Battery lock

Disclosed are battery locks. The batter locks may include a body, a first arm, and a second arm. The body may have a first end, a second end, and a pivot axis. The pivot axis may be located in between the first end and the second end. The first arm may extend from the body proximate the first end. The first arm may be configured to provide a biasing force that biases movement of the body in a first direction about the pivot axis. The second arm may extend from the body proximate the first end. The second arm may be configured to provide an ejection force to a battery.

SUMMARY

Disclosed are battery locks. The batter locks may include a body, a first arm, and a second arm. The body may have a first end, a second end, and a pivot axis. The pivot axis may be located in between the first end and the second end. The first arm may extend from the body proximate the first end. The first arm may be configured to provide a biasing force that biases movement of the body in a first direction about the pivot axis. The second arm may extend from the body proximate the first end. The second arm may be configured to provide an ejection force to a battery.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While embodiments and examples are described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements and stages illustrated in the drawings, and the systems and methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods or elements to the disclosed systems. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit this disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of any invention disclosed herein is defined by the appended claims.

Portable computing devices generally require a battery for operation. The battery may be removable so as to allow continued operation with a new battery while a depleted battery is charged. As disclosed herein, a locking device may be used to secure the battery into the portable computing device.

The battery lock may include combine many functions into a single part. For example, the battery lock may include a body that acts as a lever. The body may allow for the locking and unlocking of the battery. The body may include one or more arms that may be preloaded so as to keep the body of the batty lock in a locked position. The one or more arms may also be preloaded and eject the battery as the lever is operated. For example, when a user pressed a button, the one or more arms may cause the battery to pop out of a housing of the portable computing device.

As disclosed herein, the battery lock may include with four arms. A first pair of arms may include pins at the ends that not only preload the body itself but may preload the battery in the direction of retention. A second pair of arms, without the pins, may only preload the body itself.

The pins, which may be vertical, of the first pair of arm may be arranged to contact, grip, or otherwise engage a corresponding form element of the battery. Additional pins, which may be horizontal pins, may be slides. A function of the additional pins may be to counterforce the torque because of the forces applied on the vertical pins by the battery.

Turning now to the figures,FIG. 1shows a portable computing device100consistent with embodiments of this disclosure. Portable computing device100may include a housing102and a battery104. The housing may include a display106. In addition, the housing may define a cavity108and an opening110sized to allow at least a portion of battery104to slide into cavity108.

As shown inFIG. 2, portable computing device100may include a battery lock202. Battery lock202may be positioned proximate a first surface204of housing102. As shown inFIG. 2, a pin206may be used to secure battery lock202to one or more protrusions208and210. As disclosed herein, pin206may pass through battery lock202and provide a pivot point about which battery lock202may rotate.

Battery lock202may define a notch212. Notch212may be sized to receive a protrusion214. Protrusion214may be a component of a button216. As disclosed herein when button216is pressed, button216may contact a second end of battery lock202and cause battery lock202to pivot about pin206.

Battery lock202may also include a first plurality of arms218and a second plurality of arms220. The first plurality of arms218may contact first surface204and may be preloaded to generate a biasing force. The biasing force may act to cause battery lock202to pivot about pin206in a direction opposite that caused when button216is pressed.

As shown inFIG. 3, each of second plurality of arms220may include may include a first pin302. As disclosed herein, first pins302may contact a surface of battery104. During insertion of battery104, the contact between first pins302and the surface of battery104may cause second plurality of arms220to flex as indicated by arrows306. The flexing of second plurality of arms220may generate an ejection force such that upon pressing of button216, batter104may be ejected from cavity108.

Each of second plurality of arms220may also include a second pin304. Second pins304may project from second plurality of arms220at an angle, such as 90 degrees, to first pins302. As battery104is inserted into cavity108and contacts first pins302, second pins304may slide against first surface204. Second pins304may act to counter the torque placed on second plurality of arms220as battery104presses against first pins302.

As shown inFIG. 3, a body310of battery lock202may define a through hole308. Through hole308may be located in between a first end and a second end of body310of battery lock202. First plurality of arms218and second plurality of arms220may extend from body310of battery lock202proximate the first end. Notch212may be defined proximate the second end of body310of battery lock202.

The position of first plurality of arms218and second plurality of arms220may be such that desired forces are generated. For example, the location of second plurality of arms220, along with the length of second plurality of arms220, may be such that a specified ejection force, such as X Newtons, is generated and preloaded when battery104is installed. In addition, the location, as well as length, of first plurality of arms218may be such that when battery104is installed, first plurality of arms218cause the first end of body310to press against batter104as disclosed herein.

WhileFIGS. 2 and 3show battery lock202having four arms that are evenly distributed on opposite sides of body310, battery lock202may include any number of arms. For example, instead of first plurality of arms218having two arms as shown, first plurality of arms218may only include one arm or three or more arms. In addition, second plurality of arms220may only include one arm or three or more arms. For instance, instead of four total arms as shown inFIG. 3, battery lock202may have two arms and one of the arms may include first pin302and second pin304while the other arm does not include pins.

Battery lock202may be manufactured from plastics such as polyetheretherketone, sometimes referred to as PEEK. Battery lock202may be manufactured via injection molding, overmolding, etc. Battery lock202may also be manufactured from metals and may be casts and/or machined.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4Cshow the stages of ejecting battery104from portable computing device102. As shown inFIG. 4A, a first end of battery lock202may rest in a recess402defined in battery104. First plurality of arms218may create the biasing force that cause battery lock202to rotate about pin206such that the first end of battery lock202rests within recess402.

As shown inFIG. 4B, pressing button216may cause the first end of battery lock202to slide out of recess402. Once battery lock202is not engaged with recess402, second plurality of arms220may press against battery104as described herein. The ejection force generated by second plurality of arms220may cause battery104to slide out of cavity108as shown inFIG. 4C.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 is a battery lock comprising: a body having a first end, a second end, and a pivot axis located in between the first end and the second end; a first arm extending from the body proximate the first end, the first arm configured to provide a biasing force that biases movement of the body in a first direction about the pivot axis when the battery lock is installed; and a second arm extending from the body proximate the first end, the second arm configured to provide an ejection force to a battery.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 optionally includes a third arm extending from the body opposite the first arm, the third arm configured to provide the biasing force along with the first arm.

In Example 3, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-2 optionally include a fourth arm extending from the body opposite the third arm, the fourth arm configured to provide the ejection force along with the second arm.

In Example 4, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-3 optionally include wherein the second arm comprises a pin extending from the second arm, the pin configured to contact the battery when the battery is installed.

In Example 5, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-4 optionally include wherein the body defines a notch at the second end of the body.

In Example 6, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-5 optionally include wherein the body defines a through hole, the pivot axis passing through a center of the through hole.

Example 7 is a battery lock comprising: a body having a first end, a second end, and a pivot axis located in between the first end and the second end; a first plurality of arms extending from the body proximate the first end, the first plurality of arms arranged to contact a surface of a portable computing device when the battery lock is installed within the portable computing device and provide a biasing force that biases movement of the body in a first direction about the pivot axis; and a second plurality of arms extending from the body proximate the first end, the second plurality of arms arranged to contact a surface of a battery and provide an ejection force when the battery is installed in the portable computing device.

In Example 8, the subject matter of Example 7 optionally includes wherein each of the second plurality of arms comprises a pin extending from a respective one of the second plurality of arms such that each of the pins contact the surface of the battery.

In Example 9, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 7-8 optionally include wherein the body defines a through hole in between the first end and the second end of the body, the pivot axis passing through a center of the through hole.

In Example 10, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 7-9 optionally include wherein the body defines a notch at the second end of the body.

In Example 11, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 7-10 optionally include where the first plurality of arms includes an even number of arms equally distributed on opposite sides of the body.

In Example 12, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 7-11 optionally include where the second plurality of arms includes an even number of arms equally distributed on opposite sides of the body.

Example 13 is a portable computing device comprising: a housing defining a battery compartment and an opening; a battery sized to slide into the opening and into the battery compartment, the battery defining a notch; and a battery lock arranged within the housing, the battery lock comprising: a body having a first end, a second end, and a pivot axis located in between the first end and the second end, the second end of the battery sized to fit at least partially into the notch defined by the battery, a first plurality of arms extending from the body proximate the first end, the first plurality of arms arranged to contact a surface of surface of the housing and provide a biasing force that biases movement of the body in a first direction about the pivot axis, and a second plurality of arms extending from the body proximate the first end, the second plurality of arms arranged to contact a surface of the battery and provide an ejection force when the battery is installed in the portable computing device.

In Example 14, the subject matter of Example 13 optionally includes wherein each of the second plurality of arms comprises a pin extending from a respective one of the second plurality of arms such that each of the pins contact the surface of the battery.

In Example 15, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 13-14 optionally include wherein the body defines a through hole in between the first end and the second end of the body, the pivot axis passing through a center of the through hole.

In Example 16, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 13-15 optionally include wherein the body defines a notch at the second end of the body, the notch sized to receive a portion of a tab extending from the surface of the housing.

In Example 17, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 13-16 optionally include where the first plurality of arms includes an even number of arms equally distributed on opposite sides of the body.

In Example 18, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 13-17 optionally include where the second plurality of arms includes an even number of arms equally distributed on opposite sides of the body.

In Example 19, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 13-18 optionally include a button passing through the surface of the housing and contacting the body at the second end, the button operative to cause the body to pivot in a second direction about the pivot axis when the button is pressed, whereby pressing the button cause the ejection force provided by the second plurality of arms to eject the battery.

In Example 20, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 13-19 optionally include wherein insertion of the battery into the battery compartment causes the second plurality of arms to generate the ejection force.