Abstract:
A container for a portable, rechargeable direct current storage device, having the following features: a housing with a housing underside with a housing set-down surface, a housing upper side, housing side walls and a housing interior, and also electrical anode and cathode contacts, wherein the housing underside has formed in it, on mutually opposite edges, set-back guide means, which extend in the direction of the housing upper side from a set-down plane defined by the housing set-down surface. The anode contact and the cathode contact can be arranged on the housing, in one or more of the set-back guide means, at a distance of at least five millimeters from the set-down plane, wherein that region of the respective housing side wall which is adjacent to the anode contact and the cathode contact terminates at a distance of at least five millimeters from the set-down plane.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/DE2014/100333, filed Sep. 11, 2014, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2013 110 002.3, filed Sep. 11, 2013, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a container for a hand-portable, rechargeable direct current storage device. The invention also relates to a container of this type in combination with a connecting device for the fitting of the container to the connecting device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A container of this type with the following characteristics is known, for example, from US 2008/0053716 A1. A housing provided with a housing underside with a housing set-down surface, a housing upper side, housing side walls and a housing interior, an electrical anode contact and an electrical cathode contact, wherein the housing underside has configured within it, on mutually opposite edges, set-back guide means which extend in the direction of the housing upper side from a set-down plane defined by the housing set-down surface. The anode contact and the cathode contact of the container are arranged a few millimeters within the set-back guide means. 
         [0004]    The housing set-down surface is defined by those areas of the housing underside which, upon the setting down of the container upon a plane surface, are in mechanical contact with said plane surface. In the simplest full-plane arrangement, the housing set-down surface is formed by the entire housing underside. 
         [0005]    For example, upon the setting down of this container, upon a soiled, sandy or wet surface, there is a risk of damage to and/or the soiling of the electrode contacts, to the extent that there may be a risk of the formation of a short-circuit on the direct current storage device housed in the container. 
         [0006]    From DE102010048756A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,938A and U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,285A, containers are also known for a hand-portable, rechargeable direct current storage device. These containers are provided with a housing set-down surface which defines a set-down plane. Each container is provided with an electrical anode contact and an electrical cathode contact. These contacts are arranged in recesses, which are essentially positioned centrally in the housing set-down surfaces. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The object of the present invention is the proposal of an improved container, the electrode contacts of which are more effectively protected, even under unfavourable ambient conditions. 
         [0008]    This object is fulfilled by a container having the characteristics described in claim  1 . 
         [0009]    According to the invention, it is provided that the anode contact and the cathode contact, in one or more of the set-back guides or set back means, are arranged on the housing at a distance of at least five millimeters from the set-down plane, whereby that region of the respective housing side wall which is adjacent to the anode contact and the cathode contact terminates at a distance of at least five millimeters from the set-down plane. A clearance in excess of  8  millimeters is preferred, and a clearance in excess of  10  millimeters is particularly preferred. The anode contact and the cathode contact may either be oriented in the direction of the housing underside or in the direction of the housing side walls. 
         [0010]    This structural arrangement of the set-back guide means not only removes the electrode contacts from the consistently fouled and/or moisture-bearing set-down plane, but also prevents the penetration of dust, sludge or snow through openings in the housing underside which, from the set-down plane, are provided for the purposes of access to the electrode contacts. In place of openings, which are easily susceptible to total or partial obstruction, the housing underside, considered from the housing set-down surface, is provided with a stepped surface profile section, at least at the periphery of the housing. This stepped surface profile section which, accordingly, is removed from the set-down plane, is not limited laterally by housing side wall segments. Accordingly, even where the container is set down on sludge, any dirt which penetrates to those regions of the housing underside which are recessed in this stepped arrangement will not achieve any lateral purchase. In this way, the adhesion of dirt is inhibited, or prevented altogether. Even in the event of the adhesion of dirt to those regions of the housing underside which are recessed in this stepped arrangement, any soiling can easily be removed, as lateral access is ensured by the likewise upwardly recessed housing side walls. 
         [0011]    The outer profile of the housing is preferably configured as a cuboid. This geometry is formed by at least the housing underside, in combination with four housing side walls. As a departure from this cuboid shape, the housing upper side may be arched outwards or kinked. 
         [0012]    For the reasons described above, it is particularly advantageous if the housing understide, in the region between the set-back guide means configured on the opposite edges of the housing, is at a distance of greater than 5 millimetres from the set-down plane. A clearance in excess of 8 millimeters is specifically preferred, and a clearance in excess of 10 millimeters is even more specifically preferred. The recessed and stepped region extends over the full width of the housing underside. 
         [0013]    The set-back guide means are preferably provided with centering section, which are arranged adjacently to the anode contact and/or to the cathode contact. These central cut-outs permit the insertion of correspondingly inverse-profiled centering projections on a connecting device. This arrangement permits defined positioning between the connecting device and the container, such that secure and defined electrical contact can be established between the electrode contacts on the container and even relatively filamentary and slender electrode contact devices on the connecting device. Preferably, both the anode contact and the cathode contact are surrounded by central projections on two sides. By this arrangement, any misalignment between the container and its associated connecting device can be reliably prevented. In the interests of exceptionally easy handling, it is advantageous that the set-back guide means should be arranged below the center of gravity of the container, with the direct current storage devices fitted. 
         [0014]    Moreover, the central cut-outs in the container are preferably configured such that, in a view of the housing underside, the central cut-outs arranged adjacently to the anode contact show a different cross-sectional profile to the central cut-outs arranged adjacently to the cathode contact. By this arrangement, any reverse-polarity bonding of the anode contact and the cathode contact with the associated connecting device can be easily and reliably prevented. 
         [0015]    In the interests of a particularly straightforward and secure bonding of the container and the connecting device, it is advantageously provided that the central cut-outs extend at least partially beyond the anode contact and/or the cathode contact in the direction of the housing upper side. Accordingly, the central cut-outs extend in the direction of the housing upper side to a greater depth than the stepped and recessed regions of the housing underside. Upon the fitting of the housing to an associated connecting device, guide lugs with a corresponding inverse configuration to the central cut-outs engage with said central cut-outs in the area of the opposite edges of the housing. In their direction of extension, in combination with the central cut-outs, the guide lugs execute a positive-action function for the bonding of the housing and the connecting device. 
         [0016]    In all the variants of the container described above, it is advantageous that the set-back guide means are configured, at least partially, as recesses in the housing side walls. By this arrangement, the associated connecting device can be configured such that, with the housing and the connecting device in the connected state, the latter occupies the recesses in the housing side walls, in the plane surface of said housing side walls. By this arrangement, it is possible for a plurality of housings of this type and their associated connecting devices to be arranged with the housing side walls of said housings flush-fitted next to one another, thereby saving a substantial amount of space. 
         [0017]    In all the forms of embodiment described above, it is advantageous that the anode contact and the cathode contact are arranged in mutually opposing set-back guide means which are positioned opposite each other. In this way, conduction path the for any leakage currents via the surface profile section of the housing underside is maximized. 
         [0018]    A preferred variant of the container is characterized in that the housing underside is provided with an anode opening and a cathode opening whereby, from the anode opening through to the anode contact, a section of one of the set-back guide means is configured as an anode guide channel with an anode guide channel recess, and from the cathode opening through to the cathode contact, a section of one of the set-back guide means is configured as a cathode guide channel with a cathode guide channel recess. 
         [0019]    In addition to the stepped and recessed regions, these regions of the housing underside are also provided with openings, via which the electrode contacts, which are further spaced from the openings, can be accessed by means of guide channels. This structure delivers a further improvement in protection against unwanted fouling or the short-circuiting of the anode contact and the cathode contact. 
         [0020]    It is specifically preferred that guide channels of this type are configured such that the anode guide channel and/or the cathode guide channel extend adjacently to one of the four housing side walls extend along the housing side walls. In this form of embodiment, the housing side walls provide lateral protection for the electrode contacts. 
         [0021]    In the form of embodiment incorporating guide channels, it is also advantageous that the anode contact and the cathode contact are arranged inside the respective guide channel and/or on the housing side walls, such that there is a maximum clearance between the anode contact and the cathode contact. By this arrangement, any unwanted influence associated with leakage currents between the electrodes is minimized. 
         [0022]    It is also advantageous that the anode opening and the cathode opening of the respective guide channels are configured with different opening profiles. The guide channels then assume the above-described function of the central cut-outs. 
         [0023]    It is also advantageous that the anode guide channel and/or the cathode guide channel are hermetically sealed in relation to the housing interior. By this arrangement, even where the housing is set down in water, the upsurge of water via the guide channels to the electrode contacts and the short-circuiting thereof can be prevented. 
         [0024]    In all the forms of embodiment of the container described above, it is advantageous that the anode contact and/or the cathode contact are covered by mechanically pivoting cover devices. Upon the fitting of the housing to the connecting device, these cover devices are moved clear, for example, by the inherent weight of the housing. In the case of compressable media such as sludge or snow, the force exerted by sludge or snow upon the setting down of the housing will not be sufficient to move the cover devices. Alternatively, a mechanism may be provided by means of which, for example, a specifically designed structure provided on the connecting device actuates the release and the opening of the cover device upon the fitting of the housing to the connecting device. This arrangement provides additional protection for the electrode contacts. 
         [0025]    In all the forms of embodiment described above, it is also advantageous that, adjacently to the set-back guide means and/or within the set-back guide means, air-conditioning interfaces are provided for the air-conditioning of the housing interior. Upon the fitting of the housing to the connecting device, a coupling process then proceeds for electrical bonding and a connection of the housing to an associated air-conditioning device. 
         [0026]    In all the variants of the housing with the set-back guide means described above, the system is configured as an appropriately designed connecting device for the electrical bonding of the anode contact and the cathode contact of the container upon the fitting of the container to the connecting device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    For exemplary purposes only, various forms of embodiment of the housing and appropriate connecting devices are described below with reference to the figures. 
           [0028]    These represent the following: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic perspective view of a first form of embodiment of a housing  1  with an associated connecting device  4 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the housing  1  from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  shows a view of the housing underside  10  of the housing  1  from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  shows an enlarged partial cross-section of the view of the housing underside  10  shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view at line V-V in  FIG. 2 , wherein elements of a connecting device  4  are also represented; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of a second form of embodiment of the housing  1 , with interfaces for the air-conditioning of the housing interior; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  shows an enlarged partial cross-section of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  shows a side view of a third form of embodiment of a housing  1 , with no associated connecting device; 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  shows the view of the housing  1  shown in  FIG. 8 , fitted to an appropriate connecting device  4 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 10  shows a view of the housing underside  10  of the housing  1  from  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 11  shows a side view of the housing  1  from  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the housing  1  from  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of the housing  1  from  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of the connecting device  4  for the third form of embodiment of the housing  1 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 15  shows a view of the front side of the connecting device  4  from  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 16  shows a view of the upper side of the connecting device  4  from  FIG. 14 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 17  shows a cross-sectional view at line XVII-XVII in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 18  shows a cross-sectional view at line XVIII-XVIII in  FIG. 8 , and 
           [0047]      FIG. 19  shows a perspective view of an enlarged partial view of the housing  1  with the connecting device  4  from  FIG. 13 , and with no housing side wall  10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0048]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic perspective view of a first form of embodiment of a housing  1  for a hand-portable, rechargeable direct current storage device with an associated connecting device  4 . The outer profile of the housing  1  is essentially configured as a cuboid with a housing upper side  15 , four housing side walls  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14  and a housing underside  10 . As a departure from the strictly cuboid form, the housing upper side  15  is configured with a slight upward arch, and incorporates a centrally arranged handle  16 . Below the handle  16 , in the region of the housing underside  10 , the frontal set-back guide or guide means  101  can be seen. The latter is specifically configured as a recess in the frontal housing side wall  11 . This means that, in the region of the set-back guide means  101 , the housing side wall  11  does not extend downwards to the same depth as in the neighbouring regions. The rear edge of the housing underside  10  opposite the set-back guide means  101  incorporates a similarly configured further set-back guide or guide means  102 , which is not represented here. In the region of the frontal set-back guide means  101 , an anode contact  2  is arranged behind the housing side wall  11 . The anode contact  2  is surrounded on both sides by central cut-outs  104 . The latter are also covered and laterally protected by the housing side wall  11 . Both the anode contact  2  and the central cut-outs  104  on either side can only be accessed from below via the set-back guide means  101 . By means of the further set-back guide means  102 , which is not shown in this representation, a cathode contact  3 , which is also surrounded on both sides by central cut-outs  104 , can be accessed from below. 
         [0049]    A connecting device  4  is represented below the housing  1 . The connecting device  4  is provided with an anode contact connector  42 , which is surrounded on either side by two guide lugs  44 . The guide lugs  44  of the anode contact connector  42  are spaced such that, upon the fitting of the housing  1  to the connecting device  4 , they engage with the two central cut-outs  104  of the anode contact  2 . Matching the clearance between the anode contact  2  and the—in this case unrepresented—cathode contact  3  in the housing  1 , a cathode contact connector  43  is provided on the connecting device  4 , further to the anode contact connector  42 . The cathode contact connector  43  is likewise surrounded on either side by two guide lugs  44 . Upon the fitting of the housing  1  to the connecting device  4 , all four guide lugs  44  engage with corresponding central cut-outs  104  in the housing. This ensures the secure and definedly effected electrical bonding of the connecting device  4  and the housing  1 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the housing  1  represented in  FIG. 1 . Equivalent components are represented by the same reference numbers. It will be seen that, to the left and right of the set-back guide means  101 , the housing underside  10  forms two housing set-down surfaces  100 . On these housing set-down surfaces  100 , the housing  1  is arranged on a set-down plane AE. In the region of the anode contact  2  and the surrounding central cut-outs  104 , the frontal set-back guide means  101  has a housing side wall  11  which runs upwards and backwards considered from the set-down plane AE. Considered from the rear, the set-back guide means  101  runs back down in the direction of the set-down plane AE, but does not reach the latter. 
         [0051]    Shortly before reaching the set-down plane AE, the outline of the housing underside  10  formed in this region of the set-back guide means  101  kinks away to the rear, running parallel to the set-down plane AE, and encloses a cable compartment  17  in the housing  1 .  FIG. 3  shows a view of the housing underside  10  of the housing  1  represented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In this case, the two set-back guide means  101 ,  102  can be seen on the opposite edges of the housing underside  10 . 
         [0052]    The two set-back guide means  101 ,  102  interlock with each other. Clearance between the complete region between the two edges and the set-down plane AE is maintained by the interlocking set-back guide means  101 ,  102 . If the housing underside  10  of a housing  1  of this type is set down on snow or sludge, the snow or sludge will initially be brought into contact with the housing set-down surfaces  100 , and thereafter with the underside of the cable compartment  17 . Snow or sludge cannot penetrate through to the uppermost regions of the set-back guide means  101 ,  102  with the anode contact  2  and the cathode contact  3 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 4  shows an enlarged partial cross-section of the view of the housing underside  10  shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view at line V-V in  FIG. 2 , wherein elements of a connecting device  4  are also represented. Here again, equivalent components are represented by the same reference numbers. In this representation, the anode opening  20  can be seen on the left, with the anode opening channel  21  arranged thereupon, extending from the anode opening  20  to the anode contact  2 . The housing side wall  11  provides lateral protection for the anode contact  2  against environmental influences. The anode opening  20  is closed by a cover device  22 . This may be, for example, a flap of an elastically deformable material. Upon the fitting of the housing  1  to the connecting device  4 , this flap is bent to the side by the anode contact connector  42  and the cathode contact connector  43 , thereby permitting the contact connectors  42 ,  43  to engage with the associated contacts  2 ,  3 . The bent position of the cover device  22  in relation to the cathode opening  30  is represented on the right-hand side. An energy storage cell C is represented, in a purely schematic form. This may be configured as a rechargeable direct current storage device, in the form of all types of electrochemical secondary cells used as capacitors. 
         [0055]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of a second form of embodiment of the housing  1 , with interfaces  200  for the air-conditioning of the housing interior. In comparison with the first form of embodiment, equivalent components are represented by the same reference numbers. Accordingly, the embodiments described above will apply correspondingly. In order to avoid repetitions, the differences will primarily be described hereinafter. Adjacently to the frontal set-back guide means  101 , an air-conditioning interface  200 , configured as an opening, is arranged in each case in the housing underside  10 . The interior of the housing  1  can be seen through a partially cut-away housing side wall  11 . A plurality of mutually spaced and electrically interconnected energy storage cells C is arranged herein. Where the housing  1  is fitted to the connecting device  4 , simultaneously with the electrical coupling of the housing  1 , the housing interior is coupled to an air intake line ZL and an exhaust air line AL. By this arrangement, the housing interior can be maintained at a desired working temperature. A fire-extinguishing device F may be arranged in the housing interior. Specifically in the case of state-of-the-art lithium-ion accumulators, in the event of defective control during charging and discharging, high temperatures may occur to the extent that there is an acute risk of fire. 
         [0056]      FIG. 7  shows an enlarged partial cross-section of  FIG. 6  wherein, as distinct from  FIG. 6 , a cover flap  201  is represented, which is arranged to pivot on the housing  1  in the region of the air-conditioning interface  200 . In the closed state, the cover flap  201  covers the air-conditioning interface  200 . The pivoting mechanism is spring-loaded by a spring  202  such that, when the housing  1  is fitted to the exhaust air line AL which is represented in this case, the cover flap  201  pivots into the housing interior, against the force of the spring  202 . When the housing  1  is removed, the spring  202  pushes the cover flap  201  back over the air-conditioning interface  200 . In addition to the fire-extinguishing device F, a fire-extinguishing granulate FG may additionally be arranged in the interior of the housing  1 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 8  shows a side view of a third form of embodiment of a housing  1 , with no associated connecting device. In comparison with the first form of embodiment, equivalent components are represented by the same reference numbers. Accordingly, the embodiments described above will apply correspondingly. In order to avoid repetitions, the differences will primarily be described hereinafter. In this form of embodiment, the housing  1 , with its housing underside  10 , four housing side walls  11 ,  12 ,  13 ,  14  and the housing upper side  15  is essentially configured as a cuboid.  FIG. 9  shows the view of the housing  1  represented in  FIG. 8 , with the latter fitted to an appropriate connecting device  4 .  FIG. 10  shows a view of the housing underside  10  of said housing  1 . The connecting device  4  is configured such that the outer edge thereof, upon the fitting of the housing  1  with its set-back guide means  101 ,  102  to the connecting device  4 , terminates flush with the housing underside  10 , and the frontal housing side wall  11  and the rear housing side wall  13 . This configuration also proceeds from  FIG. 11 , which represents a side view of the housing  1 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of the housing  1  represented in  FIG. 8 , with no connecting device  4  fitted, and  FIG. 13  shows the same perspective view, with a connecting device  4  fitted. 
         [0059]      FIG. 14  shows a perspective view of the connecting device  4  for the third form of embodiment of the housing  1 . In addition to the anode contact connector  42  and the cathode contact connector  43 , the connecting device is also provided with a plurality of data contact connectors  41 . Four data contact connectors  41  respectively are arranged adjacently to the anode contact connector  42  and to the cathode contact connector  43 . The anode contact connector  42  and the cathode contact connector  43  are arranged with the maximum possible diagonal spacing, such that the leakage current path is correspondingly large. 
         [0060]    From  FIG. 15 , which shows a view of the front side of the connecting device  4 , it will be seen that the guide lugs  44  project slightly above the contact connectors  41 ,  42 ,  43 . This ensures that, upon the fitting of the housing  1  to the connecting device  4 , the initially applied mechanical contact between the guide lugs  44  and the central cut-outs  104  assigned by way of the appropriate cross-sectional surface establishes the correct position of the housing  1  in relation to the connecting device  4 , for the purposes of electrical bonding. Thereafter, from this position, the housing  1  and the connecting device  4  move together along the direction of extension of the guide lugs  44 , such that the contact connectors  41 ,  42 ,  43  engage with the associated electrical contacts  2 ,  3 ,  414  in the housing  1 .  FIG. 16  shows a view of the upper side of the connecting device  4 . It will be seen here that the contact connectors  41 ,  42 ,  43  are configured as knife-blade contacts. 
         [0061]      FIG. 17  shows a cross-sectional view at line XVII-XVII in  FIG. 9 , and  FIG. 18  shows a cross-sectional view at line XVIII-XVIII in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 19  shows a perspective view of an enlarged partial view of the housing  1  with the connecting device  4  represented in  FIG. 13 , with the housing side wall  10  omitted. As a result of the omission of the housing side wall  11  in this representation, the energy storage cells C and the bonded contact connectors  41 ,  42 ,  43  can be seen. 
       LIST OF REFERENCES 
       [0000]    
       
           1  Housing 
           2  Anode contact 
           3  Cathode contact 
           4  Connecting device 
           10  Housing underside 
           11  Housing side wall 
           12  Housing side wall 
           13  Housing side wall 
           14  Housing side wall 
           15  Housing upper side 
           16  Handle 
           17  Cable compartment 
           20  Anode opening 
           21  Anode guide channel 
           22  Cover device 
           30  Cathode opening 
           31  Cathode guide channel 
           41  Data contact connector 
           42  Anode contact connector 
           43  Cathode contact connector 
           44  Guide lugs 
           100  Housing set-down surface 
           101  Set-back guide means 
           102  Set-back guide means 
           104  Central cut-outs 
           200  Air-conditioning interface 
           201  Cover flap for air-conditioning interface 
           202  Spring for cover flap 
         C Energy storage cell 
         F Fire extinguishing device 
         FG Fire extinguishing granulate 
         AE Set-down plane 
         ZL Air intake line 
         AL Exhaust air line