the battery 1 is connected, a charger 8 0 will be described
(refer to Fig. 25 to Fig. 29). Note that, the charger 80 is
a device different from the imaging device 50 and the like,
but the following connection structure of the charger 80 may
be provided integrally with various devices such as the imaging
device. Accordingly, the battery 1 can be connected to the
imaging device and the like in which the following connection
structure of the charger 80 is provided.
[0126]
In the charger 80, respective necessary units are
disposed on an inner side and on an outer side of a housing
81. The following connection structure is provided in the
housing 81.
[0127]
The housing 81 is formed in an approximately rectangular
parallelepiped shape, approximately the half on one side in
a right and left direction is provided as a mechanism
disposition portion 82 , and approximately the half on the other
side in the right and left direction is provided as a battery
mounting portion 83.
[0128]
A substrate, a light-emitting body such as a
light-emitting diode, and the like (not illustrated) are
disposed at the inside of the mechanism disposition portion
82. Windows 82a and 82b are provided in a top surface portion
of the mechanism disposition portion 82. Light emitted from
the light-emitting diode is emitted toward the outside through
the windows 82a and 82b, and it is possible to recognize a
charging operation state, a charging amount state, and the
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like with emission state through the windows 82a and 82b.
[0129]
Amounting recess 83a that is opened to the upward side
and the rearward side is formed in the battery mounting portion
83. Stepped portions 84 and 84 are provided on both right
and left sides of the mounting recess 83a, and the stepped
portions 84 and 84 are formed in a shape that protrudes toward
the upward side and extends in a front and rear direction.
The stepped portions 84 and 84 include flat surfaces 84a and
84a which face the upward side, and opposing surfaces 84b and
84b which are continuous to inner edges of the flat surfaces
84a and 84a and face each other. Note that, a battery having
a configuration in which only one notch 2a is formed in a housing
also exists, but in the case of a battery mounting portion
to which the battery is mounted, one stepped portion 84 may
be provided.
[0130]
The mounting recess 83a is formed by respective surface
portions including a bottom plate surface portion 85 that is
located between the stepped portions 84 and 84 and faces the
upward side, and a front plate surface portion 86 that faces
the rearward side in addition the stepped portions 84 and 84,
and the front plate surface portion 86 is continuous to front
edges of the stepped portions 84 and 84 and a front edge of
the bottom plate surface portion 85. First guide engagement
portions 87 and 87, second guide engagement portions 88 and
88, and third guide engagement portions 89 and 89 are provided
in the stepped portions 84 and 84 in this order from the front
side in a state of being spaced apart from each other in the
front and rear direction. All of the first guide engagement
portions 87 and 87, the second guide engagement portions 88
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and 88, and the third guide engagement portions 89 and 89
protrude from the opposing surfaces 84b and 84b in a direction
of approaching each other.
[0131]
Each of the first guide engagement portions 87 is formed
in a protruding shape that extends in the front and rear
direction, a front end is continuous to the front plate surface
portion 86, and protrudes from an intermediate portion of each
of the opposing surfaces 84b in the upper and lower direction.
Each of the second guide engagement portions 88 is formed in
a protruding shape that extends in the front and rear direction,
and is located at the same height as that of the first guide
engagement portion 87. Each of the third guide engagement
portions 89 includes an engagement portion 89a that extends
in the front and rear direction, and an erecting wall portion
89b that protrudes downward from a front end of the engagement
portion 89a, and a lower end of the erecting wall portion 89b
is continuous to the bottom plate surface portion 85.
[0132]
Note that, in the case of mounting a battery of a type
in which only the first guided groove 22 and the third guided
groove 24 are formed on one side in a right and left direction,
only the second guided groove 23 is formed on the other side
in the right and left direction, and thus the guided grooves
are alternately formed on the left side and on the right side,
only guide engagement portions corresponding to the guided
grooves may be provided. For example, in the case of mounting
a battery in which only the first guided groove 22 and the
third guided groove 24 are formed on one side in the right
and left direction, and only the second guided groove 23 is
formed on the other side in the right and left direction, only
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the first guide engagement portion 87 and the third guide
engagement portion 89 may be provided on one side in the right
and left direction, and only the second guide engagement
portion 88 may be provided on the other side in the right and
5 left direction.
[0133]
An identification protrusion 90 that protrudes upward
from a front end of the bottom plate surface portion 85 is
provided in the battery mounting portion 83. In the
10 identification protrusion 90, a long portion 90a and a short
portion 90b, which have lengths different from each other in
the front and rear direction, are provided continuously in
the right and left direction, and the length of the long portion
90a in the front and rear direction is set to be longer than
15 the length of the short portion 90b in the front and rear
direction. A lateral width of the long portion 90a is set
to be smaller than a lateral width of the short portion 90b.
[0134]
The identification protrusion 90 is provided at a
20 position at which a front end is continuous to the front plate
surface portion 86, and is biased to the first guide engagement
portion 87 on one side in the right and left direction.
Specifically, in the right and left direction, the
identification protrusion 90 is located on a side that is closer
25 to the first guide engagement portion 87 on one side in
comparison to the center of an interval between the center
of the bottom plate surface portion 85 and the first guide
engagement portion 87 on one side, and is located on a side
that is closer to the first guide engagement portion 87 on
30 one side in comparison to the center of an interval between
a terminal connection portion 93 and the first guide engagement
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SP368022W000
portion 87 on one side. In the identification protrusion 90,
the short portion 90b is located on a further first guide
engagement portion 87 side on one side in comparison to the
long portion 90a.
[0135]
A detection protrusion 91 that is movable in the front
and rear direction is provided at a front end of the battery
mounting portion 83. The detection protrusion 91 is biased
rearward by a spring member (not illustrated), and is provided
at a position biased to the first guide engagement portion
87 on the other side in the right and left direction.
[0136]
Note that, when the center of the bottom plate surface
portion 85 in the right and left direction is set as a reference,
the detection protrusion 91 may be provided at a symmetric
position that is biased to the first guide engagement portion
87 on one side. In addition, description has been given of
an example in which the identification protrusion 90 and the
detection protrusion 91 are located at opposite sides in the
right and left direction with the terminal connection portion
93 interposed therebetween. Both the identification
protrusion 90 and the detection protrusion 91 may be located
on the left side or on the right side of the terminal connection
portion 93. In this case, the terminal connection portion
93 and the detection protrusion 91 are located at opposite
sides in the right and left direction with the identification
protrusion 90 interposed therebetween.
[0137]
Apart of the bottom plate surface portion 85 is provided
as an engagement maintaining portion 92. The engagement
maintaining portion 92 is a portion on an inner side of a lateral
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U-shaped slit formed at a part of the bottom plate surface
portion 85, and is set to be elastically deformable in an
approximately vertical direction with a front end set as a
fulcrum. A locking protrusion 92a that protrudes upward is
formed at a rear end of the engagement maintaining portion
92.
[0138]
The terminal connection portion 93 is disposed at the
front end of the battery mounting portion 83. The terminal
connection portion 93 includes a support portion 94 that is
formed from a non-conductive material and electrode terminals
95, 95, and 95 which are formed from a conductive material,
and the electrode terminals 95, 95, and 95 are held to the
support portion 94 in a state of being laterally spaced apart
from each other.
[0139]
The support portion 94 is provided with positioning
protrusions 94a and 94a on outer sides of the electrode
terminals 95, 95, and 95 in the right and left direction. The
size of the width of the positioning protrusions 94a and 94a
in the right and left direction is greater than the size of
the width of the electrode terminals 95, 95, and 95 in the
right and left direction.
[0140]
In the terminal connection portion 93, ends of the
electrode terminals 95, 95, and 95 on one side are connected
to a substrate that is disposed at the inside of the housing
81.
[0141]
<Mounting of Battery to Connection Device (Charger)>
Hereinafter, description will be given of mounting of
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the battery 1 to the battery mounting portion 83 in the charger
80 (refer to Fig. 29 to Fig. 31).
[0142]
As described below, a user can mount the battery 1 to
the battery mounting portion 83 by inserting a part of the
battery 1 into the mounting recess 83a.
[0143]
The battery 1 is inserted into the mounting recess 83a
from the upward side (refer to Fig. 29). At this time, the
second guide engagement portions 88 and 88 are respectively
inserted into the second guided grooves 23 and 23 through the
insertion grooves 25 and 25, and the engagement portions 89a
and 89a of the third guide engagement portions 89 and 89 are
respectively inserted into the third guided grooves 24 and
24 through the insertion grooves 26 and 26. Accordingly, the
stepped portions 84 and 84 of the charger 80 are inserted into
the notches 2a and 2a of the battery 1, the stepped surfaces
18 and 18 are respectively located to face the flat surfaces
84a and 84a in the upper and lower direction, and the groove
formed surfaces 19 and 19 are respectively located to face
the opposing surfaces 84b and 84b in the right and left
direction.
[0144]
At this time, the battery 1 is disposed on the bottom
plate surface portion 85 from the upward side, and thus the
locking protrusion 92a of the engagement maintaining portion
92 is pressed downward, and is elastically deformed.
[0145]
Note that, when inserting the battery 1 into the mounting
recess 83a in a direction in which the stepped portions 84
and 84 are not inserted into the notches 2a and 2a, a part
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of the housing 2 comes into contact with the stepped portions
84 and 84, and thus erroneous insertion of the battery 1 into
the mounting recess 83a is prevented.
[0146]
Next, the battery 1 slides forward with respect to the
charger 80 (refer to Fig. 30). When the battery 1 slides to
the forward side, the first guided grooves 22 and 22 are
respectively guided to the first guide engagement portions
87 and 87, the second guided grooves 23 and 23 are respectively
guided to the second guide engagement portions 88 and 88, and
the third guided grooves 24 and 24 are respectively guided
to the engagement portions 89a and 89a of the third guide
engagement portions 89 and 89. The battery 1 slides forward
up to a movement edge at which rear opening edges of the third
guided grooves 24 and 24 respectively come into contact with
the erecting wall portions 89b and 89b of the third guide
engagement portions 89 and 89.
[0147]
In a state in which the battery 1 slides forward up to
the movement edge, opening edges of the first guided grooves
22 and 22 respectively engage with the first guide engagement
portions 87 and 87, opening edges of the second guided grooves
23 and 23 respectively engage with the second guide engagement
portions 8 8 and 88 , and opening edges of the third guided grooves
24 and 24 respectively engage with the engagement portions
89a and 89a of the third guide engagement portions 89 and 89.
Accordingly, an upper edge of the first engagement claw portion
2p engages with at least a part of a lower edge of the first
guide engagement portion 87, an upper edge of the second
engagement claw portion 2q engages with at least a part of
a lower edge of the second guide engagement portion 88, and
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an upper edge of the third engagement claw portion 2r engages
with at least a part of a lower edge of the third guide engagement
portion 89.
[0148]
5 At this time, a rear end edge of the battery 1 is located
in front of the locking protrusion 92a of the engagement
maintaining portion 92, the engagement maintaining portion
92 is elastically returned and the locking protrusion 92a
engages with a lower end of the rear end edge in the battery
10 1, and thus the battery 1 is mounted in the battery mounting
portion 83.
[0149]
When the battery 1 is mounted in the battery mounting
portion 83, the detection protrusion 91 of the charger 80 is
15 pressed and operated by a detection pressed portion 14a that
is provided on the front surface 14 of the battery 1. The
detection protrusion 91 moves forward, and when the detection
protrusion 91 moves forward, mounting of the battery 1 to the
battery mounting portion 83 is detected by a detection unit
20 (not illustrated).
[0150]
When mounting of the battery 1 to the battery mounting
portion 83 is detected, in a state in which the charger 80
is connected to a power supply, light is emitted from the
25 light-emitting diode and is emitted upward through the windows
82a and 82b. Accordingly, a user can recognize whether or
not it is a chargeable state or a charging amount with respect
to the battery 1 by visually confirming a state of the light
that is emitted through the windows 82a and 82b.
30 [0151]
In addition, when the battery 1 is mounted in the battery
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mounting portion 83, the identification protrusion 90 of the
charger 80 is inserted into the identification groove 30 on
one side of the battery 1 (refer to Fig. 31) . In the
identification protrusion 90, the long portion 90a is inserted
.. into the first identification portion 31, and the short portion
90b is inserted into the second identification portion 32.
[0152]
When the identification protrusion 90 is inserted into
the identification groove 30, whether or not the battery 1
mounted in the battery mounting portion 83 is a type capable
of being charged by the charger 80 is identified. For example,
the battery 1 is a type in which power capacity that can be
charged is approximately intermediate.
[0153]
In addition, when the battery 1 is mounted in the battery
mounting portion 83, the terminal connection portion 93 of
the charger 80 is inserted between the wall portions 29b and
29b of the battery 1. At this time, an interval, a dimension
tolerance, or the like for securing a smooth insertion property
of the battery 1 with respect to the battery mounting portion
83 exists between the battery 1 and the charger 80, and thus
the battery 1 may be inserted into the battery mounting portion
83 in a state in which the battery 1 is laterally inclined
or displaced with respect to the charger 80 (refer to Fig.
.. 32) .
[0154]
Even in a case where the battery 1 is inserted in an
inclined state or a displaced state with respect to the charger
80, since the wall portions 29b and 29b are formed as inclined
surfaces which are spaced apart from each other in the right
and left direction as they go forward, the terminal connection
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portion 93 is guided to the wall portions 29b and 29b, and
approaches the connector 33. Accordingly, in the battery 1,
the connection terminals 35, 35, and 35 of the connector 33
are reliably connected to the electrode terminals 95, 95, and
95 of the terminal connection portion 93, respectively (refer
to Fig. 33). At this time, the positioning protrusions 94a
and 94a of the terminal connection portion 93 are respectively
inserted into the positioning grooves 37 and 37 of the connector
33, and positioning of the connector 33 with respect to the
terminal connection portion 93 is performed.
[0155]
On the other hand, when the battery 1 is caused to slide
rearward to release engagement of the locking protrusion 92a
with the rear end edge of the battery and to release engagement
of the first guide engagement portions 87 and 87, the second
guide engagement portions 88 and 88, and the third guide
engagement portions 89 and 89, and the battery 1 is taken out
upward from the mounting recess 83a, whereby the battery 1
can be taken out from the battery mounting portion 83.
[0156]
<Summary>
As described above, in the battery 1, a surface that
forms the disposition recess 27 of the housing 2 is formed
as the recess formed surface 29, and the intermediate portion
29c that is a part of the recess formed surface 2 9 exists between
the front surface 14 of the outer surface 10 and the connector
33.
[0157]
Accordingly, since the front surface 33a of the connector
33 is located on an inner side in the housing 2 in comparison
to the front surface 14 of the housing 2 , occurrence of breakage
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SP368022W000
or damage of the connector 33 when being dropped or the like
is reduced, and thus it is possible to secure a satisfactory
connection state of the connection terminals 35 with respect
to the electrode terminals 61 or 95.
[0158]
Particularly, an impact force due to dropping impact
is less likely to be transferred to the connector 33, and thus
cracks are less likely to occur in solder for connecting the
connection terminals 35 to the circuit substrate 9, and it
is possible to reduce occurrence of electrical connection
failure.
[0159]
In addition, since occurrence of breakage or damage of
the connector 33 is reduced, the connection terminals 35 are
less likely to be exposed form the housing 34 , and it is possible
to secure high quality of the connector 33.
[0160]
Note that, description has been given of an example in
which the front surface 33a of the connector 33 is located
on an inner side in the housing 2 in comparison to the front
surface 14 of the housing 2. However, for example, the lower
surface 33b of the connector 33 may be located on an inner
side in the housing 2 in comparison to the bottom surface 12
of the housing 2 (refer to Fig. 34).
[0161]
As described above, in a case where the lower surface
33b of the connector 33 is located on an inner side in the
housing 2 in comparison to the bottom surface 12 of the housing
2, occurrence of breakage or damage of the connector 33 when
being dropped or the like is reduced, and thus it is possible
to secure a satisfactory connection state of the connection
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terminals 35 with respect to the electrode terminals 61 or
95.
[0162]
In addition, for example, the front surface 33a of the
connector 33 may be located on an inner side in the housing
2 in comparison to the front surface 14 of the housing 2, and
the lower surface 33b of the connector 33 may be located on
an inner side in the housing 2 in comparison to the bottom
surface 12 of the housing 2 (refer to Fig. 35).
[0163]
As described above, in a case where the front surface
33a is located on an inner side in the housing 2 in comparison
to the front surface 14, and the lower surface 33b is located
on an inner side in the housing 2 in comparison to the bottom
surface 12, the entirety of the connector 33 is located on
an inner side in the housing 2. Accordingly, occurrence of
breakage or damage of the connector 33 when being dropped or
the like is further reduced, and thus it is possible to secure
a satisfactory connection state of the connection terminals
35 with respect to the electrode terminals 61 or 95.
[0164]
In addition, in the battery 1, the disposition recess
27 is opened in a connection direction of the connection
terminals 35 with respect to the electrode terminals 61 or
95, and the intermediate portion 29c that is the recess formed
surface 29 exists between the outer surface 10 and the connector
33 in the connection direction.
[0165]
Accordingly, since the connector 33 is located on an
inner side in the housing 2 in comparison to the outer surface
10 in the connection direction, the electrode terminals 61
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or 95 are inserted up to a deeper side of the disposition recess
27, and thus it is possible to realize a reduction in size
of the connection devices (imaging device 50 and the charger
80) in the connection direction.
5 [0166]
In addition, a part of the recess formed surface 29 is
formed as an inclined surface in which an opening area of the
disposition recess 27 increases as it is spaced apart from
the connector 33 in an opening direction ( connection direction)
10 .. of the disposition recess 27.
[0167]
Accordingly, the part of the recess formed surface 29
functions as a guide surface during insertion of the electrode
terminals 61 or 95 into the disposition recess 27, and thus
15 it is possible to secure a satisfactory connection state
between the connection terminals 35 and the electrode terminals
61 or 95.
[0168]
In addition, the recess formed surface 29 includes the
20 pair of wall portions 29b and 29b which is located to be spaced
apart from each other in a direction that is perpendicular
to the connection direction, and the wall portions 29b and
29b are formed as inclined surfaces which are spaced apart
from each other as they go along the connection direction.
25 [0169]
Accordingly, since the wall portions 29b and 29b function
as guide surfaces during insertion of the electrode terminals
61 or 95 into the disposition recess 27, it is possible to
secure a further satisfactory connection state between the
30 connection terminals 35 and the electrode terminals 61 or 95.
[0170]
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Note that, description has been given of an example in
which the pair of wall portions 29b and 29b is formed as inclined
surfaces which are spaced apart from each other as it goes
along the connection direction. However, for example, the
wall portion 2 9b on one side may be formed as an inclined surface
in which an opening area of the disposition recess 27 increases
as it goes along the connection direction (refer to Fig. 36).
[0171]
In addition, in the battery 1, the intermediate portion
29c of the recess formed surface 2 9 may be formed as an inclined
surface in which an opening area of the disposition recess
27 increases as it is spaced apart from the connector 33 in
the connection direction (refer to Fig. 37).
[0172]
As described above, when the intermediate portion 29c
is formed as the inclined surface, the intermediate portion
29c functions as a guide surface during insertion of the
electrode terminals 61 or 95 into the disposition recess 27,
and thus it is possible to secure a further satisfactory
connection state between the connection terminals 35 and the
electrode terminals 61 or 95.
[0173]
Note that, in this case, the wall portions 29b and 29b
may be formed as inclined surfaces in addition to the
intermediate portion 29c, the wall portion 29b on one side
may be formed as an inclined surface in addition to the
intermediate portion 29c, or only the intermediate portion
29c may be formed as an inclined surface.
[0174]
In addition, an inclination angle of the wall portion
29b or the intermediate portion 29c with respect to the
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connection direction is arbitrary. However, for example, it
is preferable that the inclination angle is set to be greater
than 00 and equal to or less than 45 .
[0175]
When the inclination angle of the wall portion 29b or
the intermediate portion 29c is set to be greater than 0 and
equal to or less than 45 , an inclination angle of the recess
formed surface 29 that functions as a guide surface forms an
acute angle, and thus it is possible to smoothly insert the
electrode terminals 61 or 95 which are guided by the guide
surface into the disposition recess 27.
[0176]
Note that, description has been given of the charger
80 of a type in which the battery 1 is inserted into the mounting
recess 83a from the upward side and is caused to slide forward
to be mounted as an example. However, as another type, a
charger 80A into which the battery 1 is inserted from the upward
side and is mounted therein exists (refer to Fig. 38).
[0177]
For example, in the charger 80A, the entirety thereof
is provided as a battery mounting portion 83A, and amounting
recess 83b that is opened to the upward side is formed in the
battery mounting portion 83A. A terminal connection portion
96 including electrode terminals is disposed in the battery
mounting portion 83A. The battery 1 is inserted into the
mounting recess 83b of the charger 80A in a direction in which
the front surface 14 faces the downward side.
[0178]
In this case, when at least one of the wall portions
29b and 29b of the battery 1, or the intermediate portion 29c
is formed as an inclined surface (guide surface), the terminal
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connection portion 96 is guided to the inclined surface due
to own weight of the battery 1 during insertion of the battery
1 into the mounting recess 83b.
[0179]
Accordingly, it is possible to secure an easy and
satisfactory connection state of the battery 1 with respect
to the charger 80A.
[0180]
With regard to the battery 1, the notch 2a is formed
in the housing 2 due to the stepped surface 18 that is continuous
to the lateral surface 13 and the groove formed surface 19
that is continuous to the bottom surface 12, the first guided
groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided
groove 24 which are opened to the groove formed surface 19
are formed, and the first guided groove 22, the second guided
groove 23, and the third guided groove 24 are located on a
further bottom surface 12 side in comparison to the stepped
surface 18.
[0181]
Accordingly, the first guided groove 22, the second
guidedgroove 23, andthe thirdguidedgroove 24 , andthe stepped
surface 18 are not continuously located, and a part of the
groove formed surface 19 is located between the first guided
groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided
groove 2 4 , and the stepped surface 18. Accordingly, the groove
formed surface 19 and the stepped surface 18 are closer to
the cells 6 in comparison to a case where the first guided
groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided
groove 24, and the stepped surface 18 are continuously located,
and thus it is possible to realize a reduction in size of the
battery 1.
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[0182]
In addition, the notches 2a and 2a are respectively
formed at positions which are continuous to the two lateral
surfaces 13 and 13. Accordingly, the notches 2a and 2a exist
on both sides of the two lateral surfaces 13 and 13, and the
outer surface 10 of the housing 2 is located to be close to
the cells 6 and 6 at two sites. As a result, it is possible
to realize a further reduction in size of the battery 1.
[0183]
In addition, the first guided grooves 22 and 22, the
second guided grooves 23 and 23, and the third guided grooves
24 and 24 are formed to be spaced apart from each other in
the connection direction of the connection terminals 35 with
respect to the electrode terminals 61 or 95. Accordingly,
portions in the housing 2 between the first guided groove 22,
the second guided groove 23, and the third guided groove 24
are formed as protrusions with respect to the first guided
groove 22, the second guided groove 23, and the third guided
groove 24, and thus the protrusion functions as s reinforcing
rib. As a result, it is possible to realize improvement in
the strength of the housing 2.
[0184]
<Another Configuration Example of Battery>
Hereinafter, another configuration example of the
battery 1 will be described (refer to Fig. 39 to Fig. 44).
[0185]
Engagement recesses 39 and 39 may be formed in the battery
1 at least on both right and left sides (refer to Fig. 39).
For example, the engagement recesses 39 and 3 9 are respectively
opened to the second guided grooves 23 and 23.
[0186]
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The battery 1 in which the engagement recesses 39 and
39 are formed is connected, for example, in a state of being
held to the charger 80B. The charger 80B includes amain body
97, holding arms 98 and 98 which protrude rearward from the
5 main body 97, and a terminal connection portion 99 that is
disposed in the main body 97 in a state of protruding rearward
and includes electrode terminals.
[0187]
An operation button 97a is disposed in the main body
10 97, and when the operation button 97a is operated, the holding
arms 98 and 98 are operated in a direction in which the holding
arms 98 and 98 are spaced apart from each other.
[0188]
In the holding arms 98 and 98, tip ends thereof are
15 provided as engagement protrusions 98a and 98a which are bent
in a direction of approaching each other. Sliding surfaces
98b and 98b which are inclined in a direction of approaching
each other as they approach the main body 97 are formed in
the holding arms 98 and 98. The holding arms 98 and 98 are
20 biased in a direction of approaching each other by a spring
(not illustrated) that is disposed at the inside of the main
body 97.
[0189]
When the battery 1 moves forward with respect to the
25 charger 80B, front edges of the battery 1 slide on the sliding
surfaces 98b and 98b, the holding arms 98 and 98 move in a
direction of being spaced apart from each other against a
biasing force of the spring, and the holding arms 98 and 98
are respectively inserted into the first guided grooves 22
30 and 22. The holding arms 98 and 98 relatively move from the
first guided grooves 22 and 22 toward the second guided grooves
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23 and 23, respectively, move from the first guided grooves
22 and 22 in a direction of approaching each other in a state
of riding on the groove formed surfaces 19 and 19 at once to
be inserted into the second guided grooves 23 and 23, and the
engagement protrusions 98a and 98a respectively engage with
the engagement recesses 39 and 39 (refer to Fig. 40).
[0190]
The charger 80B enters a state in which the engagement
protrusions 98a and 98a respectively engage with the engagement
recesses 39 and 39, and the battery 1 is pinched from both
right and left sides, and the battery 1 is held to the charger
80B. When the engagement protrusions 98a and 98a respectively
engage with the engagement recesses 39 and 39, the connector
33 is simultaneously connected to the terminal connection
portion 99.
[0191]
In the case of releasing holding of the battery 1 by
the charger 80B, the operation button 97a is operated and the
holding arms 98 and 98 are moved in a direction of being spaced
apart from each other to release an engagement state of the
engagement protrusions 98a and 98a with respect to the
engagement recesses 39 and 39. With this arrangement, it is
possible to detach the battery land the charger 80B from each
other.
[0192]
Note that, description has been given of an example in
which the engagement recesses 39 and 39 are respectively opened
to the second guided grooves 23 and 23, but the engagement
recesses 39 and 39 may be respectively opened to the third
guided grooves 24 and 24. However, in a case where the
engagement recesses 39 and 39 are respectively opened to the
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guided grooves 23 and 23, the engagement protrusions 98a and
98a of the charger 80B are guided in a state of being inserted
into the second guided grooves 2 3 and 23 , and thus the engagement
protrusions 98a and 98a can reliably engage with the engagement
recesses 39 and 39.
[0193]
As described above, since the engagement recesses 39
and 39 which are respectively opened to surfaces facing
opposite directions in the housing 2 and with which the
engagement protrusions 98a and 98a respectively engage are
formed, it is possible to hold the battery 1 by causing the
engagement protrusions 98a and 98a to respectively engage with
the engagement recesses 39 and 39 from opposite sides, and
it is possible to easily hold the battery 1 in a stable state.
[0194]
Note that, description has been given of an example in
which the engagement recesses 39 and 39 are formed on both
right and left sides of the battery 1. However, for example,
in addition to the engagement recesses 39 and 39 on both the
right and left sides, an engagement recess 39 that is opened
to at least one of the top surface 11 or the bottom surface
12 may be formed (refer to Fig. 41).
[0195]
As described above, when the engagement recess 39 opened
to the top surface 11 or the bottom surface 12, which is
perpendicular to both right and left surfaces facing directions
opposite to each other, is formed, it is possible to hold the
battery 1 by causing engagement protrusions 98a, 98a, and 98a
to respectively engage with the engagement recesses 39, 39,
and 39 from sides opposite to each other and a side perpendicular
to the sides opposite to each other, and thus it is possible
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to hold the battery 1 in a more stable state.
[0196]
In addition, each of the engagement recesses 39 is formed
in a region in which each of the second guided grooves 23 exists,
and thus each of the engagement protrusions 98a is guided to
the second guided groove 23 and engages with the engagement
recess 39. Accordingly, it is possible to easily and reliably
perform engagement of the engagement protrusion 98a with the
engagement recess 39.
[0197]
Note that, the engagement recess 39 may be formed in
a region in which each of the first guided grooves 22 exists
instead of the region in which the second guided groove 23
exists (refer to Fig. 42) . In addition, the engagement recess
39 may be formed in a region in which each of the third guided
grooves 24 exists (refer to Fig. 43).
[0198]
Particularly, in a case where the engagement recess 39
is formed in the region in which the first guided groove 22
exists, the engagement recess 39 exists in a region in which
the first guided groove 22 located on the most tip end side
in the connection direction exists.
[0199]
Accordingly, when the battery 1 is mounted to the charger
80B, it is not necessary for the engagement protrusion 98a
to climb over the groove formed surface 19, and thus it is
possible to easily and quickly perform engagement of the
engagement protrusion 98a with the engagement recess 39.
[0200]
In addition, when the engagement protrusion 98a engages
with the engagement recess 39, the electrode terminals of the
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terminal connection portion 99 are connected to the connection
terminals 35 of the connector 33.
[0201]
Accordingly, engagement of the engagement protrusion
98a with the engagement recess 39, and connection of the
electrode terminals to the connection terminals 35 are
simultaneously performed, and thus it is not necessary to
perform engagement working of the engagement protrusion 98a
with the engagement recess 39, and connection working of the
electrode terminals to the connection terminals 35 with caution .
As a result, it is possible to realize improvement in
workability.
[0202]
Note that, the engagement recess 39 may be formed in
a region other than the region in which the first guided groove
22, the second guided groove 23, or the third guided groove
24 exists, or may be formed in a state of being opened to the
groove formed surface 19. For example, engagement recesses
39 and 39, which are opened at least to the downward side and
the rearward side, may be respectively formed in lower ends
at rear ends of the groove formed surfaces 19 and 19 (refer
to Fig. 44).
[0203]
According to the configuration in which the engagement
recesses 39 and 39 are respectively formed in the lower ends
at the rear ends of the groove formed surfaces 19 and 19, for
example, two engagement maintaining portions 92 and 92 are
provided in the charger 80 or the like, and the locking
protrusions 92a and 92a of the engagement maintaining portions
92 and 92 are respectively locked to opening edges of the
engagement recesses 39 and 39, and thus it is possible to hold
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the battery 1 to the charger 80 or the like.
[0204]
In this case, the engagement recesses 39 and 39 are
located on a further front side in comparison to the rear surface
5 15 in the battery 1, and thus the locking protrusions 92a and
92a are also located on the front side in proportion to the
location on the front side. As a result, the length of the
charger 80 or the like in the front and rear direction is
shortened, and thus it is possible to realize a reduction in
10 size of the charger 80 or the like.
[0205]
<Configuration of Identification Groove or the like>
Next, a configuration of the identification groove 30
or the like will be described (refer to Fig. 45 to Fig. 56).
15 [0206]
As described above, the identification groove 30
includes the first identification portion 31 and the second
identification portion 32 which have lengths different from
each other in the front and rear direction, and the first
20 identification portion 31 and the second identification
portion 32 are continuously formed in the right and left
direction (refer to Fig. 45 and an upper stage of Fig. 46).
The first identification portion 31 and the second
identification portion 32 each have identification ability.
25 [0207]
On the other hand, in a battery in the related art, a
first identification groove A corresponding to the first
identification portion 31 and a second identification groove
B corresponding to the second identification portion 32 are
30 formed in a state of being spaced apart from each other with
a constant interval in the right and left direction (refer
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to a lower stage of Fig. 46).
[0208]
Typically, a width of an identification groove in the
right and left direction is determined in accordance with resin
flowability, a grade of frame retardance, and the like during
molding of a housing.
[0209]
In addition, the width of the identification groove is
formed in a size with which the strength of an identification
protrusion that is inserted into the identification groove
is secured. Specifically, if the width of the identification
groove is small, it is necessary to reduce the width of the
identification protrusion to be inserted. However, when the
width of the identification protrusion is small, the strength
of the identification protrusion decreases, and thus there
is a high possibility that breakage or cracks may occur.
Accordingly, it is necessary to set the width to a certain
extent or greater to secure the strength of the identification
protrusion to a certain extent or greater, and thus it is
necessary to set the width of the identification groove to
a certain extent or greater in proportion to the increase in
the width of the identification protrusion.
[0210]
On the other hand, for example, a horizontal width of
the mounting recess 83a in the charger 80 is set to be greater
than a horizontal width of the battery 1 by a margin (rattling
margin) for securing smooth insertion properties of the battery
1 with respect to the mounting recess 83a. Accordingly,
dimensions with a margin for allowing insertion of the
identification protrusion to be reliably performed are also
necessary for the width of the identification groove. In
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addition, the width of the identification groove is set to
a size in consideration of a dimension tolerance or an
assembling tolerance of respective portions, and the width
of the identification groove is determined in consideration
of the margins.
[0211]
In addition, in the battery in the related art, a constant
interval H is formed between the first identification groove
A and the second identification groove B, and it is also
necessary for the interval H to have a constant width or greater
to secure constant strength or greater.
[0212]
Accordingly, in a battery of the related art, when the
widths of the identification protrusions which are
respectively inserted into the first identification groove
A and the second identification groove B are set to Wl, the
width of the first identification groove A and the width of
the second identification groove B become "Hi + C" when the
margins (the rattling margin + the tolerance margin) is set
as C. In addition, the interval H is necessary between the
first identification groove A and the second identification
groove B, and thus a dimension Hp, which is necessary for the
housing to form the first identification groove A and the second
identification groove B, in the right and left direction is
set as "2W1 + 2C + H".
[0213]
On the other hand, in the battery 1, the first
identification portion 31 corresponding to the first
identification groove A and the second identification portion
32 corresponding to the second identification groove B are
continuously formed in the right and left direction (refer
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to an upper stage of Fig . 46) . Accordingly, the identification
groove 30 including the first identification portion 31 and
the second identification portion 32 is formed, and thus the
dimension W, which is necessary for the housing 2, in the right
and left direction becomes a dimension of "2W1 + 2C" or less
because the interval H is not necessary.
[0214]
In addition, in the identification groove 30, since the
first identification portion 31 and the second identification
portion 32 are continuously formed in the right and left
direction, one margin C between the margins 2C is also
unnecessary for the dimension W, and thus the dimension W
becomes a dimension of "2W1 + C" or less.
[0215]
In addition, a part of an identification protrusion,
which is inserted into the second identification portion 32
on a short length side, may be inserted into the first
identification portion 31, and thus the width of the second
identification portion 32 can be set to be smaller than Wl.
When a dimension capable of being reduced is set as a, the
dimension W becomes "2W1 - a + C".
[0216]
Accordingly, the dimension W, which is necessary for
the housing 2 to form the identification groove 30, in the
right and left direction decreases by "C + H + a" from the
dimension Wp, which is necessary for the housing in the battery
of the related art, in the right and left direction. As a
result, it is possible to reduce the size of the battery 1
by the decrease.
[0217]
Note that, description has been given of the
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identification groove 30 including the first identification
portion 31 and the second identification portion 32 which have
a rectangular shape as an example. However, in the
identification groove 30, for example, the depth bottom
surfaces 31a and 32a may be formed in an inclined shape (refer
to Fig. 47). In the identification groove 30 in which the
depth bottom surfaces 31a and 32a have the inclined shape,
one portion in the right and left direction is set as the first
identification portion 31, and the other portion is set as
the second identification portion 32.
[0218]
A step difference does not exist in the identification
groove 30 in which the depth bottom surfaces 31a and 32a have
the inclined shape, and thus it is possible to easily form
the identification groove 30 in the housing 2.
[0219]
Next, an example of batteries lA and 1B which have an
identification groove different from that of the battery 1
will be described (refer to Fig. 48 and Fig. 49).
[0220]
As described above, two identification grooves 30 and
are formed in the battery 1 in a state of being laterally
spaced apart from each other. For example, the battery 1
pertains to an intermediate capacity type in which the maximum
25 charging capacity is standard.
[0221]
For example, the battery lA pertains to a high-capacity
type in which the maximum charging capacity is greater than
that of the battery 1. In the battery 1A, one identification
30 groove 30 and one identification groove 30A are formed (refer
to Fig. 48). The identification groove 30A includes a first
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identification portion 31A of which a length in the front and
rear direction is longer than that of a first identification
portion 31 and a second identification portion 32A.
[0222]
5 For example, the battery 1B pertains to a low-capacity
type in which the maximum charging capacity is less than that
of the battery 1 . In the battery 1B, one identification groove
30 is formed (refer to Fig. 49).
[0223]
10 Next, description will be given of a configuration
example of a battery mounting portion of a connection device
to which the battery 1, the battery 1A, or the battery 1B is
mounted (refer to Fig. 50 to Fig. 53).
[0224]
15 Examples of the connection device include a small-power
camera capable of operating at small power, an
intermediate-power camera capable of operating at
intermediate power greater than that of the smal 1-power camera ,
and a large-power camera capable of operating at large power
20 greater than that of the intermediate-power camera, and the
charger 80.
[0225]
The terminal connection portion 59 is disposed in a
battery mounting portion of the small-power camera, and the
25 identification protrusion that is inserted into the
identification groove 30 or the like is not provided (refer
to Fig. 50).
[0226]
The terminal connection portion 59 is disposed in a
30 battery mounting portion of the intermediate-power camera,
and an identification protrusion 90B is provided on the
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sideward side of the terminal connection portion 59 (refer
to Fig. 51) . The identification protrusion 90B is set to a
length capable of being totally inserted into the first
identification portion 31 or the first identification portion
31A.
[0227]
The terminal connection portion 59 is disposed in a
battery mounting portion of the large-power camera, and an
identification protrusion 900 is provided on the sideward side
of the terminal connection portion 59 (refer to Fig. 52) . The
identification protrusion 900 is set to a length which is longer
than that of the identification protrusion 90B, and with which
the entirety of the identification protrusion 900 is not
totally inserted into the first identification portion 31,
and is capable of being totally inserted into the first
identification portion 31A.
[0228]
As described above, the terminal connection portion 93
is disposed in the battery mounting portion 83 of the charger
80, and the identification protrusion 90 is provided on the
sideward side of the terminal connection portion 93 (refer
to Fig. 53) . The identification protrusion 90 includes the
long portion 90a and the short portion 90b.
[0229]
Next, an example related to an identification property
of the above-described identification grooves 30 and 30A will
be described (refer to Fig. 54) .
[0230]
Hereinafter, as an example, identification properties
of the battery 1, the battery 1A, and the battery 1B with respect
to the small-power camera, the intermediate-power camera, the
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large-power camera, and the charger 80 will be described. In
Fig. 54, "Y" represents that a battery is capable of mounting
in a camera or a charger, and "N" represents that the battery
is not capable of being mounted in the camera or the charger.
[0231]
The large-capacity type battery 1A includes the
identification groove 30 that is located on the left side and
the identification groove 30A that is located on the right
side, the intermediate-capacity type battery 1 includes the
identification grooves 30 and 30 which are laterally spaced
apart from each other, and the small-capacity type battery
1B includes one piece of the identification groove 30 that
is located on the left side.
[0232]
The small-power camera does not include an
identification protrusion in the battery mounting portion,
and thus a portion that is inserted into the identification
groove 30 or 30A does not exist. Accordingly, any of the
battery 1, the battery 1A, and the battery 1B can be mounted
in the battery mounting portion of the small-power camera,
and it is identified that any of the battery 1, the battery
1A, and the battery 1B is a battery capable of being used in
the small-power camera.
[0233]
The intermediate-power camera includes the
identification protrusion 90B that is located on the right
side of the battery mounting portion, and the identification
protrusion 90B is set to be inserted into any of the first
identification portion 31 of the identification groove 30 and
the first identification portion 31A of the identification
groove 30A. The identification protrusion 90B is inserted
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into the first identification portion 31 of the identification
groove 30 that is located on the right side in the battery
1, and the first identification portion 31A of the
identification groove 30A that is located on the right side
in the battery 1A. On the other hand, since an identification
groove is not formed on the right side of the battery 1B, and
thus the identification protrusion 90B interferes with the
battery 1B.
[0234]
Accordingly, it is identified that any of the battery
1A and the battery 1 can be mounted in the battery mounting
portion of the intermediate-power camera, but the battery 1B
cannot be mounted in the battery mounting portion, and any
of the battery 1A and the battery 1 is a battery capable of
being used in the intermediate-power camera, and it is
identified that the battery 1B is a battery that is not capable
of being used in the intermediate-power camera.
[0235]
The large-power camera includes the identification
protrusion 90C that is located on the right side of the battery
mounting portion, and the identification protrusion 90C is
set to be inserted into the first identification portion 31A
of the identification groove 30A. The identification
protrusion 90C is inserted into the first identification
portion 31A of the identification groove 30A that is located
on the right side in the battery 1A. On the other hand, the
identification protrusion 90B can be inserted into the first
identification portion 31 of the identification groove 30 that
is located on the right side in the battery 1, but is inserted
partway into the identification portion 31, and thus the
electrode terminals 95 are not connected to the connection
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terminals 35 of the connector 33 of the battery 1 . In addition,
since an identification groove is not provided on the right
side of the battery 1B, the identification protrusion 90B
interferes with the battery 1B.
[0236]
Accordingly, it is identified that the battery lA can
be mounted in the battery mounting portion of the large-power
camera, but the battery 1 and the battery 1B cannot be mounted
in the battery mounting portion, the battery lA is a battery
capable of being used in the large-power camera , and the battery
1 and the battery 1B are batteries which are not capable of
being used in the large-power camera.
[0237]
The charger 80 includes the identification protrusion
90 that is located on the left side of the battery mounting
portion 83, and the identification protrusion 90 is set to
be inserted into the identification groove 30. The
identification protrusion 90 is inserted into the
identification groove 30 that is located on the left side of
any of the battery 1, the battery 1A, and the battery 1B.
[0238]
Accordingly, it is identified that any of the battery
1, the battery 1A, and the battery 1B can be mounted to the
battery mounting portion 83 of the charger 80, and any of the
battery 1, the battery 1A, and the battery 1B is a battery
capable of being used in the charger 80.
[0239]
Note that, description has been given of an example
related to identification of batteries in accordance with a
difference in charging capacity. However, identification
with the identification groove 30 or the like is not limited
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to identification in accordance with a difference in charging
capacity, and is also applicable to, for example,
identification related to other differences such as a
difference as to whether or not a battery is a chargeable type,
5 and a difference in a charging speed.
[0240]
In addition, description has been given of an example
of the identification groove 30 that is constituted by two
parts including the first identification portion 31 and the
10 second identification portion 32 which have lengths different
from each other, but the identification groove 30 may include
three or more identification portions which have lengths
different from each other.
[0241]
15 As described above, the identification groove 30 for
performing identification of a connection device is formed
in the housing 2 of the battery 1 (the battery lA or the battery
1B) , and in the identification groove 30, a plurality of
identification portions having lengths different from each
20 other is continuously formed.
[0242]
Accordingly, since a portion that isolates the
identification portions does not exist between the plurality
of identification portions having lengths different from each
25 other, a size in a direction in which the identification
portions of the identification groove 30 are continuous becomes
a total size of the plurality of identification portions, and
it is possible to realize a reduction in size of the battery
1 while securing high identification property.
30 [0243]
In addition, since the first identification portion 31
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and the second identification portion 32 are formed as
identification portions, a size in a direction in which the
identification portions of the identification groove 30 are
continuous becomes a total size of the first identification
portion 31 and the second identification portion 32, and thus
it is possible to realize a reduction in size of the battery
1 while improving the identification property.
[0244]
In addition, in the identification groove 30, aplurality
of identification portions is continuously formed in a width
direction, a size of the identification groove 30 in the width
direction becomes a total size of the plurality of
identification portions, and it is possible to realize a
reduction in size of the battery 1 in the width direction while
improving the identification property in comparison to a case
where a plurality of identification grooves is formed to be
spaced apart from each other in the width direction.
[0245]
In addition, in the plurality of identification portions,
the shorter a length is, the smaller a width is. For example,
in the first identification portion 31 and the second
identificationportion 32 , a width of the second identification
portion 32 having a short length is set to be smaller than
a width of the first identification portion 31 having a long
length.
[0246]
Accordingly, the size of the identification groove 30
in a width direction becomes smaller than a total width in
a case where identification portions having the same width
are formed, and thus it is possible to realize a further
reduction in size of the battery 1 in the width direction while
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improving the identification property.
[0247]
In addition, since the two identification grooves 30
and 30 are formed in a state of being spaced apart from each
other in the width direction, it is possible to perform
identification of a connection device by using the two
identi fication grooves 30 and 30 , and it is possible to increase
the kind of connection devices capable of being identified.
[0248]
Note that, in this case, shapes or sizes of the two
identification grooves 30 and 30 can be set to be different
from each other.
[0249]
In addition, in each of the identification grooves 30,
the first identification portion 31 and the second
identification portion 32 may be formed in shapes different
from each other (refer to Fig. 55). For example, in the
identification groove 30, the second identification portion
32 may be formed in a space having an approximately triangular
column shape, and when the identification groove 30 is formed
in this shape, a portion of a region of the second identification
portion 32 in the inner bottom surface 30a of the identification
groove 30 is formed as an inclined surface 32c. The inclined
surface 32c is inclined to be displaced toward the bottom
surface 12 side as it approaches the lateral surface 13 that
is located on a side opposite to the first identification
portion 31 that is continuous to the second identification
portion 32 in the right and left direction.
[0250]
The identification groove 30 is a portion that is formed
in the vicinity of the first guided groove 22, and when the
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identification groove 30 is formed in this shape, the thickness
(width) of a portion between the first guided groove 22 and
the identification groove 30 in the housing 2 increases, and
thus it is possible to reinforce a portion at the periphery
of the first guided groove 22.
[0251]
In addition, description has been given of the
identification groove 30 in which the first identification
portion 31X and the second identification portion 32X having
lengths different from each other are continuous in the width
direction as an example, but an identification groove 30X may
be formed instead of the identification groove 30 (refer to
Fig. 56). The identification groove 30X has a configuration
in which a first identification portion 31X and a second
identification portion 32X which have sizes different from
each other in the upper and lower direction (depth direction)
are continuous. For example, the first identification
portion 31X is set to be longer than the second identification
portion 32X, and the first identification portion 31X is
continuously formed on a lower side of the second
identification portion 32X.
[0252]
Note that, as in the identification groove 30, the
identification groove 30X may include three or more
identification portions haying lengths different from each
other.
[0253]
As described above, when a plurality of identification
portions is continuously formed in the depth direction, a size
of the identification groove 30X in the depth direction becomes
a total size of the plurality of identification portions, and
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it is possible to realize a reduction in size of the battery
1 in the depth direction (upper and lower direction) while
improving the identification property in comparison to a case
where the plurality of identification grooves is formed to
be spaced apart from each other in the depth direction.
[0254]
In addition, in the identification groove 30X, as a
length is shorter, depths of the plurality of identification
portions may be set to be smaller.
[0255]
When the identification groove 30X is set to the
above-described configuration, the size of the identification
groove 30X in the depth direction becomes smaller than a total
depth in a case where identification portions having the same
depth are formed, and thus it is possible to realize a further
reduction in size of the battery 1 in the depth direction while
improving the identification property.
[0256]
<Modification Example>
Hereinafter, modification examples of respective
portions of the battery 1 will be described (refer to Fig.
57 to Fig. 59) .
[0257]
A first modification example relates to a modification
example of the recess formed surface (refer to Fig. 57 and
Fig. 58) . A recess formed surface 29A according to the first
modification example includes wall portions 29d and 29d . The
wall portions 29d and 29d respectively include first inclined
surfaces 40 and 40 which are continuous to the base portion
29a, intermediate surfaces 41 and 41 which are continuous to
the first inclined surfaces 40 and 40, and second inclined
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surfaces 42 and 42 which are continuous to the intermediate
surfaces 41 and 41.
[0258]
The first inclined surfaces 40 and 40 are continuous
5 to a front end of the base portion 29a, and are inclined in
a direction of being spaced apart from each other in the right
and left direction as they go toward the front side. The
intermediate surfaces 41 and 41 are continuous to front ends
of the first inclined surfaces 40 and 40, and are formed as
10 surfaces facing the front side. The second inclined surfaces
42 and 42 are continuous to outer edges of the intermediate
surfaces 41 and 41 in the right and left direction, and are
inclined in a direction of being spaced apart from each other
in the right and left direction as they go toward the front
15 side.
[0259]
An inclination angle of each of the first inclined
surfaces 40 with respect to the intermediate surface 41 is
set to be greater than an inclination angle of each of the
20 second inclined surfaces 42 with respect to the intermediate
surface 41. However, the inclination angle of the first
inclined surface 40 with respect to the intermediate surface
41 may be set to be smaller than the inclination angle of the
second inclined surface 42 with respect to the intermediate
25 surface 41, or may be set to be the same as the inclination
angle of the second inclined surface 42 with respect to the
intermediate surface 41.
[0260]
In addition, a width of the first inclined surface 40
30 in an inclined direction thereof is set to be greater than
a width of the second inclined surface 42 in an inclined
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direction thereof. However, the width of the first inclined
surface 40 in the inclined direction thereof may be set to
be smaller than the width of the second inclined surface 42
in the inclined direction thereof, or may be set to be the
same as the width of the second inclined surface 42 in the
inclined direction thereof.
[0261]
When the recess formed surface 29A including the wall
portions 29d and 29d is formed, the thickness of a portion
on a rear side of each of the wall portions 29d and 29d in
the housing 2 in the front and rear direction increases, and
thus it is possible to realize improvement of the strength
of the housing 2.
[0262]
A second modification example relates to a modification
example of the connector (refer to Fig. 59). A connector 33A
according to the second modification example includes the
housing 34 formed from a non-conductive material, and the
connection terminals 35, 35, and 35 formed from a conductive
material. The terminal disposition grooves 36, 36, and 36
in which the connection terminals 35, 35, and 35 are disposed
are formed in the housing 34, but the positioning grooves 37
and 37 are not formed.
[0263]
The connection terminals 35, 35, and 35 which function
as a positive electrode terminal, a negative electrode terminal,
and an information terminal are respectively disposed in the
terminal disposition grooves 36, 36, and 36. Note that, in
the connector 33A, two terminal disposition grooves 36 and
36, or four terminal disposition grooves 36, 36, ... may be
formed. Ina case where the two terminal disposition grooves
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36 and 36 are formed in the connector 33A, a positive electrode
terminal and a negative electrode terminal are respectively
disposed in the two terminal disposition grooves 36 and 36.
In a case where the four terminal disposition grooves 36, 36,
... are formed in the connector 33A, a positive electrode
terminal, a negative electrode terminal, an information
terminal, and a communication terminal are respectively
disposed in the four terminal disposition grooves 36, 36, ....
[0264]
In a case where the connector 331\ can be used, the
positioning grooves 37 and 37 are formed on both right and
left sides of the connector 33A in the housing 2.
[0265]
When the above-described connector 33A can be used, in
the housing 2, a width of a portion on both sides of the
disposition recess 27 in the right and left direction increases,
and it is possible to realize improvement of the strength of
the housing 2.
[0266]
<Configuration of Another Battery>
Next, a configuration of a battery 1C different from
the battery 1 will be described (refer to Fig. 60 and Fig.
61).
[0267]
Note that, the following battery 1C is different from
the above-described battery 1 in that the connector does not
exist, and configurations of respective portions other than
the connector, positional relationships of the respective
portions, or sizes thereof are similar as in the battery 1.
Accordingly, only portions different from those in the battery
1 will be described in detail, and with regard to the other
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portions, the same reference numerals will be given to similar
portions as in the battery 1, description thereof will be
omitted.
[0268]
A recess 27C is formed at the front end of the bottom
portion 21 (refer to Fig. 60). The recess 27C is formed at
approximately the central portion in the right and left
direction, and is opened to the forward side and the downward
side.
[0269]
The recess 27C is formed by a recess formed surface 290.
The recess formed surface 29C includes a base portion 29e,
wall portions 29b and 29b, and an intermediate portion 29c.
[0270]
The base portion 29e is in a state of facing the forward
side. The wall portions 29b and 29b are respectively
continuous to both right and left ends of the base portion
29e, and are formed as inclined surfaces which are spaced apart
from each other in the right and left direction as they go
toward the front side. The intermediate portion 29c is formed
between lower edges of the wall portions 29b and 29b which
face the downward side.
[0271]
Terminal disposition grooves 36C, 36C, and 36C are formed
in a portion that is continuous to a rear side of the recess
27C in the housing 20 in a state of being laterally spaced
apart from each other. Each of the terminal disposition
grooves 36C is opened to the downward side and the forward
side, and an opening on the front side is formed in the base
portion 29e. Connection terminals 35, 35, and 35 are held
to the housing 2C in a state in which at least parts thereof
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are respectively disposed in the terminal disposition grooves
360, 360, and 360. In the battery 10, a connector is not
provided, and the connection terminals 35, 35, and 35 are
constructed as a terminal portion.
[0272]
Positioning grooves 370 and 370, which are respectively
opened to the forward side and the downward side, are formed
in the housing 20 on outer sides of the terminal disposition
grooves 360, 360, and 360.
[0273]
Portions between the terminal disposition grooves 360,
36C, and 36C in the housing 2C are provided as terminal isolation
ribs 2b and 2b, and portions between the terminal disposition
grooves 360 and 360 and the positioning grooves 370 and 370
in the housing 20 are provided as intergroove ribs 2c and 2c.
A width of each of the terminal isolation rib 2b in the right
and left direction is set to be greater than a width of each
of the intergroove ribs 2c in the right and left direction
to prevent contact between the connection terminals 35, 35,
and 35.
[0274]
Note that, description has been given of an example in
which the positioning grooves 37C and 370 are formed at a
position that is continuous to the recess 270, but the
positioning grooves 370 and 370 may be respectively formed
on both the right and left sides of the recess 270 in the housing
2C (refer to Fig. 61) .
[0275]
In addition, in the battery 10, two terminal disposition
grooves 360 and 36C, or four terminal disposition grooves 360,
360, ... may be formed as in the battery 1.
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[0276]
As described above, in the battery 1C, since the
connector is not provided, and the terminal disposition grooves
36C and the positioning grooves 37C are formed in the housing
5 2C, it is
possible to realize a reduction in the manufacturing
cost due to simplification of a structure and a reduction in
the number of parts.
[0277]
<Configuration Example of Another Connection Device>
10 Hereinafter, as
another example of the connection device
to which a plurality of batteries 1, 1, ... (1A, 18, and 1C)
is connected, a charger 110 will be described (refer to Fig.
62) . A plurality of ( for example, four) batteries 1, 1, ...
can be mounted in the charger 110.
15 [0278]
The charger 110 includes a housing 111. The housing
111 includes a top plate portion 112 and a bottom plate portion
113 which are located on upper and lower sides, and a boundary
plate portion 114 that is located between the top plate portion
20 112 and the bottom plate portion 113. Recess-shaped battery
mounting portions 115, 115, ... which are spaced apart from
each other in the front and rear direction and in the right
and left direction are formed in the charger 110.
[0279]
25 Each of the
battery mounting portions 115 has a similar
configuration as in the battery mounting portion 83 of the
charger 80 (refer to Fig. 25 and the like) . The batteries
1, 1, ... are detachable from the battery mounting portions
115, 115, ..., and when the batteries 1, 1, ... are respectively
30 mounted in the battery mounting portions 115, 115, ..., it is
possible to perform charging with respect to all of the
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batteries 1, 1, ....
[0280]
A power cable (not illustrated) can be connected to the
charger 110, and when the power capable is connected to the
charger 110, it is possible to perform charging with respect
to the batteries 1, 1, . from a commercial power supply. Note
that, the above-described batteries 1A, 1B, and 1C can also
be mounted in the battery mounting portions 115 of the charger
110.
[0281]
<Configuration Example of Power Feeder>
Next, a power feeder 116 that can be connected to the
charger 110 will be described (refer to Fig. 62 to Fig. 68).
[0282]
The power feeder 116 can be connected to the charger
110 through a cable 300 (refer to Fig. 62). The power feeder
116 is connected to one end of the cable 300.
[0283]
The power feeder 116 has a configuration in which
respective necessary units are disposed on an inner side and
on an outer side of a housing 117 (refer to Fig. 63 to Fig.
68). An external shape of the power feeder 116 is set to be
smaller than an external shape of the above-described batteries
1, 1A, 1B, and 1C.
[0284]
The housing 117 is formed in approximately rectangular
parallelepiped shape, and a case cover (upper case) 118 and
an accommodation case (lowercase) 119 are coupled in the upper
and lower direction. The case cover 118 is formed in a box
shape that is opened to the downward side. The accommodation
case 119 is formed in a box shape that is opened to the upward
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side. In a state in which the case cover 118 and the
accommodation case 119 are coupled in the upper and lower
direction to construct the housing 117, an internal space of
the housing 117 is formed as an accommodation space.
[0285]
In the housing 117, an outer surface 120 includes a top
surface 121, a bottom surface 122, lateral surfaces 123 and
123, a front surface 124, and a rear surface 125, a size in
the front and rear direction (longitudinal direction) is set
to be greater than a size in the right and left direction (width
direction), and the size in the right and left direction (width
direction) is set to be greater than a size in the upper and
lower direction (height direction). Upper inclined surfaces
126 and 126 are formed in the housing 117 respectively between
the top surface 121 and the lateral surfaces 123 and 123. The
upper inclined surfaces 126 and 126 are displaced downward
as they approach the lateral surfaces 123 and 123 from the
top surface 121. Lower inclined surfaces 127 and 127 are formed
in the housing 117 respectively between the bottom surface
122 and the lateral surfaces 123 and 123. The lower inclined
surfaces 127 and 127 are displaced upward as they approach
the lateral surfaces 123 and 123 from the bottom surface 122.
Each of the upper inclined surfaces 126 and 126, and the lower
inclined surfaces 127 and 127 are formed in a flat surface
shape.
[0286]
All of the top surface 121, the bottom surface 122, the
lateral surfaces 123 and 123, the front surface 124, the rear
surface 125, the upper inclined surfaces 126 and 126, and the
lower inclined surfaces 127 and 127 are formed as exterior
surfaces 128, 128, ....
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[0287]
A locking recess 129 is formed at a position on a front
end side in a lower end of the housing 117. The locking recess
129 is opened to the downward side, the forward side, and the
sideward side (both right and left sides), and includes a
laterally elongated introduction portion 129a that is located
on the front side, and a to-be-inserted portion 129b that is
continuous to the rear side of the introduction portion 129a.
The to-be-inserted portion 129b is opened to the downward side
and the forward side.
[0288]
The to-be-inserted portion 129b is provided with a
to-be-locked claw 130 that protrudes to the sideward side.
The to-be-locked claw 130 includes an inclined surface 130a
that is displaced to the sideward side as it goes rearward,
and a to-be-regulated surface 130b that is continuous to a
rear end of the inclined surface 130a and faces the rearward
side.
[0289]
A recess-shaped portion 131 that is opened to the
rearward side and the sideward side (both right and left sides)
is formed in a rear end of the housing 117. The recess-shaped
portion 131 is formed at the central portion of the housing
117 in the upper and lower direction. A surface that forms
the recess-shaped portion 131 and faces rearward is formed
as a hole formed surface 132. An opened connection hole 132a
is formed in the housing 117 at the central portion of the
hole formed surface 132 in the right and left direction. The
cable 300 is inserted into the connection hole 132a, and the
cable 300 is connected to the power feeder 116.
[0290]
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A recess 133 is formed in a front end at an upper end
of the housing 117. The recess 133 is formed in an
approximately half portion of the recess 133 in the right and
left direction, and is opened to the upward side and the sideward
side.
[0291]
An external connector 134 is disposed in the front end
at the upper end of the housing 117. The external connector
134 is disposed on the lateral side of the recess 133. The
external connector 134 is a portion that is connected to
electrode terminals of an imaging device or the like as
described later, functions as a terminal portion, and includes
at least a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode
terminal.
[0292]
The external connector 134 includes a housing 135 formed
from a non-conductive material, and connection terminals 136,
136, and 136 formed from a conductive material, and the
connection terminals 136, 136, and 136 are held to the housing
135 in a state in which at least parts thereof are respectively
disposed in terminal disposition grooves 137, 137, and 137
formed in the housing 135. In each of the connection terminals
136, one end of a metal piece includes a pair of contact portions
which is laterally branched from a predetermined portion, and
the pair of contact portions is disposed in each of the terminal
disposition grooves 137 in a state in which tip ends have an
elastic force in a direction of coming into contact with each
other and come into contact with each other or approach each
other.
[0293]
The connection terminals 136, 136, and 136 respectively
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function as a positive electrode terminal, a negative electrode
terminal, and an information terminal, and are disposed in
an arrangement in which the positive electrode terminal, the
information terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are
5 arranged in this order in the right and left direction, or
an arrangement in which the positive electrode terminal, the
information terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are
arranged in this order from a right side.
[0294]
10 The information terminal is used in order for the imaging
device or the like to recognize an internal temperature of
the power feeder 116, and is used in order for the imaging
device or the like to recognize various pieces of information
of the power feeder 116 such as a charging residual amount
15 and deterioration information of the power feeder 116.
[0295]
Note that, two terminal disposition grooves 137 and 137,
and two connection terminals 136 and 136 may be provided in
the external connector 134. Ina case where the two connection
20 terminals 136 and 136 are provided, the two connection
terminals 136 and 136 respectively function as the positive
electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal, and
are disposed in an arrangement in which the positive electrode
terminal and the negative electrode terminal are arranged in
25 this order from a left side, or an arrangement in which the
positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode
terminal are arranged in this order from a right side. In
addition, four terminal disposition grooves 137, 137, ..., and
four connection terminals 136, 136, ...may be provided in the
30 external connector 134. In a case where the four connection
terminals 136, 136, ... are provided, the four connection
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terminals 136, 136, ... respectively function as a positive
electrode terminal, a negative electrode terminal, an
information terminal, and a communication terminal, and are
disposed in an arrangement in which the positive electrode
terminal, the information terminal, the communication
terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are arranged
in this order from the left side, in an arrangement in which
the positive electrode terminal, the information terminal,
the communication terminal, and the negative electrode
terminal are arranged in this order from the right side, in
an arrangement in which the positive electrode terminal, the
communication terminal, the information terminal, and the
negative electrode terminal are arranged in this order from
the left side, or in an arrangement in which the positive
electrode terminal, the communication terminal, the
information terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are
arranged in this order from the right side. The communication
terminal is used in order for the imaging device or the like
to recognize various pieces of information of the power feeder
116 such as the charging residual amount and deterioration
information of the power feeder 116, and in this case, the
information terminal is used to notify the imaging device or
the like of only temperature information.
[0296]
The terminal disposition grooves 137, 137, and 137 are
opened to the forward side and the upward side, and are formed
to be laterally spaced apart from each other. Positioning
grooves 138 and 138 which are respectively opened to the forward
side and the upward side are formed in the housing 135 on an
outer side of the terminal disposition grooves 137, 137, and
137 in the right and left direction.
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[0297]
In the external connector 134, ends of the connection
terminals 136, 136, and 136 on one side are each connected
to a circuit substrate (not illustrated) that is disposed at
the inside of the housing 117.
[0298]
An internal connector 139 is disposed in a front end
of the housing 117 at a portion that is biased to the upper
end. The internal connector 139 is disposed on a lower side
of the recess 1 33 and on a sideward side of the external connector
134. The internal connector 139 is a portion that is connected
to connection terminal of an adapter as described later, and
function as a terminal portion.
[0299]
The internal connector 139 includes a housing 140 that
is formed from a non-conductive material, and connection
terminals 141, 141, and 141 which are formed from a conductive
material, and the connection terminals 141, 141, and 141 are
held to the housing 140 in a state in which at least parts
thereof are respectively disposed in terminal disposition
grooves 142, 142, and 142 which are formed in the housing 140.
The connection terminals 141, 141, and 141 are respectively
connected to the connection terminals 136, 136, and 136 of
the external connector 134 by a substrate or interconnections
(not illustrated).
[0300]
Note that, as the connection terminals 141 of the
internal connector 139, two pieces or four pieces may be
provided in accordance with the number of the connection
terminals 136 of the external connector 134.
[0301]
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The terminal disposition grooves 142, 142, and 142 are
opened to the forward side and the upward side, and are formed
in a state of being laterally spaced apart from each other.
Positioning grooves 143 and 143 which are respectively opened
.. to the forward side and the upward side are formed in the housing
140 on an outer side of the terminal disposition grooves 142,
142, and 142 in the right and left direction.
[0302]
Each of the connection terminals 141 is elastically
deformable in approximately the right and left direction, and
is held to the housing 140 in a state of being inserted into
each of the terminal disposition grooves 142.
[0303]
The power feeder 116 having the above-described
configuration is inserted and mounted in a battery mounting
portion 101 that is formed in an imaging device 100 of a type
A (refer to Fig. 69). Note that, for example, the imaging
device 100 corresponds to the above-described small-power
camera (refer to Fig. 50).
[0304]
The power feeder 116 is capable of being connected to
a commercial power supply through the cable 300 and a connection
device (not illustrated). In this case, power is supplied
to the imaging device 100 through the connection device, the
cable 300, and the power feeder 116.
[0305]
In addition, the power feeder 116 may be mounted in the
battery mounting portion 101 of the imaging device 100 in a
state of being connected to the charger 110 to which one or
a plurality of batteries 1 (1A, 1B, and 10) is mounted through
the cable 300, and may supply power of the one or plurality
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of batteries 1 (1A, 1B, and 1C) to the imaging device 100.
In a case where the plurality of batteries 1 (1A, 1B, and 1C)
is mounted to the charger 110, it is possible to increase a
power supply amount and a power supply time to the imaging
device 100, and thus this case is suitable for photographing
or moving image photographing for a long time.
[0306]
<Configuration of Adapter>
Next, a configuration of an adapter 1 50 will be described
(refer to Fig. 70 to Fig. 79).
[0307]
The adapter 150 has a configuration in which respective
necessary units are disposed on an inner side and on an outer
side of a housing 151. An external shape of the adapter 150
is set to approximately the same size as that of an external
shape of the above-described batteries 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C.
[0308]
The housing 151 is formed in a box shape that is opened
to the rearward side, and is constructed by coupling a case
cover (upper case) 152 and an accommodation case (lower case)
153 in the upper and lower direction. The case cover 152 is
formed in a box shape that is opened to the downward side and
the rearward side. In the accommodation case 153, a portion
except for a rear end is formed in a box shape that is opened
to the upward side, and the rear end is provided as an annular
portion 153a that passes through the accommodation case 153
in the front and rear direction. The case cover 152 is coupled
to an upwardly opened portion of the accommodation case 153
from the upward side. In a state in which the case cover 152
and the accommodation case 153 are coupled to construct the
housing 151, an internal space of the housing 151 is formed
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as an accommodation space.
[0309]
In the housing 151, an outer surface 154 includes a top
surface 155, a bottom surface 156, lateral surfaces 157 and
157, a front surface 158, and a rear surface 159, a size in
the front and rear direction (longitudinal direction) is set
to be greater than a size in the right and left direction (width
direction), and the size in the right and left direction (width
direction) is set to be greater than a size in the upper and
lower direction (height direction). Inclined surfaces 160
and 160 are formed in the housing 151 respectively between
the top surface 155 and the lateral surfaces 157 and 157. The
inclined surfaces 160 and 160 are displaced downward as they
approach the lateral surfaces 157 and 157 from the top surface
155. Plate support portions 161 and 161 are respectively
provided on an inner surface side of the housing 151 at positions
which are biased to a rear end on both right and left sides.
The plate support portions 161 and 161 are displaced upward
as they approach the lateral surfaces 157 and 157 from the
bottom surface 156. An opening edge that is formed in the
rear surface 159 is formed as a rear opening edge 163.
[0310]
All of the top surface 155, the bottom surface 156, the
lateral surfaces 157 and 157, the front surface 158, the rear
surface 159, and the inclined surfaces 160 and 160 are formed
as exterior surfaces 162, 162, ....
[0311]
In the housing 151, upper inclined edges 163a and 163a
are formed in an upper end of the rear opening edge 163 in
a state of being laterally spaced apart from each other, and
lower inclined edges 163b and 163b are formed in a lower end
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of the rear opening edge 163 in a state of being laterally
spaced apart from each other. The upper inclined edges 163a
and 163a are formed in both right and left ends of the rear
opening edge 163, and are linearly inclined to be displaced
upward as the upper inclined edges 163a and 163a approach each
other. The lower inclined edges 163b and 163b are formed in
both right and left ends of the rear opening edge 163 and are
linearly inclined to be displaced downward as the lower
inclined edges 163b and 163b approach each other.
[0312]
Notches 151a and 151a are respectively formed on both
right and left sides in a lower end of the housing 151. Each
of the notches 151a is opened to a sideward side (a leftward
side or a rightward side), a downward side, a forward side,
and a rearward side, and includes a stepped surface 164 that
extends in the front and rear direction on the downward side,
and a groove formed surface 165 that extends in the front and
rear direction on the sideward side. An outer edge of the
stepped surface 164 is continuous to a lower edge of the lateral
surface 157. An upper edge of the groove formed surface 165
is continuous to an inner edge of the stepped surface 164,
and a lower edge thereof is continuous to a side edge of the
bottom surface 156. The stepped surface 164 and the groove
formed surface 165 are each formed continuously over a region
ranging from the front surface 158 to the rear surface 159.
[0313]
The stepped surface 164 and the bottom surface 156 are
formed as flat surfaces which are approximately parallel to
each other, and a portion of the groove formed surface 165
except for a front end, and the lateral surface 157 are formed
as flat surfaces which are approximately parallel to each other.
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Front ends of the groove formed surfaces 165 and 165 are formed
as outwardly convex curved surfaces 165a and 165a which are
displaced in a direction of approaching each other as the front
ends approach the front surface 158.
[0314]
As described above, in the adapter 150, since the front
ends of the groove formed surfaces 165 and 165 are respectively
formed as the curved surfaces 165a and 165a, stress
concentration is less likely to occur, and the front ends are
less likely to come into contact with a ground surface or the
like just in case of dropping, or the like. As a result, it
is possible to realize mitigation of impact, and it is possible
to reduce occurrence of breakage.
[0315]
The housing 151 includes a main body portion 166 that
is a portion on an upper side in comparison to a virtual surface
including the stepped surfaces 169 and 164, and a bottomportion
167 that is a portion on a lower side in comparison to the
virtual surface. The stepped surfaces 164 and 164 are included
in the main body portion 166. A lateral width of the bottom
portion 167 is set to be smaller than that of the main body
portion 166, and a distance between the lateral surfaces 157
and 157 in the right and left direction is set to be greater
than a distance between the groove formed surfaces 165 and
165.
[0316]
Guided grooves 168 and 168 are respectively formed on
both right and left sides of the bottom portion 167. Each
of the guided grooves 168 is opened to the groove formed surface
165. The guided groove 168 is formed in a front end of the
bottom portion 167, and is opened to the sideward side and
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the forward side.
[0317]
A disposition recess 169 is formed in a lower end at
the front end of the bottomportion 167 . The disposition recess
169 is formed at approximately the central portion in the right
and left direction, and is opened to the forward side and the
downward side. A disposition hole 170, which communicates
with portions other than a front end of the disposition recess
169 and passes through the housing 151 in the upper and lower
direction, is formed in the housing 151.
[0318]
An upper edge 168a of the guided groove 168 is located
on a lower side in comparison to the stepped surface 164, and
a part of the groove formed surface 165 exists between the
guided groove 168 and the stepped surface 164. Accordingly,
a distance from a lower end of the groove formed surface 165
to an upper edge 168a of the guided groove 168 is set to be
smaller than a distance from an upper end of the groove formed
surface 165 to the lower end thereof. In addition, a vertical
distance (groove width) of the guided groove 168 may be greater
or less than a distance from the upper end of the groove formed
surface 165 to the upper edge 168a, and the vertical distance
of the guided groove 168 may be the same as the distance from
the upper end of the groove formed surface 165 to the upper
edge 168a. The lower edge 168b of the guided groove 168 is
located on an upper side in comparison to the lower edge of
the groove formed surface 165.
[0319]
The disposition recess 169 is formed by the recess formed
.. surface 171 (refer to Fig. 71) . The recess formed surface
171 includes a base portion 171a, wall portions 171b and 171b,
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and an intermediate portion 171c.
[0320]
The base portion 171a is formed in a lateral U-shaped
that is opened to the forward side, and in a state of facing
a horizontal direction. The wall portions 171b and 171b are
each continuous to a front end of the base portion 171a, and
are formed as inclined surfaces which are spaced apart from
each other in the right and left direction as they go toward
the forward side. That is, the wall portion 171b on the left
side is formed as an inclined surface that approaches the
lateral surface 157 on the left side as it goes toward the
forward side, and the wall portion 171b on the right side is
formed as an inclined surface that approaches the lateral
surface 157 on the right side as it goes toward the forward
side. Note that, in the wall portions 171b and 171b, one wall
portion 171b may be formed as an inclined surface, and the
other wall portion 171b may be formed as a surface that is
not inclined and faces a leftward side or a rightward side.
The intermediate portion 171c faces the downward side and is
formed between upper edges of the wall portions 171b and 171b.
For example, the wall portions 171b and 171b are inclined 45
degrees with respect to a surface that faces the right and
left direction.
[0321]
The intermediate portion 171c is located on the downward
side in comparison to the stepped surface 164, is located at
approximately the same height as that of the guided groove
168, or is located on a slightly downward side in comparison
to the upper edge 168a. However, the intermediate portion
171c may be located on the upward side in comparison to the
upper edge 168a.
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[0322]
Note that, as in the wall portion 29d provided in the
above-described recess formed surface 29A (refer to Fig. 57
and Fig. 58), each of the wall portions 171b may be formed
in a shape including a first inclined surface, an intermediate
surface that is continuous to the first inclined surface, and
a second inclined surface that is continuous to the
intermediate surface.
[0323]
An identification groove 172 is formed in the front end
of the bottom portion 167 on a sideward side of the recess
formed surface 171 (refer to Fig. 71 and Fig. 74). The
identification groove 172 functions as a functional groove
having a predetermined function, and identifies, for example,
the kind of an imaging device or the like. Note that, the
functional groove is not limited to the identification groove
172. As the functional groove, for example, grooves having
a function other than identification may be formed instead
of the identification groove 172. Examples of the grooves
include a positioning groove that performs positioning with
respect to the imaging device or the like, and a detection
groove or the like that detects a connection state or the like
of the imaging device or the like.
[0324]
However, when the predetermined function is the
identification function of identifying the kind of the imaging
device or the like, the kind of the imaging device or the like
is identified by the functional groove. When the adapter is
mounted in the imaging device or the like, or the adapter enters
a state of not being mounted in the imaging device or the like,
it is possible to easily identify the kind of the imaging device
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or the like to which the adapter is connected.
[0325]
Note that, the predetermined function may be a function
of identifying the kind of the adapter itself.
[0326]
In the identification groove 172, a first identification
portion 173 and a second identification portion 174 which have
lengths different from each other in the front and rear
direction are continuously formed in the right and left
direction.
[0327]
The first identification portion 173 and the second
identification portion 174 respectively function as a first
functional portion and a second functional portion.
[0328]
Among surfaces which constitute the identification
groove 172, a surface that is located on an upper side and
faces the downward side is formed as an inner bottom surface
172a. The inner bottom surface 172a is located on the downward
side in comparison to the intermediate portion 171c that is
a surface that is located on an upper side in the recess formed
surface 171 and faces the downward side. Accordingly, the
depth of the identification groove 172 in the upper and lower
direction is shallower than the depth of the disposition recess
169 in the upper and lower direction. The inner bottom surface
172a is located on the downward side in comparison to the upper
edge 168a of the guided groove 168 and the stepped surface
164. In addition, the inner bottom surface 172a is located
on the upward side in comparison to the lower edge 168b of
the guided groove 168. However, the inner bottom surface 172a
may be located on the downward side in comparison to the lower
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edge 168b, or may be located at the same height as that of
the lower edge 168b.
[0329]
Among the surfaces which constitute the identification
groove 172, a surface that is located on a rear side in the
first identification portion 173 and faces the forward side
is formed as a depth bottom surface 173a, and a surface that
is located on a rear side in the second identification portion
174 and faces the forward side is formed as a depth bottom
surface 174a. The depth bottom surface 173a is located on
the forward side in comparison to a surface, which is located
on a rearmost side in the base portion 171a and faces the forward
side, in the recess formed surface 171. The depth bottom
surfaces 173a and 174a are located on the forward side in
comparison to a rear edge of the guided groove 168. However,
the depth bottom surfaces 173a and 174a may be located on the
rearward side in comparison to the rear end edge of the guided
groove 168 or may be located at the same position as that of
the rear end edge of the guided groove 168 in the front and
rear direction.
[0330]
The first identification portion 173 has a length longer
than that of the second identification portion 174 in the front
and rear direction, the depth bottom surface 173a is located
on a slightly rear side in comparison the depth bottom surface
174a, and the first identification portion 173 is located on
a further disposition recess 169 side in comparison to the
second identification portion 174. A width of the second
identification portion 174 in the right and left direction
is set to be smaller than a width of the first identification
portion 173 in the right and left direction.
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[0331]
An inner wall portion 176 is formed in the accommodation
case 153 on an immediately rear side of a front surface plate
portion 175 (refer to Fig. 78 and Fig. 79) . The inner wall
portion 176 includes a cover portion 176a that faces
approximately the front and rear direction, and a substrate
attachment portion 176b that protrudes to the rearward side
from a part of an upper end in the cover portion 176a. A front
side space 153b is formed at the inside of the accommodation
case 153 between the cover portion 176a and the front surface
plate portion 175. A lower side space 153c is formed between
the cover portion 176a and a bottom surface plate portion 177.
[0332]
A laterally elongated support recess 177a that is opened
to the downward side and a connection hole 177b that
communicates with the support recess 177a are formed in the
bottom surface plate portion 177 of the housing 151 (refer
to Fig. 71 and Fig. 74) . The connection hole 177b communicates
with a part of the support recess 177a and passes through the
bottom surface plate portion 177 in the upper and lower
direction.
[0333]
A lock lever 178 is supported to the bottom surface plate
portion 177 to be movable in the right and left direction.
The lock lever 178 includes an operation plate portion 179
that faces the upper and lower direction, a connection
protrusion 180 that protrudes upward from the operation plate
portion 179, and a lock protrusion 181 that protrudes upward
from the connection protrusion 180 (refer to Fig. 71 and Fig.
78) . The lock protrusion 181 includes a sliding surface 181a
that is displaced to the sideward side as it goes toward the
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forward side, and a locking surface 181b that is continuous
to a front end of the sliding surface 181a and faces the forward
side.
[0334]
The lock lever 178 is movable in the right and left
direction in a state in which the operation plate portion 179
is inserted into the support recess 177a of the bottom surface
plate portion 177. A lower surface of the operation plate
portion 179 and the bottom surface 156 are located to be flush
with each other, and the operation plate portion 179 is in
a state of not protruding downward from the bottom surface
156. Accordingly, the height of the adapter 150 in the upper
and lower direction does not increase, and thus a reduction
in size is realized.
.. [0335]
In the lock lever 178, the connection protrusion 180
is inserted into the connection hole 177b, and the lock
protrusion 181 is located on an upper side of the bottom surface
plate portion 177. The lock lever 178 is biased to one
direction in the right and left direction by a spring (not
illustrated). One end edge of the operation plate portion
179 in the right and left direction is pressed to one opening
edge of the support recess 177a in the right and left direction
by a biasing force of the spring, and thus movement of the
operation plate portion 179 is regulated.
[0336]
In the lock lever 178, the connection protrusion 180
is connected to a sliding plate 182. The sliding plate 182
is formed in an approximately flat plate shape that faces the
upper and lower direction. The sliding plate 182 can move
integrally with the lock lever 178 in the right and left
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direction with respect to the bottom surface plate portion
177, and is biased to the same direction as in the lock lever
178 by the biasing force of the spring.
[0337]
A pressing plate 183 is disposed at the inside of the
accommodation case 153 (refer to Fig. 78 and Fig. 79). Apart
of the pressing plate 183 is attached to the accommodation
case 153 with screwing or the like. The pressing plate 183
includes a laterally elongated receiving surface portion 184
that faces the front and rear direction, and pressing surface
portions 185 and 185 which protrude backward from both right
and left ends of the receiving surface portion 184.
[0338]
A receiving piece portion 184a, which is elastically
deformable in approximately the front and rear direction, is
provided at the central portion of the receiving surface
portion 184. Rear ends of the pressing surface portions 185
and 185 are respectively supported to plate support portions
161 and 161 provided on both side portions of the housing 151
in a displaceable manner. The pressing surface portions 185
and 185 are elastically deformable with respect to the
receiving surface portion 184 to be laterally displaced, and
pressing portions 185a and 185a, which protrude in a direction
of approaching each other, are provided at positions which
are biased to a rear end.
[0339]
A first substrate 186 is attached to an upper surface
of the substrate attachment portion 176b of the inner wall
portion 176 that is provided at the inside of the housing 151.
A second substrate 187 is disposed in a lower side space 153c
that is formed on a lower side of the inner wall portion 176.
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For example, three terminal portions are formed in each of
the first substrate 186 and the second substrate 187. The
three terminal portions formed in the first substrate 186 and
the three terminal portions formed in the second substrate
187 are respectively connected by electric wires 188, 188,
and 188. The electric wires 188, 188, and 188 are located
in the front side space 153b that is formed in front of the
inner wall portion 176.
[0340]
Note that, the three terminal portions in the first
substrate 186 and the three terminal portions in the second
substrate 187 may be connected by a flexible printed wiring
board.
[0341]
A relay connector 189 is attached to a lower surface
of the substrate attachment portion 176b of the inner wall
portion 176 (refer to Fig. 73 and Fig . 76). The relay connector
189 is a portion to which the internal connector 139 of the
power feeder 116 is connected, and functions as a terminal
portion.
[0342]
The relay connector 189 includes a housing 190 that is
formed by a non-conductive material, and connection terminals
191, 191, and 191 which are formed from a conductive material.
In the relay connector 189, ends of the connection terminals
191, 191, and 191 on one side are respectively connected to
terminal portions of the first substrate 186.
[0343]
Note that, as the connection terminals 191 of the relay
connector 189, two pieces or four pieces may be provided in
accordance with the number of the connection terminals 141
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of the internal connector 139 in the power feeder 116.
[0344]
A connection connector 192 is disposed in the disposition
recess 169 of the housing 151 (refer to Fig. 71 and Fig. 74).
The connection connector 192 is disposed at the central portion
of the housing 151 in the right and left direction. The
connection connector 192 is a portion that is connected to
electrode terminals of an imaging device or the like, and
functions as a terminal portion.
[0345]
The connection connector 192 includes a housing 193 that
is formed from a non-conductive material and connection
terminals 194, 194, and 194 which are formed from a conductive
material, and the connection terminals 194, 194, and 194 are
held to the housing 193 in a state in which at least parts
thereof are respectively disposed in terminal disposition
grooves 195, 195, and 195 which are formed in the housing 193.
[0346]
In each of the connection terminals 194, one end of a
metal piece includes a pair of contact portions which is
laterally branched from a predetermined portion, and the pair
of contact portions is disposed in each of the terminal
disposition grooves 195 in a state in which tip ends have an
elastic force in a direction of coming into contact with each
other and come into contact with each other or approach each
other.
[0347]
The connection terminals 194, 194, and 194 respectively
function as a positive electrode terminal, a negative electrode
terminal, and an information terminal, and are disposed in
an arrangement in which the positive electrode terminal, the
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information terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are
arranged in this order in the right and left direction, or
an arrangement in which the positive electrode terminal, the
information terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are
arranged in this order from a right side.
[0348]
The terminal disposition grooves 195, 195, and 195 are
opened to the forward side and the downward side, and are formed
to be laterally spaced apart from each other. Positioning
grooves 1 96 and 1 96 which are respectively opened to the forward
side and the downward side are formed in the housing 193 on
an outer side of the terminal disposition grooves 195, 195,
and 195 in the right and left direction.
[0349]
A surface of each of the terminal disposition grooves
195 on the most top surface 155 side, and a surface of each
of the positioning grooves 196 on the most top surface 155
side are respectively formed as inner bottom surfaces 195a
and 196a, and positions of the inner bottom surfaces 195a and
196a in the upper and lower direction are set to be approximately
the same as each other. The inner bottom surfaces 195a and
196a are located on the downward side in comparison to the
stepped surface 164. In addition, the inner bottom surfaces
195a and 196a are located on the downward side in comparison
to the upper edge 168a of the guided groove 168 and are located
on the upward side in comparison to the lower edge 168b of
the guided groove 168.
[0350]
Each of the connection terminals 194 is elastically
deformable in approximately the right and left direction, and
is held to the housing 193 in a state of being inserted into
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each of the terminal disposition grooves 195.
[0351]
Note that, as the connection terminals 194 of the
connection connector 192, two pieces or four pieces may be
provided in accordance with the number of the connection
terminals 191 of the relay connector 189.
[0352]
In a case where the two connection terminals 194 and
194 are provided, the two connection terminals 194 and 194
respectively function as the positive electrode terminal and
the negative electrode terminal, and are disposed in an
arrangement in which the positive electrode terminal and the
negative electrode terminal are arranged in this order from
a left side, or an arrangement in which the positive electrode
terminal and the negative electrode terminal are arranged in
this order from a right side. In addition, four terminal
disposition grooves 195, 195, ..., and four connection terminals
194, 194, ...maybe provided in the connection connector 192.
In a case where the four connection terminals 194, 194, ...
are provided, the four connection terminals 194, 194, ...
respectively function as a positive electrode terminal, a
negative electrode terminal, an information terminal, and a
communication terminal, and are disposed in an arrangement
in which the positive electrode terminal, the information
terminal, the communication terminal, and the negative
electrode terminal are arranged in this order from the left
side, in an arrangement in which the positive electrode
terminal, the information terminal, the communication
terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are arranged
in this order from the right side, in an arrangement in which
the positive electrode terminal, the communication terminal,
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the information terminal, and the negative electrode terminal
are arranged in this order from the left side, or in an
arrangement in which the positive electrode terminal, the
communication terminal, the information terminal, and the
negative electrode terminal are arranged in this order from
the right side.
[0353]
Ends of the connection terminals 194, 194, and 194 on
one side are respectively connected to end portions of the
second substrate 187. Accordingly, the connection terminals
194, 194, and 194 of the connection connector 192 are
respectively connected to the connection terminals 191, 191,
and 191 of the relay connector 189 through the second substrate
187, the electric wires 188, 188, and 188, and the first
substrate 186.
[0354]
As described above, in the adapter 150, a surface that
forms the disposition recess 169 of the housing 151 is formed
as the recess formed surface 171, and the intermediate portion
171c that is a part of the recess formed surface 171 exists
between the front surface 158 of the outer surface 154 and
the connection connector 192.
[0355]
Accordingly, since the connection connector 192 is
located on an inner side in the housing 151 in comparison to
the front surface 158 of the housing 151, occurrence of breakage
or damage of the connection connector 192 when being dropped
or the like is reduced.
[0356]
Particularly, an impact force due to dropping impact
is less likely to be transferred to the connection connector
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192, and thus cracks are less likely to occur in solder for
connecting the connection terminals 194 to the circuit
substrate or the like, and it is possible to reduce occurrence
of electrical connection failure.
[0357]
In addition, since occurrence of breakage or damage of
the connection connector 192 is reduced, the connection
terminals 194 are less likely to be exposed form the housing
193, and it is possible to secure high quality of the connection
connector 192.
[0358]
Note that, description has been given of an example in
which the connection connector 192 is located on the rearward
side in comparison to the front surface 158 of the housing
151. However, for example, the connection connector 192 may
be located on the upward side in comparison to the bottom surface
156 of the housing 151.
[0359]
As described above, even in a case where the connection
connector 192 is located on the upward side in comparison to
the bottom surface 156 of the housing 151, it is possible to
further reduce occurrence of breakage or damage of the
connection connector 192 when being dropped or the like.
[0360]
<Attachment and Detachment Operation of Power Feeder
to and from Adapter>
As described above, the power feeder 116 is capable of
being mounted in the battery mounting portion 101 formed in
the imaging device 100 of the type A, and can be also used
in a state of being mounted in the adapter 150.
[0361]
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The power feeder 116 is inserted into the adapter 150
from the rearward side (refer to Fig. 62 and Fig. 80). At
this time, both the upper inclined edges 163a and 163a and
the lower inclined edges 163b and 163b which are formed in
the rear opening edge 163 of the housing 151 in the adapter
150 are inclined in a linear shape, and both the upper inclined
surfaces 126 and 126 and the lower inclined surfaces 127 and
127 of the power feeder 116 are formed in a flat surface shape.
The upper inclined edges 163a and 163a, the upper inclined
surfaces 126 and 126, the lower inclined edges 163b and 163b,
and the lower inclined surfaces 127 and 127 are each formed
in shapes without interference (refer to Fig. 81).
Accordingly, the power feeder 116 is smoothly inserted from
the rear opening edge 163 of the adapter 150.
[0362]
When the power feeder 116 is inserted into the adapter
150, the lateral surfaces 123 and 123 slide on the pressing
portions 185a and 185a of the pressing plate 183 in the adapter
150, and thus the pressing surface portions 185 and 185 are
pressed and expanded in a direction of being spaced apart from
each other (refer to Fig. 82). Accordingly, the pressing
surface portions 185 and 185 are elastically deformed in a
direction of being spaced apart from each other.
[0363]
At this time, the lock protrusion 181 of the lock lever
178 in the adapter 150 is relatively inserted from the
introduction portion 129a of the locking recess 129 to the
to-be-inserted portion 129b in the power feeder 116, the
inclined surface 130a of the to-be-locked claw 130 slides on
the sliding surface 181a of the lock protrusion 181 in the
lock lever 178, and the lock lever 178 and the sliding plate
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182 integrally move to one side in a sideward direction against
the biasing force of the spring.
[0364]
In addition, the power feeder 116 is inserted to a depth
side of the adapter 150, the inclined surface 130a of the
to-be-locked claw 130 climbs over the sliding surface 181a
of the lock protrusion 181, the lock lever 178 and the sliding
plate 182 integrally move to the other side in the sideward
direction due to the biasing force of the spring, and the locking
surface 181b of the lock protrusion 181 is locked to the
to-be-regulated surface 130b of the to-be-locked claw 130
(refer to Fig. 83). Accordingly, rearward movement of the
power feeder 116 with respect to the adapter 150 is regulated
by the lock lever 178, and the power feeder 116 is locked to
the adapter 150 (refer to Fig. 83 and Fig. 84).
[0365]
In a state in which the power feeder 116 is locked to
the adapter 150, the front surface 124 of the power feeder
116 is pressed to the receiving piece portion 184a of the
pressing plate 183 in the adapter 150, and the receiving piece
portion 184a is elastically deformed (refer to Fig. 83). In
addition, the pressing surface portions 1 8 5 and 1 8 5 are pressed
in a state in which the pressing portions 185a and 185a are
respectively elastically deformed to the lateral surfaces 123
and 123 of the power feeder 116. Accordingly, the power feeder
116 is pressed to the receiving piece portion 184a and the
pressing portions 185a and 185a of the pressing plate 183
respectively from the forward side and the sideward side, and
thus the power feeder 116 is held and mounted in the adapter
150 in a stable state.
[0366]
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As described above, in a state in which the power feeder
116 is mounted in the adapter 150, the connection terminals
141, 141, and 141 of the internal connector 139 in the power
feeder 116 are respectively connected to the connection
terminals 191, 191, and 191 of the relay connector 189 in the
adapter 150. Accordingly, the connection terminals 141, 141,
and 141 of the internal connector 139 are respectively
connected to the connection terminals 194, 194, and 194 of
the connection connector 192 through the connection terminals
191, 191, and 191 of the relay connector 189, the first substrate
186, the electric wires 188, 188, and 188, and the second
substrate 187.
[0367]
As described above, the adapter 150 to which the power
feeder 116 is mounted is inserted into the battery mounting
portion 201 formed in the imaging device 200 of the type B
and is mounted therein (refer to Fig. 85) . The imaging device
200 of the type B includes the above-described imaging device
50. Note that,
for example , the imaging device 200 corresponds
to the above-described intermediate-power camera (refer to
Fig. 51).
[0368]
The power feeder 116 can be connected to a commercial
power supply through the cable 300 and a connection device
(not illustrate). In this case, power from the commercial
power supply is supplied to the imaging device 200 through
the connection device, the cable 300, the power feeder 116,
and the adapter 150.
[0369]
In addition, the power feeder 116 is mounted in the
battery mounting portion 201 of the imaging device 200 in a
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state of being connected to the charger 110 to which one or
the plurality of batteries 1 (1A, 1B, and 1C) is mounted through
the cable 300 to supplypower of the one orplurality of batteries
1 (1A, 1B, and 10) to the imaging device 200. Ina case where
the plurality of batteries 1 (1A, 1B, and 10) is mounted to
the charger 110, it is possible to increase a power supply
amount and a power supply time to the imaging device 200, and
thus this case is suitable for photographing or moving image
photographing for a long time.
[0370]
As described above, when the adapter 150 is mounted in
the battery mounting portion 201 of the imaging device 200,
guide protrusions (not illustrated) of the battery mounting
portion 201 are respectively inserted into the guided grooves
168 and 168 of the adapter 150, and an identificationprotrusion
(not illustrated) of the battery mounting portion 201 is
inserted into the identification groove 172 of the adapter
150.
[0371]
As described above , in the adapter 150, the wall portions
171b and 171b, which are formed as inclined surfaces spaced
apart from each other in the right and left direction as they
go the forward side, are formed in front of the connection
connector 192.
[0372]
Accordingly, when the adapter 150 is inserted into the
battery mounting portion 201 of the imaging device 200, a
connector provided on an inner side of the imaging device 200
is guided to the wall portions 171b and 171b and approaches
the connection connector 192.
[0373]
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As described above, the wall portions 171b and 171b
function as guide surfaces during insertion of the adapter
150 into the battery mounting portion 201, and thus it is
possible to secure a satisfactory connection state of the
connection connector 192 with respect to the battery mounting
portion 201 of the imaging device 200.
[0374]
On the other hand, when mounting the adapter 150 in the
battery mounting portion 83 of the above-described charger
80, since the identification groove 172 is formed only on a
left side of the connection connector 192 in the adapter 150,
the front surface 158 of the housing 151 comes into contact
with the identification protrusion 90 that is provided on a
right side of the terminal connection portion 93 in the battery
mounting portion 83, and mounting of the adapter 150 to the
battery mounting portion 83 is regulated. In addition, in
the adapter 150, another guided groove or insertion groove
is not formed on a rear side of the guided grooves 168 and
168 in the groove formed surfaces 165 and 165, and thus the
bottom surface 156 of the housing 151 comes into contact with
the second guide engagement portions 88 and 88, or the third
guide engagement portions 89 and 89, and thus mounting of the
adapter 150 to the battery mounting portion 83 is regulated.
[0375]
Accordingly, it is not possible to perform mounting of
the adapter 150 to the batterymounting portion 83 of the charger
80, and thus erroneous mounting of the adapter 150 to the charger
80 is prevented.
[0376]
In addition, in the adapter 150, the notch 151a is formed
in the housing 151 by the stepped surface 164 and the groove
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formed surface 165 that is continuous to the bottom surface
156, the guided groove 168 that is opened to the groove formed
surface 165 is formed, and the guided groove 168 is located
on a further bottom surface 156 side in comparison to the stepped
surface 164.
[0377]
Accordingly, the guided groove 168 and the stepped
surface 164 are not continuously located, and a part of the
groove formed surface 165 is located between the guided groove
.. 168 and the stepped surface 164. Accordingly, the groove
formed surface 165 and the stepped surface 164 are located
on an inner side in the housing 151 in comparison to a case
where the guided groove 168 and the stepped surface 164 are
continuously located, and thus it is possible to realize a
reduction in size of the adapter 150.
[0378]
In addition, in the adapter 150, the identification
groove 172 for performing identification of an imaging device
or the like is formed in the housing 151, and in the
identification groove 172, a plurality of identification
portions having lengths different from each other is
continuously formed.
[0379]
Accordingly, a portion that isolates the identification
portions does not exist between the plural ity of identi fication
portions having lengths different from each other.
Accordingly, a size of the identification groove 172 in a
direction in which the identification portions are continuous
becomes a total size of the plurality of identification
portions and thus it is possible to realize a reduction in
size of the adapter 150 while securing a high identification
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property.
[0380]
<Configuration of Still Another Battery>
Next, a configuration of a battery 210 that is different
from the above-described batteries 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C will be
described ( refer to Fig. 86 to Fig. 88) . Note that, for example,
the battery 210 corresponds to the small-capacity type battery
1B (refer to Fig. 49).
[0381]
The battery 210 has a configuration in which respective
necessary units are disposed on an inner side and on an outer
side of a housing 217. An external shape of the battery 210
is set to be smaller than an external shape of the batteries
1, 1A, 1B, and 1C, and is set to be approximately the same
size as that of an external shape of the power feeder 116.
[0382]
The housing 217 is formed in approximately rectangular
parallelepiped shape, and a case cover (upper case) 218 and
an accommodation case (lowercase) 219 are coupled in the upper
and lower direction. The case cover 218 is formed in a box
shape that is opened to the downward side. The accommodation
case 219 is formed in a box shape that is opened to the upward
side. In a state in which the case cover 218 and the
accommodation case 219 are coupled in the upper and lower
direction to construct the housing 217, an internal space of
the housing 217 is formed as an accommodation space.
[0383]
In the housing 217, an outer surface 220 includes a top
surface 221, a bottom surface 222, lateral surfaces 223 and
223, a front surface 224, and a rear surface 225, a size in
the front and rear direction (longitudinal direction) is set
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to be greater than a size in the right and left direction (width
direction) , and the size in the right and left direction (width
direction) is set to be greater than a size in the upper and
lower direction (height direction) . Upper inclined surfaces
226 and 226 are formed in the housing 217 respectively between
the top surface 221 and the lateral surfaces 223 and 223. The
upper inclined surfaces 226 and 226 are displaced downward
as they approach the lateral surfaces 223 and 223 from the
top surface 221 . Lower inclined surfaces 227 and 227 are formed
in the housing 217 respectively between the bottom surface
222 and the lateral surfaces 223 and 223. The lower inclined
surfaces 227 and 227 are displaced upward as they approach
the lateral surfaces 223 and 223 from the bottom surface 222.
The lower inclined surfaces 227 and 227 are formed in a flat
surface shape, and the upper inclined surfaces 226 and 226
are formed in a gentle curved surface shape that is convex
outward.
[0384]
All of the top surface 221, the bottom surface 222, the
lateral surfaces 223 and 223, the front surface 224, the rear
surface 225, the upper inclined surfaces 226 and 226, and the
lower inclined surfaces 227 and 227 are formed as exterior
surfaces 228, 228, ....
[0385]
Insertion notches 217a and 217a are formed in a front
end at an upper end of the housing 217 in a state of being
laterally spaced apart from each other . The insertion notches
217a and 217a are formed both right and left ends of the housing
217. The insertion notches 217a and 217a are opened to the
forward side, the upward side, and an outward side in the right
and left direction.
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[0386]
A connector 229 is disposed in the front end at the upper
end of the housing 217. The connector 229 is disposed at
approximately the half of the housing 217 on one side in the
right and left direction. The connector 229 is a portion that
is connected to electrode terminals of an imaging device or
the like, functions as a terminal portion, and includes at
least a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode
terminal.
[0387]
The connector 229 includes a housing 230 formed from
a non-conductive material, and connection terminals 231, 231,
and 231 formed from a conductive material, and the connection
terminals 231, 231, and 231 are held to the housing 230 in
a state in which at least parts thereof are respectively
disposed in terminal disposition grooves 232, 232, and 232
formed in the housing 230. In each of the connection terminals
231, one end of a metal piece includes a pair of contact portions
which is laterally branched from a predetermined portion, and
.. the pair of contact portions is disposed in each of the terminal
disposition grooves 232 in a state in which tip ends have an
elastic force in a direction of coming into contact with each
other and come into contact with each other or approach each
other.
[0388]
The connection terminals 231, 231, and 231 respectively
function as a positive electrode terminal, a negative electrode
terminal, and an information terminal, and are disposed in
an arrangement in which the positive electrode terminal, the
information terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are
arranged in this order in the right and left direction, or
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an arrangement in which the positive electrode terminal, the
information terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are
arranged in this order from a right side.
[0389]
The information terminal is used in order for a
connection device or the like to recognize an internal
temperature of the battery 210, and is used in order for the
connection device or the like to recognize various pieces of
information of the battery 210 such as a charging residual
amount and deterioration information of the battery 210.
[0390]
Note that, two terminal disposition grooves 232 and 232,
and two connection terminals 231 and 231 may be provided in
the connector 22 9 . In a case where the two connection terminals
231 and 231 are provided, the two connection terminals 231
and 231 respectively function as the positive electrode
terminal and the negative electrode terminal, and are disposed
in an arrangement in which the positive electrode terminal
and the negative electrode terminal are arranged in this order
from a left side, or an arrangement in which the positive
electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are
arranged in this order from a right side. In addition, four
terminal disposition grooves 232, 232, ..., and four connection
terminals 231, 231, ... may be provided in the connector 229.
In a case where the four connection terminals 231, 231, ...
are provided, the four connection terminals 231, 231, ...
respectively function as a positive electrode terminal, a
negative electrode terminal, an information terminal, and a
communication terminal, and are disposed in an arrangement
in which the positive electrode terminal, the information
terminal, the communication terminal, and the negative
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electrode terminal are arranged in this order from the left
side, in an arrangement in which the positive electrode
terminal, the information terminal, the communication
terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are arranged
in this order from the right side, in an arrangement in which
the positive electrode terminal, the communication terminal,
the information terminal, and the negative electrode terminal
are arranged in this order from the left side, or in an
arrangement in which the positive electrode terminal, the
communication terminal, the information terminal, and the
negative electrode terminal are arranged in this order from
the right side. The communication terminal is used in order
for the connection device or the like to recognize various
pieces of information of the battery 210 such as the charging
residual amount and deterioration information of the battery
210, and in this case, the information terminal is used to
notify an imaging device or the like of only temperature
information.
[0391]
The terminal disposition grooves 232, 232, and 232 are
opened to the forward side and the upward side, and are formed
to be laterally spaced apart from each other. Positioning
grooves 233 and 233 which are respectively opened to the forward
side and the upward side are formed in the housing 230 on an
outer side of the terminal disposition grooves 232, 232, and
232 in the right and left direction.
[0392]
In the connector 229, ends of the connection terminals
231, 231, and 231 on one side are each connected to a circuit
substrate (not illustrated) which is disposed at the inside
of the housing 217.
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[0393]
The battery 210 having the above-described
configuration is inserted into the battery mounting portion
101 that is formed in the imaging device 100 of the type A
and is mounted therein. As described above, the power feeder
116 can also be mounted in the battery mounting portion 101
formed in the imaging device 100 of the type A, and the imaging
device 100 of the type A can be used by using the power feeder
116 or the battery 210.
[0394]
In addition, in the battery 210, charging is performed
by a charger (not illustrated) that corresponds to the battery
210.
[0395]
<Configuration of Another Adapter>
Next, a configuration of the adapter 250 will be
described (refer to Fig. 89 to Fig. 96).
[0396]
An adapter 250 has a configuration in which respective
necessary units are disposed on an inner side and on an outer
side of a housing 251. An external shape of the adapter 250
is set to approximately the same size as that of an external
shape of the above-described adapter 150 and the
above-described batteries 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C.
[0397]
The housing 251 is formed in a box shape that is opened
to the rearward side, and is constructed by coupling a case
cover (uppercase) 252 and an accommodation case (lowercase)
253 in the upper and lower direction. The case cover 252 is
formed in a box shape that is opened to the downward side and
the rearward side. In the accommodation case 253, a portion
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except for a rear end is formed in a box shape that is opened
to the upward side, and the rear end is provided as an annular
portion 253a that passes through the accommodation case 253
in the front and rear direction. The case cover 252 is coupled
to an upwardly opened portion of the accommodation case 253
from the upward side. In a state in which the case cover 252
and the accommodation case 253 are coupled to construct the
housing 251, an internal space of the housing 251 is formed
as an accommodation space.
[0398]
In the housing 251, an outer surface 254 includes a top
surface 255, a bottom surface 256, lateral surfaces 257 and
257, a front surface 258, and a rear surface 259, a size in
the front and rear direction (longitudinal direction) is set
to be greater than a size in the right and left direction (width
direction), and the size in the right and left direction (width
direction) is set to be greater than a size in the upper and
lower direction (height direction). Inclined surfaces 260
and 260 are formed in the housing 251 respectively between
the top surface 255 and the lateral surfaces 257 and 257. The
inclined surfaces 260 and 260 are displaced downward as they
approach the lateral surfaces 257 and 257 from the top surface
255. An opening edge that is formed in the rear surface 259
is formed as a rear opening edge 263.
[0399]
All of the top surface 255, the bottom surface 256, the
lateral surfaces 257 and 257, the front surface 258, the rear
surface 259, and the inclined surfaces 260 and 260 are formed
as exterior surfaces 261, 261, ....
[0400]
Insertion protrusions 262 and 262 are provided on an
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upper end on an inner surface side of the housing 251 in a
state of being laterally spaced apart from each other. The
insertion protrusions 262 and 262 are located on both right
and left ends in the front end, and protrude rearward.
[0401]
In the housing 251, upper inclined edges 263a and 263a
are formed in an upper end of the rear opening edge 263 in
a state of being laterally spaced apart from each other, and
lower inclined edges 263b and 263b are formed in a lower end
of the rear opening edge 263 in a state of being laterally
spaced apart from each other. The upper inclined edges 263a
and 263a are formed in both right and left ends of the rear
opening edge 263, and are linearly inclined to be displaced
upward as the upper inclined edges 263a and 263a approach each
other. The lower inclined edges 263b and 263b are formed in
both right and left ends of the rear opening edge 263 and are
linearly inclined to be displaced downward as the lower
inclined edges 263b and 263b approach each other.
[0402]
Notches 251a and 251a are respectively formed on both
right and left sides in a lower end of the housing 251. Each
of the notches 251a is opened to a sideward side (a leftward
side or a rightward side), a downward side, a forward side,
and a rearward side, and includes a stepped surface 264 that
extends in the front and rear direction on the downward side,
and a groove formed surface 265 that extends in the front and
rear direction on the sideward side. An outer edge of the
stepped surface 264 is continuous to a lower edge of the lateral
surface 257. An upper edge of the groove formed surface 265
is continuous to an inner edge of the stepped surface 264,
and a lower edge thereof is continuous to a side edge of the
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bottom surface 256. The stepped surface 264 and the groove
formed surface 265 are each formed continuously over a region
ranging from the front surface 258 to the rear surface 259.
[0403]
The stepped surface 264 and the bottom surface 256 are
formed as flat surfaces which are approximately parallel to
each other, and a portion of the groove formed surface 265
except for a front end, and the lateral surface 257 are formed
as flat surfaces which are approximately parallel to each other.
Front ends of the groove formed surfaces 265 and 265 are formed
as outwardly convex curved surfaces 265a and 265a which are
displaced in a direction of approaching each other as the front
ends approach the front surface 258.
[0404]
As described above, in the adapter 250, since the front
ends of the groove formed surfaces 265 and 265 are formed as
the curved surfaces 265a and 265a, stress concentration is
less likely to occur, and the front ends are less likely to
come into contact with a ground surface or the like just in
case of dropping, or the like. As a result, it is possible
to realize mitigation of impact, and it is possible to reduce
occurrence of breakage.
[0405]
The housing 251 includes a main body portion 266 that
is a portion on an upper side in comparison to a virtual surface
including the stepped surfaces 264 and 2 64 , and a bottomportion
267 that is a portion on a lower side in comparison to the
virtual surface . The stepped surfaces 2 64 and 2 64 are included
in the main body portion 266. A lateral width of the bottom
portion 267 is set to be smaller than that of the main body
portion 266, and a distance between the lateral surfaces 257
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and 257 in the right and left direction is set to be greater
than a distance between the groove formed surfaces 265 and
265.
[0406]
First guided grooves 268 and 268, second guided grooves
269 and 269, and third guided grooves 270 and 270 are formed
on both right and left sides of the bottom portion 267 in this
order from a front side in a state of being spaced apart from
each other. Each of the first guided grooves 268, each of
the second guided grooves 269, and each of the third guided
grooves 270 are opened to the groove formed surface 265.
[0407]
The first guided groove 268 is formed in a front end
of the bottom portion 267, and is opened to the sideward side
and the forward side. The second guided groove 269 extends
in the front and rear direction, and is opened to the sideward
side. The third guided groove 270 extends in the front and
rear direction, and is opened to the sideward side. Note that,
the third guided groove 270 may have a shape that is also opened
to the rearward side.
[0408]
On both the right and left sides of the bottom portion
267, insertion grooves 271 and 271, and insertion grooves 272
and 272 are formed in this order from the front side in a state
of being spaced apart from each other. The insertion groove
271 and the insertion groove 272 are opened to the groove formed
surface 2 65 . The insertion groove 27 1 is opened to the sideward
side, the upward side, and the downward side, and an opening
on an upper side communicates with approximately the half of
a front side of the second guided groove 269. The insertion
groove 272 is opened to the sideward side, the upward side,
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and the downward side, and an opening on an upper side
communicates with approximately the half of a front side of
the third guided groove 270.
[0409]
Portions between lower edges 268b and 268b of the first
guided grooves 268 and 268, and the bottom surface 256 in the
housing 251 are respectively provided as first engagement claw
portions 251p and 251p. Portions between lower edges 269b
and 269b of the second guided grooves 269 and 269 and the bottom
surface 256 in the housing 251 are respectively provided as
second engagement claw portions 251q and 251q. Portions
between lower edges 270b and 270b of the third guided grooves
270 and 270 and the bottom surface 256 in the housing 251 are
respectively provided as third engagement claw portions 251r
and 251r. Each of the first engagement claw portions 251p
and each of the second engagement claw portions 251q are
positioned on a further front surface 258 side in comparison
to the center of the housing 251 in the front and rear direction,
and each of the third engagement claw portions 251r is
positioned on a further rear surface 259 side in comparison
to the center of the housing 251 in the front and rear direction.
[0410]
A disposition recess 273 is formed in a front end of
the bottom portion 267. The disposition recess 273 is formed
at approximately the central portion in the right and left
direction, and is opened to the forward side and the downward
side. A disposition hole 274, which communicates with a
portion of the disposition recess 273 except for a front end
thereof and passes through the housing 251 in the upper and
lower direction, is formed in the housing 251.
[0411]
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All of an upper edge 268a of the first guided groove
268, an upper edge 269a of the second guided groove 269, and
an upper edge 270a of the third guided groove 270 are located
on a lower side in comparison to the stepped surface 264, and
a part of the groove formed surface 265 exists between the
first guided groove 268 and the stepped surface 264, between
the second guided groove 269 and the stepped surface 264, and
between the third guided groove 270 and the stepped surface
264. Accordingly, any of a distance from a lower end of the
groove formed surface 265 to the upper edge 268a of the first
guided groove 268, a distance from the lower end of the groove
formed surface 265 to the upper edge 269a of the second guided
groove 269, and a distance from the lower end of the groove
formed surface 265 to the upper edge 270a of the third guided
groove 270 is set to be smaller than a distance from the upper
end to the lower end of the groove formed surface 265. In
addition, a vertical distance (groove width) of the first
guided groove 268, the second guided groove 269, and the third
guided groove 270 may be greater or less than a distance from
the upper end of the groove formed surface 265 to the upper
edges 268a, 269a, and 270a, and the vertical distance of the
first guided groove 268, the second guided groove 269, and
the third guided groove 270 may be the same as the distance
from the upper end of the groove formed surface 265 to the
upper edges 268a, 269a, and 270a. Any of the lower edge 268b
of the first guided groove 268, the lower edge 269b of the
second guided groove 269, and the lower edge 270b of the third
guided groove 270 are located on an upper side in comparison
to the lower edge of the groove formed surface 2 65 , and positions
in the upper and lower direction are same as each other.
[0412]
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The disposition recess 273 is formed by a recess formed
surface 275 (refer to Fig. 96). The recess formed surface
275 includes a base portion 275a, wall portions 275b and 275b,
and an intermediate portion 275c.
[0413]
The base portion 275a is formed in a lateral U-shape
that is opened to the forward side, and is in a state of facing
a horizontal direction. The wall portions 275b and 275b are
continuous to a front end of the base portion 275a, and are
formed as inclined surfaces which are spaced apart from each
other in the right and left direction as it goes toward the
forward side. That is, the wall portion 275b on the left side
is formed as an inclined surface that approaches the left
lateral surface 257 as it goes toward the forward side, and
the wall portion 275b on the right side is formed as an inclined
surface that approaches the right lateral surface 257 as it
goes toward the forward side. Note that, in the wall portions
275b and 275b, one wall portion 275bmay be formed as an inclined
surface, and the other wall portion 275b may be formed as a
surface that is not inclined and faces the leftward side or
the rightward side. The intermediate portion 275c faces the
downward side and is formed between upper edges of the wall
portions 275b and 275b. For example, the wall portions 275b
and 275b are inclined, for example, 45 degrees with respect
to a surface that faces the right and left direction. The
intermediate portion 275c is located on the downward side in
comparison to the stepped surface 264, is located at
approximately the same height as that of upper edges 268a,
269a, and 270a of the first guided groove 268, the second guided
groove 269, and the third guided groove 270, or is located
on a slightly downward side in comparison to the upper edges
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268a, 269a, and 270a. However, the intermediate portion 275c
may be located on the upward side in comparison to the upper
edges 268a, 269a, and 270a.
[0414]
Note that, as in the wall portion 29d that is provided
in the above-described recess formed surface 29A (refer to
Fig. 57 and Fig. 58), a wall portion 271b may be formed in
a shape including a first inclined surface, an intermediate
surface that is continuous to the first inclined surface, and
a second inclined surface that is continuous to the
intermediate surface.
[0415]
In the front end of the bottom portion 267,
identification grooves 276 and 276 are formed to be laterally
spaced apart from each other. The identification grooves 276
function as a functional groove having a predetermined function,
and identify, for example, the kind of an imaging device or
the like. Note that, the functional groove is not limited
to the identification grooves 276. As the functional groove,
for example, grooves having a function other than
identification may be formed instead of the identification
groove 276. Examples of the grooves include a positioning
groove that performs positioning with respect to the imaging
device or the like, and a detection groove or the like that
detects a connection state or the like of the imaging device
or the like.
[0416]
However, when the predetermined function is the
identification function of identifying the kind of the imaging
device or the like, the kind of the imaging device or the like
is identified by the functional groove. When the battery is
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mounted in the imaging device or the like, or the battery enters
a state of not being mounted in the imaging device or the like,
it is possible to easily identify the kind of the imaging device
or the like to which the battery is connected.
[0417]
Note that, the predetermined function may be a function
of identifying the kind of the adapter itself.
[0418]
The identification grooves 276 and 276 are formed on
sides opposite to each other with the disposition recess 273
interposed therebetween. In each of the identification
grooves 276, a first identification portion 277 and a second
identification portion 278 which have lengths different from
each other in the front and rear direction are continuously
formed in the right and left direction.
[0419]
The first identification portion 277 and the second
identification portion 278 respectively function as a first
functional portion and a second functional portion.
[0420]
Among surfaces which constitute the identification
groove 276, a surface that is located on an upper side and
faces the downward side is formed as an inner bottom surface
276a. The inner bottom surface 276a is located on the downward
side in comparison to the intermediate portion 275c that is
a surface that is located on an upper side in the recess formed
surface 275 and faces the downward side. Accordingly, the
depth of the identification groove 276 in the upper and lower
direction is shallower than the depth of the disposition recess
273 in the upper and lower direction. In addition, the inner
bottom surface 276a is located on the downward side in
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comparison to the upper edges 268a, 269a, and 270a of the first
guided groove 268, the second guided groove 269, and the third
guided groove 270, and the stepped surface 264. In addition,
the inner bottom surface 276a is located on the upward side
in comparison to the lower edges 268b, 269b, and 270b of the
first guided groove 268, the second guided groove 269, and
the third guided groove 270 . However, the inner bottom surface
276a may be located on the downward side in comparison to the
lower edges 268b, 269b, and 270b, or may be located at the
same height as that of the lower edges 268b, 269b, and 270b.
[0421]
Among the surfaces which constitute the identification
groove 276, a surface that is located on a rear side in the
first identification portion 277 and faces the forward side
is formed as a depth bottom surface 277a, and a surface that
is located on a rear side in the second identification portion
278 and faces the forward side is formed as a depth bottom
surface 278a. The depth bottom surfaces 277a and 278a are
located on the forward side in comparison to a surface, which
is located on a rearmost side in the base portion 275a and
faces the forward side, in the recess formed surface 275, and
is located on the rearward side in comparison to a front surface
of a connector 229. In addition, the depth bottom surfaces
277a and 278a are located on the forward side in comparison
to a rear end edge of the first guided groove 268. However,
the depth bottom surfaces 277a and 278a may be located on the
rearward side in comparison to the rear end edge of the first
guided groove 268 or may be located at the same position as
that of the rear end edge of the first guided groove 268 in
the front and rear direction.
[0422]
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The first identification portion 277 has a length longer
than that of the second identification portion 278 in the front
and rear direction, the depth bottom surface 277a is located
on a slightly rear side in comparison the depth bottom surface
278a, and the first identification portion 277 is located on
a further disposition recess 273 side in comparison to the
second identification portion 278. A width of the second
identification portion 278 in the right and left direction
is set to be smaller than a width of the first identification
portion 277 in the right and left direction.
[0423]
A relay connector 279 is attached to a front end of the
housing 251 on an inner surface side (refer to Fig. 89, Fig.
90, and Fig. 95) . The relay connector 279 is a portion which
is disposed at a position biased to the upper end at the inside
of the housing 251, and to which the connector 229 of the battery
210 is connected, and functions as a terminal portion.
[0424]
The relay connector 279 includes a housing 280 that is
formed by a non-conductive material, and connection terminals
281, 281, and 281 which are formed from a conductive material.
[0425]
Note that, as the connection terminals 281 of the relay
connector 279, two pieces or four pieces may be provided in
accordance with the number of the connection terminals 231
of the connector 229 in the battery 210.
[0426]
A connection connector 282 is disposed in the disposition
recess 273 of the housing 251 (refer to Fig. 93, Fig. 94, and
Fig. 96) . The connection connector 282 is a portion that is
connected to electrode terminals of an imaging device or the
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like, functions as a terminal portion, and includes at least
a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode
terminal.
[0427]
The connection connector 282 includes a housing 283 that
is formed from a non-conductive material and connection
terminals 284, 284, and 284 which are formed from a conductive
material, and the connection terminals 284, 284, and 284 are
held to the housing 283 in a state in which at least parts
thereof are disposed in terminal disposition grooves 28 5 , 285,
and 285 which are formed in the housing 283. In each of the
connection terminals 284, one end of a metal piece includes
a pair of contact portions which is laterally branched from
a predetermined portion, and the pair of contact portions is
disposed in each of the terminal disposition grooves 285 in
a state in which tip ends have an elastic force in a direction
of coming into contact with each other and come into contact
with each other or approach each other.
[0428]
The connection terminals 284, 284, and 28 9 respectively
function as a positive electrode terminal, a negative electrode
terminal, and an information terminal, and are disposed in
an arrangement in which the positive electrode terminal, the
information terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are
arranged in this order from a left side, or an arrangement
in which the positive electrode terminal, the information
terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are arranged
in this order from a right side.
[0429]
The terminal disposition grooves 265, 285, and 285 are
opened to the forward side and the downward side , and are formed
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to be laterally spaced apart from each other. Positioning
grooves 286 and 286 which are opened to the forward side and
the downward side are formed in the housing 283 on an outer
side of the terminal disposition grooves 285, 285, and 285
in the right and left direction.
[0430]
A surface of each of the terminal disposition grooves
285 on the most top surface 255 side, and a surface of each
of the positioning grooves 286 on the most top surface 255
side are formed as the inner bottom surfaces 285a and 286a,
and positions of the inner bottom surfaces 285a and 286a in
the upper and lower direction are set to be approximately the
same as each other. The inner bottom surfaces 285a and 286a
are located on the downward side in comparison to the stepped
surface 264. In addition, the inner bottom surfaces 285a and
286a are located on the downward side in comparison to the
upper edge 268a of the first guided groove 268, and are located
on the upward side in comparison to the lower edge 268b of
the guided groove 268.
[0431]
Each of the connection terminals 284 is elastically
deformable in approximately the right and left direction, and
is held to the housing 283 in a state of being inserted into
each of the terminal disposition grooves 285.
[0432]
Note that, as the connection terminals 284 of the
connection connector 282, two pieces or four pieces may be
provided in accordance with the number of the connection
terminals 281 of the relay connector 279.
[0433]
In a case where the two connection terminals 284 and
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284 are provided, the two connection terminals 284 and 284
respectively function as the positive electrode terminal and
the negative electrode terminal, and are disposed in an
arrangement in which the positive electrode terminal and the
negative electrode terminal are arranged in this order from
a left side, or an arrangement in which the positive electrode
terminal and the negative electrode terminal are arranged in
this order from a right side. In addition, four terminal
disposition grooves 285, 285, ._, and four connection terminals
284, 284, may be provided in the connection connector 282.
In a case where the four connection terminals 284, 284,
are provided, the four connection terminals 284, 264,
respectively function as a positive electrode terminal, a
negative electrode terminal, an information terminal, and a
communication terminal, and are disposed in an arrangement
in which the positive electrode terminal, the information
terminal, the communication terminal, and the negative
electrode terminal are arranged in this order from the left
side, in an arrangement in which the positive electrode
terminal, the information terminal, the communication
terminal, and the negative electrode terminal are arranged
in this order from the right side, in an arrangement in which
the positive electrode terminal, the communication terminal,
the information terminal, and the negative electrode terminal
are arranged in this order from the left side, or in an
arrangement in which the positive electrode terminal, the
communication terminal, the information terminal, and the
negative electrode terminal are arranged in this order from
the right side.
[0434]
The connection terminals 284, 284, and 284 of the
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connection connector 282, and the connection terminals 281,
281, and 281 of the relay connector 279 are each connected
by a flexible printed wiring board 287 (refer to Fig. 97).
Note that, the connection terminals 284, 284, and 284 of the
connection connector 282 and the connection terminals 281,
281, and 281 of the relay connector 279 may be connected by
a substrate, electric wires, or the like.
[0435]
<Attachment and Detachment Operation of Battery to and
from Adapter>
As described above, the battery 210 is capable of being
mounted in the battery mounting portion 101 formed in the
imaging device 100 of the type A, and can be also used in a
state of being mounted in the adapter 250.
[0436]
The battery 210 is inserted into the adapter 250 from
the rearward side. At this time, in a state in which the upper
inclined edges 263a and 263a formed in the rear opening edges
263 of the housing 251 in the adapter 250, and the upper inclined
surfaces 226 and 226 of the battery 210 correspond to each
other, and the lower inclined edges 263b and 2 63b and the lower
inclined surfaces 227 and 227 correspond to each other, the
battery 210 is smoothly inserted from the rear opening edge
263 of the adapter 250.
[0437]
When the battery 210 is inserted into a depth side of
the adapter 250, the insertion protrusions 262 and 262 of the
housing 251 are relatively inserted into the insertion notches
217a and 217a formed at the front end of the housing 217 in
the battery 210, respectively. Accordingly, insertion of the
battery 210 with respect to the adapter 250 is not regulated,
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and the battery 210 is held to the adapter 250 and is mounted
therein.
[0438]
As described above, in a state in which the battery 210
is mounted in the adapter 250, the connection terminals 231,
231, and 231 of the connector 229 in the battery 210 are
respectively connected to the connection terminals 281, 281,
and 281 of the relay connector 279 in the adapter 250.
Accordingly, the connection terminals 231, 231, and 231 of
the connector 229 are respectively connected to the connection
terminals 284, 284, and 284 of the connection connector 282
through the connection terminals 281 , 281, and 281 of the relay
connector 279, and the flexible printed wiring board 287.
[0439]
As described above, the adapter 250 to which the battery
210 is mounted is inserted into the battery mounting portion
201 formed in the imaging device 200 of the type B, and is
mounted therein (refer to Fig. 98). The imaging device 200
of the type B includes the above-described imaging device 50.
[0440]
The battery 210 is mounted in the battery mounting
portion 101 of the imaging device 100, and supplies power to
the imaging device 100.
[0441]
The adapter 250 to which the battery 210 is mounted is
mounted in the battery mounting portion 201 of the imaging
device 200, and power is supplied to the imaging device 200
from the battery 210 through the adapter 250.
[0442]
When the adapter 250 is mounted in the battery mounting
portion 201 of the imaging device 200, guide protrusions (not
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illustrated) of the battery mounting portion 201 are
respectively inserted into the first guided grooves 268 and
268 of the adapter 250, and identification protrusions (not
illustrated) of the battery mounting portions 201 are
respectively inserted into the insertion grooves 272 and 272
of the adapter 250.
[0443]
On the other hand, when the power feeder 116 is inserted
into the adapter 250, since notches corresponding to the
insertion notches 217a and 217a formed in the battery 210 are
not formed in the power feeder 116, the front surface 224 of
the power feeder 116 comes into contact with the insertion
protrusions 262 and 262, and the connection terminals 136,
136, and 136 of the external connector 134 do not come into
contact with the connection terminals 281, 281, and 281 of
the relay connector 279 in the adapter 250.
[0444]
Accordingly, the connection terminals 136, 136, and 136
are not connected to the connection terminals 281, 281, and
281, and the power feeder 116 cannot perform mounting of the
power feeder 116 to the adapter 250, and thus erroneous mounting
of the power feeder 116 to the adapter 250 is prevented.
[0445]
In addition, when inserting the battery 210 into the
adapter 150, since the lower inclined surfaces 227 and 227
of the battery 210 are formed in an outwardly convex gentle
curved shape, and the lower inclined edges 163b and 163b of
the rear opening edge 163 in the adapter 150 are formed in
a linear shape, the front ends of the lower inclined surfaces
227 and 227 respectively interfere with the lower inclined
edges 163b and 163b (refer to Fig. 99). Accordingly, the
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battery 210 is not inserted into the adapter 150, and erroneous
insertion of the battery 210 into the adapter 150 is prevented.
[0446]
On the other hand, since the first guided grooves 268
and 268, the second guided grooves 269 and 269, and the third
guided grooves 270 and 270 are formed in the bottom portion
267 of the adapter 250, it is possible to mount the adapter
250 in the battery mounting portion 83 of the charger 80 as
in a similar manner as in the above-described battery 1 or
the like.
[0447]
In a state in which the adapter 250 is mounted in the
battery mounting portion 83, opening edges of the first guided
grooves 268 and 268 respectively engage with the first guide
engagement portions 87 and 87, opening edges of the second
guided grooves 269 and 269 respectively engage with the second
guide engagement portions 88 and 88, and opening edges of the
third guided grooves 270 and 270 respectively engage with the
engagement portions 89a and 89a of the third guide engagement
portions 89 and 89. Accordingly, an upper edge of the first
engagement claw portion 251p engages with at least a part of
the lower edge of the first guide engagement portion 87, an
upper edge of the second engagement claw portion 251q engages
with at least a part of the lower edge of the second guide
engagement portion 8 8 , and an upper edge of the third engagement
claw portion 251r engages with at least a part of the lower
edge of the third guide engagement portion 89.
[0448]
In addition, in a state inwhich the adapter 250 ismounted
in the battery mounting portion 83, the connection terminals
284, 284, and 284 of the connection connector 282 are
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respectively connected to the electrode terminals 95, 95, and
95 of the terminal connection portion 93 that is disposed on
the battery mounting portion 83.
[0449]
As described above, since the adapter 250 can be mounted
in the battery mounting portion 83 of the charger 80, it is
possible to perform charging with respect to the battery 210
mounted to the adapter 250 with the charger 80. Charging from
the charger 80 to the battery 210 is performed through the
terminal connection portion 93 of the charger 80, the
connection connector 282 of the adapter 250, the relay
connector 279 of the adapter 250, and the connector 229 of
the battery 210.
[0450]
Note that, there is a possibility that mounting of the
adapter 250 to the charger 80 may not be smoothly performed
depending on the size of the first guide engagement portions
87 and 87, the second guide engagement portions 88 and 88,
and the third guide engagement portions 89 and 89 of the charger
80, the size of the first guided grooves 268 and 268, the second
guided grooves 269 and 269, and the third guided grooves 270
and 270 of the adapter 250, or the like.
[0451]
In this case, it is also possible to allow mounting of
the adapter 250 to the charger 80 to be smoothly performed
by changing the size or the shape of the first guided grooves
268 and 268, the second guided grooves 269 and 269, and the
third guided grooves 270 and 270 of the adapter 250 as
illustrated in Fig. 100.
[0452]
In addition, the battery 210 that can be used in a state
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of being mounted to the adapter 250 has a size smaller than
that of the battery 1 or the like, and the maximum charging
capacity is set to be smaller than that of the battery 1 or
the like, there is a possibility that a current amount of
supplied to the imaging device 200 may be insufficient.
[0453]
To supplement the deficiency of the current amount,
capacitors 288 and 288 may be formed in the adapter 250 (refer
to Fig. 101) . For example, in the adapter 250, the capacitors
288 and 288 are disposed on an upper end at the inside of the
housing 251 in a state of being laterally arranged in parallel,
and a substrate 289 that is connected to the capacitors 288
and 288 is disposed in front of the capacitors 288 and 288.
The substrate 289 is connected to the relay connector 279.
[0454]
If the adapter 250 has the above-described configuration,
when the adapter 250 to which the battery 210 is mounted is
mounted to the imaging device 200, the current amount supplied
to the imaging device 200 increases due to the capacitors 288
and 288, and thus it is possible to supply a sufficient current
amount to the imaging device 200.
[0455]
In addition, in the adapter 250, the notch 251a is formed
in the housing 251 due to the stepped surface 264 and the groove
formed surface 265 that is continuous to the bottom surface
256, the first guided groove 268, the second guided groove
269, and the third guided groove 270 which are opened to the
groove formed surface 265 are formed, and the first guided
groove 268, the second guided groove 269, and the third guided
groove 270 are located on a further bottom surface 256 side
in comparison to the stepped surface 264.
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[0456]
Accordingly, since the first guided groove 268, the
second guided groove 269, and the third guided groove 270,
and the stepped surface 264 are not continuously located, and
a part of the groove formed surface 265 is located between
each of the first guided groove 268, the second guided groove
269, and the third guided groove 270, and the stepped surface
264, the groove formed surface 265 and the stepped surface
264 are located on an inner side in the housing 251 in comparison
to a case where the first guided groove 268, the second guided
groove 269, and the third guided groove 270, and the stepped
surface 264 are continuously located, and thus it is possible
to realize a reduction in size of the adapter 250.
[0457]
In addition, in the adapter 250, the identification
groove 276 for performing identification of an imaging device
or the like is formed in the housing 251, and in the
identification groove 276, a plurality of identification
portions having lengths different from each other is
continuously formed.
[0458]
Accordingly, a portion that isolates the identification
portions does not exist between the plurality of identification
portions having lengths different from each other, and thus
a size of the identification groove 276 in a direction in which
the identification portions are continuous becomes a total
size of the plurality of identification portions . As a result ,
it is possible to realize a reduction in size of the adapter
250 while securing a high identification property.
[0459]
Note that, even in the adapter 250, as in the adapter
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150, wall portions, which are formed as inclined surfaces
spaced apart from each other in the right and left direction
as they go toward the forward side, may be formed in front
of the connection connector 282. When the wall portions are
formed, the connector provided at the inside of the imaging
device 200 is guided by the wall portions and approaches the
connection connector 282 when the adapter 250 is inserted into
the battery mounting portion 201 of the imaging device 200.
Accordingly, it is possible to secure a sati sfactory connection
state of the connection connector 282 with respect to the
battery mounting portion 201 of the imaging device 200.
[0460]
In addition, the connection connector 282 may be located
on an upward side in comparison to the bottom surface 222 of
the housing 217.
[0461]
In addition, even in the adapter 250, as in the adapter
150, a pressing plate that presses the battery 210 may be
provided at the inside of the housing 217, and a lock lever
that locks the battery 210 may be provided.
[0462]
<Possibility and Impossibility of Mounting of Battery
or the Like to Connection Device or the Like>
Hereinafter, description will be given of a summary
related to possibility and impossibility of mounting of the
above-described battery 1 or the like to the charger 80, the
imaging device 100, or the like (refer to Fig. 102).
[0463]
The battery 1 (1A, 1B, or 1C) can be mounted to the charger
80 and the charger 110. In addition, the battery 1 (1A, 1B,
or 1C) can be mounted to the imaging device 200 (including
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the imaging device 50) of the type B. On the other hand, the
battery 1 (1A, 1B, or 1C) cannot be mounted to the imaging
device 100 of the type A.
[0464]
The power feeder 116 that can be connected to the charger
110 through the cable 300 can be mounted to the imaging device
100 of the type A. On the other hand, the power feeder 116
cannot be mounted to the charger 80 or the imaging device 200
of the type B.
[0465]
The power feeder 116 can be mounted in the adapter 150,
and the adapter 150 can be mounted to the imaging device 200
of the type B. On the other hand, the adapter 150 cannot be
mounted to the chargers 80 and 110, and the imaging device
100 of the type A.
[0466]
The battery 210 can be mounted to a charger (not
illustrated) that corresponds to the battery 210 . In addition,
the battery 210 can be mounted to the imaging device 100 of
.. the type A. On the other hand, the battery 210 cannot bemounted
to the chargers 80 and 110, and the imaging device 200 of the
type B.
[0467]
The battery 210 can be mounted to the adapter 250, and
the adapter 250 can be mounted to the imaging device 200 of
the type B. In addition, the adapter 250 can be mounted to
the chargers 80 and 110. On the other hand, the adapter 250
cannot be mounted to the imaging device 100 of the type A.
[0468]
As described above, each of the power feeder 116 and
the battery 210 can be independently mounted to the imaging
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device 100, and can be mounted to the imaging device 200 by
using the adapter 150 or the adapter 250, and thus it is possible
to realize improvement of convenience related to the power
feeder 116 or the battery 210.
<Present Technology>
The present technology can employ the following
configurations.
[0469]
(1)
A battery including:
a housing that accommodates a cell on an inner side;
and
a terminal portion that includes a connection terminal
connected to an electrode terminal of a connection device,
in which a functional groove, of which a longitudinal
direction matches a connection direction between the
connection terminal and the electrode terminal, and which has
a predetermined function, is formed in the housing, and
in the functional groove, a plurality of functional
portions having lengths different from each other is
continuously formed.
[0470]
(2)
The battery according to (1), in which
a first functional portion and a second functional
portion are formed as the functional portion.
[0471]
( 3 )
The battery according to (1) or (2), in which
the plurality of functional portions is continuously
formed in a width direction.
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[0472]
(4)
The battery according to (3), in which
the shorter a length of each of the plurality of
functional portions is, the smaller a width of the functional
portion is.
[0473]
(5)
The battery according to (1) or (2), in which
the plurality of functional portions is continuously
formed in a depth direction.
[0474]
(6)
The battery according to (5), in which
the shorter a length of each of the plurality of
functional portions, the smaller a depth of the functional
portion is.
[0475]
(7)
The battery according to any one of (1) to (6), in which
the functional groove is formed on both sides of the
terminal portion in a width direction.
[0476]
(8)
The battery according to anyone of (1) to (7), in which
the housing includes a front surface and a rear surface
which are located on opposite sides in the longitudinal
direction, and a top surface and a bottom surface which are
located between the front surface and the rear surface in a
height direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction,
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a disposition recess that is opened at least to the front
surface is formed in the housing,
a connector that is disposed in the disposition recess
is provided as the terminal portion, and
a surface located on a most top surface side among
surfaces which form the functional groove is located on a
further bottom surface side in comparison to a surface located
on a most top surface side among surfaces which form the
disposition recess.
[0477]
(9)
The battery according to any one of (1) to (8) , in which
the housing includes a top surface and a bottom surface
which are located on opposite sides in a height direction,
a terminal disposition groove, in which the connection
terminal is disposed, is formed in the housing,
a surface located on a most top surface side among
surfaces which form the functional groove is located on a
further bottom surface side in comparison to a surface located
on a most top surface side among surfaces which form the terminal
disposition groove.
[0478]
(10)
The battery according to any one of (1) to (9) , in which
the housing includes two lateral surfaces which are
located on opposite sides in a width direction, and a top surface
and a bottom surface which are located between the two lateral
surfaces in a height direction that is perpendicular to the
width direction,
a notch is formed in the housing by a stepped surface
that is continuous to each of the lateral surfaces, and a groove
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formed surface that is continuous to the bottom surface, and
a surface located on a most top surface side among
surfaces which form the functional groove is located on a
further bottom surface side in comparison to the stepped
surface.
[0479]
(11)
The battery according to (10), in which
a guided groove that is opened to the groove formed
surface is formed in the housing, and
the surface located on the most top surface side among
the surfaces which form the functional groove is located on
a further bottom surface side in comparison to an end edge
that is located on a most top surface side in the guided groove.
[0480]
(12)
The battery according to (10) or (11), in which
a guided groove that is opened to the groove formed
surface is formed in the housing, and
the surface located on the most top surface side among
the surfaces which form the functional groove is located on
a further top surface side in comparison to an end edge located
on a most bottom surface side in the guided groove.
[0481]
(13)
The battery according to any one of (1) to (12), in which
the housing includes a front surface and a rear surface
located on opposite sides in the longitudinal direction,
a disposition recess that is opened at least to the front
surface is formed in the housing,
a connector that is disposed in the disposition recess
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is provided as the terminal portion, and
a surface located on a most rear surface side among
surfaces which form the functional groove is located on a
further front surface side in comparison to a surface located
on a most rear surface side among surfaces which form the
disposition recess.
[0482]
(14)
The battery according to (13), in which
the surface located on the most rear surface side among
the surfaces which form the functional groove is located on
a further rear surface side in comparison to a surface located
on a most front surface side in the connector.
[0483]
(15)
The battery according to any one of (1) to (12), in which
the housing includes a front surface and a rear surface
which are located on opposite sides in a longitudinal
direction,
a terminal disposition groove in which the connection
terminal is disposed is formed in the housing, and
a surface located on a most rear surface side among
surfaces which form the functional groove is located on a
further front surface side in comparison to a surface located
on a most rear surface side among surfaces which form the
terminal disposition groove.
[0484]
(16)
The battery according to any one of (1) to (15), in which
the housing includes a front surface and a rear surface
which are located on opposite sides in the longitudinal
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direction, two lateral surfaces which are located between the
front surface and the rear surface in a width direction that
is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a top
surface and a bottom surface which are located between the
front surface and the rear surface and between the two lateral
surfaces in a height direction that is perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction and the width direction,
a notch is formed in the housing by a stepped surface
that is continuous to each of the lateral surfaces, and a groove
formed surface that is continuous to the bottom surface,
a guided groove that is opened to the groove formed
surface and the front surface is formed in the housing, and
a surface located on a most rear surface side among
surfaces which form the functional groove is located on a
further front surface side in comparison to a surface located
on a most rear surface side in the guided groove.
[0485]
(17)
The battery according to (2), in which
the housing includes two lateral surfaces which are
located between a front surface and a rear surface in a width
direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,
and a top surface and a bottom surface which are located between
the front surface and the rear surface and between the two
lateral surfaces in a height direction that is perpendicular
to the longitudinal direction and the width direction,
the first functional portion and the second functional
portion are continuously formed in the width direction, and
the first functional portion is located on a further central
side in the width direction in comparison to the second
functional portion, and
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a surface, which is continuous to the first functional
portion in the width direction, in the second functional
portion is formed as an inclined surface that is displaced
to the bottom surface side as the surface approaches the lateral
surface located on an side opposite to the first functional
portion.
[0486]
(18)
The battery according to any one of (1) to (17), in which
the predetermined function is an identification
function of identifying a kind of the connection device.
[0487]
(19)
A connection device to which a battery is detachably
mounted, the battery including a housing accommodating a cell
on an inner side and a terminal portion including a connection
terminal connected to an electrode terminal, in which
a functional groove, of which a longitudinal direction
matches a connection direction between the connection terminal
and the electrode terminal, and which has a predetermined
function, is formed in the housing of the battery, and in the
functional groove, a plurality of functional portions having
lengths different from each other is continuously formed.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0488]
Battery
2 Housing
6 Cell
30 Identification groove
31 First identification portion
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32 Second identification portion
33 Connector
35 Connection terminal
50 Imaging device (connection device)
61 Electrode terminal
80 Charger (connection device)
95 Electrode terminal
80A Charger (connection device)
80B Charger (connection device)
lA Battery
1B Battery
33A Connector
1C Battery
2C Housing
16 Power feeder
17 Housing
34 External connector
36 Connection terminal
39 Internal connector
41 Connection terminal
100 Imaging device (connection device)
50 Adapter
51 Housing
72 Identification groove
73 First identification portion
74 Second identification portion
89 Relay connector
91 Connection terminal
92 Connection connector
94 Connection terminal
200 Imaging device (connection device)
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Battery
17 Housing
29 Connector
31 Connection terminal
5 50 Adapter
51 Housing
76 Identification groove
77 First identification portion
78 Second identification portion
10 79 Relay connector
81 Connection terminal
82 Connection connector
84 Connection terminal
