Abstract:
A battery mounting ( 100 ) is provided for detachable placement in a device. The battery mounting ( 100 ) comprises a housing ( 104 ) for at least one battery cell ( 102 ), a clip ( 116 ) having a cammed surface ( 118 ) for cooperation with between the housing ( 104 ) and a portion of the device, a lock ( 130 ) with a-means for applying a force to the chip ( 116 ) for locking the battery mounting ( 100 ) in place in the device, and at least one power contact ( 138, 140 ) for connecting the at least one battery cell ( 102 ) to the device. The lock ( 138 ) provides a load in the engaging direction of the at least one power contact ( 138, 140 ).

Description:
CLAIM OF FOREIGN PRIORITY 
   This application is filed with a claim of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to foreign application Serial No. 0218206.1, filed in the United Kingdom on 6 Aug. 2002, and entitled “Device, with Detachable Battery Mounting.” 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to the field of battery mountings for housing batteries in position in devices. In particular, the invention relates to replacement battery packs for example for use in data storage adapters. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Batteries are required to provide power in a large range of situations and environments. An example of a need for batteries is in storage PCI (peripheral component interface) adapters. 
   The use of batteries in a storage PCI adapter such as a RAID adapter is used as an example throughout this documents, although it should be understood that this is one example of battery installation and the described apparatus and method are applicable to a wide range of installations and uses wherever battery power is needed in an environment with limited space. Other applications may include, for example, telecommunications adapters and any other battery powered installation. 
   The described apparatus and method are also applicable to situations in which battery backup is required in an otherwise mains powered system. 
   In storage PCI adapters, as in a large number of other environments, batteries have a shorter service life than the products they are in and so require replacement in the field. If this replacement requires the removal of the adapter then the service action can be very disruptive. 
   Also the space available for mounting batteries in storage PCI adapters as in many other situations is very limited. Storage PCI adapters have form factors that must be met which dictate the dimensions of the adapter. The use of small sized batteries enables the batteries to fit in the installation; however, the batteries must be replaced more often than a larger size of battery. 
   In prior art battery installations, the batteries are held in place by spring clips and power leads are attached to the battery connectors. This has the disadvantage that the clips are not locked in place and if a spring fails, the battery may become dislodged. Furthermore, the connection leads are vulnerable to dislodgment or damage as they are external to the installation. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a battery mounting for detachable placement in a device, the battery mounting comprising: a housing for one or more battery cells; a clip having a cammed surface for cooperation with a portion of the device; a lock with a means for applying a force to the clip for locking the battery mounting in place in the device; and at least one power contact for connecting the battery cells to the device; wherein the lock provides a load in the engaging direction of the contacts. 
   The lock may be a screw or a clamp applied to the clip. 
   Preferably, the clip deflects to allow mounting in the device and the cammed surface acts with the portion of the device to urge the battery mounting into the correct mounted position relative to the device. The clip may be a protrusion with a central support between a first end and a second end of the protrusion, the first end having the cammed surface and engaging the portion of the device. The lock may act on the second end of the protrusion and the protrusion may be deflectable about the central support. 
   The battery mounting may be mounted slidably within an opening in the device and the battery mounting may have hook means at ends of the battery mounting for location through openings in the device. 
   The housing and clip may be formed of a one piece plastic moulding. 
   The battery mounting may have a logic means with sprung logic contacts for connecting to corresponding contacts on the device. The logic means may be a printed circuit board containing data about the battery cells. 
   According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a device with a detachable battery mounting, the device comprising: a board with an opening in which the battery mounting is placeable; at least one power contact disposed on the cross-section of the board within the opening; and the battery mounting comprising: a housing for one or more battery cells; a clip having a cammed surface for cooperation with a portion of the board; a lock with a means for applying a force to the clip for locking the battery mounting in place in the opening; and at least one power contact for connecting the battery cells to the at least one power contact on the board; wherein the lock provides a load in the engaging direction of the contacts. 
   The lock may be a screw or a clamp applied to the clip. 
   Preferably, the clip may deflect to allow mounting in an aperture of the device and the cammed surface may act with the aperture in the device to urge the battery mounting into the correct mounted position relative to the device. The clip may be a protrusion with a central support between a first end and a second end of the protrusion, the first end having the cammed surface and engaging the aperture in the device. The lock may act on the second end of the protrusion and the protrusion may be deflectable about the central support. 
   The battery mounting may be mounted slidably within the opening in the device and the battery mounting may have hook means at ends of the battery mounting for location through openings in the device. 
   The battery mounting when inserted in place may be recessed within the opening of the board. 
   The housing and clip may be formed of a one-piece plastic moulding. 
   The battery mounting may have a logic means with sprung logic contacts for connecting to corresponding contacts on the device. The logic means may be a printed circuit board containing data about the battery cells. 
   The board may be a printed circuit board and the device may be a storage PCI adapter. 
   According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of inserting a battery mounting in a device, comprising: slidably engaging the battery mounting within an opening in the device; engaging hook means on the battery mounting with openings in the device; engaging a clip with a cammed surface in an aperture of the device; the cammed surface urging the battery mounting into the correct mounted position relative to the device; locking the battery mounting relative to the device with a locking means applying a force to the clip; the step of locking loading power contacts for connecting the battery cells to the device in the engaging direction of the contacts. 
   The present invention provides for a battery mounting which can be removed from an installation in a device without disrupting the operation of the device. The present invention also provides for a battery mounting that maximises the space available for batteries thereby enabling larger batteries to be used in an installation. Further, the present invention provides for a battery mounting in which the battery mounting has robust contacts and can withstand shocks and vibrations. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1A  is a plan view of a battery mounting in position in a device in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 1B  is an underneath plan of the battery mounting of  FIG. 1A  not in position in a device; 
       FIG. 1C  is a left side elevation of the battery mounting of  FIG. 1A  not in position in a device; 
       FIG. 1D  is a right side elevation of the battery mounting of  FIG. 1A ; 
       FIG. 1E  is a top end elevation of the battery mounting of  FIG. 1A  not in position in a device; 
       FIG. 1F  is a bottom end elevation of the battery mounting of  FIG. 1A ; 
       FIG. 1G  is a longitudinal cross-section through line A—A of  FIG. 1A  with the device not shown; 
       FIG. 1H  is a longitudinal cross-section through line B—B of  FIG. 1A ; 
       FIG. 1I  is a cross-section of  FIG. 1A  with the device not shown; 
       FIG. 1J  is a cross-section of  FIG. 1A  with the device not shown; and 
       FIGS. 2A  to  2 D are longitudinal cross-sectional views of a battery mounting in accordance with the present invention in various stages of insertion into a device. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1A  to  1 J, a battery mounting  100  is shown. In  FIGS. 1A ,  1 D,  1 H and  1 F the board  101  of a device in which the battery mounting  100  is place is shown as well as battery cells  102 . 
   The battery mounting  100  has a housing  104  for the battery cells  102 . In this example, the housing  104  accommodates two battery cells  102 . It will be appreciated that the housing  104  could be designed to accommodate only one battery cell or more than two battery cells of various dimensions to suit particular applications or environments. 
   In the described embodiment, the battery mounting  100  holds two AA battery cells  102  and is suitable for placement in a printed circuit board  101  of a storage PCI adapter. This is one example of an embodiment of a battery mounting the described features of which can equally be applied with different dimensions and in different environments. 
   The housing  104  has supports  106  for engaging the battery cells  102  and holding the cells  102  in position in the housing  104 . The housing  104  is formed of a moulded plastics material and the supports  106  can be sufficiently flexible to allow the battery cells  102  to be inserted and to hold the cells  102  in place. 
   The battery mounting  100  also has two sets of hook means  108 ,  110 . One of the sets of hook means  108  is at the top end  109  of the battery mounting  100  and the other set of hook means  110  is at the bottom end  111  of the battery mounting  100 . The hook means  108 ,  110  locate the battery mounting  100  in the board  101  of the device. 
   The board  101  has a primary opening  112  in which the housing  104  of the battery mounting  100  is recessed when the battery mounting is placed in the board  101 . The set of hook means  110  at the bottom end  111  of the battery mounting  100  engage a bottom edge  113  of the primary opening  112  such that a portion of the housing  104  protrudes through the primary opening  112 . 
   The board  101  has a second opening  114  or, if the battery mounting  100  is to be adjacent an edge of the board  101 , a recess in the edge of the board  101  in which the set of hook means  108  at the top end of the battery mounting  100  engage. 
   The battery mounting  100  has a clip  116  with a cammed surface  118  which provides a positive clipping action to hold the battery mounting  100  in place in the primary opening  112  in the board  101  of the device. The clip  116 , housing  104  and hook means  108 ,  110  are all moulded as a one-piece plastic moulding. The clip  116  makes use of the spring characteristics of the moulded materials. 
   The clip  116  has a first end  120  which, in use, projects through a further clip opening  122  in the board  101 . The clip  116  has a second end  124  opposite the first end  120 . There is provided a central support  126  which supports the clip  116  between the first and second ends  120 ,  124 . The cammed surface  118  is provided on a top surface of the first end  120 . 
   When the battery mounting  100  is inserted into the board  101 , the first end  120  or the clip  116  is inserted through the clip opening  122 . The cammed surface  118  of the clip  116  acts against one of the surfaces of the clip opening  122  until the battery mounting  100  is fully inserted and the clip  116  positively engages as the cammed surface  118  ends. 
   The central support  126  is flexible to the extent that it allows the clip  116  to be deflected as the cammed surface  118  engages the surface of the clip opening  122 . The first and second ends  120 ,  124  of the clip  116  are maintained in rigid alignment with each other. 
   A screw or clamp means  130  is provided on the battery mounting  100  which can be tightened to exert a force on the second end  124  of the clip  116 . This force pushes the second end  124  of the clip  116  away from the screw or clamp means  130 . The central support  126  acts as a fulcrum and the second and first ends  124 ,  120  of the clip  116  pivot in opposite directions as the force is applied. This means that the first end  120  of the clip  116  is forced upwards and the cammed surface  118  is forced against the surface of the clip opening  122 . 
   As the cammed surface  118  is positioned tightly against the surface of the clip opening  122 , the force is transmitted through the length of the battery mounting  100  and forces the bottom end  111  of the battery mounting  100  against the bottom edge  113  of the primary opening  112 . 
   The housing  104  has power contacts  132 ,  134  disposed within the housing  104  on the bottom housing wall  136  against which the contacts of the battery cells  102  are placed. The power contacts  132 ,  134  extend through the housing wall  136  to the exterior of the battery mounting  100 . 
   Corresponding power contacts  138 ,  140  are provided on the board  101  of the device. The power contacts  138 ,  140  are provided on the bottom edge  113  of the primary opening  112  in the board. The board has a thickness and the contacts  138 ,  140  are disposed within the thickness or cross-section of the bottom edge  113  of the primary opening  112 . In the example of the PCI adapter, the board  101  is a printed circuit board of thickness 1.6 mm. 
   Therefore, when the screw or clamp means  130  exerts a force through the length of the battery mounting  100 , the power contacts  132 ,  134  on the battery mounting  100  are forced into firm contact with the power contacts  138 ,  140  on the board  101 . The power contacts  132 ,  134 ,  138 ,  140  may be current carrying gold contacts. 
   The battery mounting  100  also has logic means  144  in the form of a printed circuit card  144  containing an electronically stored VPD (vital product data) for managing the logic data of the battery cells  102 . 
   VPD is data which describes aspects of the product, e.g. part number, serial number. This is held in a small Serial EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM). The EEPROM can also be used to maintain attributes about the battery, such as current charge state, lifetime, power-on-hours, expected discharge characteristics, etc. These attributes can be used in conjunction with a program running on the PCI card to determine how to manage the battery, and how it will perform in use. The data can be maintained by the PCI card such that if the battery is swapped to another card, all data about the particular battery unit is kept with it. 
   The logic means  144  has logic contacts  146  on the battery mounting  100  which are sprung pogo contacts which correspond to contacts on the board  101 . The logic contacts  146  on the battery mounting  100  are loaded to the required position by the operation of the clip  116  and the screw or clamp means  130 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2A  to  2 D, a battery mounting  100  is shown in sequential positions as it is inserted into the board  101  of a device. In  FIG. 2A , the battery mounting  100  is inserted by sliding vertically between the board  101  of a device in which the battery mounting  100  is to be placed and a board  200  of an adjacent device. 
   The sliding action of inserting the battery mounting  100  enables the battery mounting  100  to be inserted into a board  101  in a device in situ without removing the board  101  from the device and enabling the battery mounting  100  to be replaced in the field. 
   The board  101  in the device into which the battery mounting  100  is to be inserted is shown in  FIG. 2A  to have a primary opening  112  into which the battery mounting  100  will be recessed, a clip opening  122  and a recess  114 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2B  to  2 D, the battery mounting  100  is slid into position and the hook means  110  on the bottom end  111  of the battery mounting  100  are hooked through the primary opening  112  and engage the bottom edge  113  of the primary opening  112 . The hook means  108  at the top end  109  of the battery mounting  100  hook over the edge of the recess  114 . In this way, the battery mounting is hooked in place in a recessed position with the housing  104  recessed into the board  101  as shown in FIG.  2 C. 
   The clip  116  is then fully engaged into the clip opening  122  and the cammed surface  118  of the clip  116  acts against the top edge of the clip opening  122 . The spring characteristics of the moulded materials allow the battery mounting  100  to snap into position. The screw or clamp means  130  is then tightened as shown in  FIG. 2D  to lock the clip  116  and to exert a force onto the second end  124  of the clip  116  thereby loading the battery mounting  100  in a direction “L” shown in  FIG. 2D  which firmly engages the power contacts  132 ,  134  on the battery mounting  100  with the power contacts  138 ,  140  on the bottom edge  113  of the primary opening  112  in the board  101 . 
   The described arrangement of a battery mounting allows printed circuit boards of devices to remain in place during the replacing of battery cells. For example, in the case of a PCI adapter the adapter can remain powered on whilst the battery mounting is removed and the battery cells replaced without disrupting the operation of the adapter. 
   The described arrangement of a battery mounting in a board of a device maximises the battery size that can be inserted into a location in a device within the form factor allowance of the device. In the described example, the form factor allowance on both sides of the board as well as the width of the board itself is used. 
   The provision of power contacts on the edge of the opening of the board of the device allows a high area contact with a loading in the position direction provided by the locking means in the described form of a screw or clamp means. Furthermore, the positioning of the power contacts on the edge of the opening of the board reduces the area needed on the surface of the board. 
   The locking means in the described form of a screw of clamp means ensures that the assembled device with the battery mounting is shock and vibration proof by preventing the power contacts and the logic contacts from becoming disconnected or the battery mounting being dislodged from the device. 
   Improvements and modifications can be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present invention.